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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

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

Baking, Breakfast, Dairy Free, Dessert & Treats, Fall, Food, Gluten Free, Local Love, Vegetarian, Winter

GLUTEN FREE MAPLED PUMPKIN CHAI BREAD

Foodie friends, who’s up for some healthier, pre-holiday baking? I’m thrilled to finally share my Gluten Free Mapled Pumpkin Chai Bread with you today after just over a year of recipe development! I’ve mentioned previously that due to my extensive recipe testing and development process and focus on seasonal ingredients, oftentimes recipes take over a year to make it to JustineCelina. As with any piece of content I share on this pages, quality is my top priority! Over the course of the five times (yes, really!) I’ve baked, tweaked and meticulously tested this delicious seasonal loaf, it’s become one of our all-time-favourite recipes — and I hope you enjoy it just as much as I’ve enjoyed creating it for you. I’ve also included a handful of my favourite local grocers and vendors where I picked up all of the ingredients I’ve used in this recipe. Now more than ever, local businesses need our support and I’d like to ask you to consider how you can support your local economy (in whatever capacity you’re able to) as we transition into the holiday season.

My Gluten Free Mapled Pumpkin Chai Bread typifies late autumn by combining two of my favourite seasonal flavour profiles in one deceptively decadent, easy-to-bake loaf that’s free of dairy, gluten, refined sugar and oil. Exceptionally moist and perfectly spiced, this simple, seasonal pumpkin bread tastes like an indulgent fall cake, but is loaded with nourishing ingredients and warm, healing spices! Pumpkin puree, creamy coconut milk, pure Canadian maple syrup and a splash of Mexican vanilla extract are beautifully complimented by a rich melange of quintessential chai spices — including cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice, cardamon and anise. The result is an incredibly delicious ‘free from’ pumpkin loaf to be enjoyed by plant based eaters, those with food allergies and sensitivities and anyone that loves delicious seasonal baking! Consider adding my festive Gluten Free Mapled Pumpkin Chai Bread to your holiday baking menu this season for an inventive, better-for-you spin on classic seasonal flavours that the whole family can enjoy. Throw on your coziest sweater and your fuzziest slippers and let’s bake up some chai-inspired seasonal goodness, shall we?

December 8, 2020 by Justine

Dairy Free, Entertain, Fall, Inspiration, Local Love, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wine & Cocktails

ROSEMARY FIG JAPANESE WHISKY SOUR

Fig season is upon us — and I’m back today with a fresh, summer meets autumn sip to celebrate! My Rosemary Fig Japanese Whisky Sour was actually conceived at the height of quarantine back in April (when we were encouraged to limit our grocery runs as much as possible) — another exercise in using what we had on hand to to whip up a comforting COCKTAIL at home. Despite this recipe using fig preserves (rather than fresh figs you see photographed), I waited patiently for fig season to bring this inventive cocktail to life — simply so I could make it as beautiful as possible! And while I never thought I’d be incorporating Japanese whisky or egg whites into a cocktail — here we are. 2020 has been full of curveballs, but one thing is has been good for is nurturing my mixology skills and pushing me to create more resourceful, experimental recipes! There have been many a Rosemary Fig Japanese Whisky Sour consumed this year as this recipe underwent an intensive testing process to ensure it was shaken to perfection — and I’m elated to finally bring it to JustineCelina this fall!

My Rosemary Fig Japanese Whisky Sour is a deliciously luxurious juxtaposition of fall flavours and textures that you can shake up at home. This creative cocktail is creamy, smoky, sweet and sour — enveloping your tastebuds in early autumn inspired warmth! Premium Japanese whisky (thanks to Adam’s latest spirit obsession!) combines with egg whites (with a vegan option), fig syrup, bitters, fresh lemon juice and a sprig of rosemary, shaken into a comforting sip that celebrates quintessential fall flavours in cocktail form. If your looking to satisfy your cocktail lounge cravings at home this autumn, look no further! Dust off your shaker, slip on your fuzzy slippers, light a fire and learn how to shake up this sumptuous, seasonally inspired Japanese whisky sour in the comfort of your own kitchen. Cheers to breaking out of our cocktail comfort zones with beautiful, seasonally inspired ingredients!

October 3, 2020 by Justine

4 Healthy Saskatoon Berry Recipes to Try This Summer + Where to Pick Saskatoons in Alberta | Vegan Gingered Saskatoon Peach Crumble | Wild Saskatoon Berry Crumble | Honeyed Saskatoon Cherry Gimlet | Summer Bounty Salad with Saskatoon Cider Vinaigrette | Gluten Free Saskatoon Citrus Banana Bread | Plant Based Serviceberry and Prairie Berry Recipes | Dairy Free, Gluten Free and Refined Sugar Saskatoon Recipes | Calgary Lifestyle and Food Blogger // JustineCelina.com

Breakfast, Dairy Free, Dinner, Food, Gluten Free, Local Love, Lunch, Paleo, Roundups, Salads & Bowls, Summer, Travel, Vegan, Vegetarian

4 HEALTHY SASKATOON BERRY RECIPES + WHERE TO PICK SASKATOONS IN ALBERTA

It’s the height of summer here on the Alberta prairies — which means our saskatoon berries are ripe and ready for picking! Longtime readers will know I have quite an affection for this quintessentially Albertan berry, and every August, my saskatoon recipes become the most viewed pieces of content here at JustineCelina. Today I’m compiling them all for you in one convenient location with this 4 Healthy Saskatoon Berry Recipes roundup, as well as sharing Where to Pick Saskatoons in Alberta! If you’ve always been intrigued by these antioxidant-packed berries but have never known what to do with them (or where to find them!), you’ve come to the right place! Consider this post your one-stop resource for everything you’ve ever wanted to know about saskatoon berries as I share my favourite saskatoon berry picking spots and tips along with 4 plant based saskatoon recipes incorporating them into seasonal breakfast, baking, salad, cocktails and dessert!

