It’s that time of season.  The grocery stores are packed, menus are being planned and most people are counting down the hours until their biggest feast of the year. For many, the thought of having to prepare a lavish meal for friends and family seems intimidating, especially if you are seeking healthy alternatives to sedative-filled turkeys and pork-laden collard greens. Fear not, my friends, I have some nontraditional (yet appetizing!) suggestions for your holiday table. Ooh, I am hungry already!

Start off the morning with Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal, or this easy Moist Vegan Banana Bread from the always creative blog Savvy Brown. (Or if you have a lot of mouths to feed, try both!) But save some room for the main meal.

Make this Pepper Seitan the highlight of your Thanksgiving table. The creative recipe is from Tracye McQuirter, author of the invaluable guide to veganism, By Any Greens Necessary. Of course, Vegan Stuffing would be a perfect highlight to the main dish. I have been making this for years, and it is always a big hit.  To round out your main meal, add Garlic Mashed Potatoes (+ Dill for an extra zing) and Sesame Spinach (recipe below).  And now for my favorite part! For dessert, my tantalizing Chocolate Mousse Pie. (I usually make this for holiday gatherings, and it never lasts long!)

Sesame Spinach

Wash a bunch of spinach. Add 2 tablespoons sesame oil, juice from 1/2  of a lemon, and a dash of salt to taste. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, and you have a ready-made dish (in less than five minutes!) The spinach is ready to eat right away, but I usually let mine marinate for a few hours to maximize the taste.

Best of all, these recipes are so simple, you’ll be out of the kitchen in no time. Better than spending your whole vacation cooking, right?

Don’t forget…I will have more healthy recipes available at “A Winter Retreat,” Saturday, December 3rd…and some tasty holiday treats as well!

Have you tried these recipes? What is on your holiday menu?

We all had such a great time at the Tennessee Natural Hair & Wellness Expo hosted by All Day Natural in July. Since then, I know many of you have been anxiously awaiting the next event.

I am thrilled to share this upcoming celebration with you. On Saturday, December 3rd, All Day Natural Presents, “A Winter Retreat”. This event will be held at the Broad Avenue Ballroom, 2535 Broad Avenue, from Noon to 5 p.m.

You don’t want to miss this. There will be presentations on mind and body wellness, winter hair care and protective styles, advice on fashion and more. I am very excited to bring you a vendor marketplace–just in time for your holiday shopping! The highlight of this showcase includes local vendors with handmade jewelry, bath, body and haircare products, and unique clothing designs. As always, there will be lots of other marvelous surprises in store for all guests.

You can purchase your discounted tickets in advance here. Stay tuned for more details about the event.

See you soon!

Hello friends!

Yesterday was November 1st. Those of you who know me are aware that this day has a personal special significance to me, but there was another reason to celebrate the special day: World Vegan Day, which is the beginning of World Vegan Month!

Ways to celebrate this entire month (and extend these habits throughout the year.

Participate in Meatless Monday. What a great way to kick off the week! The purpose of this campaign is to reduce worldwide meat consumption with the goals of not only improving individual health, but also making a positive impact on the environment. This site has tips, recipes, and resources to assist you in your weekly effort.

Host a vegan potluck. I heartily welcome any excuse to get family and friends together to socialize.  Have everyone bring their favorite vegetable, pasta or bean dish, or alternatively, make your gathering a themed event. Here are a few recipes to get you started: Bean & Guac Tortilla, Moroccan Couscous, Veg Sushi. The possibilities are endless!

Visit a vegetarian restaurant. Find out your local hotspots here. Even if you don’t have an all-vegetarian spot in your town yet, many ethnic/international places are extremely vegetarian/vegan friendly. Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, Middle-Eastern, and Caribbean restaurants always have lots of appetizing vegetarian options.

Visit your library or bookstore and learn more about the vegan lifestyle. There are SO many informative books with tantalizing recipes and motivating anecdotes to get you started on the vegan journey. Of course, there are far to many to name here, but my favorites are, Becoming Vegan: The Complete Guide to Adopting a Plant-Based Diet by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina, Vegan’s Daily Companion: 365 Days of Inspiration for Cooking, Eating, and Living Compassionately by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau.

