I’m Sam Turnbull, vegan recipe blogger, cookbook author, and YouTuber writing to you from Toronto, Canada.
Here’s my story…
You can sit back and watch this video or skip it and read my story below.
Going vegan
You might be surprised to hear that the moment I decided I was going to go vegan, I was completely and utterly bummed about it.
Let me explain, I NEVER in a million and six years thought I would become vegan.
I grew up in a family of foodies, chefs, butchers, and hunters (yes, it’s true). My household had a flock of chickens (both for eggs and for eating), the freezers were stocked full of meat, steaks were cooked rare, and there were even real animal heads decorating the walls (not that I ever liked the heads). Now, doesn’t that just sound like the most vegan household you have ever heard of? Probably not. So, as I’m sure you can imagine, switching to veganism was a BIG change for me.
So what in the world happened?
As a kid I always loved animals. I had dogs, cats, gerbils, turtles, and even a rabbit named Gravy (no, I didn’t realize how incredibly odd that was at the time). But even though I loved animals, I was still an avid meat eater. It made sense to me: animals were killed because we “needed” to eat meat and that seemed a-ok to me.
I thought vegetarians, and especially vegans, were so extreme and silly. They were all dying of protein deficiency for sure. (Insert eye roll here.) So, that’s how I was coasting along through life. Loving my pets, being creeped out by fur and taxidermy, all while wearing leather and eating meat, eggs, and dairy.
Then…
One fine day in 2012, I made (what turned out to be) the best decision ever: to sit down and watch a documentary about being vegan called Vegucated. And that triggered some uncomfortable questions in my brain. So the next morning I woke up and decided to try being vegan. I cleaned out my cupboards and fridge of anything that wasn’t vegan and started this crazy new adventure.
I knew I wanted to try it, but I also knew I wasn’t entirely convinced yet, so that night I watched Forks Over Knives. And then I followed that up with every health, environment, and animal cruelty book and film I could get my hands on.
The result? You guessed it, here I am today, dun dun duuuuun! A vegan. (Hi!) 👋
By the end of my documentary and book binge-fest, two things were absolutely clear to me:
- I was officially going vegan.
- I didn’t want to be vegan.
After all of my research, it made 100% logical sense to me to be vegan. It was better for my health, the environment, and, of course, the animals. The problem was, I actually hated the idea of adopting a vegan lifestyle. I remember being so frustrated, almost wishing I could un-learn all of the facts I had learned. I loved meat and cheese, and I really didn’t want to be “that weird vegan girl.” Well, I couldn’t un-learn, so I had to come up with a new plan of attack: be the best damn vegan I could be!
Becoming the best damn vegan I could be…
I had always loved to cook, so I started researching vegan cooking. I stocked my cupboards with what the recipes required, hard-to-find, expensive, and odd ingredients such as arrowroot starch, brown rice syrup, xylitol, guar gum, spelt, hemp, and other weird things that I still have lingering in some back corner. All the recipes had names that included the words “energy,” “glow,” “detox,” or “power,” and were mainly for bars, balls, juices, smoothies, and salads. They required hours of prep, dehydrating, and straining, and had a ton of steps. Cookies were raw, chocolate was frozen, desserts were healthy, dinner was spiralized, grain bowls were a must, and everything had kale, quinoa, chia seeds, sprouts, avocado, and coconut oil in it. This to me was indeed boring and weird food.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with those kinds of recipes. They just weren’t for me. Sometimes I love a smoothie or a juice, but for the most part, I just want pancakes and pasta. Why did I have to become all sprouts and kale just because I was vegan?
So, I began playing around in the kitchen…
I stopped the costly trips to the health food stores, and instead of using the weird recipes I had found, I started being inspired by my old favourite recipes. I learned that juices weren’t required, I didn’t have to love energy balls, and I could make meals that actually appealed to me and my friends (whether they were vegan or not). I soon discovered that any meal could be made vegan, and with a few clever tweaks, a large spice cabinet, and a dash of creativity, I began loving my recipes. In fact, I loved them more than the original animal product-based recipes.
Not only were my new creations satisfying, hearty, full of flavour, and straight-up delicious, but they were just as easy to make as any other meal. With limitation came inspiration, and before I knew it, going vegan had become one of the best decisions I’d ever made!
As a sweet bonus, I saw my health improve. I didn’t even know that I had been feeling bad until I learned what it felt like to feel great! Gone were the days of feeling bloated after eating, of having a sensitive stomach, of getting drowsy mid-afternoon, of unbuttoning my jeans after meals, and of feeling guilty and grossed out when I thought about what my dinner really was. I was now healthier, leaner, more energetic, and just overall happier.
The best, and most surprising part of going vegan was that I absolutely loved it!
I started to document my recipes so I could make them again and again. At first, I was just taking quick snaps on my phone and jotted down the ingredients, but I decided a better plan was to (not so subtly) woo my friends, family, and anyone who would listen to the greener side by sharing my recipes online. And so this blog, It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken, was born. Hot dang, it worked! Friends, family, vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores from across the world were making my recipes — and raving about them!
I think I’m like a dog. Pat me on the head and tell me I’m good and I will love you forever. As the feedback started rolling in, I really got passionate about blogging. Not only that, but I was helping to show people that a plant-based diet can be totally delicious, easy, doable, good for you, and not at all weird!
I have now made it my full-time career to share all of my totally scrumptious, approachable, comfort food favourites, and everyday meals made vegan. No fussing about, just good ol’ food that everyone will love, vegan or not.
My Recipes
When I first started cooking vegan, I thought I needed lots of fancy and expensive ingredients, that I would be living off of kale and quinoa, and that I would forever feel like I am limited in my choices. As I began experimenting, I realized that none of that was true at all!
What you WON’T find:
- Fake, mock, or “un” recipes. I don’t eat fake food. I eat real food. I don’t think there is any problem with creating familiar tastes and textures, but I call it what it is, and not what it isn’t.
- Fancy shmancy ingredients. I will introduce to you a few of my favourite ingredients that may seem a little odd, such as nutritional yeast (obsessed!), miso paste, and chia seeds, but these ingredients, along with all of the ingredients I use, can usually be found in your local grocery store. No bizarre flours, no things you can’t pronounce, or difficult to find health foods.
- Weird, scary, or bland looking food. Yes my recipes are vegan, but I swear you’ll barely notice.
What you WILL find:
Hearty, and satisfying comfort food recipes. These are simple, scrumptious meals for everyone, vegan or not. You’ll find pasta, burgers, burritos, soups, cookies, cupcakes, and all things delicious and familiar.
Quick and easy recipes that will fit right into your day-to-day life. Many of these recipes can be whipped up without stress—even after a long day.
Trustworthy recipes. My friends and family were happy to chow down, and they’ve helped me test my recipes over and over again, so I know these dishes will turn out correctly.
You can check out my recipe index, find me on YouTube or pick up a copy of my cookbook Fuss-Free Vegan. SO MUCH DELICIOUSNESS TO BE HAD.
My fave recipes:
- Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower
- Tofu Bolognese
- Melty Stretchy Gooey Vegan Mozzarella
- Tofu Scramble – Breakfast of Vegan Champions
- 6 Ingredient Pulled Jackfruit
- The Ultimate Vegan Chocolate Cake
- Vegan Irish Stew
- Quick Vegan Pho
- The Best Vegan Chili Ever
- The Easiest (and most delicious) Vegan Cornbread
- Vegan Toast Dipping Sauce
- Sweet Korean Lentils
- Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
My fave documentaries:
(A lot of the documentaries can be found on Netflix or YouTube).
- Forks Over Knives
- Earthlings
- Cowspiracy
- What the Health
- Vegucated
- Hungry for Change
- Food Matters
- Fat Sick and Nearly Dead
My fave books:
First time visiting It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken? A big, huge, warm welcome from me! If you like what you see, be sure to subscribe so you never miss a fuss-free vegan recipe again.
If you ever have any questions, need any support, or just want to say hi, feel free to drop a comment below here or on any recipe. I do my best to respond to all comments within a few days. 🙂
Bon appetegan!
Sam.
What lipstick do you use? I am so impressed with it!
Haha! Thank you! It’s Lip Ink. I swear by it!
Hello Sam,
My husband and I have been vegetarians for 35 years, and raised both our children (now both 22 years old) as vegetarians. My daughter became a vegan 2 years ago, but I was reluctant as the vegan recipes always seemed so convoluted to make. A work friend of mine recommended you and I so appreciated you sending free recipes out via email that I bought your book yesterday. Wonderful, simple recipes that are delicious! Thanks so much for this – we are just about to make the banana bread! Is there another book coming out any time soon? Best wishes.
Hi Ilona! So happy you’re enjoying my recipes so much 🙂 There may or may not be another book coming out 😉 I hope you enjoy the banana bread 🙂
Hey Sam!
I recently used your ricotta and tofu Bolognese recipes and made the best vegan pasta bake ever! I can’t wait to make more from your website and I’m going to buy a copy of your cookbook for my kitchen as well!
Aww amazing! Thrilled you’re enjoying my recipes so much, Grace 🙂
SAM!!! Just wanted to shout a huge THANK YOU all the way from Australia! I was never a foodie, but after being a vego for years, I took the plunge and went vegan 2 years ago, basically doing my best but dreaming of comfort foods and having a lot of hits and misses. I hate all those fancy schmancy vegan blogs – yours is the only one that makes sense and is drama free. Absolutely love it! Thanks again and keep ’em coming!
Aww thanks so much, Cecilia! Thrilled you’re enjoying my blog so much 🙂
I just want to tell you how beautiful your blog is and how tasteful everything looks and is once you cook it. You definitely make it simple and non expensive. Thanks
Aww thank you so much, Paulina! Thrilled you’re enjoying my blog so much 🙂
Sam,
I’m looking at steamer pots but don’t know which ones are best. Too many on Amazon to count but perhaps you might have a recommendation?
Thank you,
Gail
A steamer pot is a steamer pot is a steamer pot. Really they all work the same. Just don’t buy el cheapo ones because they will warp in a relatively short period of time. Absolutely no need to spend big bikkies to buy one though.
I sure do! You can see all of my kitchen tool recommendations here, including a steamer pot 🙂
Congratulations on being awarded Best Vegan Blog! I love your blog and your cookbook. You and your story have been inspirational to me. Thank you!
One question – I am allergic to coconut so I can’t use whole fat coconut milk. What would you recommend as a substitute? I’ve tried a couple online suggestions but I wonder what you suggest.
Sincerely,
Denise
ABig Vegan Fan!
Aww thank you!! I would suggest making cashew cream, 1 part water, 1 part raw cashews, blend until smooth and creamy. 🙂
CONGRATULATIONS SAM, ON BEING VOTED THE BEST BLOG BY VEG NEWS READERS!
You so deserve this recognition! Besides the delicious, creative, artfully photographed and easy-to prepare recipes you share, you also seem to be an honest, sincere and kind human being. Humble, too, since there’s nothing (yet) about this award on your blog. Be sure to let the world know!!
We are all fortunate that you share your heart and talents with us. You are making a difference!
Awww thank you so much Bev and Doug!! So thrilled you love my content so very much 🙂 I will post about it soon!
Any plans for a second cookbook? We have devoured your first one, it’s the absolute best and we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all of your recipes!! We have yet to be disappointed and I’m really hoping there’s plans for another cookbook. Thanks for all the great recipes (cookbook and website), you make being vegan easy peasy and we appreciate all of your hard work. Thanks Sam!!
Aww thank you so much, Sandra!! So thrilled you are loving all my recipes so much 😀
**********Confidential to Sam*************
Hi Sam-I found information about you and your awesome recipes looking at Pinterest. My youngest son has been vegan for around 8+ years so I sent in his email address for him to receive your information. He has been more than impressed with what he has received from you and can’t wait to try everything he receives.
I wish there were a way to introduce the 2 of you! He is 34 year old, never married and enjoys life fully.
