It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken

Fuss-Free Vegan Recipes

Hi friends!

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:

  1. I was officially going vegan.
  2. 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 barley 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:

My fave documentaries:

(A lot of the documentaries can be found on Netflix or YouTube).

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 fus-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.

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Comments

  3. 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!

    Reply

  4. 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

    Reply

  5. 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.

    Reply

    • 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 😀

      Reply

  6. 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!

    Reply

    • 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! 🙂

      Reply

  7. 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!!!!

    Reply

  8. 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.

    Reply

  9. 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.

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  10. 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 !!

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  11. I saw the website and am interested. As a vegan family, we don’t buy much processed stuff anymore.

    kudos to you..

    Reply

  12. 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!

    Reply

  13. 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!

    Reply

  14. 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!

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  15. 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.

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

      • 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?

        Reply

        • 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!

          Reply

  16. 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!

    Reply

    • 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. 🙂

      Reply

        • 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.

          Reply

          • 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.

  17. 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.

    Reply

  18. 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? 🙁

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  19. 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!

    Reply

  20. 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!!

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  21. 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 🙂

    Reply

  22. 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.

    Reply

    • 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. 🙂

      Reply

  23. 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!

    Reply

  24. 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?

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  25. 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!

    Reply

  26. 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

    Reply

      • 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.

        Reply

        • 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!!

          Reply

  28. 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.

    Reply

  29. 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.

    Reply

  30. 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!

    Reply

  31. 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

    Reply

  32. 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?

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  33. 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

    Reply

  34. 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 🙂

    Reply

  35. 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).

    Reply

  36. 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

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  38. 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!!

    Reply

  39. 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

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  40. 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!

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  41. 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

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  42. 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!

    Reply

    • 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! 🙂

      Reply

  43. 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 ❤️

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  44. 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

    Reply

  45. 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!

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  46. 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!

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  47. 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.

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  48. 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!

    Reply

  49. 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.

    Reply

  50. 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.

    Reply

  51. 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!

    Reply

    • 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. 🙂

      Reply

      • 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 🙂

        Reply

  52. 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!

    Reply

    • 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 😀

      Reply

      • 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. 🙂

        Reply

  53. 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

    Reply

    • 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 😀

      Reply

  54. 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.

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  55. 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

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  56. 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!

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  57. 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!

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  58. 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

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  60. 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!

    Reply

  62. 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

    Reply

  63. 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!

    Reply

      • 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. 🙂

        Reply

        • 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 🙂

          Reply

  64. 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!!

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  65. Thank you for all your hard work in creating these delicious recipes! They look terrific. Now I need to get busy and try them.

    Reply

  66. 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 🙂

    Reply

    • 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 😀

      Reply

  67. 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.

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  68. 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 🙂

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  69. 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

    Reply

  70. 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!

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  71. 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. 🙂

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  72. 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! 🙂

    Reply

  73. 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!

    Reply

    • 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. 🙂

      Reply

  74. 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!

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  75. 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!!!

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  76. 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 🙂

    Reply

  77. 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 😉

    Reply

    • 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. 🙂

      Reply

  79. 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!

    Reply

  80. 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! 😀

    Reply

    • 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 😉

      Reply

  82. 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

    Reply

    • 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

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  83. 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.!?

    Reply

    • 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 😀

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  84. 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!! ❤️

    Reply

    • Awww geeze!! Thanks Alyssa, way to make me blush. Haha. We are like vegan twins. I’m so happy you found my blog too! 😀

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  85. 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!).

    Reply

    • 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

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  87. 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.

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  88. 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! 🙂

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

    • 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. 🙂

      Reply

  90. Your blog is amazing! I’ve only been vegan for 2 weeks, but been weaning off for awhile – anyway, I LOVE your blog 🙂 Thanks!

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  91. 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!

    Reply

  92. SAM! I’m yelling because I’m giving you a shout out 🙂 you’re awesome and I love all of the recipes and advice.

    Reply

  93. 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

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

    • @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!

      Reply

  94. 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

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  95. 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!! =)

    Reply

    • 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!

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  97. 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

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  98. 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. 🙂

    Reply

    • Hi Shauna!

      20 years, that’s awesome! Congratulations.Thanks for the lovely compliment, you totally made my day! Nice to meet you 🙂

      Reply

  99. Glad to have stumbled across this site. Making a “vegan” Christmas dinner this year and will be using some of these recipes!

    Reply

  101. I found your blog from Twitter and look forward to following you! I too am an “imperfect” vegan and appreciate your approach.

    Reply

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