Spotlight on: Marni Sumbal—triathlete, dietitian, vegetarian, and all-around rockstar (plus CLIF and LUNA bar giveaway!)

Spotlight on: Marni Sumbal—triathlete, dietitian, vegetarian, and all-around rockstar (plus CLIF and LUNA bar giveaway!)

Marni Sumbal tells us how going veg at age 10 powered her to become a competitive endurance athlete, along with her top tips for plant-strong students who do sports. Plus, a CLIF and LUNA bar giveaway!

[recipe!] Cocoa Halvah Spread

[recipe!] Cocoa Halvah Spread

Sesame seeds are packed with protein, iron, and calcium—nutrients all vegetarians, especially teenage ones, need to look out for. But how many meals can you sprinkle the little guys on? We combined a few simple ingredients to turn sesame superseeds into an easy peasy chocolate-y topping that would taste great on toast, as a dip for carrot sticks, or mixed into plain oatmeal.

[recipe!] Silky Chocolate Chia Pudding

[recipe!] Silky Chocolate Chia Pudding

Try this foolproof (not to mention vegan) dessert recipe. Five simple plant-based ingredients, no refined sugar, hardly any work to make, and a familiar, delicious flavor that may help warm even the pickiest eater up to ch-ch-ch-choosing ch-ch-ch-chia.

Do You Do Nondairy Milk?

Do You Do Nondairy Milk?

Coconut, almond, hemp, cashew, soy. The nondairy milk options seem to keep multiplying, and are available more widely now than ever. Soymilk has long been a fixture in many coffee shops; last week Starbucks announced that it will be making coconut milk an option in its U.S. stores, and almond milk has been on the menu at select Dunkin’ Donuts outlets since September. Here's everything you need to know about how your favorite nondairy milk of choice stacks up.

[trend alert!] Vegetarian Butchers—huh?!

[trend alert!] Vegetarian Butchers—huh?!

If you’re a vegetarian, or someone who leans in that direction, the mere thought of going to a butcher shop may be enough to turn your stomach. So it may surprise you to hear that butcher shops are—in our opinion—one of the hottest trends right now in meat-free food.

[restaurant review!] The Butcher’s Daughter: New York, NY

[restaurant review!] The Butcher’s Daughter: New York, NY

Creative and delicious vegetarian food from a place with a name like The Butcher’s Daughter? Heck yes! We stopped in to this tiny but bright restaurant in Manhattan’s Nolita neighborhood the other night to see if it could be true. And was it ever.

[recipe!] Cauliflower Buffalo “Wings”

[recipe!] Cauliflower Buffalo “Wings”

Ready for Superbowl Sunday? Whether you’re in it for the game, the halftime show, or the commercials, you’re gonna need something to eat. If you’re a veghead, chips and guacamole might be the beginning and end of your culinary options. Here’s where our Buffalo “wings” come in.

On-Screen Veg: The Top Ten Plant-Powered TV and Movie Characters

On-Screen Veg: The Top Ten Plant-Powered TV and Movie Characters

Now, I've heard a lot of fascinating stories from the real people I met when I was writing The Smart Girl’s Guide to Going Vegetarian, not to mention the many teen vegetarians (present and former!) that I’ve encountered since. But fictional VegHeads are interesting for a whole other reason—writers are using vegetarianism as a tool to create a story around their character. So what does making a character meat-free actually say about them?

[New product alert!] Field Roast Chao Slices, a.k.a. vegan cheese

[New product alert!] Field Roast Chao Slices, a.k.a. vegan cheese

Boy do people love their cheese. Have you ever noticed how otherwise rational human beings swoon and get starry eyed at the mere mention of the food? For many of the people I meet who stop eating dairy products, giving up cheese is one of the hardest parts. But with a new vegan option, the idea going cheese-less doesn't have to scare you any more!

New Year's Vegolution! Five Things Every Newbie Teen Vegetarian Should Know

New Year's Vegolution! Five Things Every Newbie Teen Vegetarian Should Know

Resolving to eat less meat in 2015? You’re not alone. Loads of people make the decision to revamp their diets once the new calendar begins, with “lose weight,” “improve health,” and “eat healthier” all in the top ten New Year’s resolutions for 2015, and for many, cutting back on meat will play a major role in achieving one of those goals.

Most vegetarians go back to eating meat—so should you even bother?

Most vegetarians go back to eating meat—so should you even bother?

Are you a vegetarian, former vegetarian, or VIP (Vegetarian-In-Progress)? And does it really matter? Check out our thoughts on a new study that finds most vegetarians eventually go back to eating meat. 

[#LinkLove!] Don't stuff yourself on stuffing! Eight veg-friendly, protein-rich Thanksgiving dishes

[#LinkLove!] Don't stuff yourself on stuffing! Eight veg-friendly, protein-rich Thanksgiving dishes

So. Thanksgiving is coming. You’re not eating turkey. But what are you going to have? Sure, you can build a meat-free meal of stuffing, yams, and string beans. But there’s something about overloading on sides that can make you feel kind of empty. We've compiled a round up of protein-rich dishes that will keep you satisfied and be a welcome addition at any holiday table. 

[recipe!] Pumpkin Bread Pancakes (that just happen to be vegan and gluten free)

[recipe!] Pumpkin Bread Pancakes (that just happen to be vegan and gluten free)

It always feels like a bit of a cruel joke that my birthday falls out around (and sometimes on) Thanksgiving. I mean, is there any holiday that is more meat-centric? But rather than feel sorry for myself, I get cooking. Thanksgiving dinner may not be MY meal, but these pumpkin bread pancakes—a delicious, vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free way celebrate fall—totally are. I'd rather celebrate all month long than at one meal, anyway!

Nutrient to Know: Vitamin B12

Nutrient to Know: Vitamin B12

So important for vegetarian teens...so little time in the spotlight! As we like to say here at The Smart Girl’s Guide to Going Vegetarian, protein is like the most popular girl in school—it gets a whole lot of attention it probably doesn’t deserve. Vitamin B12, however, is that under-the-radar student who's much more interesting and important than she'll ever let on. Read on to find out why this vitamin is so crucial for vegetarian teenagers.  

[#LinkLove!] This Week in Veggies

[#LinkLove!] This Week in Veggies

We were so busy with work (deadlines!), fun (National Kale Day!), and interviews (we chatted about vegetarian teenagers, secret smoothie ingredients, hemp seeds showing up on drug tests with Samantha Heller on her awesome Sirius XM Doctor Radio Nutrition and Fitness show!) that we totally forgot to post this on Friday. Without any further ado, all the vegetarian-related news, recipes, and tips you’ve been craving.

Eight Great Brown Bag Ideas for Veggie Teens

Eight Great Brown Bag Ideas for Veggie Teens

The school year is in full swing, and by now you’ve probably remembered that school lunches aren't always so good to the vegetarian teenagers out there. Here are eight toss-in-your-bag meals that will hold up through your morning classes and keep you going until the final bell sounds.