More and more people are turning to vegan diets for several reasons. Some of the significant reasons are:

• Ending animal agriculture and animal cruelty.
• Reduce Environmental Impact
• Great Health Benefits

Cooking vegan meals may look difficult at first, but with practice and patience, you can master any skill. Following these guidelines is a great first step towards starting your vegan lifestyle journey. 

@theedgyveg

Reply to @alisonmeowmeow #greenscreen ….my life changed when I found out these foods were accidentally vegan!! #plantbased #vegan #vegantiktok #food

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1. Stock Your Kitchen With Plant-Based Ingredients

A vegan meal begins with great ingredients. A good place to start is by going through the current selection of your favorite foods in your kitchen and seeing how you can replace them with plant-based ingredients. 

For example, there are many dairy-free products in stores you can purchase. Can you replace your meat ingredients with plant-based alternatives? If you love sweets, try vegan desserts. You can ensure that you are buying plant-based by double-checking the packaging banner designs.

Categories to consider when purchasing plant-based ingredients:

• Veggies
• Fruits
• Grains
• Nuts and seeds
• Legumes
• Condiments
• Spices
• Starch
• Protein

@theedgyveg

Stop wasting food. Wash & store your produce properly to save yourself some cash & cut down on waste. #foodtok #MealPrep @theedgyveg #tipsandtricks #sustainableliving #earthday #zerowaste

♬ Wildest Dreams – Duomo

2. Learn Basic Cooking Techniques 

Cooking is so much more fun when you master a variety of different cooking skills. Some of the essential cooking techniques are: 

• Chopping
• Steaming
• Boiling
• Marinating
• Roasting

The more recipes you learn, the faster you will get to master some of these skills. My favorite one is learning to marinate because this can easily elevate your cooking experience and make any plain ingredients taste good. Like some of my favorite chicken recipes!

@theedgyveg

Garlic Cubes is a game changer! Which tip do you think you’ll try first #foodtok #easyrecipes #SlurpeeRun #kitchenhacks #foodhacks #cooking #foodtiktok #lifehack #howto #cookinghacks #lazycooking

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3. Prepare ingredients in Advance

This tip is one of the most efficient ways of not spending more than 30mins+ of your time in the kitchen for every meal. A great cooking experience starts with preparing all your ingredients in advance. Especially for the most common ingredients like garlic, onions, carrots, celery, cabbage, etc. Preparation is key to preventing injuries and overcooking food. 

Related Post: 20 Self-Quarantine Vegan Products to Buy

4. Add Spices to Your Vegan Foods

Spices can make or break your vegan cooking experience. Who wants to just eat plain vegetables? Spices can range in so many unique flavors, from your Asian cuisine to South American spices, you can bring just about any global flavor to your kitchen. Some of the most common spices I use are: 

• Garlic powder
• Onion Powder
• Ginger
• Cumin
• Nutmeg
• Turmeric
• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Curry 
• Chili Flakes 
• Cayenne Peppers
• Black Pepper
• Caraway seeds
• Smoked paprika

@theedgyveg

This queen is serving #veganrecipes #cooking #recipe #summerrecipes #learnhow #foodtiktok

♬ edamame – bbno$

5. Add Herbs to Your Ingredients.

Herbs are another great way to elevate your cooking experience – not only do they add an Earthy fragrance to your dish, but have tremendous health benefits as well. Herbs can be used in fresh or dried form, depending on their availability – some of the best ways to grow home-grown herbs can be found in the link here. 

The most common herbs used in vegan foods are:

• Basil
• Rosemary
• Parsley
• Oregano
• Thyme
• Sage
• Bay leaf
• Cilantro

6. Try Varieties of Oils

A variety of oils are used for different cooking purposes. If you are using fresh ingredients with low cooking temperatures, I recommend using olive oil, whereas for high cooking temperatures, I would recommend coconut oil or canola oil. You can incorporate many different types of oils when cooking vegan recipes, like this homemade vegan feta recipe. 

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is made by pressing dried coconut meat, called copra, or fresh coconut meat. To make it, you can use a “dry” or “wet” method.

The milk and oil from the coconut are pressed, and then the oil is removed. It has a firm texture at cool or room temperatures because the fats in the oil, which are mostly saturated fats, are made up of smaller molecules. It is a great option for sautéed dishes, sauces, and baked goods.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is extracted from the fruit pulp. It can be refined, unrefined, or cold-pressed oil. It is neutral in flavor and suitable for many kinds of cooking. Avocado oil has monounsaturated fatty acids that are healthy for the heart. 

Olive Oil

Olive oil is cold-pressed and considered one of the healthiest oils. It is crushed by mechanical means and is rich in flavor. Olive oil is best for low-temperature cooking and an excellent ingredient for homemade salad dressing. 

Sesame oil

Sesame oil is available in two kinds, light and toasted sesame oil. Light sesame oil is neutral in flavor, while toasted sesame oil is nutty and has an aroma. Light sesame oil being neutral in taste, can be used in many kinds of cooking. Furthermore, it is healthy as it contains polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acids and anti-inflammatory antioxidant properties. On the other hand, toasted sesame oil is best for seasonal foods and homemade dressing. 

Walnut Oil

Cold-pressed walnut oil is best for cooking as it has a nutty taste. It adds a new flavor to your vegan foods. It is rich in unsaturated fats, such as omega-3 and omega-6, that are anti-inflammatory and may promote healthy glowing skin. Walnut oil is also great for lowering blood pressure. 

Canola Oil

Canola oil is oil made from crushed canola seeds. One of the best oils for heart health, canola oil has less saturated fat than any other oil commonly used in the North America. Cutting down on saturated fats helps cut your cholesterol levels.

@theedgyveg

This vegan chicken might be the most realistic I’ve ever made! Should I release the recipe?! #fyp #veganrecipes #vegan

♬ SALSA JAM NO.1 – Jaycee Mante

7. Improvise and Get Creative in the Kitchen

New recipes are created by cooking with new ingredients or making beautiful mistakes in the kitchen. That’s why I always recommend using your favorite ingredients and components to prepare unique dishes. 

Follow some of your favorite recipes and add your own creative twist to them. Once you have mastered basic vegan cooking foods, you might want to get more adventurous in the kitchen.

@theedgyveg

Even I’m a little shook, this vegan egg recipe might be an exact dupe. Should I release the full recipe? Let me know! #vegan #fyp #veganrecipes

♬ original sound – Edgy Veg

8. Motivate Yourself with New Recipes and Keep On Learning

Life is a continuous learning process. Remember that mastering a skill comes with practice and curiosity for learning. Try your best to keep yourself motivated by embracing failure as a stepping stone for the next successful dish.

Share your experiences with your friends and family and don’t forget to have fun in the process. You can always cook with different ingredients and various techniques to create beautiful meals in the kitchen that you will be proud of. 

Conclusion

Homemade vegan foods are not only great for your health, but great for the environment. Cooking vegan foods does not have to be intimidating, rather it can be a start of a new lifelong journey that makes you want to keep learning and growing. 

Related Blogs: Top 10 Cooking Tips for New Vegans 

Looking for more Easy Ways of Cooking Vegan Foods? You can PURCHASE your book now!

• Canada Indigo
• Amazon (Canada)
• Amazon (USA)
• Amazon (UK)
• Amazon (Germany)
• Amazon (France)
• Barnes & Nobles

The post 8 Vegan Cooking Tips for Beginners appeared first on The Edgy Veg.

Vegan Lunch Box Idea: Charcuterie Lunch Box

Charcuterie boards are great, but have you ever created a charcuterie lunch box to take with you anywhere?  This minimalistic lunch box idea is packed with all the daily nutrients you need to conquer the day! Say no more to processed snacks when you can have a well-balanced lunch box to go.

Single Vegan Meals For One: (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Watch Full Video Here

Being single is one of the most empowering and liberating periods during your lifetime where you can make your own choices – from the foods you eat to the people you surround yourself with. If you had a full day to treat yourself, these are the dishes that you definitely want to try making at home. Vegan Caesar Salad, Vegan Spaghetti Aglio E Olio and Dorito Popcorn to finish strong. Self-care comes with lots of benefits when you go vegan. 

Easy Vegan Bento Box Ideas

Watch Full Video Here

Bento Boxes are the perfect way to portion your foods and eat a well- balanced meal. You can have so much creative freedom with these recipes – so I decided to create 2 awesome Bento Box options that you will never get tired of. The more variety of food you have throughout the week, the more fun you will have meal prepping for the week.

