Is this real?
Nearly three years after starting this little blog with my bestie (Rachael, I owe you everything!), I can’t get over how far I’ve come.
We started off with some really terrible recipes. I made some super bland quinoa soup. I even made arancini with chicken broth the first week, thinking that broth was still technically vegetarian because I wasn’t eating meat (yes, I was that clueless). My first time using dry beans, I neglected to cook them after soaking-no joke. Major vomit session after that. Oh yes, I’ve come a LONG way.
But the intention is still the same. Share recipes, share my gripes (leave my damn honey alone!), my obstacles, my accomplishments. Connect with other vegetarians and vegans and help others who are just starting out on their own journeys. I’m not here to preach my lifestyle or my own choices, but simply to share what I’ve learned. And every day I am more and more grateful to have this website, to have a thriving personal chef bsuiness and to see SO many people shifting towards this way of cruelty-free living. Three years ago, I barely knew what a vegan was. And thanks to some awesome books (yes you, “Eating Animals”, “Veganist”, “The Kind Diet”) and films (“Food, Inc”, “Food Matters”, “Earthlings”, “Hungry for Change”, “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead”) and of course, Arikka, I’ve now transitioned again to be completely meat and dairy-free for the past year and half. Sure, there have been times when I’ve mistakenly eaten dairy (stupid burger buns with your hidden ingredients!), but the world didn’t end. I am not perfect, and can’t stress enough how important it is to NOT beat yourself up when you’re eating a vegan or vegetarian diet. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to not let being healthy stress you out. Don’t put labels on every diet and every way of living. Freaking out about everything you ingest is NOT healthy. Want to eat tofu? Go ahead. Eat a conventional apple? It’s not gonna kill you. Eat a vegan pizza in one sitting? GO FOR IT! Food should be comforting-know your limits but enjoy yourself.
And I have truly come to ENJOY all vegan foods. It amazes me to look back on how I was eating just three years ago, compared to today. I’m shocked at how amazing I feel and how much this diet has changed my life. It’s led me to a new business, a whole new networks of friends and connections. It’s given me the freedom to leave a corporate job I didn’t love, and pursue a dream I never thought would be possible. This is not the life I imagined I would have growing up. This is not the major I went to school for the or the career path I thought I would be on. And I am so thankful that none of those whole dreams ever came to fruition. Because I truly feel like this is what I was meant to do. Being vegan has changed me for the better and I will forever be grateful to those who have supported me and my aspirations during this time of exciting transitions.
So here we are-500 recipes later and I feel like there’s still so much to learn. For now, here’s some of my favorite recipes I’ve come up with the past three years! And make sure to enter the giveaway for a prize pack of some of the best vegan products I’ve used for those 500 recipes 🙂
Waldorf Salad Wraps with Raw Vegan Mayo
Buffalo Bean Soup with Dumplings
Raw Taco Salad with Cumin Walnut Meat
Spinach & Cheese Stuffed Baked Arancini
Scallion Sesame Pancakes with Teriyaki Tempeh
Tempeh Tacos with Avocado Lime Sauce
Raspberry Lemon & Poppyseed Loaf
Cranberry Almond Quinoa Chicken Salad
About the Author
Your scallion sesame pancakes with teriyaki tempeh was one of the first plant-based meals I made for my parents when they visited me. I hadn’t really cooked vegan for them because there wasn’t anything I thought they would like (Dad is a big where’s-the-beef guy, and Mom was skeptical of “getting enough protein” with a vegan diet), but they loved that recipe, even though they had never heard of tempeh. My mom says she makes it about every other week now, and though they’re far from vegan themselves, I never get “concerned” comments about my diet from them anymore. Thanks!
Congratulations on a whopping 500 posts! That is simply amazing. I love your message about not beating oneself about what they eat. Sometimes I feel bad for not buying organic or not making everything from scratch but you’re right, it’s all about doing what is right for you.
I agree – your buffalo bean soup is amaaaazing! I made it last week, in fact, and I can’t wait to dive into all the others!
I haven’t had the opportunity to try any of the 500 Vegan Pact recipes just yet. But I have my eye on the Sweet Potato Mexican Lasagna.
i have not! Yet!
Oh my gosh, you really have come a long way! I’ve only started following your blog recently, so I didn’t realize where you started from. When I went plant-based, I really didn’t know how to cook at all and I’ve learned a lot too. Not enough to start a cooking business, however!! (of course I’m not at the 3-year mark yet. I just want to wish you a very sincere congratulations on all that you’ve done. You’re really an inspiration. Celeste 🙂
Wow Lisa, 500 recipes is amazing! Congratulations! I haven’t made your recipes yet, I’m usually trying to create my own. 😉 I love your site though, it is beautiful!
Congrats! I am postive I’ve tried your recipes in the past year, but I can’t put my fingers on which ones. I will say that those pumpkin bars with maple frosting are going on my list for this weekend for sure!!!
Everything looks so good!
The Summer Squash Soup sounds wonderful, I’m going to try that this evening. Thanks so much for the great recipes!
Just found your blog today (baby vegan here) but can’t wait to try your recipes. The sweet potato Mexican lasagna looks amazing!!
No but the tempeh tacos with avocado lime sauce looks amazing!!
Not yet! But they look great, from what I’ve seen! 🙂
I have not tried them yet, but I just bookmarked the Buffalo Bean Soup with Dumplings!
I haven’t tried any yet as I just came across your blog. I look forward to looking through the recipes and trying some!
I have JUST discovered you, so I haven’t tried any of your recipes yet. But that Sweet Potato Lasagna is calling my name!
I’m drooling over the food pictures, especially that taco salad with walnut meat. I can’t wait to try it!!
I haven’t yet! But I cannot wait to try the Raw Taco Salad with Cumin Walnut Meat! YUM! I had that at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Baltimore and it was wonderful. It always seemed intimidating to make on my own.
Your pictures are amazing! I just pinned the Spinach & Cheese Stuffed Baked Arancini – that looks like the perfect project for a rainy Saturday!
Congratulations! What a great accomplishment!
It would be awesome to use some of the products that have inspired you and helped you come along this far
This is actually my first time on your blog, so I have not tried anything yet. However that sweet potato mexican lasagna just made it on my list of dishes to make this week!
I’ve tried the Raw Chocolate Avocado Mousse – so yummy!
Such an important point! I’ve gone from vegan to vegetarian to neither to both of them back because what’s healthy changes constantly based on where in the world you are, your mental state of my mind, hormones, etc. Thanks for saying what needs to be said 🙂
no i havent tried any but i would love to some day soon
I just came across your blog today so haven’t tried any recipes, but I’m bookmarking a bunch right now. Congrats on the milestone, you’ve come a long way 🙂
I can’t believe you’ve posted 500 recipes, that’s craziness I tell ya! I haven’t made any of your recipes (yet) since I only just discovered your blog, but I’m so happy I did! I also second the not beating yourself up bit, nobody’s perfect and we all make mistakes, dwelling on it doesn’t do anyone any favours.
I haven’t tried any of them yet, but they look delicious!
Hi Kristina! You are the giveaway winner! Email Lisa at theveganpact@gmail.com with your shipping information-congrats!