Eating leftovers day after day can also get old. And having one or two ingredients left after preparing a dish feels like a waste as it creates extra work in figuring out what to do with those scraps. So, what are some tasty and easy-to-implement ways to use up those holiday leftovers to prevent food waste?

First Off, Wasting Food Is, Well… A Waste!

Food waste is a big issue in the US and other industrialized countries. According to the USDA, food waste is estimated to be 30–40% of the food supply in the United States, increasing by 25% during the holidays. And in China, household waste is 10% of all food purchased, with the largest category being fruits and vegetables.

That being said, there they are, those leftover food scraps staring you right in the face on your plate, or in your fridge. Maybe you took more food than you could eat at once. Or you didn’t end up using an entire fruit or vegetable for a recipe. So what do you do with those food scraps before they go bad? Don’t throw them away! You can save those scraps in a bin or airtight container in your refrigerator. Or check out our article How to Use Food Scraps for all the know-how on making the most of those bits and pieces.

Another tip to avoid food waste is to not leave perishable food out for longer than two hours. If you’re planning on having a buffet-style meal with people coming and going throughout the day, consider placing cold, perishable food over ice or hot food over warming plates to keep everything at the proper temperature.

Or, if your party is more of a sit-down dinner, consider taking perishable food out of the refrigerator just before your guests arrive and putting it away immediately after they leave. If friends or family members still have food on their plate, or you have a significant amount of leftovers, consider providing eco-friendly to-go containers.

Store Leftovers Efficiently

Properly storing food and consuming it within a safe time period is key when it comes to perishable foods. The USDA recommends consuming refrigerated leftovers within four days. And storage containers should be airtight. You’ll want to practice first in, first out for prepared food — use up what you have on hand first before opening something new.

Another option is to freeze vegetables or whole meals. Portioning them into individual serving containers makes it easier to grab and go as needed.

Leftover dry goods and pantry staples can continue to be stored in a cool dark place (like a cabinet or pantry) in airtight containers. Things like whole grains, legumes, and flour do have expiration dates. Therefore, make sure to store them properly, use them before they expire, or consider freezing them to extend shelf life.

Visit our blog posts Healthy Plant-Based Pantry Food Essentials for tips on setting up a plant-based pantry and 10 Easy Pantry Meals to Make Using Minimal Ingredients for ideas on how to use those staples.

Get Creative and Think Outside the Box

When it comes to reusing leftovers, allow your creativity to shine. Think beyond what they were intended for. For example, “dinner food” doesn’t only have to be eaten at dinner. A savory breakfast can be delicious, or you can split meals up into snacks.

For an additional bit of flavor and nutrition, add a plant-based sauce to veggie dishes. Cauliflower Squash Cheese Sauce is a house fave, or try one of these homemade sauces.

Have ingredients left over that you tend to only use during the holiday? Try googling (or Ecosia-ing if you like to plant trees while you search) the name of your leftover ingredients along with the word “recipe” and see what pops up. You just might find yourself a new favorite dish, like Green Bean Casserole or a twist on mashed potatoes!

Ideas for Using Up Holiday Leftovers

Watch the video below for more creative ways to use up leftovers and create new recipes.

Leftovers Recipes

Need fresh ideas on how to use up your holiday leftovers? Even if you don’t have leftover food scraps from the holidays, you can still give new life to batch-cooked items from your weekly meal prep. These highly adaptable and delicious plant-based leftovers recipes will spark new life with whatever you have on hand!

1. Harvest Grain Breakfast Bowl

If you love the idea of leftovers for breakfast, this is the recipe for you! Harvest Grain Breakfast Bowl is a wonderful way to use up leftover veggies you may have been holding on to as well as batch-cooked grains you may have on hand. Those leftover ingredients will come straight to life once you give them a try with this recipe’s creamy orange tahini dressing, crunchy pumpkin seeds, and sweet dried cranberries. The fall flavors add a pop of freshness and zing that makes even the simplest leftover ingredients into a winning recipe.

2. Energizing White Bean and Kale Soup

This soup has it all — lots of colors, tons of flavor, and the ability for customization based on whatever you have on hand. Perhaps you have some leftover collard greens from your family’s latest gathering. Or maybe you have leftover homemade vegetable broth from the food scraps you saved up during the week. Taking full advantage of any unused ingredients is a wonderful way to explore kitchen creativity, prevent food waste, and create a tasty meal, all at the same time. We think you’ll love this nourishing beans-and-greens leftover soup!

3. Green Bean Casserole

Casseroles are one of the easiest ways to use up any leftovers, especially if you have a leftover condiment or two. Just throw all the ingredients in a casserole dish and bake it in the oven. This Green Bean Casserole is seemingly indulgent but loaded with nutrition, and makes using up leftover mushroom gravy and cashew sour cream a breeze. Plus, the crispy (baked) onions on top take this recipe from good to great!

Eat Your Leftovers!

Don’t let leftover conundrums add to any holiday stress. With some proper planning and storage, a bit of curiosity, and a little creativity, you’ll be able to give those leftovers a second and third (tasty) life.

For starters, give some of the ideas in the video a try, or make one of the recipes provided. Let us know what you think. Or, if you have your own favorite way to use leftover dishes and ingredients, please share!

Tell us in the comments:

• What’s your favorite way to use up leftovers?
• What’s currently in your veggie scrap bin, and how will you use those veggies?
• What’s the first tip you’ll try to reduce food waste this holiday season?

Featured Image: iStock.com/KoliadzynskaIryna

Read Next:

• How to Cook: How to Keep Produce Fresh to Avoid Food Waste

The post How to Cook: What to Do with Holiday Leftovers appeared first on Food Revolution Network.

The October 31st holiday has a storied history, with its roots in the ancient Celtic tradition of Samhain, a pagan festival marking the end of the fall harvest season. Today, it’s a globally celebrated occasion where costumes, decorations, and, of course, delicious treats take center stage.

While Halloween often conjures up visions of sugary confections, we’re here to prove that you can have a ghoulishly good time while keeping things healthy, too.

In this article, we’ll explore a range of vegan Halloween recipes you can whip up for kids and adults alike. So ready your cauldron of creativity for a culinary adventure exploring seven nutritious and delicious Halloween treats.

Halloween’s Relationship with Candy

Believe it or not, candy has not always been synonymous with Halloween. Trick or treating is a relatively recent phenomenon that didn’t become commonplace in the US until the 1940s. And early treats received by trick-or-treaters actually included much healthier fare like fruit and nuts, along with baked goods, money, and small trinkets.

It wasn’t until the 1970s that candy became the preferred “treat” associated with Halloween and trick or treating. Amid fears of potential poisonings, and urban legends like razor blades hidden in candy apples, parents began to turn to commercially packaged candy.

Nowadays, Halloween is a major profit driver for candy companies, raking in billions of dollars every year. But with that comes the consumption of “monster-ous” amounts of sugar. On average, Americans celebrating Halloween consume 3.4 pounds of candy during the holiday season. And most of that is added sugar.

Aside from rotting your teeth and scaring your dentist, eating that much sugar isn’t good for your overall health. Added sugar has been implicated in contributing to a number of chronic conditions including obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. Not to mention it’s also addictive. So how can you still enjoy the Halloween holiday without damaging your health — especially if you (or your family members) have a sweet tooth?

Healthier Alternatives for a Sweet Halloween

If you want to keep the sweetness in Halloween, you can swap out the refined sugar with natural sweeteners. Date paste or date sugar can be used to create confectionaries at home or to sweeten homemade baked goods.

Of course, the best natural sweetener is fruit. If you’re craving something sweet and chewy like gummy candies, opt for treats using dried fruits like apricots, raisins, or dates. These natural alternatives provide that delightful sweetness without the added sugars.

Another trick is to create your own “candy” by dipping fruit in dark chocolate. Try using bananas, strawberries, orange slices, or pineapple chunks. Dark chocolate is not only decadently delicious but also offers some health benefits (just watch for added sugar!).

As many Halloween candies and sweets use nuts, if no one in your household is allergic, you can make your own nutty creations with whole or crushed nuts and seeds, as well as nut and seed butters.

And in keeping with a more salty, savory flavor profile, you can also make Halloween treats — or even whole meals — out of veggies and veggie dips. Try crafting foods and meals in the shape of creepy creatures like ghosts, bats, jack-o-lanterns, and characters like Frankenstein. You could even try your hand at a “char-spook-erie” board!

And don’t forget to incorporate well-loved flavors and spices associated with Halloween and the fall season. Using nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, cloves, pumpkin, and apple in your treats will keep your culinary creations both seasonal and nutritious.

7 Healthy Halloween Recipes to Trick or Treat Yourself!

Indulge in a bewitching array of homemade Halloween treats that are not only scrumptious but made with plant-powered goodness! Make your Halloween kooky and spooky with these creative, holiday-themed recipes. From Mini Mummy Pizza Toasts that are perfect for Halloween parties to a Char-Spook-Erie Board brimming with spooky delights, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

1. Mini Mummy Pizza Toast

Mini Mummy Pizza Toast is a fun and spooky treat that’s perfect for a Halloween get-together or any time you want to add a little whimsy to your day. These adorable mini pizzas are designed to look like mummies, complete with “bandages” made from creamy Cashew Mozzarella Cheese and eyes made from green olives. What’s more, this is a fun recipe to create with your kids or grandkids as you get into the Halloween spirit. You may even hear the kiddos say “Mummy dearest, you’re the best!”

2. Char-Spook-Erie Board

Bat’s Blood, Witch Fingers, and Mummy Eyes — oh my! Healthfully celebrate all that spooky season has to offer with our veggie-riffic Char-Spook-Erie Board! The creamy bat’s blood hummus, nutty green witch almond fingers, colorful mini jack-o-lanterns, and savory green olive mummy eyes are a sight to behold. Make this dish the centerpiece of your Halloween party tablescape, and get ready to enjoy some wholesome spooky fun!

3. Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Chili

Savory treats are just as magical as sweet ones, and we think you’ll agree when you serve up this delicious pumpkin chili inside a pumpkin jack-o-lantern! Sweet pumpkin, robust tomatoes, protein-rich beans, and fragrant spices create a melting pot of comforting flavors, rich texture, and, of course, a surplus of plant-powered nutrients. Whether you are having a Halloween-themed dinner party or just want to serve up a cozy fall meal to your family, this festive and nourishing Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Chili might just be the talk of the town this spooky season.

4. Witch’s Brew

“Eye of newt and toe of frog, Wool of bat and tongue of dog.” Just kidding! No cuddly animals were harmed in the making of this fantastical witch’s brew. Let’s try this again: “A dash of Chaga and a pinch of spirulina, A sprinkle of cinnamon, and a splash of” — well, you get the point to make this incantation complete. Serve up a warm and frothy cup of our homemade Witch’s Brew on a chilly Halloween night, and enjoy the magical flavors and benefits of this wholesome plant-based potion.

5. Mini White Pumpkin Pops

These festive Mini White Pumpkin Pops are the perfect sweet treat to celebrate the season’s transition into fall. Juicy mandarin oranges are coated in creamy plant-based yogurt icing and dipped in white sesame seeds to create a cool and creamy pop that is out of this world! Not to mention, they are a lovely (adult- and kid-friendly) addition to a Halloween party menu.

6. Ghostly Puffed Millet and Amaranth Peanut Butter Treats

Have a ghoulishly good time while keeping things healthy, too, with these Ghostly Puffed Millet and Amaranth Peanut Butter Treats. Crunchy puffed whole grain cereal, nutty peanut butter, and creamy vanilla icing create a fiber-packed, mineral-rich, and naturally sweet peanut butter treat that is to un-die for! These treats are easy to make, fun, and frighteningly delicious — the way Halloween treats ought to be!