21 Work-from-home recipes

Working from can be exhausting because you might end up spending more time

Since the start of the pandemic, we had to get really creative with our lives during quarantine. For me, my creative channels flows through cooking and making delicious recipes! Here is a compiled list of 21 Work-from-home vegan recipes you won’t get tired of! Made for those quick bites in between your lunch breaks. Whether you need to quickly reheat your meals before a Zoom meeting or want a steamy, fresh vegan lunch. I challenge you to delete your food delivery apps and start planning ahead for your lunch breaks this workweek.

2-Step Easy Meal Prep Tips for New Vegans

Watch Full Video Here

Meal prepping is half the battle when you are trying to go vegan. Since vegan. options are not readily available in most grocery stores, your kitchen is the best place to start preparing the best meals. Check out my new blog where I have compiled my secret 2-step easy meal prep guide to help you get started to eliminate food waste and improve productivity in the kitchen!

Easy Vegan Meal Prep: High Protein Taco Salad

Watch Full Video Here

Remember how people used to say, “where do vegans get their protein from?”. Well if you want to find out, check out my meal prep recipe for taco salad! Made from 100% vegan ingredients, it is packed with more than 10g of protein per serving. Whether you need a pre or post-workout meal, this is a really great recipe to pack it to go.

Vegan Salad (meal prep idea)

Watch Full Video Here

How to Jack Up your Oatmeal To go cups

Watch Full Video Here

Do you love oatmeal for breakfast as much as I do? Well, you are in luck! These oatmeal to-go cups are the easiest meal preps to make on this whole list. With less than 5 ingredients, you can always rely on these oat-meal-to-go cups to get you through the day. Breakfast can be simple and delicious.

Summary of Recipes

1. Vegan Lunch Box Idea: Charcuterie Lunch Box
2. Single Vegan Meals For One: (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
3. Easy Vegan Bento Box Ideas
4. 21 Work from home recipes
5. 2-Step Easy Meal Prep Tips for New Vegans
6. Easy Vegan Meal Prep: High Protein Taco Salad
7. Vegan Salad (meal prep idea)
8. How to Jack Up your Oatmeal To-Go cups

Hi! I’m Candice aka The Edgy Veg!  I veganize popular food recipes for vegans, plant-based diets, eco-conscious eaters & people who are trying to eat more plants over… y’know animals or by-products of animals. I hope you enjoy this tasty vegan recipe!

Looking For More Fall Recipes?

• Vegan & Gluten Free Thanksgiving Recipes
• 22 Vegan Potluck Recipes
• 8+ Vegan Halloween Recipes

Made this recipe? Let me know what you think by leaving a ★★★★★ star rating & comment below. It truly helps me & I really appreciate any support! Feel free to share your food photos on social and tag me @edgyveg so I don’t miss it!

The post 8 Ways To Reinvent Your VEGAN MEAL PREP appeared first on The Edgy Veg.

The Inspiration Behind the Book:

Hello EdgyVeg family! I hope you have been safe and enjoying a flavorful palette during these past few years since COVID started. We have been impacted by so many challenges together as a community, with major life events inviting us to find new perspectives on our self-love journey, many of us picked up new passion projects during quarantine. For me, I have been working on my new cookbook dedicated to reducing time and saving money in the kitchen during these unprecedented times! As food prices are rising and our economy is heading towards a recession, we have to adapt to these changes by finding alternative ways to nourish our bodies in a price-conscious way.

I know that vegan food can come at a great price in some regions, but the more we demand vegan options, the more we are able to increase the production of supplies. Which inevitably causes prices to drop. More recently, studies have also found that a plant-based lifestyle is actually cheaper than an omnivore lifestyle. If there is any way I can contribute to the well-being of our society, is by providing affordable, nutritious meals that will never compromise your need for great taste.

Why You Should Purchase a Copy:

In this book, you will find 106 new recipes all under 45-minutes, from Breakfast, Lunch to Dinner, and Dessert, you will never run out of ideas on what to eat. The fun begins with recipes like the Vegan Krabby Patties to Lazy Lasagna and tops it off with desserts like Chipsy Marshellow Treats and Fancy Fall Charcuterie Board to satisfy your sweet tooth. These recipes don’t require any trips to the overpriced health food stores, but a quick trip to any local grocery stores with fresh ingredients that won’t break the bank. Fancy up your kitchen experience with an attitude and an edgy spin to all your meals this season. Enjoy your Easy Eats with a vegan twist!

Who Is This Book For:

This Cookbook series is created for anyone looking to integrate more fun and creative ways to celebrate their vegan lifestyles. Whether you are just getting started, have been a vegan for a while, or contemplating on making the commitment. Going vegan doesn’t mean you have fewer options, but diversifying ways where you can create more eco-conscious, healthy, and impactful decisions by cohabiting with mother nature. However, change is scary and I don’t expect you to go vegan right away, but taking baby steps is where it all starts. Check out my pro tips on how to go vegan for beginners to get started.

Where Can I Purchase a Copy? 

You can PRE-ORDER your book now before October 18, 2022!

• Canada Indigo
• Amazon (Canada)
• Amazon (USA)
• Amazon (UK)
• Amazon (Germany)
• Amazon (France)
• Barnes & Nobles

What Are You Waiting for? 

Don’t forget to subscribe and share this blog on all your social media channels! Thank you so much for your support and I am excited to continue our vegan journey together.

@theedgyveg

My new cookbook is available for Preorder! Plant-based recipes that are tasty, EASY, and made for all! I can’t wait for you to have this in your hands! #vegan #fyp #veganrecipes

♬ original sound – Edgy Veg

Hey I’m Candice aka The Edgy Veg– I veganize popular food recipes for vegans, plant-based diets, eco-conscious eaters & people who are trying to eat more plants over… y’know animals or their by-products. I hope you enjoy this tasty vegan recipe!

Looking For Vegan Tips?

• Beyond Meat & Impossible Foods Comparison
• 2-Steps Easy Meal Prep Tips for Vegans
• 20 Self-Quarantine Vegan Products to Buy 

The post Introducing The Edgy Veg Easy Eats by Candice Hutchings appeared first on The Edgy Veg.

I am often asked to share my opinion on controversial and ever-changing aspects of veganism and I am happy to share and contribute to the conversation. But before do that, let’s get some things out there about me. I am an ethical and environmental vegan. I am not vegan because I don’t like the taste of animal products or because I’m looking for a fully whole-foods, plant-based diet to better my health. I am vegan because I love animals, believe they are equal, and deserve rights as much as humans do, and so, I am against animal cruelty- full stop. All of my opinions will always be centred around that core value. The opinions shared here are my own and anyone is welcome to their own perspective on these new developments and whether or not they would feel comfortable participating in lab-grown animal products such as cell-grown dairy.

What is Lab-Grown Dairy?

The process of cow-free dairy goes by many names (just like the similar goal of making lab-grown meat): Imitation cow’s milk, lab-grown dairy, clean milk, cell-based milk, cultured dairy, just to name a few common ones. The goal of researchers is to artificially reproduce the protein in milk to make a product that mirrors cow’s milk and dairy products suitable to mass consumption, without the use of an actual living cow. 

In a reductive sense; Cow’s milk is made of curds (casein) and whey. Yes, just like that rhymn about Miss Muffet. By recreating these two building blocks in a lab, using cultured cells from the milk of a cow, the goal here is have allow scientists to create dairy-based milk without using a living cow. This milk could be used to make all of the same dairy products we are used to, milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream etc, but without having to farm and milk an a actual animal every single waking moment of their existence. As of right now, this milk product is made in a lab by combining yeast-fermented protein with water, micronutrients, and plant-based fats and sugars. As far as I can find in my research, this manufacturing process is entirely animal-free.

Great! Who is making it?

There a few companies funding, researching and perfecting this process (LIST SOME). But one that is doing this on a consumer-facing level already is Brave Robot. Brave Robot is an ice cream brand under the Urgent Company based in the US. They are making lab-grown dairy to produce synthesized dairy-based milk to use in their ice cream without the involvement of an actual cow! Their products are already available online and in large US grocery stores like Sprouts and Kroger. Hurahhh!! They have a line of ice cream and cake flavours, all using this animal-free technology. How exciting!

Related Post: Best Vegan Milk’s For Each Purpose

Alternatives to Lab-Grown Dairy

At this point in my vegan journey, I have tried vegan alternatives, both homemade and store-bought for all of my favourite dairy products from before I was vegan. My arsenal of recipes and go-to products is refined and I love the products I have access to. I am also always innovating new ways to veganize my (and your) classic recipes. True vegan alternatives that are made with plant-based ingredients are not going anywhere as a result of new innovations with lab-grown dairy, and I will continue to reach for my plant-based vegan options when lab-grown options are widespread. With science working towards more animal-free solutions, we can still always rely on the vegan classics. In my opinion, this groundbreaking technology would give those folks that don’t want to give up dairy an option to continue to enjoy their favourite foods without the cruelty to animals and destruction to our planet. It’s a great place to meet in the middle for a more compassionate, and green world! It would also be suitable for people who are vegan for animal protection and environmental reasons who miss their favourite cheese or cream products. Not to mention, a great breakthrough for those who are lactose intolerant. 

