January 2024 Plant-Based Updates
15 Bean Soup, Vegan Cruise Menus, Vegan Winter Fruit Recipes, Hydroponic Gardening, and Dry January Ideas
A very happy 2024 to you all! There is nothing like frigid temperatures and snow to make you feel like cooking! I have made a few sourdough loaves over my break, and cinnamon raisin and jalapeno cheddar were the highlights. So, here is your inspiration for cozy plant-based cuisine:
Homemade Soup
15-Bean Vegetable Soup
I just made my 15-bean vegetable soup recipe: an easy stovetop meal with just a little preplanning. I soak the beans for a few hours, rinse them, and then cook them in the Instant Pot for 35 minutes. Then the soup comes together on the stovetop easily: a batch is perfect for a meal on a snowy day with some fresh sourdough bread.
Vegan Cruise Updates
I have just returned from a holiday cruise feeling refreshed after a very much-needed getaway. I’m excited to share some of my favorite foods on the cruise. Carnival Cruise Lines now has a separate vegan menu for breakfast, brunch, and dinner and I sampled several options. My favorites for brunch were the chickpea and quinoa fritters with Greek salad and pita wedges and the vegetable strudel. The dinner Caesar salad, salmon poke bowl, and eggplant parmesan were also winners! In my opinion, the desserts needed some work and the regular desserts were better.
Winter Fruit
You may be wondering about what fruits are good to have in the winter. While probably no fruits grow outside of a greenhouse in the winter in Pennsylvania, this post has ideas of what’s fresh from other locations. Look for citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, and tangerines. Cava Cava oranges have been a wonderful treat for me this month with their bright pink interiors. Kiwifruit, bananas, and pineapples are also good choices, Please click on the button below for recipes for winter fruit salads, soup, breakfast ideas, main dishes, and desserts:
Then frozen fruits like berries are a great way to access the goodness of fresh summer fruit. I use blueberries the most often, in things like muffins, pancakes, and this trending recipe: Healthy Blueberry Smoothie with Almond Butter.
Gardening News
Embracing the new year often involves planting the seeds of growth: the foundations for the future through the actions we take today. What better way to start the year than with a new garden! I have just started golden tomatoes, jalapenos, salad greens, and bok choi in my indoor hydroponic garden. I can’t wait to harvest these fresh veggies: stay tuned for updates!
Dry January
Avoiding alcohol for the month? This trend can help folks reset and limit calories since alcohol has 7 calories per gram - adding up quickly, especially in larger servings and drinks with sugary mixers.
Here are some tips for flavorful beverages that aren’t too sweet if you are trying a dry January:
Make fruity ice cubes with wedges or orange, lemon, lime, cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or mint plus water. Use these in water, iced tea, or sparkling water for a pop of color, flavor, and fun!
Try herbal tea - I just got a Botanical cold brew type that saves time for making iced tea.
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