Earth, Plants & Power

10/31/2026

I love soup/stew season! 🍜 🥔 After a long run in the cold, digging into a warm hearty stew is the best.
Big thanks to my mom for sharing this Old-Fashioned Vegan Stew recipe with me. It’s a keeper! I added red w**e for taste & a can of cannellini beans for more protein. Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for dessert. (Recipes in the comments.) 🌱 💪

10/16/2026

This rainy Friday I took a break from exploring & the job hunt in order to cook. We’re heading out for a hike this weekend so I made creamy (from cashews) garlicky rosemary potato soup, a loaf of gf millet bread, & some monster cookies to carb load. The house smells so good!
(And washing the pots & pans afterwards is less painful when I can gaze out at the foliage.)
🌱 💪

09/12/2026

Next month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “A plant-based diet is one of the most powerful things you can do for your breast health.” - Dr. Kristi Funk Breast Cancer Surgeon
And take it from Venus, we get more than enough protein.🌱 💪

07/20/2026

It’s been a while, but we’ve been extremely busy moving from Colorado to Maine! Yesterday we took a break from unpacking & organizing to do the quintessential Maine activity - pick blueberries! A lovely couple I befriended when I was out for a run has a big field of blueberry bushes (& some very friendly chickens) a mile down the road.
$25 for 5lbs! A steal for this superfood chockfull of antioxidants! Fun fact - Maine provides 99% of fresh blueberries in the US! We actually have a couple of blueberry low bushes in our yard. 🫐
Blueberry muffins, smoothies, pancakes, crisp etc., etc. What should I make first?? 😋 🌱 💪

05/14/2026

Life has been extremely chaotic with our move approaching, our boys graduating, & dive season in full swing, etc. We need to keep our bodies optimally fueled. A few new protein-packed recipes we’ve been enjoying are quick & easy to throw together: Street Corn Bowls, Vegan Egg Salad, & Marry Me Chickpeas. (Recipes in the comments.)
Yet another recent study found that those who eat the most plant protein have lower overall cancer risk. Researchers tracked ~200K participants over ~11 years. Compared to those who ate the least plant protein, people with the highest intake had significantly lower overall cancer risk.
Plant-based foods have compounds that animal proteins don’t - fiber, antioxidants, & polyphenols. AND artery-clogging dietary cholesterol is found only in animal products. Heart disease is the #1 killer in the US & globally. (Study abstract in the comments.)❤️ 🌱 💪

04/07/2026

Soup season never ends in my book. 🍜 I made this creamy vegetable soup this weekend, and it was a hit. It's hearty, chock-full of veggies, and made creamy with cashews. Definitely a keeper! 🌱 💪 (Recipe in the comments)

04/03/2026

“Dietary patterns higher in plant-based foods and lower in animal products have been associated with lower coronary heart disease risk and more favorable coronary heart disease risk factors and metabolome profiles.” -American Heart Association 🌱 💪

American Heart Association bucks Trump administration line to suggest prioritizing plant-based protein over meat

03/28/2026

Now that spring has sprung & the temps are rising, I’m cooling down & fueling up with this delicious Orange Julius Smoothie! 🍊 It’s one of Hank’s favorite recovery drinks after diving practice.
Throw in a blender:
Ice
1/2 cup plant-based milk
1/3 cup OJ
1/2 frozen banana 🍌
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
Scoop of vanilla protein powder
Sq**rt or two of honey or agave syrup
1 tsp each of flax, chia, & h**p seeds for additional protein, fiber, & omega 3’s
Add water to desired consistency.
Blend & enjoy! 🌱 💪

03/15/2026

Scrumptious Vegan Monster Cookies! 🍪 Eating a couple before I head out for a snowy run.
Recipe in the comments. 🌱 💪

03/08/2026

I’m nuts over nuts! 🥜
I try to incorporate raw, unsalted ones (especially walnuts) into my diet daily.
Why??
Nuts:
Reduce inflammation & oxidative stress.
Improve blood sugar control.
Support a healthy gut.
Aid in brain health. 🧠
Provide a source of protein & healthy fats.
May reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, especially stroke.
For a deeper dive into the Predimed study and for a couple of recipes see the comments. 🌱 💪