My Thoughts

Would I eat meat again? I don’t think so. Would I eat lab-grown dairy? Yes, I probably would. If these companies can create a way for these products to not involve harming any animal along the way- I would be tickled pink to have the baked brie and m mozzarella from my past! I think with meat products we’ve now create vegan meat-free options that are just as, or even more delicious than its animal-based counterpart, but with cheese, there is something that hasn’t quite been captured by vegan options. I love the options available, don’t get me wrong, but some things I have just learned to live without. Traditional French, Italian and German cheeses are extremely difficult to recreate. So, this is a great option to enjoy those favourites once again- if you choose to! But again, this will not replace my current favourite vegan products, and I don’t think momentum on vegan options will ever slow down. 

If you’re interested in seeing more of my opinions and taste tests of new vegan products, comment down below! Also, let me know if you’ve tried lab grown dairy and what you think!

Hey I’m Candice aka The Edgy Veg – I veganize popular food recipes for vegans, plant-based diets, eco-conscious eaters & people who are trying to eat more plants over… y’know animals or their by-products. I hope you enjoy this tasty vegan recipe!

Looking For Homemade Vegan Dairy Recipes?

• Vegan Cookie Dough Ice Cream
• How to Make Oat Milk
• 5 Easy Vegan Tofu Cheese Recipes

The post A Vegan’s Opinion on Lab Grown Dairy appeared first on The Edgy Veg.

Oils are the liquid forms of fat coming from vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains. Oil adds flavour to cooking and finishing recipes.  

Types of Oils and How I Use Them

This guide to oils is for anyone looking to learn more about cooking or grow their pantry with new products to use for new recipes. I keep all of these types of oils on hand, but if you don’t cook as often as I do, you should be fine with vegetable oil, avocado oil and fancy olive oil to get you started. 

I’ve listed a range of types of oils below as well as how I use them in my recipes. If you have any questions or comments, leave a comment under this post!

Olive Oil

Everyday cooking oil, one of the most common oils found in most American and European recipes. It has a smoke point of about 400 degrees F, which means it is safe to cook up to that temperature and will not burn. It’s flavour is mild and the colour is golden.

Fancy Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oils are not for cooking, they are used as finishing oil, used for salad dressings etc. They have a more robust flavour and scent and can be different, sometimes almost spiced and sometimes more on a lemony flavour. Do not cook with these as they have a low smoke point and will lose their flavour if cooked too high.

Vegetable or Canola Oil

This is typically used for deep frying. It has a high smoke point and ultra-neutral flavour. Often the most affordable oil and used in the highest quantity. 

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is an everyday cooking oil. It has a neutral smell and flavour and slight green colour. It has one of the highest smoke points at 500 degrees F, meaning it is safe to eat after being exposed to high heat and will not burn. Typically one of the more expensive oils, but good quality. 

Coconut Oil

There are two different types of coconut oil: refined or unrefined/virgin. I use both regularly. Refined coconut oil has been processed to remove the coconut smell and flavour, I use this to make vegan cheese like my vegan feta recipe. There is also virgin or unrefined oil, this maintains the natural coconut scent and flavour and I use it to sautee vegetables when making a curry or any dish that I’d like a coconut flavour in. I also use butter-flavoured coconut oil to make my popcorn. Be careful when cooking with coconut oil as it has a low smoke point and burns easily. 

Sesame Oil

Sesame oil is used for finishing. I typically buy toasted sesame oil and use it in sauces or to finish fried rice or noodle dishes. Use sparingly as the scent and flavour can be strong. 

Hi! I’m Candice aka The Edgy Veg!  I veganize popular food recipes for vegans, plant-based diets, eco-conscious eaters & people who are trying to eat more plants over… y’know animals or by-products of animals. I hope you enjoy this tasty vegan recipe!

Looking For More Educational Vegan Content?

• Types of Vegan Milks and Their Uses
• Vegan Tips for Beginners
• Vegan Women Bloggers to Follow

Liked this article? Let me know what you think by leaving a ★★★★★ star rating & comment below. It truly helps me & I really appreciate any support! Feel free to share your food photos on social and tag me @edgyveg so I don’t miss it!

This post was inspired by Cooking with Shereen on Tiktok 

The post Types of Oils and How To Use Them appeared first on The Edgy Veg.

One of the most common questions I get asked is what my favourite plant-based milk is and what’s the best vegan milks for recipes! I use different kinds of vegan milks, from soy milk to oat milk, for different purposes in recipes and I want to share my personal opinions with you!

If you or someone you know is looking to switch from dairy to plant-based milk, hopefully, this can be a great guide to how you can transition easier. 

Vegan Milks For Recipes

This guide to vegan milk is for anyone looking to cut out cow’s milk from their diet or for anyone looking to make vegan recipes using vegan milk. For most cases, I use unsweetened and unflavored vegan milk in recipes, but it all depends on the recipe you’re making. 

I’ve listed a range of types of milks and there are also some vegan milks you can even make fresh at home using my recipes below  

Soy Milk

Soy milk is my number one choice for most recipes. It has a minimal to no flavour (which is great for recipes) and a thick, smooth texture. Soy milk has a high protein content as well, which helps it thicken in savoury recipes like my bechamel sauce and mac & cheese, or even in sweet recipes like vegan chocolate pudding or hot chocolate. I use it for most of my cooking and baking, as well as smoothies. 

Oat Milk

Oat milk is my second favourite in the world of vegan milk. It has a natural sweetness and creamy texture. It is also one of the most environmentally friendly plant-based milk choices. You can buy the store-bought options or see my recipe here for how to make homemade oat milk. This is my favourite for coffee.

Almond Milk

Almond milk is one of the first “trendy” plant-based milks to really steer people from dairy to vegan options. While it is still a very popular choice for tons of people, I don’t use it as much as it is less environmentally conscious compared to oat or soy milk. I have a homemade almond milk recipe here!

Cashew Milk

Cashew milk might be the least accessible choice for vegan milks depending where you live, and also the least common milk available at restaurants or cafes due to nut allergies. Not too mention one of the most expensive vegan milks since the price tag on cashews is higher. The great thing about cashew milk is that it’s delightful, creamy, ultra-thick. So thick, it coats your mouth the same way ice cream does. It has a naturally sweet and nutty flavour and is great in ice cream and dessert recipes, as well as coffee since it reminds me more of coffee creamer. 

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is probably the most flavourful plant-based milk of all of the ones on this list. It is sweet and heavily scented. My favourite recipes to use coconut milk are in curries and desserts! Although, I prefer the canned coconut milk over the carton coconut milk for recipes because coconut milk is thinner and stronger flavour. You can find my homemade coconut milk recipe here!

Hi! I’m Candice aka The Edgy Veg!  I veganize popular food recipes for vegans, plant-based diets, eco-conscious eaters & people who are trying to eat more plants over… y’know animals or by-products of animals. I hope you enjoy this tasty vegan recipe!

Looking For More Vegan Milk Recipes?

• Oat Milk Recipe
• Almond Milk Recipe
• Coconut Milk Recipe

Made this recipe? Let me know what you think by leaving a ★★★★★ star rating & comment below. It truly helps me & I really appreciate any support! Feel free to share your food photos on social and tag me @edgyveg so I don’t miss it!

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The post Best Vegan Milks For Recipes appeared first on The Edgy Veg.

I started the EdgyVeg in 2010 when I went vegan, and in 2012 I started my Youtube Channel making vegan videos because I felt all alone as a vegan and thought if I shared my vegan journey on the internet others would find me. I didn’t really know other vegans in real life, and back in early 2010s being a vegan in a non-vegan world was really hard. We didn’t have all the support, and plant-based products we have now. So, I started The Edgy Veg to connect with others in the community.

Now, it’s 10+ years later and the plant-based movement is taking the world by storm! Woohoo! And if you’re reading this, then you’re probably looking to join this amazing journey for the animals, your health, body, mind and soul. So, I thought I would take it back to basic and give you my tried-and-true tips for going vegan to help beginners.

Step 1: Education & Finding Resources are Key

This was a huge one for me when I went vegan. And I think this is something that keeps vegans vegan. Society’s very hard on us for going against the status quo. And making fun of vegans is like “the cool things to do…” So, staying firm in your beliefs based on available education and online reasons on why you want to go vegan can help you get over those hurdles or frustrations you’re feeling around meat-eaters. There is so much information on the positives of a vegan diet out there now. There’s a lot of scientific research, published books, documentaries and Google! What is your reason for going vegan in the first place? Figure it out, because THAT is what keeps you going when people try to put you down or make fun of you when really you’re doing the best possible thing and stronger than they are for doing so.

