- Almond Milk and Cookies
When I first found out I was lactose intolerant, my mom and I had to drive 30 miles away to a health food store just to pick up a carton of soy milk. Now, nearly 20 years later, almost every supermarket offers a plethora of dairy alternatives. With a rise in dairy allergies, intolerances and personal choice to avoid dairy products, non-dairy alternatives are becoming more of the norm. Here are a few of my favorites, and the best ways to use them.
See Janel’s non-dairy pics »
- Janel's Apple Cobbler Oatmeal
September seems to be synonymous with apples. Maybe it’s because apple picking is a favorite fall activity, or back-to-school images of apples start popping up everywhere. Whatever it is, I welcome fall and its bounty of apples with open arms (and apple-picking baskets)! Apples make a nutritious and filling snack to crunch on, with their high water and fiber content. The sweet, juicy apple is also a good source of vitamin C, potassium and folic acid. Maybe it’s true what they say about eating an apple a day to keep the doctor away!
I love snacking on crisp Cortland apples sprinkled with cinnamon or dipping McIntosh apples into creamy peanut butter. And fall is my favorite time to bake a warm apple cobbler or cinnamon-spiced apple cake. But apples are for more than just snacks and sweets. They can be included in an array of exotic side, soup, breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes.
If a recent apple-picking trip left you looking for ways to eat up your abundance of apples, look no further than the first meal of the day. Apple Cobbler Oatmeal is my favorite fall morning meal. It’s hearty oats and sweet, nutty crunch make me feel like I’m eating dessert for breakfast!
Get Janel’s Apple Cobbler Oatmeal recipe »
- Giada's Vegetarian Grilled Panini
Growing up, I always brought a bagged lunch to school and stuck with what I liked: a turkey sandwich, apple, pretzels and a drink. I still pack my lunch daily, but these days it’s to bring to work, and it’s always vegetarian. Here are some of my favorite veg lunches to try if you’re looking for new meat-free bagged lunch options to bring to work, or to pack for your kids as a new school year is upon us. Don’t forget to include an ice pack or frozen beverage to keep your lunch cool.
Get Janel’s veg-friendly bagged lunch ideas »
- Janel's Tempeh Burger
You’d think that as a vegan, you have a multitude of choices out there when it comes to veggie burgers, right? Unfortunately, if you read the ingredient list of some veggie burgers or order one at your favorite veg-friendly restaurant, you may find that many are made with egg or cheese, which hold the patty together. And although I have found some favorite vegan veggie burgers at the grocery store, such as Dr. Praeger’s or Trader Joe’s Vegetable Masala Burger, sometimes I just want a little bit more bite in my burger. So I set out to make a veggie burger with a little more bulk that would hold up well in a whole wheat bun.
Get the recipe for Janel’s vegan burger »
- Janel's Sweet Miso Pasta Salad
Sunday, June 20th is a day for dads, and that means grills will be fired up for backyard barbecues everywhere. Whether your father is an omnivore or carnivore, these veg-friendly BBQ ideas are sure to satisfy even the most meat-loving man. This year, you won’t have to give dad the usual tie, tools, or electronics to show him some love on Father’s Day. Instead, host a barbecue with these vegetarian Father’s Day feast ideas.
Get our Father’s Day recipe ideas »
- Vegan Pancakes
What better way to treat mom than with a healthy, homemade breakfast in bed or a hearty brunch spread? With Mother’s Day in a day, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite vegan-friendly breakfast and brunch ideas for mom.
Vegan brunch ideas »
- Vegetarian Refried Beans
Whether you’re following a vegetarian diet or cooking for a veggie-inclined friend, it’s a no-brainer that you want to stay away from foods that contain meat. But what about lesser-known animal ingredients? Many processed foods that seem veg-friendly may not be. Check out our list for foods you might not know about.
Learn which products to avoid »
This month has me seeing green and not just because of St. Patrick’s Day. I’m thinking dark leafy greens. Leafy greens are like the little black dress of produce — they go with just about everything. Eat greens raw in a salad, stirred into a soup or sautéed for a side dish.
If you’re used to cooking cabbage for your St. Patrick’s Day meal, why not change up your repertoire by adding some kale in your cuisine? Loaded with powerful antioxidants, kale is actually a form of cabbage, too. It’s hearty enough to stand up in soups and stews, but I like simple presentations such as Kale Chips and Kale with Raisins and Pine Nuts.
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I just adore the month of February. I feel like we’re almost over the winter hump and can start looking forward to spring. Valentine’s Day is smack in the middle of the month and love is in bloom — plus, it’s National Heart Health Month! As a dietitian, I encourage eating healthfully for your heart, but at the same time, I have a sweet tooth. I just love all the heart-shaped sweet treats that line supermarket shelves this month.
This Valentine’s Day, I want to strike a balance between sweets and heart-healthy foods, so I’ll be making loved ones my Pumpkin Banana Bread Pudding. It’s made with fiber-filled whole-wheat bread, pumpkin and bananas, which are all heart healthy. Better still, this vegan recipe is free of saturated fat and cholesterol, which means it’s a treat for your ticker, too!
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When the New Year rolls around, I don’t typically jump on the resolution bandwagon; instead, I try to keep myself in check as much as possible every day, but this year is different for me.
I’m scheduled for sports-related hip surgery this month and the road to recovery includes six weeks on crutches with zero activity. Zilch. My gym membership has been put on hold and the yoga mat rolled up and stored away until spring. With this lack of regular physical activity, I know I’m going to have to keep an eye on my eating habits.
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