More Plants: A Vegan Podcast by Brownble: Recent Episodes
Brownble
How to start, continue and enjoy eating vegan or plant based for your Health, the Animals and the Planet.
Have you ever wondered what it means to be a vegan, a vegetarian, a flexitarian or a pescatarian? What about the difference between a vegan diet, a plant based diet or a plant forward diet? Welcome to our latest podcast episode where we explore the world of all the diets that are trying to reduce or eliminate animal products. Today we'll dive deep into each of them and explain their differences, similarities, and why imperfection is part of the process of making more plant based choices or going vegan. We'll also be taking a closer look at the full definition of veganism, and I give you my perspective on how we need to reframe the way we judge ourselves when making a choice that wasn't "perfect", and why there are more and more of these labels than ever before, when it comes to eating in this way. Whether you're curious about these diets and ways of eating or just looking to learn more, this episode is the perfect place to start. Join us as we discuss veganism from a different perspective, and I give you an important question to ask yourself when incorporating more plants into your diet, so that the changes last and are sustainable.
For additional resources check out the show notes for this episode.
To learn more about the work we do, and explore our courses, blog, recipes and more, visit brownble.com
We are so excited to introduce you to our new podcast "More Plants", a revamped, updated and fresh new version of our old show The Brownble Podcast. In today's episode I share what you'll be able to find in upcoming episodes of the podcast, what brought on this big change, as well as what this journey to eating more plants has brought into our lives. I hope you enjoy this brief introduction and that this podcast will help you with all the tools you'll need when being vegan, when switching to a plant based or vegan diet, or on an adventure of simply eating more plants to see where that will take you. All eaters are welcome, and we hope you love the show!
For additional resources check out the show notes for this episode.
To learn more about the work we do, and explore our courses, blog, recipes and more, visit brownble.com
Hi everyone! I come bearing some news today about the future of our podcast. Listen in for this quick announcement before something new begins!
To tide you over with more content while you wait, make sure to visit brownble.com
As we continue to dive into the wonderful framework that is intuitive eating, and since we’ve already discussed what the intuitive eating framework is and what it isn’t in our first two episodes in the series, today, I’ll briefly introduce you to the first few of its principles, all in the hopes that they inspire you to get the book and learn from its wonderful creators, Elyse Resch and Evelyn Tribole. As we'll be doing in the rest of our intuitive eating series of episodes, I'll be sharing the answer to the question: "can I be vegan and practice intuitive eating?", the nuances of being vegan and an intuitive eater, the importance of a non-restrictive approach to veganism, and much more.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Today in part 2 I’ll share a few more misconceptions about intuitive eating, and within them, we finally get to talk about two aspects I know you’ll be especially curious about: “is there any science behind intuitive eating and its principles?”, as well as whether or not we can be ethical vegans or have other philosophical or religious dietary choices and practice intuitive eating, and much more. Let’s get straight to it! I highly recommend reading or listening to part 1 first before continuing on with today’s post and episode.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today's episode I'll be introducing you to the wonderful framework of intuitive eating by discussing what it is and what it isn't, in the hopes that you'll be inspired to find out more, read the book and use its wonderful wisdom to help improve your relationship with food and find peace with it. There are so many misconceptions about intuitive eating out there, and it can be so helpful, especially if you've struggled through years of dieting, or the restrictive-binge eating/emotional eating loop. We also discuss a big question, can we be ethical vegans AND practice the principles of intuitive eating? There's so much to get into in this episode, and we'll continue the conversation in part 2 next week.
For all the links mentioned in todays episode, click here.
In today's episode I'm answering a listener question I've received in many different versions through the years, but especially in the past few weeks, how to handle criticism about the way you eat, the way you call certain vegan foods, the way you do animal activism, or how to handle criticism and take it like a champ in general, are topics that all of us have to deal with one way or another. Today I give you some support in this regard, I share some stories on criticism in the age of social media and what having a YouTube channel has taught me. I also share my top two mindset tips for dealing with critiques or negative comments, and extracting whatever tiny nugget of wisdom might be within them, and which part to leave out, without feeling hurt or defensive. It's a short and fun one and I hope you love it!
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today’s Q and A episode I answer a listener question all about a common conversation vegans have amongst themselves, but even more so, that non-vegans have with vegans regarding how mainstream this movement has gotten, and the availability of many alternatives to meat and dairy, such a vegan meats, vegan cheeses, etc. I’ve addressed this question in the past in other Q and A episodes but never on its own and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to give you my perspective on processed foods. Is it healthy and safe to eat vegan processed foods like vegan burgers, meat alternatives, cheeses, etc? Today I talk about all the nuance surrounding vegan processed foods and how to answer questions about them.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
I’m very excited to introduce you to our special guest, registered dietitian, anti diet dietitian and certified intuitive eating counsellor, Charline Adriens. An expert on the intersection between eating a vegan diet and practicing intuitive eating, being plant based and also having an anti diet and non restrictive approach.
I find it so helpful when professionals in the field of dietetics, health and mental health open up conversations about this very gentle approach that as you know has changed my life, and that is intuitive eating, leaving our dieting days behind, understanding why diets are bad for us and our health, and working on body neutrality, body acceptance and healing our relationship with food. I find it even more of a unique and special gift when people in these fields also dare to talk about how these approaches and making food choices due to ethics (for example being vegan or eating a vegetarian diet) can intersect. It is rare, and Charline is one of those people that just makes me feel understood, that allows space for nuance, both within veganism, and within practicing intuitive eating.
Today I ask her so many of the questions I had when I got started on my intuitive eating journey and this path towards body acceptance and making peace with food, some of the questions you have asked me, and some of the misconceptions there are about the intersection between vegan diets and intuitive eating.
Charline shares some of her own personal journey with food, body image and becoming a dietitian as a second career, and we also dive into the topics of diet culture and its effects on our mental and physical health, into some of the intuitive principles, like rejecting the diet mentality, challenge the food police, honor your hunger and feel your fullness.
She also shares her perspective on body image work and you’ll hear her say, the phrase you’ve heard hundreds of times in this podcast, food is never just about the food. She discusses the importance of doing body neutrality and body acceptance work, and how to navigate that question so many of us have "How do I love my body if it doesn't meet society's standards?", and "How to accept my body when so many messages tell me I shouldn't". I find Charline incredibly helpful, compassionate and understanding of the journey each eater has to go through and I know you will get so many actionable tips from this episode.
Charline Adriaens is a registered dietitian and proud certified intuitive eating counselor. As a vegan herself, she specializes in plant-based nutrition in her private practice. Nutrition is a second career for Charline who previously worked in the contemporary art world. While looking for a solution for her own difficult relationship with food, her interest in nutrition led her to becoming a dietitian and eventually to intuitive eating. She started her private practice in 2020 which is mainly virtual. In January 2021 she launched her very own podcast where she talks to her guests about how they eat plant-based and what intuitive eating means to them.
As you’ll hear towards the end of the episode, Charline sees clients in her private practice which is mainly virtual so you can reach out to her for a consultation and learn more about her practice and resources, and enjoy her beautiful content on instagram @intuitief_plantaardig.
For all the other links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today’s episode I answer a listener question that came from a very different point of view. I’m usually here to give you support on your journey to making more vegan choices (among the many other topics we discuss in our blog and podcast), but this time around, the person who needed support was a non-vegan, trying to find peace and balance with their vegan partner.
The question by our “Sam” goes as follows:
“I’d appreciate if you could introduce tips to help a non-vegan partner who is never willing to change his/her lifestyle feel comfortable with their vegan partner. How not to annoy/bother them.”
Let's get right to it!
Take our listener survey here.
Follow my new instagram page all about book recommendations and inspiration for beginner writers: @kimsujovolsky
Follow us on instagram @brownble
For all the other links mentioned in today's episode, visit brownble.com or click here.
Today it’s just me on the podcast for a shorter episode to bring you support on your journey, and we’ll be talking about our relationship with food, especially as it relates to portion sizes, serving sizes and re-connecting to what your body needs. We'll be discussing "portion sizes" as established by our past history with dieting, serving sizes as they appear in the label of food products, yield and number of servings in recipes, blogs and cookbooks, and why sticking with these keeps us disconnected from our own internal signals. I'll be sharing some resources by registered dietitians about externally guided eating and internally guided eating and we also briefly get into some of the nuance when it comes to practicing intuitive eating while also being vegan.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Today I’m going to give you what I consider the best 5 ways to get organized in the meal planning department, both when shopping and when coming home from the store. The first four are ones I’ve talked about before, but the last one is new, one that might be the biggest twist in the current plot, the French twist to be more precise, and also a great one when practicing intuitive eating, trying to reduce food waste and lower food expenses. It won’t be for everyone, which is why I’m including all the others that have been tried and true for me and I’ve put into practice in different moments of my life.
To take part in our 2 minute listener survey, click here or visit brownble.com/survey
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here or visit brownble.com
In today’s mini Q and A, I answer a question I received from one of our Sams, all about the familiar feelings of guilt around food, especially when we’re trying to improve our relationship with food and have a neutral approach to foods and ingredients we perhaps once labelled as “bad”, “forbidden”, “unhealthy”, “high calorie”, “high carb”, “highly processed”, or whatever the food fear du jour is, all stemming form the wonderful framework that is intuitive eating. Today I answer this question from a very gentle perspective, one that will hopefully help keep these feelings of guilt at bay. Understanding that they don’t serve us in the long run, and explaining how part of this journey to a more neutral place with food and a more gentle approach to eating has two sides to it, one where we tame the loud food police voices we have about certain foods, but one where we must also do the work of taming the perfection police voice within ourselves.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Time to talk about snacking and eating between meals, how I incorporate snacks into my day, the many things that you can take into account when eating between meals if you've had a guilt-ridden or tumultuous relationship with snacking in the past. I also share lots of delicious vegan snack ideas as well as our yummy "1 month of vegan snacks" printable, a great resource you can print and stick to your fridge or keep in your phone for quick ideas throughout the week.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Today in our imperfect vegan series, we’ll be talking briefly about a question I get often: “What should we do about foods that DON’T contain animal products in their ingredients, but that DO use animal by-products in their production process?” Or in another way: “Is sugar vegan?”, “Is beer vegan?”, “Are wine and other alcoholic beverages vegan?”. Today I’ll be sharing my perspective on these questions, from a simple and practical angle to help you make the choice that is right for you, and to understand that these questions should always take into account a bigger picture.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
It's time for part 2 of our episodes on cognitive distortions and our relationship with food! Just as a little refresher, we covered four very prevalent cognitive distortions in part 1: all or nothing thinking (also known as black and white or polarized thinking), filtering, mislabeling and jumping to conclusions. I also shared my favorite questions to ask yourself in the hopes that these might bring some awareness. Helping us in finding where there might be some of these cognitive distortions in our relationship with food or as a vegan. Today we discuss 4 additional cognitive distortions and some questions you can work through to add lots of nuance and gray on your journey to a more peaceful place with food.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Something that can really change the way you live in this world and interact with it, is awareness of what are known as cognitive distortions. This shift in my way of thinking marked a before and after in my life thanks to therapy, but it was even more eye opening when I started to see my relationship with food through this lens. Today we’ll be talking about what cognitive distortions are, what some of the most common ones are, and how these are wildly present in today’s wellness culture, not to mention in our own relationship with food and exercise. We’ll also discuss how by slowly becoming aware that these are popping up for us, we can find our sweet spot when it comes to being vegan or making more vegan choices, so that it doesn’t become a battle against cravings, a battle against others, or a battle against ourselves. We’ll dive into a few of these common cognitive distortions in today’s episode, with more coming up next week in part 2.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
It’s time for another one of those episodes in which I answer a listener/reader question, in the hopes that it gives you some insight and motivation on your journey. Today I’ll be answering a few different questions we’ve received that basically all boil down to this one: “What if I’m not ready to go fully vegan yet?”. We get different versions of this question, especially when January rolls around, and today I’ll be giving you my perspective on these issues, and we’ll be talking about labels, tribalism, the feeling of belonging, all or nothing thinking and what it really means to be vegan and why it’s not a closed club you need a password to get into.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Welcome everyone, to part 2 of this two part episode on grief and the process of grieving with special guest clinical psychologist and researcher Verena Kacinskis, my dear friend, and who to this day has some of the most downloaded episodes in our podcast’s history.
If you haven’t already, I highly recommend listening to last week’s episode which was part 1 on grief and grieving, that’s episode 229, because Verena explains so much about the stages of grief and we both share some of the things that have helped us when we’ve been grieving, as well as some of the foundations of what grief means, what it feels like, and the importance of letting yourself sit in that place rather than resisting or denying it.
In today's episode, part 2, we talk about:
- Other forms of grief and grieving, including:
- Grieving during a separation, divorce, or when going through a breakup.
- Grief when dealing with the empty nest or retirement.
- The loss of a friendship or estrangement from family members
- Grieving the loss of a job or career.
- The loss of any kind of dream or life path we didn’t get to go through like grieving not being pregnant or becoming a parent, of finding a long-term partner, or any dream that hasn’t come to pass.
- Grief and the process of grieving the loss of a dog or a pet.
- The gifts and invitations that come with grief.
- How to deal with the difficult moments during grief or mourning like the moment of remembering first thing in the morning, and other special times of day.
- The best books and podcasts on grief and grieving.
- How to support someone who is grieving.
My hope is that these two episodes, and with this one, the last of season 9, you feel that there’s a hand extended to you in this moment of loss, that you feel less alone, that if you are not grieving but have someone you love who is, you can be the biggest source of support for them.
Verena Kacinskis is a clinical psychologist and researcher. For the past 13 years, she has been integrating the concepts and techniques from psychology and a healthcare system called BodyTalk, seeking to deepen and expand therapeutic results for her patients.
Currently, she has been splitting her time between seeing patients and developing content to both educate and encourage self-observation, always with the premise of sharing resources that people can use in their own internal organization processes.
You can connect with verena through her website verenakacinskis.com and through her instagram page @verenakacinskis. She is one of the most insightful, professional, dedicated, sensitive and wonderful people I know, I am so grateful to have her in my life and so grateful you get to meet her in today's conversation if you haven't before.
Our sponsor for today's show:
Etsy shop Green and Experience: Natural and Reusable Vegan and Cruelty Free Hemp Dryer Balls - get 10% off your purchase by using promo code: BROWNBLE10
For all the other links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
This episode, which I like to think of as: two friends walk into a bar and talk about grief, is raw, honest, and it is meant to bring you support if you are grieving, if the passing of a loved one is near, if it has been a long time since you lost someone and have had a difficult and prolonged grieving process, and it is also for anyone grieving any type of loss other than from the death of a loved one. It could be that you are grieving the end of a relationship, are going through a divorce or through the loss of a friendship, estrangement from family members, your kids moving away from home, the loss of a job or business, that you are grieving a dream that hasn’t come to pass or that didn’t happen for you, the loss of youth, the loss that comes from seeing your body change through the years through the process of ageing, the loss of health, and any other circumstance where grieving can take place.
As you know I’ve had a lot of losses due to the death of loved ones, most happened in the span of a few short years at a very young age, and Verena comes to this conversation with the most candid and open hearted vulnerability, talking about her divorce after 13 years of marriage, right before the pandemic. What I loved about this conversation, was that even though I have experienced grief first hand, and I feel I’ve grown to understand it more and more with every loss, Verena explains grief from that perfect intersection between lived experience and her incredible professional experience as a therapist, and I learned so much from this conversation.
We talk about:
- The meaning of grief and the grieving process, what this process is and what it feels like.
- The 5 stages of grief, what they are and examples for each of them.
- Traumatic and problematic grief.
- The wavelike cycle of grief with all its ups and downs.
- What can help if you are grieving and when and how to seek support while grieving.
- Grief due to the passing of a loved one, and grief after divorce, a breakup or a separation.
- Our guest, clinical psychologist Verena Kacinskis shares so many stories of grief and overcoming it from her professional work as a therapist.
- The role therapy and grief counseling can play when grieving and experiencing the loss of a loved one.
- Resources, tools and tips to help support you through grief and the grieving process.
- Much more is coming in part 2 coming next week.
When I finished recording the episode, I was sitting with my husband Carlos having dinner, and when he asked me how the recording went, the first thing I said was “it was the episode I wish I had had when I first went through this”, and that is exactly what I wanted to give you, a resource, a lifeline, something to grab on to if you’re struggling with grief, or an episode you could share with someone you know who is grieving, because as you’ll hear in this episode, grief has so much to do with a feeling of loneliness, and I wanted you to know, that you are most certainly not alone, in the sadness or the conflicting feelings, or the guilt, or the regret or the anger, or the numbness.