I shared the story of why I became a vegetarian here. I can honestly say it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Friends (and well-meaning strangers) often jokingly ask if I miss chicken or get tired of eating grass (how original, lol!) The truth is, I don’t feel like I am ever missing anything. In fact, my life has been enriched by the decision to adopt a vegan lifestyle. My awareness about my health, spirituality and environmental issues has vastly increased.

Even if you’re not ready to take the plunge into veganism yet, I encourage you to increase the fruits and vegetables that you consume at least for a little while, to see the difference in how you feel.

Are you a vegetarian/vegan? What changes have you noticed since transitioning?

Are you curious about eating a more plant-based diet? What sparks your curiosity?

Hello friends!

I already share my favorite links on the web with those of you on Facebook and Twitter, but I wanted to extend these interesting finds to my blog family too.

I am going to highlight fellow blogs and bloggers who are entertaining, informative, enthralling (or all of the above!)  You’ll see these posts on a regular basis. I hope you enjoy exploring the blogosphere as much as I have.

Health

Natural and Organic Body Care: Discovering Healthier Alternatives

I am always entertained by this blogger, Lynn.  Reading her blog is like having lunch with a close (wise) friend. In between her insightful posts on natural health and beauty, she candidly shares her daily (often humorous) musings on life.

Oh Honey, Honey

Ironically, I was just speaking with one of my family members this weekend about the advantage of using local honey.  Not only does purchasing your honey locally help the environment and the economy, it is great for your health as well. Check out Lynn’s post to find out more.

Hair

Afrobella: All Shades of Life

Does this “godmother” of blogging really need an introduction? I am enamored with Afrobella, not only for her “girl next door” persona, but her vast knowledge (and enthusiasm!) of all things beauty.

Inspiration for Natural Hair Brides

Don’t be fooled by the title. These eye-catching styles are ideal for any formal event. I have been experimenting with a multitude of different up-dos lately, and this article from Afrobella inspires me even more.  I cannot wait until the holiday parties are in full swing so I can really show off this natural hair pizazz!

Food

Choosing Raw: The Simple Approach to a Vegan and Raw Lifestyle

I told you about this fabulous website before. I appreciate the fact that Gena’s recipes are so appetizing…and simple! Her dishes please vegans and omnivores alike.

Peach and Blackberry Skillet Cake

My close friends and family members (and you dear readers) know that I have a sweet tooth. What is better than a scrumptious, melt in your mouth, cake? A healthy one! This recipe from Gena does not disappoint.  If you all try it at home, let me know how it turns out for you.

Happy Reading!

Are you a fan of these bloggers? What do you like about them?

The farmer had recipes available for the Mchicha and was gracious enough to grant me permission to share the recipe with you all too! I made this dish the next day when I got home, and I must say, this is one of THE tastiest vegetables I have ever had. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

If you are in the Memphis area, you can get this Mchicha at the Urban Farms Market. For my out-of-town friends, try experimenting with different types of spinach, and let me know how it works for you.

Ingredients

1 Red Onion

2 Tomatoes

4 tsp Olive Oil

1/2 tsp Salt

1 TB Peanut Butter

Mchicha chopped

1. Heat olive oil in 2 quart sauce pan. Add chopped onions and cook for 3 minutes.

2. Add tomatoes and salt to onions and cook for 9 minutes over medium heat. Stir intermittently until tomatoes form a sauce.

3. Mix the Mchicha with the sauce. Cover and cook for 10 minutes under medium heat. Stir the Mchicha and let cook for an additional 5 minutes.

4. Add peanut butter and mix thoroughly.

Oh and one more thing, be prepared to fall in love with this dynamic dish!

Have you ever tried Mchicha? What are your favorite greens?

~ Sri Sathva Sai Baba (Indian Spiritual Leader)

Friends, if you’re like me, I know your week is full of busy days and a million little errands. With a to-do list that seems impossible to conquer, who has time to prepare a home-cooked meal? YOU do!

The recipe below is tasty, wholesome, and best of all….quick! I must share this secret with you. When I prepare this dish for family and friends, they always marvel at how “…you must have spent all day in the kitchen making this.” I just smile slyly and chuckle.  Of course I could never tell them that this concoction takes less than 15 minutes to prepare. We’ll keep this secret to ourselves.

