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Appies & Sides, Baking, Breakfast, Dairy Free, Dessert & Treats, Dinner, Food, Gluten Free, Lunch, Roundups, Salads & Bowls, Smoothies & Juices, Soups, Summer, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wine & Cocktails

20+ HEALTHY PLANT BASED SUMMER RECIPES

It’s the height of summer here on the Alberta prairies — and I’m thrilled to bring you another recipe roundup to celebrate the very best ingredients this season has to offer! Summer is my absolute favourite time of year to take a trip to the farmers market or our Country Garden in search of gorgeous produce, herbs and flowers to inspire my culinary creations. My hope is that this post featuring 20+ Healthy Plant Based Summer Recipes also inspires you to do the same, while supporting your local markets, growers and farmers whenever possible! So, I’ve scoured my extensive RECIPE archives to compile this fresh and seasonal summer recipe roundup to include my (and your!) most loved, most made and most featured summer recipes in one convenient location, categorized by meal type and diet for easy browsing reference.

As always, this seasonal recipe round-up features my all-time-favourite summer recipes across culinary categories, from breakfast through happy hour — with lots of snacks, treats, smoothies and juices! My flexitarian recipes are simple, seasonal, free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar and packed full of fresh, nourishing ingredients — the majority are also vegan or vegetarian (although there is one pesceratian recipe in this roundup!). These whole food dishes are also budget friendly, with many yielding large batches (perfect for families, summer meal prep or batch cooking!). From my kitchen to yours, I hope this roundup of tested-till-perfect, plant based eats and drinks inspires you enjoy and experiment with summer’s bountiful fruits, vegetables, herbs and blooms! Cheers to our most delicious summer yet!

July 15, 2021 by Justine

Entertain, Occasions, Roundups, Spring, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wine & Cocktails

5 FESTIVE CINCO DE MAYO COCKTAILS

Fellow tequila and mezcal lovers, I’m elated to share the first my first recipe roundup dedicated exclusively to cocktails with my 5 Festive Cinco De Mayo Cocktails post! If you’re a fan of my better-for-you libations, you’ll know my love of tequila and mezcal runs deep — as does my adoration of Mexican culture. Over the past decade, we’ve been fortunate to spend quite a bit of time in Oaxaca (specifically Huatulco — one of my favourite places in the world!) and discover many fantastic artisanal tequila and mezcal varieties, visit agave farms and learn about authentic spirits and cocktail making from the locals. In fact, our home bar is always stocked with several varieties of tequila and mezcal from our travels — and I typically have a few Mexican-inspired sips in development at any given time! So today, in celebration of Cinco de Mayo, I’ve rounded up my most popular tequila and mezcal based cocktails — which all happen to be vegan, gluten free and refined sugar free! Hey, life is all about balance, right?!

While we may be celebrating Cinco De Mayo digitally this year, that doesn’t mean we can’t do it over a fantastic cocktail (or 5!). Can I interest you in a Green Jalapeño Margarita, Gingered Cara Cara Grapefruit Paloma, Watermelon Frosé Margarita, Hibiscus Blood Orange Mezcalrita or a Creamy Coconut Mango Mezcalrita? There’s never been a better time to learn how to shake up a Mexican-inspired cocktail in the comfort of your own home — all you need is a cocktail shaker, a bottle of your favourite tequila or mezcal and a few simple, fresh, supporting ingredients. Join me for a crash course on tequila and mezcal (plus recommendations to pair with each recipe) as we shake up a few festive cocktails tonight in celebration of the vibrancy and resilience of Mexican culture!

May 5, 2021 by Justine

20+ Favourite Plant Based Spring Recipes | The Best Healthy, Plant Based Recipes for Spring 2021 | Plant Based Recipes on a Budget | Plant Based Dinner Recipes for Beginners | Whole Food Plant Based Recipes | Vegan Spring Recipe Ideas | The Best Refined Sugar Free Spring Cocktails | Spring Recipes Vegetarian | Vegan Gluten-Free Spring Recipes | Spring Meatless Recipes | Easy Vegan Recipes for Spring | Extensively Tested Plant Based Recipes | Calgary Plant Based Food Blogger // JustineCelina.com

Appies & Sides, Baking, Breakfast, Dairy Free, Dessert & Treats, Dinner, Food, Gluten Free, Lunch, Roundups, Salads & Bowls, Smoothies & Juices, Soups, Spring, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wine & Cocktails

20+ PLANT BASED SPRING RECIPES

Spring is definitely in the air… can you feel it?! The weather is absolutely beautiful here in Calgary as we approach Spring Equinox — and I couldn’t be more thrilled! I’ve been taking every opportunity to get outside to enjoy long walks, runs and hikes as I work towards my health and wellness goals. Each year as we transition into spring, I also find myself lightening up our meals and incorporating lots of fresh, seasonal produce, edible flowers and bright, herbaceous flavours! Over the last couple of years I’ve begun publishing seasonal recipe roundups here at JustineCelina — and in reviewing my archives, was surprised to discover that I hadn’t yet created a spring version. So, I’ve scoured my virtual recipe box to compile my favourite 20+ Plant Based Spring Recipes across culinary categories, from breakfast through happy hour! If you’re looking for some healthy, veggie-centric (and largely vegan), spring meal ideas utilizing all the gorgeous seasonal produce available to us from March though June, you’ve come to the right place!

