Things have been pretty quiet over here this week, thanks to a particularly busy schedule on my part. You may recall that I turned in the manuscript for my cookbook over two months ago, but I just got the developmental edit back from my editor, which means I’m back to my no-sleeping schedule until this mid-way editing process is complete. Luckily, the edits are minor and should be done by the end of this weekend....

This Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad is packed with oven-roasted veggies and tossed in a creamy, dairy-free sauce. It’s a complete vegan dinner, with 14 grams of protein per serving. The leftovers make a great packed lunch, too! How to Make Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad This recipe is easy to make, but has 3 components. First, you’ll toss some chopped vegetables with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, then arrange them on a baking sheet and cook in the oven until tender....

Southwest Stuffed Sweet Potatoes make an easy vegetarian dinner idea. They taste like tacos with extra nutrients in each bite! Loaded with seasoned black beans and sauteed veggies, these stuffed sweet potatoes will leave you feeling full and satisfied. When you top them with the creamy sauce below, they are naturally dairy-free, but you can top them with shredded cheese if you prefer. These sweet potatoes are hearty enough to be served as a meal, but you can also serve half of one as a side dish with your favorite cooked protein....

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese is the perfect way to use up any leftover baked sweet potatoes you have on hand. This dairy-free version has a Southwestern flare, to help make it more of a complete meal, with black beans, green chilies, and a creamy sweet potato sauce. Why You’ll Love It It’s nut-free. Unlike my famous Vegan Mac n’ Cheese recipe, this version gets its creaminess from sweet potatoes instead of cashews....

These Almond Flour Sugar Cookies are pillowy-soft with a melt-in-your-mouth icing on top. With a hint of almond extract, I’m totally hooked! Now that my son is old enough to be aware of cookies, I wanted to make a cookie that wouldn’t leave him bouncing off the walls. As a two-year-old, he does enough of that without any added sugar! These cookies are my solution– they’re naturally sweetened with maple syrup and are made with almond meal for a protein-rich cookie that actually leaves you feeling full after you’ve had one or two....

These Vegan Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are quick and easy to prepare, using ingredients that you probably already have on hand in your pantry. I love how you don’t need flour or eggs to make them, so they are naturally gluten-free and Paleo-friendly. How to Make Gluten-Free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies I use gluten-free flour every now and then, but in most cases I prefer to use almond butter as a “flour replacement....

Vegetable Masala is one of my very favorite Indian dishes, featuring crisp vegetables served in a creamy, spicy sauce. Traditional Masala sauce is made with heavy cream, but this version calls for coconut milk as a dairy-free alternative. We love Indian food in our home, but until recently, I’ve always been a bit intimidated to try making it myself. Requiring just a handful of dried spices, this sauce is surprisingly easy to make and not nearly as intimidating as you might expect....

Wild Rice Stuffing is naturally gluten-free and makes a delicious alternative to traditional bread stuffing. It’s the perfect make-ahead side dish for Thanksgiving! Made with easy whole-food ingredients, this will quickly become one of your favorite stuffing recipes. It’s loaded with flavor, and won’t take up any space in your oven during a busy holiday meal. It pairs perfectly with your Thanksgiving turkey or vegetarian meatloaf , along with any other holiday sides you love....

When I saw the new spooky drink at Starbucks , I knew I had to make a fun and healthier version at home. This purple smoothie is swirled with a green-hued chia pudding , to replicate the “bat warts and lizard scales” found in the original. This drink isn’t only fun, it’s tasty! I’ve heard that the Starbucks version tastes like an orange creamsicle, so I added a little orange juice to this smoothie to mimic that flavor, but it’s also loaded with antioxidant-rich blueberries and frozen banana to replicate the bold purple color....

Bunny Pancakes are an adorable breakfast idea for kids and adults alike. You can use any pancake batter you love to make them! Easter Bunny pancakes have been floating around the internet since Pinterest became popular, and what I love about this idea is that you can simplify it as much as you like. Create bunny butt pancakes by putting together one large pancake with two small pancakes, and a fluffy whipped cream tail on top....