Do you like coconut? (I love it in everything!) Many cultures incorporate coconut milk into their traditional dishes for a rich, distinctive flavor. When you want to add a unique flare to your dishes, coconut milk is an excellent alternative to water or broth. I must admit that I take the less intimidating (okay, lazy, lol) way out and use the organic coconut milk in a can. If you are feeling a little more adventurous, you can make your own.

Coconut Vegetable Curry

Ingredients

1 cup coconut milk

2 or 3 cups vegetables (Whatever is in season and suits your fancy: eggplant, carrots, bok choy, bell peppers are all great choices for this dish)

1/2 medium onion

1 clove garlic

2 tablespoons curry powder (or to taste)

1 tablespoon turmeric

dash of sea salt and/or crushed black pepper

1. Heat oil in skillet and saute chopped onions and garlic until lightly browned.

2. Add vegetables and coconut milk and cook over medium heat until vegetables tender.  Depending on the type of vegetables you use, this will take anywhere from five to fifteen minutes.

3. Add spices and stir into the vegetable mix.

4. Garnish with cilantro, basil or your favorite savory herb. Serve with jasmine or basmati rice. This is a delightful, but  best of all–simple–meal!

Do you cook using coconut milk?  What are your favorite dishes using this ingredient?

Friends, am I the only one who gets lost in the blogosphere? Nowadays, so many talented writers offer valuable information on a myriad of topics, which can be satisfying (okay, sometimes overwhelming, lol) for someone with 1,001 interests like me. And I am still discovering new gems every day! I want to help you navigate the world of natural beauty, nutrition and wholistic health out there in the virtual world, by sharing a few of my favorites.

Crunchy Betty

I love love love this blog! (Can you tell my enthusiasm? ) The tagline to the blog is: You Have Food on Your Face. I must admit, that is what initially draw my attention to the site. Crunchy Betty shares tons of natural beauty recipes made from basic ingredients you can find in your kitchen. Strawberry-Kiwi Face Polish anyone? This blog offers wealth of information to purify your hair, skin, home…and soul. A must read!

Melomeals: Vegan for $3.33 a Day

I really enjoy experimenting with tantalizing recipes, and if I can sample new dishes on a shoestring budget….even better! That’s why this site was such a pleasant discovery. Vegetarian chef and photographer Melody shares her simple, creative recipes, using whole, fresh ingredients, like this delightful Pesto Pasta Salad. Oh, and did I mention Melody shows you how to assemble these meals on a budget of around $3.00 daily? Phenomenal! This blog proves you don’t have to break the bank to put together a healthy, delicious meal.

Holistic Locs

I have been meaning to share with you all this blog for the longest. This blog first caught my attention for its breathtaking photos of natural hair, but I later become captivated by the blogger’s musings on spirituality, wholistic health and life in general. Visiting her blog is akin to going to a mini-sanctuary: enlightening quotes, meditative music and inspiring affirmations, like this one, “I Deserve”. I hope this blog encourages and rejuvenates you.

Have you read any of these blogs? Which ones are your favorites?

Photo Credit: newleaf01

Memorial Day Weekend is here, which signals the official start of the entertaining season. If you are trying to find healthy (tasty!) alternatives to pork ribs and beer at your backyard barbecue, no longer are you relegated to the soggy salads and diet sodas. There are so many scrumptious options to please everyone on your guest list this summer.

Mouthwatering Burgers

Omnivores and vegetarians alike should enjoy this astonishingly simple veggie burger.

Photo Credit: Moria

3 Ingredient Veggie Burger (Yes, it’s that easy!)  from Melomeals: Vegan for $3.33 a Day

(Side note: Veggie burgers have really come a long way since their frozen patty days. I like them a lot more than I ever liked their beef counterparts.) Be creative: add cucumbers, guacamole, ranch, or salsa to give your burgers extra pizazz!

A Side of Potatoes

Potato salad seems to be a requisite at every summer soiree, but think outside the box. Who wants gooey, eggey (is that a word?) mayonnaise in their dish, when you can have ripe, tasty avocados instead?

Creamy Avocado Potato Salad from Post Punk Kitchen (I’m going to try these this weekend!)