For me, I don’t believe that we need meat as a society to survive. Thanks to technology and human evolution I just think it’s unnecessary. So, why would I have something killed, just so I can eat something that’s unnecessary? There’s tons and tons of info out there, so education and learning about the hard truth is so important.  Because ultimately, when somebody comes at you and wants to know facts and wants to know why you’re vegan, you want to be able to talk in an educated way about your life choices and show them why you’re so compassionate. Speaking openly about the topic to other people actually makes it easier and might even inspire others.

Step 2: Gradually Cut Down

I didn’t go vegan overnight and many of my vegan friends also started by gradually cutting down on animal products. I didn’t go vegan “cold turkey” and cutting everything out at once. That approach may work for some, it didn’t for me. It was just too hard pre-2010 but might be easier nowadays. The way that I went vegan successfully is by doing it in stages. If you feel like it’s too hard to go 100% vegan, don’t feel bad. Baby steps and gradually cutting back is what I did and want to make anyone who goes this route feel encouraged and not like they are failing. Gradually, I removed one thing at a time, got comfortable, then moved on to the next thing, and repeat. I also didn’t want to be wasteful, so I encourage people to finish their non-vegan items and don’t just toss them in the trash. Once done, replace them with a vegan alternative.

I would suggest doing it in this order:

1. Get rid of all the meat and try going vegetarian first. You can eat all the cheese and milk and whatever you want, but just without meat. When you get used to this and you’ve found some great meat substitutes (like my vegan meat recipes), or alternatives, move to the next step…
2. Get rid of physical dairy and eggs directly: I would consider physically packaged eggs, cheese, milk, cream. for example, to be direct. Examples of indirect dairy and eggs would be items like cookies, cakes, breading, etc. where dairy/eggs secretly hide. Once you’ve found dairy alternatives (hey soy, nut or oat milk!), vegan cheeses (I have some vegan cheese recipes here), and stop buying eggs (or switch to plant-based egg alternatives like Just Egg), you can move to the next stage.
3. Stop buying products that have dairy and eggs in them and/or find products that don’t have dairy/eggs. Nowadays, there are so many cakes, cookies and snack foods that don’t have dairy or eggs or have plant-based versions in stores. This is the stage to get comfortable reading ingredient lists and see what’s actually in the foods you normally buy, you might be shocked. Once you’ve mastered that and you feel comfortable….
4. Stop buying leather clothing, shoes, beauty products and household products that contain animal products (because there are animal products in everything!) Eventually, when you’re comfortable with eating vegan or plant-based, and feel comfortable, then the last thing to think about is the other stuff in your current lifestyle and just do your very best to find products that are cruelty-free and vegan.

Disclaimer: I am aware that some illnesses and circumstances make eating a vegan diet difficult, and I am in no way suggesting that everyone on the planet can eat a vegan diet. I am not a dietician or physician. Please consult your doctor before making any large lifestyle changes.

Step 3: Get Inspired!

See what’s out there! Get on Pinterest! Buy a vegan cookbook! Pick out or save your favourite recipes, and make sure you go for things that you like! If you normally eat tacos, pizza, muffins, cakes, etc eat vegan versions of them. Whatever it is that you genuinely want or love to eat, eat it. Many try going vegan, only eat boring salads and revert back to animal products because they only ate boring vegan salads. See what’s available, see what’s possible and make your vegan dreams come true. There might be things that you never thought that you could make vegan. The key here is to feed yourself well. If you like it, you’re more likely to stick to it.

Step 4: Coming out of the Meat closet

Chances are that when you make this lifestyle decision, you will have resistance. Whether it’s from your partner, family, friends and general society. People will be shocked and confused, and will not understand why you’re doing this. This is when step 1 comes in handy… know why you made this decision, and share it with them, maybe explain to them how you’re making this change. Who knows, you might even spark an interest in them! Share your wonderful new creations with them, lead with a forkful of delish vegan food. Enthusiasm is contagious and good food changes people’s perspectives.

Step 5: Don’t bother with the vegan police.

Shockingly enough, the most hate that I get online is from other vegans. that say I’m not doing something the way it should be. They accuse me of not doing something 100% their way and that I’m not “vegan enough”. There’s no wrong way of being vegan as long as you “exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promote the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment.” If you’re following this idealogy, you’re doing great.  (As defined by the vegan society)

Seek out people online and friends in person that will support you. Even taking one step and making an effort is better than doing nothing.

Use code edgyveg20 for 20% off on herbaland.com

Step 6: Supplements

The only supplement vegans can’t get from a vegan diet is vitamin B12. B12 is in meat from animals eating soil/dirt/bacteria but even nowadays, b12 is getting harder and harder to get from meat. Many doctors actually recommend b12 even if you’re a meat-eater as we are depleting our soils of this nutrient. Every other nutrient we can get from food, but it doesn’t hurt to get a multivitamin. The items I always supplement are B12, iron, Omega fatty acids (naturally comes from seaweed which is where fish get their omega 3 from), and calcium. Get yourself a nice vegan multivitamin– that’s the easiest place to start. (But I am not a doctor, and so consult your doctor before making any supplement changes to your lifestyle)

Step 7: Spend time with animals

If you’re an animal lover, it’s probably one of the main reasons you want to go vegan. If you don’t have any animals in your house, visit an animal sanctuary or animal sit for a friend. Spending time with animals makes you love and care for them. This was something that really helped me. I grew up around a lot of farm animals and when you take the time, you see just what gentle beautiful animals they are and become so compassionate for them and other animals. It’s a great way to remind yourself who you are doing this for.

If you love your dog, a baby sheep or sloth …and the last thing you would want to do is harm it right? Eventually, this idea begins to apply to all animals that are harmed in society and by going vegan you are eliminating/decreasing the harm that can/will be done. Many of us don’t get to experience animals up close the same way we do our companion pets. And so, it’s easier to think of them as commodities and detach our feelings when looking at a pretty packaged piece of their flesh. If you wouldn’t hurt your dog, apply the same feelings to other animals.

Step 8: Ask for help

Your best resource is going to be other vegans. Join local a Facebook group and ask them where you can find certain items in your city. Ask for vegan recipe ideas or vegan restaurants to try. Check out your local veg fest and make some new vegan friends to lean on! There is always an answer to any question you may have all you have to do is ask

Step 9: Be nice to omnivores

You weren’t always vegan. So, once you’ve gone vegan, talk to others how you would have liked to be talked to as an omnivore because, at the end of the day, people don’t like to be told that what they’re doing/eating is wrong, and can easily become defensive. Screaming MURDERER in someone else’s face can in most cases be a terrible way of advertising this lifestyle. I think more aggressive forms of animal activism have their place and are in many ways effective. But yelling at your friends and family is only going to isolate you further from them. Instead, share and live as an example of why being vegan makes you happy. Or educate them on the horrors of today’s factory farming practices. Encourage them to make small changes, and if they do want to join you and fall off the wagon, help them to get back up again.

Step 10: Support and Buy from Vegan Creators & Brands When Possible

Voting with your wallet and your time makes a huge difference on who or what succeeds in this capitalist society. Personally, I choose to try to support vegan creators and brands first. This will help send the message that “yes, a more vegan and compassionate way is possible”, but will also get vegans in important places and spaces.

Well! That’s all for today! I hope this helps make things more easier. No matter how you go about doing it, remember that every vegan meal you have, that doesn’t have meat eggs, meat and dairy has saved a life & helped our environment.

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The post How To Go Vegan For Beginners (Tips) appeared first on The Edgy Veg.

I was one of many people who caught COVID-19 and suffered long-term symptoms that really affected my day-to-day life. I thought I would share my covid recovery.

After my initial symptoms went away end of February, I was left with some serious lingering symptoms that to this day (June) I am still battling. These include the inability to breathe fully, low energy, debilitating fatigue, insomnia, daily headaches and/or migraines, weight gain, breathlessness, inability to workout due to breathlessness, dry sinuses and congestion, loss of taste and smell, and brain fog. With the help of my family doctor, we’ve been creating a healthy routine to help me overcome my long-term effects of covid. 

How I Recovered From COVID

The vitamins, inhaler, drinking a gallon of water per day, and taking pain meds were all recommendations that my doctor gave to her long-term COVID-19 patients.  So, if you or someone you love also suffers from long-term COVID-19 symptoms, I hope that some of these tips might help you with your recovery. 

If you haven’t had COVID-19 or you don’t suffer any long-term symptoms but you want some supplements to keep healthy all year long, check out my regular vegan supplement routine. 

