Author: roygbiv1949

https://ohsheglows.com/2020/04/25/cozy-at-home-spicy-any-veggie-soup/

Hi everyone! It has been so hard to find the right words for this post as my heart is breaking for the world right now. I hope you are all staying safe and doing well. How are you doing? I’m wishing you all love and strength to get through whatever challenges may be coming your way during this pandemic. We’re about to start our 7th week of “sheltering at home” and are all doing well & taking things one day at a time. 

A gift from my heart 

We’ve been trying to do our part by helping the community in various ways, but I also want to do a little something personal for some of my blog readers who are working on the frontlines and in essential services during this pandemic. This idea is a small way for me to connect with you and say thank you for all that you’re doing! So that said, I’d like to mail a signed and personalized copy of my brand new cookbook (my very first hardcover….eek!), along with an Oh She Glows Recipe App download, to 15 frontline and essential workers located in Canada or the US. These gifts will be sent out as soon as my book launches early this fall. Side note: I almost nixed this idea because I worried there would be hard feelings if I couldn’t send one to everyone who reaches out (I will likely have a lot more than 15 emails), but I hope you’ll understand that even though I can’t send you all one, I’d still like to do this to bring a smile to some of your faces during this difficult time. (And I’ll be doing more cookbook giveaways for the entire OSG community in the late summer and fall, too, so there will be other opportunities coming up.) You can nominate yourself or someone you know. Please send a brief email along with your city, and province or state (or your nominee’s story and location) to frontline@ohsheglows.com by May 1, 2020. We’ll select 15 frontline and essential heroes and I will cover all costs of shipping, the book, etc. Due to the volume of emails we anticipate receiving, we’ll only be able to reply to those who are selected, but I want to say a huge thank you in advance for sharing your story with me and to all of you out there who are making sacrifices for your communities every day.

A little about this soup

Today, I’m sharing a versatile, nutrient-packed, and pantry-friendly soup that I’ve been making for the past several weeks. I can’t tell you how much of a go-to recipe this has been while trying to juggle work deadlines and refereeing (oops, I mean parenting) and homeschooling. You can use virtually any veggies you have on hand as long as it totals about 8 cups (be sure to see the Tips in the recipe below for ideas). I’ve created both Instant Pot and stovetop versions for you as well. I love that I can throw everything into my Instant Pot, turn it on, and walk away! And the stovetop version is almost as simple…the only difference is that you’ll need to stir it a few times during cooking. I’m whipping this up twice weekly until the warm weather sets in. I hope it brings you some comfort during these trying days. I’d love to hear which veggie combos you use…my favourite combo so far is: broccoli, carrots, butternut squash, frozen green beans, and sliced cremini mushrooms. A nutrient powerhouse! I’m not joking when I say that I’m eating this daily for lunch…it helps balance out all the baked goods that I’ve been stuffing in my face…lol. 

PS – I’ll be sure to share a lot more details about the new book (as well as the big cover reveal!) soon. If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for our newsletter, as we’ll be relaunching it this spring and revealing the cover and details there first.

Sending you all love, good health wishes, and big virtual hugs,

Angela xoxo

Cozy At Home Spicy Any-Veggie Soup
Vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free

★★★★★
4.5 from 15 reviews

Yield
8 cups (2 L)

Prep time
15 minutes

Cook time
25 minutes

Total time
40 minutes

This spicy, bursting-with-flavour soup can be made with whatever veggies you have lurking in the crisper and pantry. My favourite combination of veggies is broccoli (rich in immune-boosting vitamin C), butternut squash, carrots, and frozen green beans, and I’ve detailed the amounts I use in my recipe below. You can use any veggies you love as long as it totals 8 cups of chopped veggies (see my Tip below for ideas!). I’ve also provided two different cooking methods: a hands-free Instant Pot method and a traditional (but still very easy) stovetop method. The beauty of this soup is that it’s so simple to make—we simply add the ingredients to the pot and let it cook away! The soup’s spicy flavour comes from using a generous amount of red pepper flakes. I like 2 teaspoons for a moderate, zippy heat level, but if you aren’t a fan of a lot of heat, start with 1 teaspoon and go from there. If you want to use my Instant Pot method, you can find the directions at the bottom of the Tips section. This recipe is adapted from my 8-Minute Pantry Dal.

Ingredients
1 tablespoon (15 mL) coconut oil or olive oil2 1/2 cups (625 mL) water1 (14-ounce/398 mL) can light coconut milk1 (14-ounce/398 mL) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes*3 cups (190 g) broccoli florets (1 1/2-inch florets)**2 cups (270 g) peeled, seeded, and chopped butternut squash (1/2-inch cubes)1 1/2 cups (195 g) chopped peeled carrots (1/2-inch thick coins)1 1/2 cups (160 g) frozen cut green beans***2 teaspoons red pepper flakes, or to taste****1 teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste1 teaspoon garlic powder1 cup (170 g) uncooked red lentils2 tablespoons (30 mL) apple cider vinegar, or to tasteHerbamare, for garnish (optional)

Directions
Stovetop method: To a large pot, add the oil, water, coconut milk, diced tomatoes (with juices), broccoli, butternut squash, carrots, frozen green beans, red pepper flakes, salt (starting with 3/4 teaspoon), garlic powder, and red lentils. Stir to combine. Set the heat to high, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and bring the mixture to a low boil. Once it comes to a boil, remove the lid and reduce the heat to medium. Stir again, scraping off any lentils stuck to the bottom of the pot. Simmer, covered, over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are soft and the veggies are just fork tender. The veggies should have a touch of resistance when pierced with a fork. The cook time will vary based on the type of veggies you use. After cooking, remove the lid and stir in the apple cider vinegar, starting with one tablespoon and adding from there, to taste (we love 2 tablespoons for a lot of brightness). Sometimes, there may be a slight separation in the soup after adding the vinegar, depending on the brand of coconut milk used. This is nothing to worry about. Season with more salt, if desired (I add another 1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt, plus a bit of Herbamare). I also enjoy adding a bit more apple cider vinegar to my individual serving because I adore its tanginess in this soup. Serve and enjoy. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 to 5 days.
Tip:

* I love fire-roasted diced canned tomatoes in this soup, but feel free to use regular canned diced tomatoes if that’s what you have.

** You can use practically any veggies you have on hand (most veggies should work, however, I probably wouldn’t try beets or eggplant, but maybe that’s just me). Veggies to try out: broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, yellow or red potatoes, button mushrooms, squash, sautéed onions/garlic/celery, thickly sliced zucchini (with skin), kale, frozen peas, etc. Just make sure the chopped veggies total 8 cups. If using onion, celery, or garlic, be sure to sauté them in the oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until softened, before adding the remaining ingredients. I have not tested any frozen veggies besides frozen green beans, so I can’t vouch for other ones working.

*** If using French-cut frozen green beans (the thin variety), add them during the last 5 minutes of cooking to prevent them from softening too much.

**** 2 teaspoons of red chili flakes results in a zippy, moderate level of heat (my fave way to make this soup!). If serving to spice-shy folks, start with 1 teaspoon (for a mild soup) and add more after cooking, if desired.

INSTANT POT METHOD:

1.To a 6-Quart (or larger) Instant Pot, add all the ingredients, except the red lentils and apple cider vinegar. Stir until combined.