7. Chocolate Pumpkin Oat Bats

These bat-shaped bites are perfect for any festive occasion when you want to enjoy chocolaty treats with the magic of wholesome plant-based nourishment. Low in sugar and high in fiber and flavor, these Chocolate Pumpkin Oat Bats are naturally sweet and a treat to eat! What makes them even more special is the dark chocolate-dipped dried orange slices (I mean, wings!) that make these energizing bites the perfect treat to celebrate all things Halloween!

It’s Sweet to Have a Healthy Halloween

Halloween is the perfect opportunity to reimagine traditional sugary indulgences with healthier plant-based alternatives. From fruit-filled delights and nutty creations to savory veggie-based snacks, there’s a wide array of options to satisfy the spirit of Halloween without compromising on flavor or nutrition. So this Samhain, let your creativity run wild in the kitchen and discover the magic of crafting wholesome, vegan treats that are sure to bewitch your taste buds and leave you with a hauntingly delightful Halloween smorgasbord.

Tell us in the comments:

• Do you celebrate Halloween?

• What are your favorite healthy Halloween snacks or treats?

• If you try these recipes above, we’d love to know what you think!

Featured Image: iStock.com/Azurita

Read Next:

• Does a Good Sweetener Exist? A Review of 15 Popular Sugar Substitutes
• Proven Health Benefits of Pumpkins and Pumpkin Seeds & How to Use Them in Your Diet

The post Vegan Halloween Treats That Won’t Scare Away Your Health appeared first on Food Revolution Network.

In short, I learned that eating animal-based foods was not only totally okay in my tradition, but expected. And in the case of the springtime Passover holiday, or Pesach, it was required.

The ritual meal that occurs the first two nights of Passover is called the Seder (which means “order,” as there’s a list of 10 rituals that must be completed in order). And there are a couple of foods of animal origin that appear on the Seder plate: a shank bone and a hard-boiled egg.

At the same time, there’s a strong ethical tradition within Judaism that seems to argue against eating animals. When I started flirting with vegetarianism in my mid-teens, it seemed a logical extension of what my religion had taught me about compassion, justice, and my responsibility toward the world and its creatures.

And it turns out, I wasn’t alone as a Jew exploring a plant-based diet. Israel has the highest percentage of vegans per capita in the world — approximately 5% of the population. According to Google Trends, Israelis are among the global leaders in searches on the topic of veganism. And if you don’t mind some name-dropping, the following celebrities (at the time of this writing — fame is fleeting) are members of both the vegan and Jewish communities: Natalie Portman, Mayim Bialik, Peter Singer, and Alicia Silverstone. If we expand into vegetarians, we can also claim Franz Kafka, the Alberts (Einstein and Schweitzer), Allen Ginsberg (can we call him a “beet” poet?), the Spocks (Dr. Benjamin and Leonard Nimoy’s Mister), Ed Asner, and Scarlett Johansson. Also the musical Leonards: Cohen and Kravitz.

In this article, I’ll explore the synergies between veganism and Judaism, in general, and Passover, in particular. We’ll see how Jewish vegans can navigate this eight-day holiday in ways that honor both tradition and personal ethics. And we’ll conclude with some yummy, vegan Passover recipes crafted by the culinary geniuses here at Food Revolution Network.

The Judaism-Veganism Connection

There are several core aspects of Jewish ethics that are incompatible with — if not eating animals — at least the way industrialized animal agriculture handles livestock, humans, and the environment today. These ethics include treating animals with kindness, making sure that all people are fed, caring for the environment, and valuing and preserving human life and health.

Kindness to Animals

There are several admonitions against cruelty to animals in the biblical tradition.

Exodus 23:5 says, “If you see that your enemy’s donkey has collapsed under its load, do not walk by. Instead, stop and help.” Deuteronomy 22:10 forbids a farmer from yoking an ox and an ass together on one plow since the difference in strength would cause suffering for both. And the basis of the set of kosher laws to not eat meat and dairy simultaneously is rooted in the simple admonition, “Do not boil a kid in its mother’s milk,” which occurs three times in the Five Books of Moses.

The book of Genesis also appears to portray meat eating as a no-no. The AirBnB instruction booklet for the Garden of Eden would probably imply that animals are not on the menu: “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed which is upon the face of all the Earth, and every tree that has seed-yielding fruit — to you, it shall be for food” (Genesis 1:29). It’s only many generations later, following the flood that nearly wiped out all of humanity because of their wickedness, that the divine rules bend to accommodate a human weakness for animal flesh.

The living tradition of Judaism has reflected this uneasy compromise. In fact, the kosher laws themselves are all about restrictions on how and when one can eat foods of animal origin. The commandments that pertain to ritual slaughter all mandated the most humane, least painful methods available at the time. (The most humane thing, I’d argue, is not to kill them for food in the first place, which is always an option.)

Feeding the Hungry

Giving food to those who are hungry and in need is a fundamental human responsibility. Isaiah 58:7-8 says that when you “share your bread with the hungry, your light breaks forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily, your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the Eternal shall be your rear guard.” (Now that’s what I call some serious incentives — it’s like the world’s first infomercial: “But wait — there’s more!”)

One of the main causes of global hunger in the modern world is the inefficient use of agricultural land. Globally, animal agriculture uses up 83% of all arable land while producing just 18% of the calories that end up in human bellies. Eating plant-based can help increase the food supply for people, by eliminating the waste and inefficiency that occurs when we cycle calories through livestock. This can increase supply and also lower the price of food, making it more accessible to those with the fewest resources.

Find out more about how your food choices can impact world hunger.

Caring for the Environment

The Jewish tradition also emphasizes a strong environmental ethic. Biblical laws include Deuteronomy 20:19, which forbids an army that’s besieging an enemy city from cutting down its trees; and Leviticus 25:23, which prohibits perpetual land ownership, because “the land is mine” (i.e., God’s). Considering the environmental costs of animal agriculture, including global climate chaos, habitat loss, and pollution, many contemporary Jews see plant-based eating as a moral imperative for protecting the planet.

Climate change has exacerbated droughts in many parts of the world. And animal agriculture is one of the largest depleters of water. As such, going vegan may enable better stewardship of this precious natural resource.

Another agricultural practice that’s causing environmental devastation is monocropping or the growing of a single crop over huge areas with no diversity. From pesticide and herbicide exposure to habitat loss to the increased risk of predators or pathogens wiping out an entire crop, monocropping threatens entire ecosystems and populations. And much of the monocropped land produces feed for livestock. So avoiding meat and dairy can reduce the demand for this agricultural practice.

For more on this topic, read our article on how your food choices can shape the future of life on Earth.

Preserving Human Health

The Jewish tradition values human life above almost every other value. This concept, Pikuach Nefesh in Hebrew, has been interpreted to mean that it is permitted to break the Sabbath in order to drive someone to the hospital to save their life.

Given what we know about the links between animal foods and chronic conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes, choosing to eat a plant-based diet is very much in line with that principle.

A Brief Explainer of Passover

The Jewish tradition, in general, often aligns with the ethical aims of veganism, but what about Passover itself? Passover teaches five valuable lessons for living an effective and successful life: Remembering the past, taking responsibility, staying optimistic, valuing family, and empathy for others. Might these also align with a vegan lifestyle?

Memory and Obligation

Passover commemorates the exodus from Egypt; the story of how an enslaved people achieved freedom. But the Passover Seder is more than a retelling of the story; it’s a reenactment. The foods on the Seder plate are meant to evoke a somatic response: dipping greens in salt water for tears, eating bitter herbs for hardship, chewing on hard, dry matzah, called the “bread of affliction,” to bring ourselves directly into the experience of oppression.

The Seder’s instruction manual, the Haggadah (literally, “the telling), includes this gem: “In every generation, a person must regard themself as though they personally had gone out of Egypt.” The Seder is a metaphorical and food-based experience that reminds us about oppression. And with that knowledge comes the obligation not to oppress others, especially those who are most vulnerable.

Considering that animals are very vulnerable, especially when they are in our care, this sounds like a pretty good reason not to mutilate and cage them in factory farms.

Choice and Responsibility

We remember a most painful time in our history not to wallow in misery, but to experience the transformation from enslaved to free. Interestingly, the word for Egypt used in ancient Hebrew texts is “Mitzrayim,” which translates to “the narrow places.”

Schools of mystical Kabbalistic Judaism read the entire holiday of Passover as a metaphor for the human journey to liberation. Most of us can recognize “narrow places” in our own hearts and minds — conditioned responses to the world, other people, and ourselves that are rooted in fear or false pride.

The Seder lays the choice out before us: we can remain in the narrow places out of fear or habit, going about our lives ignoring most of the suffering that’s around us. Or we can expand our consciousness far beyond ourselves and our immediate environment, and extend our compassion to the entire world.

Hope and Optimism

One of the recurring motifs of the story of Passover is just how “not into it” a lot of the Israelites were. Many of them feared the unknown future more than the oppressive present. And once they were out of Egypt and in the desert, they freaked out and demanded to return to the place where they knew they would get fed and housed.

The Seder is an opportunity to embody hope in the midst of hopelessness. To strive toward a better tomorrow even though its outlines are too fuzzy to apprehend. To take individual action to make the world better, even as part of us cowers at the enormity of the problems we face.

Distributed Leadership

Arguably, Moses is the protagonist of the Passover story, with the Egyptian ruler, Pharaoh, assuming the role of villain. And indeed, Pharaoh gets a lot of air time in the Haggadah. But do you know who isn’t mentioned? Moses. (Technically, his name appears in a very esoteric discussion among a bunch of later rabbis about the exact number of miracles that God performed, but you get the idea.)

There are many possible explanations for this omission, but my favorite is to encourage people not to put their faith in leaders and not to despair when a leader isn’t present, but rather to become the leaders they’ve been waiting for.

This squares perfectly with a plant-based approach to making the world a better and kinder place. We don’t have to wait for a leader or for any particular party to win an election, or wait until laws change. We can “be the change,” and participate, with our individual actions, in what could become massive communal and even global transformations.

Modeling to Evoke Curiosity and Empathy

The Seder kicks off with a child (or the youngest person present) asking the “four questions.” They begin with the general query, “Why is this night different from all the other nights?” And each question is triggered by something on the table that’s out of the ordinary: dipping bowls full of salt water; flatbread instead of a risen loaf; a couple of bitter vegetables. There are also cushions to recline on rather than sitting up straight at the table.

The Seder is like an interactive theatrical experience that’s initiated by a person who’s curious about what they’re seeing. Plant-based eaters can also stimulate curiosity in others who see us choose vegan options in place of more familiar animal-based foods. When we live in harmony with our values, we can stir the question, “Why is this person different or doing things differently?” So our daily choices can also become an expression of our advocacy.

Veganizing the Haggadah and Seder Plate

While we’ve already seen that a bone and egg are traditional elements of the Passover Seder ritual, most of the other items on the Seder plate are already plant-based.

• Karpas: a raw vegetable, often parsley or celery, that’s dipped in salt water to represent new life
• Matzah: the unleavened bread that symbolizes hardship and recalls the hasty flight from Egypt that didn’t leave enough time for the dough to rise
• Maror: the bitter herb, often a horseradish root, that recalls the bitterness of our ancestors’ suffering under slavery
• Charoset: a sweet mixture of chopped fruits, nuts, and wine that looks (but fortunately doesn’t taste) like the mortar used by Israelite slaves
• Hazeret: the second bitter herb or vegetable, often romaine lettuce or endive

The shank bone recalls the lamb slaughtered to provide sustenance and strength to the fleeing Israelites, and the blood painted on their doorframes to signal to the Angel of Death to “pass over” those homes while visiting the last of the 10 plagues on the Egyptians.

The egg symbolizes the continuation of life; the rebirth from slavery to freedom. As part of the ritual, it’s dipped in salt water to remind us that life, while good, can also provoke tears.

If you go beyond the symbols and look at what they represent, you can easily substitute other food items that don’t require animal suffering to produce.

In place of a shank bone, vegans can substitute a roasted beet to invoke blood. This isn’t a modern innovation either. The ancient tractate (written work) of the Babylonian Talmud religious text that deals with Passover permits the use of a beet in place of an animal bone.

