Vegetarian Zen (Vickie Velasquez and Larissa Galenes)

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast we're joined by Gene Baur, President and Co-Founder of Farm Sanctuary. Gene is a National Best-Selling author and a pioneering animal activist. We talk animal activism, healthy and unhealthy behaviors within the plant-based  community, and about Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey program.

As vegan and cruelty-free businesses continue to boom, more mainstream companies are taking notice and beginning to offer more products that are considered vegan and/or cruelty-free. 

In this episode, we’re going to focus on shampoos that are vegan AND cruelty-free (and no, they aren’t necessarily the same!). We’ll explain what it means to be vegan AND cruelty-free and also share seven brands that are either used by us or recommended by our ever-wise-and-helpful Peas and Carrots group!

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we celebrate 10 years of the podcast by reminiscing about some of our favorite guests. You can check out our full show notes here. 

Balloon releases have been around for decades but did you know that they are extremely harmful to our animal friends AND our environment?

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we welcome Skye Michael Conroy aka The Gentle Chef. Skye is a vegan chef and author of several vegan cookbooks including his latest, “Crafting Seitan: Creating Homemade Plant-based Meats.” 

Skye talks to us about his journey to becoming vegan and shares how he became a vegan chef. We’ll also talk about his book, Crafting Seitan, which can help you break away from commercial mock meat products and learn to make your own delicious versions, complete with all the trimmings!

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’ll be discussing the top 9 tools we’re using to help us get healthier in 2020.

We want to stress that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get healthy. Keep in mind that we’ve accumulated the kitchen tools we’re going to discuss over time and they aren’t essential. We simply want to share these with you today so that you can decide for yourself what makes sense to invest in to make your life a little bit easier.

Despite its theme of love, Valentine’s Day can be a high-pressure holiday. What to give your spouse of 30 years “who has everything”? You’ve only been on two dates with someone—do you give them a gift? Should you declare your undying love for your secret crush??

 Being a cruelty-free, eco-conscious shopper can make preparing to celebrate this day of love even more stressful. In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast we’ll share some tips and ideas for finding animal- and planet-friendly Valentine’s Day gifts. 

In the quest to find healthy, satisfying, and delicious meals, vegetarian lunch ideas often top the list. Forget boring salads; we're talking about hearty salads, grain bowls, and so much more. This month, we've curated a list of 10 vegetarian lunch ideas we can't wait to try. These recipes are packed with simple ingredients that provide a complete meal, boasting both rich, savory flavor and vital nutrients.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’re going to talk about 8 of the best vegan yogurt brands of 2021 as named by our amazing closed Facebook Group, The Peas and Carrots Society. With so much change happening in the plant-based space we like to keep you, our listeners, up to date on the latest and greatest so that’s what we’re going to do here today.

For complete show notes

and links to all the things we mention, head out to vegetarianzen.com/389. 

Recently, a Costco opened up just down the street from our house and we were SUPER excited! In this episode of the podcast, we share 20 awesome vegan Costco finds that make the price of membership TOTALLY worth it! 

Check out links to the products we discuss in the show notes.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’re pleased to welcome Brian Kateman. Brian is the President and co-founder of The Reducetarian Foundation. He coined the term reducetarian, which we’ve often used on this show. 

A reducetarian is a person who is deliberately reducing their consumption of meat but not necessarily going all-in on a plant-based diet. 

We recently watched a documentary he produced based on his book Meat Me Halfway which explores reducetarianism through the lens of his own personal decision to eat less meat. Meat Me Halfway (2021) is a groundbreaking investigative journey that seeks to create some common ground at the dinner table. You can check out the full show notes here.

There are several foods that cause a lot of controversy regarding their overall healthiness. One of these foods is the potato. If you Google “Are Potatoes Good for You?” you’ll find plenty of articles arguing each side of the issue, all citing studies in defense of their perspective.  