Verena Kacinskis is a clinical psychologist and researcher. For the past 13 years, she has been integrating the concepts and techniques from Psychology and a healthcare system called BodyTalk, seeking to deepen and expand therapeutic results for her patients.
Currently, she has been spliting her time between seeing patients and developing content to both educate and encourage self-observation, always with the premise of sharing resources that people can use in their own internal organization processes.
You can connect with verena through her website verenakacinskis.com and through her instagram page @verenakacinskis.
Our sponsor for today's show:
Etsy shop Green and Experience: Natural and Reusable Vegan and Cruelty Free Hemp Dryer Balls - get 10% off your purchase by using promo code: BROWNBLE10
For all the other links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
The travel episode you've all been waiting for! Brighde Reed of World Vegan Travel is here to give us all the tips you'll ever need for fun, delicious vegan travel. Brighde is a passionate vegan and advocate for animals, and in today’s episode, she comes with so many tips for vegan travel, resources, websites, apps, translating tips when travelling, and practical tips to help you navigate your adventures as a vegan with confidence. Who better, than the person behind organizing what are, at least to my knowledge, the most high end, spectacularly planned, luxury vegan travel tours and experiences out there, including exploring the beauty of Tuscany, Christmas markets in France, seeing mountain gorillas in Rwanda, going on safari in Botswana and more.
She also talks about:
- Finding vegan friendly hotels, resorts and accommodations.
- How to talk about your vegan diet when ordering at restaurants and when booking hotels.
- How to find delicious vegan food while travelling and nearby vegan restaurants.
- How to use social media to find vegan food near you.
- Why travel guides aren't always the most up to date with vegan recommendations while travelling, and where to find these.
- How to get over the fear of advocating for yourself and asking for a vegan dish or vegan substitutions at restaurants and hotels.
- How you don't have to plan your trips alone and the options available to you so all you have to do is pack your bags.
- How to find vegan food city tours.
- Much more.
Brighde spent her formative years in the UK and Australia before her desire to travel took over. The next five years were spent leading group tours for an Australian company around Southeast Asia, France and Morocco. She met fellow tour guide Seb in Marrakech, where they fell madly in love, and a couple of years later they discovered veganism together. She became passionate about promoting the vegan message as an activist.
Widely travelled for both work and fun, one of her most important jobs at World Vegan Travel is ensuring the vegan food on their trips is second to none. She also makes sure everyone has enough treats throughout the day, and organizes the infamous trivia sessions during their final day’s parties.
You can connect with Brighde through Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Youtube (as World Vegan Travel on all platforms) and through her website. Don’t forget to check out her wonderful weekly podcast The World Vegan Travel Podcast for even more tips and resources like the ones she gives in this episode, plus guests sharing about their trips around the world, the vegan restaurants they've tried while travelling, and much more.
Our sponsor for today's show:
Etsy shop Green and Experience: Natural and Reusable Vegan and Cruelty Free Hemp Dryer Balls - get 10% off your purchase by using promo code: BROWNBLE10
For all the other links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In our recent Summer bookworm episode I shared my absolute love for the book I'll be talking about in today's episode: Eating in the Light of the Moon: How Women Can Transform Their Relationship with Food Through Myths, Metaphors, and Storytelling by Dr. Anita Johnston. It has been a go-to resource in the field of eating disorder recovery since its original publication in 1996, and I found it so eye opening, helpful and healing that I felt I had to give it special attention in the podcast and tell you a bit about what you can find within its pages. I can't recommend this book enough for anyone who has or is struggling with an eating disorder, for parents, siblings or partners of people with eating disorders, or for anyone who like me, has struggled with eating, chronic dieting and disordered eating even when not fulfilling the criteria for a diagnosis. Through stories and metaphors Anita guides us to the deeply rooted issues associated with our relationship to food, our grasping of disordered habits as a defence mechanism, and how the same folk tales that have been passed down from generation to generation can be used as tools to understand disordered eating and move towards a better relationship with food.
Our sponsor for today's show:
Etsy shop Green and Experience: Natural and Reusable Vegan and Cruelty Free Hemp Dryer Balls - get 10% off your purchase by using promo code: BROWNBLE10
For all the other links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
It's that time of year again! You know I never finish a season of the podcast without sharing one of my biggest passions with you: books! The summer is the perfect time for bookish fun, and as we do every year, today I'm sharing my favorite reads from the past year (since last summer until early July 2022), and I'll also be sharing some of my favorite, fun and summery books, that are perfect as an escapist read to enjoy by the shore, pool, lake, or wherever you'll hopefully spend some time winding down this summer. We'll be covering everything from great non-fiction books on specific topics like mindfulness, food photography, and improving your relationship with food, to wonderful memoirs and fun novels. I'm going to share some of my all-time favorite summer beach reads that will make you feel your feet are in the sand, regardless of what your plans are. This is a listener favorite episode and I hope you enjoy! All books will be listed below and you'll have easy to access links to online booksellers, but of course, as always, these are just as a reference, support small bookstores when you can, and also enjoy for free through your local library, or listen to them on audio if you enjoy that format more.
Our sponsor for today's show:
Etsy shop Green and Experience: Natural and Reusable Vegan and Cruelty Free Hemp Dryer Balls - get 10% off your purchase by using promo code: BROWNBLE10
For all the other links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
There are hundreds of ways to introduce Victoria, and I’m about to share so many of the incredible things she’s done, but to me, she was the very first author that made me see that there was a connection between my relationship with food, my values, spirituality, ethics, that every step I took had meaning, that even my messy past with food and emotional eating could find healing, and that most of the work with my issues had to start internally, not externally. She got me started on a path that has taken me to so many places since then, all on this quest to find peace with food, while still being in connection with the meaning behind my choices and my love for animals.
In today’s episode we talk about her 38 years of being vegan, what she’s seen, how she’s stayed the course, how she found veganism back when there weren’t hundreds of books and podcasts and documentaries about it. We talk about having missteps on our journeys to veganism, how imperfection is a part of the process and what we can compassionately tell ourselves to celebrate even the smallest victories.
We talk about some of the reasons many people stop being vegan, and one essential piece of the puzzle that can help keep us on course. We talk about the importance of taking things a day at a time, as well as the deeper, spiritual meaning behind our food choices. I ask Victoria a question I’ve been wanting to ask her for years about religion and spirituality. We discuss her passion for and practice of yoga, and why it’s so important, when practicing a philosophy that stems from another culture, to honour and incorporate its many teachings, and what is TRULY going to stay with us throughout our lives (spoiler alert, it ain’t that headstand!). Victoria talks about all the exciting projects she’s got coming up including the incredible documentary she helped produce “A Prayer for Compassion”, her incredible Mainstreet Vegan Academy where they prepare and certify vegan lifestyle coaches and educators, her upcoming and newly revamped podcast The Victoria Moran Podcast and much more.
Listed by VegNews among the “Top 10 Living Vegetarian Authors,” Victoria Moran has written thirteen books including Main Street Vegan and Creating a Charmed Life, and was featured twice on Oprah. She is the founder and director of Main Street Vegan Academy, training and certifying Vegan Lifestyle Coaches and Educators since 2012; and she was lead producer of the 2019 documentary, A Prayer for Compassion, about food choices and spirituality. Victoria is one of the cofounders of the Compassion Consortium, an Interfaith, inter-species spiritual center for people who care about animals. After 475 episodes of the Main Street Vegan Podcast, she is about to launch the Victoria Moran Podcast, an exploration of vitality, spirituality, and compassion.
Make sure to follow her work through her website, on instagram where she is @Victoriamoranauthor, as well as on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Our sponsor for today's show:
Etsy shop Green and Experience: Natural and Reusable Vegan and Cruelty Free Hemp Dryer Balls - get 10% off your purchase by using promo code: BROWNBLE10
For all the other links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
If you’re having a moment this week, this month, or this year, in which you’re losing your faith in humanity a little bit, this is the episode you need to listen to.
Hava and Assaf are two of the founders of the Animal Love Rescue Center, a no kill animal shelter in Costa Rica, which is now home to over 1,200 animals including dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, sheep and goats, and their story is one of a dream created by 16 lifelong friends from Israel, who one day packed their bags, their 80 pets, and created a one of a kind vegan resort, adventure tours, a fully vegan restaurant, and somehow, by the magic of circumstance, almost accidentally, became one of the biggest animal shelters I have ever had the pleasure to encounter.
We discuss so many things in this episode, from the story of how the organization got started, to how on Earth they manage to care for so many animals and do so with such great level of care. We also talk about dog and cat adoption, how to deal with some of the challenges that come with working with animals and the emotional burden it brings (both the hard and the wonderful).
They talk about how you can plan a wonderful adventure to Costa Rica that will go into funding the rescue center and have a fully vegan experience while staying at their hotel, but my favorite part of this entire interview, other than the story of Ralph, the dog that keeps on kicking it to cancer, and the dog who after being in chains began to trust again, is towards the end of the episode, when I asked Assaf and Hava, what the animals have taught them, and how they’ve changed their lives.
They have helped thousands of animals through the years and have mostly been self funded through the activities of the hotel, restaurant and tours, but due to covid and tourism slowing down the shelter now faces a new situation and needs our support more than ever, and so we're encouraging any of our listeners who can, to please donate to help keep their organization going and these amazing animals in safe hands.
Make sure to also follow them on Instagram @animalloverescue, on Facebook as well as their adoption Instagram page @animallove_adopciones
Our sponsor for today's show:
Etsy shop Green and Experience: Natural and Reusable Vegan and Cruelty Free Hemp Dryer Balls - get 10% off your purchase by using promo code: BROWNBLE10
For all the other links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
As is tradition at The Brownble Podcast near the summer, and per our listeners recent requests, today I'm sharing my current favorite podcasts in the hopes that they bring inspiration to your life, and to of course help boost the listenership of some of these incredible shows that have given so much to me and others. Today I'll be sharing some of the best podcasts in psychology, food and eating, eating disorder recovery, intuitive eating and nutrition, body image, self improvement, society and culture, the best vegan podcasts, interview style podcasts and more.
Our sponsor for today's show:
Etsy shop Green and Experience: Natural and Reusable Vegan and Cruelty Free Hemp Dryer Balls - get 10% off your purchase by using promo code: BROWNBLE10
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In the era of the boss babe, the super mom, the cottage core fairies who churn butter to make pies from scratch in their linen aprons, the wellness influencer, the filters and social media, we have all dug deep into our own voyeuristic nature and it has normalized this compulsion to see what other people’s lives are like, and with that, inevitably compare these lives (always curated) to our own. In recent weeks I've had a few of you write to me in response to some of our most recent episodes on body image and specific body parts, and also about our episodes on intuitive movement, and you've all, in your own words, asked, how do we deal with comparison? I can't seem to stop comparing myself to others, or to a past version of myself. Today I'm going to share a few of the the tools that have helped me through comparison (because yes, we all do it!), we do it with siblings, we do it with our partners, with colleagues, with friends, with frenemies, with influencers, with strangers. Today we'll explore how to stop comparing yourself to others and start living your life, how to navigate social media comparison, body size comparison and our ways of eating, and the importance of developing self compassion, making peace with our past and starting a gratitude practice. I share resources on body image, social comparison, gratitude journaling prompts and more.
A special thanks to our sponsor for today's show:
Etsy shop Green and Experience: Natural and Reusable Vegan and Cruelty Free Hemp Dryer Balls - get 10% off your purchase by using promo code: BROWNBLE10
For all other links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Today's episode is all about entertaining! You know how much I love making meals for others and having dinner parties, but it has taken me a while to find those go-to menus that allow me to spend as much time as possible with my guests and not hidden away in the kitchen. Brunch is one of those go to's for me. Today I’ll guide you through my favorite vegan recipes to impress and a vegan menu idea for breakfast and brunch and when to start making what, what vegan breakfast dishes or components you can make ahead of time, fun ways to plate and serve and of course, how to spend most of your time with your friends and family during this yummy meal, instead of hidden in the kitchen away from the fun conversation. Tons of vegan recipes included in this one that both vegans and non-vegans will enjoy!
A special thanks to our sponsor for today's show:
Etsy shop Green and Experience: Natural and Reusable Vegan and Cruelty Free Hemp Dryer Balls - get 10% off your purchase by using promo code: BROWNBLE10
For all other links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
I am so pleased and excited to introduce you to our very special guest for today’s show, chef, cookbook author of the book Practically Vegan and registered dietitian nutritionist Nisha Melvani, who you might know on instagram and facebook as @cookingforpeanuts. In today’s episode we talk about how her multicultural upbringing influenced her cooking, her career path, how motherhood changed her experience in the kitchen and of course, the experience of writing and publishing her very popular cookbook Practically Vegan: More Than 100 Easy, Delicious Vegan Dinners on a Budget.
Nisha comes bearing so many tips when it comes to welcoming non-vegans into the fold, inspiring people to take it one meal at a time, tips for new moms and seasoned moms when it comes to feeding lots of new foods to their little ones, as well as how to inspire teenagers to get excited about cooking and putting together a meal. She tells us the unusual way her cookbook came to be (semi spoiler alert: it involves Jonathan Safran Foer one of my favorite writers, giving an irresistible suggestion), and if you’ve been dreaming of writing a vegan cookbook of your own, of starting your own food business, of growing a social media following, she gives some very specific tips you won’t want to miss.
Nisha Melvani is a Registeted Dietitian Nutritionist with a Master’s Degree in Nutrition from Columbia University), cookbook author of the book Practically Vegan, Graduate of Natural Gourmet Culinary School and the mom of three teenaged girls.
A special thanks to our sponsor for today's show:
Etsy shop Green and Experience: Natural and Reusable Vegan and Cruelty Free Hemp Dryer Balls - get 10% off your purchase by using promo code: BROWNBLE10
For all other links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Today's episode is further exploration on the topic of embodiment. I share some of my personal experiences when it comes to over focusing on very specific parts of our bodies. Everything I’ll share today is based on my own experience, and not meant to substitute medical or mental health advice, I am simply sharing stories from my own personal explorations in body image work. These have been topics that I’ve taken to my own therapist and have done work on, and they are meant to be examples of how great and healing it can be when we find professional help for past memories, trauma or to find connection with these parts of our bodies, and navigate excessive disconnection to parts of our bodies as well or excessive focus on them. I’ll of course be sharing some great resources that helped me on my journey as well, to hopefully help you find support when healing your relationship and connection to your own body, especially, if like me, the "issues" with your body or body image, have specific parts that come to mind or that you focus on as soon as you look at yourself in the mirror. I also share two wonderful exercises given to me by my two favorite therapists (my own, and my best friend Verena Kacinskis who you've heard on the show in Ep. 200. Today we have a jam packed episode for you filled with personal stories related to my own body image work.
A special thanks to our sponsor for today's show:
Etsy shop Green and Experience: Natural and Reusable Vegan and Cruelty Free Hemp Dryer Balls - get 10% off your purchase by using promo code: BROWNBLE10
For all other links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Today’s episode is a food inspired one, and meant to be a source of inspiration and motivation to prepare some delicious home cooked goodies this week. I was recently going through your answers from our most recent listener survey and among the top favorite episodes listed, one that was very high across the board were the food inspiration and idea episodes, and today we bring you just that! Today I share 5 easy vegan dinner recipes and meal templates to help with inspiration throughout the week. We cover the basics of preparing a delicious shepherd's pie, vegetable and tempeh tacos with salsa verde, a quick stir-fry and the basics of stir-frying noodles, an unusual pasta casserole, pizza night and more tips for cooking more vegan dinners at home, whether you are vegan or you just love cooking with vegetables.
A special thanks to our sponsor for today's show:
Etsy shop Green and Experience: Natural and Reusable Vegan and Cruelty Free Hemp Dryer Balls - get 10% off your purchase by using promo code: BROWNBLE10
For all other links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
I’m so excited to introduce you to our very special guest for today’s episode, registered dietitian nutritionist Shannon Costello.
Shannon is a professional at a very special intersection that includes pretty much all the things we talk about in this podcast. She is a plant based dietitian and passionate about vegan foods, she is also an anti diet dietitian, taking her clients along a new path to all encompassing well being and health through intuitive eating and each person’s specific circumstances, preferences and lifestyles. To top things off, she actually coaches her clients, in the kitchen, to find a way of shopping planning, prepping and cooking that helps make life easier, and helps people connect with their food and ingredients in a new way.
Today we talk about the harm that can come with dieting, leaving the dieting mindset behind and reconnecting to yourself and your body. We also talk about what the experience is like when you walk into an anti-diet dietitian's office, dealing with dieting conversations with family members and friends, the differences between meal planning and meal prepping, as well as how to share meals with our partners or family who might eat in a different way, and so much more.