Other modern takes on a veganized shank bone include two mushrooms held together by a toothpick or skewer (resembling a bone), and a pomegranate, whose red juice is also evocative of blood.

In place of the egg, Jewish Veg suggests a flower, invoking the promise of spring “without contributing to the pain and misery of egg-laying hens.” Another symbol of the potential for new life is the seed, so a small pile of sunflower or sesame seeds can also serve. And vegan cookbook author Nava Atlas reminds us that a boiled and peeled white potato can preserve both the shape of the egg and its ability to taste yummy after being dipped in salt water.

Jewish Veg has created a vegan Haggadah that you can download, print, and use at a Pesach Seder.

Vegan Passover Seder Recipes

Ready for a vegan Passover meal? Angelic Deviled Potatoes can rock the Seder plate in place of eggs or get served as a side dish. Warm up with a bowl of Matzah Ball Soup and Creamy Plant-Powered Kugel for some traditional Jewish comfort food. And for a hefty dose of veggies, we’ve got Slow Cooker Alicha Denich and Chicory Salad (Hazeret) with Sweet Mustard Dressing. Let’s not forget our take on the Seder shank bone with the Beet “Shank bone” Braised in Horseradish Cream Sauce. Last but not least, we have a Classic Charoset — made with unsweetened grape juice instead of wine — that adds a delicious sweetness to your Passover Seder. Yum!

1. Angelic Deviled Potatoes

Angelic Deviled Potatoes are a fantastic way to kick off your vegan Passover feast. Potatoes and tofu create a creamy appetizer, similar to a deviled egg, that will satisfy your belly and wow your Passover guests. Keeping Passover traditions alive through vegan food never tasted so good!

2. Matzah Ball Soup

Matzah Ball Soup is an essential addition to any Passover recipe round-up! Our version uses fresh parsley and dill in the chickpea-based matzah balls for a plant-based twist. The delectable broth features fresh veggies and herbs for maximum flavor. This delicious plant-based soup will warm you up and bring your family together during the Passover season — what could be better?

3. Chicory Salad with Sweet Mustard Dressing

Serve up a burst of flavor with this Chicory Salad with Sweet Mustard Dressing! Endive and radicchio, two slightly bitter greens, offer a hearty contrast to tangy vinaigrettes and citrus — perfect for your vegan Passover recipes. Try alongside Creamy Plant-Powered Kugel and get ready to have all your taste buds doing a happy dance.

4. Creamy Plant-Powered Kugel

This Passover noodle kugel is a must-try! Kugel is a baked casserole, typically made with egg noodles or potatoes, and is a wonderful dish to bring family, friends, and community members together over good food and conversation. We’ve substituted egg noodles with whole grain (or legume) noodles, added some broccoli and spinach, and used a veggie-centric, dairy-free, creamy sauce to make it exceptionally delicious!

5. Braised Beet “Shank bone” with Horseradish Cream Sauce

Earthy beets are transformed into tender vegan “shank bones” by simmering in a tangy, savory, and sweet veggie-based broth. Vibrant fresh herbs and umami-rich alliums add another layer of flavor that infuses the beets as they braise. These mouthwatering beets are truly a wholesome treat and make a show-stopping centerpiece for an extra special plant-based Passover meal. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and dollop with Horseradish Cream Sauce to tie it all together.

6. Slow Cooker Alicha Denich

Alicha Denich is a stew that’s often incorporated into Passover meals by Ethiopian Jews. Cabbage and potatoes are simmered low and slow with an abundance of powerful herbs and spices. Regardless of your ethnicity, it could be a great fit for your celebratory Passover meal, too. Give this hearty and colorful side dish a try!

7. Charoset

No Passover meal is complete without a sweet bowl of charoset to share amongst friends and loved ones. Traditionally, charoset is a sweet relish made with fruits, nuts, spices, as well as wine, and a binder such as honey. Our version is a delicious blend of apples, almonds, walnuts, and dates soaked in natural grape juice and perfectly spiced with just the right amount of cinnamon. Check out the Chef’s Notes for suggestions on how to make this a festive addition to your holiday table!

A Vegan Passover Is Possible

While Passover can be a meat-heavy holiday, veganizing it isn’t difficult. Plant-based substitutions for the ritual bone and egg are not only easy to make but have been accepted in the Jewish tradition for hundreds of years. When you look beyond the symbols of the holiday to its deeper meaning, Passover exemplifies many of the same ethical principles that can underpin vegan living. And by proudly displaying plant-based options on the Seder plate, we can invite our guests to consider how they can express compassion, justice, and hope in their own food choices.

If you’d like to experience a vegan Passover Seder for yourself, Jewish Veg holds an annual virtual “Zeder” (Zoom Seder). It’s typically held on the night of the second Seder, so it won’t conflict with the “main event” the night before. You can go here to get tickets for the Seder that “explores what it means for all living beings to be free.”

Tell us in the comments:

• Have you ever attended a Passover Seder? What was it like?

• If you observe Passover, have you made plant-based dishes for Seder or the rest of the meals?

• What’s one vegan Passover dish you will try for this year’s Seder?

Featured Image: iStock.com/Maglara

Read Next:

• 11 Whole Foods Plant-Based Recipes from Around the World

The post How to Have a Vegan Passover Seder (with Substitutions & 7 Recipes!) appeared first on Food Revolution Network.

Leprechauns, bagpipes, and shamrocks? St. Patrick’s Day must be near!

The March 17th holiday began as early as the 9th century as a Catholic feast day, paying tribute to the patron saint of Ireland. Today, it’s a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and heritage, often culminating in a St. Patrick’s Day parade or festival.

Food plays an important role in modern St. Patrick’s Day festivities, bringing friends and family together over a shared meal. But most of what many people think of as traditional Irish food typically includes heavy dishes that are high in meat and dairy. And while many Irish families raised animals in addition to farming their own vegetables in previous centuries, according to a 2016 study, the Irish diet was primarily plant-based over 2,000 years ago. Barley bread and other plant foods were the staples, while meat and dairy were “restricted to certain occasions.”

So if you want to add a healthier, plant-focused twist to your shamrock shenanigans, take inspiration from the Iron Age Irish and discover how to make plant-based Irish food — and enjoy trying these seven healthy St. Patrick’s Day recipes!

Traditional St. Patrick’s Day Food

The traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal of recent memory was often Irish bacon (pork joint) and cabbage. In Ireland, pork was more affordable than other meats like beef or chicken. Many families were tenant farmers of the British crown and couldn’t always eat everything they grew or raised. But they did have access to pork.

As the Irish emigrated to the United States through Ellis Island, bacon was replaced with corned beef, which was more readily available at the Jewish delis in New York City. The dish’s popularity and association with the St. Patrick’s Day holiday really took shape in North America during the Great Potato Famine, as Irish immigrants sought to recreate a familiar dish amongst the unfamiliar.

Other dishes associated with St. Patrick’s Day include:

• Irish stew or stobach — a peasant dish that includes root vegetables and mutton or lamb.
• colcannon potatoes — mashed potatoes with greens like cabbage or kale.
• shepherd’s pie — minced meat and vegetables topped with mashed potatoes.
• soda bread — a quick yeast-less bread made with baking soda.

Making Irish Food Plant-Based

While many of these St. Patrick’s Day foods are heavy on the meat, they don’t need to be. In fact, as we’ve seen with the rise in veganism and plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, it’s easier than ever to replace or eliminate animal products altogether. Not only that, but adopting plant-based versions of traditional St. Patrick’s Day meals is better for your health and the planet.

Interestingly enough, Ireland now ranks as the number three country per capita in terms of veganism. One study found that Dublin is the most vegan-friendly city in the world, with over 21% of its restaurants offering vegan options to diners.

So how can you make plant-based versions of Irish recipes at home?

Meat Alternatives

While you can certainly leave out the meat entirely from a recipe, sometimes you do so at the risk of losing a particular texture. One of the best ways to replace meat in Irish recipes is by substituting beans or lentils. Legumes offer a chewy texture similar to meat while also providing an abundance of protein and nutrition. With the right seasoning, tempeh can stand in for bacon or corned beef. And lentils go well in shepherd’s pie because they have a similar color to browned meat.

Plant-based meat alternatives are another option that may get you even closer, from a culinary standpoint, without the saturated fat and harmful dietary compounds like TMAO or nitrates. But they’re processed foods, and for health reasons, you may want to keep them to a minimum.

Dairy Alternatives

Replacing dairy in St. Patrick’s Day recipes is also easier than ever. The variety of plant-based milks available continues to increase, allowing you to sub in almond, soy, oat, or other milks. You can use olive or avocado oil in place of butter, or a store-bought cultured vegan butter like the one from Miyoko’s Creamery. In baked goods like soda bread, you can replace butter with applesauce or nut butter. And you can create vegan buttermilk from apple cider vinegar or lemon juice and plant-based milk.

7 Healthy St. Patrick’s Day Recipes That Are Packed with Plants

Get ready to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day the plant-based way! The flavors of Ireland are known to be humble, wholesome, and comforting, which makes them perfect for a day full of feasting! However you choose to pay tribute to the Emerald Isle and St. Patrick himself, we’re sure these Irish-inspired recipes are a mouthwatering way to celebrate the holiday!

1. Dublin Fog Latte

Robust, malty, and earthy flavors of Irish Breakfast Tea — a unique blend of black tea leaves, mainly Assam and Ceylon — play the lead role in our Dublin Fog Latte. This slightly bitter, intensely flavorful, and lusciously silky latte is a great addition to your morning Irish Boxty or hearty breakfast favorites! Plus, the addition of cashews and banana makes this latte extra creamy, sort of like a festive St. Patrick’s Day sweet cream mocktail… if you catch our drift!

2. Boxty Potato Pancakes

Boxty is a traditional Irish potato pancake that is simple, savory, and ultra-comforting. It’s like a cross between a fluffy pancake and a crispy hash brown. A combination of mashed potatoes, grated potatoes, tangy buttermilk, and whole-food quinoa flour, these light yet hearty pancakes are a humble breakfast offering that is wonderfully delicious!

3. Creamy Colcannon Potatoes

Colcannon is a beloved comfort food dish in Ireland, so much so that a traditional children’s song is dedicated to the delicious decadence of these creamy mashed potatoes. While traditional colcannon is made with generous amounts of butter, cream, hearty winter greens like cabbage or kale, and green onions or leeks, our equally luscious plant-based version is just as creamy, wholesome, and delicious with a few additional nourishing ingredients mixed in! Bonus: The vibrant kale ribboned throughout makes it a standout side on your St. Paddy’s Day table!

4. Hearty Irish Stew

Can any St. Paddy’s day celebration be complete without a bowl of warm and comforting Irish stew? We say, “Níl!”  Hearty Irish Stew is a true stick-to-your-ribs “meat and potatoes” dish, but instead of meat, we used beefy mushrooms and hearty root vegetables! A gentle simmer brings out an intensely flavorful and rich stew that even the pickiest of meat-eaters will love!

5. Corned Chickpea “Beef”

While this may not be exactly like Grandma’s, our Corned Chickpea “Beef” is surprisingly tender and, well, beefy! Plus, it hits all the right flavor notes of the traditional St. Patrick’s Day favorite. Made with chickpea flour and marinated in traditional corned beef spices, these lightly crisped chickpea beef strips are delightful, tasty, and very versatile. It makes an excellent addition to a vegan corned beef hash, corned beef with cabbage, or as a meaty filling for a corned beef sandwich on rye!

6. Corned Beet Reuben

A slightly sweet and tangy twist on a traditional corned beef Reuben is our Corned Beet Reuben. Pickled beets add just the right bite to give this sandwich a unique and delightfully craveable taste. Layered with tart sauerkraut and generously topped with creamy Thousand Island Dressing, these loaded “sammies” make the perfect assemble-and-go sandwich any day of the year!

