Wishing you all a happy 2023! 365 new days full of possibilities! When it comes to our lifestyles, there are so many more opportunities to help our health, be active, enjoy eating delicious foods, make choices to improve the environment and prevent animal harm. I hope to help you find ways to cook tasty and healthy plant-based foods on my blog, www.melissatraub.com: please visit to look for easy main dishes, soups, appetizers, lighter muffins and bread, and more!
Favorite Soup Recipes
What kind of soup do you enjoy? I really like to make bean or lentil soups, so I have something warm and filling: especially to pack for lunch for work. Beans and lentils are good sources of protein and fiber plus other important nutrients like potassium and iron. Here is an easy Instant Pot soup recipe for you: 15-Bean Vegetable Soup.
Banana Bread
It’s a great time of year to bake, too. Here is my recipe for banana bread - with some tasty dark chocolate goodness added too! Vegan Banana Bread with Dark Chocolate Chunks.
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Plant-Based Diet Updates
Chocolate Safety
While we are on the topic of chocolate, did you know that some brands are contaminated with cadmium and lead? This includes some of the top-selling brands of chocolate in the U.S. You can check this list from asyousow.org for your favorite brand. I was relieved to see that the vegan dark chocolate from Moser Roth (from Aldi) that I enjoy is below the Maximum Allowable Daily Allowance.
WIC and Plant-Based Foods
The USDA had proposed adding soy yogurt and cheese to food packages for the Women, Infants, and Children program: plus increasing the fresh fruits and vegetables included! More whole grains would be allowed, including teff and quinoa. This has the potential to help a lot of people especially as food prices continue to climb. Read more in this article from Veg News.