Shannon also shares so much of her personal story with dieting and her journey to more balanced exercise habits with us, and if you’ve ever watched her very entertaining reels on instagram, I can tell you right now, she is just as fun, bubbly, genuine and honest as she comes across on social media.
Shannon Costello is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and plant-based culinary coach based in Maryland, USA. She inspires her clients to ditch the dieting mindset through kitchen therapy and intuitive eating while exploring new foods & flavors. You can connect with her, and book a consultation through her website and instagram where she is @chefshannonnutrition
For all other links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Today's podcast episode is a part 2 of this series of episodes in which we talk about finding joy in movement and exercise again with at home workouts. In part 1 we talked about how to find a type of exercise that you enjoy doing, what at home workouts can bring to the experience of adding more exercise into your day and routine, as well as how to navigate the diet culture messages present in many of them. Today we will continue expanding on these topics, and I'll share my personal opinion on some of the more popular at home exercise programs out there (both free and paid), how they rate in terms of body diversity among trainers, the presence of diet culture message triggers that could affect someone who is on this journey towards a better relationship with food, intuitive eating, intuitive movement and body neutrality and respect, and more.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here, or visit brownble.com/blog
In this two part episode we'll be diving in deeper into finding a new relationship to exercise through intuitive and joyful movement, and I'll specifically be talking about this in the context of exercising at home, with some of the popular online at home workouts and subscriptions that are out there.
In today's episode we'll get into the topic of shifting our perception of what exercise should be, we'll talk about how to navigate diet culture messages and triggers in exercise programs, how to set boundaries, limits and be responsible for your triggers so that your path to healing a tumultuous relationship with exercise, food and body is the priority, and towards the end I'll share a brief message to all my disabled peeps who might be listening, or anyone who due to illness, injury, recovery from surgery or other health circumstances can't engage in movement. In part 2 coming next week, I'll be taking you down the list of at home workouts I've tried, and how they rate in terms of body diversity, whether they are free or full from diet culture messages, I'll share my favorite classes or trainers in each, and share a few amazing peeps that get gold stars in the intuitive and joyful movement department. If you have always wondered what to do if you hate exercise and working out, this episode is for you.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here or visit brownble.com/blog
I’m very excited to introduce you to our special guest, registered dietitian, anti diet dietitian and certified intuitive eating counsellor, Charline Adriens. An expert on the intersection between eating a vegan diet and practicing intuitive eating, being plant based and also having an anti diet and non restrictive approach.
I find it so helpful when professionals in the field of dietetics, health and mental health open up conversations about this very gentle approach that as you know has changed my life, and that is intuitive eating, leaving our dieting days behind, understanding why diets are bad for us and our health, and working on body neutrality, body acceptance and healing our relationship with food. I find it even more of a unique and special gift when people in these fields also dare to talk about how these approaches and making food choices due to ethics (for example being vegan or eating a vegetarian diet) can intersect. It is rare, and Charline is one of those people that just makes me feel understood, that allows space for nuance, both within veganism, and within practicing intuitive eating.
Today I ask her so many of the questions I had when I got started on my intuitive eating journey and this path towards body acceptance and making peace with food, some of the questions you have asked me, and some of the misconceptions there are about the intersection between vegan diets and intuitive eating.
Charline shares some of her own personal journey with food, body image and becoming a dietitian as a second career, and we also dive into the topics of diet culture and its effects on our mental and physical health, into some of the intuitive principles, like rejecting the diet mentality, challenge the food police, honor your hunger and feel your fullness.
She also shares her perspective on body image work and you’ll hear her say, the phrase you’ve heard hundreds of times in this podcast, food is never just about the food. She discusses the importance of doing body neutrality and body acceptance work, and how to navigate that question so many of us have "How do I love my body if it doesn't meet society's standards?", and "How to accept my body when so many messages tell me I shouldn't". I find Charline incredibly helpful, compassionate and understanding of the journey each eater has to go through and I know you will get so many actionable tips from this episode.
Charline Adriaens is a registered dietitian and proud certified intuitive eating counselor. As a vegan herself, she specializes in plant-based nutrition in her private practice. Nutrition is a second career for Charline who previously worked in the contemporary art world. While looking for a solution for her own difficult relationship with food, her interest in nutrition led her to becoming a dietitian and eventually to intuitive eating. She started her private practice in 2020 which is mainly virtual. In January 2021 she launched her very own podcast where she talks to her guests about how they eat plant-based and what intuitive eating means to them.
As you’ll hear towards the end of the episode, Charline sees clients in her private practice which is mainly virtual so you can reach out to her for a consultation and learn more about her practice and resources, and enjoy her beautiful content on instagram @intuitief_plantaardig.
For all the other links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Well peeps, it's official! I'm now a 40 year old woman! In today's mini episode, I share some life lessons I've learned through the years. We talk about finding joy beyond body size and how to live your life and find peace in the body you have now. We talk about being more present in your life, both through a mindfulness meditation practice and through developing a gratitude practice. We also talk about a new way of seeing where you've ended up in your life, and the detours you may have taken, as well as how to cultivate those inner spaces of resiliency and self compassion that will truly be there for you when the road gets tough, rather than focusing on what others can see, on dealing with the opinions of others. It's a short one today, but packed with the things I realize more and more as I get older.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here or visit brownble.com/blog
In today’s episode of the podcast I have such a special guest joining me to talk about finding a style of movement that is all about the joy. If you've ever said the words "I hate working out", "I hate going to the gym", "I hate exercise", "I hate cardio", "I hate working out at home", this episode is for you. Today’s episode is less interview style, and more so a conversation between friends, where we both talk about the movement loves of our lives, how to enjoy exercise, how to practice intuitive movement without focusing on weight or numbers, and how to find an exercise you enjoy.
You’ll hear some stories of mine you’ve never heard on the podcast before, and Sam will inspire you with a quite unusual coming of age when it comes to movement, and she shares how finding an activity that involves some kind of mental puzzle, can add extra benefits to the experience. We talk about a process oriented mindset vs a goal oriented one, the place community has in what type of exercise we choose and how you can start finding that form of movement that will make you hop or even better, skip to it. I also had a BIG surprise for Sam, one she wasn’t expecting, and which I reveal in the first few minutes of the show. We also discuss incorporating movement for your mental health, finding enjoyable workouts that can help you stay active without it being about discomfort or shoulds, and finding your very own brand of joyful exercise.
Sam Anthony is a travel writer and editor. She's also been an archaeologist, full time house sitter, travel blogger, and podcaster! Originally from New York, she lived in Spain for 3 years and was nomadic for another 3 years before finding a home base in Buffalo, New York. While she’s always loved being active, it was during the pandemic that she began to really connect with movement as a way to stay balanced and support positive mental and emotional health.
Connect with Sam on Instagram: @theroadgoesforeveron
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here or visit brownble.com/blog
In today's episode I teach you about one of my favorite mindfulness concepts: impermanence. We give a brief description of what mindfulness is, for new listeners, as well as teach you what impermanence can bring when it comes to starting a practice of mindful eating and intuitive eating, when dealing with a bad body image day, when improving your relationship with food and making peace with food and your body. I also talk about our bodies changing when recovering from disordered eating, ageing, and more, so we can begin to have a new way of viewing change.
For all the links mentioned in today's video, click here or visit brownble.com/blog
In today's Q & A episode of the podcast we discuss a common question among both people who are in the transition to a vegan diet, or who have been vegan for a while and are experiencing cravings for meat as a vegan (or cravings for eggs, dairy, fish, etc). It's common to hear from many vegans that non-vegan foods don't feel like food anymore and are therefore not missed when going vegan, but is that the case for everyone? In my experience, there is a whole spectrum of our feelings towards meat, fish, dairy or eggs when we go vegan, and I wanted to open this topic up for discussion today.
In today's episode we also discuss cravings when switching to a vegan or vegetarian diet, where they might be coming from, how to navigate them so that restriction isn't a part of the picture, and we also talk about that quest for perfection or purity in vegan circles, and why you do have autonomy over your food choices. I give you a different perspective on going vegan and having moments in which we accidentally or by decision ate animal products and so much more. We also discuss separating activism and wanting to do our best to help animals and our planet without falling into suffering or martyrdom, and why it's important to be well, physically and emotionally when it comes to food, in order to be a great advocate.
For all the links mentioned, click here or visit brownble.com/blog
Today we have a very special guest on the show, a dear friend and writer, blogger and a passionate vegan, Caitlin Galer-Unti to talk about transitions. Transitioning to veganism, transitions in work and life and how we can keep ourselves in mind when making big changes. We talk about doing things at our own pace and finding the resources that will help us navigate big changes in our lives. We discuss how the pandemic caused so many ripples in our lives, and why as content creators, even as people, our interests change and pivot, how it is in fact a common reaction to difficult times to follow them up with a big burst of daring and change.
We also talk about how the vegan movement has changed through the years, we discuss ex-vegans, as well as expanding compassion to other areas of our lives, and more.
You can connect with Caitlin through her website, follow her on instagram @theveganword and on Facebook.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here or visit brownble.com/blog
When we’re going vegan, the biggest obstacle we see our students facing is deciding what to make for breakfast, lunch or dinner as a vegan. Having easy vegan menu ideas you can make again and again, or that you can think of when doing your weekly vegan meal prep, can be so helpful. Today I’m sharing 5 of my current favorite vegan meal ideas in the hopes that they’ll inspire you to add more variety and new ideas to your cooking in the coming weeks.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here or visit brownble.com/blog
Today we are joined by none other than "The Intuitive Vegan", Gabi Maddocks on the show. Gabi started her instagram account when she became vegan four years ago to keep a record of her own recipes. Over the next year her followers grew and grew - maybe because of her accessible cooking style and her method of quickly snapping the results without any staging. Gabi joins us today to talk about her own journey into veganism, her journey and philosophy of eating, thinking and cooking intuitively, she shares some of her experiences with her diagnosis of Crohn’s disease and managing it through a vegan diet (understanding that medication is also a part of the journey), and she discusses how her veganism has evolved through time. She’s also great at talking about imperfection within veganism, practicing intuitive eating as a vegan, navigating having a mixed eating household with kids, and what I loved the most about our conversation, how thinking for yourself within a movement that often wants to speak for you, can heal your relationship with food, connect you with others, and make you even more compassionate and inspirational. If you've ever asked yourself "can you be a vegan intuitive eater?", today's episode will shed some light as to how to navigate being an intuitive eating vegan when your motivation for being vegan is based on animal welfare and being an ethical vegan.
You can find Gabi on instagram through the handle @the.intuitive.vegan and through her website, as well as her company The Playing Space @theplayingspace on instagram, and through their website.
For all other links mentioned in today's episode, click here or visit brownble.com/blog
We’re back with part 2 of my answer to last week’s question from one of our Sams. This question was about whether or not after all the work I’ve done to make peace with food and my body I still struggle with bad body image days sometimes. If you haven’t already, listen to part 1 first in episode 205, as I go into a lot more, talk a little about eating disorder awareness month, share some of my past history, and give you my first four resources for a bad body image day: dressing for comfort, "the log" and an incredible must read book "Eating in the Light of the Moon", plus the dog exercise I do each and every time I have a challenging day when it comes to body image. Today I continue with three more, and share a story from this past summer that will hopefully help illustrate a lot of these resources in action, I call it a lesson on embodiment. I was not prepared for how helpful it would be, as I created it for myself on a particularly tough day last summer.
For all the links, videos and resources mentioned in today's video, click here, or visit brownble.com/blog
Today I wanted to answer a question I’ve received twice in recent months from regular listeners of the podcast who know my history with food, know that I’ve found peace with food, but are wondering about the following: whether or not I still struggle sometimes, especially with body image. The quick answer is a big fat yes, but there is so much more to say. For the first time, I’ll be answering a listener question in two parts, to hopefully give you a chance to take it all in slowly, and because there is simply, too much to say, and a lot of nuance and resources and tips I want to share including a must read book, some great instagram accounts, exercises and resources at your disposal for a bad body image day and more. In the spirit of eating disorder awareness month, I share some of the tools that helped me the most, and still do to this day.
For all the links shared in today's episode, click here, or visit Brownble.com/blog
In today's podcast episode for The Brownble Podcast, I am interviewing Sanja Zugic, a passionate entrepreneur and environmental activist who I greatly admire. Sanja is the founder of Eco Serein. She started the brand in 2019 and not only sells eco friendly products but also organizes clean ups in the USA and Serbia. So far they have organized multiple events, cleaning up more than 10,000 pounds of trash. They’ve had around 100 volunteers joining them, uniting different nationalities and groups.
In today’s conversation we talk about our disconnection to the trash we discard and her journey to becoming an incredible environmental ambassador. She gives me a lesson or two about how to recycle correctly, and gives us so many ways to reduce plastic use in the bathroom and our beauty products and cosmetics, kitchen and when shopping, and she brings inspiring stories from gathering people together to do the hands on work of cleaning the natural spaces we share with animals and communities that are being greatly harmed by our use of plastics. Join us in this episode full of zero waste tips, and to hear her story about becoming vegan, and how her activism and veganism has changed and transformed through the years.
Make sure to follow Eco Serein on Instagram and to check out their product line at Eco Serein.
For all the other links and recommendations mentioned in the episode, click here.
Today it’s just me on the podcast for a shorter episode to bring you support on your journey, and we’ll be talking about our relationship with food, especially as it relates to portion sizes, serving sizes and re-connecting to what your body needs. We'll be discussing "portion sizes" as established by our past history with dieting, serving sizes as they appear in the label of food products, yield and number of servings in recipes, blogs and cookbooks, and why sticking with these keeps us disconnected from our own internal signals. I'll be sharing some resources by registered dietitians about externally guided eating and internally guided eating and we also briefly get into some of the nuance when it comes to practicing intuitive eating while also being vegan.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Today's guest on the podcast is International flight attendant and on board manager for one of the world's largest airlines, and my friend, Simon.
Today he shares his stories of becoming an International flight attendant at age 19 (cabin crew for all our UK listeners and readers), what it's like to live life "up in the air" style, and he gives us all his best tips and tricks for flying in commercial airlines as vegans, answering a question about vegan air travel by one of our Sams. We discuss what foods we can take past airport security, how to find delicious vegan meals wherever you are in the world, and all things vegan travel. Simon also talks about his battle with anxiety and depression, body image struggles in an industry with a high pressure to look a certain way in uniform, having to navigate burnout in an industry and job he loves with a passion, and the importance of setting boundaries and finding inner calm to stay grounded (peeps, he's one of the most incredible boundary setters I've ever known and I learn from him daily!). We talk self care, seeking help when needed to support our mental health, the importance of demystifying and destigmatizing SSRI's and more.
Our friendship has meant so much to me and started as an email exchange when he found Brownble online, but it has now been years of sharing some of the most personal stories and life lessons, because as you'll learn through this conversation, Simon brings authenticity, vulnerability, compassion and openness to the table, each and every time we talk.
You can connect with Simon via Twitter here, and check out all the links and resources mentioned in today's episode here.
Today I answer a listener question from a new vegan, on what to do with some of those personal care products, makeup, beauty products, clothes, other personal items or home goods and foods that aren't vegan, once you've decided to make this change. The question "what do I do with my leather boots or jacket after going vegan", or "what do I do with the non-vegan foods I already have in my fridge?", are all addressed in today's episode. Going vegan means quite a few changes when it comes to the better treatment of animals and making more sustainable choices, but today I give you my input on several ways of going about this, all in which the idea of perfection is replaced with making choices and swaps as they feel comfortable, according to your personal circumstances. I share a lot about what this transition was like for me many years ago, we discuss the subconscious (or even conscious) fear of the "vegan police", and more.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here or visit brownble.com/blog
In today's episode, our 200th and the first of 2022, we have one of my favorite people on this planet as a special guest. My best friend, clinical psychologist Verena Kacinskis is with us to talk about the wounds behind perfectionism, psychological defence mechanisms and what they are, whether perfectionism works as a distraction or a way to control. Verena shares how perfectionism begins to appear in her life and how to catch herself before it takes root (list makers, you're going to LOVE this story), as well as how to come down from a spiral of perfectionism when we're in it. We talk about whether there is ever a prize at the end of the tunnel with perfectionism, and we get to peel the layers of the onion, talking about the deep wound that is at the center of most human suffering.
Verena Kacinskis is a clinical psychologist and researcher. For the past 13 years, she has been integrating the concepts and techniques from Psychology and a healthcare system called BodyTalk, seeking to deepen and expand therapeutic results for her patients. Currently, she has been splitting her time between seeing patients and developing content to both educate and encourage self-observation, always with the premise of sharing resources that people can use in their own internal organization processes.