7. Vegan Shamrock Shake

What better way to celebrate the luck of the Irish than with our naturally sweet and creamy Vegan Shamrock Shake! Vibrant green spinach, cooling peppermint, and creamy frozen banana make a cool, frosty, and velvety plant-based treat that is a festive addition to your holiday celebrations!

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day the Healthy Way!

Although many traditional Irish dishes are based on meat and dairy, you can easily create plant-based versions of St. Patrick’s Day recipes. In fact, early Irish diets may have been primarily vegan or vegetarian. Eliminating meat or using a meat or dairy alternative is easier than ever and can help you go green without the need for food dye (green beer, anyone?). We hope you enjoy these seven St. Patrick’s-inspired Irish recipes in good health — or, “le do shláinte” as they say in Irish!

Tell us in the comments below:

• Do you plan on making any of these healthy St. Patrick’s Day recipes?

• What are some of your favorite St. Patrick’s Day recipes?

Featured Image: iStock.com/gorchittza2012

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• 11 Whole Foods Plant-Based Recipes from Around the World

The post 7 St. Patrick’s Day Recipes That are Great-Tasting and Good for You appeared first on Food Revolution Network.

Indeed, some holiday sides are so ingrained in our cultures that they’re considered “must haves” — as if it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan (after sunset), or another holiday celebration without that particular side dish. Thanksgiving in the US without mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, classic stuffing, or whatever your go-to sides happen to be? As Wallace Shawn says with such emotion in The Princess Bride: “Inconceivable!”

But you know what else many people find inconceivable? That holiday side dishes can be both delicious… and healthy. After all, many of the most popular side dishes during the holidays are made with artery-clogging pounds of butter, oil, milk, eggs, white flour, or sugar — not exactly health-promoting foods.

Can we keep our holiday side dish traditions and just make them kinder on our bodies, and the planet? Can we perform substitutions that maintain that delicious taste and satisfying mouthfeel, and still wake up happy the following morning?

In this article, we’re going to answer these questions (spoiler alert: the answers are all “yes!”), as well as share a variety of autumnal, plant-based holiday sides that are popular in the US. Side dishes that will love you back — and that you can feel good about sharing with family and friends.

What Is a Side Dish?

A side dish is just what it sounds like — a dish served on the side of a main meal or entree. (Of course, that means that technically the main dish is served on the side of the side — but that’s probably not important.)

What is important is that side dishes typically incorporate foods and flavors that complement or balance the main dish. If the main is heavy, the sides can be light — and potentially veggie-based.

With all the deliciousness that sides can confer, some people bring out a bunch of side dishes and consider them a full meal — no main dish required.

Many conventional side dishes already consist of vegetables and other plant-based foods, so it’s easier to make them without animal products or added sugar than some typical main course dishes. Yet, many conventional holiday side dishes are still swimming in these ingredients, so we have some work to do to create healthy versions. Luckily, there are plenty of whole foods, plant-based substitutions for ingredients like milk, cheese, eggs, butter, meat, added sugar, refined flour, or excess salt.

Popular Holiday Side Dishes

Let’s see how the principles of healthy, plant-based substitution play out with some of the most popular and iconic holiday sides. After that, I’ll share some of our favorite recipes that take a holiday side dish and use plant-based substitutes to make something healthier, yet still delicious and festive.

Mashed Potatoes

Your typical mashed potatoes go heavy on the dairy. For a healthier version, skip the butter, milk, or sour cream. Instead, use a plant-based milk or a tofu or cashew sour cream. Season with salt (unless you’re sodium-free), and add in generous amounts of pepper and herbs like chives or garlic.

Dinner Rolls or Biscuits

These steaming buns can get healthified by choosing rolls made with 100% whole grain four — if you’re buying premade. If you’re baking from scratch, you can use organic whole wheat flour, or even try a gluten-free flour. And these days, there are plenty of vegan substitutes for milk and eggs.

Corn on the Cob

When it’s sweet, corn on the cob is fine by itself. Just leave off the butter. Instead, try seasonings like salt and pepper, or a spice mix like chili and lemon or lime (which tastes amazing!) or Middle Eastern za’atar.

Green Bean Casserole

Green beans are great on their own or drizzled with a dressing. But casseroles often include ingredients like canned fried onions and a cream-based, canned soup. You can create a creamy sauce using tofu or a plant-based milk and top the casserole with sauteed onions and mushrooms. If you’re hankering after a crunch, try some slivered almonds, or oven-roasted chickpeas.

Stuffing

Many stuffing recipes include meats like sausages. With all the “I can’t believe this isn’t meat” plant-based sausages and meat analogues available these days, this is an easy swap. You can also make stuffing sans sausage and instead create that hearty texture using whole, plant-based foods like walnuts, lentils, or mushrooms. Vegetable broth substitutes beautifully for chicken broth. And for the bread cubes, try a sprouted whole grain or gluten-free bread.

Cranberry Sauce

The classic holiday cranberry sauce, for many people, is the one that comes out of a can. While the first Thanksgiving at Plymouth in 1621 almost certainly didn’t include cranberries (and most assuredly didn’t require a can opener), the sharp and sweet sauce became a family tradition thanks first to advertising by the Eatmor Cranberry Company, which sold whole berries, and then later Ocean Spray, which popularized the cranberries-in-a-can phenomenon.

The top concern with many conventional cranberry sauces is that while cranberries can be plenty healthy, added ingredients like sugar or high fructose corn syrup are not. Also, many commercial cranberry growers engage in environmentally damaging farming techniques. Instead, make your own cranberry sauce from scratch with healthier whole sweeteners and organic whole cranberries, either fresh or frozen. You can also add orange juice and zest for extra sweetness and ginger for a bit of spicy zing.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato holiday side dishes often include marshmallows (which contain sugar and/or high fructose corn syrup, as well as gelatin) and more sugar added to the sweet potatoes. The key word in “sweet potatoes” is “sweet.” They’re already sweet — it’s right there in the name!

The simple tweak is to leave out the marshmallows and added sugar. You can substitute a whole food sweetener, enjoy the sweet potatoes’ natural sweetness, or try a savory take and top the casserole with herbs and spices. If your recipe also calls for eggs and butter, you can replace them with plant-based, whole food substitutes. For more on the awesome health benefits of sweet potatoes, check out this article.

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Brussels sprouts are not the Jerry Maguire of food, telling Renee Zellweger’s bacon, “You complete me.” Cook them well, and they stand on their own. You can roast them with garlic, or combine them in the roasting pan with sweet potatoes and other root vegetables. If you still want a bacon-y vibe to the dish, try a plant-based whole food like tempeh, or a vegan bacon substitute, to mimic the smoky, salty, and sweet taste.

Macaroni and Cheese

In the last few years, the internet has exploded with healthy vegan mac and cheese recipes. In fact, a simple Google search for “healthy mac and cheese” leads to 139 MILLION results. An uninformed observer might even think that, sneezing pandas and milk crate challenges aside, the internet was created for the express purpose of disseminating vegan mac and cheese recipes.

To make a healthy holiday mac and cheese side, you can use a commercial cheese analog or make your own nut cheese cream sauce. The options vary in healthiness from “hey, at least it doesn’t come from a cow” to “this is basically an entire day’s worth of blended veggies.” And many pastas now come in gluten-free, legume-based, and/or whole grain versions. If you want to be hardcore healthy, you can also shred a whole food like potatoes or cauliflower to mimic the texture of noodles, or use a spiralizer to make veggie noodles.

5 Plant-Based Holiday Side Dish Recipes

After making the side dishes below, you might find yourself wondering why you ever made traditional dishes with meat, sugar, and dairy. The plant-based versions have some delicious flavors and textures, but with healing ingredients that are comforting and nourishing.

Serve the Broccoli Mac ‘N Cheese if you want to wow your guests. Make the Tempeh Sausage Stuffing for a hearty and satisfying side that’s good for you and your holiday guests. Create a thick and naturally sweet Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce using fresh cranberries and pomegranate juice. Provide a bright, yet earthy side with the Lemon Thyme Brussels sprouts. And add even more veggies to the holiday table with the Slow Cooker Cauliflower Mash (without anyone knowing that it’s made with veggies!).

1. Broccoli Mac ‘N Cheese

What if you could get all the creamy and delicious comfort of mac and cheese without all the unhealthy ingredients? Well, we have good news — you absolutely can! Not only will you get all the comforting feels with this recipe, but this Broccoli Mac ‘n Cheese also comes with long-term health benefits from the fiber, phytonutrients, and healthy fats that replace saturated fat and processed ingredients. This dish is made with whole foods like cashews, nutritional yeast, and miso, and is as creamy and satisfying as the fun mac ‘n cheese holiday side you might have enjoyed as a kid.

2. Tempeh Sausage Stuffing

Substituting plant-based foods for meat can lead to enormous health benefits. Research shows that organic soy products may lower LDL cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation, and, in tempeh’s case, improve digestive health due to its high fiber content. In this holiday-worthy side dish recipe, tempeh adds a rich texture when cooked with the whole grain bread. And the fennel and other spices give it a delectable, aromatic flavor.

3. Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce

Using whole cranberries, phytonutrient-rich pomegranate juice, and fresh cinnamon and ginger, Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce will change the way you think about cranberry sauce. This sauce side has all the zing of traditional cranberry sauce, plus lots of nutrition from the cranberries, pomegranates, and spices. What’s more, no gelatin was necessary to create a sauce that’s perfectly thick! (Read: plants are magic all by themselves!)

4. Lemon Thyme Brussels Sprouts

Bright lemon paired with earthy thyme make these Brussels sprouts shine on their own as a holiday side. This simple dish will tempt your taste buds, satisfy your belly, and nourish your body. Pair it with the Mushroom Gravy for an extraordinary holiday side experience that will make a big (plant-based food) imprint on your guests!

5. Slow Cooker Cauliflower Mash

Oh so silky, creamy, and bursting with nutrition, you might want to plan on doubling this batch of cauliflower mash before you head to the grocery store. It’s a nice alternative to traditional potato mash and a yummy way to get some cruciferous vegetables onto your holiday dinner table. Make it complete by drizzling Mushroom Gravy on top!

Let Your Holiday Sides Shine

Many people love holiday meals, and side dishes are a big part of that love. There are many to choose from, including some popular side dishes that many of us have come to expect thanks to familial and cultural traditions. But they’re not always full of ingredients that are good for us. Luckily, since so many of them are already vegetable-based, we can easily make them healthy additions to our holidays with just a little tweaking. Through substitutions, seasonings, and different combinations, we can turn plant-based holiday sides into enduring and beloved hits.

Tell us in the comments:

• What holiday side dishes do you love that you can make healthy this holiday season?
• Are there any side dishes you haven’t tried but are curious about?
• What other holidays do you celebrate and would like to find whole-foods, plant-based recipes to sub for traditional favorites?

Feature image: iStock.com/AlexRaths

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• Healthy Starters and Appetizers for All Occasions
• Meal Planning Tips and Recipes for Healthy and Happy Holiday Gatherings

The post 5 Plant-Based Holiday Side Dishes So Good You’ll Actually Want Leftovers appeared first on Food Revolution Network.

What if you’re vegan? Or you eat a whole food, plant-based diet free of processed food, oil, and sugar, and your friend is gluten-free; your sister is Paleo; your nephew is allergic to nuts, and your in-laws love sausages and donuts?

The sources of stress can go far beyond food, of course. One of the things about family is, well, we can’t choose them. Holiday gatherings can bring together people with widely different political and social views. It can be enough to make you want to skip the holidays entirely.

But, don’t despair.

You can bring people together over a shared meal and shared values — whether you observe Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, or just want to share time with friends and family.

In this article, we’ll focus on planning and preparing delicious and healthy holiday food, while also looking at how to extend those strategies to present a loving and welcoming table for all your guests.

8 Holiday Meal Planning Tips to Bring Your Guests Together

Even if the thought of hosting a holiday meal intimidates you, a bit of advance planning can ease your stress and create a better experience for everyone.

