Don't be surprised when your friends ask for the recipes when you make plant-based vegan side dishes. They're colorful, full of excellent nutrition, but most of all more delicious than most people can believe. And, make cooking easier by Number 1, having ingredients on hand in your pantry, and Number 2 practicing the art of meal prep. Make that pot of beans, rice, or quinoa and you'll be ready to rock a Three Bean Salad in no time.
Helpful Articles
12 Common Mistakes Plant-Based Beginners Make and How to Fix Them
Starting a whole-food, plant-based diet can seem a bit overwhelming. After all, you’ve probably been eating the way you currently do for most of your life. With new foods on the horizon and figuring out what to eat, how to cook without oil, or…
Reader Questions: Will All These Carbs Make Me Gain Weight?
These questions are a part of my ongoing series from my readers about eating a plant-based diet. Please email me at diane@plantbasedcooking.com if you have a question that you’d like answered. I answer every question personally. If you feel stuck or are struggling with…
Review: The Nutr Machine and How to Make Plant Milk
I’m not one to gush but can I just say…. wow. If you’ve ever wished you could have a quick and easy small batch of fresh homemade plant milk, The Nutr is your answer. Imagine non-dairy milk with no added gums or emulsifiers, preservatives,…
9 Plant-Based Store-Bought Foods with Hidden Oils
If you joined the revolution to eat a plant-based diet you may have found differing opinions on just what that means. It’s pretty obvious that plant-based foods are made of plants that include fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. But the true…
COFFEE KLATCH November & December: Sharing My Personal Side
The months seem to fly by, especially at the end of the year. Thanksgiving zoomed by, and we’ve passed Christmas and New Year’s! During the holidays, there’s more pressure to stay on top of eating a whole-food, plant-based diet (emphasis on the “whole food”)…
How to Have Fun Eating a Plant-Based Diet
It may seem counterintuitive that starting a new way of eating could be fun. After all, aren’t we about to give up foods we love to eat and have to restrict ourselves? The answer is in your perspective. If you’re switching from a standard…
Which is Healthier, Raw or Cooked Foods?
If you’re eating a whole food plant-based diet, you might be wondering whether it’s healthier to eat more raw foods or to follow a diet consisting of mostly cooked foods. There are pros and cons to both, and it depends on the type of…
Memorial Day Roundup
The Fourth of July 2021 is here and a perfect time to make a delicious plant-based salad to take to your celebration party. You can always skip any meat dishes that are served and eat all the lovely plant-based sides that usually accompany a…
Plant-Based Christmas Recipe Roundup
It’s that time of year when the days are shorter, at least in the Western hemisphere, and the holidays are upon us. But the last couple of years haven’t been quite normal, have they? Are you celebrating with family and friends this holiday or…
Plant-Based Guide to Healthy Carbs
There was a time when carbohydrates were vilified… oh wait, it’s still happening in 2021. But this is a complex topic and one that’s confused dieters for ages. If you don’t understand just what carbohydrates are, you could get bamboozled into believing that all…
Reader Question: Always Hungry on a Plant-Based Diet
This post is part of an ongoing series of questions about eating a plant-based diet from my readers. If you have a question that you’d like me to answer, please email me at diane@plantbasedcooking.com. I read every question and answer them personally so if…
Is Microwaving Bad?
People are not always happy to see that I suggest microwaving in some recipes. There are other cooking options and, of course, people can choose to cook another way. However, I thought it important to cover this topic and clear the air so you…
COFFEE KLATCH October 2021: Sharing My Personal Side
I’m so happy to share this personal journey with you of eating a plant-based diet that’s good for our health, the planet, and animals! Because I feel we’re kindred spirits, I decided to chat with you a bit about what’s going on inside my…
30 Plant-Based Lunch Ideas for School or Work
Quick and Easy Plant-Based, Vegan Lunch Ideas Coming up with ideas for easy school or work lunches can be daunting with a busy household so why not try some of these plant-based recipes. Each recipe is vegan and full of plant-based goodness. If you’re…
COFFEE KLATCH September: Sharing My Personal Side
I’m so happy to share this personal journey with you of eating a plant-based diet that’s good for our health, the planet, and animals! Because I feel we’re kindred spirits, I decided to chat with you a bit about what’s going on inside my…