Larissa and I believe moderation is key in most things, so in today’s episode of the podcast we won’t address the “great potato controversy.” Instead we’ll just talk about some of the known benefits of incorporating potatoes into your diet.

When I say the word, “Malt”, what do you think of? If you’re like most people, you probably think of malted milkshakes, beer, malt liquor, or maybe malted milk balls.  I never really thought of malt as a healthy supplement but our guest today is a Registered Dietician who is going to give us the scoop on malt. 

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast we talk to Registered Dietitian, Jilian Greaves in-depth to Jillian about what it is and some of the benefits you can get from incorporating it into your diet.

In this episode of our podcast, we talk about “upcycling”. We discuss what it is, how it’s different from recycling, and talk about our business, Cheery Bird Vintage, and how we use upcycling as a BIG part of that business.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’re talking about vegan and cruelty-free sunscreens. We’re going to discuss: 

• Some sunscreen terminology to help you better understand how to pick a sunscreen that’s right for you
• One not-too-common term we’ll share is “reef-safe”. We’ll talk about how some countries and US states within the US are banning certain sunscreens. 
• We’re going to give you 7 of the best cruelty-free, vegan, reef-friendly sunscreens as recommended by our closed Facebook group The Peas and Carrots Society.

In this episode of the VZ podcast, we’re pleased to welcome Benjamin Hagerty and Brianne Nemiroff of the blog It’s Bree and Ben: Live and Travel Kindly.

We talk to them about how they started out their life of travel and how they use their blog to help guide people to kind choices in travel, dining, and shopping.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’re pleased to welcome Dr. Monica Aggarwal, MD, co-author of the book, Body on Fire Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook: Your Guide to eating Plant Foods that Fight Disease 

We’ll speak to Dr. Aggarwal about how improving your diet is one of the most important things you can do to reduce inflammation and improve your health.

You can find the show notes here.

June 5th is World Environment Day, a day designated by the United Nations to spread awareness about our environment and how we can protect it. In this episode of our podcast, we’re going to give a bit of history behind WED, discuss the theme for this year, and also let you know what you can do to get involved.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we share 15 vegan fall desserts. We'll also share a quick vegan baking primer to help you swap ingredients in your own favorite dessert recipes to make them vegan.  Check out the full show notes with links to all the recipes here. 

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast we chat with Stacy Ramirez who is a member of our Golden Apple Roundtable, the folks who support us through Patreon.

We talk about being a "weekday vegetarian", her Reiki coaching business, and her take-aways from the book Radical Beauty by Deepak Chopra and Kimberly Snyder.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we welcome Heather Beck of K9 Lifeline, a company that specializes in training, education, and care of dogs. 

Larissa and I first learned about K9 Lifeline when we were watching one of our favorite shows, “The Profit” on MSNBC with Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis. 

Heather and K9 Lifeline were the focus of one of the episodes and we were very moved by her mission to provide training and education to dogs and dog owners in order to help prevent surrenders, or even worse, DUMPED dogs! 

You can check out the show notes here which include a special coupon code from Heather just for our listeners! 

In this episode, in honor of Pride Month, we'll highlight 15 LGBTQ+ celebrities and famous people who have chosen vegan or vegetarian lifestyles. These folks are using their fame to advocate for compassion, health, and the planet, showing that even small choices can lead to big impacts.

You can check out our full show notes here. 

Potluck etiquette is like the secret sauce that turns a good food fest into a great one.

Picture this: your friends, family, and neighbors getting together for a massive feast, each showcasing their kitchen prowess and favorite recipes. Sounds pretty amazing, right? It’s a cost-effective way to have a good time and indulge in an array of delicious home-cooked meals. But as with any successful gathering, a few unspoken guidelines help keep potluck parties running smoothly.

When the guest list includes vegetarians, vegans, and those with food allergies, these potluck rules of thumb become all the more crucial. Whether you’re playing host or bringing a dish as a guest, nailing a potluck usually boils down to common courtesy and basic manners. But let’s be honest, it can get a bit tricky at times. That’s why we’re here to share some guidance on the right potluck etiquette. Let’s dive in! You can check out the full show notes here.  And be sure to check out the 40 Vegan and Vegetarian Potluck Ideas we discuss in this episode. 

