Vegetarian Zen

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast, we're revisiting the topic of high protein milk alternatives. The state of the plant-based milk industry is certainly booming so we're sharing the latest plus 5 of our own recommendations.

In the quest to find healthy, satisfying, and delicious meals, vegetarian lunch ideas often top the list. Forget boring salads; we're talking about hearty salads, grain bowls, and so much more. This month, we've curated a list of 10 vegetarian lunch ideas we can't wait to try. These recipes are packed with simple ingredients that provide a complete meal, boasting both rich, savory flavor and vital nutrients.

In this episode of The Vegetarian Zen podcast, Larissa and Vickie discuss 3 recent news articles and share their opinions and perspectives. You can get links to the articles plus full show notes here.

In this episode of The Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’re chatting with Stephanie Downs, CEO and Co-Founder of Uncaged Innovations, a company that creates material that mimics leather without sacrificing the characteristics that make it a desired material for the fashion, automotive, and home goods industries. We chat with Stephanie about her journey to veganism and her inspiration for creating Uncaged Innovations. You can check out the full show notes here.

Today, Larissa and I are thrilled to have Diane Rose-Solomon on the show. Diane's an animal rescue advocate, award-winning author, filmmaker, and the creator of "What's Plant-Based Cooking Good Looking?". A certified Humane Education Specialist, Diane has transformed her life and others through her dedication to animal welfare and plant-based cooking. We’ll talk to her about her journey of companion animal rescue and the power of plant-based cuisine. Check out the full show notes here.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’re pleased to welcome Brian Kateman. Brian is the President and co-founder of The Reducetarian Foundation. He coined the term reducetarian, which we’ve often used on this show. A reducetarian is a person who is deliberately reducing their consumption of meat but not necessarily going all-in on a plant-based diet. We recently watched a documentary he produced based on his book Meat Me Halfway which explores reducetarianism through the lens of his own personal decision to eat less meat. Meat Me Halfway (2021) is a groundbreaking investigative journey that seeks to create some common ground at the dinner table. You can check out the full show notes here.

Over the weekend I read an article in the Vegconomist on the topic of mycoprotein. “What is mycoprotein?”, you might be asking. Mycoprotein is a plant-based protein made from a fungus, and it’s something you may want to pay attention to whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or are just looking to have less meat on your plate. We're going to discuss how this meat alternative is shaking up the food industry by introducing a whole new dimension to the vegan diet. You can check out the full show notes here.

Potluck etiquette is like the secret sauce that turns a good food fest into a great one. Picture this: your friends, family, and neighbors getting together for a massive feast, each showcasing their kitchen prowess and favorite recipes. Sounds pretty amazing, right? It’s a cost-effective way to have a good time and indulge in an array of delicious home-cooked meals. But as with any successful gathering, a few unspoken guidelines help keep potluck parties running smoothly. When the guest list includes vegetarians, vegans, and those with food allergies, these potluck rules of thumb become all the more crucial. Whether you’re playing host or bringing a dish as a guest, nailing a potluck usually boils down to common courtesy and basic manners. But let’s be honest, it can get a bit tricky at times. That’s why we’re here to share some guidance on the right potluck etiquette. Let’s dive in! You can check out the full show notes here. And be sure to check out the 40 Vegan and Vegetarian Potluck Ideas we discuss in this episode.

2023 marks 10 years since Larissa and I made the decision to become vegetarians and we’ve learned a lot along the way. One question we hear every now and then from people not familiar with plant-based diets is, “Is being vegetarian (or vegan) even healthy?” Well, we thought the 10-year anniversary of when we made the decision to go veg would be a great time to discuss this and to look back on all we’ve learned so far. Check out the full show notes here with links to everything we discuss.

Discover the world of vegan charcuterie boards! Explore creative ideas to craft stunning, mouthwatering plant-based spreads for any occasion. You can check out the show notes for this episode here.

If you've ever wondered, "Is yeast vegan?" this one's for you! We'll answer the question and provide some yeast health benefits plus recipes! You can check out the full show notes here.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast, we’re going to share 10 vegan tostada ideas for busy weeknights. Larissa and I appreciate quick easy meals as I’m sure a lot of you do as well. Tostadas are a meal we have in our rotation but they can sometimes get a little boring so we’re going to share some ideas we’ll be trying soon. You can check out the show notes here.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we welcome Toni Okamoto who is the founder of Plant-Based on a Budget, the popular website and social media platform that teaches millions how to eat more plants without breaking their budget. She’s also the author of the book Plant-Based on a Budget Quick & Easy cookbook, and the co-host of The Plant-Powered People Podcast. We talk to Toni about her own plant-based journey and she'll also share some tips for being plant-based on a budget. Be sure to check out the full show notes here.

It’s that time of year again! The Girl Scouts of America will be out in full force, green sashes and all, peddling their delicious boxes of cookies. But if you’re vegan, are you able to partake of this yearly deliciousness? The short answer is YES. There are some delicious vegan Girl Scout Cookies to choose from! Let’s go over your vegan cookie options. You can check out our full show notes here.

In this episode we share 7 tips to help you succeed through Veganuary and beyond!

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we celebrate 10 years of the podcast by reminiscing about some of our favorite guests. You can check out our full show notes here.

Looking for some great gift ideas for your favorite vegetarian or vegan? Check out our 2022 vegan gift guide for some of our faves! You can find a link to all of the products we mention in the show notes.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’re talking about something that is relatively new — vegan Thanksgiving to go! If you're not in the mood to cook your turkey-free feast this year, don't fret! Several meal delivery services now offer holiday menus that you can have delivered to your door (or available for pick-up). You can check out links to everything we talk about here.

Larissa and Vickie discuss some hot topics in plant-based news. Check out the articles and show notes here.

We're keeping the spooky season theme going from our last episode and sharing 20 awesome vegan Halloween Candy treats! These are store-bought candies that are pretty easy to find. So pop in a scary movie and get your sweet tooth ready for some of these awesome vegan Halloween candy options! You can check out the show notes here.