Chocolate almond milk is a delicious way to get your chocolate fix, without the dairy. This recipe is naturally-sweetened, and tastes even better than the store-bought versions! The best thing about making your own almond milk, is that you get to control exactly what goes into it. The store-bought versions can have added thickeners and gums, or taste too sweet, so I think it’s worth the extra effort to make it at home!...

I hope you like coconut. Because I sure do! A friend of mine brought over a few fresh coconuts for us to enjoy while watching the Olympics last week, hoping I could demonstrate how to open them. Of course, I was happy to oblige! Not that my method for opening coconuts is very professional… but it does get the job done. I simply use a cleaver to whack around the middle until a “lid” is created, then open that lid using the cleaver as leverage....

Air Fryer Cauliflower is a fast weeknight side dish. Using the air fryer helps to circulate the heat more evenly, making the cauliflower become much crispier than traditional roasted cauliflower . How to Prepare the Cauliflower When working with cauliflower, I think it’s important to cut any large pieces down into smaller florets so that they will cook quickly and evenly. You want the pieces to be roughly the same size , for the most even cooking....

Curried Butternut Squash Soup is a delicious way to enjoy winter squash season! This soup is lightly sweet, spicy, and creamy, with a velvety texture you’ll love. Why You’ll Love It It’s easy to make. There’s no need to roast the butternut squash ahead of time, so everything cooks in one pot! It’s flavorful. Curried butternut squash soup is made with coconut milk, curry powder, and a splash of maple syrup to help balance out the spice....

Protein Balls are a delicious way to sneak more protein into your life. You can stir them together in less than 10 minutes, for a healthy snack idea! Why You’ll Love Them They taste great. These bite-sized energy bites taste like cookie dough, and are naturally sweetened to help you avoid an energy crash later. They are perfect for meal prep ! They are easy to make. Unlike date energy balls , which require a food processor, this protein ball recipe is easy to stir together in one bowl....

Basil lemonade is about to be your favorite Summer drink. All you need is 3 ingredients to make it, and it’s a total crowd pleaser for a party! Benefits of Basil Why add basil to your lemonade? Mostly, because it tastes ridiculously good. But, basil also has some potential health benefits. Here’s what you’ll love about basil: It may help with memory loss associated with stress . Basil might have an antidepressant-effect , suggested by animal studies....

This Frozen Hot Chocolate is inspired by the famous frosty drink served at Serendipity 3 in NYC. You can make it at home with simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand! Why You’ll Love It It’s easy to make. You don’t need any specialty ingredients to make this frozen dessert. While many recipes call for using hot chocolate packets, it’s just as easy to make your own mix using cocoa powder and milk....

I grew up eating McDonald’s almost every day, so it shouldn’t surprise you to hear that the Shamrock Shake was a highlight for me each year. I’ve always loved that sweet, minty flavor! Now that I’ve studied nutrition for years, I prefer to make recipes with more wholesome ingredients. That’s why I’ve tested this milkshake multiple times (yum!) to make it both nourishing and delicious. I think it tastes better than the kind you’d buy at a drive-thru, and as a bonus, there’s no food dye required!...

Tahini (ground sesame seed paste) is one of my favorite ingredients to use in dairy-free cooking. It adds creaminess, plus nutrients, in every bite. However, not all tahini is created equal when it comes to flavor or texture. So, it might be something you want to try making at home. Luckily for us, it’s super easy to make homemade tahini. (It takes about 10 minutes!) All you’ll need is hulled sesame seeds and some patience....

If you’re like me and end up with a partial can of pumpkin puree in your fridge, turn it into this delicious pumpkin smoothie recipe. It packs 18 grams of protein per glass, but tastes like a slice of pumpkin pie! This recipe is easy to customize, so think of it as a suggestion, rather than a solid set of measurements. If you have only a small amount of pumpkin puree on hand, it will work....