Haha, thank you Vicki! I’m happily in a committed relationship tho 😉
Any chance you will go lecturing or a book tour in the USA? I am a long time vegetarian but a new vegan, around 3 monts now.
I don’t think I could have done it without your cookbook and awesome recipes.
Thank you! Your awesome!
Jeff
Aww that’s wonderful Jeff!! So thrilled you’re loving my recipes so much. I don’t have anything booked in the USA right now, but make sure you’re subscribed to my newsletter and/or follow me on Instagram @itdoesnttastelikechicken as I share all of that kind of info there. 🙂
Your merry energy just bursts out of these photos. Between that and the smiley, adorable chicken of your logo, just BEING on your site makes me feel happy. New visitor but I’ll be coming back again (and again, and again, and again).
Awww I love that!! THank you Emma!!
I am so glad I found your site. My husband and I are newly vegan. Most of the recipes I found were too off beat for me. I spent one whole Saturday cooking, and didn’t like any of the meals I made. I have loved everything I have made from your site so far. Bonus that the recipes are so easy! I might even be able to get my teenagers to like some of them! Thanks for your great recipes! You make being a vegan a whole lot more palatable 🙂
HI Sam!
I have a question regarding the almond cow machine. We purchased the one you use and would like to know how to get the milk creamy, as it is right now it comes out more like skim milk.
Thanks,
Heather
Hi Heather, try reducing the amount of water or adding more nuts/seeds/oats etc. Enjoy!
How long do you soak your almonds that go into the almond cow machine? We’ve tried soaking them an hour and then over night with the same results – skim milk. We have been using a nut bag previously and the milk comes out nice and creamy, so we were hoping for the same results with the almond cow. We have tried the min water mark and still the same results. We do like that it takes very little time and the easy clean up.
I would either try reducing the amount of water or increasing the number of almonds. I also like to run the machine twice to get the maximum out of the nuts. Hope that helps!
Watched gamechanger and am now ready to go vegan when I get back from holiday. I came across your cookbook and the reviews are stellar and the recipes look delicious! I ordered your cookbook and am super excited; however, I didn’t see whether or not the nutrional info will be listed with each recipe. I’m trying to slim down a bit while going vegan and know that it will probably happen, because its all plant-based; however, I still want to know my caloric intake to ease my mind :).
Also, I was wondering if you have any brands you recommend for things like butter aka your go to ingredients to make these amazing recipes. I am so excited to get this book and read it on vacay and get ready to do it when I get home. Thanks for doing all the work for all of us!
Congrats on your new veganism Cathy!! I hope you love my book when you get it 🙂 The recipes in the book do not contain the nutritional info (the recipes here on my site do tho). My go-to vegan butter is Earth Balance. Other than that you will see that my recipes include pretty normal ingredients, and brands don’t matter much. Hope that helps!
Thanks Sam! I watched that doc and I’m ready starting in 2020, I even have my carinvore dom partner willing to go at least a month with me
I’m sure I can put the amounts you’re using in each recipe on some kind of calorie app somewhere on the web, no worries! Quick question about the cals on the recipes here.. I was researching kcal and I kept getting different answers. Take for example your awesome buffalo cauliflower it said 260kcal and when I went to convert that it said 1000 calories for each serving and I went ahhhhh impossible, its cauliflower a bit of flour and hot sauce. Can you clarify the kcal conversion? I read your story and I believe that when you became vegan you lost weight and felt better, was that eating these foods or was that from the crazy balls and bars you used to create?
Last, super excited that earth balance is the brand for butter. Any recommendations on vegan cheese, cheese spread, and/or meat subsitute brands or do you stay away from those ingredients in your recipes? I saw good reviewes on Beyond, Lightlife and a few others. If you could give any recommendations, that would be awesome! Luckily I live in Ann Arbor Michigan near a world-renowed university, therefore my vegan selection is vast!
Thanks for your help and answering my NUMEROUS quesitons. Also I really appreciate the kind words! I’m excited to join the vegan ranks real soon! Happy Holidays!
Hi Cathy, 1 Calorie is equivalent to 1 kilocalorie, so the cauliflower would be 260 calories. I lost weight and maintain it eating the foods I make and just maintaining my vegan diet. I don’t use meat or cheese substitutes in my recipes as everyone has access to different ingredients, and instead to use more basic ingredients. But feel free to play around and see what you like! Best of luck and happy new year!
Hi Cathy!!!! I grew up in Michigan near East Lansing but i have always been a huge U of M fan! I live in Wisconsin now but. I will always be a Michigander! Anyways i went vegan in 2012 and lost 80 pounds in less than a year. I was driving taxi at the time and my activity level never changed. It was just from going vegan. And i was eating e crappiest food of he time. Vegan chips and cookies!! Lol!! I went to being just vegetarian again and started eating dairy again and i gained all the weight back and then some!! All of Sam’s recipes i have tried are delicious and they are getting me back on track!! You can do this!!! Don’t worry to much about calories!! If you eat a healthy vegan diet the weight will come off!!!! I am doing this too!!! Thanks too Sam for being creative!!! I appreciate everything you do!!!
Oh another benefit i noticed when i was vegan is insomnia went away my periods went from about 7 days down to 3 days and all of my joint pain was gone!! It is all back once i added dairy back!! Not saying that will happen for you or anyone else. That is my experience! I am so happy to be vegan again for the animals and my health!
OMG! I think because of you I may finally be able to REALLY SERIOUSLY become vegan… I love easy recipes… just made the chocolate muffins, yum! Making sweet Korean lentils tonight! Thank you!!!
Aww yay!!!!! That makes me so happy, Beth!! Congrats on your new veganism 🙂
Sam i love your recipe’s. So easy to follow, i don’t always master them, but have fun trying. Every meal is delicious.
So glad i found your site, looking forward to buying your book for Christmas.
Bon appevegan
Aww thanks so much Tony! SO happy you’re having so much fun cooking 🙂
Oh my goodness you are the cutest thing ever! LOVE your recipes and LOVE your honesty about becoming vegan, because I felt the same way! I am currently using your tricks to try to wean my husband and 4 kids over to plant-based eating. Thank you!
Thank you so very much, Mackenzie!!! Haha!! Good luck 🙂
Sam, just bought your cookbook and love it! Vegeterian Cheese Cake is awesome.
I have 2 questions.
1) Parchment paper should not be used at temperatures >425 degrees (flammability, I think.) Your Barbecue cauliflower suggests bake at 450. I put it on aluminum foil instead of parchment (big mistake?) and the coating had the consistency of leather.
2) Do you correct temp or duration of cooking if you use convection?
Hi Jonathan, so happy you love my book! I always use parchment paper without a problem but I imagine aluminium foil should be fine. The coating is supposed to be a bit chewy to give the cauliflower a meat-like texture but perhaps it cooked a little long and got too tough. It’s difficult to know without being in the kitchen with you. I don’t use convection so I’m afraid I can’t advise on that. Enjoy!
Hi Sam,
I love your YouTube videos but you haven’t made in a while. Are you stopping YouTube? I hope not, I love your enthusiasm and energy.
Thank you so much, Jennifer! Not stopping completely, just taking a break, but I hope to make a new one soon 🙂
I had my ten-year vegan-versary back in June and it was awesome! I was at Trader Joe’s and the lady at the sample counter recognized me as “that vegan guy.” She asked me how long I’d been vegan and, being bad with dates, I had to check my calendar. And sure enough, that very day was my tenth year to the day! She gave me an apple.
I got to the front, to check out my fully-vegan cart, and the cashier asked me about my t-shirt (I love Bob Ross), and we got to talking about how I’m vegan, and how I just found out that it was my tenth-year to the day, so she runs away (“be right back!”) and brings me a vegan-marked banana bread.
Yay perks! (Plus, the animals!)
Can’t wait to try your tiramisu. Hooray!
Haha! Amazing!! Happy 10 years 🙂
I love your website, I love your recipes, I love your energy. My daughter is an environmental scientist and she has shown me that there are many compelling reasons to adopt a vegan diet. My children gave me your cookbook yesterday for Father’s Day. So many recipes I can’t wait to try!
Amazing! Welcome, Tony. 🙂 I hope you enjoy many recipes 🙂
Wow! We are so similar! I too went vegan overnight after watching Vegucated. The first week was hard, but my motivation was clear. That was six years ago, May 9, 2013. I was about to turn 58 (never too old to start). I live with a carnivore (who recently lost 100lbs thru bypass surgery) and his teen daughter (vegan?? never!).
Becoming vegan was the easiest and best decision I ever made. I love your videos! You’re kookie, like me! First up, Butter Chicken.
Thank you for being you, and for helping other vegans, and vegan-curious, to discover life beyond kale (which I hate, even massaged or lacinto).
Wow that’s so cool!! So happy you are enjoying my recipes, and even better, loving being vegan!! 😀
Sam, you rock!
I am a new vegan as a result of recently discovered food allergies. For awhile I thought I’d never get to eat “normal” again LOL. I saw one of your recipes on Pinterest so I bought your cookbook. The first recipe I made was the tofu scramble – it is so easy and SO delicious. I am totally in love with eating again!
Thanks for all you do to make it easier for people like me!
Blessings,
Robin
Aww that’s so wonderful, Robin!! So happy you get to eat and enjoy again!
Thank you for your great recipes and website. I would like to mention one possible oversight. The recipe category “Mains” is mostly not “Mains”. Are the rest of the “Mains” somewhere else? Thanks again.
Hi Bob, you can find all of my recipes here. Enjoy!
Hi Sam, I’ve just found your site and ordered your cookbook. Amazon will deliver tomorrow. Excited to try your recipes!
Thanks and enjoy your day 🙂
Wonderful! Thank you so much for your support, Cheryl! I hope you love the recipes 😀
Hi Sam!
Me and my family have been vegan for over 2 years now (and loving it, it is the best thing that happened to me). I wanted to ask you if you could try and do a recipe on crumpets because in my country there aren’t any, and I’m not sure if they are vegan anyways. so me and my sisters would be really happy if we could make them at home.
and also, you are amazing and I love all of your recipes. <3 Thank you so much for the work you put in it!
You are the best cook I know with the best personality!
Panna
Aww thank you so much, Panna!!! I have added crumpets to my inspiration list 🙂
Thank you!
This is by far the best vegan recipe website I’ve come across!
I was non dairy pescatarian for years and in recent months went completely vegan and I find so many websites have recipes so difficult to follow or require strange ingredients.
Came across your Instagram page about half an hour ago, going through your amazing recipes while one is already in the oven!
Aww shucks, thank you so much, Becca!! That is exactly my goal, to make my recipes easy and without strange ingredients. So happy you are digging in already 🙂
Oh my gosh! I was just in a restaurant that had a “Vegan Selections” section on their menu. When I saw that almost everything had kale and quinoa in it, I just cracked up laughing!
Hahahaha!! I bet there were portobellos too 😉
Nah, it wasn’t that upscale. hahaha
I realize this is a weird comment to leave on your blog but after watching the Melty Gooey Mozzarella video a bunch of times (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE5ikbujGas), I simply HAVE TO ASK: What lipstick are you wearing in that video?! Such a lovely, flattering cool-toned blue and I want to buy it!
Hahaha! Aww thank Sarah! I always wear Lipink lipsticks and I believe that shade is just called red. 🙂 Here is a 10% off code. http://lipink.refr.cc/samturnbull
Where do you get protein from – when saying this point I’m not critising asking. Id see it if you were following vegetarism for example. Our family, when we watched your blog were perplexed. What I mean is, how come, you aren’t protein deficient because you seem to look healthy.
Hi! No problem at all, happy to help inform you. Protein is found in all whole plant-based foods. It doesn’t just come from animal products, it’s also found in beans, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and grains!
Greens like spinach, kale, peas and broccoli, have somewhere around 20-30% protein, even rice has 8% protein. You only need 8%-10% of your diet to be protein, so as long as you eat a varied diet, you will easily get all the protein that you need. In fact, the average vegan gets about 70% more protein than they even need in a day! I highly recommend you watch this video which will explain in a bit more detail. I also recommend watching Forks Over Knives which can be found on Netflix. Enjoy!