You can also try Sweet Potato Fries to spice up your menu. If you can peel, you can make this basic dish.

Scrub, wash and peel the sweet potatoes. Slice them in thin, horizontal pieces (similar to a potato chip) or you can cut them crosswise like traditional french fries. You can fry the potatoes on the stovetop in a thin layer of olive oil, or alternatively, brush them with olive oil and bake them in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Season according to taste. I like to add crushed black pepper.

Quench Your Thirst

As much as we love the summer staple lemonade (especially in the sweltering South), we can add some variety by surprising your guests with this refreshing beverage. This is perfect for those extra hot days (and cheap too!)

Cherry Limeade from Dianasaur Dishes (use Turbinado or Stevia instead of white sugar).

The Grand Finale

Finally, on to my always favorite part of the meal….dessert! I will share this with you, but do not tell your guests just how easy this dish is. They probably wouldn’t believe you anyway.

Banana Frozen Yogurt from the Savvy Vegan

Here’s to a fabulous summer of hearty eating and good fun! Cheers!

Have you tried any of these recipes before? What is on your summer entertaining menu?

photo credit: Caroline Culler

The temperature has officially hit 80 degrees, which means I can drift outside again. (Friends, you know I hibernate in the cold, lol.) Where is my first stop? To my local farmer’s market! Oh, how I miss these delightful treasures during the long winter months. I am so proud of my city, which has gone from zero markets to one in every part of town, in just a few years. Recently, the popularity of these markets have grown exponentially all across the country, and for good reason.

What’s not to love about farmers’ markets? First, as I have shared before, when watching your budget, they can be a cost-effective way to purchase quality food. I save so much money on fruits and vegetables from the market, with the added bonus of knowing exactly where my food comes from. I am constantly in awe at the prices offered by the local farmers, as compared to the (outrageous!) prices at my neighborhood grocery store.  The generous vendors I regularly patronize at the market also occasionally throw in additional goodies for me for free (like an extra bag of blueberries….mmmmm).

photo credit: Rita Willaert

More than just produce, many markets now have local artisans and crafters–and these are not products you would find on the shelves on your local Wal-Mart. One of my favorite local markets has booths with handcrafted jewelry and amazing folk art. Many of the vendors at these markets also will create made-to-order products…simply divine!

Even if you’re not in the mood to shop, most markets have other fun diversions. The one I frequent hosts local musicians which play an array of musical genres that appeal to everyone. Many offer cooking and gardening demonstrations, as well as exciting kids’ activities.  Farmers’ markets are the optimal one stop shop to satisfy your interests, and best of all, it’s free!

Check out the website Local Harvest to find your local farmer’s market.

Do you have a farmer’s market in your area? What do you love about farmers’ markets?

Corn, Tomato, & Cilantro Salad

An ideal spring/summer dish, this is a perfect for a light lunch or an addition to an outdoor barbeque. You can prepare this advance and let it marinate for a few hours or eat it right away!

Ingredients:

Note: I don’t have exact measurements, because you can adjust the ingredients according to taste.

Corn (I prefer fresh, but you *can* use frozen or canned if shucking is not your thing, lol.)

Cilantro

Tomatoes

1. Remove the corn from the cob. Drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil onto the corn and mix well until all kernels coated.

2. Dice tomatoes and add to corn. (I used the larger kind).

3. Tear cilantro into small pieces and add to corn/tomato mix.

4. You’re done. Told you! It’s that simple.

Bean  and Guac Tortillas

Ingredients:

Pinto, Black or Vegetarian Refried Beans

Lettuce

Guacamole (You can find an easy to make recipe here.)

Tortillas (Whole Wheat or Sprouted Grain)

Salsa

Warm the tortillas on a low setting in the oven or by lightly frying on the stovetop. Starting with the beans, layer each ingredient onto the tortilla and top with a dash of your favorite salsa.

I must say, this meal is light, yet filling. Even though I prepared two tortillas, I only had room in my little tummy for one.

By the way, it took me longer to wash the dishes than it did to make my dinner. Now, if I can only find someone to take on that arduous task.

¡Muy Delicioso!

What are your favorite Mexican dishes?