For all the links to Verena's work and the resources mentioned in today's podcast, click here or visit brownble.com/blog
It's the final post and episode for 2021, and what a year it has been! In today's episode, and in the spirit of New Year's resolutions and making plans for the coming year, I thought we'd talk about another way to approach the end of a cycle, and talk about the incredible power of letting go and releasing what no longer serves us. I share what my past New Year's resolutions have been in previous years, what happened during a very tumultuous time at the end of last year and how that affected my usual practice, and I share a special ritual and step by step process with you on how to let go of whatever is weighing on us, whatever is causing shame, whatever isn't allowing us to move forward. I also share some of the harder and more personal challenges this year had in store for me and much more.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here, or visit brownble.com/blog
Today's episode of The Brownble Podcast is not your typical Christmas episode. We've been in the midst of a couple of really hard years and a not so typical episode was more than called for. In today's episode I'll be sharing some personal stories from the Holiday Seasons of my life, the happy, the sad, the fun, the joyful, and all the missing and longing that comes with them. I'll share why this year Christmas has felt particularly alive for me, and it's not for the reasons you might think. If you're someone who loves the season, but has a hard time with it too, today's episode is for you. We'll follow it up next week with a very special episode all about New Year's resolutions and the power of letting go of what no longer serves us. Until then, Merry Christmas!
For all the links and resources mentioned in today's episode, click here or visit brownble.com
We're back with season 9 of The Brownble Podcast! In today's episode we'll be giving you some pre-holiday season support for those hard conversations that often happen when we're gathered with friends and family. We'll talk about setting boundaries with loved ones, especially when it comes to conversations about our way of eating, our being ethical vegans, our intuitive eating journey, our weight or body size, and even the stage of life we are in and the choices we've made in our personal lives. I'll give you some practical examples of how to kindly ask for a little space, or certain topics to be off the table.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode click here or visit brownble.com
We're so happy to present our new and FREE online course Tofu Mastery! In today's quick episode I tell you all about the course and how you can start enjoying it today at no extra cost to you. This is our way of saying a huge THANK YOU! For all your support, all the times you've clicked on a video, all the times you've listened to an episode or purchased any of our courses.
In this course we'll go over all the basics of tofu making, from the different types of tofu and which techniques to use for each one, how to press tofu, freezing tofu for a change in texture, the one technique so many recipes skip when it comes to making tofu delicious, as well as great recipes so you can finally learn how to make tofu taste good! Are you ready to take a look at everything that's included in the course?
You can watch our trailer, check out all the features and course curriculum and enroll for free here, or by visiting Brownble.com
In this last episode of our mini mid-summer season of the podcast before we kick off season 9, we're talking all about making seitan from scratch at home. I'll be talking about the origins of this incredible high protein staple, the two methods of making homemade seitan, how to flavor and season it, the basic techniques for cooking it including braising, simmering, steaming and cooking it in a water bath. I'll also be discussing whether seitan should be kneaded, how to transform it into delicious vegan dishes, as well as the best methods for cooking a seitan roast, seitan sausages, vegan deli meats, steaks and more. It's a jam packed episode, full of information on how to cook this delicious vegan meat alternative.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here or visit our blog at Brownble.com
In today’s mini Q & A episode I answer two listener questions about getting started on their vegan journey. We’ll talk about what the start of this path can look like and why it’s important to find the right pace for this transition. I share some of the must read books and blogs on nutrition basics so you can make this transition easily and safely. I also discuss that very basic question “what should I eat as a vegan?” and so much more.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode click here or visit brownble.com.
In today's episode I answer a listener question from one of our Sams, about the benefits of starting a journaling practice. I’ll be highlighting what journaling is, what the benefits of journaling are, the different types of journaling and how often you can do this practice, as well as my personal history with journaling, from my pre-teen years up to now, and what this practice has changed in my own life and in my relationship with food and body image.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here or visit brownble.com
We just got back from our summer trip to the mountains, where we spent our days looking out into the lush green countryside, reading under chestnut trees, playing a too long game of Monopoly during a rainy day, making salads with the veggies we picked straight from the earth and saying good morning to a flock of sheep that lived right on the property with us. It got me thinking about our connection to the land, growing food, and it brought so many childhood memories of growing up harvesting what we grew in Venezuela. I share these stories with you today, give you an update on the daily shopping method I’ve been using for the past few months and more.
For all the photos and links mentioned in today's episode, click here or visit Brownble.com
I know this episode should have probably been called Early Fall Summer Bookworm because we’ve just turned a corner from summer, but it’s tradition! As is the case every summer, I’m sharing some of the books I’ve read from January to August in 2021 that I’ve loved, from non-fiction to memoir to novels, with a brief spoiler free description of each so you can decide if some of these might be right for you! Not every book will be for everyone, which is why I share why I loved them, in the hopes that you find your perfect book match for the coming months!
For all the books and links mentioned in today's episode, click here or visit Brownble.com
In today’s episode I’ll be talking about body image and external comments. It’s been a common thread since slowly rejoining activities and loved ones after this long period of self-isolation, and I thought I’d remind you how it’s normal to have struggles and get our feelings hurt when we receive comments about our bodies. We also discuss why we should start gearing conversations away from bodies altogether, and why sometimes even comments that come from a good place or are even phrased as compliments can be harmful for people who have struggled with food and/or body image issues. I’ll also share some inspiring videos on positive body image and the effects of the inner banter we have with ourselves, and I give you my favorite comments to say or give to others, that don’t focus on bodies or appearance.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here or visit Brownble.com
Just before we say goodbye to summer, there’s always the time and good weather for a bit of last minute grilling. In today’s episode of the podcast I give you some great ideas for having a yummy vegan barbecue, where vegetables shine and are the focal point. These vegetable dishes are so perfect on the grill, and they go great with any other goodies like vegan sausages or burgers that might be tradition, or on their own by pairing a few of them together. They will also impress any guests, introducing them to this concept vegans know well: vegetables can be the main event, once you get to know them. I also give you a killer infused oil preparation that makes any dish pop with flavor, and also works when roasting veggies or other vegan goodies in the oven.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here or visit Brownble.com
We’re back with another podcast episode as part of our mini mid summer season before we kick off season 9 of The Brownble Podcast!
With routines and normal activities starting up again for many of us, in person work and in person school coming up soon, many of us are starting to feel those familiar pangs of overwhelm. If you’re starting to have a bit of anxiety on Sunday nights because you suddenly remember the endless list of tasks that awaits the next day, today’s episode will give you my favorite 3 tools to start the week with less stress, and ease into the week.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here, or visit brownble.com
Hey everyone! We’re back with with a mini mid-summer season in our podcast before we bring you all the great things we’re planning for season 9! In today’s episode I’ll be talking about the pain that sometimes comes from being or feeling different, an aspect of being vegan that I read again and again in your emails and messages. I’ll be talking about the 3 bridges I feel will help you feel connection again and make peace with old wounds when it comes to standing out as different. I’ll also give you a journaling prompt for a bit of self exploration.
For all the links mentioned in today’s episode, click here or visit brownble.com.
We’re closing off this season of the podcast with a journaling process we opened towards the beginning of this season when we discussed body image struggles and triggers in episodes 164 add 165 of The Brownble Podcast. In today’s episode we’re going to find the beliefs deeply hidden and rooted, that don’t benefit us any longer and cause any sort of emotional distress or interfere with having a peaceful relationship with food and our body. I’ll be sharing some of the best tools and resources I’ve found that can help us in this process.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here, or visit brownble.com
Today I’m going to give you what I consider the best 5 ways to get organized in the meal planning department, both when shopping and when coming home from the store. The first four are ones I’ve talked about before, but the last one is new, one that might be the biggest twist in the current plot, the French twist to be more precise, and also a great one when practicing intuitive eating, trying to reduce food waste and lower food expenses. It won’t be for everyone, which is why I’m including all the others that have been tried and true for me and I’ve put into practice in different moments of my life.
To take part in our 2 minute listener survey, click here or visit brownble.com/survey
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here or visit brownble.com
In today’s episode I answer a listener question that came from a very different point of view. I’m usually here to give you support on your journey to making more vegan choices (among the many other topics we discuss in our blog and podcast), but this time around, the person who needed support was a non-vegan, trying to find peace and balance with their vegan partner.
The question by our “Sam” goes as follows:
“I’d appreciate if you could introduce tips to help a non-vegan partner who is never willing to change his/her lifestyle feel comfortable with their vegan partner. How not to annoy/bother them.”
Let's get right to it!
Take our listener survey here.
Follow my new instagram page all about book recommendations and inspiration for beginner writers: @kimsujovolsky
Follow us on instagram @brownble
For all the other links mentioned in today's episode, visit brownble.com or click here.
Today I’ll be sharing one of the BEST pieces of advice I’ve read in recent years when it comes to making changes, something that has been at the core of everything we teach you and do at Brownble, but with a little phrase or mantra that can serve you for life, thanks to the wonderful writer Anne Lamott. I’ll be giving you some starter tips as to how to apply this wisdom to most of the big changes we talk about at Brownble, whether it is going vegan, improving your relationship with food, practicing mindful eating, body kindness, and more.
Take our listener survey!
For all the links mentioned in today's episode visit brownble.com or click here.
A big heart to heart is in store for today’s episode. I’m going to share some stories about big changes I’ve had to make in my life. We’re going to talk about anxiety and depression, about switching life plans, about respecting our bodies and their limits, about seeing ourselves at a crossroads after everything seemed fine and dandy. About asking for help, about stubbornness, and about the future of Brownble and this podcast.
Please help us improve our podcast by taking this 2 minute LISTENER SURVEY!
For the links mentioned in today's episode, visit brownble.com or click here.
In today’s Q and A episode I answer a listener question all about a common conversation vegans have amongst themselves, but even more so, that non-vegans have with vegans regarding how mainstream this movement has gotten, and the availability of many alternatives to meat and dairy, such a vegan meats, vegan cheeses, etc. I’ve addressed this question in the past in other Q and A episodes but never on its own and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to give you my perspective on processed foods. Is it healthy and safe to eat vegan processed foods like vegan burgers, meat alternatives, cheeses, etc? Today I talk about all the nuance surrounding vegan processed foods and how to answer questions about them.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Today’s episode is going to be all about delicious meal ideas, I’ll give you a short list of quick and easy dishes that we’ve been making during a particularly busy time, in the hopes that they bring inspiration for your meals this week. Rather than specific recipes, these are templates that you can tweak and where you can substitute whatever you have in the fridge for simple easy vegan meals, using three main batch cooked staples as the jumping off point and some store-bought items for quick snacks. Put on some tunes this weekend, make these three bases, and use the templates for different meals and snacks throughout the week.
For a list of each template and for the links mentioned in the episode, click here.
In today's episode I'm answering a listener question I've received in many different versions through the years, but especially in the past few weeks, how to handle criticism about the way you eat, the way you call certain vegan foods, the way you do animal activism, or how to handle criticism and take it like a champ in general, are topics that all of us have to deal with one way or another. Today I give you some support in this regard, I share some stories on criticism in the age of social media and what having a YouTube channel has taught me. I also share my top two mindset tips for dealing with critiques or negative comments, and extracting whatever tiny nugget of wisdom might be within them, and which part to leave out, without feeling hurt or defensive. It's a short and fun one and I hope you love it!
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Even though our gorgeous ball of white fur, dog-baby Obi, came into our lives early last summer, we had yet to tell you all about him, his story, the challenges that came up with his adoption from the shelter, and the wonder that has been him joining our little family. Since we’ve never had a dog adoption specific episode in the podcast, I thought it was the perfect time to also give you some tips if you’ve been thinking of adopting a dog.
I’ll also be sharing a list of where you can find dogs and cats that are up for adoption in the US and in Spain, how to find a dog shelter near you and busting some myths about dog adoption, and as you might imagine, sharing tons of pictures and links to go with the stories.
For all the photos and links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
I thought it was the perfect way to close off our intuitive eating series by sharing some of the frameworks that I believe can go hand in hand with intuitive eating. These are frameworks and practices that helped me on my journey whenever I got stuck along the way, and that I think can go hand in hand with the process of intuitive eating. We'll be talking about mindfulness and mindful eating, self compassion and the work of Dr. Kristin Neff, size inclusivity, veganism and intuitive eating as well as other ethical concerns when it comes to food choices, trauma work, parts work and inner child work, and more.
For all the videos and links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today's episode we continue our exploration of the principles that are at the core of Intuitive Eating. We'll be talking about emotional eating, how to cope with your emotions through a new, kinder, approach. We'll talk about the importance of body respect, making choices that help your "here and now" body, as well as the importance of buying clothes that fit comfortably, no matter what size you are right now. We also discuss intuitive exercise and movement, and the positive impact it can have that has nothing to do with weight, and we'll talk about the role that nutrition plays in intuitive eating, as well as share some resources for proper nutrition for vegans, and how you can practice intuitive eating even as a vegan.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Welcome back to another edition of our intuitive eating series of episodes and posts! After discussing some common misconceptions about intuitive eating, the wonderful framework created by registered dietitians Elyse Resch and Evelyn Tribole, and briefly introducing the first two principles of intuitive eating, today, I continue to give you a brief rundown of a few others. My hope is that this introduction to intuitive eating inspires you to get the book and learn directly from the pros. Although the book isn’t specifically about vegan eating, there is certainly space for your personal ethical beliefs, religious traditions or your preferences when it comes to food, and I’ll be mentioning how in my years of being an intuitive eater and an ethical vegan I’ve been able to navigate the two without falling back into the diet mentality or having any sense of restriction or deprivation. We continue to explore the question, is there such a thing as an intuitive eating vegan?
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
As we continue to dive into the wonderful framework that is intuitive eating, and since we’ve already discussed what the intuitive eating framework is and what it isn’t in our first two episodes in the series, today, I’ll briefly introduce you to the first few of its principles, all in the hopes that they inspire you to get the book and learn from its wonderful creators, Elyse Resch and Evelyn Tribole. As we'll be doing in the rest of our intuitive eating series of episodes, I'll be sharing the answer to the question: "can I be vegan and practice intuitive eating?", the nuances of being vegan and an intuitive eater, the importance of a non-restrictive approach to veganism, and much more.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Today in part 2 I’ll share a few more misconceptions about intuitive eating, and within them, we finally get to talk about two aspects I know you’ll be especially curious about: “is there any science behind intuitive eating and its principles?”, as well as whether or not we can be ethical vegans or have other philosophical or religious dietary choices and practice intuitive eating, and much more. Let’s get straight to it! I highly recommend reading or listening to part 1 first before continuing on with today’s post and episode.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today's episode I'll be introducing you to the wonderful framework of intuitive eating by discussing what it is and what it isn't, in the hopes that you'll be inspired to find out more, read the book and use its wonderful wisdom to help improve your relationship with food and find peace with it. There are so many misconceptions about intuitive eating out there, and it can be so helpful, especially if you've struggled through years of dieting, or the restrictive-binge eating/emotional eating loop. We also discuss a big question, can we be ethical vegans AND practice the principles of intuitive eating? There's so much to get into in this episode, and we'll continue the conversation in part 2 next week.
For all the links mentioned in todays episode, click here.
In today’s mini Q and A, I answer a question I received from one of our Sams, all about the familiar feelings of guilt around food, especially when we’re trying to improve our relationship with food and have a neutral approach to foods and ingredients we perhaps once labelled as “bad”, “forbidden”, “unhealthy”, “high calorie”, “high carb”, “highly processed”, or whatever the food fear du jour is, all stemming form the wonderful framework that is intuitive eating. Today I answer this question from a very gentle perspective, one that will hopefully help keep these feelings of guilt at bay. Understanding that they don’t serve us in the long run, and explaining how part of this journey to a more neutral place with food and a more gentle approach to eating has two sides to it, one where we tame the loud food police voices we have about certain foods, but one where we must also do the work of taming the perfection police voice within ourselves.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today's episode, the last one of this very tumultuous year, I'm answering a listener question all about how to get started with a plant-based life. I share some of my favorite tips for getting started with going vegan, some practical, some edible, some all about mindset, in the hopes that it will give a great boost to the beginning of your journey if you're thinking of going vegan and are looking for beginner tips and support.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, .
In today's episode we'll talk about some fun, quirky and sweet Holiday traditions from around the world, I'll share some of our traditions, including the most fun gift exchange game every created. I'll also talk a bit about managing both grief and happiness around the Holidays, especially in a year that has been so incredibly challenging.