I’ve been to gatherings where the food was great, but the hosts were so stressed about getting everything perfect, nobody was enjoying themselves. And I’ve also attended plenty of parties where the food was so-so, but the vibe was relaxed and fun. Luckily, with these holiday meal planning tips and recipes, you can take some of the pressure off yourself while also maximizing both the food quality and festive atmosphere.

1. Consider your guests.

Considering your guests’ tastes, lifestyles, and allergies can go a long way towards having a pleasant experience at a holiday gathering. Hopefully, your guests will communicate their needs upfront. But if they don’t, or you don’t already know their preferences, ask before the gathering, so you can prepare.

With your invitation, consider asking these two questions:

1. Do you have any dietary restrictions? (Allergies, sensitivities, religious or ethical considerations, etc.)
2. What are your food preferences? (We can’t promise, but we’ll do our best to serve food you’ll enjoy eating.)

2. You don’t have to please everyone.

While it’s helpful to know about your guests’ dietary preferences, and considerate to do your best to accommodate them, you don’t have to twist yourself into knots trying to please everyone. Don’t undermine your own health and well-being while worrying about everyone else. There are a couple of ways you can simplify a meal so that everyone can have something they want to eat.

First, consider making “neutral” dishes. It’s always easier to add an ingredient to a dish than remove it once it’s already in. If you have your heart set on that wild rice salad with dried cranberries and toasted pecans, but a couple of your guests are allergic to nuts, go ahead and make the salad without the nuts, and serve them in a separate bowl on the side.

Second, don’t be shy about asking someone with a particular dietary preference or restriction to bring a dish that they will enjoy. Many vegans, for example, love to contribute something to omnivorous gatherings (and are often used to doing so!). And gluten-free eaters may happily bring some gluten-free stuffing for themselves or even to share with the whole crew. Keep in mind that most folks who have dietary restrictions appreciate the heads-up that the menu may not include enough dishes for them, so they can come prepared.

3. Think outside the box.

Holiday meals often have meat like turkey, ham, or goose as the centerpiece. But you don’t need to feel obligated to prepare something just because it’s traditional — especially if it doesn’t align with your values or diet. Consider starting a new tradition when you’re the holiday host. You can serve up a plant-based, holiday centerpiece dish like Tofurky. Or take a more whole food approach with a luscious, whole grain risotto or mushroom Wellington.

You can also make a variety of holiday side dishes instead of an entree, so guests can try a bit of everything (this is also a great way to accommodate a range of tastes and dietary preferences!). Or mix it up completely and serve something unique! If meat-eating friends or family insist on having their animal-based foods, you might invite them to bring their own, or you could offer it as more of an optional topping.

4. Consider hosting a potluck.

Take the “please bring a dish” strategy global by making your holiday gathering a potluck. This can be an excellent choice if you’re hosting a large crowd with diverse diets. In this scenario, everyone now has options they can eat and enjoy — while also taking some of the pressure off you as the host.

To facilitate the process, you could ask attendees to add what they plan to make to a shared document. Or if you don’t want to manage the process so closely and are ok with the “luck” part of potluck, assign types of dishes (mains, salads, sides, desserts) based on the first letter of the guests’ last names or some other randomization scheme. Then, ask your invitees to post a note on the dish they bring listing the ingredients, also noting if the recipe doesn’t meet the dietary needs of someone who will be attending.

5. Don’t take things personally.

Try not to take it personally if your friend or family member doesn’t eat all the food you made. Each person needs to be in integrity with their own health and values; it’s not an insult to your cooking. Instead, try focusing on what they did like or were able to eat, or the non-food aspects of the holiday gathering like the conversation, decorations, sports games, holiday songs, or whatever else you’re sharing.

6. Focus on building bonds.

If you’re chomping on kale with resentment in your heart, you’re not doing your health any favors. The two Vitamin Gs (Gratitude and Generosity) are arguably as important as fiber and phytonutrients.

A lot of research shows that positive feelings and moods are health-promoting. The holidays may be a good time to relax your own dietary rules — for the sake of goodwill with your family and friends. For example, if you typically avoid oil or certain processed foods, a holiday meal with family can be an instance where you can stretch a little if you can do so without damaging your well-being or your integrity.

After all, the holidays are about spending time with loved ones and building fond memories. And sometimes that means being flexible and practicing compassion towards others — especially where there are differences. This doesn’t mean you have to compromise your values or your health. It just means that the holidays are an excellent time to be particularly thoughtful and generous.

7. Discuss topics that may unite, rather than divide.

Here are some ideas you can use for your holiday event:

• Ask about what’s going on in people’s lives.
• Talk about hobbies and interests.
• Ask about the best things that have happened in the last year, or about your hopes and dreams for your life in the year to come.
• Ask for recommendations for favorite TV shows, movies, music, podcasts, and books (including cookbooks!).
• Have each person to say three things they are grateful for.
• When possible, focus on gratitude, humility, and being thankful for having food to share, as well as things like family, friends, and a home.

8. Remember that it doesn’t have to be all about the food.

Because our gatherings and celebrations typically include food, we have a tendency to make food the centerpiece of the whole experience. If you play a word association game and say “Thanksgiving,” what will people say in response? Probably “turkey,” “stuffing,” and “cranberry sauce.” The historical and spiritual significance of the holiday typically takes a back seat. Some people even call it “Turkey Day,” which is unfortunate for many reasons, including that it ignores the central idea of giving thanks.

While food is a pleasurable aspect of holiday gatherings, it doesn’t have to be the make-or-break element of the whole experience. Include rituals that highlight the meaning of the holiday. Focus on togetherness, on building memories, and on weaving community together. And try to leave any judgment behind with the understanding that not everyone will have the same dietary preferences as you or even the other guests.

Ideas to Consider for Easy, Stress-Free Holiday Meal Planning

1. Send invitations early. People can get very busy around the holidays.
2. Plan your holiday menu well in advance and prepare what you can ahead of time (certain dishes freeze well, and no one will know you didn’t make it that morning!).
3. Do as much of the grocery shopping as makes sense — things like spices, grains, legumes, and frozen ingredients — earlier rather than later (you know what grocery stores and markets are like right before a holiday).
4. Then save your produce-buying for a few days before your gathering, but before the selection is picked over.
5. Plan a schedule for when to serve food.
6. Clean the house before the gathering. As you clean, play music you love, and focus on making your home welcoming and calm.
7. Set the table early — perhaps even the day before.
8. Alcohol is often an expected part of holiday gatherings. If you don’t have anyone wanting support in recovery, you may want to consider serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (like mocktails) for kids, drivers, and those who prefer not to imbibe. However, if you don’t want to serve alcohol, consider asking guests to bring their own or not bring it at all (and let them know it will be a sober celebration).
9. Choose festive and relaxing background music ahead of time.
10. Delegate tasks, including grocery shopping, chopping and prepping food, dishes, and clean-up, and setting the table, to willing friends and family members. Make it part of the experience that everyone shares.

For more tips on maximizing meal prep, check out this article.

Holiday Menu Ideas: Healthy Holiday Recipes for a Festive Feast

Whether you’re looking for healthy holiday recipes to create a memorable and successful Christmas dinner, or you observe another holiday, these menu ideas will help you create a gathering everyone can enjoy.

It’s a good idea to plan for a variety of dishes at a holiday gathering. But if you’re trying out new recipes like the ones below, it’s best to make them at least once before the event, so you can be sure you like the dish or to make any necessary tweaks.

Festive Holiday Beverage Ideas

Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider

Open your home and create a feeling of warmth as soon as guests arrive with the natural aroma of cinnamon, apple, and cranberry through this Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider, made with 100% cranberry and apple juices (no sugar added!)

Pomegranate Sangria

There’s no need for alcohol when you have this antioxidant-charged beverage on hand that will naturally lift spirits with its powerful phytonutrients and festive flavor. Sip on it while you toast the holidays and celebrate your loved ones.

Spicy Aztecan Sipping Chocolate 

Spicy Aztec Sipping Chocolate originates from the ancient Mesoamerica tradition over 3,000 years ago that used “xocoatl,” or chocolate, as a symbol of strength and health. What perfect symbolism when looking forward to the new year. Cheers!

Holiday Appetizer Ideas

Sweet Potato and Kale Bites

Adding a pop of color to your appetizers with these Sweet Potato Kale Bites will not only pique the interest of your holiday guests, but these bite-size nuggets will also intrigue their palates. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, this festive appetizer is sure to be a crowd favorite.

Walnut and Lentil Stuffed Mushrooms

The aroma of toasted walnuts is warm and comforting, perfect for the fall and winter holiday season. When you combine the toasted walnuts with warm lentils, and then add the nutty mixture to baked mushrooms, you get a hearty, flavorful, and exquisite appetizer that will enchant your holiday guests.

Jalapeño Poppers

Spice up your holiday party with this festive and tasty pop-in-your-mouth appetizer.  Cashews serve as the base for cream cheese, and chickpeas pose as a crunchy breadcrumb topping in this dish. Get ready! Jalapeño Poppers might just turn your holiday guests on to plant-based eating!

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Something magical happens when you blend spinach with artichokes and cashews — they create an ooey-gooey sea of synergistic deliciousness packed with nutrition. This seemingly indulgent dish is also very simple to prepare. Serve it as a veggie dip, spread it on flatbread, or layer it with potatoes, then bake as a casserole.

Spiced Sweet Potato Hummus 

Hummus might seem too ordinary to serve at holiday gatherings, but homemade hummus made with spiced sweet potatoes promises to be a new and irresistible dip for your guests (plus, who doesn’t love hummus?). Creamy and sweet with a bit of tang from lime juice, there’s just enough chili powder and cinnamon to give it flavor without too much spice!

Wintery Soup and Salad Ideas

Sweet Potato Carrot Soup with Toasted Sunflower Seeds

Warm the hearts and bellies of your holiday guests by serving this creamy and comforting soup that uses nutrient-rich carrots and sweet potatoes as its base. The root veggies get their vibrant orange colors from carotenoids, compounds that act like antioxidants in the body, scavenging free radicals and protecting you from lifestyle diseases. They’re also both packed with fiber, making this soup gut-loving and satisfying.

Apple Spiced Carrot Ginger Soup

This nourishing soup tantalizes with flavors of apple, ginger, onion, and spice — it’s delicious and healing. Prepare it before guests arrive, so its aroma greets them as they walk through the door. And serve it before your main meal to whet their appetites in the best way possible!

Warmly Spiced Quinoa Chickpea Stew

If you’re feeding a large group of people for the holidays, then there’s nothing better than making a dish that’s easy to serve, tastes delicious, and takes minimal preparation for many people. This dish is a cross between a casserole and a stew. It’s cooked on the stove-top, much like a stew, but is much more like a casserole in texture. The quinoa and chickpeas are simmered with warm, earthy spices, and balanced with the sweetness of dried figs and sautéed fennel. It’s perfect for the holiday season!

Warm Energizing Einkorn Salad with Winter Vegetables 

Warm grains mixed with winter veggies create a hearty salad that is both satisfying and nourishing to the body and soul. Not to mention, the array of colors brings lots of holiday cheer — this meets our definition of festive!

Carrot and Cabbage Slaw

Versatility is the name of the game with this savory slaw that has versatility as a side, an appetizer, or perhaps as a topping on plant-based “cheese” and crackers. No matter how your holiday guests enjoy it, the flavors pop, and the crunch is super satisfying. Don’t be surprised if they ask you for the recipe!

Kale Pomegranate Salad with Chopped Walnuts and Sliced Apples

Vivid green kale leaves paired with vibrant red pomegranate arils make for the most festive salad of the year that also tastes incredibly delicious. Kale lends earthy flavors, pomegranate brings juicy brightness, walnuts provide nutty goodness, and apples add some natural sweetness. Your holiday guests will rave about this dish!

Holiday Entrees to Wow a Crowd

Lentil and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Nourish your family during the holiday season with these Lentil and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers that will permeate your home with their aroma as you’re making them. What’s more, these delicious beauties are gluten-free and dairy-free, covering two common allergens that can sometimes make it a challenge for families to enjoy meals together.