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’ll be reviewing Splendid Spoon! Splendid Spoon is a meal subscription service that specializes in clean ingredients.

We'll share our honest review of pros and cons. 

While I've always been a big fan of juices and smoothies, wellness shots aren't something I've made at home so, I decided to do some experimenting!

Not familiar with wellness shots?  No problem! In this episode, you'll learn:

• What Are Wellness Shots?
• Are Wellness Shots Good for You?
• Are There Any Risks with Taking Wellness Shots?
• Do I Need a Juicer to Make My Own?
• Some Common Ingredients and Their Benefits
• 8 Wellness Shot Recipes
• How to Store Your Wellness Shots

Discover the remarkable world of animal moms and their nurturing ways. Explore the depths of maternal instincts across wildlife species.

Check out the full show notes here. 

In today’s episode of the VZ podcast, we’re going to talk about car restraints for your dog. This was an eye-opening episode for us so even if you don’t have your own dog, chances are you know someone who does so the information we’re going to share today may help you save the life of a beloved pet.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we talk to Lindsey White of ChickensMatter.org. Lindsey tells her story of moving from a farmer to a chicken rescuer. We’ll get to know some of her rescues and talk about her organization, Chickensmatter.org. Incidentally, this month is also International Respect for Chickens month and we think this interview with Lindsey is a great way to cap off the month!

What do you think of when you think of summer? Being from South Texas,  I think of triple digit HEAT! Then I think about ways I can keep cool. Yes, a nice dreamy swimming pool is an awesome way to cool off but a DELICIOUS way to cool off is by enjoying some creamy ice cream!

But we’re not just talking about any old ice cream.  We’re talking VEGAN ice cream!

Today on the podcast, we’ll be talking about some of the most popular vegan ice cream brands currently on the market as well as, getting some input from some folks from our closed Facebook Group, the Peas and Carrots Society regarding their favorite brands.

You don’t have to be a Bird Nerd to get outdoors and do a little bird watching on National Go Birding Day (April 27). Even if you’ve never cracked open a field guide to identify a bird or ventured out to look at birds beyond your own backyard, we’ve got some basic information to get you started.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast we’re pleased to welcome Ed and Natasha Tatton, co-founders of BReD–Organic Sourdough, a 100% plant-based café and bakery in Whistler, British Columbia. 

We talk to Ed and Natasha about vegan baking and their new book, BReD: Sourdough Loaves, Small Breads, and Other Plant-Base Baking, a complete plant-based book for bakers that goes beyond just making bread. With their cookbook, bakers of all skill levels can create gorgeous vegan baked goods from cakes, muffins, and scones to biscuits, cookies, and tarts.

You can learn more about Ed and Natasha and find links to everything we discuss in the shownotes. 

In this episode of The Vegetarian Zen podcast, we welcome Torrey DeVitto. Torrey is an actor and musician who has recently wrapped up 6 seasons on Chicago Med. 

In addition to being an actor, Torrey is a passionate animal advocate. We’re going to talk to her about her own plant-based journey and how she incorporates eco-conscious sustainability into her life.

You can check out some of the cruelty-free products and vegan fashion Torrey mentions in the show notes. 

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’re going to be talking about the 3 terms often used when talking about waste. Those terms are:

• Reduce
• Reuse
• Recycle

We’re going to talk about the definition of each and provide you some ways you can help out our planet by participating in reducing, recycling, and reusing.

Now before you start thinking, “I know what each of these mean. I’m good.” Stick around! I know I thought I knew a lot about these already too but did pick up a few things myself.

In this episode of our podcast, we are very pleased to share an interview with someone who has been a friend of mine for 10 years or so now. I met him while working in my corporate job and we’ve stayed in touch even after he left.