For any links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Today I'll be talking about some of my current favorite podcasts on a variety of topics as well as a few specific episodes I highly recommend listening to. From inspirational and motivational to just plain entertaining and fun, I'll talk about what is coming through my headphones lately while I walk the dogs or do the dishes, in the hopes that I can add some goodies to your podcast repertoire. From the best vegan podcasts, to my favorites in the areas of nutrition through an anti-diet non-restrictive and intuitive eating lens, to great interview based shows, to podcasts about the creative process, writing and books, current events, the occasional true crime guilty pleasure podcast, and much more.
For all the podcasts and links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Today we have another episode in our Table Talk Series, specially designed for those conversations you have around the holidays, but which can of course apply to any conversations we have with family, extended relatives and friends. I’ll be giving you some tips on what to say when sharing you’re vegan for the first time, some tips on the mindset we must have when receiving their comments, as well as a slightly different angle but with the same solution in mind, what to say when people have known us to be dieters and are now trying to say goodbye to restriction, practicing intuitive eating, and finding our own balance and a better relationship with food.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today’s post and episode I wanted to address our attachment to cheese, which isn’t a bad thing, nor the thing or craving that shall not be named once you go vegan, but that can in fact help us on our vegan journey when we have awareness of it. I’m going to share some personal and family cheese stories to show you just how present it is in our culture no matter where we come from, and how my mindset shifted and my way of experiencing veganism completely changed along the way. I’ll also share why I think we’ve been going about the “saying goodbye to cheese as a vegan” thing all wrong, and why it’s ok to miss certain animal foods that have been such a huge part of our eating lives, of our culture, and of our food memories. To finish I’ll be giving you four very practical and simple tips to incorporate some cheesy goodness in your life asap. Plus we share a HUGE announcement that we hope will get you just as excited as we are!
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here
In today's episode, we expand from last week's part 1, and explore our body image struggles by finding our triggers through some journaling prompts and exercises. For many of us, COVID, quarantine and lockdown were huge triggers when it came to our body image, and we can take this opportunity to find others. Then we'll dive in deep to look for our limiting beliefs on food, body, exercise and weight. They'll come in handy later on in the season, when we'll work on changing them one by one, pulling out those pesky weeds that keep popping back up again and again.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In this two part episode, we’ll be discussing why for many of us, quarantine and the pandemic seemed to put additional pressure on our relationship with our body. We'll be talking about why a challenge in our external world can often mean difficulties and expectations put on our physical appearance, by identifying what I call our failsafe roads, and I'll help you go on a scavenger hunt for these, before we discuss common negative body image triggers and some exercises that might help, in next week's episode.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
It’s time for another mini Q & A episode of the Brownble Podcast! You’ve been sending us your questions, and today I picked one that we get often, how to deal with and be patient with, family members, friends, co-workers, etc., when they still eat animal products, and also, something we’ve all faced at least once, how to deal with people who mock veganism.
As you know we’re all about kindness and compassion here at Brownble, and that of course extends to the people we love, even when they’ve been resistant to the changes we’ve been making when going vegan. I have lots of tips and thoughts to share on this topic so let’s get to it!
For any links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today's episode I’ll be talking about really looking into the time we have, so that no matter what changes arise, we can find a way to readjust faster, be resilient and compassionate with ourselves, and restructure things so that we can fit in all that self care that makes our days go easier. I'll be sharing some key aspects that have helped me organize my time better, and some actionable steps and exercises to begin practicing each one, until making time for your mental health, wellness and self care becomes the first thing that goes on your to-do list.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today's episode of our ongoing Table Talk Series, I'll be giving you my favorite tips for kind communication, especially when it comes to discussing uncomfortable, difficult or sensitive topics at the table. Whether it's veganism and animal rights, the environment and the links between its protection and our food consumption. Whether it's politics, social justice issues, or whatever topic you have disagreements about, today I share my favorite tips for keeping things civil and full of empathy. These will help you in your conversations with loved ones no matter what the topic of conversation is.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Today, we’re continuing the conversation on activism, race and equality with some of my favorite tips on how we can be better allies to marginalized groups, especially BIPOC. I'll share some funny stories from my childhood, and the amazing woman that taught me everything I know about activism and advocacy, including a life changing day at the beach that included a ton of big black trash bags and over a dozen teenagers. We’ll also round out our conversation by giving you a ton of cool resources, social media accounts, books and films so that you can keep on learning and expanding your advocacy, even when that advocacy is something as simple as those tough conversations around your kitchen table.
For all the resources and links mentioned, click here.
In these very challenging times we're facing during COVID and the huge and necessary social justice movement that is now in the forefront, to help and defend black lives, I thought I'd share my thoughts and the resources that have helped me be a better ally for BIPOC. Today I’ll be talking about why the fight for one of these issues is the fight for the other, why it's necessary for change to be uncomfortable, why we're all going to make mistakes in our advocacy and why that shouldn't deter us.
I’ll talk about how we can extend our empathy and love towards oppressed animal beings into other systems of oppression, and in Part 2 coming next week I’ll share some anti-racist resources I think you might love and some tips and steps we can start taking to be better allies for people of color, and how to take our advocacy and kindness to help other movements that are in need of our support.
For the links and resources mentioned in today's episode, click here.
We're back with season 8 of the podcast! We have so many great episodes in store for you this season, and today I thought I'd welcome you back to our little Thursday date with a quick summer recap, a sneak peek into what will be in store for you this season, and a very important topic I believe is key to success when it comes to being more productive, changing any habit we wish to change, practicing new skills and much more: the importance of hitting that pause button and taking breaks without guilt. I'll give you tons of ideas of how this can be done even when we can't take an actual holiday, and how this can apply to our exercise habits, our cooking and eating, our creativity, our work, our hobbies, and why we might have an old belief typically engrained in childhood, that can be affecting us even as adults when finding our stride. Make sure to check out the post that goes with this episode below, since I'm sharing lots of personal photos from our little pause button break.
For all the photos and links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Today is our last episode (at least for now!) of our Imperfect Vegan Series! It's also the final episode of season 7 of the podcast and I still can't believe it! In today's show we'll be talking about going vegan but still having to buy animal products for the people we live with, our family members or partners. I give you 4 steps to begin to find a middle ground and especially acceptance within yourself so you can continue on your journey even if no one follows, even in the face of imperfections.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today's episode in our "Imperfect Vegan Series", we’ll be talking about the question many of you have, of whether or not it’s ok to purchase vegan products from large brands or corporations, or even chain restaurants and fast food restaurants that offer and sell vegan products or foods but also sell animal products, or have additional issues that concern you.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Today in our imperfect vegan series, we’ll be talking briefly about a question I get often: “What should we do about foods that DON’T contain animal products in their ingredients, but that DO use animal by-products in their production process?” Or in another way: “Is sugar vegan?”, “Is beer vegan?”, “Are wine and other alcoholic beverages vegan?”. Today I’ll be sharing my perspective on these questions, from a simple and practical angle to help you make the choice that is right for you, and to understand that these questions should always take into account a bigger picture.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today's quick Q and A episode, I tackle two of our listener questions, both cooking related. I give you tips for getting motivated to cook fun and delicious meals even when you're only cooking for yourself, and I give some guidance to a listener who wanted to learn how to make two old time Indian favorites into delicious vegan versions she could make at home.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
I've received so many questions about snacking and snack ideas since COVID came into our lives, that I thought it was time to talk about snacking and eating between meals, how I incorporate snacks into my day, and of course, lots of delicious vegan snack ideas. I also share our yummy "1 month of vegan snacks" printable, a great resource you can print and stick to your fridge or keep in your phone for quick ideas throughout the week.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today's episode of our imperfect vegan series we're talking about a common issue both new vegans and seasoned vegans alike face at one point or another (or several as is most likely the case). Today I give you my perspective, giving you tips for moving through this and two questions that will help you navigate pretty much every vegan conundrum.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today’s episode and post I’ll try to help you get reconnected to a movement practice that is perfectly suited for you, I’ll reframe our motivation to exercise in the hopes that we can pause that big pendulum swing from nothing to too much. I’ll give you great ideas of exercises and workouts you can do from home, and I’ll give you my favorite tool for finding the type of exercise that will work for you, based on tuning into the wisdom of your own value systems, practicing mindful and intuitive exercise, always respecting your preferences and limits.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today's episode I’ll be giving you some tips, support and reminders when it comes to mindful eating and being at home under quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. This post and episode will NOT be about adding to the damaging and very dangerous body shaming and food shaming that’s going around online spaces. It will be about helping you find simple moments of connection to your body and its signals, with as much empathy and self compassion as you can muster, understanding that this current crisis we’re going through has not only caught us all by surprise, but that it’s a time in which so many emotional issues are going on for us.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Today we continue with our "Imperfect" Vegan Series and I also give you a bit of support during these trying times we're all going through right now. I share a bit of how the situation is in Spain with the COVID 19 pandemic, my stay at the hospital and what I witnessed there, and we talk about the stress we might be feeling right now and how to give over worrying a bit of a break. Then we head into talking about the idea of "a perfect" vegan plate of food and the filters we might be seeing this through, and I give you a great tool from the wisdom of intuitive eating to help you make food choices without the need to be perfect or feel you've failed or passed a test. I give you my favorite resource for gentle vegan nutrition and more.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
It's time for part 2 of our "imperfect" vegan series, in which I'll be talking about products that state they may contain traces of animal products in their label. This is a question I get often, and today I'll give you my perspective on whether purchasing these products is good or bad for veganism, when it comes to the planet, our health and especially the animals.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here!
I'm so excited to begin this series of episodes in which we'll be discussing all of those gray areas full of nuance when it comes to being vegan, all in the hopes that we can answer not only many questions you've sent our way, but also as motivation to connect with what being vegan truly means, and all the imperfection that naturally comes with it. We're about to paint the idea of being an "imperfect" vegan in the most positive light ever. In today's edition we'll discuss the idea that we're somehow "imperfect" vegans when we don't fit the stereotype, whether in appearance, value systems or political views, or when it comes to how we build our plates.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
As I mentioned in last week’s Q & A episode, which was all about Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), I want to introduce you to a concept that can work wonders when it comes to your ability to connect and tune in, developing that self awareness muscle that is so important when it comes to your relationship with food, your body and your overall sense of ease, grounding and connection. I call it The Moment of Awareness, and I'm giving you all the tools to start incorporating it in your routine once a day.
For the links mentioned in the episode, click here.
It’s time for another Q and A episode! Today I answer a listener question all about mindfulness and stress reduction. As you know I’ve been practicing MBSR, mindfulness based stress reduction, for many years now, and it’s not only been life changing, but it’s also had its ebbs and flows, as with everything in these imperfect lives we live.
Today I share what the journey has been like for me, how something knocked me off my meditation game this past year, and how easily you can get back on that horse. I also share two amazing meditations designed to ground you and help you find your center in the midst of a stressful period. I also talk about three things to consider when stress is persistent and keeps coming back, and I introduce a concept we’ll be talking about in next week’s episode: the moment of awareness.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
It's time for part 2 of our episodes on cognitive distortions and our relationship with food! Just as a little refresher, we covered four very prevalent cognitive distortions in part 1: all or nothing thinking (also known as black and white or polarized thinking), filtering, mislabeling and jumping to conclusions. I also shared my favorite questions to ask yourself in the hopes that these might bring some awareness. Helping us in finding where there might be some of these cognitive distortions in our relationship with food or as a vegan. Today we discuss 4 additional cognitive distortions and some questions you can work through to add lots of nuance and gray on your journey to a more peaceful place with food.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Something that can really change the way you live in this world and interact with it, is awareness of what are known as cognitive distortions. This shift in my way of thinking marked a before and after in my life thanks to therapy, but it was even more eye opening when I started to see my relationship with food through this lens. Today we’ll be talking about what cognitive distortions are, what some of the most common ones are, and how these are wildly present in today’s wellness culture, not to mention in our own relationship with food and exercise. We’ll also discuss how by slowly becoming aware that these are popping up for us, we can find our sweet spot when it comes to being vegan or making more vegan choices, so that it doesn’t become a battle against cravings, a battle against others, or a battle against ourselves. We’ll dive into a few of these common cognitive distortions in today’s episode, with more coming up next week in part 2.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
It’s time for another one of those episodes in which I answer a listener/reader question, in the hopes that it gives you some insight and motivation on your journey. Today I’ll be answering a few different questions we’ve received that basically all boil down to this one: “What if I’m not ready to go fully vegan yet?”. We get different versions of this question, especially when January rolls around, and today I’ll be giving you my perspective on these issues, and we’ll be talking about labels, tribalism, the feeling of belonging, all or nothing thinking and what it really means to be vegan and why it’s not a closed club you need a password to get into.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today's episode I'm giving you delicious vegan meal ideas that are easy to create when you’re staying in a cabin, a rented airbnb, or when you’re going camping or backpacking. In some of these situations your space will be slightly limited, whether that’s space in the car to take food with you, or space in the kitchen, and in some it’s a matter of simply taking some goodies in a cooler in the car, or light dehydrated food to bring with you in your pack. I wanted to give you lots of great ideas to make a fun trip to the mountain or forest filled with delicious yummies.
For all the links and photos mentioned in today's episode, click here.
As we enter the last week of 2019 and many of us are making promises and resolutions for the coming year, I thought I’d give you a little exercise when it comes to setting goals. A big part of this approach, is the way in which we make these promises to ourselves, and I have a little exercise I thought I’d share in today’s episode to help you. This little tool I call “the filter”, has two parts to it, in the first we’ll be looking back, on the hunt for small differences, and in the second we’ll be looking ahead, planning for missteps and imperfection just as much as for the great accomplishments.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
The last instalment of our “Why Vegan” series is finally here! Today I round out the series by sharing another “why”. Once I made this change, and through the many years I’ve been vegan, I’ve felt so many internal changes. So many points of self discovery, and so many ways in which veganism has pushed me forward to have a more confident life. These were so powerful that today I wanted to share them with you to close off the series, in the hopes that you tune in to find your own internal motivations.
For all the links and resources mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today’s episode we’ll be talking about another one of those big reasons why so many people are opting for more and more vegan meals, and why so many have decided to go vegan. As I’ve been saying throughout the series, it doesn’t matter if you’ve decided to make this change because of animals, or the environment, or your health. No matter what your personal reason why is, eating a vegan diet helps create wonderful changes in all of these areas, and the lives and rights of our fellow humans are no exception.
Today we'll talk all about the connections between the foods we eat and the rights of our fellow humans, and I’ll share why this decision of switching to a vegan diet can create such an impact in the lives of many, not only the non-human animals who we share this planet with, but our fellow humans as well.
For all the links and resources mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today's episode of our "Why Vegan" series, we're talking about the impact eating a meat and dairy based diet has on our environment. Until I began to read about these issues, I had never really sat down to think about the chain of production of the foods I consumed, the resources these products required to land on supermarket shelves, let alone the huge consequences they had on our environment and our fellow humans and animals in turn. Today we explore all of these issues and I share some mind-blowing statistics, finishing the episode off in a very positive light, with the hope that lies in knowing that we have so much power to make a change as individuals.
For all the links and resources mentioned in today's episode click here.
Today will be the last of the animals segment of our “Why vegan” series, in which we’ll be discussing the two industries people ask me the most about: eggs and dairy. If you’ve ever wondered “Why don’t vegans eat eggs or milk and other dairy products?”, or if you are vegan and get this question often and need a little information on this subject, this episode will be perfect, and great for sharing with friends or family who have asked you questions. We also end this episode with wonderful stories of animal love that will give you so much hope.
For all the links and resources mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today's instalment of the "Why Vegan" series, we continue to talk about my personal "Why", the animals. Last week we talked about meat, and how our food choices impact the animals raised for its production. In today’s episode which is again all about the animals used for food, we’ll talk about fish and other sea life. It’s such a common question, “why don’t vegans eat fish, or prawns, or other seafood?”. Today I do my best to answer this question in regards to the animals, with more coming in the next few weeks when we talk about our food choices and the impact these have on the environment.
For all the links and resources mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Today in our "Why Vegan" series, I’m very excited because we get to tackle my personal “why”, the animals.
When I went vegan many years ago, it was learning about what happens to animals in our modern agriculture system that did it for me. Today I share a bit of what that journey was like, and I go deep into helping you understand what’s wrong with our treatment of animals in these industries. In today's episode, part 1, we'll begin by talking about meat, with fish, dairy and eggs to follow in the next few weeks.
If you’re not sure if hearing about what happens to animals is something you’re ready for, I ask that you at least listen in to the first part of the episode. I’ll explain why this was such an important part of my journey, and I’ll also explain why I think that listening to these issues as a first approach can set you on your journey without it being as painful as watching graphic images, while definitely arming you with all the motivation needed to stick with this change. I’ll also talk about why this “why” has instant positive effects, whether you make one vegan choice, you’re ready for three, for twenty or for a lifetime of eating in this new and delicious way.
