Vegan dishes at Thanksgiving

Holiday Cooking: Vegan Recipes for Thanksgiving

The holidays can be tough, especially for a new vegan or someone trying to change their eating habits. I can remember my first holidays as a vegan. I think both my family and I were defeated with trying to figure out how I can still feel comfortable and have something to eat, while everyone else was enjoying their ham, turkey, and all the sides that were still made with meat and milk. The first year, I ended up just making my go to sweet and sour eggplant as my main dish and picked over the sides I could actually eat from the main meal.

Now that my family and I are more comfortable with my vegan lifestyle, I actually bring some of my favorite dishes to the holiday meal, so that I can have a full meal the way I like it and if any of my non-vegan family members want to try something they can, there’s enough for that too! You can see that from the photo above, all the vegan items are on one side of the table but still in the rotation for everyone to try.

Below you’ll find recipes for my vegan mac n’ cheese, collard greens, and roasted veggies. As well as  “meat” substitute options for a 3 bean sausage wrap and king oyster mushroom pulled pork.

Give it a try and let me see your creations on social media by using the hashtag #veggiecurls

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Chickpea Salad Stuffed Pita

I was never much of a fish or seafood fan growing up (expect crabs), but this play on tuna salad is one of my go to lunch dishes. Quick, easy, and convenient — My favorite combo.

This doesn’t have a fishy taste, but it does mimic the texture of tuna fish and has a great combination of flavors with the mustard, mayo, garlic, onion, and pickles.

Give it a try and let me see your creations on social media by using the hashtag #veggiecurls

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Easy Summer Salad

Fall is already here and the weather is beginning to cool, but I don’t want to begin putting on layers before I share this summer salad. This is great as a starter, side salad or a light meal. And it’s super simple to make.

Give it a try and let me see your creations on social media by using the hashtag #veggiecurls

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Naturals Transitioning to Vegan

I just watched the video below from one of my favorite natural hair vloggers. She has been making a slow transition to vegan for over 3 years and decided to share her story on YouTube. It’s very similar to mine and it had me thinking – could going natural (with your hair) be the start of a vegan journey? I’ve always seen the correlation between learning to care for my hair to learning to care for my body. I had no idea it would lead me to becoming vegan but it has. The more I learn about the things I’m putting on and in my body, the better it inspires me to do the right thing for myself.

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How Your Diet May Be Contributing to Hair Loss

Diet contributing to Hair lossHealthy hair is a great marker of overall health. Experts agree that a healthy diet with the right mix of protein, iron, and other nutrients like vitamin E, selenium, copper, and magnesium can help improve the health, look, and feel of your hair.

With genetic hair loss, you lose your hair gradually, and hair loss increases with age. Non-genetic hair loss occurs when  once healthy hair suddenly and noticeably begins falling out. A typical scalp has about 120,000-150,000 strands of hair, and sheds about 50 to 100 strand per day. Most people don’t even notice that small amount.

Any vitamin deficiency will cause hair loss.  At any given time, about 90% of your hair is in the growing phase. For each individual hair, this growing phase lasts 2 to 3 years. At the end of that time, hairs enter a resting phase that lasts about 3 months before they are shed and replaced by new hair. If you don’t get enough protein and nutrients in your diet, a disproportionate number of hairs may go into the resting phase.

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Crispy Baked Tofu with Sesame Orange Dipping Sauce

Baked Tofu Sesame Orange dipping SauceI’m still cooking my way through Karina Inkster’s “Vegan Vitality – Your Complete Guide to an Active, Healthy, Plant-Based Lifestyle”. This recipe was quick and easy with just 3 simple directions- just the way I like all my recipes :). The dipping sauce is great but if it’s not your taste, feel free to use another sauce. You know tofu is a blank slate, so you can jazz it up with whatever flavors you like.

Give it a try and let me see your creations on social media by using the hashtag #veggiecurls

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18 Vegan Foods for Gorgeous Hair

Natural-women-eating-healthy-foods1I’ve been vegan for a little over a year and it has served my hair well so far. I hate to admit it but it’s been about a year since I’ve trimmed my mane and when I went to my stylist he only had to trim off 2 inches, which is awesome for a year of growth. In addition to great hair care maintenance, I owe my locks to a well-balanced diet.

It’s pretty easy to get the vitamins and nutrients you need for healthy hair and body on a vegan diet if you’re consuming enough food. Vegan foods are practically bursting with nutrients to make your hair, skin, and nails look fantastic, not to mention your mind and body.

If you’re considering including more plant based foods in your diet to improve your locks, check out these 18 vegan  foods for gorgeous hair.

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Basic Roasted Veggies

Basic Roasted Veggies

This recipe is a simple, colorful, and nutritious side dish. Feel free to experiment with different kinds of veggies, herbs and spices for additional flavors but this combo is perfect to impress house guest or to spice up a meal. 

Give it a try and let me see your creations on social media by using the hashtag #veggiecurls  Continue reading “Basic Roasted Veggies”

Homemade Hummus

Hummus

I was a little nervous about making Hummus for the first time but it came out really well and it was really quick and simple. If you want to make Hummus at home instead of buying it in the store, check out the recipe below:

Give it a try and let me see your creations on social media by using the hashtag #veggiecurls  Continue reading “Homemade Hummus”