2. Now, pour the red lentils evenly overtop the mixture and gently press them into the liquid with your hands or a spoon (do not stir the lentils into the mixture as this can result in a burn notice in some machines).

3. Secure the lid in the lock position and check that the Steam Release Handle is pointing to the “Sealing” position.

4. Press the “Pressure Cook” button (or “Manual”, on some machines) and set the cook time to 1 minute on high pressure. After a few seconds you’ll hear a couple beeps and the screen will say “on”. The cooking process has begun! (Pro tip: it will take about 25 minutes for the machine to come to pressure before the 1 minute timer is triggered.)

5. You’ll hear a few beeps when the 1 minute timer is up. Immediately do a “Quick Pressure Release” to avoid overcooking the soup (simply shift the Steam Release Handle to the “Venting” position to release the pressure). Once all of the pressure has been released, the float valve will sink and you won’t hear steam anymore.

6. Carefully open the lid. My Instant Pot defaults to the “keep warm” setting, so I cancel it and turn the machine off to avoid over-cooking the veggies. Stir in the apple cider vinegar (starting with 1 tablespoon and adding more from there, to taste…we love 2 tablespoons for a nice zing). Sometimes, there may be a very slight coconut milk separation in the soup after adding the vinegar. This is natural and nothing to worry about. Season each bowl with a sprinkle of salt or Herbamare, if desired, and enjoy!

Nutrition Information
(click to expand)

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https://ohsheglows.com/2020/07/29/oh-she-glows-for-dinner-pre-order-bonus-bundle/

Hi everyone! I hope that summer is treating you well so far, and you’re staying in good health and good spirits during what has been a heartbreaking year. How are you and your families doing right now? 

At long last, I have some fun news to share with you today! This cookbook reveal was supposed to go out to you in May, then in June, and then in early July, but with everything going on in the world it just didn’t feel right, so I delayed it multiple times. I’m not sure it feels right even now, but I’ve had a lot of questions about the new book’s listing on various retailers online, so I knew I couldn’t delay any longer. I’m holding onto the hope that this news will bring a smile to your face and a bit of cheer. 🙂

If you haven’t guessed already, my new cookbook, Oh She Glows for Dinner: Nourishing Plant-Based Meals To Keep You Glowing, is finally complete and it comes out in a couple of short months! It’s been a wild ride to cross the finish line (never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be wrapping up a cookbook during a pandemic and lockdown), but after 3 years of working away on this project, I’m absolutely thrilled to let you know all the juicy (pun intended) deets about this new book. If you subscribe to my newsletter, you may have seen the sneak peek pop into your inbox yesterday! 

Here’s a little behind-the-scenes from earlier this year when I was going over the book design!

Shifting from “behind-the-scenes” mode to “in-the-spotlight” mode doesn’t come easily for me (I’m much more of a behind-the-scenes kinda gal!), so this “launching into the world” part of the creation process is a big challenge for me on a personal level, and oh boy, the nerves I have right now are unreal. I’d be perfectly happy to work away diligently behind-the-scenes and never have to self-promote. 😉 Do any of you relate? I’m always up for a good challenge, though, and getting to reconnect with you all is the icing on the vegan cake! 

This book would not have been possible without your encouragement, patience, and support throughout the whole process! It also wouldn’t have been possible without my small-but-mighty team made up of Nicole and Eric. They are my rocks, my sanity savers, my reasons for inappropriate fits of laughter, my sounding boards, my reminders to drink more caffeine and breathe, and it goes on. My incredible, diligent group of recipe testers (a special shout out and thank you to Anna, Carin, Tana, Tammy, Laurie, Caroline, Danielle, Vanessa, Lynn, Audrey, Stephanie D., Anne, Kathy, Stephanie S., Andrea, Beth, Katie, Lindsay M., Bridget, Laura, Lindsay V., Erin, Heather, Suzanne, Adrienne, Stephanie M., Carolina, Kirsten, Lori, Marina, and Kristen) have tested, and tested, and tested these recipes right alongside me and shared the most helpful feedback. And last but not least, I have so much gratitude for the amazing teams at Penguin Random House Canada and Avery! 

I held this book in my hands for the first time last week! I can’t even tell you how fast my heart was a-thumpin’ when I opened the box! It is always slightly terrifying and thrilling to open one of my books for the first time, and it really never gets any easier to send my heart and soul’s work off into the world. But I am so darn proud of this book. It’s my very first hardcover book, too!

About this book

Oh She Glows for Dinner is a reflection of what you, my dear readers, have asked me for the most over the years—more plant-based, crowd-pleasing dinner recipes! 

Dinner is something I think most of us have struggled with (I know I sure have!), and when you throw “plant-based” into the mix it can be even trickier to figure out. If you’ve ever shrugged your shoulders over what to make for a vegan meal and resorted to toast or a bowl of cereal, you certainly aren’t alone. I knew I had to create this cookbook to help answer the ever-burning “what’s for [plant-based] dinner?” question. As an added benefit, the recipes in this book also make incredible (and often portable) lunches! You’ll also find the perfect, satisfying sides to add to your dish, meal-worthy salads for every season, hearty & healing soups and stews, and a bounty of flavour-poppin’ sauces, dressings, parmesans, and pestos that you can make to change up the flavour profile (or simply punch up your dish even more). And I threw in a delicious dessert/drink chapter, of course, because it wouldn’t be an Oh She Glows cookbook without some sweet, healthified treats! 😉

What you’ll find inside:

Dietary and Cooking Labels

Each recipe indicates whether it is nut-free, gluten-free, soy-free, grain-free and/or oil-free, raw/no bake or one pot. Out of 106 vegan recipes in this cookbook, 101 are gluten-free or have a gluten-free option, 90 are nut-free or have a nut-free option, and nearly all are soy-free. I also share whether the recipe is kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, and/or if any advance prep is needed. My “on the glow” label tells you whether the recipe is portable. My goal was to pack in as much helpful info as I could for you (dare I say this is my most informative book yet?)…you know me, go big or go home…lol.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Almost all of the recipes in this cookbook also include specific storage and reheating instructions, customized to each recipe. My recipe testers and I spent so much time testing the recipes to take the guesswork out of them for you!

Active Time and Total Time

Each recipe tells you how much active time and total time will be required. Active time is the time you are actively preparing food in the kitchen. Total time reflects how long the recipe takes from start to finish. If applicable, we also share Soak time and/or Chill time.

Full-page colour photographs 

I am so excited to share that I did the food photography and food styling for the recipes in this book – there are more than 100 of my photographs inside! 

Glow Getter Meal Plans 

This book includes 4 meal prep plans! Each time-saving plan provides step-by-step instructions, so you can prep or fully make 3 dinner recipes in just 60 to 90 minutes. I knew it was important to create plans that would actually work for a busy lifestyle. I’ve tried plans in the past that take 2.5 to 3 hours each week, and they just didn’t fit into my life. These plans don’t take long (60 to 90 minutes at a brisk pace) and they set you up with a few hearty meals each week!

Menus To Get Your Glow On

I also share my tried-and-true menus for special occasions or themed nights, such as Girls’ Night, Mother’s Day, Game Night, The Oh She Glows Cookbook Club Night, and more. If you have ever struggled with how to combine recipes for special meals, I really hope this will give you the inspo you need to simplify your planning. Don’t forget to check out our bonus bundle below as it includes 4 designed printable menus which correspond to menus found in the book!