These next few episodes in this series and the original recordings of these lessons are very deep and personal to me and I hope that you love them too. It’s also a great resource to share with friends or family who ask you questions about the way you eat, as it’s as kind and compassionate towards the listener as it is towards the animals. You can share the episode through Apple podcasts or your favorite podcast app.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Today we're beginning a brand new series in the podcast titled the "Why Vegan" Series, in which we'll be exploring those big reasons why this change in lifestyle can have such a positive impact in us and the world we live in. Today we'll be discussing the effects that eating a vegan diet can have when it comes to our health. We'll talk about the importance of not falling into two extremes when it comes to health claims regarding vegan diets, and I'll share some of the amazing studies that show very promising findings when it comes to having a little edge as vegans when it comes to our health.
For all the links mentioned in this episode, click here.
I’m so happy to be back here on Halloween of all days to kick off the 7th season of The Brownble Podcast. I can’t believe we’re on season 7 already and that we’ve got over 130 episodes under our belt. In today’s very special post-summer comeback episode, you’ll hear all about our adventures with food and family in the wilderness, the sad reason we had to take such a long and unexpected break and what we do when things happen, plus, a very cool intro into some of the amazing episodes we’ll have this season.
To take a look at all the photos of everything mentioned in the episode, click here.
The final episode of our relationship with food series is here! Today I want to share a bit about my own journey with exercise and how it relates to my relationship with food, what happens when I use it, abuse it, and under use it. I’ll talk about the importance of finding the right motivation to keep exercise at a happy place, and towards the end I’ll be sharing our at home exercise library, filled with fun routines you can do at home, whether it’s the middle of winter, way too hot outside or it’s pouring, also in the hopes that you might step out of your comfort zone and try something new that makes you feel giddy. We discuss the link between body image, body changes and exercise, and how movement can help develop that interoceptive awareness that allows you to tune into those body cues that will help you on this journey to improve your relationship with food.
For the written version of this episode and all the links mentioned, click here!
We’re back with part 5 of our relationship with food series, and today I’ll be sharing some amazing resources that will be so helpful on your journey to a better place with food, especially when it comes to emotional eating. We’ll be talking about how normal it is to see food as part of our coping tools (eating for reasons other than hunger is a part of normal eating and emotions play a part in this), and what can help when it has become the only coping tool. I’ll share a resource that has been enormously helpful in understanding emotions and anxiety, and we’ll talk about how there isn’t just one side of us running the show when it comes to our eating, and how we can begin to nourish the different sides of us, with and without food.
For the written version of this post and all the links mentioned, click here.
In today's episode of our relationship with food series we're talking about dieting, restriction, and how it can pull us away from finding a more peaceful relationship with food. We discuss the role that scarcity plays in overeating and mindless eating, and we talk about the importance of satisfaction and eating foods we enjoy. I also merge the topics of intuitive eating and veganism, and how we can navigate letting go of restriction along with the already inherent restriction present within a vegan diet, answering the question "Can you be vegan AND practice intuitive eating?". So much to tackle in today's episode and I can't wait for you to listen in!
For the written version of this episode and all the links mentioned, click here.
In part 3 of our Relationship with Food Series we're focusing on that pivotal moment in which we became aware of the link between our bodies and food, and how so many of our struggles with food originate in struggles with our body image. I'm going to ask you to find a very specific moment in your past, one that is incredibly helpful in showing you examples within your own life, in which your relationship with food hadn't collided with the body image messaging we receive day in and day out. We'll see how this exercise and this moment can be hugely helpful in improving our relationship with food.
For the written version of this episode and all the links mentioned, click here.
In part 2 of our relationship with food series I'm giving you a little exercise that will help so much on this quest to find peace with food. It can be so helpful to look at our past history with food, weight, diets, exercise plans and body image so that we can find the source of our current issues with food and, in a way, find out what was really needed, or what using food as a coping mechanism was trying to cover up. Today we'll discuss emotional eating, mindless eating, the role that restriction can play in our journey with food, and I give you some of my past stories with food along with a wonderful tip that will help you explore your history with food without attaching blame, shame or guilt to what you discover. I also give you a few journalling prompts to help guide the way.
For the written version of this post and all the links mentioned in the episode, click here.
As promised, today we embark upon a new adventure at The Brownble Podcast, the very anticipated "Relationship with Food Series". We’ve talked a lot about our relationship with food and finding healing with it through the process of intuitive eating, through the process of seeing how our consumer habits impact the world we live in (as in merging intuitive eating with being vegan), and through talks on body image and moving away from the dieting cycle many times in our blog and podcast before, but in this particular series we’re going a bit deeper. We’re taking a step back from seeing the consequences, symptoms or the causes of how complicated our relationship with food has become, and we’re going to look it straight in the eye, trying our best to understand it and find the tools that will help us reach a peaceful place with food. It's going to be a fun and very introspective ride and I hope you love it!
For the written version of this episode and for all the links mentioned, click here.
It's time for another mini Q & A episode! Today I answer a question on the monitoring of weight loss and whether I believe it’s a good idea or not to track changes in weight. I also answer a listener question about my journey healing chronic gastritis, and I discuss what is one of our most frequently asked questions in the podcast and blog: how to cook for your non-vegan partner and keep the peace at home while also dealing with your feelings when it comes to cooking animal products.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
It's finally time for our 2019 summer bookworm episode! Today I share some bookish updates, give you delicious and fun book recommendations to keep you entertained in the kitchen and by the pool this summer, and I of course share why even a fun spy thriller can be hugely helpful in healing our relationship with food. I'm so excited I get to share this part of my life with you, and give you some recommendations you might enjoy too. Let the reading inspiration and bookish fun begin!
For the written version of this episode and to access all the links mentioned, click here.
It’s that time of the year again! We’re right in the beginning of bikini and swim trunk season and as you know if you’ve listened to our podcast before, I never leave you hanging during a time in which so many of us struggle with body image issues and in turn with our relationship with food and exercise. That time of year when many of us feel nervous about pool parties, that week at the beach, or the season of shedding all those extra winter layers of clothing that seem to feel safe somehow. Today we discuss pre-summer body image issues in the age of social media, and what to do when we feel triggered by the messaging we see.
For the written version of this episode and all the links mentioned, click here.
Today I answer two listener questions regarding that initial transition to eating a vegan diet, and how sometimes we don’t feel our best and we’re not sure what to tweak or how to fill our plates. As usual, I give you our take on some of these issues, and I guide you to some of the very responsible pros and resources that can help you in regards to vegan nutrition. As I’ve said many times before, sometimes the problem relies not on the diet itself, but on our own way of approaching this change, it usually relies on something that isn’t often talked about in vegan circles, the role that too much restriction and a focus on “eating perfectly” can play, and how it can do much more harm than good.
For all the links and resources mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Beans are wonderful, delicious little things, but what can we do when eating beans just as they are is feeling a bit stale or uninteresting, or if we perhaps aren't fans of the texture or the taste? Today I give you 5 delicious and easy meal ideas in which we can get the wonderful protein-packed benefits of legumes, but in new and exciting ways. I teach you the radical importance of vitamins S and J (satisfaction and joy!) and why they're essential to improving our relationship with food, especially while on a vegan journey. I share the two questions you can ask yourself when you're feeling a bit less excited with your meal planning or your eating, so that beans go right back into "magic bean" territory.
For the written version of this episode and all the links mentioned click here.
In today's mini Q and A episode I’ll be answering a very popular question I see come up again and again in vegan circles: Should we be buying vegan products from brands that aren’t vegan, or from companies that have been bought by non-vegan companies? I’ll also discuss a question one of our darling Sams sent our way, which is related to eating whole foods vs. processed foods, and some of the specific vegan dietary trends or philosophies that restrict veganism further than excluding meat dairy and eggs.
It’s going to be fun, casual and filled with helpful tips and perspectives. To check out all the additional links and resources mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today’s episode I tell you all about a practice I’ve been doing on and off for years. It’s a practice that will help you fill up your toolbox, gain insights, develop your intuition when it comes to making choices, find attunement and mindfulness and so much more. You’ll be going on a date, a date of a very different kind. I also answer a listener question on the more personal side and much more.
For the written version of this post, click here.
Today we'll be talking about the importance of celebrating the little victories we often ignore. Whether we're trying to improve our relationship with food, going vegan, cooking more at home, or trying to improve our body image or attempting any other big change in our habits, the gold is in the little things. Today I share some personal body image stories, I explain why some of my childhood beliefs were dead wrong, and I help you have the awareness of looking for progress even in the smallest things.
For the written version of this episode, click here.
On the topic of making delicious food, I sometimes find myself finding many important life lessons in the process of transforming ingredients or cooking certain dishes. Cheese and bread making have taught me so much that can apply to everything from the way we relate to food, to practicing intuitive eating, to mindful eating, to making more vegan choices or going vegan. Today I share some of these lessons, as we look into bread and cheese making for little morsels of wisdom.
For the written version of this episode, click here.
Today is the final instalment of our Little Words Series! Today we talk about one of our favorite topics, food, not from a nutrition perspective, not from a vegan perspective, but to shine a different light on it when we're on this journey to improve our relationship with food and make peace with it. I share my favorite "switch the spotlight" exercise and give you a bit of homework this week to round off the series.
For the written version of this post and the links mentioned, click here.
We're almost reaching the end of our Little Words series in the podcast and today we're talking about ease. The lack of it in the world we live in today, the deep need for it in our relationships with food and in the rest of our lives. I share two little questions that might help you get started on this wellness journey we're all in together and give you plenty of examples of how they helped me in my journey with food.
For the written version of this post and all the links mentioned, click here.
In today's edition of our little word series, we're talking about labels. We'll be discussing the words we use to categorize other people as well as ourselves, and we'll chat about how labels might affect the food we choose to eat and our relationship with it. I'll give you a little exercise to help you get yourself and all your individuality back into the mix, I answer a listener question on how we organize and manage our time at Brownble and much more. It's a jam packed episode full of motivation and I hope you love it!
For the written version of this post and all the links mentioned, click here.
We're back with another one of our little word series in the podcast, this time around tackling the topic of fear. Particularly when it comes to making changes, food, restriction, looking after our bodies and having a more positive body image. Working on fear (fear of foods, fear of losing control, fear of changes in my body, fear of being different, fear of not fitting in, and so many others), was huge in my journey to improving my relationship with food, and today I share some thoughts on the matter and give you a visual exercise to help you feel brave while still looking after that part of you that craves safety, familiarity and belonging.
For the written version of this episode and any links mentioned, click here.
Today, in what we're informally calling our little word series, we discuss the topic of change. We've been bombarded with contradictory messages about change for ages. We've heard that people don't change, but we also love listening to experts talk about how to change habits for good. We say habits are extremely hard to break but then we give ourselves Everest sized challenges. Having witnessed so many of the changes you've gone through, and all the changes I've gone through myself, I have my own version and definition of what change implies and whether it's possible or not to attain. Today we're using change as our little mantra, but we're going to shine a light on it first to see what comes up.
For the written version of this episode, click here.
Today we have another episode in what we're unofficially calling our "little word series". Today our word is excess, how it relates to our lives, to the food we eat, the thoughts we carry around with us, and more. I also answer a listener question on practicing intuitive eating, I share the magic that decluttering gave me this January and much more, all in the hopes that it inspires and helps you on your journey towards a better relationship to food.
For the links mentioned in this episode, click here.
Today we start a new series in the podcast called "The Little Word Series"! In today's episode we talk about patience, and how digging into this little word (as a mantra of sorts) can help us with everything from going vegan, to improving our relationship with food, with our self care, and how sitting in that little space of discomfort for a tiny bit can actually teach us so much about the journey ahead.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here!
It feels like ages since we’ve hung out together in the podcast and the blog (other than the yummy recipes we’ve been posting. I’ve missed you so much! What was supposed to be our 3 week winter break from the podcast turned into a two month hiatus and in today’s podcast episode I explain what kept me away for so long, how the year started, lessons learned thanks to a gorgeous Japanese woman and other ramblings, and of course, I let you in on all the nitty gritty details of what’s to come this year at the Brownble Podcast and in our blog.
Today’s episode is a little different from our usual ones, in that it’s a very informal conversation, which means today we won’t have our usual written version in the blog, but you can of course tune in through the play button above, or via iTunes.
It's time for our 2018 recap party! In this, our last episode of the year, we'll be looking back at this past year and I'll be sharing some highlights, favorite blogs, podcasts, Instagram accounts, films and series not to mention the lessons learned before we head into the new year.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
It's time for part 2 of our holiday pep talk! In today's episode I'm going to give you some reminders on the topics of food, body image, and give you support for those conversations and comments that might pop up regarding your appearance, as well as what to do when the inevitable January diet talk pops up, and you’re on this quest to find a better relationship with food, with your body and with yourself, stepping outside that diet culture paradigm of restriction and external rules of eating.
For the links mentioned in this episode, click here!
It's that time of year in which we're surrounded by friends, family and co-workers at holiday gatherings, Christmas lunches and dinners, the Holiday office party, etc., and as new and even as seasoned vegans, these social situations can come with some challenges. Today I give you a little holiday pep talk to help you deal with the emotional and social aspects of the Holidays when you're vegan and give you plenty of support so you have the most fun this holiday season.
For the links mentioned in this episode, click here.
It's finally time for this year's gift guide episode! It can be hard to find the perfect gift for a loved one this time of year, but if you have a vegan foodie or cook in your life, I can certainly help you with that because I’m one of them! I love getting kitchen tools and inspiration, not to mention cool ingredients to work with in the kitchen, so in today’s post and podcast episode I’ll be helping you with a list of amazing holiday gifts you can give to a vegan cook.
Are you ready? This list could have unlimited options, but I’ve narrowed it down to those foolproof gifts, things your loved one will love to get even if they already have something similar (because why have one set of measuring cups when you can have 2?). Let this year's vegan holiday gift guide party begin!
For all the links mentioned in this episode, click here.
Today I wanted to give you some quick hacks, tricks and tips for those of you who are getting adventurous and want to add a holiday twist to even the simplest creations. You may have that yummy vegan roast covered, but how can we transform simple ingredients into the perfect dish for the Holidays? If we’ve got some veggies lying around, how can we give them that beautiful cozy winter and Christmas feeling? That’s what I’m going to give you today, a list of some cooking tricks and tips for making delicious vegan dishes for the Holidays.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
This year's special Thanksgiving episode is here! You know how much I love food. Food nourishes us and this is its main purpose, to keep us alive and preferably thriving and enjoying life to the fullest, but it isn’t food’s only purpose. Today I want to share 5 reasons why food matters that have nothing to do with nutrition. We'll discuss the connections food has with the world we live in, we'll discuss veganism, our connection with our own relationship with food. We'll talk about the joy and pleasures of eating, of making connections with others through food, the pleasure and importance of a full belly and so much more. I also answer a great question from one of our Sams on switching to a vegan diet, and more.
For the links mentioned in this episode, click here.
In today's podcast episode I tell you all about our latest adventure in the kitchen, or out of the kitchen to be more accurate. As we embark upon a massive kitchen remodel, I thought I'd give you some great tips for meal prepping and batch cooking for when you're in any situation in which you'll be out of your kitchen. Whether you're heading into a stressful and long work week, or you're about to have a baby, or you'll be having surgery or a loved one is recovering from an illness or is in the hospital, or if you're like me and you're going through a kitchen remodel, these vegan meal prep tips will be so helpful. I'll talk about my two secret helping hands, and share a big secret when it comes to the videos we film for Brownble.
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In this edition of our 100th episode celebration, I’ll be answering many more questions from our dear readers, listeners and members, including what it’s like to open an online business with your husband (and whether such a thing is actually recommended), giving proper care to our pets (and a bit on what to feed your dogs and cats if you’re vegan), what made me decide to go vegan, what some of the big challenges of opening a small online business are, the vegan recipes and meals I’m currently obsessed with, dream holidays, being an immigrant and moving to Spain, whether Spain is vegan friendly, and so much more!
For the links mentioned in this episode, click here.
Can you believe we've made it to episode 100 of the podcast?! Someone pinch me! Since all of this is because of you, I thought that there was no better way to celebrate than to answer our listener, member and reader questions we get from all our Sams! We'll be talking about Brownble, what it's like to work with Carlos on this project together, food prepping tips, my thoughts on oil-free/sugar-free and salt-free diets and food addiction, whether there will be a brownble café in the future, practicing intuitive eating and more! With even more questions answered next week in Part 2!