My COVID Vitamin Routine

I recommend that you follow the advice of your personal physician. These things have worked for me over the last few months and, paired with the vaccine, I’ve felt more myself than I did for months after fighting the virus! The routine is the key part here. Morning and evening routines are the keys to my success. They help to set me up to achieve more, follow my doctor’s orders, think clearly, and get shit done.

VEGAN D3 AND B12 GUMMIES: The vegan vitamin D3 in these Herbaland gummies are sourced from Lichen, and helps to support the immune system, but also boosts energy, encourages a positive mood, which is helpful when you’re suffering from long term covid. Vitamin B12 is an added bonus because most of the population (40% in the US) is low in B12. I take 1/day.

IMMUNE PLUS GUMMIES: Vitamin C, Zinc, Elderberry, and Echinacea work together in this bomb Herbaland product to support immune health when you’re feeling sicky, but also to keep it strong as you fight the lingering virus. I take 2/day.

Coenzyme Q10 (COQ10) Herbaland GUMMIES: COQ10 is often used for preventing migraine headaches and reduce their frequency. So my doc suggested I take 150mg twice a day to see if it helps with my lingering daily covid migraines. It also supports heart health and blood sugar regulation with is a nice bonus.

Magnesium: Because my energy has been so low, and my sleep schedule was so disrupted by the virus, my Doc also prescribed 600mg of magnesium/day. It is known to promote rest, speed recovery, increase energy production, so we figured we’d throw that in too, to see if my energy levels go up at all, or if it helps with my insomnia.

Overall, I am seeing major improvements– some faster than others. Every doctor’s visit, I am improving and I can credit that to this protocol. So, if you are suffering from lingering symptoms, please do talk to your doctor. They are learning more and more about this virus every day, so you don’t need to suffer needlessly.

Any reader can use code edgyveg20 for 20% off on herbaland.com – Herbaland is a huge supporter of The Edgy Veg & has been a partner for a while now

Healthy Foods to Help Immune System

Combined with my vitamins and medications, I believe my covid recovery can be credited to a combination of fueling my body with healthy fruits and vegetables, as well as medicine. When I’m feeling sick, soups are usually my go-to are Immune Boosting Juice, Vegan Red Lentil Soup and Vegan Noodle Soup. 

Looking For More Vegan Lifestyle and Wellness?

• Workout Routine for Vegans
• Realistic What I Eat in a Day
• Vegan Supplements to Support your Immune System

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The post My COVID Recovery appeared first on The Edgy Veg.

Both Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods are incredible products that are a huge step in the right direction for the future of plant-based eating! I buy both, I eat both, I think they are incredible products. This comparison was so fun to really break them down on a variety of levels and I have nothing but positive things to say about both companies.

In Canada, Beyond Meat is more easily accessible and is served at more fast-food chains. Impossible is newer on the scene where I live but is quickly building momentum and being served on more menus.

Related News: New Beyond Burger 3.0

Ingredients and Nutrition

Beyond Meat vs Impossible Foods

As far as the macros go, these products are so similar. The fat, protein and minerals are all in line with each other. That isn’t to say that there aren’t key differences… some of which may be important to you and your dietary needs.

Servings of both products are just under 300 calories each, about 20g of protein, nearly 400mg of sodium. 

Organic

The Impossible Burger contains mainly organic ingredients while Beyond uses conventional ingredients. 

GMO

The Beyond Meat burger is strictly non-GMO, whereas Impossible Foods uses genetically modified ingredients that contain glyphosate, causing recent backlash from some consumers. Glyphosate is a herbicide that has been used in the US since the 1970s. They also use a genetically modified heme. 

Ingredients

The Impossible burger is fortified with more minerals and vitamins than Beyond Meat. The white flecks in Beyond Meat and Impossible that act as fat are made from coconut oil and sunflower oil. Beyond meat also has cocoa butter in the “fat” component.

Protein

The protein in Beyond Meat is mainly derived from peas, mung beans, and rice protein. Impossible gets its protein from mostly soy and potato protein.

Heme

The biggest difference to me is how the heme is derived in both products. Heme (also spelled “haem”) is the iron and iron flavouring used in plant-based meat substitutes to give the flavours traditionally associated with meat. Impossible Foods use a plant-based heme. It is made from genetically modified yeast that they created to mimic the taste of iron or blood. The way Beyond Meat “bleeds” is from beet juice, it doesn’t really change the flavour of the product, it is more for colour. 

Size and Price

Beyond Meat vs Impossible Foods

Package Size

The standard packaging of both Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods vegan ground meat is 340g.

Cost (in Toronto, Canada)

Where I have found them available, Impossible Foods retails for $11.99 but is often on sale for $7.99. In the same store, Beyond Meat retails for $9.99 and can be found at a discount for as little as $6.99.

Certifications

Beyond Meat vs Impossible Foods

Beyond Meat

Beyond Meat is certified Vegan, but there is no indication if it is Halal or Kosher. 

Impossible Foods

Impossible Foods is not yet certified by the Vegan Action Foundation because of the need for they heme to be tested in lab rat studies in order to be able to be sold by the FDA. Every ingredient used in mainstream food needs to undergo these tests. It is certified Halal and Kosher

Appearance and Flavour

Beyond Meat vs Impossible Foods

Raw Appearance

When looking at both products in their raw, in the package state, Beyond is browner in colour while Impossible is redder. Beyond Meat has more white flecks, which turn into melted oil (fat) when cooking, while Impossible has less of these white bits. The raw texture of Beyond is more like a paste, while Impossible has a crumbly texture in the package. To me, Impossible looks more like animal-derived ground beef.

While Cooking

I cooked both of these burgers in 4 oz patties on medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side on a cast-iron skillet. Immediately, Beyond Meat lets out oil faster than Impossible. Once flipped, they both have a nice browning or caramelization that beef burgers would have. Beyond Meat does not change colour as much as the Impossible patty.

Cooked Appearance

Both patties were cooked and served the same way. I added a slice of my favourite vegan cheese to each and topped the bun with ketchup, mustard, lettuce and tomato. Once cut in half, Impossible has more of a “medium-rare” appearance with pink in the middle and brown on the edges. The Beyond burger looks more or less the same all the way through. The Beyond patty keeps its more solid texture while Impossible looks more crumbly. To me, the Impossible patty looks more like an animal-based beef burger than Beyond. 

Flavour (our opinions)

Because our team makes lots of recipes using these products and tested most of the fast-food chains that carry these products, we can almost immediately taste the difference. We all agreed that they are both outstanding products that we would reach for time and time again, but there are key differences. Our team members all agreed that Impossible had more of a convincing “beef” flavour, mind you, we have all been vegans for a minimum of 1 year. Beyond Meat has a milder flavour without the acidic iron taste.

Both companies have confirmed to me that their product can be consumed raw, but we have not ventured to try them in that state yet.

Please let me know which is your favourite in the comments and if you’d like to see me put any other products head to head!

Hey I’m Candice aka The Edgy Veg – I veganize popular food recipes for vegans, plant-based diets, eco-conscious eaters & people who are trying to eat more plants over… y’know animals or their by-products. I hope you enjoy this tasty vegan recipe!

Looking For Vegan Burger Recipes?

• Vegan Big Mac Burger
• Sweet Potato Burgers
• Vegan Double Cheeseburger

Made this recipe? Let me know what you think by leaving a ★★★★★ star rating & comment below. It truly helps me & I really appreciate any support! Feel free to share your food photos on social and tag me @edgyveg so I don’t miss it! 

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The post Beyond Meat & Impossible Foods Comparison appeared first on The Edgy Veg.

Here is a list of women-owned businesses that sell eco-friendly products that I love! As a vegan woman who owns and has been running her own media company for 7+ years (including this website!) I’ve been wanting to create a blog post highlighting all the kickass women-run businesses that are vegan or eco-conscious that are truly making a change or creating an impact in our community.

March is Women’s History Month and to celebrate, I wanted to highlight some women-owned businesses in my industry that add so much to the vegan community. I could probably make an endless list of amazing vegan women, so please be apart of the conversation by commenting other women-run businesses you think people should follow & support!

Photo credit: BlogBeautyBoss

Women-Owned Businesses

The goals of International Women’s Day & Women’s History Month are to:

• celebrate women’s achievements
• raise awareness about women’s equality
• lobby for accelerated gender parity
• fundraise for female-focused charities

You can learn more about International Women’s Day here!

In no particular order, here is a list of some amazing, unique, and creative businesses run by people who identify as women, mainly in the vegan space! We all know how difficult it can be to be a woman sometimes, and I want to share this list to show how proud I am of these businesses and celebrate them.