While I’m perpetually testing new recipes, I’ve also published a solid repertoire of spring-inspired eats over the past 6 years (some of which are Wild Rose D-Tox Friendly!). Today I’m excited to share them all with you in this convenient, easy-to-browse format that you can come back to again and again. As always, my recipes are simple, seasonal, free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar and packed full of fresh, nourishing ingredients — perfect to make after a weekend grocery run or trip to the farmer’s market! These whole food dishes are also budget friendly, with many yielding large batches (perfect for families, spring meal prep or batch cooking and freezing!). From my kitchen to yours, I hope this roundup of tested-till-perfect, plant based eats and drinks inspires you enjoy and experiment with seasonal produce, herbs and blooms this spring!

March 3, 2021 by Justine

DIGITAL BLOOMS MARCH 2021 | MARCH DIGITAL BLOOMS ROUNDUP | 8 FREE DESKTOP WALLPAPERS | The Best of Justine Celina’s March Digital Blooms | Best 2021 Free Tech Wallpapers | Best Spring Desktop Backgrounds | Desktop backgrounds March 2021 | Floral Wallpaper Blog | Free Computer Wallpapers | March Flower Wallpaper | Spring Flower Wallpaper | Free Spring Wallpapers | March Wallpaper iPhone | Calgary Creative Lifestyle Blogger // JustineCelina.com

Create, Digital Blooms, Flowers, Pantone, Roundups, Spring, Winter

MARCH DIGITAL BLOOMS ROUNDUP | 8 FREE TECH WALLPAPERS

Embrace the changing seasons and welcome spring’s arrival with my March Digital Blooms Roundup — featuring 8 free, floral tech wallpapers for your computer, tablet or phone! It certainly feels like spring is right around the corner here in Calgary (we’re looking at double digit temps this weekend!) and I’m feeling very inspired to refresh my home, wardrobe, beauty routine, wellness practices and digital devices to welcome the new season with open arms. This collection of spring inspired tech wallpapers includes a plethora of dreamy pastels, vivid brights and fresh greenery, designed to brighten up your devices and lift your spirits!

Take spring cleaning to the next level this March and freshen up your tech to welcome a new brand new season by infusing your digital devices with a fun splash of colour and whimsy! These March wallpapers feature an array of our favourite spring flowers and greenery — including Alstroemeria, Blue Delphinium, Chrysanthemums, Hyacinth, Lavender, Lilies, Matricaria, Ornithogalum, Pampas Grass, Ranunculus, Roses, Tulips, foraged berries and exotic foliage. Click through to choose your favourite floral wallpaper and bring the uplifting essence of spring to the background of your computer, tablet or phone! I hope you enjoy this collection of March DIGITAL BLOOMS as much as we enjoyed creating them for you. Wishing you all a lovely spring!

March 1, 2021 by Justine

Appies & Sides, Breakfast, Dairy Free, Dinner, Food, Lunch, Paleo, Roundups, Salads & Bowls, Smoothies & Juices, Soups, Vegan, Vegetarian

20+ HEALTHY RECIPES TO KICK START THE NEW YEAR

After an indulgent holiday season, I always look forward to getting back on track and into a routine that supports my overall well being in January. During the first week of each new year, I find myself searching my FOOD archives for my healthiest winter recipes — and know you’re doing the same, as my views on these posts skyrocket. So, I created my 20+ Healthy Recipes to Kick Start The New Year roundup! This mega post contains over 20 of my healthiest, freshest, plant-based recipes incorporating all the gorgeous seasonal produce available to us in early January, for easy browsing reference. From breakfast through dinner, with nourishing snacks, fresh juices and smoothies along the way, you’ll find everything you need to create a healthy January meal plan in this post! As always, my recipes are free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar — and most are vegetarian / vegan. I’ve indicated these categories in this post with convenient labels so you can easily find what you’re looking for!