Hey,
My friend showed me your book as we’re all on a new vegan journey. Your recipes are what I call realistic expectations and now making the scones!! The smell whilst there in the oven baking is divine..
Can I freeze them though? Not that they would last that long but was going to make extra 🙂
Thrilled you are enjoying my recipes so much, Kirsty! And yes, the scones should freeze well. Enjoy!
Hi Sam! I LOVE your introduction! I’m new to veganism, made the switch in October of 2018. I do love to cook and love finding recipes that will get my family excited about trying my plant based dinners. Thanks for blogging and I look forward to trying some of your stuff out. As a matter of fact, I think I’ll do taco Tuesday tonight for dinner! 🙂
Welcome, Lisa! And Congrats!!! It’s so amazing you made the switch 🙂 I hope you love my recipes and happy Taco Tuesday 🙂
Your tacos were amazing!!!! I added some mashed up kidney beans only cuz I had some in the fridge that need to get used up. So delicious! I’m making your chocolate cake on Thursday. ❤️
Wonderful!! So happy you are enjoying Lisa 🙂
I was desperate, I needed a vegan birthday cake recipe because all my partners children who are vegans were coming over and I didnt want them not being able to join in the celebration with no cake. You’re ‘Ultimate Chocolate cake’ was amazing, we loved it so much that we were all going back for seconds, even someone who doesnt eat sweet stuff! I think I may have found the new best birthday cake ever. We will be using your site for many yummy dishes in the future as we explore being plant based. Thank you 🙂
That’s so wonderful, Diane!! So thrilled you enjoyed the cake so much. I’m a strong believer that you don’t have to sacrifice flavour to eat plant-based. I hope you enjoy many more recipes to come 🙂
Hi, I randomly found your site through a Pinterest search for shiitake mushroom recipes. So funny, your story is so similar to mine, down to the year and the documentary. I also watched Vegucated in 2012 and tossed and turned the whole night knowing I would not be able to eat eggs, dairy or fish again, (I didn’t really mind giving up meat), and how was I going to manage this! Best decision I ever made! I look forward to trying your recipes, they all look wonderful!
Oh how cool!! It’s so funny that we were both so worried about going vegan and now both feel its the best decision we ever made! Welcome, Martina 🙂
Dear Sam,
Love your website and feel glad to have found it. Your story sounds very similar to mine. I have not gone full vegan yet. Grateful for the list of documentaries and books, will start on those with the eventual hope of coming to the same conclusion you did. Will try the spicy Sriracha Tofu as the first recipe from the site. And will stay tuned to your site (have subscribed to email updates). Will also check out the cookbook.
Anyhoo, thanks again and look forward to exploring the site, book, etc a bit more. If you have any specific recs, I’m keen to hear them.
Best,
Ben
Hi Ben, welcome! So happy you found me. I hope you enjoy all the recipes you try. You can check out my list of Top 10 Vegan Recipes of 2018 to see some recent fan faves. Bon appetegan!
I am happy to have found your site via a friend. We are both in the position of having children with vegan friends (her son’s girlfriend, my son’s college roommate), so we are learning new things to accommodate their way of eating. I am baking this weekend for our February care package, and my friend recommended your chocolate chip cookies. Looking forward to making them, and exploring your recipe stash!
Welcome, Chris! So lovely that you are being so accommodating and caring! I hope you enjoy the recipes. I’m sure you will find that many of my vegan recipes taste just as good, if not better than the traditional versions. Enjoy!
You are too cute! Soooo excited to try one of your recipes. I recently started dabbling in vegan food due to some personal convictions. I was gung-ho until I realized I’d have to give up cheese. Last weekend, I tried a vegan pizza from the grocery store, I almost cried because the cheese was so bad! On top of that, I’ve searched websites for vegan recipes only to find them complicated and eating away at my food budget. But your website has given me hope! So thankful to find a fellow no fuss cook, vegan friend!!
Thank you, Quincy! So glad you found me too! I have lots of vegan dairy recipes, including cheese recipes, but I actually recommend trying to cut out cheese entirely for the first month. This should break the cheese addiction, and then you may begin to appreciate the vegan cheeses a little more. I hope that helps and that you enjoy many of my recipes 🙂
Girl thank you! I live in a place where super fancy vegan ingredients aren’t available, so seeing a blog like this is almost like a breakthrough for me! I’ve run across you a few times on Pinterest and you’ve finally won me over!!! Thanks so much!
Its New Year Eve here in New Zealand. A day or two ago a biker friend told me about the Pumpkin and Lentil Shepherds Pie his wife had cooked. He said it was delicious. I don’t know if it was your recipe but Google led me to your blog-site. I cooked it last night and instantly won bragging rights with my wife. Yay! We have been plant based for just over 6 months now. All the usual good stuff as a result. Weight loss, happy hemorrhoids, better skin, more energy, reducing medications, lower blood pressure, etc. Loving it. And very happy to have found your blog. More inspiration to keep on keeping on in 2019
Oh that’s so awesome! So happy you found my blog as well, John. Welcome, and I hope you enjoy many more recipes 🙂
Aww that’s awesome, Julie!! Thrilled you love my style of cooking. Welcome to It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken 🙂
Hi Sam !!
My name is also Sam and I’m also Canadian actually im only about an hour away from Toronto.
I started my vegan journey 6 months ago and in the process my husband ended up becoming vegetarian (I can’t see him ever giving up his cheese or coffee cream but I still consider it a win!) We also made the decision to raise our 3 young sons in a vegetarian/ vegan lifestyle. I noticed the same things you did, all the recipes were full of weird ingredients and definitely weren’t the most kid friendly. Then I found your YouTube channel and everything changed. My kids eat vegan about 80% of the time and vegetarian the rest, my picky 5 year old is trying new foods all the time and loving them! Complete life changer.
As for me I had high blood pressure and was over weight. At 26 years old I shouldn’t be on blood pressure medication for the rest of my life. With this lifestyle I’ve lost 70 lbs (yes in 6 months!) and my high blood pressure is completely gone. I have you to thank for a lot of that if my family wasn’t able to get on board it would have been difficult for me to stick with because I would have been making so many separate meals all the time. Now we all eat delicious vegan dinner and a family and we enjoy every last bite! Thank you so very much. I can’t wait to buy your cookbook and try more amazing recipes.
Hi Sam!!! (Great name 😉 )
That’s so amazing!!! Congrats on all your successes. I’m so very happy my recipes have been helping you and your family on your transition. And a HUGE congrats on your amazing health accomplishments!! The power of a vegan diet is so amazing! So happy you found me, and I look forward to seeing you around in the comments 🙂
Hi Sam,
I am a student writer for El Leñador, a Humboldt State bilingual newspaper. I was wondering if it was possible to use your recipe for the ooey gooey mozzarella “cheese” dip for my upcoming issue? I wanted to know if it was okay to take a screenshot of your recipe posted at the very end of your recipe as it is easier to paste it onto the layout of the newspaper.
I am eager to hear back from you!
Thanks for liking my recipes! All of the text and images are the property of It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken. Feel free to share photos, and/or quotes with a link back to the original post on my blog. Do NOT copy and paste entire recipes or large bodies of text. This is a breach of copyright. As long as you follow these guidelines, you do not need to email me for permission. Thanks!
Hey Sam,
I’m grateful for your site and insight! Your recipes have been helpful in my transition as well. I converted due to health reasons after being diagnosed with arteriosclerosis. The only way this was identified is through a heart score (3d wave imaging) otherwise I felt fine. I have since also discovered a site plantbaseddoctors.org and found a local cardiologist that is WFPB and prescribes it to patients that are willing to change and reverse heart disease. In my 6 months of being WFPB, I no longer take statins and will be off of HBP medicine by next May, if not sooner. My cholesterol went from 258 total to 135 total, my BP went from 140/90 with meds to 116/67.
Thank you, Thank YOU for what you do!
Steven
That’s wonderful, Steven!!! So happy you found your way to a plant-based diet and that you are feeling better. 😀
Hi Sam,
We have the same story. I saw Earthlings & immediately became v e g a n…..in August
2011. There is a lot of information hidden from people. Once I knew the t r u t h, I became vegan instantly. I couldn’t justify eating
animals, after educating myself…..
Yeah, once you learn you can’t unlearn! I just wish everyone was exposed to all the information! 🙂
love your site!!! huge help for me transitioning! and love your awra and spirit! keep it up, Girl!!! 🙂
Thank you so much, Roxanne!! So happy to have you here 🙂
I really like your recipes. Especially “cheese” ones. I’ve decided to get a Vitamix blender. Which model do you have?
Aww thank you so much! I don’t actually have a vitamix, I have a Blendtec and a Breville boss blender. (Yes I have two super powered blenders, haha)! In my opinion they work about equally, but I do prefer the design of the Blendtec. Hope that helps!
I got your book and am loving it.
Starting this week to cook some of your fab recipes and freezing them as I am going for hip surgery next month and will be laid back 2-3 months, so need some goodness in the house!
Today I went to the hospital for my counselling and I wore RED lipstick!
I don’t wear makeup at all, but today I thought, hey red lipstick… go for it!
Thank you for being you! And I will continue being me!
Haha! I love it, red lipstick to the hospital, you’re my kinda gal! I hope your surgery and recovery goes very well! 🙂
Hi Sam!
I’m so beyond excited that I just found your site and I’m thrilled to share that I’m getting ready to make your 6 ingredient pulled jackfruit! Yep, this will be my maiden voyage in both cooking with and eating jackfruit! Whoo-Hoo! Thanks so much for joyously leading the way in sharing the delights of eating a plant based diet and for making it so fresh, fun, exciting and entertaining all the way! As I always tell my husband “vegan is for lovers!” and I’m pretty certain we’ll both be loving your awesome pulled jackfruit tonight for dinner!
Blessings to you!
Lori Blevins
Hi Lori, welcome! That’s so awesome, I very much you enjoy the jackfruit!! “Vegan is for lovers” ← perfection!
Just got your book. Wow!!! Besides the super recipes, absolutely beautiful design and layout. I confess I’m not vegan, but your recipes have certainly tilted our diet in that direction. I consistently go to them first, because they are simply …..so good!! Great job.
That’s so awesome, Dan!! So happy you like the book. Haha, you don’t have to be vegan, my book is for everyone. Every little bit helps and the more vegan meals you enjoy the better!! Thrilled you are enjoying the recipes so much 😀
Hi Sam! I began my vegan journey only 11 days ago and your blog was one of the first I came across. The Tofu Bolognese was the first recipe I ever made using tofu and it was AMAZING!! I also made the BBQ Jackfruit and it was delicious! I couldn’t believe how similar it was to chicken. Anyway, I just ordered your cookbook and it can’t get here soon enough. Black salt was in that order as well. Scrambled tofu here I come! Your blog has so much good info, is so laid back and relatable and your videos give me the confidence that I can make this vegan thing work. Thank you so much! And my husband thanks you too! He has a very happy, vegan tummy!
Aww that’s so wonderful, Kristie!! SO happy I am able to help you on your journey a little. It sounds like you are loving the food already which is so key!!! (In my opinion). I hope you love the book, and enjoy the craziness of black salt! 🙂
Hi Sam!!! I became vegan 2 years ago after doing some research on a health condition I have. I started to feel better but I needed to do something more. So a few months ago I became a raw vegan and I never felt better!!! Well…raw expect for 1 food…your vegan cornbread! I found the recipe months ago and loved it!!
Now with fall and winter approaching (I live in Northern Ohio) I want to transition to a raw till 4 vegan.
I found your YouTube channel and love your cooking style and recipes. I jumped right to Amazon and ordered your cookbook! Can’t wait to start planning my fall and winter meals with it!!!!
Thank you so much, JM! I really hope you enjoy my book, it’s definitely not raw, so you will have to wait until 4 to fice into it! haha.
