Eating healthy can be difficult, especially when you don’t have the ingredients to work with. Maybe you want to eat healthy, but there is nothing in your fridge you know what to do with. Or maybe there is nothing in your fridge at all. I want to preface this by saying that I am not a nutritionist or health professional but a lifelong plant-based eater and a passionate cook. So, with my years of experience, I will share some tips and inspiration for healthy plant-based eaters who may be new to the lifestyle. In this post, we will discuss the building blocks to a healthy meal, ingredient considerations based on your goals, and finally, planning a grocery trip without a strict meal plan in mind.

Eggplant is a diverse vegetable that can be cooked into sauces and dips, eaten as a main course as a fritter, and disguised into other food items like falafel. Today, I will show you two easy recipes for eating eggplant. Eggplant’s deep blue-purple hue indicates that it provides a source of Vitamins K and C along with a host of other healthy minerals like choline, folate, potassium, manganese, and more.

Broccoli is from the cruciferous family. Its dark green color doesn't lie; it is chock full of nutrients, making it a nutrient powerhouse. Filled with glucosinolates and antioxidants, it boosts our immune system. Additionally, it is a fun texture.

You may consider food a significant contributor when taking preventative measures for your health. For a small step in the right direction, learn more about staple ingredients like cooking oils, and see if you should make the switch.

The kind of content you consume can directly impact your ability to stay focused on your goals, improve your life, and improve your brain function. That is why twice a year, I do a cleanse. It’s not a diet; it’s not a huge lifestyle shift; it's a time of abstaining from the “not the best” things so you can have a better quality of life.

As I mentioned before, many greens and crucifers are considered superfoods, foods nutrient dense and considered extremely beneficial for the body’s overall health and wellbeing. Many of these contain unique combinations of vitamins and minerals that aid the body in different ways. For example, many of these greens (and crucifers) contain a substantial amount of vitamin K, and other Vitamins like A. Some of these greens contain Vitamin B9, E, and C, and all of them contain a boatload of antioxidants and minerals that aid everything from brain and heart health to thyroid function and digestion.

Herbs are plants that have a particular flavor or aroma that can add essential flavors to a dish. They are invaluable when it comes to making a delicious masterpiece from regular or plain ingredients. We are discussing herbs today because they are a cornerstone to cooking and a great way to get additional nutrients into your daily meals.

Cooking is a like a good story. I live in Indiana which is fairly flat, filled with corn and soybeans, and pretty boring to me. But I can live in Indiana and be in London, Barcelona, Puerto Rico, Thailand, India, Hong Kong, Indonesia…I could be anywhere simply by eating the food. I’m a history and culture nerd, Learning about the origin and story behind a dish is inspiring—thrilling even. A combination of spices can create a portal to a different time, location, or culture, because you are sharing a meal with the people from that place.