Mushroom and Kale Pot Pie

Keep friends and family happy and healthy throughout the holiday season by sharing this Mushroom and Kale Pot Pie. It looks, smells, and tastes indulgent and is also super nutritious! Immune-supporting mushrooms, nutrient-dense kale, and pathogen-fighting aromatics bring an irresistible combination of flavor, textures, and nutrition to this tasty pie.

Lentil Flax Loaf

Not to be confused with traditional meatloaf, this lentil loaf is loaded with fiber, phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, and omega-3s. Enjoy it alongside mashed sweet potatoes or roasted winter veggies (pro tip: roast the vegetables while you’re cooking the lentil loaf).

Shepherd’s Pie

Turn on the holiday tunes and get ready to feel the festive mood as you’re making this delectable Shepherd’s Pie that the entire family is going to enjoy. The brightly spirited mood combined with the deep comfort of this traditional dish will make your guests feel well-loved!

Creamy Barley Risotto with Thyme and Star Anise

Time to get cozy for the holidays! Similar to how a fat — like whipping cream or butter — is folded into traditional risotto just before serving, a fresh cashew cream sauce adds a lot of body and flavor to this whole-grain risotto. Comforting, soothing, and delightful, this dish will keep you warm from your head to your toes this holiday season.

Holiday Side Dishes

Warm Garlic and Herb Lentils 

Warm lentils mixed with fresh rosemary and healing garlic will bring feelings of well-being and comfort to your holiday table. Serve them as a warm salad, on top of sliced whole grain bread, or as a part of a plant-based charcuterie board.

Three-Cup Vegetables

Three-Cup Vegetables is historically called Three-Cup Chicken and usually calls for braising the bird in rice wine, soy sauce, and sesame oil with plenty of ginger, garlic, and basil. Here, root vegetables take the place of the chicken, making this dish low in saturated fat, cholesterol-free, and high in vitamin C, beta-carotene, and fiber. Serve it as a festive and flavorful side, or make it a full meal by doubling the sauce and adding organic tofu.

Green Beans Almondine

This classic dish gets a healthy facelift by omitting the butter and oil and keeping the fiber (green beans and almonds). This version also adds lots of aromatics (shallots and garlic) and a little crunchy sweetness (again, almonds!). It may just become a holiday family favorite!

Tempeh Sausage Stuffing

Show your holiday guests some love by substituting plant-based foods for meat. It can lead to enormous health benefits! Research shows that soy products may lower cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation, and, in tempeh’s case, improve digestive health due to its high fiber content. In this holiday-worthy recipe, organic tempeh adds a rich texture when cooked with the whole grain bread. And the fennel and other spices give the stuffing a delectable flavor.

Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce

Using whole cranberries, phytonutrient-rich pomegranate juice, and fresh cinnamon and ginger, Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce will change your thoughts of cranberry sauce as you know it. This sauce has all the zing of traditional cranberry sauce, plus lots of nutrition from the fruit and spices. Enjoy it alongside roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, and lentil “meatballs.”

Holiday Dessert Ideas

Decadent Chocolate Dusted Cheesecake

If you want to impress your holiday guests, then add Decadent Chocolate Dusted Cheesecake to your menu. This nut-based, cocoa-dusted cheesecake is delicious! Cashews create creaminess, macadamia nuts create richness, and almonds create a naturally sweet flavor. Add that creamy “cheese” to a sweet and salty pecan crust, and you have a recipe that will swoon even the hardest to impress cheesecake aficionados.

Cherry Chia Cacao Pudding Parfait 

These Cherry Chia Cacao Pudding Parfaits are a fun and festive way to celebrate and ring in the new year. And they don’t just look pretty on your table — they serve a purpose by making your holiday guests happy with their creamy texture and rich flavor while helping to keep them healthy with antioxidant-packed ingredients. Cheers to a healthy celebration!

Cinnamon Pear Cranberry Crumble 

Are you looking for a hug this holiday season? Because that’s what this warm and soothing breakfast feels like, with aromatic cinnamon, the sweet taste of pear, and the satisfying texture of nuts and cranberries. Spiralized pear is nestled between the nutty granola before baking into a breakfast that just might become a family staple.

Coconut Cranberry Snowballs

Even if you’re not a fan of winter, this type of snow is sure to delight. That is, edible, naturally sweet snowballs you can enjoy making, and then eating, as a mid-afternoon snack or after-dinner treat. Because coconut is reminiscent of snowflakes, these bite-sized snacks also create a sense of cheer as a display on your holiday table.

Banana Walnut Bread

Our Banana Walnut Bread qualifies as a warm dessert, sustainable breakfast, or delightful afternoon snack, making it perfect for sharing with friends and family. It’s naturally sweet, nutty, moist, and perfectly satisfying. Bonus points for its fiber, plant protein, and phytonutrient content. And a double bonus for its simplicity, especially during the holiday season when things can get busy.

Bon appétit!

Tell us in the comments:

• What holiday meal planning techniques do you use to unite your friends and family?
• What are your favorite, healthy holiday recipes and dishes?
• Please leave a comment below and share your tips for a healthy, happy, holiday season!

Featured Image: iStock.com/Foxys_forest_manufacture

Read Next:

• Practicing Gratitude on Thanksgiving is a Powerful Action for Health & Happiness
• Three Loving Ways to Stick to Your Diet at Social Gatherings

The post Holiday Meal Planning Tips and Recipes for Healthy & Happy Gatherings appeared first on Food Revolution Network.

The Evolution of Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day originated as a religious celebration, commemorating the martyrdom of one of the St. Valentines. One of, you ask? Well, it turns out that there were at least three Christian saints named Valentine (or Valentinus, if you took Latin in high school), all of whom were martyred. (Pro tip: Don’t name your kid “Valentine.”) Valentine “A” allegedly died at the command of Claudius II for the crime of performing secret marriages. Valentine “B,” a bishop, was beheaded by the same Claudius. And Valentine “C” was an imprisoned Roman centurion who fell in love with the Christian daughter of his jailer, and signed his secret letters to her, “From your Valentine.”

So we can see the romantic roots of today’s holiday in at least two of these origin stories. They probably arose as an attempt to Christianize a very popular Roman pagan holiday, Lupercalia, which was celebrated from February 13-15. Lupercalia, according to some sources, was observed: “to avert evil spirits and purify the city, releasing health, productivity, and fertility.”

The holiday got its ecclesiastical stamp of approval at the end of the 5th century, when Pope Gelasius simultaneously outlawed the observance of Lupercalia and declared February 14th the Day of Saint Valentine. The pagan fertility angle remained, however, in the folk belief that February 14th was the official start of bird mating season. Throughout the middle ages, the holiday celebrated both piety and romance.

Secular Valentine’s Traditions

What the medieval Valentine’s Day lacked, of course, was Hershey’s Miniatures and Russell Stover individually wrapped assortment boxes. Cacao wouldn’t hit European shelves until the mid-16th century, and sugar, imported from Mediterranean lands, was prohibitively expensive and labor-intensive to produce. The tradition of sending cards, or “Valentines,” to loved ones, began in the 15th century and grew in popularity over the centuries. By the mid-1800s, American companies were mass-producing Valentine’s Day cards, which opened the door to the full commercialization of the holiday, including giving boxes of chocolate, bouquets of red roses, and expensive jewelry.

These days, the holiday isn’t just for love and lust; in addition to those with romantic interests to communicate, it’s common for friends and family members to exchange valentines, do something special for each other, or gift sweet treats like chocolate or candy.

Valentine’s Day & Sugar

But modern observances of Valentine’s Day center around prodigious amounts of sugar. You can buy chocolate assortments for a couple of bucks at your local drugstore, or splurge on Belgian or Swiss truffles at eye-popping prices. The world’s most expensive chocolate, the La Madeline au Truffe from Connecticut-based House of Knipschildt, retails for $250 for a single piece. (Weirdly, it’s actually a chocolate-covered fungus, in case you were thinking of pulling out your credit card.)

The Valentine’s Day chocolate connection was forged by an opportunistic entrepreneur, Richard Cadbury, who, in the 1840s, figured out how to improve the taste of hot chocolate by removing the cocoa butter. He also more or less invented the category of “eating chocolate.” Then, he had the idea of putting those chocolates in fancy boxes, which could be refilled and regifted after the chocolate was gone. From there, it was a short leap to heart-shaped boxes, and here we are.

Of course, chocolate candy isn’t the only game in town when it comes to Valentine’s Day sugar delivery. We also give each other candy hearts, cupcakes, and other forms of chocolate to express our love. And there’s the rub, as far as I’m concerned: sugar, especially in its processed and refined form, isn’t exactly a health food.

Most Americans consume way more sugar than is good for us. While the recommended daily upper limit for added sugar is six teaspoons for women and nine for men, the average American takes in 17 teaspoons each day, which adds up to about 57 pounds and 100,000 calories per year.

Plus, sugar is addictive, apparently lighting up the same areas of the brain as cocaine, and causing a sizable dopamine rush. And it contributes to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

So giving your dear ones too many sugar-rich treats for Valentine’s Day may not be the kindest way to show your love.

Creating Healthier Valentine’s Day Traditions

One of the nice things about knowing history is that you can see where and how traditions began, so it doesn’t seem like “it’s always been that way.” It also gives you the freedom to drop traditions that no longer serve you and replace them with healthier and more meaningful ones.

So how can you show your love this Valentine’s Day? Let me count the ways. And I’ll pay homage to the great Romantic poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning by doing it in sonnet form:

If you would like to demonstrate your love,
And show how dear you hold them in your heart.
You don’t need Chocolate Promises from Dove.
The following ideas should prove a start.

Just pick for them a natural bouquet —
Include sweet herbs like lavender and sage.
A picture book (stick-figures are OK!)
Can show your love on every single page.

To make your deep affection even clearer,
Express your creativity in verse.
Affix a Post-It to their shaving mirror,
Or hide a love note inside their purse.

Do them a kindness. Write for them a song.
So many ways to say your love is strong!

You can also do things that I couldn’t come up with rhymes for, like handcrafting a gift or engaging in an anonymous act of kindness for a loved one — or on their behalf.

Valentines Foods

And then there’s food. You can prepare a fancy, delicious savory meal that shows you care or signals your amorous intent (you can Google “plant-based aphrodisiacs” for more ideas).

If you want to stick with the sweet theme, however, there are plenty of healthier Valentine’s treat options — especially when you make your own at home. You can find a bunch of sweet, whole food, sugar alternatives in this article. Evoke a Valentine’s Day vibe by shaping food into hearts by using a cookie cutter or your hands. And if you want to be anatomically correct, you can even find a cookie cutter that’s shaped like an actual heart, complete with atria and ventricles.

Red is the customary Valentine’s Day color, but rather than stain your food with artificial dyes, try using red foods such as tomatoes, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, beets, red bell peppers, etc., in your healthy Valentine’s treats to stay on theme. As a bonus, the chemicals responsible for these foods’ ruby hues are the awesomely healthy lycopene and anthocyanins. Now that’s a way to show your love!

If you’re gift-giving, stick to the theme of the day by presenting your food gifts in a DIY heart-shaped box that would make MacGyver proud. Just keep those fingers safe from the craft knife, or your box will be red for the wrong reason! If cutting and gluing isn’t your thing, you can wrap your gift in a reusable cotton bag with a heart stenciled on it. After your beloved removes the gift, they can take the bag shopping and show everyone in the produce section how much they’re adored.

7 Healthy Valentines Treats to DIY

Whether you’re celebrating someone close to you, honoring self-love, or dedicating the holiday to family time, these healthy Valentine’s treats are sure to please with their myriad flavors and nutrient-powered ingredients.

Make the Red Velvet Pancakes for breakfast and top them with berries to start the Valentine’s festivities. Or, blend a Chocolate Raspberry Smoothie for two. (Did you know that chocolate was symbolic of love and used in ceremonial matrimonies many, many years ago?)