Helpful Recipe Lists

My Helpful Recipe Lists index at the back of the book provides at-a-glance searching of recipes by allergy label or preference, so you can find all the gluten-free recipes grouped together in one spot, or all the kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, nut-free, one pot, and on the glow recipes. 

My Pantry Staples, Kitchen Tools and Appliances

I’ve included a condensed list of the essential pantry items I keep on hand along with my favourite tools and appliances. If I have a preferred brand, I share those names with you, so you know exactly what I use in my own kitchen.

The Oh She Glows for Dinner Bonus Bundle is here! 

The response to my pre-order bonus bundles for my previous two cookbooks was so enthusiastic, I knew I had to raise the bar and add in some exciting and unique new bonus features. This Oh She Glows for Dinner Bonus Bundle is definitely my favourite, most cheerful and creative pre-order bundle yet. All the *heart eye* emojis for this one. I had so much fun collaborating with local artist, Kayla Whitney, to create an adorable, custom Oh She Glows “Glow” downloadable art print for you to print and hang on your walls! This is my very first custom Oh She Glows print and it looks so bright and cheery on the wall. If you end up hanging the print in your house, we’d LOVE to see it! Simply tag it with #ohsheglowsfordinner on social media.

In addition to the “Glow” art print, you’ll receive 4 artfully designed Oh She Glows for Dinner menus to download and adorn your dinner table on special occasions. Super-handy Glow Getter Meal Plan printables from the new book will make prepping the plans even easier when your book arrives. It’s so convenient to print the meal plans and place them on your counter so you can cross things off as you work through the plan. Lastly, I couldn’t make you wait until October to get cooking, so I’ve included 4 advance recipes in this bundle—a few of my summer-friendly ones that we’ve been enjoying during this hot season! 

If you pre-order Oh She Glows for Dinner, keep your receipt handy and follow this link to get your free bonus bundle PDF! 


Pre-order now at the following retailers:
Amazon.ca
Amazon.com
Indigo.ca 
Barnes & Noble
The Book Depository 
Books-A-Million
Apple Books
Amazon.co.uk

 

Please note: We earn a small commission if you purchase an item through our affiliate links above. Thank you so much for your support!

I can’t wait to hear what you think!! 

With love and gratitude,

Angela xo

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https://ohsheglows.com/2020/09/20/perfect-little-pumpkin-cookies-with-spiced-buttercream/

Hey everyone, I hope you are doing well! I’m popping in with a fun fall-inspired cookie recipe today that’s been on repeat in this house. 

First, I want to thank you all so much for your support for Oh She Glows for Dinner! I’m immensely grateful for each and every one of you who believe in me and in what I create. It’s sounding like cozy, plant-based meals to enjoy at home is a theme you’re really eager for, and hearing this makes me so happy because this book was almost the end of little ‘ol me…hah 😉 jk. Well, it was my biggest challenge to date, but sooo worth it and I’m thrilled with how it all came together. Now that I get to cook from this book in my own kitchen, it’s pretty darn special. I can’t wait for you to be able to do so as well.

Your pre-orders help a lot because the more pre-orders we have, the better chance we have to get the book stocked in more numerous and varied retailers, such as independent stores, chain stores, and online retailers, allowing everyone to locate the book more easily and support their favourite stores. I appreciate your help so much!! Click here to find out where you can pre-order your copy so you can start cooking up these delicious, cozy recipes as soon as it’s hot off the press! Not much longer to go now. 🙂 If you pre-order, don’t forget to claim your pre-order Bonus Bundle here until October 13th.

Okay, now it’s time to ring in the fall season with a brand-new, lightly spiced, and completely addictive frosted pumpkin cookie. 

Sending you all my love and good vibes for the new season ahead!

Perfect Little Pumpkin Cookies with Spiced Buttercream
Vegan, soy-free

★★★★★
4.6 from 7 reviews

Yield
20 cookies

Prep time
25 minutes

Cook time
13 minutes

Total time
38 minutes

Why hello there, beautiful pumpkin season! These lovely pumpkin cookies are lightly crispy around the edges, tender and chewy in the middle, and the perfect light-tasting base for my Fluffy Pumpkin Pie Spice Buttercream. My recipe tester, Nicole, says they are like “airy, pumpkin spiced clouds with a delightful outer shell to sink your teeth into!” If you aren’t in the mood for frosting, and prefer a lightly sweet, wholesome-tasting cookie, they also taste great without the buttercream. You can use store bought pumpkin pie spice for convenience, or this recipe for Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix. In the Tips section, I’ve provided sifted whole-grain spelt and all-purpose white flour swap options for the white/light spelt flour. Be sure to check them out before you begin as the flour substitutions aren’t direct 1:1 swaps. This recipe is adapted from my Easy Vegan Sugar Cookies with Pink Frosting.

Ingredients
For the wet ingredients:3 tablespoons (45 mL) grapeseed oil3 tablespoons (45 mL) pure maple syrup1/4 cup (60 mL) unsweetened pumpkin purée2 tablespoons (30 mL) brown rice syrup1 1/2 teaspoons ground flaxseed1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extractFor the dry ingredients:3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon (83 g) almond flour*1 cup plus 1 tablespoon (127 g) white/light all-purpose spelt flour**3 tablespoons (27 g) arrowroot starch1/4 cup (60 g) natural cane sugar1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt1/2 teaspoon baking sodaFor the Fluffy Pumpkin Pie Spice Buttercream:1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (75 g) soy-free vegan butter1 1/2 cups (190 g) powdered icing sugar, sifted if necessary1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spicePinch fine sea saltCinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, for garnish (optional)

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line one extra-large baking sheet (or two medium-sized sheets) with parchment paper. To a small bowl, add the wet ingredients: grapeseed oil, maple syrup, pumpkin purée, brown rice syrup, ground flax, and vanilla. Whisk until combined. To a large bowl, add the dry ingredients: almond flour, spelt flour, arrowroot starch, cane sugar, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and baking soda. Whisk until combined. Pour the wet mixture over the dry mixture (being sure to scoop all of the wet ingredients stuck to the sides of the bowl), and stir until it comes together into a dense, very thick dough. The dough will be very sticky, but this is normal! Scoop a slightly heaping 1 tablespoon of dough into your hand, and roll it into a ball. Continue with the remaining dough, placing each ball onto the baking sheet about 2 to 3 inches apart. If needed, you can lightly wet your fingers during this process. Do not flatten the balls before baking as they will spread out on their own. Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes until lightly golden (I like baking them until lightly golden as the edges get a bit crispy during cooling). Cool the cookies completely on the baking sheet. To speed up the cooling process, cool the cookies for 10 minutes on the pan then transfer the cookies to the fridge until completely cooled. Meanwhile, prepare the Fluffy Pumpkin Pie Spice Frosting: To a large bowl, add the vegan butter. Using electric beaters, beat the butter until smooth (about 30 seconds). Add the powdered sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Starting on low speed, beat until smooth and fluffy, gradually increasing the speed as the ingredients combine. It will look very crumbly at first, but it will eventually come together and become fluffy. If the frosting is still too dry, you can thin it with a tiny bit of almond milk (1/2 teaspoon at a time), and continue beating until smooth. If it’s too thin, you can add a little more powdered sugar and beat again until smooth. Spread the frosting onto the completely cooled cookies, and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, if desired. Serve and enjoy! Leftover cookies can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 to 2 days. The cookies will soften when sealed in a container.
Tip:

* Be sure to use almond flour and not almond meal which is much coarser.

