Tag: vegetables

Eat in the Heat (Vegan-Style)

kmgieron1

It’s been hot as h-e-double-hockey-sticks in my hometown of Baltimore, and when it is this disgustingly oppressive, I have a hard time wanting to eat food.

Recently, I went to North Carolina to visit a friend. While I was there, two of my mom’s cousins met up with me to take me to brunch. Raleigh was not faring much better than Baltimore with the heat—at the time that they picked me up (about 11:00 in the morning), my phone was reporting a temperature of 97 °F. We went to what was apparently a super popular breakfast/lunch place and were told that the wait would be at least an hour, or we could be seated immediately outside. We saw that the line for indoor seating was so long that it was out the door, so either way we knew we’d be hot. We opted to sit outside because at least then we’d be served quicker. But as we sat down under that hot, unforgiving sun, and my sweat trickled down my back, and my penciled-on eyebrows melted like butter, and my hair effortlessly resisted the “anti-humidity” spray I had spent too much on, and then a plate of warm biscuits was placed on our table…I already knew I’d be asking for a take-home box.

So, since we are only halfway through the summer, I decided to round up some ~chilled~ (or room temperature) vegan recipes to beat the heat that make me want to eat! Take a look below (click links for recipes) and let me know if you have more suggestions!

Tangy Veggie Wrap

This wrap is not only delicious and easy to make (“No cooking skills are needed for this one…It’s literally just throwing the right ingredients together!”) but it’s also healthy AF. One wrap contains 16 grams of protein!

*vegetarian, but you can use vegan cottage cheese and vegan yogurt/sour cream

Balsamic Tofu, Quinoa & Strawberry Summer Salad

YUM. I’m a huge fan of fresh strawberries and this salad is a great way to incorporate it with enough other nutritional ingredients to make it into a full meal.

Cold Noodle Bowl with Sriracha Peanut Crumble


This is super refreshing for those hot summer days, and it takes only about 20 minutes. Plus, it’s packed with a fun mixture of flavors (“crunchy, salty, spicy peanuts on top of fresh crunchy veggies, with sweet and sour hoisin and lime noodles. ALL THE YUM!!!”Avocado Gazpacho Soup

Avocado Gazpacho Soup



If you’re like me (and I feel like the good majority of my friends), you’re obsessed with avocado, and this is a cool way to taste that fresh flavor in a different way. While this recipe is geared towards those eating raw, they suggest adding a dash of hot sauce or using vegetable broth instead of water for additional flavor if you are not eating raw.

Summer Veggie Pasta Salad

Pasta salads are the epitome of summer dishes in my opinion. I love bringing them to picnics or to the pool. They’re also a great way to use up the summer vegetables you’ve been growing! The master behind this recipe also suggests adding some chopped avocado right before serving—you know I will!!

*vegetarian, but you can just skip the grated parmesan or swap with vegan cheese

Tips & Tricks for Going Meat-Free

kmgieron1

Personally, I have chosen to live a vegetarian lifestyle for about the last 13 years. While I will always encourage others to do the same and respect those who abstain from meat and/or dairy, I understand that changing a diet so drastically may be a large and intimidating step for some people to take. So, I’ve compiled a list of tips and things to remember that may help those who would like to transition to vegetarianism or veganism but are feeling unsure that they can do it successfully.

  1. Take it slow. Changing your diet does not have to be a drastic and immediate change. A gradual move towards vegetarianism or veganism will help ease you into this adjustment. Additionally, a slower shift is more sustainable, and likely to make it in to a long-term lifestyle move. Try beginning with just a once-a-week vegetarian meal, like a Meatless Monday challenge. Don’t be ashamed to take baby steps!
  2. Do some research. Read up on how to get all the necessary protein and nutrients from non-meat foods. Need a place to start? Check out my blog’s page on meat alternatives – it even gives you the approximately amount of protein in each one. Also look for some recipes that will introduce you to new plant-based food ideas. (You may want to start with some simple recipes so that you’re more inclined to actually make them.)
  3. Stock up. Once you know what vegetarian-friendly or vegan-friendly foods you’ll be wanting, go to the grocery store and make sure you get plenty of options. It’s easier to stick to a plant-based diet if you have the food available at home. It might also be a good idea to read up on the different food labels and what they mean so you can pick the best items at the store. (Check out my page “Learn the Language” for some quick information.)
  4. Host vegetarian/vegan dinners with your friends. Sometimes, it can help to have the support of your friends when you’re taking on a new challenge like this. This isn’t to say that the purpose of this get-together would be to change their minds and pressure them to cut out meat too. But having your buddies around all enjoying the same thing may help you start to feel more comfortable about choosing this lifestyle. (According to Self.com, “Studies show that failure to stick with a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle is often attributed to feeling ‘different’ or isolated. Food is all about community and sharing, so do your best to share this lifestyle with people you care about—even if they’re not making the change along with you.”) Also, if you can create something really yummy that’s also vegan, you’ll impress them and they’ll probably support your decision even more and may even treat you to a plant-based dinner sometime.
  5. Remind yourself of why you’re doing this. Whether it’s for environmental reasons, health reasons, or animal/ethical reasons, it’s helpful to keep telling yourself why you are making this sacrifice/change. It’s a different experience for everyone, but if it gets particularly difficult for you, just tell yourself all of the benefits of making this switch so you can reinforce your decision and encourage yourself to keep it up.