Vibrant Bites

Triple Chocolate Granola

Humility aside, I think this is my best granola yet. And granola is my thing – you know that one dish you are awesome at making pretty much every single time. What makes this a standout is (1) the layered chocolate flavor coming from a triple hit of cacao from the raw cacao powder, cacao…

dessert

Chocolate Covered Dates

I’ve always loved Medjool dates. Growing up in the Westwood area of Los Angeles where there is a sizable Persian community and many Middle Eastern grocery stores, my dad would always stock our house with the largest, moistest Medjool dates. Medjool dates are sweet enough on their own, but to take their decadence to the…

HealthLifestyleTips

Birth Story of my daughter Ellie

The Tummy Story Tradition – My mom has a special tradition – dubbed the “tummy story” – of telling each of us 4 kids the birth story on our birthday every year. I never tire of hearing it, and maybe that’s b/c it’s short and sweet and goes like this: “You were almost born in…

Breakfast

Matcha Chocolate Chunk Granola

I’ve been making batches of this granola every day for the past week and it’s addictive. The naturally slight bitter taste of the matcha is balanced by the delicious sweet mix of maple syrup, coconut sugar and some chocolate chunks. It’s quick & easy to make and is great on its own as a snack,…

travelandrestaurantreviews

Vegan travel – Big Island, Hawaii

Last we week, Marcus, Luca and I traveled to the Big Island for the first time, and we spent a few days on the Kona side of the island. We both had been to Hawaii, but it was our first time on the Big Island and our first time traveling to Hawaii with baby Luca…

appetizer

Truffle beet hummus

I recently hosted my first plant-based potluck of 2019, an event I’m hoping to do once a month with friends and family, and this truffle beet hummus was a hit. The surprising trick to this hummus is the beet flavor is actually from organic beet powder (vs. roasted beets) so you can make this really quickly. …

appetizer

Creamy Basil Cashew Dip / Sauce

My husband has been growing some fresh basil in whisky barrel planters he made, and the abundant basil that was ready to use inspired this recipe. I have made raw vegan cashew dips before, but almost always made either a classic garlic or red pepper version and this was my first time experimenting with an…

travelandrestaurantreviews

SoCal Organic farmstay at Morning Song Farms

My husband and I have always loved staying on farms, meeting farmers, enjoying a slower pace and savoring farm fresh food. We’ve camped at the amazing Full Belly Farm annual Hoes Down, stayed on an incredible family owned Alpaca farm / Airbnb in Paso Robles and most recently had the pleasure of staying at the…

healthypregnancy

Birth Experience + Life as a New Mom

Incredibly our baby boy Luca is already 6 weeks old! Will share a bit about my birth story, life as a new mom and some things that have helped me so far in this special adventure, and then get back to some recipes (once I find time!). Birth Experience As a first time mom, I…

HealthLifestyleTips

Healthy Pregnancy Tips

I have taken a long hiatus from posting during my pregnancy (though I have stayed active on Instagram – check out @vibrant_veg) but as I’m due very soon (this Friday!) with a baby boy, I thought I would share some things/ tips that have helped me through my first pregnancy. I am grateful that to…