** I prefer the white/light spelt version. If you can find some, it’s so lovely in these! If you can’t find it in the store, though, you can sift whole-grain spelt flour before using. The flour won’t be as fine and delicate as white/light spelt flour, but it will work in a pinch. To sift: place a large bowl on top of a kitchen scale, and tare the scale to zero. Spoon flour into a fine mesh sieve, and gently shake the sieve side-to-side until you have about 127 grams of sifted flour in the bowl. Discard the coarse flakes that remain in the sieve. Using sifted whole-grain spelt flour produces a more wholesome flavour and texture. Alternatively, you can use 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (127 grams) all-purpose white flour instead of white/light spelt flour. When using all-purpose white flour, the cookies will taste a bit less sweet and complex compared to spelt flour.

Flours are measured using the “scoop and shake until level” method, where you scoop the measuring cup directly into the flour and shake the cup side to side until the flour is level. I recommend weighing the flour whenever possible for the most accuracy.

Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
Serving Size 1 of 20 cookies (with frosting) | Calories 148 calories | Total Fat 6.6 grams
Saturated Fat 1.3 grams | Sodium 91 milligrams | Total Carbohydrates 21 grams
Fiber 0.9 grams | Sugar 11.5 grams | Protein 1.6 grams

1 of 20 cookies (without frosting): 88 calories, 3.6 grams total fat, 0.3 grams saturated fat, 59 milligrams sodium, 12.7 grams carbohydrates, 0.9 grams fibre, 3.3 grams sugar, 1.6 grams protein.
* Nutrition data is approximate and is for informational purposes only.

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For those of you who missed my earlier announcement, Indigo is hosting a wonderful contest in celebration of Oh She Glows for Dinner! Plum members who pre-order my new cookbook are automatically entered in this wonderful prize package. It is a great time to do so, because the book is on sale for 22% off right now (Please note, I don’t know when this sale ends). Click here to enter!

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https://ohsheglows.com/2020/10/05/my-am-pm-skincare-routines-and-current-fave-products-cruelty-free/

Hey everyone! I hope you’re doing well and staying safe out there. This post is a shift from my usual recipe-related content, but it’s one I’ve been asked to do for ages now and I’m happy to finally have this post put together. It’s a bit of a beast! Be sure to see the bottom of this blog post because I’m announcing a fun live event in celebration of Oh She Glows for Dinner (which launches next week!). I hope you’ll join us on Oct 14th at 7pm EST!!

Skin care is such a personal journey, and I certainly don’t expect that what I do will work for you or that you should follow my routines because we all have vastly different skin care needs. That said, I personally love seeing skin care routines that other people follow (it’s a bit of an obsession in recent years). I hope you enjoy this post too!

As a teenager, I remember using strong acne cleansers and ointments that would strip my skin. And super coarse scrubs. I suffered from tons of bad breakouts in my teen years and just felt so insecure most of the time. I wish I could give that girl a big hug. Needless to say, my skin care has evolved over the years as I’ve learned more about my changing skin and which products and ingredients are effective for me. I actually didn’t get into a formal skin care routine until the past couple of years. When Adriana and Arlo were younger, I was lucky if I washed my face and threw on moisturizer before bed because I was so tired. I was also trying to solve ongoing allergic reactions so I was super careful about introducing new products and rarely ever did. If you are in a similar phase of life, be kind to yourself and don’t worry about having the perfect routine, or heck, a routine at all. Do what makes you happy and works for you, whatever stage you are in. Now that my kids are a bit older (and I seem to have figured out, at least in part, what was causing my allergic reactions), I’ve been loving getting back into skin care again because it helps me slow down and take some time for self-care. It’s a favourite part of my day!!  

Without further ado, here are the cruelty-free products I’m using lately. I’ve also shared my AM and PM routines below. Keep in mind I am in no way claiming to be a skin care expert by any stretch of the imagination; I just love learning about it and consider this an evolving personal journey!

As always, this post is not sponsored. As you may know, I don’t do any sponsored content…this was a decision I made many years ago, but I like to mention it once in a while for new readers. 🙂 I also purchased all of the products myself (nothing was gifted). There are affiliate links for some of the products below, however, so if you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may earn a small percentage. I’m always grateful for your support! 

First, a bit of info on my skin type to provide context:

Combination skin (mixture of dry areas and normal/oily areas)
Reactive (flushes easily)
Prone to hyperpigmentation
I’m still working on reducing melasma from my 2 previous pregnancies, and have made slow progress!

Thanks to Eric for taking this photo of me (this photo cracks me up…I’m looking all super creepy at myself while applying a mask).

Cleansers

In the evening, I use the double cleanse method because it’s really helpful to break down sunscreen and makeup. I start with a rich cleansing balm, then move on to the jelly cleanser as my second cleanse. In the morning, I only use the jelly cleanser since my skin doesn’t need much cleansing.

The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm (150 mL: $12.99 CAD/$9.76 USD; this product contains no animal derivatives, however they are not yet vegan certified)

This ultra-thick and rich cleansing balm is often sold out and for good reason. It’s so luxurious to use (I love to give myself a little facial massage when I use it). It has a fantastic price point for a cleansing balm, and I find that it calms my skin down and makes it softer! I do have one complaint about this balm – the balm is very hard to squeeze out of the tube..I’m talking major arm workout. I hope the brand improves the packaging for this in the future. 

Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser (100 mL: $32 CAD/$24 USD, vegan)

I like that this cleanser doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry! It’s gentle and moisturizing, and one small pump is all you need for a full face lather! 

Serums

The Ordinary Niacinimide 10% + Zinc 1% (30 mL: $5.90 CAD/USD, vegan)

Targets: balances oil production, reduces appearance of acne, brightens skin tone

The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane (30 mL: $6.70 CAD/USD, vegan)

Targets: fine lines, photo damage, texture (note: I’m going to move on from this retinol as it doesn’t sink in as well as I would like. I plan to try out The Inkey List 1% retinol as soon as it’s back in stock!)

NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1 (15 mL: $60 CAD/USD, vegan)

Targets: textural damage, uneven tone, enlarged pores, lack of radiance

NIOD Re:pigment (15 mL: $39 CAD/USD, vegan)

Targets: hyperpigmentation

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate (15 mL: $68 CAD/USD, vegan)

Targets: dynamic lines, static lines, fine superficial under-eye lines, loss of elasticity (especially upper-eyelids), dark circles, puffiness and textural unevenness. 

Vitamin C Serum

Timeless Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum (1 oz/30 mL: $34.55 CAD/$25.95 USD, vegan)

This is a lovely, L-ascorbic acid serum that helps brighten and smooth my skin! In the past, I’ve had problems with sticky or oily vitamin c serums, but this one has a watery texture. I keep it in the refrigerator when storing.

Moisturizer with SPF

EltaMD UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 Moisturizing Physical Sunscreen (Tinted) (2 oz/60 mL: $45.33 CAD/$35.50 USD)

mixed with…

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield SPF 50 (original tint, 1.8 oz/53 mL: $49.52 CAD/$39 USD)

There is rarely a day I don’t wear sunscreen. I also wear hats religiously when outdoors…you’ll almost never find me outside without a hat on. When I’m outside in the summer during peak UV hours, I wear a goofy-looking wide brim hat, add a fresh layer of facial SPF, and mineral-based sunscreen on my body. Even though I can’t take away all those years I used to tan when I was younger (whyyyy, Ange, whyyy?), I’ve vowed to protect my skin now and in the future.  

