The Scoop on Being a Vegan (Plus Top Pantry Items & 10 Simple Vegan Fall Recipes to Try This Season)
Nov 1st is World Vegan Day, an annual celebration centered around plant-based diet tips, health and education about veganism. Today on the Vibrant Health blog we‚re sharing the ins and outs of being a vegan, some must-have vegan pantry staples and 10 mouthwatering seasonal recipes to try in the kitchen. Happy Vegan Day, everyone!
So What Exactly is Being a Vegan All About, Anyway? Here‚s the Scoop!
First things first, let‚s cover what it actually means to be a vegan anyway, as there‚s a lot of confusion out there. For one, a vegan diet is quite different from a vegetarian diet. While vegetarians strictly avoid meat, vegans avoid all foods derived from animals ‚ including meat, fish, eggs, dairy and typically bee products such as honey.
There are many reasons folks choose to follow a vegan diet and lifestyle ‚ from animal welfare and environmental concerns to health and personal preference. With that said, a vegan diet isn‚t for everyone so at the end of the day you have to do what works for you.
Stock Your Kitchen with these Must-Have Vegan Ingredients
Whether you‚re a vegan newbie or you‚re looking to implement a more plant-based diet, you‚ll want to be sure your fridge and pantry are stocked with all the commonly used ingredients.
Do a pantry clean-out and hit the supermarket for a vegan haul before getting started! Here are some must-have vegan ingredients to stock your kitchen with:
- Natural sweetener like maple syrup, coconut sugar or dates (vegans typically avoid honey)
- A variety of nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, and pumpkin seeds
- Whole grains such as rice, oats buckwheat, quinoa and farro
- Beans & lentils
- Fresh produce (Stock up on these fall and winter favorites such as brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, apples, beets and collard greens!)
- Meat alternatives like tofu or tempeh
- Dairy alternatives such as oat milk, coconut milk or almond milk (perfect for making smoothies!)
- Spices, herbs and nutritional yeast (a great source of vitamin B12)
- A quality plant-based superfood powder (such as our vegan-friendly Green Vibrance or Maximum Vibrance)
10 Simple Vegan Fall Recipes to Try at Home
Now that your kitchen is stocked with vegan staples, try your hand at veganism with these 10 simple recipes! From no-bake breakfast ideas to savory dinners, you‚ll be cooking up a storm in your (plant-based) kitchen this fall.
- Spiced Golden Latte
- Fall Pumpkin Smoothie
- 5-Ingredient Creamy Squash Pasta
- Apple Pie Overnight Oats
- Warm Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
- Fall Vegetable Quinoa Soup
- One-Pot Vegan Pumpkin Chili
- Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes
- Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts
- Sweet Potato Casserole
For a Vegan Version of Your Go-to Latte, Try Making: Spiced Golden Latte
Skip your expensive coffee order and opt for this DIY latte from the comfort of your own home! You‚ll love cozying up with your Spiced Golden Latte, made with coconut milk, cinnamon and turmeric. It‚s naturally sweetened with date syrup for a vegan twist.
Get the recipe by Vibrant Health here!
For a Superfood-Packed Seasonal Smoothie, Try Making: Fall Pumpkin Smoothie
Nothing screams fall quite like pumpkins. Enjoy this festive smoothie with nutrient-rich ingredients like pumpkin, apple, our Vanilla Max powder and nondairy oat milk. Cheers to fall in a cup!
Get the recipe by Vibrant Health here!
For a Healthy Twist on an Italian Favorite, Try Making: 5-Ingredient Creamy Squash Pasta
Being vegan doesn't mean you have to give up your favorite savory pasta dishes! This Creamy Squash Pasta recipe skips the heavy cream and subs in nutrient-rich coconut milk with pumpkin or sweet potato puree for a healthy (and vegan) alfredo alternative.
Get the recipe by rachLmansfield here!
For a Quick & Easy Fall Breakfast, Try Making: Apple Pie Overnight Oats
Overnight oats is the perfect on-the-go breakfast for those busy mornings! This seasonal recipe includes apples, cinnamon, nut butter, chia seeds and a little maple syrup to fuel your day.
Get the recipe by Minimalist Baker here!
For a Sweet & Savory Salad, Try Making: Warm Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
Here at Vibrant Health, we‚re all about incorporating as many fruits and veggies as possible into your diet ‚
even during the cooler months!
We love this sweet and savory salad that packs a flavorful and nutritious punch with in-season butternut squash, cranberries, spinach and raw pecans.
Get the recipe by Minimalist Baker here!
For a Heartwarming Bowl of Comfort, Try Making: Fall Vegetable Quinoa Soup
Nothing warms the soul quite like a big bowl of soup. Whip up this hearty vegan quinoa soup packed to the brim with veggies like butternut squash, sweet potato, carrots, celery and kale.
Get the recipe by Two Peas & Their Pod here!
For Football Sunday, Try Making: One-Pot Vegan Pumpkin Chili
What‚s football Sunday without a bowl of scratch-made chili? Try this vegan-ified version with beans, corn, pumpkin pur©e, and heartwarming spices. Top your bowl off with some green onion, avocado and cilantro!
Get the recipe by Making Thyme for Health here!
For Your Weekend Brunch, Try Making: Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes
Pumpkin spice and everything nice! Take your weekend brunch game to the next level with these delicious vegan pumpkin pancakes. They‚re made with simple ingredients you likely have on hand like vanilla extract, flour, pumpkin pie spice and coconut oil.
Get the recipe by The Simple Veganista here!
For Healthy Chinese Takeout, Try Making: Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts
Craving takeout from your favorite Chinese food joint? These Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts will satisfy your cravings with sweet and spicy flavor combinations of maple syrup, sriracha, garlic and sesame oil. We love that this recipe highlights in-season brussels sprouts!
Get the recipe by Cookie and Kate here!
For a Classic Thanksgiving Side Dish, Try Making: Sweet Potato Casserole
What‚s Thanksgiving without sweet potato casserole? Skip the cream and sugar-laden version, and opt for this healthier vegan alternative made with sweet potatoes, fresh herbs, garlic, ginger, and pure maple syrup.
Get the recipe by Love and Lemons here!
Want to plan a full vegan Thanksgiving celebration? Here are some more festive vegan Thanksgiving recipes to try this holiday season!
DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended as a substitute for advice provided by a competent health care professional. You should not use this information in diagnosing or treating a health problem. No claim or opinion in this blog is intended to be, nor should be construed to be, medical advice. If you are now taking any drugs, prescribed or not, or have a medical condition, please consult a competent physician who is aware of herb/drug interactions before taking any herbal supplements. The information presented herein has not been evaluated by the FDA or the Department of Health and is not intended to diagnose, prevent, cure, mitigate or treat any disease or illness.