Beyond Meat Crumble & Earth Balance Cheddar Squares | REVIEW (Video)

Sometimes the best way to get started on a vegan journey is by replacing some your favorite foods with pre-packed plant-based alternatives. Not only is this convenient, but it may help on those days when you feel like giving up because meal planning is overwhelming or life gets busy.  Fortunately, many vegan companies are making the transition so easy with amazing products!

I went to Whole Foods to test out Beyond Meat's crumble and Earth Balance's cheddar squares.

I put the feisty crumble on tacos for the kids with lettuce, tomato & salsa. It was delicious!  I'm very picky about vegan crumbles because let's face it....most brands aren't that tasty.

It only took 5 minutes to cook and the flavor and texture is very similar to traditional ground beef. I really think I could fool my omnivore friends and fam with this one. I used the feisty one and it comes seasoned like taco meat.

I wish I could say the same about the Earth Balance's cheddar squares. None of us were impressed with this one. It has a hint of cheddar flavor but they were way too salty for our taste. Since this is a new product, I'm quite sure Earth Balance will make some improvements later. :-)

Watch my full review in this video and don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more recipes and vegan tips.

Have you tried these products? Let me know what you thought in the comments below or on Facebook.

Brown Vegan Love: Kimberly Elise

Pic Credit

Sometimes I feel like I don't "know" enough Black vegans.

Last I checked, only 2% of Americans identify as vegan, so just imagine how small our numbers are overall....

I was so excited to see actress Kimberly Elise featured in the latest PETA ad campaign. She's been on a vegan journey for 5 years after being a vegetarian for 10 years.

After learning about the harsh realities of animal suffering, Elise decided a vegan lifestyle is best for her life. 

In this video she talks about her transition and the perks....

She said the most ridiculous thing she's been asked on this journey is, "Black people are vegan?" Gurrl, I can relate!

Her fave vegan perks: Food taste better because your palate is cleansed since you're not eating meat, great energy and more youthful appearance.

Woohoo!

P.S. Is it me or did PETA do a terrible job of make-up/editing my boo's face in that pic? I almost didn't recognize her.

Labor Day Eats & Vegan Tips

I just wanted to hop in and give you a few last minute recipes for your Labor Day vegan cookout (or cookouts…if you’re greedy like me lol).
 
For the grill: Our favorite homemade vegan burger, Field Roast sausage and hotdogs (check their site for where to buy near you)

 
Side Dishes: Simple pasta salad, Potato salad

Dessert: Peach cobbler
 
Did you see my How to Eat Vegan At Cookouts blog post? I give you some tips on how to feel a little more comfortable.

Be safe and enjoy your weekend, fam!

What We Ate Today #7 | Vegan Family Meals (VIDEO)

Breakfast: Roasted potatoes, strawberries & blueberries and chocolate milk (using almond milk)

Lunch: Falafel (pre-packed vegan brand from Whole Foods) on pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber & So Delicious Greek-style yogurt and watermelon

Dinner: Macaroni & cheese, sauteed spinach (in garlic, salt, black pepper & olive oil) and Gardein crispy tenders

Here's a recipe video for the vegan macaroni & cheese

Watch the video........

Need more vegan family meal ideas? Check out the other What We Ate Today posts/videos here.

Eat, Sleep and Get Serenaded by Boyz II Men | Vegas Recap

I was in Vegas for my cousin's bachelorette trip and I did a lot of sleeping and a little eating.

Who goes to Vegas to sleep? I do! With 3 boys at home, my idea of vacation these days is moments of silence. lol Plus, I was having a wack week, so the timing of the trip wasn't the best.

Anywho, we caught some shows (including the Chippendales- guurrl! lol), rode on the High Roller and partied at a couple of night clubs.

I didn't eat nearly as much as I usually do because I was traveling with 8 other women and ummm, being the only vegan left me out of the meal planning mix. lol They were all about the seafood, burgers and wings on this trip! *sigh*

I ate a few salads, Nutter Butter cookies, peanuts and french fries, but I didn't care...you know being that I sipped on rum and caught up on some sleep.

A couple of times I went to the food court in Paris Hotel and had vegan burgers and fries at Johnny Rockets. I ordered the Streamliner burger with a vegan Boca patty, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles & mustard.

I didn't notice until afterwards, but I think they toast their buns with butter. You may want to double check before placing your order.

I used to stan for Boyz II Men back in the day! We saw them perform at the Mirage hotel and they still got it!

During I'll Make to You, Wanya pulled me on stage and gave me a rose. lol

Good times!

On our last night, my mom suggested a Japanese restaurant hoping they would have more vegan options than the Italian one everyone else wanted to go to.

Right before dinner at Japonais restaurant

I ate an avocado roll, sesame seasonal vegetables & rice. I was surprised that there weren't many vegan options on the menu outside of these items and asparagus. The service was amazing though and the server tried to accommodate me the best she could. She knew the menu inside out and even the miso soup had animal products. Can you believe that?

This is definitely one of those times that I could see a new vegan feeling pressured to eat like everyone else. I had to ask the server so many questions because the most basic side dishes...like sweet potato puree and shiitake rice casserole had dairy. *sigh*

The food was fine but yeah, I was hungry afterwards. lol

It just wouldn't be Vegas without posting a picture of this.....

Ha!

Quick Vegan Travel Tip:

*Happycow.net is bomb for finding local vegan-friendly restaurants around the country. Check them out!