After finding out that my previous Paula’s Choice go-to sunscreen was not completely mineral-based like I thought it was (huge thanks for a couple OSG readers for mentioning this!), I set out on a quest to find my perfect physical sunscreen. I really like the tinted one linked above by EltaMD because it doesn’t leave a white cast. Unfortunately, the tint is a bit too dark for my skin tone. I now mix the EltaMD one with Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield SPF 50 (also linked above) and I’m OBSESSED. I can create the perfect custom shade to match my skin. The finish when mixing these two sunscreens is also more matte compared to the EltaMD sunscreen used alone. When used together, they also make my complexion look more even toned. 

Night Cream  

A thick moisturizer is the final step in my evening skin care routine and locks in my serums. I’m actually between night creams at the moment as a cream I love (Herbivore Pink Cloud Moisture Cream, vegan and pictured in this post) may have been discontinued (although I’ve seen that you can still find it at some physical Sephora locations). I also love Drunk Elephant’s Protini Polypeptide Cream (vegan), but I’m not a fan of the packaging. 

Oils

The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil (30 mL: $9.80 CAD/USD, vegan)

I don’t use many oils, but this is a go-to of mine which I use some evenings. It gives the skin a nice glow! When my skin is looking extra thirsty, I’ll add a couple drops of this into my evening moisturizer or layer it underneath my moisturizer.

Masks

Tatcha Violet-C Radiance mask (50 mL: $117 CAD/$88 USD)

This new-to-me mask contains vitamin C as well as AHA’s from 7 different fruits (shown in mirror photo above). The biggest benefit I’ve noticed with this mask is that it makes the skin feel very smooth and is moisturizing. It’s a great one to use before makeup for a smooth application. I’ve noticed subtle brightening, but not as much brightening as I was hoping. Because of this and the high price point, I’m not sure whether I will repurchase it. I do like it overall, so I’ll have to see if something better comes along..I always like trying new things out! 

Chemical & enzyme exfoliants 

Since I don’t use any chemical exfoliants in my current daily AM or PM skincare routines, I like to get in one of these peels once a week. I always patch test new products, but this is especially important with peels. The Ordinary has a handy guide to patch testing here. 

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA (30 mL: $6.80 CAD/USD, vegan)

I primarily use this lactic acid for KP (Keratosis Pilaris), which I’ve struggled with on the back of my arms. Its gentle chemical exfoliation really helps smooth and soften bumpy skin with regular use and it keeps the skin hydrated at the same time. I tend to forget about applying it, but when I’ve used it regularly (every other day), it has really helped smooth my arms! Of course, you can also use this on your face, too, and it comes in an even more gentle 5% concentration, if need be. 

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution (30 mL: $7.20 USD, vegan)

This is a really effective chemical exfoliation for my skin, but you have to be careful with it as it’s not for everyone. Before using, I patch tested this peel on my inner forearm for 10 minutes (the max recommended time). Then I waited 24 hours to see if a reaction formed. When my skin didn’t react, I applied it to my face for just 1 minute for the first use. For the second use, a week or two later, I left it on for 2 to 3 minutes, and I worked my way up from there, very slowly. I’ve used at home chemical exfoliants in the past without issue and my skin has no problems with this mask at the recommended ‘up to 10 minute’ time, but I wouldn’t recommend it for sensitive skin types. The Ordinary says, “It is only suitable for experienced users of acid exfoliation.” It’s also important to make sure your skin is dry before application – there should be no water on the skin. Anyway, this mask makes my skin absolutely glowing and smooth…it’s truly a ride or die for me. I find that I only need to keep it on for 5 to 8 minutes max for great results…less is more. 

AlumierMD Enzymatic Peel 

This lovely enzyme peel mask contains 10% lactic acid with fruit enzymes for a gentle but effective exfoliation. I purchased it from my sister Kristi who is a trained skin care specialist with AlumierMD and is so knowledgeable about skincare! I find you only need to leave this enzyme mask on for a few minutes, so it’s nice when you find yourself short on time. If you want to find out more about this product or AlumierMD products in general, drop Kristi a line at skinsavvyscience@gmail.com and say hello or follow her on Instagram 🙂 

Moisturizing Lip Balm

Summer Fridays Vegan Lip Butter Balm, Vanilla (15g: $29 CAD, $22 USD)

Oh boy, do I love this balm! Summer Fridays says it’s a “silky vegan lip mask that hydrates and soothes parched lips while sealing in moisture.” I would have to agree. I’ve tried quite a few vegan balms and this one is my favourite so far. I use it morning and night…and before going outside in chilly weather! 

Light-emitting diodes (LED) low-level light therapy

Project E Beauty Photon Face Rejuvenation Face & Neck Mask ($260 CAD/$195 USD)

It’s getting CREEPY up in here! I’ll start with what I don’t love about this LED mask and I’ll end with what I do love. Don’t love: the mask is heavy on the face (particularly on the bridge of the nose). I use the LED mask while lying down in bed and I hold the mask slightly lifted off the bridge of my nose. I’ve found that if I keep my upper arm resting on the bed (rather than suspended in the air) my arm doesn’t get that tired, but it’s still a bit of an annoyance. 

Okay, now onto what I love about it and what has made me stick with it—I’ve seen results. And I mean, my expectations were low. I use this diligently for 20 minutes, 5 to 6 times a week, and I’ve noticed that it has slightly plumped and firmed my skin over the past few months. My skin also feels smoother and softer to the touch. I love that this mask comes with a neck attachment. My neck used to be quite rough in texture and now it feels softer and is visibly smoother.

At first, I thought I was imagining the results and wondered if the results were actually from my skincare products, so I decided to try a little experiment. I tried this LED light on my thigh/knee area where I don’t use any serums. Lo and behold it had the same effect – skin softening and slight plumping. So, I’m pretty sure that the red LED light is doing some good things for my skin (consistent use is key). While this LED mask has a lot of wavelength options, I only use the red light which can help boost collagen production and it’s the one I have seen the most research backing (such as here, here, and here). The added benefit of using this device is that it has forced me to relax for 20 mins at a time – something I never used to make time for. Now I look forward to relaxing on my bed, closing my peepers, and kicking back while listening to various Youtube channels (about as close to meditation as I will likely get, but I’ll take it!). Anyway, I’m not totally happy with this product since it is uncomfortable on the bridge of my nose, so my advice would be to look into various brands. 

UPDATE: I recently purchased this flexible Aduro 7+1 LED Face Mask after a blog reader highly recommended it and I’m loving it. It’s so much more comfortable than the Project E Beauty mask that I have been using for the past 6 months. The downside? It’s pricey and the import/duty fee set me back $100 CAD. The upside? The product arrived in only 3 days from the time I hit submit on my order. 

My AM + PM skin care routines

Lately, I rotate between the following morning and evening routines. In other words, from the lists below, I pick only one morning routine and only one evening routine per day. I try to rotate them fairly evenly. The products in each routine are listed in order of use/application, too. For example, if I list NIOD Re:pigment before The Ordinary’s niacinamide, it means I apply Re:pigment first, let it soak in for about 30 to 60 seconds, then apply niacinamide afterwards. 