If you or the special people in your life prefer the savory side of things, then prepare them a Vegan Ceviche appetizer followed by hearty and comforting Roasted Red Pepper Pasta. Finally, choose from a variety of desserts or perhaps create a fun dessert-tasting tray by making the Raspberry-Filled Chocolate Cups, Decadent Chocolate Dusted Cheesecake, and the Acai Dark Chocolate Truffles. Happy, healthy Valentine’s Day to you and your loved ones!

1. Red Velvet Pancakes

Want to see your partner swoon this Valentine’s Day? Wake up first to start preparing these breakfast beauties before your partner starts to rouse. (Luckily, you don’t actually have to wake up that early as these pancakes take only minutes to prepare!) The rich aroma will be a natural wake up call that’s sure to elevate their morning mood. These pancakes are different from traditional pancakes in that they’re low in sugar and packed with fiber from the oat flour and raspberries.

2. Chocolate Raspberry Smoothie

Get ready for one of the most delicious and healthy Valentine’s treats.  Surprise your partner (or your mom or BFF) with a tasty, creamy, and nutritious Chocolate Raspberry Smoothie that’s packed with phytonutrients from the cacao, vitamin C from the raspberries, and healthy, plant-based fats from the almonds. Bonus: it could pass as dessert!

3. Vegan Ceviche

If you’re looking to make a romantic, love-themed dinner, we have you covered. Start with this Vegan Ceviche that uses hearts of palm and tomatoes in place of the fish that’s used to create traditional ceviche. Not only will your appetizer impress, but it will also be the beginning of a fun and flavor-filled night if you follow up with the Roasted Red Pepper Pasta and Decadent Chocolate Dusted Cheesecake. This will be a Valentine’s night to remember!

4. Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

A romantic dinner for two, a February 14th family feast, or a celebration of self-love — whichever it is for you, this is an ideal main course. If it’s dinner for one, you’ll have leftovers all week long. If it’s dinner for two, your partner will leave the table with a full belly and a happy heart. If you’re cooking for your crowd, then get ready to include this as a family-favorite staple in your recipe library!

5. Raspberry Filled Chocolate Cups

Something about the combination of chocolate and raspberry is divine. The slight bitterness and sweetness of the dark chocolate plus the tart fruitiness of the raspberry — these two were meant for each other! They’re a match made in heaven, which is what your loved one might be singing to you when they bite into these chocolate cups.

6. Decadent Chocolate Dusted Cheesecake

Calling all cheesecake lovers! This nut-based, cocoa dusted cheesecake is OMG delicious! Cashews create creaminess, macadamia nuts create richness, and almonds create a naturally sweet flavor. Add that creamy “cheese” to a sweet and slightly salty pecan crust, and you have a recipe that will swoon even the hardest to impress cheesecake aficionados.

7. Açaí Dark Chocolate Truffles

Traditional dark chocolate truffles are often made with milk or cream, but these exquisite truffles get their creaminess from avocado. Once the chocolate sets in the refrigerator, get ready to roll your (clean) hands in dark chocolate (the fun part!) before coating them with açaí powder for an additional antioxidant boost and pretty pink color.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

You can have a healthy and happy love-holiday! Think outside the (heart-shaped) box, and find ways to show your love minus the sugar and consumerism. If you want to give a sweet treat for Valentine’s Day (or consume one yourself), consider these healthier versions of sweets and treats that are made with foods that will also love you (and your Valentine) back. Now that’s amore!

Tell us in the comments:

• What’s the most meaningful Valentine’s Day gift you’ve ever given or received (or heard about)?
• What’s your favorite red food? How do you like to eat it?
• Which of the above recipes will you try this year?

Read Next:

• 7 Sugar-Free and Dairy-Free Chocolate Desserts

The post 7 Healthy Valentine’s Treats You’ll Love — That Will Love You Back appeared first on Food Revolution Network.

In the U.S., our most popular cookout day is July 4th, Independence Day — the day we celebrate our freedom and commemorate our rejection of tyranny. The day we reaffirm our commitment to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” So, it’s ironic that many of our 4th of July customs actually shorten our lives, undermine our liberty, and tarnish our happiness.

You may dismiss this article as “Debbie Downer” material, whining about the environmentally damaging consumption that characterizes so many of our 4th of July traditions. Fortunately, I’m not just pointing fingers at unsustainable and unhealthy practices. I’ll also share alternatives that are at least as festive, memorable, and delicious and are much more in keeping with the original intent of the holiday.

But what if you live outside the U.S. or don’t celebrate 4th of July? I’m still confident that “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” are pretty high priorities. You might even consider adopting some of these tips in your own summer celebrations.

Protecting the Environment

Feeding and entertaining guests at cookouts can be a lot of work. So it’s only natural that we want to make things as easy as possible — like cleanup, for example. Unfortunately, disposable plates, utensils, and cups can just end up in a big garbage bag.

No question that relying on single-use items is convenient in the short-term. And also no question that our disposable mindset is taking a huge toll on our health and on the environment. Even if none of those plastic spoons and cups end up as “litter” on the ground, they all end up somewhere. And they can hang around for tens of thousands of years, polluting the air, soil, and water upon which our lives depend.

Air Pollution

It’s not just the throwaway plastic and paper that can damage the environment. It turns out that the day after Independence Day, July 5th, is one of the days of the year with the worst air quality, due to two of our beloved traditions: grilling and fireworks.

Grilling is a favorite pastime during the summer, all over the world, but it reaches a whole new level of obsession in the United States during 4th of July celebrations.

In 2017, Americans were projected to spend over $7 billion on cookouts and other outdoor celebrations during Independence Day. Sure, that represents a lot of food (more on that below), but also a lot of smoke. Pair that with the heavy-metal-tainted smoke from millions of pounds of fireworks (that contribute to 42% more pollutants in the air after the holiday) and the sparkling allure of a summer cookout or celebration quickly gets tainted by the toxic cocktail of harmful and potentially carcinogenic chemicals floating around.

A Note About Fireworks

Although fireworks are a traditional way to celebrate the 4th of July and other summertime celebrations, they’re really bad for the environment. In addition to contributing to air pollution, the propellants, colorants, and heavy metals in fireworks can end up in the soil or waterways, polluting our drinking water or the ocean. (Fireworks are also notoriously bad for our pets, especially dogs, who are often deeply disturbed by the loud noises.)

Limit your use of personal fireworks if possible. And if you love fireworks, try carpooling with friends and family to a large, organized event. If public transportation can reduce pollution by taking cars off the road, then public fireworks — which, let’s face it, are far more spectacular than the roadside stand variety that not only represent fire hazards, but maim and deafen dozens of revelers each Independence Day — can reduce air pollution too while more than satisfying our desire for bright, pretty lights and things that go bang.

Or, if you’re going for a sustainable party at home, try one of these no-smoke lighting alternatives instead.

• Eco-friendly floating lanterns
• LED candles in glass hurricanes
• Solar powered LED string lights
• Laser light show
• Light projectors

Before you gas up the grill, light up those sparklers, or go shopping for party supplies, think how they might impact your health and the environment, and consider more eco-friendly choices to have a more sustainable 4th of July (or other summertime celebration).

The Trouble with BBQs

One of the more popular ways to celebrate outdoors during the Summer is with a BBQ. However, the food most people typically throw on a grill doesn’t exactly scream healthy or sustainable.

Meats of all kinds, especially hot dogs, steaks, hamburgers, and chicken top the list of most grilled foods.

No matter how it’s cooked, meat has been shown to cause inflammation in the body as well as contribute to chronic disease.

But grilled meat causes additional problems.

Cooking meat at high temperatures, such as on a grill, creates Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) — carcinogenic compounds formed when the fat and juices in meat drip onto an open flame.

These compounds end up sticking to the food as well as being released into the air. (The good news is that HCAs and PAHs don’t form when you grill fruits and vegetables!)

Since most grills use charcoal as their heating source, additional greenhouse gases like carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide are emitted as well. The chef and nearby guests can compromise their health just by breathing in those delicious, evocative aromas — even if they skip the meat entirely.

When you add these local effects to the enormous amount of greenhouse gas emissions, like methane, caused by animal agriculture, you can see why barbequed meat is a recipe for air pollution and environmental harm.

Alternatives to Charcoal Grills

If you have to use charcoal, choose lump charcoal, which is pure wood without additives, chemicals, or infused lighter fluid. Lump charcoal also tends to come from sustainably sourced wood, whereas most briquettes do not.

However, there are other alternatives to charcoal that can help you have a more sustainable 4th of July (or other summertime party). Reduce the amount of air pollution from grilling by switching to one of these energy sources.

Natural Gas & Propane

Although they’re sourced from fossil fuels, natural gas and propane emit about half the CO2 each hour, compared to charcoal.

They’re also more efficient. During the production of natural gas and propane, about 90% of the material is usable, whereas charcoal only produces 20-35% usable product.

And grilling with gas means that you have to keep the grill on only while the food is cooking, unlike charcoal, which will continue to burn until it goes out naturally or you douse it with water.

Electric

Electric grills don’t require the purchase of an additional fuel source, and you can adjust the temperature while grilling. A typical outdoor electric grill has an output of around 1500 watts, or 1.5 kWh, which is about the same as a space heater or hair dryer.

As a result, electric grills are only a more sustainable choice than charcoal if your home runs on renewable energy such as solar, wind, or microhydropower.

Solar-Powered

Purely solar-powered grills are available, although they’re still rare and run on the expensive side. But since you’re relying solely on the sun as an energy source, you’ll likely save money in the long run while also preventing contribution to carbon emissions. Here’s one that sounds promising.

Tip: To go even further with increasing the sustainability of your BBQ or cookout, you can even DIY a reflector or box solar cooker.

Plant-Powered 4th of July (or anytime) BBQ recipes

Give these plant-powered recipes a try for a healthy spin on BBQ classics.

Smoky Black Bean Burger by The Simple Veganista

These grillable veggie burgers are low-fat, high-fiber, and full of healthy grains, seeds, and spices.

Grilled Vegetable Fajitas by Karyl’s Kulinary Krusade

Colorful red, yellow, and green bell peppers, red onions, baby bella mushrooms, and zucchini make up these delicious veggie fajitas topped off with a smoky and spicy seasoning. Omit the oil for a heart-healthier version.

Smoky Carrot Dogs by Brand New Vegan

You won’t find any ground up animal parts in these hot dogs. Simply boil, marinate, and then grill whole carrots and pile high with your favorite condiments and toppings.

Honey Lime Grilled Fruit Skewers by Love & Zest

Who doesn’t love food on a stick? Try this sweet, grilled fruit skewer recipe for a fun take on a kabob. It’s perfect for a summer cookout appetizer or dessert.

Tip: Although grills are typically greased up with unhealthy and environmentally unfriendly cooking spray or processed oils to prevent sticking, you can get the same non-stick effect by rubbing a potato, onion, or lemon on the grill surface. Delicious!

Reduce Plastic Use This Summer

When shopping for food and other summer cookout supplies, consider buying in bulk to cut down on plastic packaging consumption.

Around 40% of all plastic produced becomes packaging that’s used just once and then discarded.

All of this waste has created more than 6.9 billion tons of plastic trash, with more than 5 trillion pieces of plastic currently polluting our oceans.

In addition to ending up in the stomachs of fish and other wildlife, plastic also kills over 100,000 marine animals annually.

And research has shown that many of the chemicals in plastics, such as BPA and BPS, are harmful to human health — disrupting hormones and contributing to chronic disease.

So, what else can you do during summer parties to reduce your use of plastics?

Use Biodegradable or Reusable Cutlery

Before throwing that box of plastic spoons, knives, and forks into your shopping cart, consider that it may take over 100 years for them to begin breaking down and over 1,000 years for them to decompose completely.

Instead, try a more sustainable cutlery alternative at your 4th of July or other outdoor, summertime celebration.

