Author: Contributed

Summer might be winding down, but that doesn’t mean you’ll need to miss grilled food. The mother-daughter duo behind Veganosity, Linda and Alex Meyer, released a cookbook this year that will fulfill every craving – even if you’re stuck indoors. Great Vegan BBQ Without a Grill is a delicious collection of plant-based ribs, steaks, kabobs, sides, and more smoky favorites. And yes, there are several unique veggie burgers. As a sample, Linda is sharing this beloved recipe for Take Me to Texas Southwestern Burgers with us today: Before Alex was born, my husband and I used to fly to Dallas when…

This is the perfect time of year to renew your family’s healthy eating habits by getting in a lunchbox groove. Packing a healthy school lunch day after day can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. By taking the free Power Your Lunchbox Promise, you can gain access to customizable, make-ahead lunchbox inspiration like the Rainbow Bento Box recipe below. It creatively uses six colors of fruits and veggies, plus protein-packed deli spirals, to keep kids’ brains charged  all day. Making the promise also helps those in need. For every promise, health-forward partner brands will collectively donate $1 to…

Nanaimo bars definitely aren’t the first food that comes to mind when I think of weight loss – they aren’t even on the radar. But by Zuzana Fajkusova and Nikki Lefler don’t believe in deprivation. In fact, their recent book, Vegan Weight Loss Manifesto, has a whole section for indulgences! It includes the raw Nanaimo bars recipe below. The first third of this attractive book covers nutrition, fitness, and creating healthy rituals. It’s a road map that leads you to an enticing collection of recipes with full color photos. As a heads up, some of the information in Vegan Weight…

I thought this was such a fun recipe. Do you remember those 4-bean salads that were at every barbecue growing up? This Middle Eastern bean salad is a fresh take on that classic with the addition of crisp summer vegetables and an easy za’atar hummus dressing. It’s what I like to call a “cheat” recipe, since it uses some conveniences. And it happens to be naturally dairy free, gluten-free, and vegan! This Middle Eastern bean salad recipe with photo was shared with us by READSalads.com. Special Diet Notes: Middle Eastern Bean Salad By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free,…

These adorable mini lemon pecan tarts have a three-ingredient pecan crumb crust and are topped with a light lemon filling and fresh summer berries. They’re ready to shine as an afternoon treat or for your next gathering. The recipe is naturally gluten-free, but we’ve also adapted it to be dairy-free. The original recipe calls for lemon curd, but most store-bought jars and recipes contain dairy (butter). So we use this wonderful dairy-free lemon filling recipe, which substitutes easily for lemon curd. If you prefer store-bought, we discovered that Gale’s Lemon Curd is made without dairy. Or you could opt for…

Chef Candice Kumai says you can spiralize your way to healthy glowing skin with her carrot noodles recipe. This side dish or light main is rich in antioxidants, and the carrots are a natural way to help our bodies produce vitamin A. The avocado also adds a boost of healthy fats, and the edamame balances out the protein and dairy-free calcium. This recipe with photo was shared with us by Nature’s Intent Vinegars. Special Diet Notes: Sesame Carrot Noodles By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, optionally vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian. For soy-free sesame carrot noodles, you…

Candice Kumai is a rising star in the celebrity health circuit, and she has a new book out called Kintsugi Wellness: The Japanese Art of Nourishing Mind, Body, and Spirit. Candice does use cheese and butter in some of her recipes, but most of her creations are dairy-free, many are vegan, and almost all are surprisingly simple. Take this sweet potato peach smoothie recipe for example. It’s unique, healthy, and plant-based, but it uses easy to find ingredients. And I love the way she merges the nutrition of different seasons. Kintsugi Wellness is a reflection on Candice’s Japanese heritage and…

If you ever need a “perfect” gluten-free recipe, then look no further than Nicole Hunn of Gluten-Free on a Shoestring. This lovely woman is a testing and precision machine, and it shows in not only the recipes on her blog, but also in her cookbooks. To give you a sample of her style, this Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free Chocolate Birthday Cake recipe is from her latest cookbook, the second edition of Gluten-Free on a Shoestring: 125 Easy Recipes for Eating Well on the Cheap. Photo by Jean Schwarzwalder I must disclaim upfront that Nicole does use dairy in many of her recipes. But…

Carrots have become a staple side dish at nearly every family occasion. Kids and adults are easily won over by their natural sweetness, and they go well with various herbs and spices. These maple-glazed carrots are spiked with cinnamon and ginger for a warm burst of flavor. The recipe is perfect for Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, but it’s also a great weeknight option. It’s quick to prepare, and the flavors pair beautifully with a wide range of main dishes. This maple-glazed carrots recipe with photo was shared with us by spiceislands.com. Special Diet Notes: Maple-Glazed Carrots By ingredients, this recipe is…

Time flies, doesn’t it? The first edition of Veganomicon, the iconic vegan cookbook by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero, was released way back in 2007. To keep things fresh, the dynamic duo launched an updated version just months ago. Veganomicon: The 10th Anniversary Edition offers over 250 recipes, with many updates, 25 brand new recipes, and some full color photos. To offer a sampling, they’ve shared this recipe for Savory Vegan Butternut Risotto with us. Isa and Terry are well known and loved for many cookbooks, but Veganomicon has persevered as one of their most popular collections. The chapters veer…