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here
In today's episode we'll be talking about the wonderful changes we're all trying to make. Whether they're regarding our self care, health, activity levels, our relationship with food, our body image, etc., or whether they have to do with trying to help animals, our environment, our fellow humans. Every choice we make has even more choices and options within it, and it can be so hard to navigate this without feeling overwhelmed, and without judgement. Today I want to give you my two cents on this issue, and how we can keep the train moving forward and create wonderful changes in this world and for ourselves, but how this will vary for each of us, and why there needs to be space for that too.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Week, in this post and podcast episode we’re going to have a chat about mental health, particularly when it comes to suffering from anxiety, a little shadow that has been following me around since I was a kid, and which thankfully I’ve now grown to notice, acknowledge and even accept. I’ll be sharing a bit of what that journey was like, and especially, the different tools that have helped me through the years, and why now I’ve grown to understand it a lot better. What they don’t tell you about anxiety is that it’s like your very own little alarm system, and although most of the time it doesn’t feel like it, it can be of great help, once you get to know it, and once you can learn to manage it. We’ll also discuss why and how anxiety affected my relationship with food and eating, and so much more.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today’s episode I’m going to give you some very practical tips so that you can quickly find inspiration when you need it for making delicious vegan meals and recipes. The idea is that you create your own sources of inspiration, since my go-to meal ideas might be very different to yours, and my favorite ingredients or types of meals might be very different to yours. What we basically want to do is create a Netflix menu of our go-to favorites, so we’re never without yummy inspiration. We can just scroll or browse and pick! I share five yummy tips for finding daily meal inspiration, along with some meal templates that will be of great help throughout the week.
For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.
As a little informal follow up to our Overwhelm City episode, this week I'm sharing a story that taught me a pretty big lesson. It has to do with finding (stealing rather), space for some much needed me time/self care time. Sometimes the coolest changes come from the most accidental and unexpected places. I also share a HUGE announcement, and more...
For the post that goes with this episode, click here.
In today’s episode we’re getting our cooking on and talking about fall veggies and what to do with them. I’m going to give you a brief list of some of my fall favorite vegetables, and give you one or two quick ideas of how you can turn them into dinner tonight. Although it will be all about the veggies today, I’m including some fall fruits like apples, figs, pomegranates and pears within the ideas for each veg, so you can max out the savings and deliciousness of the farmer’s market this time of year.
For all the links mentioned in this episode, click here.
In today's episode we tackle the topic of moments of stress and in which we're feeling overwhelmed, and what happens to our self care habits. I talk about how self care starts leaving us in stages when we’ve entered overwhelm city. The many aspects of self care that we often forget are important to keep as a precious part of our routine. How things like our eating, joyful movement and our relationship with others gets affected when self care seems to have left the building, and the different stages to bring it back into the picture again, making sure we’re prioritizing our own well being and care. I also give you my favorite 1 minute emergency visualization that helps us step out of a very anxious space and get some breathing room, and much more.
For the links mentioned in today's episode, click here!
In today’s episode we're tackling part 2 of some of those strange lessons parks taught me this summer. I’m going to share what happened when I was surrounded by hundreds of people, within an enclosure, and everyone was wearing swimming attire and having fun in the sun. It of course has to do with body image, and so much of the content we’ve already talked about here, in series like our Bikini Revolution Series and our Body Image Series. You'll hear me say things like "that person is blue!!!!", and it's the perfect episode to come back to when you need a little body image boost.
For all the links mentioned in this episode, click here.
In today's episode I go full on Pollyanna and share some lessons I learned this summer by just looking around while we were having all sorts of fun under the sun in parks, forest trails, fountains, etc. We'll talk about why your mindset is such an important component when going vegan, what a little group of kids and a dog taught me this summer and how it can help you, and we discuss how we can build a new frame of mind that will help us in so many ways when we're trying to make more vegan choices or switching to a vegan diet.
For the links and photos mentioned in today's episode, click here!
In today's episode I give you a great exercise to help you with an aspect of going vegan that can often feel very difficult but that isn't really talked about that much in vegan circles. I see it all the time (especially recently) with all the emails and questions you send us, and it's the fact that many people have found the motivation to go vegan, they're amped and ready to go, and once they begin, they feel a bit off, not physically but emotionally, and many times it boils down to feeling separate, distant, isolated or they're feeling a bit alone after going vegan. This especially occurs when our loved ones aren't as supportive of us making this change. Today I'm going to teach you my favorite tool for finding connection and belonging again.
For the links and photos mentioned in the episode, click here!
This week I thought I'd share my love of books with you, and give you a little insight into what some of my favorites have been, on the topics of fiction, non-fiction, veganism, cooking, food, life, self-improvement, and more. It's also a perfect moment to give you a little surprise! Some of you might know that we have a super cool library of resources at Brownble where you can find our go-to books, films, podcasts, courses, online videos, and other inspiration and resources to help you go vegan. Well... we've given it the most awesome makeover and gave it a delicious update! It's now so much easier and more fun to browse, we've made it colourful, added handy menus to help you find what you're looking for and so much more. You'll of course find it, as a pretty big extension to this list, by clicking the button at the end of the post or in the top menu of your online program if you're a member!
It's going to be a total summer book party, including some personal book loving stories, self imposed reading ground rules, and the importance of knowing yourself as a reader. I also answer a question from Sam on digestive issues and veganism, my struggles with gastritis and much more!
For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here.
In today's episode I'm telling you all about my obsession with picnics, as they are one of my favorite things to do in the summer. I'm going to explain where that tradition got started, what that has to do with orange smiles, and I'm giving you tons of simple delicious vegan meals you can take on picnics or to the beach, but that are equally as portable, practical and yummy to take to work, school or when you're traveling or going on a road trip. From vegan sandwiches to salads, snacks and even desserts, we're giving you tons of ideas for on the go meals that are vegan and scrumptious.
For all the links, photos and goodies mentioned in today's episode, click here.
Today's episode is another instalment of our Ode to Vegetables series. We're paying tribute to the delicious asparagus, and teaching you how to pick asparagus, prep them, store them and cook them, with some delicious and quick vegan recipes for making asparagus shine, and we're doing it all while sharing stories of scarcity and tribute, cats and Broadway, and all sorts of strange things that will help you appreciate this long stemmed beauty even more.
For the photos and links mentioned in this episode, click here!
We're coming to you before our usual episode on Thursday because we have a HUGE announcement to share with all of you! The moment has finally arrived in which I get to share the mystery project we've been working so hard on for the past year, the biggest project to hit Brownble since our online program, and it's coming to you this fall! To sign up for the early bird special mentioned in this episode, click here.
Today's episode was inspired by a question we received from one of our Sams, and it boils down to this: "What if I'm thinking about going vegan, but from the start I know that my job isn't aligned with the ethics of eating in this new way? Can I still do it?". In this episode we are going to discuss the dilemma some people have when they're facing their transition to being vegan, but they have a career or job that doesn't go hand in hand with their new way of eating, especially when we make this change for our love of animals.
In today's episode we're going to talk about what to do when you're faced with the desire to go vegan but at the same time you're faced with realizing your job or occupation requires you to still produce, cook, serve, or work with animals for food, use animal products, use animals for entertainment purposes, etc. I'll also give you some tips to help you cope with some of the difficulties (especially emotional difficulties) that this might bring about, and much more including some dancing stories.
For the written post, photos and links mentioned in today's episode, click here!
Today's episode is all about the weirdly magical and super cool time we had at the Mad Cool Music Fest this past weekend. Although I'll be sharing lots of personal stories from these last three days and why music and concerts are such a big part of who we are, this episode is much more than just about the music.
We'll be talking about the festival and the bands we saw and of course the amazing vegan food we had, but we'll also talk about the things that connect us all, what happens when 80,000 strangers are together with one shared love that links us together, why I've reached another level of zen and why Carlos is basically Yoda in a human suit (ok, Yoda in a hunky human suit). We'll also talk about the meaning of the word vegan, how the chorizo man turned into the vegan man this year, and how the world is slowly shifting to something new. We discuss community, Eddie Vedder's love song to the Chicago Cubs and so much more. I promise it all comes together in spite of this seeming like the craziest episode we've ever done. It's actually quite a simple one, and it's all about how music is my life, and one of those things that brings us all together.
To check out all the photos of the fest, us, and the food, click here!
In today's episode we're talking about making changes and dealing with the fear that is sometimes attached to this. Fears we ourselves have when it comes to making changes and the two big pink elephants in the room that are usually always present, as well as the fears others might have when we decide to change.
We'll discuss why lots of people got angry at a hot dog recently, why going against the mainstream can be so tough, and why we ourselves sometimes carry judgements that make changes a bit scarier than they should be. We'll also talk about some simple questions you can ask yourself when the road gets tough, to go from "I'm fearful of this change", to, "this little part actually seems doable!", and we'll talk about how sometimes it's the fear of change in our loved ones and the world around us that keeps us from giving things a try. All of this can apply to so many of the things we discuss in this podcast, including eating in a different way and going vegan, saying goodbye to the dieting and weight centric paradigm, practicing body acceptance and so much more. In the podcast version of this post I'll also answer a great listener question from Sam, on being a new vegan in a non-vegan barbecue, and much more.
To check out all the links and photos mentioned in the episode, click here!
In today's episode we'll be talking about two essential steps in making any big change, they have to do with being honest about the challenges we're facing and a practice we've been losing through the years, and that is the practice of patience.
I'll also be sharing what my favorite part of brownble is, and we talk about how that ties into honesty (the type you need to have with yourself), and the importance of embracing steps back. We'll also talk about why society has forgotten to nurture patience and why people aren't practicing it anymore, along with what children can teach us when it comes to this trait, and the one thought a kid has that we can learn a lot from when facing a challenge. Spoiler alert! It has nothing to do with perfection or with being the very best right off the bat.
To check out the links, photos and resources mentioned in the episode, click here!
By popular request, it's time to talk about mindfulness and what that practice is all about. We've discussed mindful eating a ton in our podcast and especially in our online program My Brownble, but mindful eating stems from this wonderful larger practice that can help so many different areas of our lives.
In this episode I'll be sharing lots of personal stories including my struggles with anxiety, how I got started with mindfulness, I tell you all about what mindfulness really is, I bust some myths and misconceptions about the practice, and I tell you all about my practice, how mindfulness has changed me and all of the benefits it has brought into my life. I also talk about how to keep up with the practice, the difference between mindfulness and meditation, whether yoga can count as a mindfulness practice, and how to bring this into your day to day life and why that's the goal, not the practice itself. I'll also be sharing some funny stories about my relationship with time, and much more.
For all the links, videos and recommendations mentioned in the video, click here!
Finally the episode so many of you have asked for! In today's show I talk about what I do for exercise, how my relationship with exercise has changed over the years, and how my philosophy of #nomiles #notime #noapps #justtunes might be just the ticket to finally getting motivated to add regular movement into your life. Exercise is such a great part of self care and well being but we've been looking at it the wrong way for so many years. We've seen it as the means to change our bodies, as a means to achieving weight loss, and even as punishment. I'm here to give you a new perspective today, and to top things off, we're also getting a bit musical today, as I share my running playlist, which is just as weird as I am. I hope you love it and that it inspires you to begin a new relationship to exercise, practicing intuitive movement that comes from a place of joy, not control.
For all the links, pictures and lists mentioned in the episode, click here!
To start tapping your feet to my running playlist, get it here!
With the summer approaching, and countless messages coming our way when it comes to bodies, bikinis and swim trunks, getting "bikini body ready", I thought it was the perfect timing to discuss the topics of body image, how to improve our body image, how to deal with external triggers and find peace with ourselves wherever we are right now, and remembering that we already have all the tools to reach a point of peace and body acceptance. I share a funny story at the top of the show regarding the things that can sometimes happen because of my culinary adventures and more!
For all the links mentioned in the episode, click here!
In today's episode I'm answering one of the questions I get asked most frequently: "Where the h** are you from exactly?!". The answer to this question is a long one, especially when it comes to stories of the culinary kind. Today I answer this question and I turn it around to show you how you can dive into specific world cuisines to find the style of cooking that is right and fun for you, so you can get into the kitchen more often and make those vegan ingredients shine in your very own way.
For the links and books mentioned in the episode click here.
In today's episode we're having one of our very informal and low key conversations in which I share some of the stuff that's been going on around here lately, I talk about why I felt the need to make a figurative cocoon for myself, we discuss self care and the importance of finding your own internal rhythm and so much more.
For the post that goes with this episode, click here.
In today's episode we're paying a little culinary tribute to all of nature's bounty, especially when it comes to spring vegetables. I'm going to tell you why this is my favorite season when it comes to food, I'll share my favorite spring veggies and tell you exactly how to prepare them. I also answer a listener question regarding mushroom risotto, teach you how to make it and what to use instead of cream or parmesan to make it very creamy. I give you tons of vegan meal ideas and more. It's going to be yummy!
For the links, photos and videos mentioned in this episode click here!
Today we're going to have some fun. We're going on a little time machine journey and I'm taking my current vegan self (many years into my journey) to share some lessons learned with my year 1 vegan self. We'll talk about the missteps and what helped, and how when I understood what veganism actually meant, everything started to change.
To check out the links and photos mentioned in this episode, click here!
In today's episode we'll be talking about mindful eating. We'll cover the external factors that can get us primed for the moment of eating with awareness, the tools you can use during the moment of eating to get re-connected with your internal signals, and a very important part of the puzzle that not many people associate with the practice of eating mindfully.
To check out the video mentioned in the episode, along with any other links, click here!
In today's episode I'm sharing the story of how I ended up being vegan in the first place. You'll hear all about why I ate a rack of BBQ'd ribs after watching footage of what happens to animals in our food industry (yikes!), you'll hear about the books and resources that changed everything for me, you'll hear about my transition into being vegan, and what I experienced when switching to a vegan diet, and why it was veganism that opened a door I didn't expect. One that included lots of hardships and getting real with myself, but eventually the healing of years of struggles with food and my body.
For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.
In today's episode I'm taking you along the different stages and stories that got me in the kitchen and made cooking my absolute passion. I'm going to tell you lots of personal and family stories and tell you what my journey into cooking was all about, in the hopes that you find your own inspiration to get back into that kitchen of yours! That's where all the magic happens and it was the place where I found so much healing from my food issues and found peace with food again. I'm going to tell you my story in the hopes that you feel more motivated to cook at home and see that anyone can do it and do it deliciously. Lots of vegan cooking stories so buckle up!
For the links and photos mentioned in today's episode, click here.
We all have moments in which our motivation is a bit lower, we're feeling less inspired and less energized when it comes to our cooking and eating, our exercise routines, and any other habits that make up our lives. Today I'm giving you my take on balancing having a love for a routine and also needing to shake things up a bit. I'm going to tell you why I'm a "mix-it-up-routiner" and what that means, I answer a listener question about meal frequency and much more!
If you have any questions you'd like answered on our podcast send us an email to support@brownble.com and we'll include it anonymously in a future episode!
For all the links and videos mentioned in the episode, click here.
Happy Birthday to me! Today I'm celebrating my birthday with all you dear listeners, sharing some stories from the ghost of birthdays past, and especially the biggest lesson I've learned this past year, one that goes hand in hand with everything we talk about here at The Brownble Podcast. From improving your relationship with food, to going vegan, to vegan cooking, to changing habits, to body image and self compassion, and so much more. It's a party!
For all the links and photos mentioned, along with the video I talk about in the episode, click here.
Today's episode is about getting in touch with your inner child when it comes to building meals, and the little secret that I hold responsible for keeping me vegan in those first few months (and ever since!). I'm talking about delicious toppings for veggie bowls, pasta, vegan breakfasts, sandwiches, wraps, tacos, fajitas, and all your vegan meals. I'm basically going to make your mouth water, and help you realize that plant based cooking can be just as fun and delicious as any meal you used to love. Plus, I know how much you love bullet points! This one is full of them!
For the lists, printables and photos mentioned click here.
In today's episode I'll be answering a question I get a lot, and that is, "is vegan cooking harder than meat-based cooking?". I'll give you my honest answer, tell you what that has to do with Thai food, and I'll also give you my favorite tips for getting started, from shopping, to cooking, to basic vegan cooking techniques and so much more. If you love good food and you want to learn the basics when it comes to cooking plant-based recipes, this is a great place to get started.
For all the photos and links mentioned in today's episode, click here!
Today we're having a more relaxed and personal episode, all about a little adventure we went on recently. It involves the wilderness, our dogs, a town of twelve, a sad carton of eggs, a picnic blanket, and lots of lessons learned. Y talk about some personal struggles related to getting rid of anxiety, incorporating a mindfulness practice into your life, vegan ramblings and so much more! It's going to be fun and more off the cuff than usual since this one will only be available in audio format.
Still, we have lots of pictures from our trip to show you! To take a look, click here.