His name is Augie Sanchez and he’s also a gardener. I’ve always known that Augie loved to garden but didn’t realize how much of a passion this was for him until reading his interview in Burpee’s Blog which featured him as the Gardener for the Month for March 2019.

Today we’re going to talk to Augie about how he developed his love for gardening, some of his eco-friendly gardening practices, and what advice he gives to beginning gardeners.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’re pleased to welcome Callee Ackland of Hippie Haven, the first zero-waste store in South Dakota. 

We’re going to talk to Callee about what a “zero-waste” store is, and also about the mission at Hippie Haven whose vendors are 70% women-owned.

Summertime, and the livin’ is easy...and the grilling can be too! Being plant-based doesn’t mean missing out on amazing flavorful grilled foods--in fact, there are more vegetables (and fruits!) to throw on the grill than there are meats.

In this episode of the podcast we’ll share eight tips for making easy grilled vegetables that will take your summer meals from so-so to sizzling.

Danielle Fried (who we affectionately call “Listener Zero”) has been a friend of ours for almost as long as we’ve been podcasting. She became a vegetarian very close to the same time we did (about 6 years ago) and was one of the first people to reach out to us commenting on the podcast.  

Very similar to us, Danielle became decided to give vegetarianism a try after watching Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead and Vedgucated along with a couple of other documentaries.

Danielle is a very active member of our Peas and Carrots Society offering friendly advice to fellow members.

In this very special episode of our podcast, we talk to Danielle to get to know her a little more and to hear her recent experience with meal kit delivery services  and their plant-based options.

Have you been thinking about trying out a vegan diet but not sure if you’re ready? Every January, the annual month-long challenge known as “Veganuary” is a great opportunity to explore a plant-based lifestyle. Whether you’re curious about a vegan diet, inspired by compassion for animals, or motivated by health benefits, Veganuary is for you.

It’s encouraged millions of people to rethink their food choices and embrace plant-based alternatives for a healthier planet and a kinder way of living. Ready to give it a try? Here are seven practical tips to help you make the most of your Veganuary experience!

In this episode, we share 7 tips to help you succeed in the Veganuary challenge and beyond! You can check out the full show notes here. 

In today’s episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast, we’re going to provide you with a high level summary of the Forks Over Knives online course and how it’s broken down (in case you missed episode 265) and I’m also going to discuss my top 5 take-aways from the course.

If you’re not quite ready to go vegetarian or vegan, how about a Meatless Monday? These 22 family-friendly are a perfect way to ease into meatless meals.

You can check out the show note with links to all of the recipes here. 

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast, we talk to Golden Apple Roundtable member Harlie Pruder about her plant-based journey to Flexitarianism.

In This episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we welcome Kobi Regev, CEO and Co-Founder of Pleese Foods, a company specializing in plant-based cheese made from a proprietary blend of bean and potato proteins. 

We talk to Kobi about his own plant-based journey and about his inspiration for creating Pleese Cheese. 

Check out the links for everything we discussed here. 

It’s summertime and the living is easy. While it’s blazing hot down here in south Texas and going outdoors is something really tough to do right now, we thought this would be the perfect time for a virtual vegan Picnic!

We asked our friends in our closed Facebook group, The Peas and Carrots Society, to let us know what they’d be bringing.

In this episode of the podcast, we’re going to share some of their responses.

Back in episode 176, we talked about the amazing benefits of fermented foods and one of the foods we discussed was miso. 

This episode of the Vegetarian Zen is all about miso. This was something I had no clue about until I became a vegetarian. I didn’t know it existed! This is a great example of where becoming a vegetarian expanded my food choices and experiences.

 A plant-based diet is a powerful tool in helping you manage your diabetes. It can even reverse it!  

A few weeks ago, Larissa had a bit of a scare with her blood-sugar levels shooting up. Because she can’t take any medicines such as Metformin to help her control her diabetes, she needs to ensure she’s eating right and moving. 