Sheet pan dinners have been a staple in our home for years. But I admit to making just a few variations over and over again. This drumstick sheet pan dinner is such a wonderful way to change things up. It uses fresh fennel and orange for a lively twist on chicken and potatoes. Most of the ingredients in this drumstick sheet pan dinner are available year round. But in some areas, fresh fennel might be seasonal. If you have trouble locating fresh fennel, substitute sliced celery, pak choi, or bok choy (bulb and stems only). This drumstick sheet pan dinner…

A few months ago, I posted an incredible top allergen-free recipe for Cookie Dough Cupcakes. It was a sample from Debbie Adler’s latest cookbook, Sweet, Savory & Free. The cupcakes are from the “sweet” side, so today we’re sharing her Greek-style vegan pizza recipe as a sample from the “savory” side. And of course, both recipes are “free” from top allergens! I told you a little about Sweet, Savory & Free in this post, but I want to offer some more specifics. As mentioned, the entire cookbook is vegan, gluten-free, and top allergen free. The chapters include Recipes within Recipes (Homemade Staples);…

When I think of fried rice, images of browned rice with a smattering of peas and scrambled egg flash in my head. But this vegetable fried rice is produce heavy, for a healthier dish that has the appealing look of confetti rice. Feel free to mix up the vegetables with whatever you have on hand. This vegetable fried rice recipe is very forgiving. It can also be customized for most special diet needs. I’ve included notes for both gluten-free and vegan sauce options. For fried rice, it is best to make the rice ahead and refrigerate it for at least…

Tighten your belt in more ways than one with Tuscan soup recipe. It’s a frugal, plant-based meal made with wholesome ingredients. The recipe involves cooking dried beans, which is a very economical option. But if you are short on time, you can use drained and rinsed canned beans. One can usually contains about 1 3/4 cups of cooked beans. This Tuscan soup recipe with photo was shared with us by aicr.org. Special Diet Notes: Tuscan Soup By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / n0n-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, sugar-free, optionally vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian. 5.0 from 1 reviews Tuscan…

Who doesn’t love roasted vegetables? These easy Buddha bowls are the perfect way to enjoy winter produce for a warm, healthy meatless Monday meal. Recipe Tips Onion Notes: Winter onions range from mild to pungent in flavor, and they are ideal for roasting because they have a lower water content than spring and summer onions. Store whole onions in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, but not in the refrigerator and not in plastic bags. Lack of air movement reduces their storage life. Peeled or cut onions may be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.…

These sweet banana bread pancakes are infused with rich maple flavor and the perfect amount of cinnamon spice. Enjoy them topped with an extra drizzle of maple syrup and some chopped walnuts. Or use crunchy hemp seeds to keep them nut free. This banana bread pancakes recipe with photo was shared with us by McCormick. The original recipe was created by Chef Kevan Vetter, but we have modified it slightly and added more options for special diet needs. Pancakes are rather forgiving with ingredient swaps, and these are no exception. Note that the recipe does use maple extract, which offers a very…

This spicy jambalaya pasta is a delicious twist on a popular Southern dish. I love that the vegetables, shrimp, and Andouille sausage are roasted for easy preparation and intense flavor. It’s all tossed with pasta, instead of rice, for a fun and flavorful meal any night of the week. This spicy jambalaya pasta recipe with photo was shared with us by onions-usa.org and usaonions.com. Special Diet Notes: Spicy Jambalaya Pasta By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, and soy-free. Make it grain-free and paleo-friendly with your favorite paleo noodles, zoodles, or spaghetti squash. 5.0 from 1…

Believe it or not, some alcoholic drinks do contain dairy. And we like to celebrate ALL things dairy free. Which is why I couldn’t pass up this beautiful cranberry Moscow mule recipe. It’s that classic blend of ginger beer, vodka, and lime, with a double dose of cranberry added for a special adults-only holiday beverage. This cranberry Moscow mule recipe with photo was shared with us by Nemiroff Original Vodka. Special Diet Notes: Cranberry Moscow Mule By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, and vegetarian. Cranberry Moscow Mule Print Prep time 5 mins Total…

This recipe for wine-glazed carrots uses just a splash of vino, but offers a great excuse for the cook to enjoy a glass! The alcohol cooks down, and adds depth of flavor to the naturally sweetened carrots. It’s a pretty side dish for almost all to enjoy, because the recipe is naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free and vegan-friendly. This recipe and photo for wine-glazed carrots was shared with us by WineFix.com. Special Diet Notes: Wine-Glazed Carrots By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, optionally vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian. It’s also paleo-friendly, depending on your…

Everyone needs a good recipe for gingersnaps, and this simple one is naturally dairy free. These sweet and spicy cookies are perfect for holiday parties and gifting, or for dunking in milk beverage any old day. This gingersnaps recipe with photo was shared with us by Culinary.net and AICR.org. Special Diet Notes: Gingersnaps By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, and vegetarian. For egg-free and vegan gingersnaps, swap in 2 tablespoons of aquafaba. Or in a pinch, you can use 1 to 2 tablespoons of dairy-free milk beverage, as needed, in place of the egg white until a soft…