5 Blogs You Should be Reading If You’re Vegan-ish
So, I eat plants.
Mostly.
Like, 80% of the time, I’m stirring wild mushrooms into risotto, chopping cucumbers for an Israeli chopped salad or pan-frying tofu marinated in a miso-tahini dressing. I do it for my health, for my wallet and for the planet. But I would NEVER call myself a Vegan, as, there are some occasions in my life where a veggie burger is just not going to cut it.
The first summer barbeque, for starters. A walk around Central Park loses its luster without a dirty water dog. No one- I repeat, no one- should forgo Marcus Samuelsson’s fried chicken at the Red Rooster on Sundays.
See what I mean?
Perhaps there will be a time when I make a full commitment to plant-based eating. Perhaps not. Until then, I am completely content with my flexitarian ways and am incredibly thankful for the resources out there that seem to reflect the same lifestyle. Here are a few folks I go to for inspiration who put veggies first, and throw in a little something-something of everything else afterward.
- Smitten Kitchen : Deb Perelman is the goddess of vegetarian meals that even your kids will eat. Aside from hosting a thriving blog since before blogs were cool and long after they weren’t, her cookbooks are staples in my family’s kitchen for toast-topping inspiration, the obligatory seasonal cocktail and the occasional oven-roasted pork rib situation.
2. Pinch of Yum : Lindsay’s fresh take and simple approach to veggie laden meals are exactly what we need as working parents committed to rationing pizza bagels to once a week. Her dedication to diverse representation means she’s saved us more than once from ordering out.
3. My New Roots : Sarah B.’s commitment to healthy living and a plant-based diet is evidenced all over her site. I turn to her when I need a re-set and to hone in on what my body is telling me. Generally, cool it with the tacos for a while. Also, her photos are so gorgeous, you’ll want to go swimming in that pesto pool along with the mushroom “scallops”.
4. Love and Lemons : Jeanine and Jack are 100% vegetarian which means, they’re a reliable source to turn to for what to do with that wilting bunch of kale in the back of your fridge. From steamed bao buns to freezer meals, they make the prep time I usually attribute to veggie-based meals seem completely feasible. And delicious.
5. Mark Bittman : Mark’s the king of the “Vegan Before 6” philosophy and the catalyst behind my first venture into a more plant-based diet. There is no precedent, label or stigma attached to his recipes: they’re simply, good eating. I like that.
This is a new era of food; one where we get to choose the parameters of what is right for our bodies, our communities, and our world. So, cheers to the salads, stews, tacos and bibimbap in your future so that you can hold space for the obligatory 5 napkin burger.
Happy eating!