Hey Sam, after being blown away by the seitan recipe on your blog I bought your book. Last night we made the burrito bowl with ranch dressing and we were all blown away by how delicious it was. We ate way too much. I had to lie down after to rest my stomach. Thanks so much for all the work you clearly put into these recipes. You’ve made my transition to a vegan diet more like a transition to a much yummier diet.
Bahaha! That’s awesome! Thanks for the lovely comment, you’ve totally put some pep in my step today!
Hi Sam! I have been a subscriber to your website for several years now and just love it. I bought your cookbook a while back and made the chocolate cake today, YUMMMMM! Every time I go on your site a little box pops up that says if I subscribe to your site I will get 5 bacon recipes. I guess you can only get them if you are a new subscriber. Please let those of us that have been with you for so long get these recipes, too. Thanks, Judi
PS I miss the old pictures of when you first started your site. They were so cute.
Thanks for being with me for so long, Judi!! If you enter your email in the box, it should go away and not show again for you. And of course, just send me an email and I will send you the ebook 🙂
Hi, love to read your strory, I am trying to figure out if to be vegan again _was raw vegan for a while and was vey difficult to follow…and now are basically trying to eat healthy animal proteins as I am not sure how to get all my protein needs as I am an athlete. and want stay healthy and thin. Please tell me how you get all your protein and manage to stay thin with muscle tone and healthy??Thanks !!
Hi GIL! Thanks for saying hi. It’s wonderful that you are trying to be vegan again. Start easy! Just start with to goal of vegan in mind. Later on down the path if you want to focus in more and be raw, you can do that, but start easy. I highly, highly recommend reading or listening to the book Proteinaholic. Also check out the documentaries Forks Over Knives and What the Health. They are both available on Netflix if you have that. All whole plant foods contain protein. Unless you are calorie deficient (aka starving), it’s actually impossible to be deficient in protein. In fact, the average vegan gets 70% more protein than they even need in a day! Even athletes get more than enough protein on a vegan diet, so it’s not actually something you have to worry about at all. The whole more protein is better thing is a myth. Check out this video for more on that. Instead, I would focus on getting the animal products out of your diet as they are very hazardous to our health (you will learn all about that in the books and documentaries). I hope that helps!
I saw the website and am interested. As a vegan family, we don’t buy much processed stuff anymore.
kudos to you..
Thanks! I hope you enjoy the site 🙂
Oh my gosh! Your journey sounds so like mine! I too bought all the weird ingredients and spent a ton! Then I like you realized I could make over my old recipes! It has been so much fun! My daughter is in an animal activism group and I am teaching a couple of them how to cook/bake vegan! It’s a blast! It’s been almost a year for me going vegan and I feel like a new person! Love it! Thanks for all the great recipes!
That’s awesome, Kelly! It’s amazing how going vegan can be so life changing 🙂
Hi Sam! Your journey to veganism sounds a lot like mine! I didn’t grow up in a household with animal heads or hunters, but I was surrounded by it nonetheless. I didn’t have any connection to the reality of what was on my plate. Sadly, I think that’s the case with most people! I love your website and have tried many recipes – one of my absolute favorites is the Puff Pastry Wrapped Lentil Loaf. That seriously saved my Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners! Thank you!
Hi Sarah! So thrilled you love my site! Thank you for saying hi 🙂
Hi Sam! I’m a long time watcher and follower and I adore so many of your recipes. I’ve been wanting to buy your book since it came out but today I stumbled upon the most amazing thing… in my local library in the depths of North Carolina (NOT the most vegan place) I found two copies of your book!! It was so amazing. I still want to support you and buy the book when I can but seeing that just made me smile. I hope you have a wonderful day!
Hi Sol! Yay! I love that my book somehow made it all the way to your library! I hope lots of people are able to borrow it and test out recipes. Thanks for saying hi 🙂
I have loved all your recipes in Fuss-Free Vegan 101, but I have a question on the marinade for rice paper bacon. I followed the recipe but I use coconut aminos not soy sauce and it came out like a paste and the oil didn’t blend in. It smelled amazing and I really want it to work. Any suggestions would be so appreciated. Thank you for all the delicious meals.
Hi Patricia! So happy you are loving my book so much Fuss-Free Vegan so much! The mixutre is supposed to be a loose paste, if yours is too thick you can always add a splash of water or oil to thin it a bit, but it should be fairly thick so that it sticks to the rice paper nicely. The oil won’t blend in completely and that’s ok. I hope you enjoy it!
We tried adding more oil, it didn’t help. We used Vietnamese Spring Roll Rice Wrappers. Could that be part of the problem? Maybe a decrease to 2 Tbsp. Nutritional yeast?
Hi Patricia, it’s hard to know how to alter a recipe without being in the kitchen with you. You can see in the photo the consistency of the paste so maybe that will help guide you. I’ve heard lots of rave reviews from others who have tried the recipe so it should work out. Sorry I can’t be more help!
Thank you we’ll keep trying. High altitude is often different
Oh yes, I know nothing about that unfortunately.
Hi – I subscribed and got an email with the link for the free download but the whole email looks garbled. Lots of weird characters. Not sure why – but the link for the free download is messed up for sure since if I click on it it says it’s a bogus location. I’m curious about your bacon ideas so I hope you can send me a valid link for the free download 🙂 Thanks!
That’s so bizarre! I just checked and everything looks good on my end, and the link appears to be working. Could you try again? If it doesn’t work again, please just respond to that email so I can see what’s up and try to fix the problem. 🙂
I did respond to the email I got. Not sure if you saw it or not. Thanks!
Hi Susan, yes I did and I responded to your email :). If you didn’t get my response then I’m wondering if there’s something specific to your setup, whether that be your email client or otherwise, that may be contributing to this? I haven’t heard of this problem from anyone else, so I can’t seem to figure out why it’s not working for you, unfortunately.
Thank you Sam! I found it! For some reason that particular email was filtered into junk. Pulled it out and added your email to the “good” list.
Your chocolate cake is so wonderful! And your chili is amazing and oh so easy. Thank you for taking the time to make comfort food vegan! I’m still learning, one year vegan now, and doing well thanks to bloggers such as yourself. THank you so much.
My pleasure! So happy you are enjoying everything, Angela. Congrats on one year 😀
I love your site! Unfortunately, many of your recipes use nutritional yeast and I recently discovered I have an awful reaction to it when I eat it. Are there alternatives to it in your recipes or am I out of luck? 🙁
Oh no, what a bummer 🙁 It would totally depend on the specific recipe. If it’s just a small amount, then it is added for flavour and you can just amp up the other flavours a bit more. Hope that helps 🙂
I am so glad I found your blog! I also live in Toronto and I just became “chegan” I say that because I am still googling recipes and figuring out how to be a healthy vegan. I just watched Forks over Knives and Cowspiracy is next. I will try your recipes – uncomplicated is the way to go!
Awesome!! Welcome, Mona. Let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 🙂
I just got your book today and read it from cover to cover!
This is my second attempt to go vegan for health reasons. I am so excited to make all the recipes from the book!!
I wish I would’ve found this blog back in December when I attempted the first time!! Thank you so much for making this process so much easier and fun for us!!
Yay!!! Welcome! I’m thrilled you have my book and are giving veganism another shot. It is my goal to make it as easy peasy as possible for people, so I am so glad you are finding it easy and fun already 🙂 Please let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 🙂
Hi Sam!
I can’t wait to make some of your recipes. I am actually making the transition to vegan from vegetarian. I love me some cheese and eggs but I know there are other amazing alternatives I need to try 🙂
Hi Amanda, welcome! That’s awesome!! I would recommend trying my mozzarella and cheese ball recipes as those are always a hit, and I just posted a vegan fried egg today! Let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 🙂
Hi Sam just discovered your recipe for “meringue cookies” yayyy can’t wait to make them! I have made little meringue cookies before but mine turned out like polystyrene crunchy….so was wondering can you give me tips of how to get a chewy centre just like meringues?
Have you got a recipe for macaroons?
So enjoyed reading your blog.
Thanks so much! The chewy center happens when they are cooked the right amount of time. If they are all crunchy it means they are overbaked. So check them by taking one out, letting it cool completely, and enjoying. Then you will know when they have been cooked right. 🙂
I don’t know how many times I can comment that you’re a genius…but you’re a genius. Just got your book and having a hard time deciding what I want to make first because everything looks amazing, and everything is also super easy to make, and everything is my favorite lol. Thanks for the recipes!
Hahaha! Aww shucks, thank you so much, Danielle! Thrilled you love it so much 😀
Found your blog/site after google search. I am looking for receipes to help my daughter who is on a 6 week elimination diet. As well as new inspiration for another daughter who is vegetarian.
I like easy and fast to put together meals. There are 6 people in my family, but one is off on his own now. The 5 who I still feed regularly include a hubby who is a meat eater, very picky and has an aversion to change (LOL). A daughter with Celiac’s so NO GLUTEN for her at all, a daughter who is a strict vegetarian, a daughter who is picky eater and eats meat sometimes.
As for me I have been a vegetarian in my past but I do eat meat now. I will try just about any food or type of cooking someone throws at me. I love to try new things.
I look forward to getting some inspiration from your blog/site.
I would love to kn ow if you have experimented at all with how to replace the Gluten ingredients in your receipes?
So happy you found me, Jenny! I hope you enjoy many recipes. I’m not very knowledgeable in gluten-free recipes, as I’m not gluten-free. I do make suggestions where I can, but also if you check the comments, many recipes testers post their gluten-free subs. I hope that help! Welcome to my blog 🙂
Hi from Argentina! I have just watched COWSPIRACY and i feel i have to change. so searching for info on a planet based diet i found your blog and i love it!
Welcome, Sole! What a great movie. Thrilled you are making the switch. I have lots of easy recipes on my site that should help you, and let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support.
Hi Sam! You are brand new to me today, and you are such an inspiration. I haven’t eaten meat since Christmas day, going strong and always looking for new ideas. I just watched your buffalo cauliflower video. Goind to make it soon, love it!
Beth
Hi Beth. Welcome!! Congrats on your new meat free life! I hope you love the buffalo cauliflower, and many more recipes 🙂
Does your Cookbook have many low-fat, low-sugar recipes? Thanks.
Not really, it’s probably not the book for you.
WHAT? Sam, just as you tweaked recipes to get your fabulous ones for us, they in turn can be modified for lower fat and sugar. Sometimes just a tsp of coconut oil or a bit of stevia or real maple syrup at the end of mixing works just fine. I can’t have tofu (estrogen rich), but found Chickpea Tofu made from chickpea flour and water works as a substitute, it marinates, fries, adds lovely texture and flavor to recipes written to use tofu. Try gluten-free flour instead of regular, perhaps something equally delicious will result. Don’t give up this cookbook and its wonderful ideas and recipes. Its very worth having it in your library. Thanks Sam. Food/recipe fiddler here too.
Hi Sandy, so glad you are enjoying my recipes! If you are comfortable tweaking my recipes that’s fabulous, but I know many people are not and I don’t want to mislead people. Many of the main dishes can easily be made low fat, but the desserts would require a bit of creativity. FYI tofu doesn’t actually contain estrogen, it contains phytoestrogen which is actually very good for you. Check out Nutrition Facts for more info. Thrilled you are enjoying my book so much!!
Love your enthusiasm! I always bring a vegan dish to family events to help relatives realize it is not only compassionate and morally right but easy and delicious to eat without animal products.
Thank you so much! That’s wonderful 🙂
January 1, 2018 and here I am with the possibility of making some life changes. I tried your Korean BBQ lentils during the summer of 2017 and was truly wowed by them. My daughter was experimenting with vegetarianism and I was more than happy to help her. The lentils knocked our socks off! While I might never become truly vegetarian or vegan, I very much appreciate your approach to meatless cooking and how you do not compromise taste and satiety for this lifestyle. I am looking forward to reading more of your blog and will search for your cookbook. Applause for you – YOU ROCK.