Leave a comment letting me know some women-owned companies you’re proud of this month!

The Honey Pot Company (@thehoneypotco)

The Honey Pot Company makes plant-based feminine care products. Anything from pads to wipes to washes, they make it affordable, functional and packed in beautiful packaging.

Axiology Beauty (@axiology_beauty)

Axiology makes some of my favourite beauty products. They make the World’s First Zero Waste Crayons that are perfect for eyes, lips and cheeks. They were credited with one of Oprah’s Favourite Clean Things and they are fully vegan, sustainable and woman-owned.

OSEA (@oseamalibu)

OSEA’s skincare is some of the best on the market. Their products are luxurious, plant-based and family-owned. If you get one product from them, let it be the Advanced Protection Cream. It has changed my skin forever.

The Lip Bar (@thelipbar)

The Lip Bar is a black women-owned beauty brand that specializes in a wide range of shades for their various products. They are vegan and cruelty-free and you can find their products at Target and Walmart.

UOMA Beauty (@uomabeauty)

UOMA is a black woman-owned beauty brand with a mission to include everyone. They are cruelty-free and support causes like Make It Black.

Sweet Loren’s (@sweetlorens)

Sweet Loren’s makes irresistible vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, non-GMO cookie dough that you can bake at home for warm, fresh cookies without the mess. They have a variety of classic cookie flavours and you can find them in the refrigerated section of your local grocery store.

3rdEyeView Eyewear (@iiirdeyeview)

This is the brand for fashionable yet sustainable accessorizing. They make show-stopping eyewear for any occasion and ship worldwide.

Knix (@knixwear)

Knix is an intimate apparel brand that specializes in female empowerment and leakproof period underwear. They are women-owned and Toronto-based.

Briogeo Hair Care (@briogeo)

Briogio makes clean and eco-conscious hair care for all hair types. You can find them at Sephora, Ulta and Nordstrom.

Blissed (@be.blissed)

Blissed is a women-owned cannabis company that makes a positive impact on its community through donations and awareness.

Femmebnb (@femmebnb)

Femmebnb is a home-sharing/vacation rental that uses AI and is made for women by women.

Equilibria – CBD for Women (@equilibriawomen)

Equilibria make CBD for the modern woman. They offer free, personal dosage support and are based in Chicago.

Hey I’m Candice aka The Edgy Veg – I veganize popular food recipes for vegans, plant-based diets, eco-conscious eaters & people who are trying to eat more plants over… y’know animals or their by-products. I hope you enjoy this tasty vegan recipe!

Share on Pinterest!

The post Women Owned Businesses That Sell Eco-Friendly Products appeared first on The Edgy Veg.

Here is a roundup of vegan women bloggers & influencers to follow! I’ve been wanting to create a blog post highlighting all the kickass women who are vegan bloggers or creators and truly make a change or create an impact in our community.

International Women’s Day is on March 8th and to celebrate, I wanted to highlight some women who work in my industry and add so much to the vegan community. I could probably make an endless list of amazing vegan women, so please be apart of the conversation by commenting other vegan women bloggers & influencers you think people should follow!

Vegan Women Bloggers & Influencers

The goals of International Women’s Day are to:

• celebrate women’s achievements
• raise awareness about women’s equality
• lobby for accelerated gender parity
• fundraise for female-focused charities

You can learn more about International Women’s Day here!

In no particular order, here is a list of some strong, intelligent, and beautiful people who identify as women in the vegan space! We all know how difficult it can be to be a woman sometimes, and I want to share this list to show how proud I am of these women and celebrate them.

Leave a comment letting me know some women you’re proud of today!

Rose Lee (@cheaplazyvegan)

Rose is one of my ultimate gal pals in the vegan space. She runs a successful website, YouTube channel, Instagram page, podcast and even a Vegan Cafe in Calgary, Canada with her mom.

Sadia Badiei (@pickuplimes)

Sadia is a certified vegan dietician. She shares her knowledge and recipes on her YouTube channel and website where she focuses on uncomplicated vegan recipes that are nutritious, delicious and visually appealing. 

Tabitha Brown (@iamtabithabrown)

Tabitha is a vegan mom who promotes a healthy lifestyle with her humour and gentle voice. She went viral for being one of the kindest people on the internet. 

Joanne Molinaro (@the.korean.vegan)

Joanne is a story-teller with her recipes, she speaks to people using food and personal stories. She is currently writing her debut book, has over 1 million followers on TikTok and she also works as a lawyer in Chicago.

Olivia Biermann (@itslivb)

Liv is a baker, a video maker and a two-time cookbook author. You can find her amazing recipes and other content on her YouTube Channel and website. 

Jenné Claiborne (@sweetpotatosoul)

Jenné makes beautiful, soulful, healthy food and credits her first interest in cooking to her grandmother, another beautiful woman to celebrate on Women’s Day! Check out her YouTube channel, website and book.

Molly Tranchin (@fashionveggie)

Molly is one of my best friends both on and offline. She creates content every day that supports body love and acceptance, humour and motherhood. 

Nicole Vranjican (@nikkivegan)

Nicole makes delicious vegan food and cohosts The Vegan View where they speak about food, friends, and fashion in the plant-based community. 

Nisha Balsara (@nishabalsara)

On the topic of The Vegan View, Nisha is a food and fashion-focussed woman who is based in LA and is 1/3 of the Vegan View.

Hannah Hagler (@hannahhagler)

The other piece of The Vegan View is Hannah, who graces the world with vegan fashion and beauty and rescue dogs and the most well-maintained curtain bangs the world has seen.

Nisha Vora (@rainbowplantlife)

Nisha makes some of the most vibrant, nutritious, plant-based meals I’ve ever seen (her Red Lentil Curry is to die for). She is a Harvard Law School grad turned chef and author. 

Afia Amoako (@thecanadianafrican)

Afia makes amazing flavourful and sustainable Ghanaian and other African dishes. Her website is full of vegan recipes that I’ve not seen anywhere else. I consistently look to her when I want to try something new.

Kimberly Renee (@itskimberlyrenee)

Kimberly is an activist for social causes including but not limited to Black Lives Matter, feminism and veganism. She uses her platform to educate her followers on important news and social justice. 

Rhian Hy (@rhian_hy)

Rhian makes the most out of vegan beauty. She showcases makeup, hair, nails, and lifestyle products with vegan flare.

Dominique Williamson (@veganhippiesol)

Dominique is an author and blogger who makes healthy vegan comfort food that you can almost smell through the screen. 

Alexa Soto (@alexafuelednaturally)

Alexa is a dog rescuer, mental health advocate, and vegan food blogger. Her beautiful feed adds positivity to the internet. 

Lucy Parker (@lucy_and_lentils)

Lucy is my travel buddy and she is a sweet and funny person who people are lucky to know. Her photography is some of the best I’ve ever seen, paired with flavourful and unique recipes.

Tedi Sarah (@tedisarah)

Tedi runs a vegan food blog turned lifestyle hub that is full of some amazing inspiration. She rescues dogs and shows some glamorous aspects of life in NYC.

Sunny Subramanian (@veganbeautyreview)

Sunny is one of my close friends who creates tons of vegan DIY beauty, reviews products and shares her life on her Instagram and blog.

Jasmine Briones (@sweetsimplevegan)

Jasmine is a radiant recipe developer who has a huge YouTube following for good reason! She and her dogs are a great way to unwind from a long day.

Yasmeen Lee (@yasmeen_lee)

Yasmeen is an amazing role model for women everywhere! She posts about motherhood, veganism, nutrition, and her expertise as a doula.

Roxy Pope (@sovegan)

Roxy makes extremely simple recipes with very few ingredients but she makes simple taste delicious. Her recipes are amazing for new vegans or people wanting simple plant-based meals.

Jenny Mustard (@jennymustard)

Jenny is a Swedish minimalist who is eco-friendly and promotes fashion based on what you already have and keeping a wardrobe of timeless pieces.

Hey I’m Candice aka The Edgy Veg – I veganize popular food recipes for vegans, plant-based diets, eco-conscious eaters & people who are trying to eat more plants over… y’know animals or their by-products. I hope you enjoy this tasty vegan recipe!

Share on Pinterest!

The post Vegan Women Bloggers & Influencers To Follow appeared first on The Edgy Veg.

It’s super easy to get into a rut these days, with all these stay-at-home orders. As an entrepreneur, I have had to get myself into a routine that ensures I am productive.

Working for yourself can be hard, you really need to motivate yourself. But, so many of us are now in that entrepreneur “work at home” mentality thanks to the pandemic.

So, I want to share my 6 am morning routine that keeps me productive, motivated, and helps to keep me out of a rut or depression. Now don’t roll your eyes… I am not going to tell you to meditate. I can’t meditate to save my own life. This is a realistic AM routine.

