by Brigitte | January 27, 2023 | blog, health, nutrition
Calcium for vegans and plant-based eaters: should we be worried? Americans and Canadians, and some Europeans, have repeatedly been told that we need to drink milk and consume dairy products for bone health. Going vegan can feel like a rebellion against the established...
by Brigitte | January 5, 2023 | blog, health, podcast, vegan journey
Charlyn Black trained as a family doctor more than forty years ago, but most of her career has been as a scholar dedicated to understanding the social determinants of health for over three decades. She is now a Professor at the UBC School of Population and Public...
by Brigitte | December 3, 2022 | blog, health, mindfulness, podcast
How can the principles of mindfulness and compassion support a transition away from overeating and food addiction? I had the good luck of exploring this topic with Karen Steiner in conversation for the Vegan Family Kitchen Podcast. Listen to the episode: Watch on...
by Brigitte | September 12, 2022 | blog, health, podcast, vegan journey, zero-waste
Babita Shresta thought she had landed on another planet when she first visited a grocery store in Minnesota. Coming from rural Nepal, where as a child she learned to cook fresh vegetables and simmer lentils alongside her grandfather, she had never seen packaged...
by Brigitte | May 20, 2022 | blog, health, nutrition, podcast
When a client says “I am concerned about including soy products in my plant-based diet because of the cancer risk,” this is the information I can provide them. In short: no, you should not avoid eating soy for fear of increasing your cancer risk. Quite the opposite!...
by Brigitte | May 19, 2022 | blog, family, health, nutrition, podcast, pregnancy
Can fertility improve with a plant-based diet? Research certainly seems to be on the side of a reduction in meat intake having a positive effect. Generally, healthy plant-based diets focused on whole foods also have the potential to improve many of the factors that...
by Brigitte | May 11, 2022 | blog, family, health, nutrition, podcast
Iron for vegans and plant-based eaters: should we be worried? Iron is a common concern of well-meaning friends and relatives, upon learning that a loved one is going vegan or committing to eating more plants (and fewer animals). Since most people still think of meat...
by Brigitte | April 28, 2022 | blog, health, how-to, nutrition, pantry cooking, program
Plants have all the nutrients we need to sustain good health and prevent disease. How can we make the most of what they have to offer without spending our whole days in the kitchen? How can plant-based eaters increase their odds of getting all the iron, calcium,...
by Brigitte | April 11, 2022 | blog, family, health, podcast, strategies, vegan parents in the kitchen
How do you get into shape after having kids without spending hours in the gym? Amy Kakebeeke is the queen of squeezing short yet effective workouts in-between the many commitments of her busy life as a working mom. Get ready to be inspired to hop off the couch and...
by Brigitte | December 9, 2021 | blog, health, strategies
The best way to nurture your own health and that of the planet is to eat a healthy plant-based vegan diet consisting mostly of home-cooked foods. If you are just getting started with this healthy vegan plant-based lifestyle, it can be overwhelming. There is so much to...
by Brigitte | June 16, 2021 | blog, family, health, podcast, strategies, vegan journey, vegan parents in the kitchen
Dreena Burton has published six vegan cookbooks and raised three children in 20 years. That elevates her to superhero status to me. Her recipes take nutrition, appeal, and ease into consideration all at the same time, and she keeps on showing up to inspire us with...
by Brigitte | June 9, 2021 | blog, family, health, podcast, strategies, vegan parents in the kitchen
Traditional medical education makes very little room for nutrition and disease prevention. As a result, “health care” often ends up looking more like “sick care.” But the tide may be turning and the number of plant-based doctors is growing....
by Brigitte | June 2, 2021 | blog, health, nutrition
Should we cook with oil? Opinions differ wildly on that topic within the plant-based community, and there are many people out there who avoid all oils as much as they can. As a result, as a professional meal planner, I often get asked by prospective clients whether my...
by Brigitte | May 13, 2021 | blog, essentials, family, health, nutrition, pregnancy, strategies, vegan journey, vegan parents in the kitchen
Should I supplement B12? My answer is straightforward: yes. This is probably true regardless of one’s dietary choices, but even more so if vegan or even just a part-time plant-based eater (flexitarian). This article is required reading for all Vegan Meal Plans...
by Brigitte | April 26, 2021 | blog, family, health, podcast, zero-waste
In April 2011, I quit drinking coffee. This was an unexpected move for me because I loved coffee. Back in the mid-1990s, I had a blog and many posts were about the art and pleasure of coffee making and drinking. My espresso machine was my most beloved appliance. I...