Aww shucks, thank you so much, Heather!! Thrilled you are enjoying my recipes so much. My cookbook is now available worldwide, woot woot! I’m afraid the stock in some stores is a little low as it is selling out, but the second print should be arriving soon. 🙂
Hi Sam!
Thank you for sharing your passion on this blog! I am a transitioning vegan; mainly vegan, but will eat seafood on occasion. I have the problem of saying no to others, to not come off as rude and to not waste food that has already been prepared. I began my journey into veganism in a very similar manner that you did and watched the same movies. I also read a book from farm sanctuary, They had some amazing facts and information in that book as well. Living the Farm Sanctuary Life: The Ultimate Guide to Eating Mindfully, Living Longer, and Feeling Better Every Day.
But anyway! Thanks again for the inspiration I will be making dinner tonight using one of your recipes, I cant wait to see how it turns out! I will share on Instagram the one I choose. So many choices!
Thank you for making eating healthy fun and affordable!
Have a Happy Holiday and Looking forward to all that have to offer!
Hi Kiersten! Welcome! So thrilled you found me. Yes, it can be awkward at first to say no to others but it becomes much easier over time. Check out my video that I recently posted “5 Years Vegan“. I talk about just that very thing. I hope you love the recipe you try!
I loved it! I made the mac n cheese; apple muffins, and your cheesy Broccoli soup! All were a great hits for my vegan and non vegan family members 🙂
Woohoo! Thrilled to hear that!
Hi Sam, I am interested in your meat substitute recipes, especially the ones using Jack Fruit. I love to grill and smoke, and thought this would be a healthy alternate to compare to my favorite recipes. looking foward to trying your pulled pork recipe since watching Easy Vegans video on youtube.
Thanks! Joe
Wonderful! I hope you love it, Joe 🙂
Hi Sam!
I really like your recipes, stumbled across them when looking up vegan breakfast options. Can’t wait to try more!
Your website is REALLY well laid out and I just wanted to say you are doing an awesome job. Keep up the good work! By chance, does your book include any recipes catered to children?
Hi Alyssa, thank you so very much!! 😀 Yes, my book has a ton of kid-friendly recipes such as: pancakes, waffles, muffins, granola bars, pizza pockets, broccoli soup, carrot dogs, 15 minute peanut noodles, mac and cheese, chocolate chip cookies, crispy caramel rice squares. I’ve heard kids love it 🙂
Hi Sam,
Just found your blog. I’m excited to try out your recipes and check out your cookbook. You and your friends are very amusing in your cookbook ad! Best wishes for 2018!
Rach
Haha thank you so much, Rachel! It was fun to make that little infomercial 🙂
Being Vegan is very bad for your health though… We were not designed to be Vegans, a lot of things lacks in a Vegan Diet, and that is something that will show further down the line i’m afraid! Good luck though 🙂
I’m afraid that’s not what the science shows, Ole. I recommend checkout out the documentaries Forks Over Knives and What the Health (both are on Netflix), and the books How Not to Die, and Eat to Live. Better health is one of the main reasons I went vegan.
I just found your website because my husband and I are planning our Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner and he needed a recipe for vegan cream of celery soup! He was also looking for a vegan pumpkin pie recipe which you have! Has your cookbook been published yet? I must order it for my husband (I don’t know how to cook).
Hi Mary! Welcome 🙂 Yes, it sure has. You can check it out and pick up a copy here. I hope you and your husband love it!
Hi Sam,
I just found your blog – wow! I love it. You are such an inspirational breath of fresh air – much needed in my life right now. I watched “What The Health” a few weeks ago and decided to go vegan (so did Hubby) but we somehow got sidetracked 🙁 Last night I watched “Forks Over Knives” – best doco ever (so far). This time I got up in the midst of the doco and emptied my cupboards of all the bad stuff and sorted out my fridge so I’d have no more temptations. Yay!
Today I started vegan and I don’t want to stop. I’m sick of feeling fat, tired, and older than I am. I’m 58 but have been feeling more like 70. No more! Your blog has given me hope and inspiration. Other people’s comments have also been encouraging. I’m excited to try your recipes, and buy your cookbook.
Thank you for being the vibrant cheerful person you are. You make me feel happy just looking at your photos.
Love, blessings and gratitude to you Sam xo
Hi Judith, Welcome! I did exactly the same thing after watching Forks Over Knives! I’m so happy you cleaned out your kitchen, having a completely vegan kitchen makes it 1000 times easier to transition. If all you have is vegan food around you, that’s all you will eat. Keep up the awesome work. It’s all about breaking old habits and replacing them with new ones. It can be a challenge in the beginning, simply because it is new, but once you get the swing of it, the only think you will wish for, is that you went vegan sooner. (That’s what alllll vegans say)! So glad you found me. Please let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 🙂
I found this that you are hilarious. What tasty foodstuffs to devour as I laugh. Thanks for being vegan. ️
My pleasure 🙂
Hi Sam my name is Marie and I’m being a vegan but I need advice it’s hard for me to avoid stuff and I just wanted to see if u have any advice for that….
Hi Marie, are you looking for food replacements or do you need some inspiration? If you want some inspiration I recommend checking out the movies Forks Over Knives, What the Health, Cowspiracy, Vegucated (all are on Netflix), and Earthlings which you can watch here. Hope that helps!
Hi Sam,
I just wanted to thank you for creating your fuss free vegan cookbook. This is hands down the easiest and tastiest vegan cookbook ever! I love how easy all your recipes are and the low ingredient list. I even bought a copy for my friend who isn’t vegan but is open to exploring those options. She immediately wanted to make the rice paper bacon! This is the first book I have been excited to show my non-vegan friends. Your honest intro is what made me decide this is a cookbook I could share with anyone. I am definitely going to be recommending this to everyone I know.
You are a godsend to the vegan cooking world. Thank you for sharing your amazing recipes!!
Hi Lauren,
Wow, thanks so much!!! I’m totally blushing over here! Overjoyed you love it so much, and that you are sharing it with your friends. Thank you 🙂
Hiya! I’m super inspired and grateful for your blog and recipes. My entire family had gone vegan since watching all of the documentaries there are on the Milk/Meat/Pharmaceutical Industries. (Have you seen What The Health, yet?) It sucks thay we’ve been dooped our entire lives into thinking we need animal products…but, I’m glad that I know all of this now so my husband and I can teach our daughter the healthiest way of life. Anyways, I’m really excited to try these delicious recipes. Mouth watering! Congratulations on all of your successes and your new book! Sooo happyyy
Welcome! Yes, What the Health is awesome! It’s so weird that most have us have been led to believe animal products are good for us, but I do think the world is starting to change and become more aware. Thank you so much for your kind words, Haddie! I hope you enjoy my recipes and book. Let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 🙂
I just bought your fuss-free vegan cookbook and I can honestly say I’m excited to make EVERYTHING in it! After a year of being vegan and eating the same recipes consistently your book gets me excited to cook again! Just wanted to say thank you for writing a down to earth cookbook with easy to follow recipes!
Oh yay!!! I’m so happy! Thank you for purchasing my book and even more so, for being so excited about it!!! I hope you love it as much as I loved creating it, Nicole 🙂
I just found your blog by following a Pinterest pin. Looking good.
I was wondering how you desided to give this name to your blog? Did someone say that to you at some point or how did you came up with that?
Greetings from Finland,
Minna
Hi Minna,
Welcome! It might not be a common expression in Finland, but saying something “tastes like chicken” is a common phrase people use when something is bland or doesn’t really taste like anything. So with my blog name, I was making a little joke, saying it doesn’t taste like chicken – it’s the opposite of bland, and also of course that there is no meat involved 🙂
Hello, Sam
I’m in the transition process from vegetarian to vegan, so I’m no strange to vegan recipe sites, blogs and the like.
I came across yours when looking for an easy vegan cheese recipe, and thought it was just another site about veganism.
But my goodness, your site is amazing! It’s beautiful, well written, informative, inspirational…well done, and thank you!
Aww shucks, thanks so much, Simone! Really happy you enjoy my site so much. Congrats on your new transition! Let me know if you ever have any recipe requests, questions, or need any support. Welcome! 🙂
Hi! And wow you are amazing and adorable and I just think what you’ve done here is fab!
I’ve been vegan since 2012 too and I love your story/journey into veganism. I became vegan in Los Angeles, so as you can imagine I’ve been totally spoiled with the million vegan restaurants and amazing things in the supermarkets to choose from I never found it a challenge to find things to eat. Cut to 2017 when I suddenly found myself living in the north of England in the very quaint and quiet English countryside newly married to my English husband and very very very far from anythting close to a vegan restaurant and very spoiled on all things vegan, but now with none in sight.. not a vegan cheese for miles in any super market and definitely no nutritional yeast!!! Dumdumdum!!! I felt like I was going to die. Slowly over the past few months and by turning my husband vegan we have managed to slowly source out the things we need.. lots of long drives and lots of internet shopping, but we are happy to repot that we are alive. I found your blog just in time as I was starting to feel like I’d exhausted all my own ideas and needed a new injection of inspiration and hope! Thank goodness for you!! Your recipes are amazing and you don’t rely on loads of fancy things I can’t get my mits on… so you have saved us in so many ways!
I’m madly planning which things to cook first and want you to know how grateful I am that you work so hard to help feed us all..
I’m no longer a spoiled LA vegan just rolling into cafe after restaurant after cafe to eat till my hearts content.. I’m a clever self catering vegan feeding myself and my husband right out of my own kitchen and loving every minute of it… while only feeling a little homesick once in a while.
Thanks again.. you are the best ❤️
Hi Rebekah,
Thank you so much! Wow! What a great story! So happy you are loving my recipes and thrilled they are easier for you to make in your new home. Thanks so much for lovely compliments. Let me know if you ever have any questions or recipe requests 🙂
Has anyone told you that you are absolutely amazing?! Came here googling vegan donuts and omg, I’m hooked! I love the way you run this blog, so many recipes I want to try (reading blog at work and want to finish asap and cook!!!). I’m your stalker now, follow you everywhere (social media only lol)
With love,
Polish girl in Scotland,
xxx
Hahaha, aww shucks thank you, Marta! Delighted to have a Polish stalker in Scotland, hahaha. I hope you love the recipes when you get a chance to try them! 🙂
Hi Sam!! I am a brand new baby vegan – only on my second week! I don’t know how it took me until I was 30 (or 3 weeks from turning 30) to connect my love and respect for animals to the logical choice of becoming vegan. About 4 years ago I started a journey from 270 pounds down to 150 pounds. Most of my weight loss was assisted by a low carb diet. Practically the opposite of vegan! Well, still lots of veggies, but no fruit and tons of animal protein. I’ve maintained my weight loss for the past 3 years, staying steady around 155. Now, two weeks into my vegan lifestyle, I have lost those 5 pounds that seemed to creep back up on me and I”m feeling WONDERFUL! I wish I had done this years ago! I was always afraid that eating any carbs would make me gain weight – boy was I wrong. I’ve tried a few of your recipes already and they;re delicious, easy and satisfying! Thank you for doing what you do and helping us newbies ease into this fantastic way of life! Oh! And your creamy chipotle lime bean salad converted my fiance and he is joining me as a vegan!! THANK YOU!
