https://linktr.ee/veggiebowlbabe

Veggie Bowl Babe, Boston, MA (2025)

03/26/2021

Is boxed bad??⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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My vote: No.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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In our new health & wellness-forward world, I feel like it's often engrained that the less processed, less boxed/premade food you have, the better.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Now I do often abide by this - opting for homemade salads vs prepackaged ones, choosing freshly made cookies over processed oreos, etc. But I don't follow it all the time.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Why? Because for those starting out on a cooking / health journey, boxed or packaged food is a great option. It takes out half the work of meal prep, and you can often leave these foods in your pantry/freezer so there's not a pressure to cook it that Wednesday or whenever,⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Zatarain's Rice & Beans was a staple of my childhood, and it's something I still love to keep in my pantry for lazy dinner nights. While it might not be a perfectly healthy meals, it's pretty darn close and pretty easy to make.

03/25/2021

My Go-To Dinner Idea!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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What is it?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Stir fry. Always stir fry.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Alec often makes fun of me for these because he calls them "hash," but let's be real, they taste so good who cares what he calls 'em.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Why I love stir fry:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍚 Literally ANYTHING can go into it. Leftover protein, some veggies about to go bad, random frozen foods. It all tastes great⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍚 You don't have to stick within the standard stir-fry rules of rice, veggie, & protein. No way. You could do quinoa or pasta instead of rice, swap veggies with starches, and choose whatever protein you like. Essentially, this thing becomes my "everything but the kitchen sink."⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍚 If you have the perfect sauce, anything will taste good in it. See below for my secret sauce recipe...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍚 You only need ONE PAN. Bless. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Cait's Classic 1-Pan Stir Fry:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍚 2 cloves minced garlic⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍚 Cauliflower rice⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍚 Veggies lying around the kitchen (I used carrots, bell pepper, broccoli, red onion, cauliflower, & spinach here)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍚 meatless chicken⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍚 4 tbsp soy sauce or coconut aminos⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍚 1.5 tbsp maple syrup⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍚 1 tbsp rice vinegar or white balsamic⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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👉Chop veggies & cook over medium heat w/ a little oil and garlic. As they start to get soft, add in your protein. After ~5 min or enough time to cook your protein, add in your cauliflower rice. Season everything with S&P, umami season if you have it, & a lil ginger. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Mix your liquids together & pour over the stir fry. Cook for 1-2 min to incorporate everything, then serve!

03/24/2021

REINVENTING LEFTOVERS 😋⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I used to HATE leftovers with a burning passion, but now I've grown to love them. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Why?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I think I used to hate the idea of having old dinners for lunch the next day. So what I've started to do instead is repurpose those old dinners into next day dinners!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Tips for incorporating leftovers into your next dinner 👇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍴 Reheat using a stove, not a microwave. This makes the food feel like it was just homecooked!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍴 Almost anything can go into a salad. Top with a dressing that pairs well with the flavors, and you're set.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍴 Mix & match with freshly made foods. Your next day dinner doesn't have to be just a repeat of what you had the day before! No way - recreate it into a completely new dish by adding a fun side (I added carrots here to my leftover salmon) or sauce

03/23/2021

To cheese or not to cheese? 🧀 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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That's always the question. I used to love cheese, then hated it with a burning passion. Now, I'm coming back around and love a good fancy cheese like a truffle Parmesan or spicy Gouda.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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My rule of thumb enjoying cheese while keeping a happy tummy is⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🧀 opt for plant-based versions when it's available. Even things like nutritional yeast give you a cheese taste without the lactose⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🧀 Try to cook meals where cheese wouldn't make sense to include (like a stir fry), so that I'm less likely to have it more frequently during the week⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🧀 Try to counterbalance during the day: if I'm having cheesy pasta for dinner on date night, I'll opt for a cheese free lunch like a salad or soup.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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What's your fav cheese of the moment?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Sweet potato & black bean chili⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌶 1 sweet potato⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌶 1 bell pepper⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌶 1 can black beans⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌶 1 can diced tomatoes⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌶 1 white onion⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌶 taco cheese⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌶 seasonings: garlic powder, cinnamon, cumin⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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👉Chop up all veggies into bite size pieces & drain/rinse beans. Begin cooking sweet potato in a medium heat skillets w/ oil for ~5 min. Once it starts getting soft, add in onion. Once onion is soft, add in bell pepper.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
👉Once all veggies are soften just a bit, add in black beans, then tomatoes. Add in 2 tsp garlic, 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp cinnamon. Bring to a boil, then simmer for ~10 min. Serve & top w/ cheese if you'd like!

03/22/2021

Cooking AHI TUNA 🐠 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Since most of the meals I make are plant or veggie-based, I've noticed that when I try to cook seafood or meat for others...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Well, it sucks. I mean burnt yet undercooked.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So I decided to focus on mastering one type of fish/meat at a time! First up, Ahi Tuna.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Pro tips for cooking this fish 👉 use a cast iron skillet over medium high heat & lightly oil it with avocado oil. Season your tuna steaks w/ seasonings & marinade of choice ( I rubbed them in a little coconut aminos, then seasoned each side w/ S&P). Put steaks on the skillet & cook each side for 90 seconds!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Happy Sunday, friends!

