Lisa Esile, MS

Don your apron and preheat your oven! These healthy vegan holiday cookies, brownies, and bars are perfect for bringing to cookie exchanges, offering up at potlucks, serving at holiday open houses, or setting out for Santa. This collection features recipes sweetened primarily with natural whole-food ingredients such as dates, bananas, sweet potato, maple syrup, and […]

There’s a new “rice” in town! Cauliflower rice is cauliflower that’s been shredded into rice-like pieces using either a box grater or a few pulses in a food processor. High in fiber, packed with nutrients, and with a mild, easygoing flavor, this cruciferous wunderkind is a lighter alternative to brown rice that cooks quickly and […]

Gone are the days of cauliflower being the sad veggie that got boiled until limp. Today, cauliflower is a leading light when it comes to showing how versatile and tasty veggies can be. Its naturally mild flavor make it a worthy vehicle for all sorts of seasonings, and when pureed, cauliflower can bring a surprising […]

Occasionally, you come across a recipe that’s truly life-changing. That was the case for me earlier this year, when I first heard of Sarah Cobacho’s single-ingredient buckwheat bread. The concept immediately piqued my interest: Despite being gluten-free for over 20 years, I’d never known it could be so easy to make a gluten-free loaf of […]

A shocking 95% of Americans don’t get the recommended daily amount of fiber. This critical nutrient is abundant in legumes, whole grains, vegetables, and fruit. Essential to gut health, fiber reduces inflammation, improves blood sugar regulation, promotes healthy blood vessels, reduces cancer risk, and promotes weight loss. And yes, it keeps you regular! The good […]

Sometimes called the “gourmet onion” because of their delicate flavor, leeks become sweet and incredibly tender when cooked. In many recipes, they can be used interchangeably with onions, and we find them preferable to onions in recipes where the flavorings are subtle. Leeks perfectly complement mild-tasting ingredients such as potato, garlic, zucchini, and white beans, […]

Are you wondering what to do with all those apples? Raw, baked, or stewed, in desserts, breakfasts, salads, baking, and dressings, the apple does it all. With their sweet flavor, crunchy texture, and ready availability, apples are a strong contender for best all-rounder. Grab a bag of your favorite apples and sink your teeth into […]

Muffins rock! Quick-cooking, portable, and healthier than cake, muffins are excellent as a snack, lunchbox goodie, breakfast on the go, or wholesome dessert. Delicious fresh from the oven or reheated from frozen, their versatility makes them an instant hit with busy families. Here are 13 of our favorite whole grain vegan muffin recipes—all are free […]

Whole wheat orzo pasta is a tiny but mighty pasta that’s well worth a spot in your pantry. While it looks like a large grain of rice—Italians call it risoni or pasta a riso—it’s actually a pasta made with whole wheat durum flour. Why all the fuss? Well, it’s so easy to use! Whole wheat […]

Most of us know that refined carbohydrates such as processed sugar, white bread, fries, and sugary drinks are associated with poor health and weight gain. But not all carbs are created equal! A whole-food, plant-based diet rich in complex carbohydrates—such as whole grains, beans, and starchy vegetables—is nutrient-dense, high in fiber, and low in fat […]

Eating a diet that’s both gluten-free and vegan can seem daunting at first, but it’s easier than you might think. To showcase some of the exciting possibilities, here’s a collection of our favorite gluten-free vegan recipes to make for lunch and dinner, including pizza, pasta, savory pies, and wraps. For a trove of more than […]

Packing a healthy lunch your child will eat can seem like a tall order some days; nobody wants to open their kiddo’s lunch box at the end of the day to find they only ate a handful of grapes! To help get you inspired, here are some sweet and savory vegan lunch ideas for kids, […]