I created these routines by chatting with DECIEM consultants to determine which products can be combined (and in what order to layer them), and which ones should not be combined. I also love to refer to The Ordinary’s Regime Guide and this handy conflict chart over at DECIEM Chat Room as starting off points.

Morning routine #1: 

Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

NIOD Re:pigment 

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate 

Paula’s Choice Resist Skin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF 50

Morning routine #2:

Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

The Ordinary Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate 

Paula’s Choice Resist Skin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF 50

 

Morning routine #3: (photo coming soon!)

Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

Timeless Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum 

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate 

Paula’s Choice Resist Skin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF 50

Evening routine #1:

Double cleanse with The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, then cleanse with Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

NIOD Re:pigment 

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate

Night cream

Evening routine #2:

Double cleanse with The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, then cleanse with Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

The Ordinary 1% retinol serum 

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate

Night cream

Evening routine #3:

Double cleanse with The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, then Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1 

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate

Night cream

 

Evening routine #4: (photo coming soon!)

Double cleanse with The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, then Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

Timeless Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate

Night cream

Tips I follow:

Always patch test new skin products. If using any The Ordinary or NIOD products, see their guide on patch testing.
Follow product instructions carefully. 
I like to use a slow, gradual approach when introducing new products.  
Some of the products/ingredients above are not recommend for pregnancy or breastfeeding, so be sure to consult with your doctor before use.
I try to do my evening routine 30 to 60 minutes before I go to bed, so the products have plenty of time to soak in and are less likely to rub off on my pillow. 

Whew, was this a beast or what? It was so much fun to put together. 🙂 Drop me a line and let me know about your favourite skin care products…I love hearing what you guys use and love!

I’m excited to announce that Indigo and Chatelaine are hosting a free online event on October 14th at 7pm EST in celebration of Oh She Glows for Dinner! I’ll be chatting with the lovely Maureen Halushak and really hope you will join us! There will also be signed copies of my new book for sale if you’d like to treat yourself or that special someone. =) I’ll be donating 100% of my personal proceeds on the book sales for this event to Building Roots! Be sure to reserve your spot here if you’d like to join us. 🙂

Only a week to go until Oh She Glows for Dinner launches into the world! This week is the last week to take advantage of my OSG for Dinner Bonus Bundle, so if you preorder, please make sure you download the free bundle. I am so grateful for your support and can’t wait for you to start cooking! xo

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Hey everyone! I hope you’re doing well and staying safe out there. This post is a shift from my usual recipe-related content, but it’s one I’ve been asked to do for ages now and I’m happy to finally have this post put together. It’s a bit of a beast! Be sure to see the bottom of this blog post because I’m announcing a fun live event in celebration of Oh She Glows for Dinner (which launches next week!). I hope you’ll join us on Oct 14th at 7pm EST!!

Skin care is such a personal journey, and I certainly don’t expect that what I do will work for you or that you should follow my routines because we all have vastly different skin care needs. That said, I personally love seeing skin care routines that other people follow (it’s a bit of an obsession in recent years). I hope you enjoy this post too!

As a teenager, I remember using strong acne cleansers and ointments that would strip my skin. And super coarse scrubs. I suffered from tons of bad breakouts in my teen years and just felt so insecure most of the time. I wish I could give that girl a big hug. Needless to say, my skin care has evolved over the years as I’ve learned more about my changing skin and which products and ingredients are effective for me. I actually didn’t get into a formal skin care routine until the past couple of years. When Adriana and Arlo were younger, I was lucky if I washed my face and threw on moisturizer before bed because I was so tired. I was also trying to solve ongoing allergic reactions so I was super careful about introducing new products and rarely ever did. If you are in a similar phase of life, be kind to yourself and don’t worry about having the perfect routine, or heck, a routine at all. Do what makes you happy and works for you, whatever stage you are in. Now that my kids are a bit older (and I seem to have figured out, at least in part, what was causing my allergic reactions), I’ve been loving getting back into skin care again because it helps me slow down and take some time for self-care. It’s a favourite part of my day.  

Without further ado, here are the cruelty-free products I’m using lately. I’ve also shared my AM and PM routines below. Keep in mind I am in no way claiming to be a skin care expert by any stretch of the imagination; I just love learning about it and consider this an evolving personal journey!

As always, this post is not sponsored. As you may know, I don’t do any sponsored content…this was a decision I made many years ago, but I like to mention it once in a while for new readers. 🙂 I also purchased all of the products myself (nothing was gifted). There are affiliate links for some of the products below, however, so if you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may earn a small percentage. I’m always grateful for your support! 

First, a bit of info on my skin type to provide context:

Combination skin (mixture of dry areas and normal/oily areas)
Reactive (flushes easily)
Prone to hyperpigmentation
I’m still working on reducing melasma from my 2 previous pregnancies, and have made slow progress!

Thanks to Eric for taking this photo of me (this photo cracks me up…I’m looking all super creepy at myself while applying a mask).

Cleansers

In the evening, I use the double cleanse method because it’s really helpful to break down sunscreen and makeup. I start with a rich cleansing balm, then move on to the jelly cleanser as my second cleanse. In the morning, I only use the jelly cleanser since my skin doesn’t need much cleansing.

The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm (150 mL: $12.99 CAD/$9.76 USD; this product contains no animal derivatives, however they are not yet vegan certified)

This ultra-thick and rich cleansing balm is often sold out and for good reason. It’s so luxurious to use (I love to give myself a little facial massage when I use it). It has a fantastic price point for a cleansing balm, and I find that it calms my skin down and makes it softer! I do have one small complaint about this balm – for the first week or two of use, the balm is very hard to squeeze out of the tube..I’m talking major arm workout. But, once I’ve used it for a couple weeks, it starts coming out much easier. Thank goodness for that because I don’t have much energy at the end of the day to fight containers.

Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser (100 mL: $32 CAD/$24 USD, vegan)

I like that this cleanser doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry! It’s gentle and moisturizing, and one small pump is all you need for a full face lather! 

Serums

These are my current go-to serums! You’ll see how I rotate them in my routines below.

The Ordinary Niacinimide 10% + Zinc 1% (30 mL: $5.90 CAD/USD, vegan)

Targets: balances oil production, reduces appearance of acne, brightens skin tone

The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane (30 mL: $6.70 CAD/USD, vegan)

Targets: fine lines, photo damage, texture

NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1 (15 mL: $60 CAD/USD, vegan)

Targets: textural damage, uneven tone, enlarged pores, lack of radiance

NIOD Re:pigment (15 mL: $39 CAD/USD, vegan)

Targets: hyperpigmentation

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate (15 mL: $68 CAD/USD, vegan)

Targets: dynamic lines, static lines, fine superficial under-eye lines, loss of elasticity (especially upper-eyelids), dark circles, puffiness and textural unevenness. 

Vitamin C Serum

Timeless Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum (not pictured as I’m currently out and waiting for it to arrive. Photo update coming soon!) (1 oz/30 mL: $34.55 CAD/$25.95 USD, vegan)

This is a lovely, L-ascorbic acid serum that helps brighten and smooth my skin! In the past, I’ve had problems with sticky or oily vitamin c serums, but this one has a watery texture. I keep it in the refrigerator when storing.

