Vegetarian Zen

July 3rd is International Plastic Bag Free Day (yep…there really is a day for everything!). The goal of International Plastic Bag Free Day is to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bags by encouraging individuals, communities, and governments to rethink their reliance on plastic bags and adopt more eco-friendly alternatives. In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we'll share:  the hist...

Discover the best animal dads in nature and their unique parenting skills in this detailed exploration of top animal fathers. Check out the show notes for more about these amazing dads! 

In this episode, in honor of Pride Month, we'll highlight 15 LGBTQ+ celebrities and famous people who have chosen vegan or vegetarian lifestyles. These folks are using their fame to advocate for compassion, health, and the planet, showing that even small choices can lead to big impacts. You can check out our full show notes here . 

In this episode of the podcast, we're talking about some of the best veggie hot dogs on the market today with a little help from our closed Facebook group the Peas and Carrots who voted on theirs. Check out the full show notes here .

Discover the remarkable world of animal moms and their nurturing ways. Explore the depths of maternal instincts across wildlife species. Check out the full show notes here . 

In this episode of Vegetarian Zen, we're pleased to welcome Gregg Rozeboom, owner of Fruitive, a 100% organic, vegan, and sustainable restaurant located in Virginia Beach and in Washington DC.  We're going to talk to Gregg about his inspiration for opening a 100% plant-based restaurant and about some of the yummy offerings on his menu.  You can check out our full show notes with links to everythin...

In recent years, there's been this huge protein push with a lot of companies trying to convince us that we're protein deficient, especially if you're plant-based or plant-based leaning.   While a lot of this is media hype, there is some truth to the importance of making sure you have enough protein in your diet. In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we're sharing some High Protein Breakfa...

April is National Garden Month, a perfect time to embrace the warmer weather, get your hands dirty, and indulge in the many joys and benefits of gardening.  Larissa and I have experimented with vegetable gardening over the years. We've had some very knowledgeable gardeners on the show in the past, including our friends Augie Sanchez (The Unkempt Gardener) and Megan Cain (The Creative Vegetable Gar...

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we're pleased to welcome Kate Galli, a visionary vegan health coach who's been at the forefront of the fitness industry for over a decade.  What really interested me about Kate's story is that she focuses a lot of what she teaches on mindset, which I feel is critical to accomplishing anything…including making changes to your health. Whether you're a v...

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, Larissa and I will be talking about vegetarian casseroles. The reason we want to talk about casseroles is that, much like a lot of topics we discuss on the podcast, they are a big interest to us primarily because of how much time we've been saving by making casseroles to have throughout the week. Meal planning and meal prep can be a big challenge for...

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we're going to be discussing some food and beverage trends expected this year.  Neither Larissa nor I consider ourselves "trendy" but when it comes to all things veg, it's neat to see how much people are adapting even more flexitarian lifestyles whether it be  because of their own health, the animals, the environment, or a combination of these.  Check...

This episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast is all about us! One of our longtime listeners requested that we do a show letting eveyrone know what we're up to so here we are! You can get links to everything we discuss in the show notes . 

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast we're pleased to welcome Ed and Natasha Tatton, co-founders of BReD–Organic Sourdough, a 100% plant-based café and bakery in Whistler, British Columbia.  We talk to Ed and Natasha about vegan baking and their new book, BReD: Sourdough Loaves, Small Breads, and Other Plant-Base Baking, a complete plant-based book for bakers that goes beyond just making...

In this episode of The Vegetarian Podcast, Larissa and I talk about 3 recent news articles that caught our attention. Things are moving so fast in the plant-based space that we like to discuss topics here. You can check out the full show notes and links to the articles here . 

We're in October (already…can you believe it?!)  and smack dab in the middle of Vegetarian Awareness Month. In this episode, we discuss 8 ways you can celebrate vegetarianism this month. You can check out the show notes here . 

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we share 15 vegan fall desserts. We'll also share a quick vegan baking primer to help you swap ingredients in your own favorite dessert recipes to make them vegan.  Check out the full show notes with links to all the recipes here . 

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast, we're revisiting the topic of high protein milk alternatives. The state of the plant-based milk industry is certainly booming so we're sharing the latest plus 5 of our own recommendations. 

In the quest to find healthy, satisfying, and delicious meals, vegetarian lunch ideas often top the list. Forget boring salads; we're talking about hearty salads, grain bowls, and so much more. This month, we've curated a list of 10 vegetarian lunch ideas we can't wait to try. These recipes are packed with simple ingredients that provide a complete meal, boasting both rich, savory flavor and vital...

In this episode of The Vegetarian Zen podcast, Larissa and Vickie discuss 3 recent news articles and share their opinions and perspectives.  You can get links to the articles plus full show notes here . 

In this episode of The Vegetarian Zen podcast, we're chatting with Stephanie Downs, CEO and Co-Founder of Uncaged Innovations, a company that creates material that mimics leather without sacrificing the characteristics that make it a desired material for the fashion, automotive, and home goods industries.  We chat with Stephanie about her journey to veganism and her inspiration for creating Uncage...

Today, Larissa and I are thrilled to have Diane Rose-Solomon on the show. Diane's an animal rescue advocate, award-winning author, filmmaker, and the creator of "What's Plant-Based Cooking Good Looking?".  A certified Humane Education Specialist, Diane has transformed her life and others through her dedication to animal welfare and plant-based cooking. We'll talk to her about her journey of compan...

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we're pleased to welcome Brian Kateman. Brian is the President and co-founder of The Reducetarian Foundation. He coined the term reducetarian, which we've often used on this show.  A reducetarian is a person who is deliberately reducing their consumption of meat but not necessarily going all-in on a plant-based diet.  We recently watched a documentary...

Over the weekend I read an article in the Vegconomist on the topic of mycoprotein. "What is mycoprotein?", you might be asking. Mycoprotein is a plant-based protein made from a fungus, and it's something you may want to pay attention to whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or are just looking to have less meat on your plate. We're going to discuss how this meat alternative is shaking up the food indu...

Potluck etiquette is like the secret sauce that turns a good food fest into a great one. Picture this: your friends, family, and neighbors getting together for a massive feast, each showcasing their kitchen prowess and favorite recipes. Sounds pretty amazing, right? It's a cost-effective way to have a good time and indulge in an array of delicious home-cooked meals. But as with any successful gath...

2023 marks 10 years since Larissa and I made the decision to become vegetarians and we've learned a lot along the way. One question we hear every now and then from people not familiar with plant-based diets is, "Is being vegetarian (or vegan) even healthy?" Well, we thought the 10-year anniversary of when we made the decision to go veg would be a great time to discuss this and to look back on all...