This recent scare made us go back and review some of the basics about controlling diabetes. 

In this episode of the VZ podcast, we’re going to share 7 things you should know about being diabetic on a plant-based diet. 

Always talk to a doctor!

In this episode of the VZ podcast, we are pleased to welcome Alison Tierney. Alison is an outpatient oncology dietitian working with patients during cancer treatments to ensure adequate nutrition and symptom relief.

When Larissa and I first became vegetarians 5 years ago, vegan clothing was VERY different than it is today. What we mean by that is that the offerings were very slim and quite honestly, not that attractive.  Back in episode 180 of our podcast (Nov 2016) we published an episode titled, “All about Vegan Fashion”. However over the years, much like the trends we’ve seen in plant-based foods, there is a growing demand for clothing, furniture, and other products that are made without any animal products. That means, a LOT has changed since November 2016!

In today’s episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we discuss:

• What is “Vegan clothing” for those who may be new to this concept
• Some reasons why vegan clothing in fashion is on the rise today.
• Some brands that are exclusively vegan or have vegan offerings.

Over the weekend I read an article in the Vegconomist on the topic of mycoprotein. “What is mycoprotein?”, you might be asking. Mycoprotein is a plant-based protein made from a fungus, and it’s something you may want to pay attention to whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or are just looking to have less meat on your plate.

We're going to discuss how this meat alternative is shaking up the food industry by introducing a whole new dimension to the vegan diet. You can check out the full show notes here. 

April is National Garden Month, a perfect time to embrace the warmer weather, get your hands dirty, and indulge in the many joys and benefits of gardening. 

Larissa and I have experimented with vegetable gardening over the years. We’ve had some very knowledgeable gardeners on the show in the past, including our friends Augie Sanchez (The Unkempt Gardener) and Megan Cain (The Creative Vegetable Gardener). These days, however, we’re sticking to flower gardens as they are easier for us to keep up with. 

Whether you're cultivating a lush flower garden, starting a vegetable garden, or simply looking to green up your living space, this entire month of April is dedicated to celebrating the beauty that gardening brings into our lives. 

In this episode of our podcast, we discuss some benefits of gardening for you and our planet and give you 10 ways to celebrate National Garden Month.  You can check out our full show notes here. 

Several weeks ago, we rescued a stray dog at a park near our neighborhood. It was a stressful experience that thankfully had a happy ending, and it led us to want to have this discussion on the podcast about how to best help strays like the sweet boy we helped. In this episode, we’ll share more about our experience and give you some steps to take should you encounter a stray dog or cat.

Fall is just around the corner — the first day of Fall is September 23. This is really our FAVORITE season. It’s time for football and cooler weather, both of which mean it’s time to bake! 

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’re going to talk about baking bread. Specifically, we’ll discuss:

-The benefits of making your own bread versus buying

-Essential ingredients

-Supplies

It’s that time of year again!  The Girl Scouts of America will be out in full force, green sashes and all, peddling their delicious boxes of cookies.

But if you’re vegan, are you able to partake of this yearly deliciousness? The short answer is YES. There are some delicious vegan Girl Scout Cookies to choose from!  Let’s go over your vegan cookie options. You can check out our full show notes here. 

Who doesn’t love a good piece of chocolate? I know we do! 

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’re going to talk ALL about chocolate and more specifically, VEGAN chocolate.

First, we’re going to talk about 

• What makes chocolate vegan
• Whether chocolate is good for you or not
• Where you can buy vegan chocolate
• How to make your own vegan chocolate

In this episode of The Vegetarian Zen podcast, we discuss 10 of the best vegetarian cookbooks for beginners. 

Back in episode 8 of the podcast, we did an episode titled “All About Tofu” where we talked about what it was and gave a few tips for cooking with it.

Today’s episode was inspired by our Peas and Carrots member Ron Kaufman-Schmick who stated in the group, “Looking for new ways to marinate tofu please…..annnnnd go!”