Hi Marissa Rose! A big congrats to you on your new veganism!!!!! Don’t worry, it’s never too late to go vegan. I was 28 when I went vegan and felt exactly the same way… why didn’t I figure this out sooner?? Hahha. That’s so wonderful to hear that going vegan not only maintained your weight but helped you even more! You’re right, carbs aren’t evil at all. I highly recommend the book The Starch Solution or this speech from the same doctor. He explains how starches are so so good for you. I’m so very happy my bean salad converted your fiance! Amazing. Thrilled you are enjoying my recipes. Please let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 🙂
Hi, Sam,
Quick history: my son & his special lady very subtly and lovingly urged me to consider my heart (I, too, love and respect animals) and the inconsistency of how I was living my life (I, too, ate meat, owned leather and, at one time, fur – shudder). So, 3 1/2 years ago I adopted a vegetarian diet and 6 months later transitioned to vegan. At (then) age 61 this was a bit of a change, as you might imagine, but (now) at age 64 I could never, ever go back. My french family was from Brittany so you can imagine the delicious sauces and stews I grew up with as well as the influence from the Italian side of the family (which is why I have Chloe C ‘s cookbook in my collection) (she says with a sly smile). And then I found you… all excited and bubbly and so willing to share and spread the word! I have never been so blessed as I was the day I found your blog and your amazing recipes. Merci beaucoup, ma chere amie! You said phooey, phooey to fake food and blah flavor and have given us recipes that are tres magnifique! I’m so excited you’ve finally written a cookbook! I just pre-ordered one for the two precious people who inspired me in the first place and will give that to them for Christmas. Well, maybe I’ll have to give it to them earlier. Or maybe I’ll keep that one for myself and pre-order another one for them later! Um, now that I wrote that I think I’ll go back and fix my order so I’m ordering two. Ahem. Sorry. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for being you and for graciously sharing your passion with us.
Much love and keep up the fantastic work!
Aww shucks, thanks so much, Desiree!! What a lovely compliment. I’m so happy you love what I am doing, it’s messages like yours that make my job the best job in the whole world! Thanks for adding some extra pep in my step today. I hope you enjoy my book as much as I loved creating it 🙂
I just tried your Melty Stretchy Gooey Vegan Mozzarella cheese. I did not boil the cashews, I put all ingredients into my Vitamix blender, but omitted the garlic power. The result was a nice thick holds-its-own-shape Mozzarella that reminds me of fresh mozzarella. I put the mixture in a glass container lined with parchment paper. I LOVE this recipe. I have been vegetarian for most of my life, and vegan for almost four years for the same reasons as you – I can’t unknow what I’ve read and I also have Canadian roots! Thank you for the recipe for the one food I missed the most.
Hello Carol, fellow Canadian! 🙂 Woohoo! So happy you loved the recipe so much! Us vegans love the ooey gooey too. 😉 I hope you saw I have a nacho cheese you might like and have a few more vegan cheese recipes coming out in my new cookbook. I look forward to seeing you around the blog 🙂
I love love love your recipes. Your food is amazing. I just the other day I was thinking….hmmm, this woman really needs to put out a cookbook and low and behold, I see you are releasing on this year. Can’t wait for it. I wish you great success. You really do help to eat vegan in fun ways rather than just rice and beans or salad. Thank you! And it’s awfully nice to support and follow a fellow Canadian. Great job ‘ey!
Awwww shucks!!! Thank you so much, Kim! Yes, my cookbook is ready for pre-order this Sunday! Don’t miss it as there is going to be a little gift involved 🙂 So happy you are loving my work, it’s because of comments like this that make my job the best job ever. 🙂
Amazon? Or another venue for the pre-order? Can’t wait!
Lots of options! Ccheck it out here 🙂
I adored hearing about your journey into veganism. My mom grew up on a small chicken farm in Denmark and at age 50 (in america) became vegan and was out there protesting at KFCs and the like. My dad at age 82 (in a nursing home) gave up meat and became vegetarian. (man did they ever try to force the meat on him).
Anyway I enjoy your natural quirky nature and the way you let your light shine. Keep spreading those amazing recipes.
Thank you so much!! So happy you enjoyed my story. I love yours as well, it’s never too late to go veg! 🙂
Hi Sam. Just found your site. I took a similar path to yourself going vegan after years of vegetarianism. It’s the best thing I ever did and wished I had started earlier. I’m a huge fan of eating simple, delicious unprocessed foods and follow McDougall, Greger and Chef AJ to name a few. So pleased to see you are from Toronto. We are almost neighbours… I’m from Kitchener-Waterloo. Looking forward to trying your recipes.
Hi Michele,
Welcome!! I agree, going vegan was the best thing I ever did! I hope you enjoy my recipes, I look forward to seeing you around 🙂
Hi Sam!
I literally JUST found your site and I want to make every single recipe. Like right now! But, I will pace myself.
Of course I will start with this one since it was top of the favorites list!
Thanks for all the great new recipes to try. You’ve got yourself a new fan!
Obviously I’m jumping around the site too much because that was meant to be posted on the cucumber avocado rolls page. Ha! Also seeing that you are (were?) an art director – so we share the same profession! Currently working freelance after doing the agency thing for many, many years. 🙂
Yay! Thanks, Joe 🙂 Welcome to my site, and so happy you are tempted by all the deliciousness! Yes, I was an art director, now a full-time blogger. Woot! I hope you enjoy the rolls and many more recipes 🙂
I am so excited to have found your blog! I have a similar vegan conversion story that only occurred since Christmas; it started with Forks Over Knives and continued with the Alkaline 5 Diet book. Since then, my husband and I are completely on board with the plant-based lifestyle. Our two young children, however, are a tougher sell, so our vegan journey hasn’t been as smooth as I would like. I look forward to trying your recipes with my family and continuing on this path to healthier meals!
Yay! Welcome, Rachel (and family). Forks Over Knives is what hooked me too! Have you seen the new film Eating You Alive? I highly recommend that as well. So happy you found my site, I hope you enjoy my recipes and I look forward to seeing you around 😀
I haven’t heard of that one before. I just followed your link and watched the trailer for it; it looks very interesting! Thanks for the recommendation! I’m hoping in time to get my extended family on board as well. My father has Type II Diabetes and high BP, and I know his diet needs work. Patience, though, as I work on my own journey first. 🙂
Yes, the best way to inspire people is to lead by example 😀
Oh Hello!!! I’ve just stumbled across this blog and I’m loving it!! I only “accidentally” became vegan a month ago when I decided to try Veganuary as a challenge, after seeing the Vegucated et al documentaries! So much of the stuff you say in your biog rings a bell!! After doing Veganuary for a month I realised there was no way I could go back to not being a vegan, even though, like you, I found it frustrating and almost wished sometimes that I could “unlearn” some of the stuff I’d discovered 🙁
Anyway, none of that nonsense, I am so glad I have made this life-changing decision, and I’m so glad I’ve found your blog, it is FAB!! Thanks for all the recipes, inspiration and funny articles, thanks for taking the time to post it all, it is really helping this newbie!!
Much love and happiness,
Antonia
Welcome, Antonia! And welcome to your new veganism! Haha. That’s so awesome, I love that Veganuary was the test run and that you are deciding to stick with it. I promise it only gets easier and more delicious as you go 🙂 So happy you are loving my blog! Let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 😀
Thank you so much xxx
This the greatest vegan blog I have ever come across and I’ve read a lot of them. Great job with this! And thanks for all that you have put together here.
Aww shucks, thank you so very much, Danielle! I’m so flattered 😀 It’s my absolute pleasure, and I hope you continue to love my blog and everything I put out for a very long time 🙂
Hey Sam! I just read your story and I can relate 100%!! I am pretty sure I went through the exact same steps as you (eating like a carnivore to going vegan). It’s been life changing and I love that you are sharing your story. I am from Toronto too and I am actually starting a blog to share my story and plant-based recipes (should be ready in the next few weeks!!). I’m super nervous but seeing your blog and how successful you’ve been is inspirational!
All the best and I will definitely be back to try more of your delicious recipes!!
Jess
Welcome, Jess! That’s awesome, so fun we have such a similar story! I look forward to seeing you around, and I hope you enjoy many of my recipes. Congrats and good luck on your new blog 🙂
Yeah! I found you, the vegan I was looking for that I didn’t know I needed! Friendly, cheerful and full of life!!
I too WAS a devoted carnivore until Nov. 1 2016 when I stumbled on Kris Carr’s Crazy Sexy Diet. I turned off the meat and diary switch in one day and haven’t looked back. Food tastes so good now. I am looking forward to trying your recipes and receiving your emails! Big hugs!
Yay!!! You found me! So happy I was just the person you didn’t know you were looking for. Haha. Welcome to your new veganism Sarah! It only gets better an better! I look forward to seeing you around the blog 🙂
Hey, Sarah and Sam! Finishing up Kris Carr’s 21-Day Crazy Sexy You Wellness Program, after reading Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s Eat to Live (that a friend recommended to me after losing 33 pounds and getting rid of her Diabetes Type 2 symptoms)! Same story as the two of you–enough information (and issues with arthritis) led me down the vegan path. Another friend led me to your blog, Sarah, and here I am, not only going vegan but happy about it! All the best to both of you!
Congrats on your new veganism!! So happy you found my blog. Let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 🙂
Hi Sam,
Have just read “about” you. Your story is very uplifting! Have been mulling “going vegan” for several weeks … recognize the benefits .. wonder, could I really do it … what will help is that I have always loved looking at recipes, trying out new recipes & I love to cook. And happy eating pretty much anything. The challenge: my husband is a pickier eater, loves his chicken .. not a very adventurous eater.
Your page is encouraging me to get started! Look forward to your book!
By the way, I’m 60, my husband is 70 … and we’re Canadian! Was thrilled when read that you are Canadian!!
Yay! It’s perfect timing Bernadette as January is known as Veganuary, the month the internet challenges the world to go vegan! Haha. If you love to cook and try new recipes, it’s going to be a breeze for you! It might be more of a challenge for your husband, but if he gives it a solid try, I bet he will feel so much healthier and energized that he will stick to it (that’s what happened to me)! My next post coming out on Tuesday is my Top 10 most popular recipes of the year, so make sure you’re subscribed as that is a great place to start. Looking forward to seeing you around 🙂
Hi Sam let me start off by just saying you are just cuter than a bug in a rug , I found a post of yours someone put up on face book so I looked you up glad I did , I so enjoy your enthusiasm about being vegan and looking at your post , I’m 75 years young and just getting started , I wish I had learned a lot sooner , anyway I enjoyed reading reading about how you became vegan and the fact that you had to face a bunch of meat eaters wow that must of been hard for you , well I better stop rambling and get off of here I guess , I live in Nebraska USA so I’ll keep checking your post . Thank you Milton
Hahaha why thank you Milton 🙂 I think almost every vegan I have spoken with has said the same thing, I wish I went vegan sooner, regardless of how young or old they started! So happy you found my blog, let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 🙂
I’ve been Vegan for 4 months and LOVE it. Just found your blog…… here is where i shall spend all of my free time from now on. haha, you’re amazing 🙂
Hahahahaha! Aww shucks. Thanks Luigi! Congrats on your new veganism. I look forward to seeing you around 🙂
Sam – I just came across your “How to Make a Vegan Snack Board” and hence your blogsite, and both are amazing! Can’t wait to “wow” my guests with this creation. Your artistic background is evident in the creativity and esthetic appeal of your recipes. Can’t wait to discover more!
Welcome Cynthia! Thank you so much, glad you found me and my blog. I hope you enjoy discovering lots of yumminess 🙂
My wife and I are very excited about going vegan! Love your blog and recipes.
Yay! Congratulations to you and your wife! So happy you found me. Let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 😀
Hi Sam so happy I came across this blog and recipe site. I’ve been vegan for almost a year and I’m so excited by cooking now. I don’t think I’ve eaten LESS salads since going vegan. Can’t wait to peruse the site and START COOKING!! Thanks again!
Lynn
Welcome Lynn!
So happy to have you here and congrats on your veganniversary! Looking forward to seeing you around 🙂
So relate to your story. We went vegan 8 months ago at the ages of 55 and 57. Never looked back s d are more on live with the food journey than ever before. Great site! Kudos!