In today's episode I'm giving you my favorite tips for navigating a relationship in which our partner isn't vegan. From the emotional side of things, to understanding where they're coming from, and of course all the practical aspects of living with a non-vegan such as shopping, cooking, prepping, etc. I also share a bit of what it was like for us as a couple when I decided to go vegan many moons ago.
For all the links mentioned in the episode, click here.
In today's episode we're going to tackle the topic of how to handle conversations and communication when we have an unhealthy and resistant parent, partner or other family member, and we want to share what we've learned and help them make changes. It's a hard situation to navigate through, and sometimes all we can do is lead by example, but today I'm giving you some tips that will hopefully help both inspire loved ones as well as keep the peace if we're met with resistance.
For all the links mentioned in the episode, click here.
In today's episode we talk about the very simple things you can do to your groceries when you come back from the store, so that it saves you a ton of time throughout the week. It's what I call grocery day meal prep, and it goes beyond my usual recommendation of making a pot of beans and a pot of grains or the larger staples, yet it's much simpler! I also introduce you to the person I call my Brazilian magic kitchen fairy, aka the wonderful blogger behind Minha Cozinha Virou Um Jardin and her fantastic instagram stories in which she takes us along her meal prep sessions every Saturday. Don't forget to follow us on instagram as well, since we've added some story highlights to showcase some of the things we do on our meal prep day.
Links mentioned in the video:
-
For the post that goes with this episode where you can find all the links and see all the photos of what I talk about click here.
-
For our instagram account @brownble, click here.
-
For Verena's blog click here.
-
For Verena's instagram account click here.
-
For our meal prep Pinterest board click here.
One of the questions we get the most frequently from people who are switching to a vegan diet is "is this normal?". By "is", I mean any worry or change the person is going through, either physically or mentally. Recently, a lot of you have been asking me about possible emotional problems or difficulties after going vegan. Some of our readers have asked us if depression, sadness or anxiety is normal when switching to a vegan diet. Today we tackle the topic of making this big change in our way of eating, and whether emotional changes are part of those common side effects when going vegan. Of course I also give you lots of tools and tips that can help you find balance with a vegan diet, leaving worry, anxiety, and unease behind.
For the links, photos and videos mentioned in this episode, click here!
The Scandinavians really know how to do it right. They just might have discovered the magic key to mindfulness and self-care which you know I LOVE to talk about in this podcast! It goes by the name of Hygge, the Danish philosophy of doing anything and everything with a spirit of coziness. Think lit fireplaces, cozy blankets and socks, Santa, stew and garlic bread, and anything else that makes you feel like you're in a log cabin in the woods surrounded by cozy pleasures. Today we talk all about Hygge, and I tell you why I don't think it's just funny fluff, but actually, a great daily reminder to put yourself first and treat yourself with kindness. Of course we also talk about yummy vegan comfort food. It's the ultimate Hygge guide!
For all the photos and links mentioned in the episode, click here.
Today's episode is the final installment of our body image series, and we're going deep into what lies behind a big roadblock on our path to loving our bodies: the need to control. When we're trying to learn how to improve our body image, we need to go deep into the issues that have caused us to develop the different voices we all have, that tell us we're unworthy, that convince us to go beyond self care and into perfectionism. I also share wonderful TED talks on the subject of body image, and give you a wonderful exercise to help you on your body love and body positivity journey.
Click here to visit the post for all the videos, links and photos mentioned in the episode.
In today's episode we're tackling part 3 of our body image series with a very personal story. We'll be discussing body image in the context of having a different body, either due to illness, disability, or brought on by particular circumstances. I tell you about my personal experience in this area, and whether you are disabled, ill, were born into a different body, or not, you will get a ton out of this episode when it comes to realizing that we are NOT just our bodies, and that we can live happy joyful lives regardless of the cards we were dealt. Tons of TED Talks, a great exercise for adding more joy to your life, and delicious body positive quotes included too!
For the links, photos and videos mentioned in this episode, click here.
In today's episode we're tackling part 2 of our body image series. We talk about what the studies have shown when it comes to improving your body image and body confidence, we talk about the revolutionary concept of body image resilience, we discuss the importance of self care and body kindness to help you improve your body image and much more. To take a look at the videos, links and photos that go with this episode, click here!
Today in the podcast we're beginning a new series called The Body Image Series, which I introduced to you in last week's episode. In this first instalment of the series I'm telling you about my rock bottom moment when it came to my body image and the things I was doing to try to keep my body living up to the extreme and unrealistic standards of beauty we have nowadays. I tell you this story not only to share, but especially to give you the tools that helped me climb out of the hole I had dug up for myself. As will be tradition for the rest of this series I also include a great Ted Talk and inspiration on the topic of body image, and share an exercise you can do this week to help you on your journey. And so begins our Body Image Series, which I secretly call The Body Love Party!
Click here to visit the post that goes with this episode and check out all the links, photos and resources mentioned in the episode.
In today's episode we're talking about New Year's Resolutions and our bodies, and I introduce you to something special that will be filling our podcast this January as the new year arrives, we call it The Body Image Series!
If you'd like to access the written version of this episode for all the photos and links mentioned, click here!
Today I'm giving you 10 tips that will help you so much if you're hosting meals this holiday season. Sometimes it's the little things you can do when planning, prepping and cooking that can make all the difference and will give you a stress-free holiday season.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
In today's show we're talking all about Holiday foods! I'm giving you some of my favorite ideas for making delicious vegan main entrées that aren't the traditional store-bought or seitan-style roasts, but still hearty and perfect for meat-eating family members.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today I share my most recent stories about living momentarily in the In-Between, a mysterious place that we all visit from time to time, in which lots of our self-care habits leave the building if only for a moment. I'm also going to teach you the secret weapon to getting out of it, it all comes down to one simple step, emphasis on ONE.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today we're giving you a glimpse into what our Thanksgiving was like! I share the stories of why my dog almost gave me a heart attack, our delicious menu and beautiful decor, two simple recipes for the perfect colorful veggie side dishes, and the number one lesson I learned when it comes to hosting these types of events. All that and more in today's episode!
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
It's our vegan Thanksgiving episode! This year we're making it all about the food, and I'm giving you simple ingredient swaps so you can make your holiday favorites, and have a total vegan Thanksgiving feast!
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
The holidays are around the corner, and I thought it was the perfect moment to talk about those conversations that happen at the table when you're sharing meals with non-vegans and get asked all the questions we commonly get as vegans. We cover tips for great communication, what you should never talk about at the table, how to answer difficult questions, the common archetypes that pop up and more!
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
It's finally time for part 2 of our little adventure in London, where we attempted to eat as much vegan food as we could. You'll hear all about the very historical restaurant where we had a stuffed onion, the oldest vegetarian restaurant in London, why vegan sandwiches are always at arm's reach and more!
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today we're taking you to lots of delicious places in part 1 of our vegan tour of London. You'll get to hear about all the delicious places we ate at, the vegan scene there, and what places are a must, and which can be missed without missing anything. Part 2 is coming next week! Spoiler alert... we REALLY liked London.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today we're having a cooking party and the only guests are you, me, and mac and cheese...
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
It's finally time for part 2 of our vegan teen series! Today you are my audience dear teens! I'm giving you a ton of tips and support to help you on your journey when perhaps you're the only vegan in the family and in your group of friends. Vegan teens, this one's for you!
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today we're paying tribute to the wonder that are mushrooms. We talk about their wonderful nutritious benefits, I give you tricks on how to get great results each time you cook them, as well as some quick easy to follow recipes and meals you can create in no time.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today we're talking about the importance of community through the awesome lessons of a young motorcycle rider. I share his story, some stories from my childhood and then we talk about why finding your clan is so important, no matter if you're vegan or not, a knitter, a hiker, a dog lover, a bird watcher or a football fan. I also share some great online communities and forums for vegans, and newbie vegans.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
This week we're telling you all about our story, as a way to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary with you! We're diving deep into sappy love tales, but of course, it's going to be through the lens of delicious food, as well as through the journey we went through when we suddenly decided to give veganism a try.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links and photos mentioned, click here!
Today we're taking the focus off of food for a little bit, while still discussing a healthy approach to eating. We're talking about stress, body image, self-respect and love, being active and many other things that could be affecting our eating habits.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today I'm teaching you some awesome cooking hacks for becoming a total master of frostings, cupcakes, cooking with chocolate, baking pies, flavoring stews, making bread, and so much more! Plus I'm telling you all about some of the stories and people that were part of my culinary journey, including why I was obsessed with making pink pasta as a kid. Yes, I said pink.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today I'm sharing a wonderful mindful eating exercise that will surely help you on your quest to improving your relationship with food. It all starts with a little tiny raisin.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today we're having a total sandwich party and of course, you're invited! We talk about fillings, toppings, vegan meats and cheeses and so much more! Plus you'll get to hear about my family's own sandwich king.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today you'll be hearing the tales of a recovering perfectionist (me!), as we discuss veganism, what it means to be vegan, ex-vegans, and how the pursuit of "perfection" could be hurting the vegan movement and could also be hurting your transition to a happy and healthy vegan diet.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today I'm answering some of the most frequent questions we get asked when it comes to transitioning to a vegan diet.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today we're talking about making the big step into going vegan, and how mindset is EVERYTHING when it comes to having a smooth, healthy and enjoyable transition to veganism. You'll hear all about my obsession with the bat ballet, my mom's monster spray, and the big elephant you have sitting at this very minute in your living room. Yes... you. Yes, I promise this has to do with switching to a vegan diet.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links and photos mentioned, click here!
Today, for our last installment of the vegan barbecue series, it's time for some yummy drinks (boozy and PG 13 or less), and of course dessert! As in super fun inspire the kid in you desserts.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
It's time for part 2 of our vegan barbecue series! Today I give you a ton of ideas for grilling veggies, and making perfect vegan side dishes and salads for barbecues.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
We're celebrating the summer with a full on barbecue series in the podcast! In today's episode I'm giving you tons of ideas and quick recipes for getting delicious vegan meats on that grill and making drool-worthy marinades. Yum!
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today I'm making some confessions... in the breakfast department. All about my weird breakfast alien status and why it has been key to helping me improve my relationship with food.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
If you're a smoothie fan but keep making the same one or two over and over again, today's post and podcast episode will help you a ton in creating new delicious flavor combinations, and understanding the perfect architecture of a smoothie.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today I'm sharing the things I struggled with when switching to a vegan diet, and the tips that helped me along the way.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
In this episode of our bikini revolution series I'm introducing you to the amazing women that are changing the world when it comes to body image, in an effort to start shifting what we see, day in and day out. It's a very special and teary episode.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
In part 2 of our bikini revolution series we're talking about the pressure to be thin, how body ideals have changed, what you can do to start shifting body image perceptions for yourself and future generations, and the dog exercise that might change everything!
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today I'm giving you my best tips, ideas and lots of inspiration to take the fear out of hosting yummy vegan meals at home for friends and family. We cover everything from decor, to shopping, planning the menu and the theme, and I even give you some seasonal menu ideas so you can do some vegan entertaining of your own, in the easiest and must fun way possible.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
With pre-bikini season messages seeping into our lives from every corner, I thought it was time for a change. I call it the bikini revolution and we're getting this series started by discussing the voices inside our heads, the stories we tell ourselves and how to change them. I can't tell you how much I loved recording this episode.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
In today's post and episode we're talking about animal moms and the amazing things they do to care for, love and nurture their young. It turns out, those wonderful mama instincts and that motherly love isn't reserved for just us humans.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links and photos mentioned, click here!
Today we're talking all about kitchen gadgets, tools, equipment, my favorite brands and so much more, all catered to the vegan kitchen and the delicious goodies you'll create in it.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today we're talking about veganism and teenagers! There's so much to say about the topic of habit changes and teens, in today's episode of what we're informally calling "the vegan teen series", we're talking about one of the possible scenarios (there are many and we'll try to cover them all in future episodes): What happens when you're making the transition into a vegan diet and you have teenagers at home that may or may not want to join you. The subject of changing the eating habits of teens is a complex one, and we'll cover some of the important issues and tips in today's episode.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
In honor of my birthday which is this week, I've created a little idea bank on how to celebrate with the cooks in your life, from gifts, to birthday plans and ideas for celebrating, plus so much more.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
It's finally time for part 2 of our food pairings series. We go through many more "made in heaven" combos to help you master the art of cooking without a recipe.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
In today's episode we're kicking off the spring season talking all about planning for picnics, meal ideas for them, along with some pretty cool gadgets that might make you want to grab that picnic basket asap.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
It's finally the last installment of our Dieting Chronicles Series, and today we finally get to talk about veganism, I tell you about the countless sub vegan diets that are out there and the one that created the most havoc in my relationship with food, and we talk about what it really means to be vegan, ex-vegans, veganism and eating disorders and so much more.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Time for part 2 of the dieting chronicles series! Today we tackle more of my personal stories with dieting, and some of the reasons why restriction affects much more than just our weight.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today we're taking you to lots of delicious places in part 1 of our vegan tour of London. You'll get to hear about all the delicious places we ate at, the vegan scene there, and what places are a must, and which can be missed without missing anything. Part 2 is coming next week! Spoiler alert... we REALLY liked London.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today I'm sharing one of the toughest episodes I've recorded so far. It's the intro to a new series in the blog I've decided to call "The Dieting Chronicles", but it's also very personal because I have to apologize to you for something.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here.
Today I'm giving you 5 simple vegan recipes perfect for beginners, so you can start flexing that cooking muscle!
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today I'm teaching you how to infuse "the fun factor" to all your meals and make them a total treat for the senses, we talk about location, serving, ingredients, family style cooking, plating, and so much more.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today we're taking a little trip down memory lane. Back to the past, to hunt your food stories down and start to create a map that will give you great insight into your relationship with food.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today I'm teaching you about the wonder of umami, the fifth taste, and my personal favorite, and how adding small additions to your meals can make them incredibly satisfying.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
In today's episode I give you the two key steps I consider essential before you go vegan, and the 10 tips that really helped me while I was going through this change. All of them will help you go through this transition with ease and love every step along the way.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
This week we talk about traditions. Specifically around the holidays, and how you can keep them alive even if you're vegan. Plus, I share some of my family's crazy traditions!
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post, click here!
In today's episode I give you a little behind the scenes tour of our vegan Thanksgiving celebration, including a ton of decor and recipe ideas, and a very big culinary lesson learned.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today I give you all my tips for hosting the perfect Thanksgiving, preparing the big meal like a pro, I help you decorate your beautiful table and give you my number one tip for navigating the social aspects of this holiday as a vegan. It's our Thanksgiving episode!
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
In today's episode and post I'm giving you a great list of delicious food ingredient pairings and ideas on what to make with each so you start experimenting in the kitchen and improving your cooking skills.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
In today's post and podcast episode I'm giving you my favorite tips to start improving your plant based cooking skills... no cooking school in Paris required!
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today I'm giving you the lowdown on a study done in 1944 that is still considered the most relevant study on starvation and the effects of food restriction in our physiology, psychology, behavior and motivation. It's as mind-blowing as mind-blowing gets, and since I'm on this mission to help you find balance with food without having to rely on restriction through dieting, I thought it was time I shared it with you. If there's one I don't want you to miss it's this one. Grab some popcorn, get cozy on the couch and listen in.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
In today's episode I'm taking you down a little detective work that I think is key when it comes to finding your own tools for optimal wellness. I'm getting personal and sharing some of the stories and the very special place that formed my identity to guide you into finding yours. Your true identity is so important when it comes to finding balance in your life, especially with your eating and self care habits, so we're going down the rabbit hole, and we'll see what you come out with.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
In today's episode we're discussing the topic of visualization. It works for olympic athletes and the biggest business tycoons use it these days, but does it work for weight loss or reaching our health goals? Could we be doing it wrong? Today I answer this question.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
In today's episode I teach you my two favorite recipe stoarge and meal idea organization systems that have really worked for me after years of trying many different methods.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
Today I'm teaching you 15 cooking hacks that will help you get dinner on the table in no time. Most of these are the tools and tips I use in my kitchen daily, to help me streamline the process and make cooking fun, quick and easy.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
In today's post we're talking all about spices, how to use them, toast them, bloom them, and how to add a ton of flavor to your cooking.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
In today's episode we're talking all about body image and how to find your very own body image stories (as well as sharing mine... warning! It gets personal!). These stories will be a great jumping off point to find healing and improving the way you look at and feel about your body.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post for all the links mentioned, click here!
In this blog post we talked all about the 6 different types of "hunger" and why we sometimes confuse them with actual physical hunger, plus I give you 3 simple steps to start getting back in tune with your body's actual hunger signals.
Relax, enjoy or listen on the go, and if you wish to visit the written version of the post, click here!