As usual, our fellow Peas and Carrots members jumped in with some great ideas!  In today’s episode of the podcast, we’re going to share some of their suggestions along with some tips for ensuring that your tofu is the best that it can be!

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we welcome Joanne Roach of  The Foodies (thefoodies.org) which is a site that helps children understand where food comes from. It’s all about trying new things to make the link between the seasons and their plates.

Check out the show notes here.

We talk to talk to Ella about what it was like becoming vegan at such an early age and about her coaching program to help empower fellow vegans with the tools they need to heal themselves.

In this episode of The Vegetarian Zen podcast, we discuss 5 places you can adopt a turkey plus 25 awesome vegan gifts everyone will love!  You can check out links to everything we discuss in the show notes. 

It seems that there has been a recent exodus of Vegan Youtube personalities and social media influencers and the call-out culture is alive and well.  Besides the rude and sometimes threatening comments there are a few still plant-based Youtubers who have taken to the internet to post their own videos calling out these ex-vegans.

We’re not going to name names because that’s not how we roll and we don’t want to become part of the call-out culture, but we do want to take this opportunity to emphasize our philosophy at Vegetarian Zen and explain why you won’t ever hear us call out ex-vegans.

Batch cooking can help you save time, money, and stay on track with your health goals. Stephanie Dreyer shares her TOP tips for batch cooking.

This episode of The Vegetarian Zen podcast is about Tofu. We talked about tofu a loooong time ago. Since then, we’ve learned a TON about cooking with tofu so we wanted to recap some of the benefits of cooking with tofu and also share 5 of our favorite recipes. 

Be sure to check out the show notes where we share more about how to press and marinate tofu. 

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast, we’re going to share 10 meal planning tips that can help you stay on target with your health and financial goal.

Today on the podcast, we are excited to welcome recognized expert and thought leader in the culinary, social, ethical, and practical aspects of living vegan, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau.

Colleen is an award-winning author and hosts two podcasts, Food for Thought and Animology. Today, we’ll be talking more in-depth about her latest book, The Joyful Vegan.

A few weeks ago, we did a live Facebook video just to chat with folks in the Peas and Carrots Society (our closed Facebook group). One of the participants in that chat, Melissa Grove, mentioned that she uses Imperfect Produce, a fresh produce subscription service that offers perfectly good, although slightly irregular, fruits and vegetables. Because several other group members use Imperfect Produce (and we’ve been wanting to try it), and because the best recommendations for products and services come from our Vegetarian Zen community, we asked Melissa to come on the show to share her Imperfect Produce experience. She’ll also share how she uses the service as an opportunity to get more creative in the kitchen. She also provides some awesome tips for stretching the life of your produce.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we share 10 vegetarian and vegan pantry essentials that can help ensure you're always ready to cook up something delicious and nutritious! 

In this episode of The Vegetarian Zen podcast, we are pleased to welcome Kiko Ellsworth. 

Kiko is an Emmy award-winning actor, producer, director who has appeared in hundreds of television shows, films, and commercials but he also has an inspiring story on how he became the person he is today which, among other things, is someone who is very passionate about veganism and leading a holistic, cruelty-free lifestyle.

When most people think of chickpeas, they think of hummus which is something many of us are familiar with. They also think of healthy food but do you know what the specific health benefits of chickpeas are?

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’re going to discuss chickpeas. More specifically, we’ll discuss what they are, what are the health benefits of chickpeas and we’ll also share some chickpea recipes brought to you by our Peas and Carrots Society.

Back in episode 275 we did an episode called The Rise of the Vegan Athlete that talked about how many athletes were turning to a plant-based diet.

If you listened to that episode, you might recall that I was particularly excited about this because, as a former athlete, I know there are a lot of stereotypes and misinformation about vegans being unable to get the nutrition they need to perform at the top levels of their given sport.

Today, we’re going to  review a recent documentary called The Game Changers that talks all about the rise of plant-based diets in sports and helps to dispel some of the previous negative mindset and stereotypes.