Congrats Britta and Mark! That’s so awesome, and so happy you can relate. So happy you enjoy my site, I hope you get a chance to test out a few recipes 🙂
So I baked your Ultimate Vegan Chocolate Cake to make into a Black Forest Cake to bring to an Octoberfest event. NO one is vegan there and last year I brought a non vegan BFC. It was killing. So this year they expect the same. I’m switching out your recipe for this years cake with an attempt to have them not notice any difference 😉 So we taste tested it. It is AMAZING. Hello! You never miss the eggs and milk etc. Bravo! Vegan is so much more tasty than people realize who are not eating vegan. Once you start in with learning to cook this way, your world explodes outward with possibilities. 🙂
YAY! So happy you loved it Britta! Yes, isn’t it funny, I have never ever heard someone say “hmmm… I wished this cake tasted more egg-y” yet often people assume vegan food will be gross. So happy you and everyone else loved it so much. You’re absolutely right, vegan is way more tasty than people realize, that’s what I am here to teach 🙂
First time to your website!! I just finished watching Forks and Knives and Cowspiracy. Between your “about me” article and the movies I have been inspired to become vegan. I enjoyed your approach to life very much and am looking forward to cooking with your recipes! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Hi Pam,
Welcome! That’s such fabulous news, congratulations on your new veganism!!! I really hope you enjoy my recipes, and let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 🙂
Thank you for all your hard work in creating these delicious recipes! They look terrific. Now I need to get busy and try them.
You are most welcome Charleene! I hope you enjoy them 🙂
hi Sam! Awesome story and so nice to “meet” you! I went vegetarian after 30 years of undiagnosed celiac disease ravaged my insides so that it became impossible to digest meat. Also the best decision I ever made! Love your site! So many amazing recipes. Congrats on the book deal, can’t wait to buy 🙂
Thank you!! That’s so awesome, glad it was the best decision ever for you! Actually my best friend had gluten intolerance, and after several months of being vegan, it seems as though her gut has healed enough that she can no digest it again. So cool! Welcome to my site, nice to meet you too. I look forward to seeing you around 😀
I absolutely LOVED your story. I’m 70 years old and have been vegan for almost 20 years now. When I started, being vegan was a very lonely thing. Most people had not heard of veganism and there were no vegan recipes around and pretty much all there was to buy were some veggie burgers and Tofutti cheese slices. It is thrilling to me to see how different things are now (especially in large cities – I live in Manhattan). The WEB is full of vegan recipes, there are new vegan restaurants popping up constantly and what makes me most happy is seeing how the movement has exploded with the younger generation.
I volunteer at a farmed animal sanctuary and most of the volunteers are late teens or early twenties so I get my fill of inspiration from them. What I loved about your blog is your enthusiasm and clear presentation of how and why you became vegan. I hope that you have many followers and that others will be inspired to follow in your footsteps.
Hi Carol,
Thank you so very much!! WOW! Congrats on being vegan for 20 years. That’s so amazing, you’re such an inspiration. I wish I had discovered veganism much sooner. Even in the 3.5 years that I have been vegan I have seen huge changes, so I can only imagine how different it is for you. Another 10 years and I think veganism will be very common. So happy you like my blog and I look forward to seeing you around 🙂
Hi! I just came across your blog, and I already have 7 tabs open of recipes I want to try hehe! I’ve only transitioned to the vegan lifestyle for about a month now, but it was the best decision I have ever made. I too got interested through the same exact documentaries and the book How Not to Die, but then the hardest part was actually wanting to be a vegan and dealing with all of the scrutiny and such! But I am so so glad I did. I can’t wait to try your yummy recipes 🙂
Hahaha! Yay! That’s awesome 🙂 Congrats on your new veganism!! Yes, I think you are absolutely right, the scrutiny is the hardest part. That should fade a bit amongst friends and family as time goes on, and you will also get better at responding (or not responding) to it. I think as far as eating goes, switching to veganism is just breaking old habits and replacing them with new ones, and it sounds like you are well on your way! So happy you found my blog. Let me know if you have any questions or need any support 🙂
Sam! I really love your blog and I am going nuts over your gooey cheese recipe which I made and used on pizza today and can I say I am in love with it! So delicious and easy – THANK YOU! I can’t wait for your book release in Australia 🙂 x
Aww so happy to have you here!! I can’t wait either 😀
I love being subscribed to Toronto based, Vegan blogs! We need more amazing blogs like this! I am subscribed to a few US and UK based ones. They will mention products or places that sound amazing, but… am sure you know what I mean!
For some reason I didn’t realize you also had a YouTube channel as well. Will be checking that out and binge watching shortly!
Thank you for this amazing blog and your recipes AND your attitude toward being Vegan. I have been Vegan for well over 15 years, (lost track) and was Vegetarian since I was 15. I have heard it all. Every single question and comment. I haven’t died of protein deficiency yet or turned orange from all the carrots.
Cheers!
Lizzie!
Aww thank you Lizzie! Yes, whenever I work with brands I always make sure they are available in Canada as well! I just started my YouTube channel, so not a ton of videos yet, but once I finish writing my cookbook I plan on posting a new video weekly. I hope you like them! 🙂
So glad (although not surprised) that you haven’t died of protein deficiency. Haha!!
Cheers!
Sam,
I have recurred to your blog because I had two options. It was either becoming vegan, or getting an organ extracted out of my body. It would seem like a rational decision to get into surgery, but when I found out in august, I decided I could change my lifestyle and become a happier version of myself. I am just seventeen years old, which is why I am asking for your help. I have read many recipe’s online, none that I really liked (or could eat). With my condition, apart of deciding to become vegan, I cannot eat a bunch of other things, like many vegetables (avocados, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, etc.), many fruits (strawberries, bananas, blackberries, etc.) and cannot eat gluten, wheat, or yeast. I am continuously eating the same things, and even though I like it sometimes, it can get quite boring at many others. Could you recommend me anything at all? I would really appreciate your help, I really love your blog. 🙂
Hi Hillary,
I would love to help! Could you send me a complete list of the things you can eat, or cannot eat, and the kinds of things you have been eating? Without a full list I feel like I would just be taking a stab in the dark. You can send me an email 🙂
Just found your website through Google and youre a real inspiration! Ive been a vegetarian all my life, but my sister was a big chicken eater (she LOVED KFC) before finding veganism and falling in love with it. Ill definitly be making your vegan watermelon jellies for her birthday! 🙂
Yay! Thanks so much Naomi! So happy you’re digging my blog. Let me know if you have any questions 🙂
I just found your blog via Pinterest (orange ginger tofu, woop woop). I just wanted to say that I really liked reading your description of becoming vegan. Over the past few years, I’ve eaten mostly vegetarian, and I plan to make the leap to go fully vegetarian/vegan. Like you, I grew up eating meat, and now have tried to educate myself about factory farming, health, etc. via books & documentaries. Hadn’t heard of Veducated til now, so I’ll be watching that next. Thanks for being a resource!
Aww thanks Kris! So happy you are digging my blog. Let me know if you have an questions, need any support, or want more documentary or book recommendations… I could go on forever! haha. 🙂
I have been following you for a few months and am just now reading how you became vegan. I swear it’s almost my exact story, down to it starting with Vegucated. Though, my boyfriend wanted to go vegan after seeing the footage of the baby chicks (we all know that footage). He didn’t show it to me but just walked into the I was in and said he wanted to go Vegan. First I had to ask what vegan meant. lol Then thought he was crazy! I couldn’t give up pepperoni pizza and cakes and donuts and cheesecake! then a few days later he wanted to watch the documentary, Vegucated so we watched it together. Immediately after watching that doc. We went vegan. even went grocery shopping right after the movie! Never looked back. I can’t wait for your cookbook to come out we will definitely be buying it. Love your recipes and next one I am going to try is the Crispy Breaded Tofu Steaks. Congrats to you from Ryan (the boyfriend- he gets to enjoy all your great recipes) and I!
Oh wow that is a really similar story! It’s so amazing how your life can totally be flipped like that, one moment not even knowing the word vegan, then next living the lifestyle. Congrats!! Thank you so much for the support! It’s because of people like you that I am even able to make this blog into a career 🙂 I hope you both love the tofu steaks!
Hi Sam! I just came across your blog thanks to a friend coming across your blog and mixing up a couple of mac’n sauce recipes. LOVE IT! You’re 20-plus years younger, but your path to becoming a vegan was near the same as mine, yours a year earlier. Love the way you described, once you have the info, you really can’t go back. (Well, some folks do, and I might have too had I not been dissatisfied with several things looming in the future.)
Like you, I’m eager to go vegan all the way, say in cosmetics (not that I use many), and in products. Have you written about any vegan cosmetitcs? Sure wish more hiking boots and shoes could be made in Gore-Tex or some other product. Right now I’m just re-using the heck out of what I’ve got, but that will end.
And your art is amazing.
What a treat!!!
Hi Cindy!
Welcome 🙂
I do have a post on Vegan Things I Adore which mentions a few products, but I haven’t gone into much detail yet. I would love to tho! I still have some non-vegan things (shoes, makeup, etc) lingering in my closet too from before I was vegan. It can be a bit of a pain to find new replacements, but for the most part, everything I found I love way more than what I had before, and it feels so cleansing knowing it is complete vegan. So happy you are loving my blog an my art! Let me know if you have any questions or need any support 🙂
Sam, this blog is amazing – thank you so much! I’ve been vegetarian for a while and started a vegan adventure Jan 1st… I’ve had several failures in the kitchen since then, but I just made your magical gooey mozzarella stuff and it is amazing! The most satisfying cheese-alt I’ve encountered on the web and in the grocery 🙂
Awww thank you kbell! Congrats on your vegan adventure! So happy to have you here 🙂
Hello! So far, I’m LOVING your blog! I came to find it through a search for a potato soup recipe (which is so far my absolute favorite 😉 ) and have now tried a few more recipes and loved them. I’m a little nervous switching to vegan, especially as the main cook of the house (my partner being a meat lover and my toddler being… a toddler 😉 ). Plus I have a tree nut allergy and I’m noticing a lot of vegan recipes use tree nut products. Do you feel the majority of vegan meals use tree nut products or have I just had odd luck happening upon so many that do?
Fingers crossed, either way, that I’ll stick with my decision! I know I’ll feel better when I switch, it’s something that’s meant a lot to me for years. It’s just the plunge that is frightening 😉
Hi Remy! Thank you so much and welcome to you new vegan adventure!! I don’t think it should be a problem having a tree nut allergy. I know some vegans who don’t eat nuts at all. Of course there will be some recipes you cannot make, but there will be more than enough that you can. If you come across any of my recipes that have tree nuts in them, just leave a comment and I will happily help you substitute.
Don’t be scared! Going vegan was one of the best decisions I ever made. I feel so much happier and healthier because of it. The key with feeding “meat eater” types, is just to make them really hearty delicious meals. From my experience, good food is good food. Let me know if you have any questions or need any support. 🙂
viva vegans
animals are my friends and i don’t it my friends 🙂
thanks
Haha yes viva vegans!
It’s really great that people are sharing this information.
Hello! I just wanted to let you know that I’ve used your recipes multiple times a week since going vegan a couple months ago. I don’t think my husband and I could succeed in this huge change without this blog. Thank you!
Awwww that’s the best compliment ever!! Thank you so much Chace 😀
Just found your blog; really nice work! Congratulations on becoming vegan even though you had opposition. I’ve been vegan for 16 years, and it didn’t go over great with a lot of the people in my family, either. Plus, as a strength athlete, I catch a ton of flak for my choices (strong people can’t be vegan!!!! Or healthy!!!! *eyeroll*) and constantly have to sift through general random vegan-shaming posts from my colleagues all over the interwebz (aaah, social media). Anyway, you’re awesome and goofy and ambitious, and that is an awesome combination of things in a person. If you’re ever in SoCal, we should totally have a cooking party. Yay! 😀
Hi Melody! Welcome 🙂
I love that you are a strength athlete! That’s so awesome. I love weight lifting and took a course on body building at one point. Best workout ever! Those bodybuilders can be the worst tho. The “nutritionist” would tell me how I was going to wither away and die, and at the same time would tell me that carbs were going to make me fat… Then I gained 8 pounds of muscle, and proved them all wrong. Vegan win! I can only imagine how much flak you get all the time! Thanks for the invite! Sounds super fun. If I ever make plans to visit SoCal I’ll latcha know 😉
What’s cooking good looking?:) Great site. Stay golden.
