easy recipe

Creamy Vegan Cheese Sauce

Published on October 24, 2017October 24, 2017 by The Planted Vegan2 Comments

When going vegan, or trying to eat more plant-based it seems daunting to give up cheese… it’s so creamy, rich, and delicious. But dairy is filled with saturated fat, cholesterol, milk proteins (which have been shown to be linked to all different types of cancers), and can cause inflammation all throughout the body. I came up with the perfect recipe to replace all your dairy-filled cheesey cream sauces. This cashew cream sauce is not only an amazing alternative to dairy cheese sauces, but it’s also packed with nutrients that are good for you!

Soaking the cashews helps to soften them and break them down so they can be digested better as well as blend more easily. I used raw cashews, but you can use roasted if that is the only option available to you. Cashews can be found in most bulk sections of the grocery store, as well as packaged with the nuts and seeds. They contain healthy fats that are unsaturated, and are also packed with selenium, vitamin K, magnesium, and iron.

Cashews are neutral in flavor which makes this sauce the perfect base for lots of recipes!

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Chicken Noodle Soup | Veganized

Published on September 12, 2017February 28, 2018 by The Planted Vegan3 Comments

Up in the High Country fall starts early, so the chilly weather has begun to set in and I’ve been wanting all of my favorite cozy foods like soups, chilis, and casseroles. I’ve especially been loving the process of making (and eating) homemade chicken noodle soup. Soups are so comforting for me to make because they are almost always simple, leave my house smelling delicious, and just puts me in an overall good mood. I’ve put together an incredibly simple homemade chicken noodle soup recipe that will leave you wondering… “how is this vegan??”.

1 cup carrots
1 cup celery
1 cup white onion
1 1/2 cup yukon potatoes
4 cups vegetable broth
4 – 6 cups water
2 1/2 cups dry noodles of choice
1 package of frozen vegan chicken
5 cloves of garlic
Salt & pepper (to taste)
Parsley & rosemary (optional)

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Chicken Salad | Veganized

Published on September 7, 2016October 17, 2017 by The Planted Vegan3 Comments

One of my favorite foods before going vegetarian was chicken salad. After going vegetarian, and then vegan I was afraid I’d never be able to enjoy the same flavor, and texture again… but I was wrong. At a local health food store in Boone I discovered a pre-made vegan chicken salad and realized that I could recreate it at home and save a lot of money.

Most people are hesitant about giving up meat, dairy, or eggs because they don’t want to miss out on some of their favorite foods. But once you start to realize the amazing plant-based alternatives out there it makes it a whole lot easier! This recipe is just as easy (if not easier) than your typical animal meat-based chicken salad and it’s also much healthier.

The Beyond Meat chicken strips (and all of their products) are one of the best meat-alternatives on the market. Their ingredients are all plant-based and the texture and flavor of all of their products is mind-blowing. The chicken strips have absolutely no saturated fat, and provide a great source of iron and protein.

Just Mayo is an awesome product to have on hand if you’re trying to eat more plant-based or if you are a mayonnaise lover and want to use a healthier alternative. I found a huge jar at Walmart for only $3.75!

Now, onto the recipe! Continue reading “Chicken Salad | Veganized” →

What I Eat In A Day | January 7, 2016

Published on January 8, 2016 by The Planted VeganLeave a comment

There is no better way to start back to blogging than with a What I Eat In A Day post!

For breakfast, I tried out something new and LOVED it! I toasted an Ezekiel English muffin with vegan Chao cheese, sautéed tempeh, spinach, avocado, and some sweet sriacha on top. The flavors were incredible, and it was a great way to start the morning with something savory rather than something sweet. I paired it with a glass of orange juice and black coffee.

A few hours later I fixed a plate of bowtie pasta with marinara sauce and broccoli. I started reading Dr. Greger’s new book titled How Not To Die and I’m loving it so far! Such amazing research and information all explained so it’s easy to understand.

After lunch I snacked on a delicious homemade vegan cookie. You can find the recipe here , I added walnuts and coconut in mine and used whole wheat and all purpose flour rather than gluten free flour. They turned out great!

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What I Eat In A Day | September 19, 2015

Published on September 21, 2015September 21, 2015 by The Planted Vegan8 Comments

What a beautiful Saturday we had up on the mountain! Clear skies, a light breeze, and sunshine! My morning started off with a classic Samantha breakfast.. two slices of Ezekiel bread, one with peanut butter the other with blueberry jelly, a banana, and a cup of coffee. I added some almond milk and a few drops of stevia into my coffee, not sure why I’m still into the almond milk in my coffee considering I’ve been a die hard black coffee girl for the past six years. But maybe times are changing in my morning coffee mug.

After breakfast, I headed over the the farmer’s market to help our dietetics club table. We were there promoting local food, as well as sharing the volunteer work our club is doing throughout the community. It was fun getting to people watch, and listen to the beautiful music that is always playing throughout the market. While there, I bought and munched on some yummy kale!