03/20/2021

The secrets to self confidence ✨
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I was listening to and old podcast the other day, and he mentioned his philosophy on how to build self confidence.
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The secret is...never stop pushing yourself to be yourself to do uncomfortable things. That's it.
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Why? Because pushing yourself to do those crazy, scary things gives you such an incredible feeling of accomplishment once you achieve them. And creating those bigger, greater goals for yourself (no matter how scary or impossible they seem at first), makes you automatically associate yourself with higher value and worth. Because you are capable of achieving those brilliant, "out-there" dreams.
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Hope you all have a kickass Saturday. 🤍 I'm enjoying the warm Boston air and sunshine!

03/19/2021

WHO MISSES THEIR CHILDHOOD FOODS? 🙋‍♀️
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Alec and I did a date night a few weeks ago where we went to the store and picked out all of our favorite childhood meals and snacks - we're talking mac & cheese, chips ahoy cookies, cinnamon toast crunch, and fruit roll ups.
News Flash: some of them taste even better as an adult (mostly the CTC 😋)
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Just a friendly reminder that there's "eating for nutrients 👊" and there's "eating for the soul 😌." Not every food you consume has to be the most "nutrient-dense" possible - it's ok to eat what your heart craves. Because you won't be truly satisfied until you honor those cravings!
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And honestly, the mental stress of debating whether to eat those nostalgic foods or not is probably more unhealthy than the actual food you're talking about.

03/18/2021

KEEP IT SIMPLE. ✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If you're new to cooking, no worries - I've gotchu. 😉 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Cooking doesn't have to be complex - it can be combining different frozen foods with a little sauce, and it'll be just as delicious as a Michelin star meal.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Todays meal deats 👇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
kale gnocchi, cooked with black bean burger, broccoli, bell pepper, & parsnip. All topped with oregano, basil, and S&P. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Simple but delish!

03/17/2021

Not every dinner I make tastes amazing.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Like far from it.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I love testing new recipes each week, and often times, they are delicious and I'm hooked. But from time to time, they're just not quite right. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This shrimp & scallop pineapple fried rice took a few tries to perfect. Every recipe has the *potential* to be a good one - it just sometimes takes a little extra TLC! 🤗⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Shrimp & Scallop Pineapple Fried Rice:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍍 3 cups rice, cooked (I recommend real rice, not cauliflower rice)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍍 1/4 lb. shrimp⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍍 1/4 lb. scallops⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍍 2 tsp lime juice⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍍 1 can diced pineapple, mostly drained⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍍 1.5 tbsp coconut aminos⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍍 1 tbsp honey⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍍 1/4 tsp chili powder⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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👉Cook rice according to instructions. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
👉Mix coconut aminos, honey, lime juice, & chili powder. Cook shrimp & scallops with this mix. To cook shrimp & scallops, add oil to a medium heat pan & cook on each side ~2-3 min per side. Set aside.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
👉Using your seafood pan, lightly cook pineapple over medium heat until starting to brown. Combine seafood & pineapple, and pour atop rice. Top with basil or cilantro!

03/14/2021

RICE & BEANS but make it classy. ✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Rice & beans was a CHILDHOOD STAPLE for me. Anyone else??? I get why though - it was so easy for my parents to make, and we thought it was pretty darn delicious.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Elevated rice & beans 👌 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍚 spanish rice⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍚1 can black beans⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍚1 tbsp minced garlic⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍚1 sweet onion, chopped⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍚1 bell pepper, chopped⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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👉Cook rice according to instructions. Meanwhile, add garlic & onion to medium heat pan with oil. Once soft, add in bell pepper & cook until soft on low heat.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
👉Add in black beans & rice to veggies. Serve up with S&P!

03/13/2021

One of the first things I missed when becoming more plant-based was chicken tenders.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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They were a staple of my childhood, and chicken tenders were hella trendy when I lived in Nashville - anyone craving hot chicken today???⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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That's why I was SO EXCITED when I saw had so many chicken nuggets & chicken tender options that are all equally delicious!! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This is not an ad, I just love them that much 😅⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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These "Nashville Hot Chicken" ones are incredible, and while they don't taste exactly like a bite of Hattie B's, they sure do hit the spot straight out of my freezer. And meat lovers (aka my recipe tester, Alec) love them too!

03/12/2021

VEGAN PUMPKIN LENTIL STEW 😋 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Holy cow this is SO GOOD. I swear I could not care less if it's PSL season or not, pumpkin ALWAYS tastes good!! And it is packed with so much fiber while being very low-cal, so even straight from the can it's incredible for you! My new project is to start including it in my morning smoothies. 😍⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Pumpkin Lentil Stew Recipe⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍛 1 white onion, chopped⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍛 2 cloves garlic, minced⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍛 2 cups of veggie broth (I use homemade!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍛 1.25 cups coconut milk⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍛 2 tbsp tomate paste⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍛 1 can pumpkin puree⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍛 1 cup lentils⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍛 spinach⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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👉Add onion & oil to medium heat pan. Cook for 1 min, then stir in garlic and cook for 1 more min.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
👉Add in veggie broth, coconut milk, tomato paste, pumpkin, & lentils. Cover & cook on medium for ~10-15 min until lentils are cooked through. Add in spinach and S&P. Stir until incorporated. Serve up with some cashews for crunch!

Veggie Bowl Babe

03/26/2021

03/25/2021

03/24/2021

03/23/2021

03/22/2021

03/20/2021

03/19/2021

03/18/2021

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03/13/2021

03/12/2021

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