PLANT-BASED SWOPS TO ADOPT NEWSLETTERS
Refresh and edit your pantry and recipe box to include plant-based ingredients, nourishing meals,
and explore some healthy swops to adopt. Check back for regular updates and Plant based news.
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Chef Anne Callaghan
MAY NEWSLETTER
MAY BRINGS SPRING ZUCCHINI FLOWERS
SWOP OUT DAIRY WITH UNSWEETENED COCONUT MILK
Whether you call it zucchini, courgette, summer squash, or marrow, this nutrient-rich vegetable has a fresh, mild flavor, and is incredibly versatile. Made with just a few ingredients, this naturally creamy satisfying soup is gluten-free, and dairy-free.
Simple yet delicious, it makes a healthy meal option for any day of the week.
NO KNIFE KID-FRIENDLY HACK
TO HULL OUT STRAWBERRIES
Reuse plastic or metal straws to quickly remove the hull from strawberries.
1. Wash berries.
2. Insert the straw in the narrow end, and push.
3. The stem and hull come out on the end of the straw.
Quick, fun, & easy!
90-YEAR-OLD PLANT-BASED PIONEER ANN ESSELSTYN
SETS DEAD HANG WORLD RECORD
Ann Esselstyn, 90, just set a Guinness World Record with a nearly three-minute dead hang, proving strength and plant-based living can go hand in hand. When most 90-year-olds exercise, they opt for light walks, gardening, or maybe a little swimming. But Ann Esselstyn isn’t most 90-year-olds.
In February 2026, the nonagenarian set out to break the world record for the oldest person to hold a dead hang, a move that involves supporting your body weight while hanging from a bar.
by Charlotte Pointing, April 9, 2026 - READ ARTICLE VEG NEWS
CHECK OUT ANN'S RECORD ON ESSELSTYN'S FAMILY 'PLANTSTRONG' WEBSITE
CHECK OUT THESE GREAT TOOLS AND RESOURCES
BE A PLANT-BASED WOMAN WARRIOR: LIVE FIERCE, STAY BOLD, EAT DELICIOUS
By Ann and Jan Esselstyn
The original “Julia Child of plant-based cooking” teams up with her daughter to offer a multigenerational celebration of
the power of a plant-based lifestyle with 125 recipes.
THE ENGINE 2 SEVEN-DAY RESCUE DIET: EAT PLANTS, LOSE WEIGHT, SAVE YOUR
HEALTH by Rip Esselstyn
The runaway New York Times bestselling diet that
sparked a health revolution, which is now simpler and easier to
follow than ever!
ZULAY
KITCHEN METAL
2-IN-1 LEMON-LIME SQUEEZER
Sturdy Max Extraction Hand Juicer Lemon- Lime Squeezer Gets Every Last Drop! Easy to Clean, rust resistant, manual citrus
juicer with seed filter /Yellow/Green
TRENDPLAIN
GLASS OIL
SPRAYER & DISPENSER
TrendPlain 16oz/470ml Glass bottle 2 in 1 Oil Sprayer and Dispenser for Cooking, Air Fryer, BBQ – Ctear gtass with Black Lid
A TASTE OF SPRING
APRIL SHOWERS BRING GARDEN FRESH SPRING PEAS
SWOP OUT DAIRY WITH UNSWEETENED COCONUT MILK
This rich and fragrant fresh green pea and leek soup is a refreshing taste of spring. Available spring through early summer, farm fresh English peas are optimum, but flash-frozen freshly harvested peas are great for the-off-season. Blended with fresh mint and thyme, unsweetened coconut milk thickens and adds a silky-smooth texture. Serve chilled on a warm day or piping hot on a chilly night. Recipe. . .
SWOP OUT DAIRY
WITH COCONUT MILK OR CREAM
Coconut milk or cream is milky-white and opaque. Extracted from coconut pulp, the high oil content accounts for its rich sweet, vanilla-caramel, creamy, and nutty flavor. Coconut milk or cream is an excellent choice for sweet and savory; baking, soups, sauces, and recipes calling for high fat milk or cream.
CHECK OUT THESE GREAT TOOLS AND RESOURCES
IDOO HYDROPONICS 12 POD
GROWING SYSTEM KIT
Grow your own fresh herbs, lettuce and veggies all year long. The hydroponic growing system kit comes with 4.5 L water tank, LED grow light with full-spectrum, and a circulation system that keeps
water fresh.
12 Pods, Indoor Herb Garden, with LED Grow Light, Built-in Fan, Auto-Timer, Adjustable Height Up to 11.3”.
12 CULINARY HERBS SEEDS
VARIETY PACK
Organo Republic
Gardening Kit: 12 Culinary Herbs Seeds Variety Pack NON-GMO
Heirloom Seeds / 7,350+ seeds including: Basil Italian, Basil Lemon, Basil Purple, Basil Thai, Chervil, Chives, Cilantro, Dill, Italian Parsley, Lemon Balm, Oregano and Sage.
.
10 LETTUCE & SALAD
GREENS VARIETY PACK
Organo Republic
Gardening Kit: 10 Lettuce & Salad Greens Seeds NON GMO Heirloom Seeds
VARIETY PACK 13,000+ seeds including: Arugula, Kale, Spinach, Iceberg Lettuce, Romaine Lettuce, Collards and Swiss Chard.
