Welcome to Vegan January! Here is a selection of our favorite plant-based recipes to “reset” the body and help recalibrate our cravings after the holidays.  Whether you are looking for a whole month of vegan eating or simply want to incorporate more plants into your meals, we have you covered! 

Fall down seven times, get up eight. Life starts from here.
~Japanese proverb~

Today is the perfect time to realign ourselves with our health goals and give our bodies some much-needed love. Whether that means eating more fresh vibrant fruits and veggies, cutting back on sweets or processed foods, or just cooking more meals from scratch… we know what we need to feel alive and energized.

For me, come January, this often means doing a plant-based “reset” after all the holiday eating. December is the time of year I let myself indulge in cookies and sweets, and by the end of it, I find my cravings for sweet things have dramatically increased! In my mind, it is because I’ve fed all the unhealthy bacteria in my gut (who love sweets)- and now they’ve grown in strength and number and want even more!

So January has become a time to “reset” my gut, and focus on feeding my good bacteria with healthy fruits and veggies- thus minimizing the sweet cravings. Anyways, that’s how I see it. 😉

Whether you are new to the Plant-Based Diet, or a seasoned veteran, here are some healthy,  Plant-Based Vegan Recipes to help get you started and inspired this month! Take stock of what you have in your pantry, then pick out a few recipes to try this week. Remember to keep it simple!

Imagine how energized and alive your body will feel. This truly is a gift of love, for ourselves and for our families.

Vegan Breakfasts

Another simple way to improve gut health- is to time our meals. Eating within 8-12 hour window (intermittent fasting) has been shown to not only improve our gut health but help regulate our insulin levels, weight, and help rid our bodies of damaged cells.  I typically eat only two meals a day in an 8-hour eating window. So I start my day with  “breakfast” (or lunch) at noon and I finish eating dinner by 8pm. I find that when I eat a higher protein meal first, I stay fuller longer.  My favorite breakfast is the tofu scramble, loaded up with seasonal veggies.

The Ultimate Vegan Breakfast Tacos

Vegan Lunch Recipes

Lunchtime is when I like to load up on healthy veggies. Whether it’s a Buddha bowl, a salad, a soup, my focus is always on getting as many veggies as I can, into the mix. Make-ahead salads and soups are also great here. Eating a wide variety of plants is the best way we can support our healthy gut bacteria. It’s nice to meal prep a few things ahead, and have them ready and on hand.

Healthy Vegan Collard Green Wraps!

Vegan Dinner Recipes

Dinner can be made simpler with soups and stews and stir-fries. I like to come through my fridge and pantry and take stock of what I have- using these things up first.

Chipotle Portobello Tacos

Vegan soups

Vegan soups are a godsend. They can be made ahead, waiting and ready for when hunger “emergencies” arise. I like to pick 1-2 soups a week, just to have on hand.

Mediterranean Split Pea Soup

Vegan Salads

Vegan salads that can be made ahead, are another godsend. Like soups, I try to have one on hand in the fridge at all times!

Moroccan Lentil Salad

Vegan Treats

Is it possible to go a whole month without something sweet? I honestly can’t tell you, because I have never once succeeded! Yes, I’ve tried. I’ve reduced my intake of sweets and sugar dramatically, but honestly, this is really challenging for me! An easy, healthier way for me to deal with this is to have a piece of good-quality dark chocolate paired with fresh berries. Do what is best for you. 😉

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Soothing Drinks

Another way to help minimize snacking and sugar cravings is to substitute comforting soothing and drinks. Here are a few of my favorites!

Ayurvedic Turmeric Detox Tea

 

More Plant-Based Ideas:

---

Hope these veggie-based, clean-eating recipes inspire you to try something new this week! Please note any of your favorites in the comments below!

Print

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave