Cholesterol is found in animal products in varying amounts, and consuming too much cholesterol is not good for our health. High cholesterol leads to heart problems as the arteries fill with plaque, narrowing the passage way to the heart. Left untreated, this can lead to heart attacks and strokes, both of which are dangerous and life-threatening.

A vegetarian diet includes more vegetables and no meat / fish, lowering our cholesterol intake exponentially. When you consider the meals you have in a day and how many of them might include meat, you can see how going vegetarian would eliminate a lot of the cholesterol we consume on a daily basis. This is a win for our heart!

Look, there's no denying that meat is fatty and a diet that is high in fat can lead to a variety of life-threatening conditions including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Also, a diet high in fat is linked to an increased chance of getting cancer. It's very easy to over consume fat when eating meat because it contributes heavily to the overall fat intake of your plate. With no meat on that plate, you're naturally going to consume more foods that are lower in fat.

Grains, vegetables, and legumes take the place of meat and provide additional nutrients & vitamins with a reduced fat intake. More fiber, less fat. That's better for us in the long run!

While meat does provide essential nutrients, we can also get these from vegetables and supplements if we take our nutrition seriously. Secondly, when we consume more vegetables, we're naturally consuming more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. A diet high in fresh produce is a diet that is high in immunity strengthening nutrients & antioxidants while being lower in cholesterol, fat, and sodium. 

Antioxidants specifically, are crucial for helping our bodies fight off free-radicals that can lead to health problems if left unchecked. More vegetables and fruit means more antioxidants and this ultimately means a stronger immune system.

A diet rich in vitamins & antioxidants naturally lowers our risk for a slew of health problems. It reduces our cholesterol and fat, significantly reducing our risk for heat problems and obesity. It increases our vitamin intake, combating free-radicals that lead to heart disease, brain disease, and cancer. Essentially, we are actively working against disease when we consume a diet rich in fresh produce. This is not to say that eating more vegetables cures disease, but rather helps to stave it off and minimize our risks.

No one thinks about this but it's 100% true! When you're eating meat, the sides are usually uninspired and simply there to accommodate a beautifully cooked piece of meat. All you need to do is cook meat properly and everyone at the table is gung ho for dinner but when you go vegetarian, you really have to get creative to keep things interesting and delicious.

When I first went vegetarian, I couldn't even boil water. It took some time, but I invested in learning about food and how to cook it properly. I learned about spices and how they can create an experience through food. Honestly, this blog was created as a result of a yearning to learn how to make vegetables the star. If I hadn't gone vegetarian, this blog wouldn't exist and I wouldn't have the knowledge I have now. I've opened up my eyes to so many different flavours, cuisines, and dishes I had never heard of. 

Going vegetarian is inspiring. It allows us the opportunity to explore, create, and try things that are outside of what we're used to. There's nothing more rewarding than creating a dish that's not only delicious, but inspired by this journey of vegetarianism.

When we think of Winter, the last thing we're likely thinking about is fresh produce, but that would be a mistake. Despite the frigid, winter temperatures, some produce actually thrives when the temperature drops and are at their peak at this time of year. Here's a little compilation of recipes featuring winter produce!

For me, pot pies are a total winter comfort food dish. Crispy, golden brown crust, warm, delicious stew, and hearty and filling. My Gnocchi, Broad Bean, & Kale Pot Pie is just that! The flaky, golden brown phyllo crust is divine and the stew itself is creamy, rich, and full of tender gnocchi, smooth broad beans, and green kale. Absolutely delicious!

Gnocchi, Broad Bean, & Kale Pot Pie
www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/gnocchi-broad-bean-kale-pot-pie-with-phyllo-crust

My Leek & Lemon Tortellini Skillet is the perfect weeknight dish. First of all, it relies on simple, easy to prepare ingredients that make prep a cinch. Secondly, it takes no time at all to cook! You've got pops of citrus from lemon, sweet, delicious, leeks, plump tortellini, and some melty mozzarella to finish everything off. It's delicious and so easy to make.

Leek & Lemon Tortellini Skillet
www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/creamy-leek-lemon-tortellini-skillet

This recipe is definitely in my top 3 favourite ways I've eaten cauliflower. This recipe is inspired by that viral parmesan potato trend that went around there for a week or so. Cauliflower steaks are nestled in to a cheesy layer on the bottom of your hot skillet and roasted until tender and golden. The resulting cheese crust is so savoury, crispy, and divine. Honestly, these are so good.

Cheesy Cauli Steaks
www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/cheesy-skillet-cauliflower-steaks

Another recipe modeled after those viral parm taters, my Crispy Grana Brussel Sprouts are in my top 3 favourite brussel sprouts I've ever eaten. Not only are they absolutely tender, that cheesy crust is utterly divine. It takes these tender sprouts to the next level in terms of both flavour AND texture. Trust me, make these and you'll be as obsessed as I am.

Crispy Grana Brussel Sprouts
www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/crispy-grana-brussel-sprouts

You guys, potatoes are my favourite vegetable. In fact, they're also my favourite food. They're one of the most versatile veggies you can work with and they taste fabulous no matter how you enjoy them. My Potato Parm Steaks are ridiculously tender, cheesy, and frankly, heavenly. The taters are cooked fondant style making them so creamy and smooth and they're finished under a layer of cheese and served with tomato sauce. Trust me, these are to die for.

Potato Parm Steaks
www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/potato-parm-steaks