Option 1: Silverware

The best option would, of course, be just to use silverware from home and take the time to wash everything afterward. (The same goes for plates and cups.)

Silverware is safe to reuse, and the only additional resources it requires is a little soap and water.

Don’t have enough for a big event? You might be able to shore up your supply from a local thrift store or ask some of the other participants to pitch in with their collections.

Option 2: Bioplastics

Bioplastics have been a popular eco-friendly option for utensils, especially in the food industry.

There are two types of bioplastics, PLA (polylactic acid) and PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate). The former is made from fermented plant starches like corn, cassava, sugarcane, or sugar beets. The latter uses microbes which produce a plastic-like chemical made from organic materials.

While bioplastics aren’t without their own problems, more sustainable versions made with non-GMO corn, organic food waste, and even blue-green algae are worthwhile alternatives to consider.

Option 3: Wood

Birch and bamboo varieties are eco-friendly alternatives to plastic that are compostable in either backyard or industrial facilities, and in some cases, reusable as well.

While there can be deforestation entailed in their production, birch and bamboo are fast-growing trees making them a more sustainable and renewable source of wood.

Bring Food and Beverages in Reusable Containers

It’s always nice when friends and family offer to bring food or beverages to summer parties, like potlucks and picnics. Unfortunately, most store-bought foods come wrapped in plastic packaging. Or it’s stored in plastic containers that could be leaching harmful chemicals into the food.

Encourage your guests to instead bring homemade food and beverages in non-plastic, reusable food storage containers. And make sure they have lids to make the transport of leftovers easier.

Stainless steel and glass food storage containers or water bottles are safe alternatives to plastic. Both are non-porous and don’t include chemicals like BPA or phthalates.

Want to make your 4th of July or other summer BBQ plastic-bottle-free? Fill up a large, glass drink dispenser with water — either plain or naturally flavored with fruit slices.

If you do choose to use plastic containers, don’t store highly acidic foods such as tomato products in them (which can break down the plastic further), and never expose them to direct sunlight, put them in the dishwasher, or add hot foods to them.

Recycle Bottles, Cans, and Paper

Some single-use may be unavoidable, especially if party guests bring their own beverages. But that doesn’t mean they all need to end up in the landfill. Aside from having trash cans outside, set up a recycling station for guests to deposit their recyclables.

Important: Make sure to rinse out all containers before putting them out for your recycling service to pick up or if taking them to a recycling center.

Other Ways to Dine Sustainably Outdoors

Use Cloth Napkins

While they may seem like a less significant problem than plastics, paper products have a major effect on the environment too.

Worldwide, nearly 4 billion trees are used for the paper industry. That’s 35% of the total cut trees used for manufacturing.

And a single paper napkin can cause 10 grams of greenhouse gas emissions and use 0.3 liters of water.

“But what about napkins and towels made from recycled paper?” you might ask.

That’s a helpful step. It means the napkins or paper towels were made from recycled paper, but not from recycled napkins. Unfortunately, napkins themselves can’t be recycled. Each time recycled paper products are run through the process, the paper fibers get shorter, making them susceptible to disintegration.

Plus, if you’re using them during a BBQ or outdoor picnic, they’d likely have food and other contaminants on them that would make them unsuitable for recycling anyway.

Instead of contributing to deforestation, you might want to provide a stack of cloth napkins for your guests to use.

Compost Your Food Scraps

Around one-third of food produced for human consumption gets lost or wasted every year. In order to prevent unnecessary food waste, consider composting the food scraps from your 4th of July or summer parties.

If you already have a compost pile or bin at home, save your food scraps and add them to the mix.

Many cities across the U.S. also offer composting services and will pick up food scraps from your home.

Even if your city doesn’t offer compost pick up, there are independent companies who pick up food scraps for a fee from your home, or in some cases, even from a party or event location.

Or you can even give your compostables to someone with an existing compost pile via ShareWaste.

If you’re new to composting, here’s a basic list of what you can and can’t compost:

Click here for more about composting and a full list of what you can and can’t compost.

Last But Not Least… Don’t Litter

If you’re dining outdoors, whether in your own backyard, at a park, or at the beach, make an effort to leave the area as clean as you found it (or cleaner!). Deposit all trash and recyclable items in trash cans or take them with you; leave nothing behind but footsteps and happy memories.

Tell us in the comments below:

• Do you do any of these things already?
• How will you keep your 4th of July (or other summer celebration) sustainable?

Featured Image: iStock.com/monkeybusinessimages

Read next:

• The ultimate guide to hosting or attending a healthy, plant-powered 4th of July celebration (or other summer party)

The post How to Have a Happy (and Healthy and Sustainable) 4th of July (or Any Summer Celebration!) appeared first on Food Revolution Network.

Mardi Gras originated as a Christian tradition. But these days, Mardi Gras is famous for its colorful parades, beads, and decadent parties.

Food has also played an essential role as Shrove Tuesday, or Fat Tuesday as it’s often referred to, was traditionally a day of feasting before the start of Lent.

Instead of indulging in traditional dishes, you can join in the celebration with healthy Mardi Gras recipes.

So don your mask, decorate with green, purple and gold, and let the good times roll with these Cajun and Creole-inspired, Mardi Gras recipes.

Host Your Own Carnival Party With These 7 Festive, Plant-Powered, Healthy, Mardi Gras Recipes

No need to head to Bourbon St. for a taste of the Big Easy. Enjoy the zing and zest from your own home with our picks for a healthy and flavorful Mardi Gras celebration.

Gluten- and Fat-free Gumbo

Historically, no dish screams Mardi Gras more than gumbo. With origins in Medieval France, a ceremonial run called the “Courir de Mardi Gras” takes place in many Cajun towns, including New Orleans, as part of the Fat Tuesday tradition. During the run, participants attempt to collect ingredients, which then become part of a communal gumbo or Creole stew.

Most gumbos include sausage or seafood as the main ingredient, but this savory Gluten- and Fat-free Gumbo from Holy Cow! Vegan Recipes features beans and mushrooms instead for a cruelty-free, plant-powered version.

Slow Cooker Pulled Jackfruit Jambalaya

Another traditional Mardi Gras recipe, gumbo’s first cousin, jambalaya, is cooked with rice and spices for a Spanish, paella-style dish.

The Tofu Diaries created a Slow Cooker Pulled Jackfruit Jambalaya that stays true to the “meaty” texture of this classic Cajun dish due to the addition of nature’s miracle fruit.

For a rice-less version, use more cauliflower as a base, or try riced-cauliflower instead.

Oyster Mushroom Po’Boys

While the exact origins of the po’boy remain a bit hazy, there’s no doubt this culinary creation has been a New Orleans (and Mardi Gras) staple for nearly a century.

Most modern po’boys stick meat or deep-fried seafood between two slices of bread and slather it in gravy or remoulade. But you can still enjoy this famous Southern comfort food without clogging your arteries.

Love and Lemons created an Oyster Mushroom Po’Boy that uses baked oyster mushrooms breaded with a cornmeal, panko, and hemp seeds mixture. (For those with a gluten allergy or sensitivity, Ian’s Natural Foods makes a gluten-free panko.)

Serve these po’boys pre-made or family-style, so everyone can add their own veggie fixings — perfect for taking along to your local parade route. You could also wrap these in lettuce instead of bread.

Cajun Red Beans and Rice Veggie Burgers

For a new, meat-free spin on a classic New Orleans favorite, try these Cajun Red Beans and Rice Veggie Burgers from The Vegan 8.

With only seven ingredients needed for the burgers, they’re super easy to make en masse for a Mardi Gras-inspired cookout. Just don’t forget the Cajun Cream Sauce, a spicy alternative to ketchup or BBQ sauce that’s made with cashews and is sugar-free.

Mardi Gras Buddha Bowl

You may have heard you should “eat the rainbow,” so why not eat the Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold?

Featuring cajun-spiced chickpeas, yellow peppers, and purple cauliflower and cabbage, this Mardi Gras Buddha Bowl from Vegetarian South is like a party in your mouth and a powerhouse for your cells. Win-win!

(If you want, you can make this recipe oil-free by using some water instead of olive oil.)

Quick & Easy Collard Greens

Louisiana collards typically get their flavor from ham, turkey, and/or bacon. But you can still enjoy their traditional, smoky, spicy flavor without the addition of meat.

Healthy Midwestern Girl seasons her Quick & Easy Collard Greens with garlic, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Ready in just 20 minutes, these leafy greens are perfect as a side dish for your Fat Tuesday feast.

Mardi Gras Smoothie

A Whisk and Two Wands’ whole foods, plant-based Mardi Gras Smoothie is as healthy as it is pretty.

Each layer of this colorful, fruit-infused smoothie is blended separately before combining in a glass for a picture-perfect Mardi Gras breakfast, dessert, or anytime snack.

Tell us in the comments below:

• What do you think of these healthy Mardi Gras recipes?

• What are your favorite ways to celebrate Mardi Gras with food?

• Do you have any favorite, plant-based Mardi Gras recipes to share?

Featured Image: iStock.com/jaflippo

The post 7 Festive and Healthy Mardi Gras Recipes That Are Powered by Plants appeared first on Food Revolution Network.

‘Tis the season of candy canes and cookies. But what if you’re dreaming of holidays that are healthy?

With these recipes, you can spread joy in the form of delicious, health-boosting food.

10 Plant-Based Holiday Recipes That Will Leave You Feeling Merry — From The Inside Out

These plant-based holiday recipes won’t make your belly feel like a bowl full of jelly. But they will make you (and your guests) feel jolly.

Hot Cocoa

Oh, the weather outside is frightful! But the fire would be even more delightful with a mug full of Kale Me Kristie’s 3-ingredient hot chocolate.

Eggless Nog

Eggnog without the egg? Call it nog that’s good for your noggin! Emily of Nourishing Matters proves you can still enjoy the classic holiday beverage without the namesake ingredient. So grab your moose mug and treat yourself (and Cousin Eddie) to a glass — or two — of plant-based nog.

“Cheese” Ball

A holiday party isn’t complete without a cheeseball. But dairy isn’t the best choice for your health. Impress your guests with this plant-based Bruschetta “Cheese” Ball from Veggies Don’t Bite.

Latkes

Also known as potato pancakes, latkes are traditionally made with eggs and fried in oil. These oil-free, plant-based latkes from Plants-Rule guarantee you’ll have a healthy and happy Hanukkah.

Macaroni and “Cheese”

If mac and cheese is a must-have dish at your holiday gathering, ditch the dairy for this highly nutritious Butternut Squash Mac & “Cheese” from Veggie Inspired.

Gingerbread Cookies

Run, run, run as fast as you can — to make these Gingerbread Cookies from Kristina DeMuth. Not only does this recipe use whole food ingredients, but it’s also naturally sweetened with dates. And you can enjoy knowing the ginger has some stunning health benefits.

Gingerbread Nice Cream

If gingerbread cookies aren’t your thing, check out Feasting on Fruit’s Gingerbread Nice Cream. As the name implies, the ingredients are anything but naughty.

Fruit & Spice Cookies

Ah, fruitcake! The most feared gift of the holiday season — and for good reasons: It weighs as much as a brick, it can chip your teeth, and no one even knows what the heck is in it. Luckily, these Fruit & Spice Cookies from Katie Mae will restore your faith in fruit-packed holiday treats.

African Peanut Stew

Looking for the perfect Kwanzaa dish? This One-Pot African Peanut Stew from Making Thyme for Health is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Even if you don’t celebrate the holiday, you’ll love this soul-warming stew!

Hoppin’ John

Start the New Year off right with a bowl of Hoppin’ John. This traditional New Year’s Day recipe features black-eyed peas and collard greens. It will bring you good luck and good health!

Tell us in the comments below:

• What plant-based holiday recipes do you love?

Read Next:

• 5 easy food swaps for healthier holiday eating

The post 10 Plant-Powered Recipes for a Festive and Healthy Holiday Season appeared first on Food Revolution Network.