Although I do my best to maintain my plant-based diet over the holidays, I firmly believe in balance — you better believe I indulge in my fair share of treats as well! As someone with dairy and gluten sensitivities, I find my digestion can easily get thrown out of whack when I’m not being as mindful while I’m eating, drink and being merry. My favourite ways to kick start my metabolism and get things running smoothly again is by treating my body to lots of colourful fruits and veggies, juices and smoothies, hearty salads and bowls, plant-based entrées and simple, wholesome soups. I also aim to keep my snacking to a minimum and give the baking and the booze a rest (you won’t find any snacks, baking or cocktail recipes in this roundup). Who else is having a dry January this year? If you’re in need of some fresh recipes to help fuel these first few weeks of the new year with intention, you’ve come to the right place — pour yourself a mug of herbal tea and come peruse my all-time-favourite, nourishing winter recipes!

January 5, 2021 by Justine

Entertain, Flowers, Giveaways, Local Love, Pantone, Spring, Wine & Cocktails

HONEYED SASKATOON CHERRY GIMLET

After what has undoubtedly been the longest month of my life, I know one thing for sure… I need a stiff drink! Who’s with me?! Each March, I eagerly await Spring Equinox and typically celebrate its arrival with the publication of a fresh, seasonally inspired cocktail — but March 2020’s events really threw my editorial calendar for a loop. Although this recipe is publishing a bit later than I had originally intended, I can assure you it’s been tested to perfection — in fact, there was rarely an evening that passed this month when I didn’t find myself shaking up a Honeyed Saskatoon Cherry Gimlet (if you follow along with my Instagram Stories, you can attest to this!). This cocktail highlights Eau Claire Distillery’s recently re-released Saskatoon Honey Gin — and I’ve teamed up with them give away a full sized bottle (along with a few other goodies!) to one of my Canadian friends to help lift your spirits and keep your home bars stocked!

Gin lovers, I’m thrilled to share my Honeyed Saskatoon Cherry Gimlet recipe with you today — a refreshingly spirited, 4 ingredient spring cocktail inspired by doing the best you can with what you have, where you are. The best part? If you have a well-stocked bar, you likely already have all of the ingredients on hand (and if not, I’ve included links to where you can purchase them to help support local businesses during this challenging time)! This simple but perfectly balanced craft cocktail combines Saskatoon Honey Gin with Honey Simple Syrup, cherry bitters and freshly squeezed lime juice shaken over ice — and can be prepared with ease by home bar beginners and skilled mixologists alike. Bring the cocktail bar to the comfort of your own home this spring with my Honeyed Saskatoon Cherry Gimlet — a quintessentially Albertan twist on a classic gin cocktail! Cheers, friends — and best of luck to those entering the giveaway!

March 30, 2020 by Justine

Appies & Sides, Baking, Breakfast, Dairy Free, Dessert & Treats, Dinner, Food, Gluten Free, Lunch, Roundups, Salads & Bowls, Smoothies & Juices, Soups, Vegan, Vegetarian

28 PLANT BASED RECIPES MADE WITH PANTRY STAPLES, FROZEN FOOD AND STURDY PRODUCE

Happy Saturday, friends. How’s everyone doing? These are certainly strange and uncertain times. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine blogging about this topic, under these circumstances! But like many of you, I’ve been reflecting on how I can best serve my community in this time of need — and its been so heartening reading stories of individuals and businesses stepping up to care for one another. I’ve always taken great comfort in preparing nourishing meals for myself, my family and my friends — and that extends to all of you! In light of recent world events and the different realities we’re all currently facing in this unprecedented situation, this week I focused on what I could do here at JustineCelina to help. As we spend more time in our homes over the next few weeks (or months) and adapt to a new normal, we’ll inevitably be cooking and eating more meals at home — something I’m very passionate about. So, I rescheduled the pretty cocktail I had originally slated to publish on Spring Equinox (which is now live!) to bring you 28 Plant Based Recipes Made With Pantry Staples, Frozen Food and Sturdy Produce — the ultimate resource in feeding yourself and your family well, and economically, during this challenging time.

I’ve scoured my virtual recipe box to compile 28 extensively tested, plant-based, inexpensive, easy to prepare, immune boosting recipes from breakfast through dinner (with snacks in-between!). Each of these recipes are free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar, but many also yield large batches — which are perfect for families, meal prep or freezing to ensure you have nutrient dense meal options on hand. I’ve always been one to keep a well-stocked kitchen — the majority of my recipes focus on inexpensive but versatile, plant based, pantry, freezer and fridge staples that pack a nutritional punch. I’ve also sprinkled this mega-post with ingredient substitution ideas and tips for maximizing the life of your produce, so you can make the most of what you have on hand (this is actually how my most inventive recipes are conceived, food never goes to waste in my kitchen!). We’re all in this together — so if you’re craving some time in the kitchen cooking, baking and recipe making, I’ve got you covered!

March 21, 2020 by Justine

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