Vegetarian Zen LOVES to celebrate awesome plant-based businesses because we think they are a big part of what helps make life easier for vegetarians and vegans while also helping to show those who aren’t vegetarian or vegan that life is without meat is possible and, in fact, can be quite delicious! 

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we welcome Jason Rosenbaum, Co-Founder of Actual Veggies, delicious chef-crafted fresh and refrigerated burgers that celebrate vegetables because they are ALL vegetables!

Discover the best animal dads in nature and their unique parenting skills in this detailed exploration of top animal fathers.

Check out the show notes for more about these amazing dads! 

Looking for some great gift ideas for your favorite vegetarian or vegan? Check out our 2022 vegan gift guide for some of our faves! You can find a link to all of the products we mention in the show notes. 

This episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast is all about quinoa! Specifically we’ll  be talking about:

• What quinoa is
• What are the health benefits
• Is it considered gluten-free?
• Is it Keto-Friendly?
• And last but not least, how to cook it! 
• We’ll be sharing a few favorited recipes in our show notes at www.vegetarianzen.com/342 so be sure to head out and check those out after you have a listen!

In this episode of The Vegetarian Zen podcast, we talk about black salt also known as Himalayan black salt or Kala Namak. We discuss the benefits, side effects, where you can buy it, and provide you with a few recipes to get you started cooking with it.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast, we’re going to share 10 vegan tostada ideas for busy weeknights. Larissa and I appreciate quick easy meals as I’m sure a lot of you do as well. Tostadas are a meal we have in our rotation but they can sometimes get a little boring so we’re going to share some ideas we’ll be trying soon. 

You can check out the show notes here. 

Blackstrap Molasses is something we first talked about waaay back in episode 33 of the podcast where we talked about reasons to give up dairy and then again in episode VZ 149: The Importance of Iron (and How to Get Enough When You Follow a Plant-Based Diet).

Well this episode is 100% dedicated to blackstrap molasses! We’re going to discuss some of the benefits and share a few recipes.

Check out the show notes for more info and links! 

Tis the season for baking! Many folks love to bake warm yummy goodies in the colder winter months so we thought this would be a perfect time to share some awesome vegan baking tips provided by our Peas and Carrots closed Facebook Group!

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we welcome Tyler Mayoras, CEO, and co-founder of Cool Beans, which strives to bring whole-food goodness to the frozen foods section of your grocery store by creating minimally-processed food that is good for your body, soul, and for the planet. 

We will talk to Tyler about his own plant-based journey, about his inspiration for creating Cool Beans, and about what he sees in the future for the plant-based industry.

In today’s episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’re going to discuss 8 ways that you can help animals in your community.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we welcome Nava Atlas, author of multiple vegetarian and vegan cookbooks. We’re going to talk to Nava about her recently updated book, Vegetariana that was just re-released in it’s 4th edition.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast, we're revisiting the topic of high protein milk alternatives. The state of the plant-based milk industry is certainly booming so we're sharing the latest plus 5 of our own recommendations. 

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we are pleased to welcome food writer Peggy Brusseau, author of The Contented Vegan.

Larissa and Vickie discuss some hot topics in plant-based news. Check out the articles and show notes here. 

In this episode of our podcast, Larissa and I talk about the top brands creating deliciuos non-dairy frozen desserts. We take a deeper look into our favorite brand, Ben & Jerry's.

Who doesn’t love a good cake? If you’re a vegetarian who still consumes some eggs and dairy, baking cakes at home won’t change much for you. 

However, if you’re vegan or just trying to consume fewer eggs and dairy, cake-baking can be a bit more challenging, especially at the beginning of your plant-based journey. 

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’re going to talk about how you can easily veganize cakes you make at home including how you can take a box of cake mix and easily make it vegan.

Be sure to visit the show notes for quick links to everything we discuss. 

Today we are excited to welcome Siovonne Smith, author of the book The 3-Day Vegan.

