FOOD

Let food be thy medicine. Learn how changing your diet from animal-based to plant-based can help eliminate or control diseases like cancer and diabetes, and then put it into practice by following our easy plant-based recipes.
Green Bean CasseroleBy Kylee Melo, RDThis is a classic recipe that we often see at holiday dinners. But what about a version for vegans? I, for one, have always loved green bean casserole and I finally came to the point where I didn’t want to be left out during the holidays. This recipe is very simple to make and the best part is that nothing comes from a can—it’s all fresh! I did try this recipe with canned green beans, but it just didn’t have that crispy texture to it. If you’re wanting to used canned beans, just use 2 cans instead of the 1 lb. of fresh. But try it with fresh beans, it is SO much better. Either way, don’t forget to enjoy your holiday season.
Holiday Stuffing and GravyBy Kylee Melo, RDThe average person consumes a whopping 6,000 calories for Christmas dinner. That’s about 2 pounds worth of calories in a single meal. If you’re not keen to gain weight you will pledge to lose a week later, here are a couple of great recipes to try out this Christmas. They still have a terrific flavor, but far fewer calories. These sides are a perfect complement to our Vegan Holiday Turkey Roast. Enjoy!
Mushroom PozoleBy María HummelThe pozole is a tasty traditional Mexican dish that is usually prepared with pork, and that is very easy to prepare. This vegetarian version is much lighter since it is much lower in fat, especially saturated fats. The vegetables that are added at the time of serving make this recipe provide a good amount of fiber and nutrients for the body.
Vegetarian AjiacoBy María HummelThis delicious Colombian dish is usually prepared with chicken, but in this vegetarian version chickpeas or peas are used to add vegetable protein and substitute meat. In this way we obtain a very tasty yet nutritious and healthy dish.
Brown Rice and Black-Eyed Peas (Gandules)By María HummelRice with pigeon peas is extremely popular in Puerto Rico, as well as other countries in the Caribbean and northern South America. Many times it is served on special occasions, such as Christmas and other parties. This healthier version is prepared with brown rice and is  100% vegan, so it contains more fiber and less fat than traditional version.
Macaroni and CheeseBy María HummelWith this recipe, macaroni and cheese can be not only healthy, but delicious! There will be no more need to use commonly available ultra-processed mac and cheese on the market because this version will delight both children and adults.
Shepherd’s PieBy María HummelThis is a traditional dish in many countries in Latin America as well in other places. The original version almost always has beef, therefore, contains lots of bad cholesterol. By using chickpeas and vegetables, this vegetarian version provides plenty of protein and fiber, as well as excellent taste and texture.
Low-Fat TamalesBy María HummelThis tamale is prepared with zero refined fats (such as oil or vegetable shortening) or saturated fats (such as lard), and yet retains all the flavor and texture of the original tamales. Your family will be surprised how delicious these healthy tamales are!
Red Chili SauceBy María HummelThis is a basic sauce that can be used to make many Mexican dishes, such as Pozole and Enchiladas. I prefer to use peppers that are not spicy, but that is really up to each person. The taste of this homemade sauce is far superior to the processed sauces that often have chemical ingredients to preserve them.