My Vegan Morning Routine

You do not need to get up at 6 am to do this routine as I do. Some people just aren’t morning people, and that is ok! The routine is the key part here. Morning and evening routines are the keys to my success. They help to set you up to achieve more, think clearly, and get shit done.

1. Get out of bed within the first 2-5 mins of waking up:

This will eliminate the risk of hitting snooze and dozing off again. The second wake-up is ALWAYS harder!

2. Make Your Bed:

Yup, it sounds stupid, but this literally saves me from my own depression. If you can’t do anything else that day… at least make your bed. Making your bed will give you a feeling of accomplishment. This will motivate you to tackle another task, and another, and another, etc. And if you can’t tackle anything else after making your bed, you still have a small win for the day. Small wins matter.

3. Move your body and drink water:

Two-three times a week I work out with my trainer on FaceTime. I am not saying you need to do this, or that you need to even do a full workout. What I am saying is to move your body; do some stretches, yoga, put on some tunes and dance while you make your bed, brush your teeth, or shower. Just get your heart rate up. Oh, and drink some water, get that GI tract moving.

4. Plan your day:

I have a to-do list on my phone. I plan everything in my day before I do east, take a shower, or some days… even before I get out of bed. I put them in two lists “Non-negotiable tasks”, and “Maybe Todays”. This prioritizes my tasks. Then I bulk schedule my tasks in my calendar, in time slots. Even if I am not done with that task, I move onto the next one. This forces me to manage my time, and not get stuck on one task.

5. Shower, Shit, Shave:

I get a coffee/tea/hot cocoa, wash and get ready for the day. Makeup if I feel like it. I also time this. Because I can’t eat first thing in the morning… I do this before breakfast.

6. Eat breakfast & take your vitamins:

ok, so I don’t eat breakfast until 11:30ish, but if you can eat in the morning, do it! Your body needs fuel. I usually make a smoothie, and then have a late lunch. Try this smoothie (link), or these breakfast bars. The vitamins I take daily are from Herbaland. They are delicious gummies, that make me actually excited to take them daily. Before finding Herbaland gummy vitamins, I was the WORST at taking them daily. Here is what I take with my breakfast each day…

Any reader can use code edgyveg20 for 20% off on herbaland.com – Herbaland is a huge supporter of The Edgy Veg & has been a partner for a while now

D3 & B12: These help me feel my best every day. Vitamin D3 helps to support the immune system, boost energy, and encourage a positive mood. B12 works alongside to aid your body’s metabolic processes and red blood cell formation.

Multivitamin: A balanced combination of 13 essential vitamins and minerals that have been formulated to fulfill my daily nutritional requirements. Because we can’t be super healthful ALL the time.

Plant-Based Omega 3: Heart-healthy Omega-3 Fatty Acids play an essential role in keeping the body healthy and active. Hernalands’ supplements contain plant-derived flaxseed oil to provide this vital nutrient in the form of ALA.

Calcium & D3: These two work together in the development and maintenance of bones and teeth. It’s sooo hard to find a vegan D3, so I was thrilled to find out that Herbaland sources theirs from Lichen.

7. Walk/play with the dogs:

This allows me to have some time with them before I get too hyper-focused. This eliminates my mom-guilt and allows me to get to work without feeling like I am ignoring them. It also tires them out to nap for a bit, giving me some alone time. I’m weird, I know.

8. Werk b*tch:

Get to work!

Hey I’m Candice aka The Edgy Veg – I veganize popular food recipes for vegans, plant-based diets, eco-conscious eaters & people who are trying to eat more plants over… y’know animals or their by-products. I hope you enjoy this tasty vegan recipe!

Looking For More Vegan Lifestyle and Wellness?

• Workout Routine for Vegans
• Realistic What I Eat in a Day
• Vegan Supplements to Support your Immune System

Liked this article? Let me know what you think by leaving a ★★★★★ star rating & comment below. It truly helps me & I really appreciate any support! Feel free to share your photos on social and tag me @edgyveg so I don’t miss it!

Share on Pinterest!

The post My Vegan Morning Routine appeared first on The Edgy Veg.

If you’re looking for a workout routine for vegans, I’m going to share with you my workout routine as a vegan as well as my workout vegan supplements of choice when i workout.

Disclaimer: I am not a trained medical professional nor a dietician. I’m simply someone who is sharing my workout routine to help inspire other vegans with their workout routine. Please speak to your healthcare professional before making any changes in your diet and/or lifestyle.

My Personal Workout Routine As A Vegan

“What’s your workout routine as a vegan, Candice?” I get asked this a lot. So, I wanted to share some examples of my workout routines throughout the week as well as exercises I switch up.

I usually try to get in 2 workouts a week during a super busy work week and aim for more depending on the week. Running this website and a small business keeps me incredibly busy but I know how important physical activity is for my mind, body and energy!

Pre-workout for Vegans

Most pre-workout powders or supplements aren’t vegan and many use artificial junk. I’ve tested many vegan pre-workout products and I’m going to be honest, they all give my body jitters and anxiety. The only vegan pre-workout product that doesn’t give me jitters and 100% recommend is Herbaland’s pre-workout gummies which are vegan, low-sugar and use natural ingredients (non-GMO & gluten-free too!). They also taste like blue raspberry!

I’ve been using these pre-workout vegan gummies for a while now and love to have them before my 2 workouts a week! These workout gummies are formulated with 500mg of Beta-Alanine, 500mg of L-Citrulline, 35mg of Niacin, 1200mg of caffeine, BCAA and only 1g of sugar.  They give me the right amount of energy and endurance without the shakes and anxiousness.

If you want to try them, use EDGYVEG20 to get 20% off on their website.

Workout Routine for Vegans

I’m going to list last week’s workout routine that might help other vegans! Feel free to add some or all of these exercises to your routine. I do switch up things thanks to my trainer Bree! 

I highly recommend you find exercises you like and even watch videos on how to do exercises properly! I personally have a trainer that holds me accountable and motivated, but you don’t have to have a trainer to workout! There are lots of free exercises to do on YouTube! If you want a personal trainer to help you workout virtually, highly recommend my trainer Bree!

Here are this week’s workout routines as a vegan:

Workout Routine #1:

WARMUP: 15-minute Walk (low intensity)

15 x B Stance Bent Over Row (using dumbbell)
15 x Hamstring Curls with Sliders (using bodyweight)
15 x Dumbbell High Rows with Hammer Curls (using dumbbell)
15 x Split Stance Bent Over Row (using dumbbell)

Repeat 4 rounds until tired.

Watch how to do them from my trainer Bree here

Workout Routine #2:

WARMUP: 15-minute Dance (low intensity)

10 x Single-leg Glute Bridge (using Body Weight)
10 x Hamstring Curls with sliders
10 x Lat Pulls with sliders
10 x Kneeling hammer curls (using dumbbells)
Repeat 3 rounds until tired!

Watch how to do them from my trainer Bree here

Workout Routine #3:

HIIT workout (I find a different one on YouTube)

On Tuesdays & Thursdays, I have FaceTime sessions with my Trainer where we switch up exercises every week! I like to do HIIT some days and love to rest on weekends, although we often go on long walks with the dogs.

Post-workout for Vegans

Post-workout: I make myself a vegan protein smoothie right away and take my Vegan Electrolyte Gummies from Herbaland (I’m literally obsessed with this Candian company!) and their Protein gummies if I feel like I need more protein that day.

Eating or drinking something right after your workout with carbs and protein will help your muscles recover. I make sure to take consume electrolytes because, through sweat, your body loses both fluid and electrolytes. Electrolytes include minerals like sodium, potassium, and calcium, and they have the very important job of keeping a steady balance of water in your system. If you are drinking tons of water, but are still feeling thirsty, you may be low on electrolytes.

Water: I try to drink a gallon of water every single day, I bought myself a HUGE water bottle that measures my water intake (you all loved it when I showed it on Instagram stories!). It encourages me with times and positive sayings and subtly shames me when I see I am behind.

Vitamins: If you’ve been following me on YouTube, you know I personally don’t like taking my vitamins in pill form…and prefer taking them in gummy bears (yes I’m an adult child I know lol). Right now, I take Vegan D3 & B12 as well as Vitamin C and Immune Plus Herbaland gummies to help me meet to get my Vitamin B12 and D3 (because I don’t get enough vitamin D in winter) and also support my immune system during the winter.

I use to have those kid multi-vitamin candies growing up and love that adult vegan multi-vitamin gummies exist!

Vegan Recipes After Workout Routine

If you workout in the morning like I do, I wanted to list vegan recipes I’ve made after working out! If you want to see what I eat in a day, check out my video below!