When we reviewed Siovanne’s book, The 3-Day Vegan, we really resonated with the message.

In her book, Siovanne gives you step by step suggestions, inspiration, and motivation to help you ease into veganism 3 days at a time. 

Whether you’re a vegetarian looking to incorporate some vegan days or, you’re an omnivore who isn’t really interested in becoming vegetarian or vegan but would simply like to reduce your consumption of meat and dairy, this book has something for you!

Well just like that, we’re already into the November and Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  I’ve mentioned in the past that Larissa and I tend to be “just the sides’ type of gals. This year though, we’re looking for a genuine vegetarian or vegan “main dish” that we can take to our family get together. 

Along with some input from our ever-helpful Peas and Carrots Society (Private Facebook group), we’re going to share 8 of our top contenders!

In this episode of The Vegetarian Zen podcast, Larissa and Vickie discuss 3 recent news articles and share their opinions and perspectives.  You can get links to the articles plus full show notes here. 

We discuss some of the top stories in plant-based news. 

In this episode of The Vegetarian Zen podcast, we welcome Jenny TB of Grow Hot Peppers.  Jenny loves to garden and taught herself how to grow all kinds of pepper varieties and today, she’s going to talk about how you can get started growing your own peppers no matter what space limitations you may have.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’re going to be discussing some food and beverage trends expected this year.  Neither Larissa nor I consider ourselves “trendy” but when it comes to all things veg, it’s neat to see how much people are adapting even more flexitarian lifestyles whether it be  because of their own health, the animals, the environment, or a combination of these. 

Check out this page for full show notes. 

For years, The Forest Feast blog readers have been transported to Erin Gleeon’s picturesque cabin in the woods through her stunning photography of magic gatherings and vibrant vegetarian cooking.

Her latest book, The Forest Feast: Mediterranean will transport readers to France, Portugal, Spain, and Italy via recipes she created that were inspired by her trip to this part of the Mediterranean.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast, we’re going to discuss pea protein. We’ve discussed plant-based proteins in past episodes (we’ll have links in the show notes to some of our previous discussions about plant-based proteins) but haven’t really done a “deep-dive” into any of them. Today we’ll take a closer look at what pea protein is, learn about some of its benefits, and share what to look for on the label when selecting a pea protein.

Dr. Tumi Johnson is an Integrative Holistic medical doctor.  She is board certified in Internal Medicine and is also a diplomat of the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine. 

Our guest today is Eric Brent, the founder and director of HappyCow. 

HappyCow was founded in 1999 as a public service to assist travelers and people everywhere find plant-based / vegan options and healthy food. It’s vegan-run, from a vegan perspective, and staffed by vegans and vegetarians.

Today, their online community has grown to include members from around the world who are passionate about the vegan lifestyle as a healthy, compassionate, and environmentally sustainable way of living. 

More than simply a restaurant and health food store guide, HappyCow is an ever-evolving online hub that serves millions worldwide each month.

One way to help ensure a healthy immune system is by incorporating immune-boosting foods into your diet. Eating immune-boosting foods regularly keeps the immune system strong and makes it better prepared to fight off sickness and infection.

You can check out the show notes for this episode here. 

In this episode we share 7 tips to help you succeed through Veganuary and beyond! 

Back in Episode 48 of the podcast, we did an episode called “Foods that Seem Vegetarian But Are Not. Episode 48 was recorded back in 2014 so we wanted to take another look at this topic since it sparked a great conversation in our closed Facebook group (Whaddup Peas and Carrots!) about what foods seem like they should be vegan or vegetarian but aren’t.

In today’s episode of the podcast, we’re going to play a game I’m going to mention a food and we’ll let you guess whether it’s vegan/ vegetarian-friendly or not. Just a note, “vegan or vegetarian friendly” doesn’t mean ‘healthy” but it just means that the food doesn’t contain ingredients that would exclude them from being vegan or vegetarian.