Haha, why thank you 🙂
Sam, I’m so glad I found you! I’m the only ethical vegan in my family–that I know of–aside from my plant-based aunt who introduced me to you. She is the only family member I have who is working hard on maintaining a plant-based lifestyle. When I was going vegan, I didn’t exactly have any support from my family. Actually, my upbringing and general transitory experience was VERY similar to yours! (Add in the fact that I was killing animals myself by age 8, something deemed highly praiseworthy by the majority of my family members.) It’s refreshing and comforting to hear such a similar story to my own. 🙂
My aunt and I have made major impacts on our family, thanks in part to your recipes!
Thanks for helping the vegan community change the world. Keep up the great work!
<3,
Rikki
Hi Rikki!
I’m so glad you found me too!! That really goes to show that regardless of where you come from, you can definitely become a vegan. You’re not actually the first story I have heard of people working on farms and slaughtering animals who then become vegan. I imagine it was so freeing for you. That’s how I felt anyways. So happy you have been making some impacts with my recipes. I look forward to seeing you around in the comments! 😀
Sam
I just recently got into the hobby of looking up healthy recipes when I found your website along with others. Your blog was one to catch my eye, due to the name and you amazing and goofy pictures. After reading about your blog I decided to watch the movie Vegucated. I was balling my eyes out over the treatment of the animals. So today I have decided that I want to become a vegan. Although I am scared because I feel that my parents will have a hard time trying to cook meals that benefit me and them. But I was also wondering if you had any food recommendations to help he out.!?
First of all, WOW! Congratulations Meghan!! I am so incredibly flattered that my blog, and the movies I recommend helped you make the switch. You are going to feel amazing and so healthy. Although, warning: you may go through a bit of a detox and feel kind of bad for a bit. If that happens, I promise, it will pass, just make sure you are eating enough calories. If you feel tired, get headaches, or feel weak, it’s usually because you aren’t eating enough. Animal products are some of the most calorie dense foods, so when you cut them out you have to eat more.
Living with your parents, I find that the easiest way would be to pick up some staples, such as Earth Balance, and almond milk, soy milk, or whatever kind of non-dairy milk you prefer. These are easy substitution for you and your family, and can be used just as you would use cows butter or milk. Often when my family prepares meat, they will cook it separately so I can just have the dish without meat (such as leaving the meat out of a pasta sauce). I would also keep some things on hand such as tofu, tempeh, veggie burgers, falafels, and cans of beans. You might find my articles “6 Steps to a Vegan Kitchen“, “10 Things You Didn’t Know About Vegans“, and “8 Things Not To Do When Going Vegan” helpful as well. I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any more questions 😀
I’m in love with your blog, and what it is so crazy is that in late January of 2013 I watched vegucated and became vegan!! I was vegetarian for about 2 years prior but still, that’s so crazy!
I think you’re extremely inspirational and I’m so happy I found your blog!! ❤️
Awww geeze!! Thanks Alyssa, way to make me blush. Haha. We are like vegan twins. I’m so happy you found my blog too! 😀
I decided to become vegan a few months ago, one night, after watching Vegucated 🙂 I love your blog, I need to learn how to cook for a family of four (soon of five!).
Hi Sara!
Congrats on your vegan adventure!
I have lots of recipes on my blog that are kid friendly (so I am told). Congrats on being a such an awesome mom! Let me know if you have any questions. 😀
Sam
Sam, you are so sweet! Nice page and great recipes too. I am so glad I came across your page 🙂
Aww shucks, thanks so much Silvia! I am so glad you came across my page too! 😀
Sam, your blog is the best! I must confess that I’m not vegan, but I refrain from eating cheese, meat, or poultry. I think I’m what you call an ovo-pescatarian. Most of my meals are vegan based, and your recipes are outstanding. The ingredients are easily obtained and the recipes easy to follow. Best of all, it’s super-delish! I hope your readership grows and grows. I’ve recommended your blog to many of my friends. My favorite so far has to be the creamy cashew dressing, which I use almost every day.
Kathryn,
You’re the best!! As I like to say, doing something is a million times better than doing nothing at all. 😀 I am so very happy you love my recipes so much. I too make that dressing constantly!! Your comment totally made my day, I am going to be skipping everywhere where I go today! Haha.
Sam
I am SO glad I found this blog! Thank you for sharing your recipes and beliefs. I love being vegan and I am excited to try your recipes! 🙂
Thank you Candace, I am SO glad you found this blog too! So happy to have you here and looking forward to seeing you around in the comments. Let me know if you have any questions. Welcome!
Dietary Vegan or Ethical Vegan?
Both! I started my journey with more of a focus on the dietary side of things. As I was eating vegan, I began looking into all aspects of veganism, and for the first time I was willing to truly listen and learn about animal cruelty. So it wasn’t long before I became an ethical vegan as well. Now I live my life as cruelty free as I am able. 🙂
Your blog is amazing! I’ve only been vegan for 2 weeks, but been weaning off for awhile – anyway, I LOVE your blog 🙂 Thanks!
Thank you so very much! Wish you left your name so I could thank you properly 🙂
Congrats on your first two weeks!! Making the switch is the hardest part, it will only get easier from here. Please let me know if you have any questions, or need any support.
Best,
Sam
I am in love with your blog! I get the emails and can’t wait to open them. I think my mouth honestly waters reading them! Haha!
Aww shucks, I love you Jenny!! Best comment all week! I’m grinning from ear to ear. 🙂
SAM! I’m yelling because I’m giving you a shout out 🙂 you’re awesome and I love all of the recipes and advice.
I wish you left a name so I could yell how awesome you are!! My day has totally been made for being yelled at. Who knew!?
Hi,
First off I am an art teacher ( I used to make art for myself I swear) and your illustrations are awesome! I was just wondering what you do for fitness!! I love my plant-y diet but I don’t love my bod. I was just wondering if anyone had recommendations. I tried running but hurt my joints, and I do pilates but am too poor to keep up those expensive classes.
I don’t have any vegan friends, let alone girl friends to ask.
… That seems a bit more pathetic then I meant!
Welp Happy Monday
Hi Emily,
Thank you for loving my illustrations, I love drawing them! 🙂
For fitness, I hands down, 100%, swear up and down, as someone who has always tried to get in shape but never did until now, love weight lifting. Now before you get all worried about getting bulky, you have to try really, really, really hard to get bulky as a female, it just doesn’t happen unless you really want it to. That’s why they have whole competitions around it, it’s hard! And if somehow you magically did get bulky arms or something, all you would have to do is stop doing arm exercises until they go back to the way you like. It’s that easy.
I highly recommend getting lessons with a personal trainer so that you learn form first. Form is the MOST important. It doesn’t matter if it means you can only lift very light weights at first, you don’t want to hurt yourself, and doing the exercises properly will ensure results. If hiring a trainer is out, then watch youtube videos by bodybuilders (yes the huge bulky people), because they know what they are doing. Become friends with people at the gym who are big and bulky, and they will be able to watch you and help you with form too. Get that butt out!
If you learn how to do a proper deadlift, squat, and bench press, you could do just those three exercises 2-3 times a week and see big results. You could definitely add in more exercises but those three are the best because they work your whole body. Don’t worry about doing a million ab exercises, as it can build muscle out, which personally I don’t want. Cardio is great, but it takes way more effort to see results. One of the benefits of weight lifting is that because you work your muscles, they have to heal and recharge, so even when you are not working out, you are burning more calories and getting in better shape!
I think it’s really fun that I can see progress so easily with the weight I can lift. Trust me, I didn’t start by doing 130 pound deadlifts!
A warning as a vegan, when I worked with a personal trainer, they basically told me that because I am vegan, I am going to shrivel up and die, and at the same time would say that I was going to get fat from all the carbs I eat. A lot of the weight lifting sites or trainers will say you need a million times the amount of protein you eat. Don’t worry about that. Unless you really are trying to bulk up, then eat a diet based on whole foods and you are set. There are lots of vegan protein powders available if you like though. (I don’t usually bother). Just let it roll off your back, and maybe send them over to http://www.veganbodybuilding.com
I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any more questions.
thank you!!! I have heard a lot about lifting, I love the idea of getting strong. I am used to vegan haters they don’t know how good it feels 🙂
Yes, it feels great to get strong! Let me know how it goes for you. It’s awkward at first, but it’s so great once you learn it.
@Emily! If you enjoy pilates/other bodyweight exercises, maybe you should try looking up some routines on the internet? You don’t have to pay for classes, you can just turn on youtube and workout 🙂 I like blogilates, fitnessblender and tara stiles, but there are muuuuch much more!
Nice recommendations!
Thanks juli! I just looked at blogilates how is this free?! I will check the others out I appreciate it!!!!
hi!
I just found your website. I am seriously copiously copying down the recipes. I am 15 years old and going vegan *sneakily*-mother doesn’t know mwahaahaha! keep up the good work
Hi tysana. Welcome! 🙂 haha! Very sneaky indeed! Best of luck. When your mother does find out, hopefully you would have already made her some delicious vegan recipes that she will ask for again and again. Haha. Enjoy!
I *just* discovered the canned jack fruit idea from you and I LOVE it!! Well I really *love* that my veg at home husband enjoyed it so much especially! I’m vegan so am always looking for ideas to feed the DH. I used a copycat chipotle chicken marinade recipe and marinated the jackfruit in that for a few hours and then sautéed, was really tasty. What an awesome idea, thankyou so much!! =)
That’s awesome! Andrew can never get enough of the jackfruit either! It really is one of the best whole food meaty like things. I’ve also fed it to a bodybuilder who couldn’t get enough. Thanks so much for sharing your version of the recipe too!
Nice to meet you. You have some great ideas here. Come over for a visit sometime: http://veganfootprints.blogspot.com/.
Thanks Loretta! You have a cute site too 🙂
Just found you Sam!! I’m almost vegan too and have been for about 18months! Best decision ever..other than marrying my hubby and being a Christian. I eat honey from a lady who gathers it herself and I eat the eggs my hens lay! How good is it to eat so well!! Anyway…thanks for your site..looking forward to looking through it! I’m 53 and feeling soooo healthy and happy! Gradually influencing my family too! All the best
Heather
Hi Hearher!
Congrats on 18 months. It’s crazy how good and energized going vegan makes you feel! So glad you are enjoying it too. I hope your enjoy my recipes and posts. I look forward to reading your comments 🙂
Hi! I can’t believe I just now found your site! Love it! I have been Vegan for almost 20 years now (ok now I feel old haha) and also love to blog about Vegan food etc… ANYWAY, lol, I’m loving your personality and blog. Your recipes look great! Can’t wait to try some of them out soon. 🙂
Hi Shauna!
20 years, that’s awesome! Congratulations.Thanks for the lovely compliment, you totally made my day! Nice to meet you 🙂
Glad to have stumbled across this site. Making a “vegan” Christmas dinner this year and will be using some of these recipes!
Hi Gin! Welcome! Yay for vegan Christmas! I will be making some new scrumptious Christmas-y dishes in the next few posts so stay tuned for more. 🙂
Just came across your blog. Your recipes look and sound amazing and I look forward to trying some!
April
Hi April,
Thanks so much! Let me know which recipes you try and how they turn out for you, or if you have any questions. 🙂
I found your blog from Twitter and look forward to following you! I too am an “imperfect” vegan and appreciate your approach.
Hi Kayla, thanks so much! Yes, I think it’s better to show people how easy and delicious vegan eating is, rather than sweating the small stuff! You don’t have to live off of tofu! Haha
You make vegan fun, and look good!
Aww thanks!!
Interested to follow your blog! You seem like a down to Earth vegan! 🙂
Thanks! I think I am! Or at least I try to be. I just like to eat the food I like to eat! haha
Great blog Sammy! Look fwd to trying your recipes. Rosie
Thanks Rosie!
I could use some of your super secret tips for my photos! 🙂