Breakfast: Protein Bar & Post-Workout Vegan Smoothie

Lunch: Leftovers, Vegan Stirfry or Vegan Soups

Snack: Vegan Popcorn with Dorito Seasoning (obsessed with popcorn)

Dinner: Vegan Pasta, or any vegan dinner recipes I film that week 

Thanks again to Herbaland for always supporting vegan creators like me and making amazing Canadian products. If you want 20% off any gummies, use promo code EDGYVEG20 at checkout

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The post Workout Routine for Vegans appeared first on The Edgy Veg.

Whether you’re a student, a busy parent, or someone cooking for just one or two people, an air fryer is a tool from the future. It functions as a small convection oven, blowing heat in circular motions around food placed in its basket. With just a small amount of oil, it creates hot, crispy food in a flash.

In my house, the air fryer is so popular we’ve used it to replace our microwave. It preheats so quickly and turns off when the timer is done, I get quickly cooked meals or warmed leftovers in a safe way on my countertop. And unlike a microwave, the air fryer can be tucked away into a cabinet when not in use. 

Here I’m going to show you 5 air fryer hacks that I’ve learned to make the easiest, quickest food without sacrificing flavour or counter space!

1. Easily adapt oven recipes to air fryer: Lower the cooking temperature by about 25F, and the cooking time by 20% less.

For example, if the oven recipe states 400F for 20 mins, cook in the air fryer at 375F for 16 minutes, opening halfway to shake the basket and flip the food.

Here are Vegan Recipes on my website that can be cooked in an air fryer!

5.0 from 4 reviews

Air fryer Recipes

 

Save Print

Cook time

15 mins

Total time

15 mins

 

There are so many recipes air fryers can make and also can be used to reheat food. in my house, the air fryer is so popular we've used it to replace our microwave. It preheats so quickly and turns off when the timer is done, I get quickly cooked meals or warmed leftovers in a safe way on my countertop.

Author: The Edgy Veg

Recipe type: Main

Cuisine: Vegan

Ingredients

• Fried Cauliflower BitesCookies
• Fried Rice
• Onion Rings
• Carrot Bacon
• Fried Cauliflower

Instructions

1. Get an air fryer
2. Heat up your leftover food or make recipes using your air fryer on the recipes listed above.

3.5.3251

3. Cookie cake: Perfect for when you’ve got the munchies. Add the cookie dough to the pan that came with your air fryer, a cake pan, or just onto some parchment paper, make sure it’s about 1 inch thick. Cook for 350F for 10-15 minutes until cookie smells fill your kitchen.

4. Heat up leftovers: As I said, the air fryer is leftovers’ best friend. Things like pizza, roasted vegetables and even leftover fries! Say goodbye to sad, soggy leftovers and hello to fresh, crispy flavour.

5. Easy Fried Rice: Make a simple meal for one using only one dish, 6 ingredients and you’ll have a full healthy meal in under 20 minutes. Perfect for busy students or people on the go! Find the full recipe here.

Comment below what your favourite air fryer hacks are and any air fryer recipes you’d like to see from me!

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A lot of these foods are great to have stocked in your kitchen at all times, but are particularly practical when gathering supplies from the grocery store during this period in time.

20 Vegan Products To Buy For Self-Quarantine

1. Shelf-Stable Plant Milk:

1. • I prefer soy milk because it is high in protein and is most-often fortified. But if you can’t find that, vegetable protein milk, like pea milk, or with nuts like almond milk, cashew milk, and oat milk are great too.
   • These have versatile uses for cooking, last months unopened on the shelf and last around 5-7 days in the fridge after opening.

2. Whole Grains:

1. • Dried whole grains like oats, couscous, quinoa, and farro, are a great source of healthy carbs, proteins and create a fantastic base for multiple meals. Grain bowls, warm cereals, nutritious soup fillers and more. Plus they help keep you fuller, longer.

3. Nuts and Nut Butters:

1. • Nuts are an easy and tasty way to add protein and healthy fat to any dish. Use nuts for easy healthy snacking, and use to make easy nut butter, nut milk, add flavour to sauces, easy fuel and more.

4. Dry Beans & lentils:

1. • Dried lentils and beans like kidney beans, black beans, navy beans, chickpeas etc. are shelf-stable forever, and also super easy on the wallet. They are significantly less expensive than canned and are easily prepared with a little forethought.  Make homemade hummus, taco soup, curries, chilies and more. There are so many options out there for hearty, nutritious dishes made with lentils and beans.

5. Vegetable bouillon cubes, powders or pastes:

1. • These are flavour powerhouses. I use these to flavour my tofu, soups, and many meat dishes. Unlike boxed or canned broth, it’s nice and easy to store. Just add water.

6. Canned tomatoes:

1. • You can make SO many things with canned tomatoes, pasta sauces, soups, curries, pizza sauce, chilli, and much much more. Because of the rich flavour of tomatoes, you will feel like you’re having the most decadent meal.

7. Canned & jarred sauces:

1. • You are NOT going to want to make everything from scratch. Having some of your favourite premade sauces on hand can help cut down on your meal prep time. I love to have shelf-stable vegan cheese sauce, ranch, tomato sauces, curry and more.

8. Boxed dried Pasta:

1. • There is nothing more comforting than pasta. Need I say more? Make pasta dishes like spaghetti and tomato sauce, stuffed shells, or walnut alfredo, or even add to soups for extra heartiness.

9. Oils:

1. • Pantry staples like olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, canola oil and sesame oils are essential for dressings, sauces, cooking, and healthy fats.

10. Produce with a long fridge shelf life:

1. • Carrots, celery, peppers, beets, and cabbage all have a long fridge-shelf life, so you don’t have to rush to consume them right away. Plus they are all great for hearty meals like soups, curries, dips, roasted dishes, and more.

11. Produce that keeps outside of the fridge:

1. • Potatoes, onions, garlic, apples, lemons, oranges, bananas, tomatoes, and unripe avocados are fantastic because they won’t hog valuable fridge space!

12. Tofu:

1. • Not only is tofu an incredibly versatile as an ingredient, but it also has a long shelf life!
     • If tofu is purchased in an aseptic container on the grocery shelf, it can remain on your shelf until opened. Once opened, it must be refrigerated and its shelf life remains at 3-5 days.
     • If it was purchased in the refrigerator section at the grocery, it should remain refrigerated, but can remain in the fridge for months at a time.
     • It is also easily frozen and defrosted.
     • Use tofu to make sauces, cheeses, stir-fries, desserts and more!

13. Vinegar:

1. • Different types of vinegar have many different uses. They’re fantastic for flavouring dishes, creating dips and sauces and dressings, but they also double as a disinfectant for food! I always wash my produce in a vinegar bath when I get it home to make sure I’ve removed any stray pathogens, dirt and germs. Plus, you can use it to clean your home in a pinch!

14. Rice:

1. • Rice is another one of those versatile foods. It is, of course, shelf-stable forever, but it can also be used in many different ways; like stir-fries, soups, veg-friendly sushi, desserts and even to make items like vegan cheese fondue.

15. A variety of your favourite spices and dried herbs:

1. • My personal favourites include:
     • salt
     • pepper
     • basil
     • oregano
     • curry powder
     • taco seasoning
     • cumin
     • garlic powder
     • onion powder
     • paprika
     • chilli powder
     • turmeric
     • and so many more.

16. Convenience items:

1. • Granola bars, jam, crackers, and trail mixes are a great snack items to have on hand. They will satiate you without much effort and are wildly shelf-stable.

17. Frozen fruit:

1. • I always have raspberries, blueberries, bananas and mangoes in my freezer. Not only do they make incredibly nutrient-dense smoothies, but they’re also great for homemade desserts, or served in oatmeal. It’s nice to have a taste of freshness to break up all the beans and soups, haha.

18. Frozen vegetables:

1. • I like to keep frozen veg like peas, corn, kale, spinach, and edamame on hand because they are easily used in smoothies, soups, curries, stir-fries, and many other dishes. Plus they are nutritional powerhouses.

19. Your favourite comfort food:

1. • Don’t neglect comfort items like snacks, chocolate, coffee, vegan mac & cheese, popcorn, etc. Just because they aren’t totally essential, doesn’t mean you should forego them. These comfort items can keep you with a sense of normalcy and can make a huge difference in your mental health and wellbeing.

20. Baking items:

• • Keeping items like flour, sugar, yeast, baking soda etc. on hand can be helpful for when you have a brownie craving, run out of bread, or want to try a new recipe you found on Pinterest. With the same few ingredients, you can bake a variety of things like naan, flatbread, European-style bread, muffins etc. There are many easy homemade bread and baking recipes out there for you to try.

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