Have you ever tried a saskatoon? While they’re sometimes called Serviceberries, Juneberries or Prairie Berries and resemble blueberries, they actually taste quite different. Believe it or not, Saskatoons are actually more closely related to roses (hailing from the Rosaceae family) and have a deeper, richer, nuttier flavour that’s somehow wilder than blueberries — it’s very distinct and difficult to describe! Saskatoon berries also pack a nutritional punch, containing high levels of protein, calcium, iron, and antioxidants — making them a wonderful addition to a balanced diet. If you live in an area where saskatoons grow, I highly recommend getting out to sample them for yourself while crops are at their peak. With the intense heatwave we’ve been experiencing lately, this year’s crop will likely fade before mid August — so there’s no time like the present! Since the season is fleeting, I was eager to publish this roundup for those of you looking for extensively tested saskatoon recipes that utilize local, seasonal ingredients and are free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar. If you’re picking saskatoons this summer and are looking for some fresh ideas (or details on my favourite saskatoon u-pick locations), I’ve totally got you covered!

August 7, 2020 by Justine

Dairy Free, Entertain, Fashion, Summer, Travel, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wine & Cocktails

CREAMY COCONUT MANGO MEZCALRITAS

Friends, it feels absolutely incredible to be back today with a fresh COCKTAIL recipe! It’s been quite awhile since my last blog post — between a wonderful, 3 week workcation in the country, to making the most of some business-related travel in Edmonton (where we enjoyed a little weekend getaway!), I’ve been (safely) bouncing around all over the province like a true digital nomad this month. Although I’ve had my camera and laptop in tow and have still been creating content, keeping my socials updated (have you stopped by Instagram lately to see what I’ve been up to?) and working on some exciting projects, I couldn’t find the time to actually sit down, process and edit imagery, write long-form content and publish a blog post! Instead, I had some long overdue development tasks taken care of behind the scenes here at JustineCelina to get the site back in pristine working order (hopefully you haven’t even noticed!). Overall it’s been a very lucrative and productive month, although blog content took a back seat — so thank you for your patience and understanding! I’m thrilled to be back with this clean slate, feeling refreshed and ready to bring you tons of summer content — commencing with these Creamy Coconut Mango Mezcalritas!

I’ve been sipping away on these jubilant, Oaxacan-inspired cocktails since Cinco de Mayo when I whipped them up for a festive night in, simply using what we had on hand — and the results were absolutely delicious! My Creamy Coconut Mango Mezcalritas are a perfectly balanced libation that are equal parts smoky, citrusy, creamy, spicy and sweet — and are (as always!) free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar. A healthy dose of hand-crafted mezcal and creamy coconut milk combine with fresh mango and lime juices, along with a splash of Cointreau, agave nectar and just a hint of red chilli before they’re shaken over ice and strained into a Himalayan pink salt and Tajín rimmed glass. Make the most of this very welcome heatwave with an inspired seasonal sip that will virtually transport you to a tranquil ocean shore from the comfort of your own home, backyard or patio! Cheers to finding new ways to bring TRAVEL into our lives this year!

July 29, 2020 by Justine

Dairy Free, Dessert & Treats, Food, Gluten Free, Local Love, Paleo, Spring, Vegan, Vegetarian

RAW RED VELVET VEGAN BROWNIES

Chocoholics, this recipe’s for you! I’ve actually had these Raw Red Velvet Vegan Brownies in development since last spring and am so thrilled to finally share it here at JustineCelina. With everything currently happening regarding ingredient accessibility, I rejigged my editorial recipe calendar to prioritize recipes I already had in development made with pantry staples, sturdy produce and simple ingredients — and I knew I wanted to push this one to the top of the list for publication! While I wouldn’t normally publish a more indulgent recipe like this as we head into summer, lately I find myself looking for simple ways to indulge my cravings at home — and these insanely delicious brownies have definitely satisfied my sweet tooth during quarantine! Sometimes, you just need a brownie — am I right?!

I believe you can treat yourself and nourish yourself at the same time — and my Raw Red Velvet Vegan Brownies are a perfect example of that philosophy. They come together with just 8 simple, plant-based, antioxidant packed, anti aging, brain and immune boosting ingredients (yes, including beets!) — and they’re truly one of the most decadent brownies I’ve ever tasted. These easy, no-bake brownies are earthy, fudgy, nutty and brimming with beautiful natural sweetness — plus, they’re free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar. If you’re looking for a fuss-free, fresh, veggie-centric twist on the traditional brownie that comes together in less than half an hour, you’ve come to the right place! The best part? If you have a well-stocked pantry and a beet or two on hand, you can probably make these delicious vegan brownies right now! Who’s ready to whip up some raw, spring-inspired treats?

May 21, 2020 by Justine

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