EATING HEALTHY
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recipes, and shop Amazon for deals on my favorite kitchen helpers.
March 2026
THE DOCTOR WHO PRESCRIBES FOOD
HOW DR. NEAL BARNARD IS CHANGING MEDICINE
By Charlotte Pointing, February 23, 2026
For decades, Neal Barnard, MD has been transforming medicine with food—and using
plant-based nutrition to prevent and reverse
chronic disease.
Read more . . .
PROTEIN RICH CHEESE SWOP
ALMONDS, CASHEWS & BRAZIL NUTS NON-DAIRY PARMESAN
The combination of nuts, nutritional yeast, and seasonings makes a versatile plant-based
parmesan cheese flavor alternative.
Serve raw for an added crunch, or combine and
cook for a creamier texture, savory tang,
nutty-umami, and cheesy flavor. Mix up a batch
or two, and store in an airtight container
refrigerated for up to two weeks or freeze for
up to three months.
INDULGE & TREAT YOURSELF
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recipes, and shop Amazon for deals on my favorite kitchen helpers.
February 2026
WHETHER YOU CELEBRATE
VALENTINE'S OR GALENTINE'S DAY
INDULGE & TREAT YOURSELF
Either way—whip up a batch of rich, indulgent,
plant-based, tea-infused chocolate truffles,
perfect for sharing—or savoring solo.
Infuse and steep intense tea flavors into the rich coconut cream and non-dairy butter mixture for delicious results. Swop out dairy with high fat coconut cream and
plant-based butter . . .
THE BENEFITS OF A PLANT-BASED DIET
By Gina Van Thomme and Heather Alexander
Medically Reviewed | Last reviewed by Andrea Murray, Health Education Specialist
Key takeaways: When you're eating healthier food, it’s helping your body function the way it was designed to.
• A plant-based diet doesn’t always mean giving up animal products. Instead, it means eating
mostly plants.
• Plants contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants.
• Eating a plant-based diet can support your immune system, reduce inflammation, promote a
healthy weight and help your body fight diseases
HOW TO START A
PLANT-BASED DIET
ARTICLE | Nutrition & Fitness
By Mayo Clinic Press Editors,
Tara Schmidt, M. Ed., RDN
If you're interested in joining this time-tested trend, here are some tips to help you get
started — and stick with — plates of
plant-based food. . .
RING IN THE NEW YEAR & START YOUR HEALTHY
RESOLUTIONS WITH PLANT-BASED CELEBRATORY BITES
Usher in 2026 and commit to trying or embracing a plant-based diet. To make your New Year's
resolutions stick, begin with simple changes; start with meatless Mondays, prepare and plan your
meals, and focus on whole foods, veggies, fruits, beans, and grains.
Need some convincing? Read the Harvard Health Publishing article below,
as they explore the topic of why you should eat a plant-based diet.
IT’S MAR’TEA’NI
TIME . . .
Mocktail or spiked, mix it up, and infuse
bold tea flavor into your favorite celebratory
drinks. For a festive flair, try a Pomegranate
Lavender green tea and garnish with
pomegranate seeds.
MERRY & BRIGHT BLISTERED TOMATO TARTLETS
Serve these festive-looking blistered
tomato tartlets as an appetizer, or make
a galette-sized tart and serve them with
a crisp salad for a light meal to celebrate
and usher in the New Year.
WHAT IS A PLANT-BASED DIET AND
WHY SHOULD YOU TRY IT?
By Katherine D. McManus, MS, RD, LDN, Contributor
Reviewed by Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial
Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Plant-based or plant-forward eating patterns focus on foods primarily from plants. This includes not only fruits and vegetables, but also nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, legumes, and beans. It doesn't mean that you are vegetarian or vegan and never eat meat or dairy. Rather, you are proportionately choosing more of your foods from plant sources. Read more . . .
HOLIDAY READY DISHES
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ingredient, recipes, and shop Amazon for deals on my favorite kitchen helpers.
November 2025
ROAST, SCOOP & STUFF
Whether you eat meatless meals once in a while or have fully embraced a plant-based diet, holiday meals can be nutritious as well as delicious.
Roast squash, scoop, dice, and add for a hearty salad and to stuffing for a delicious plant-forward main. Finish off with a scrumptious Sweet Cherry Olive Oil Torte; these dairy-free, meatless dishes are guaranteed to become new holiday favorites.
HOW DOES PLANT-FORWARD (PLANT-BASED)
EATING BENEFIT YOUR HEALTH?
Whether you’re considering eating less meat or giving it up entirely, the benefits are clear: less risk
of disease and improved health and well-being.
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
CARROTS & PUMPKINS
ROCK THE SEASON
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and shop Amazon for deals on my favorite kitchen helpers.
This month’s newsletter recipes feature a spicy and warm ginger carrot soup, made with protein-rich carrots. Make a batch of Maple Pumpkin Scones and enjoy the warm, cozy flavors of maple and pumpkin pie spice, reminiscent of fall, in every bite.
NOT ALL CARROTS ARE CREATED EQUAL
"Everybody thinks a carrot's a carrot's a carrot—well that's the furthest thing from the truth" Bob Jones Sr.
Check out specialty carrots grown by Farmer Lee Jones at The Chef's Garden.
INFORMATIVE AND INSPIRATIONAL
Why humanity's fate depends on regenerative food
Oliver English | TEDxPacific Avenue