Mineral-Based SPF

Paula’s Choice Resist Skin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF 50 (2 oz/60 mL: $43.94 CAD/$33 USD)

I’ve worn this moisturizer with SPF 50 year-round for years now. There is rarely a day I don’t wear it. I also wear hats religiously when outdoors…you’ll almost never find me outside without a hat on. When I’m outside in the summer during peak UV hours, I wear a goofy-looking wide brim hat, add a fresh layer of facial SPF, and mineral-based sunscreen on my body. Even though I can’t take away all those years I used to tan when I was younger (whyyyy, Ange, whyyy?), I’ve vowed to protect my skin now and in the future! 

Night Cream  

A thick moisturizer is the final step in my evening skin care routine and locks in my serums. I’m actually between night creams at the moment as a cream I love (Herbivore Pink Cloud Moisture Cream, vegan and pictured in this post) may have been discontinued (although I’ve seen that you can still find it at some physical Sephora locations). I also love Drunk Elephant’s Protini Polypeptide Cream (vegan), but I’m not a fan of the packaging. 

Oils

The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil (30 mL: $9.80 CAD/USD, vegan)

I don’t use many oils, but this is a go-to of mine which I use some evenings. It gives the skin a nice glow! When my skin is looking extra thirsty, I’ll add a couple drops of this into my evening moisturizer or layer it underneath my moisturizer.

Masks

Tatcha Violet-C Radiance mask (50 mL: $117 CAD/$88 USD)

This new-to-me mask contains vitamin C as well as AHA’s from 7 different fruits (shown in mirror photo above). The biggest benefit I’ve noticed with this mask is that it makes the skin feel very smooth and is moisturizing. It’s a great one to use before makeup for a smooth application. I’ve noticed subtle brightening, but not as much brightening as I was hoping. Because of this and the high price point, I’m not sure whether I will repurchase it. I do like it overall, so I’ll have to see if something better comes along..I always like trying new things out! 

Chemical & enzyme exfoliants 

Since I don’t use any chemical exfoliants in my current daily AM or PM skincare routines, I like to get in one of these peels once a week. I always patch test new products, but this is especially important with peels. The Ordinary has a handy guide to patch testing here. 

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA (30 mL: $6.80 CAD/USD, vegan)

I primarily use this lactic acid for KP (Keratosis Pilaris), which I’ve struggled with on the back of my arms. Its gentle chemical exfoliation really helps smooth and soften bumpy skin with regular use and it keeps the skin hydrated at the same time. I tend to forget about applying it, but when I’ve used it regularly (every other day), it has really helped smooth my arms! Of course, you can also use this on your face, too, and it comes in an even more gentle 5% concentration, if need be. 

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution (30 mL: $7.20 CAD/USD, vegan)

This is a really effective chemical exfoliation for my skin, but you have to be careful with it as it’s not for everyone. Before using, I patch tested this peel on my inner forearm for 10 minutes (the max recommended time). Then I waited 24 hours to see if a reaction formed. When my skin didn’t react, I applied it to my face for just 1 minute for the first use. For the second use, a week or two later, I left it on for 2 to 3 minutes, and I worked my way up from there, very slowly. I’ve used at home chemical exfoliants in the past without issue and my skin has no problems with this mask at the recommended ‘up to 10 minute’ time, but I wouldn’t recommend it for sensitive skin types. The Ordinary says, “It is only suitable for experienced users of acid exfoliation.” It’s also important to make sure your skin is dry before application – there should be no water on the skin. Anyway, this mask makes my skin absolutely glowing and smooth…it’s truly a ride or die for me. I find that I only need to keep it on for 5 to 8 minutes max for great results…less is more. 

AlumierMD Enzymatic Peel 

This lovely enzyme peel mask contains 10% lactic acid with fruit enzymes for a gentle but effective exfoliation. I purchased it from my sister Kristi who is a trained skin care specialist with AlumierMD and is so knowledgeable about skincare! I find you only need to leave this enzyme mask on for a few minutes, so it’s nice for busy mornings when your skin needs exfoliation, but you find yourself short on time. It’s a beautiful one to apply before adding your other serums so they’ll soak in nicely. If you want to find out more about this product or AlumierMD products in general, drop Kristi a line at skinsavvyscience@gmail.com and say hello or follow her on Instagram 🙂 

Moisturizing Lip Balm

Summer Fridays Vegan Lip Butter Balm, Vanilla (15g: $29 CAD, $22 USD)

Oh boy, do I love this balm! Summer Fridays says it’s a “silky vegan lip mask that hydrates and soothes parched lips while sealing in moisture.” I would have to agree. I’ve tried quite a few vegan balms and this one is my favourite so far. I use it morning and night…and before going outside in chilly weather! 

Light-emitting diodes (LED) low-level light therapy

Project E Beauty Photon Face Rejuvenation Face & Neck Mask ($260 CAD/$195 USD)

It’s getting CREEPY up in here! I’ll start with what I don’t love about this LED mask and I’ll end with what I do love. Don’t love: the mask is heavy on the face (particularly on the bridge of the nose). I use the LED mask while lying down in bed and I hold the mask slightly lifted off the bridge of my nose. I’ve found that if I keep my upper arm resting on the bed (rather than suspended in the air) my arm doesn’t get that tired, but it’s still a bit of an annoyance. 

Okay, now onto what I love about it and what has made me stick with it—I’ve seen results. And I mean, my expectations were low. I use this diligently for 20 minutes, 5 to 6 times a week, and I’ve noticed that it has slightly plumped and firmed my skin over the past few months. My skin also feels smoother and softer to the touch. I love that this mask comes with a neck attachment. My neck used to be quite rough in texture and now it feels softer and is visibly smoother.

At first, I thought I was imagining the results and wondered if the results were actually from my skincare products, so I decided to try a little experiment. I tried this LED light on my thigh/knee area where I don’t use any serums. Lo and behold it had the same effect – skin softening and slight plumping. So, I’m pretty sure that the red LED light is doing some good things for my skin (consistent use is key). While this LED mask has a lot of wavelength options, I only use the red light which can help boost collagen production and it’s the one I have seen the most research backing (such as here, here, and here). The added benefit of using this device is that it has forced me to relax for 20 mins at a time – something I never used to make time for. Now I look forward to relaxing on my bed, closing my peepers, and kicking back while listening to various Youtube channels (about as close to meditation as I will likely get, but I’ll take it!). Anyway, I’m not totally happy with this product since it is uncomfortable on the bridge of my nose, so my advice would be to look into various brands.

My AM + PM skin care routines

Lately, I rotate between the following morning and evening routines. In other words, from the lists below, I pick only one morning routine and only one evening routine per day. I try to rotate them fairly evenly. The products in each routine are listed in order of use/application, too. For example, if I list NIOD Re:pigment before The Ordinary’s niacinamide, it means I apply Re:pigment first, let it soak in for about 30 to 60 seconds, then apply niacinamide afterwards. 

I created these routines by chatting with DECIEM consultants to determine which products can be combined (and in what order to layer them), and which ones should not be combined. I also love to refer to The Ordinary’s Regime Guide and this handy conflict chart over at DECIEM Chat Room as starting off points.

Morning routine #1: 

Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

NIOD Re:pigment 

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate 

Paula’s Choice Resist Skin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF 50

Morning routine #2:

Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

The Ordinary Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate 

Paula’s Choice Resist Skin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF 50

 

Morning routine #3: (photo coming soon!)

Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

Timeless Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum 

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate 

Paula’s Choice Resist Skin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF 50

Evening routine #1:

Double cleanse with The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, then cleanse with Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

NIOD Re:pigment 

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate

Night cream

Evening routine #2:

Double cleanse with The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, then cleanse with Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

The Ordinary 1% retinol serum (2 times per week)

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate

Night cream

Evening routine #3:

Double cleanse with The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, then Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1 

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate

Night cream

 

Evening routine #4: (photo coming soon!)

Double cleanse with The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, then Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

Timeless Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate

Night cream

Tips I follow:

Always patch test new skin products. If using any The Ordinary or NIOD products, see their guide on patch testing.
Follow product instructions carefully. 
I like to use a slow, gradual approach when introducing new products.  
Some of the products/ingredients above are not recommend for pregnancy or breastfeeding, so be sure to consult with your doctor before use.
I try to do my evening routine 30 to 60 minutes before I go to bed, so the products have plenty of time to soak in and are less likely to rub off on my pillow. 

Whew, was this a beast or what? It was so much fun to put together. 🙂 Drop me a line and let me know about your favourite skin care products…I love hearing what you guys use and love!

I’m excited to announce that Indigo and Chatelaine are hosting a free online event on October 14th at 7pm EST in celebration of Oh She Glows for Dinner! I’ll be chatting with the lovely Maureen Halushak and really hope you will join us! There will also be signed copies of my new book for sale if you’d like to treat yourself or that special someone. =) I’ll be donating 100% of my personal proceeds on the book sales for this event to Building Roots! Be sure to reserve your spot here if you’d like to join us. 🙂

Only a week to go until Oh She Glows for Dinner launches into the world! This week is the last week to take advantage of my OSG for Dinner Bonus Bundle, so if you preorder, please make sure you download the free bundle. I am so grateful for your support and can’t wait for you to start cooking! xo

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Hey everyone, I hope you are doing well! I’m popping in with a fun fall-inspired cookie recipe today that’s been on repeat in this house. 

First, I want to thank you all so much for your support for Oh She Glows for Dinner! I’m immensely grateful for each and every one of you who believe in me and in what I create. It’s sounding like cozy, plant-based meals to enjoy at home is a theme you’re really eager for, and hearing this makes me so happy because this book was almost the end of little ‘ol me…hah 😉 jk. Well, it was my biggest challenge to date, but sooo worth it and I’m thrilled with how it all came together. Now that I get to cook from this book in my own kitchen, it’s pretty darn special. I can’t wait for you to be able to do so as well.

Your pre-orders help a lot because the more pre-orders we have, the better chance we have to get the book stocked in more numerous and varied retailers, such as independent stores, chain stores, and online retailers, allowing everyone to locate the book more easily and support their favourite stores. I appreciate your help so much!! Click here to find out where you can pre-order your copy so you can start cooking up these delicious, cozy recipes as soon as it’s hot off the press! Not much longer to go now. 🙂 If you pre-order, don’t forget to claim your pre-order Bonus Bundle here until October 13th.

Okay, now it’s time to ring in the fall season with a brand-new, lightly spiced, and completely addictive frosted pumpkin cookie. 

Sending you all my love and good vibes for the new season ahead!

Perfect Little Pumpkin Cookies with Spiced Buttercream
Vegan, soy-free

Why hello there, beautiful pumpkin season! These lovely pumpkin cookies are lightly crispy around the edges, tender and chewy in the middle, and the perfect light-tasting base for my Fluffy Pumpkin Pie Spice Buttercream. My recipe tester, Nicole, says they are like “airy, pumpkin spiced clouds with a delightful outer shell to sink your teeth into!” If you aren’t in the mood for frosting, and prefer a lightly sweet, wholesome-tasting cookie, they also taste great without the buttercream. You can use store bought pumpkin pie spice for convenience, or this recipe for Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix. In the Tips section, I’ve provided sifted whole-grain spelt and all-purpose white flour swap options for the white/light spelt flour. Be sure to check them out before you begin as the flour substitutions aren’t direct 1:1 swaps. This recipe is adapted from my Easy Vegan Sugar Cookies with Pink Frosting.

Yield
20 cookies

Prep time
25 Minutes

Cook time
13 Minutes

Total time
38 Minutes

Ingredients:
For the wet ingredients:3 tablespoons (45 mL) grapeseed oil3 tablespoons (45 mL) pure maple syrup1/4 cup (60 mL) unsweetened pumpkin purée2 tablespoons (30 mL) brown rice syrup1 1/2 teaspoons ground flaxseed1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extractFor the dry ingredients:3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon (83 g) almond flour*1 cup plus 1 tablespoon (127 g) white/light all-purpose spelt flour**3 tablespoons (27 g) arrowroot starch1/4 cup (60 g) natural cane sugar1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt1/2 teaspoon baking sodaFor the Fluffy Pumpkin Pie Spice Buttercream:1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (75 g) soy-free vegan butter1 1/2 cups (190 g) powdered icing sugar, sifted if necessary1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spicePinch fine sea saltCinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, for garnish (optional)

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line one extra-large baking sheet (or two medium-sized sheets) with parchment paper. To a small bowl, add the wet ingredients: grapeseed oil, maple syrup, pumpkin purée, brown rice syrup, ground flax, and vanilla. Whisk until combined. To a large bowl, add the dry ingredients: almond flour, spelt flour, arrowroot starch, cane sugar, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and baking soda. Whisk until combined. Pour the wet mixture over the dry mixture (being sure to scoop all of the wet ingredients stuck to the sides of the bowl), and stir until it comes together into a dense, very thick dough. The dough will be very sticky, but this is normal! Scoop a slightly heaping 1 tablespoon of dough into your hand, and roll it into a ball. Continue with the remaining dough, placing each ball onto the baking sheet about 2 to 3 inches apart. If needed, you can lightly wet your fingers during this process. Do not flatten the balls before baking as they will spread out on their own. Bake the cookies for 12 to 13 minutes until lightly golden (I like baking them until lightly golden as the edges get a bit crispy during cooling). Cool the cookies completely on the baking sheet. To speed up the cooling process, cool the cookies for 10 minutes on the pan then transfer the cookies to the fridge until completely cooled. Meanwhile, prepare the Fluffy Pumpkin Pie Spice Frosting: To a large bowl, add the vegan butter. Using electric beaters, beat the butter until smooth (about 30 seconds). Add the powdered sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Starting on low speed, beat until smooth and fluffy, gradually increasing the speed as the ingredients combine. It will look very crumbly at first, but it will eventually come together and become fluffy. If the frosting is still too dry, you can thin it with a tiny bit of almond milk (1/2 teaspoon at a time), and continue beating until smooth. If it’s too thin, you can add a little more powdered sugar and beat again until smooth. Spread the frosting onto the completely cooled cookies, and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, if desired. Serve and enjoy! Leftover cookies can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 to 2 days. The cookies will soften when sealed in a container.

Tips:

* Be sure to use almond flour and not almond meal which is much coarser.

 

** I prefer the white/light spelt version. If you can find some, it’s so lovely in these! If you can’t find it in the store, though, you can sift whole-grain spelt flour before using. The flour won’t be as fine and delicate as white/light spelt flour, but it will work in a pinch. To sift: place a large bowl on top of a kitchen scale, and tare the scale to zero. Spoon flour into a fine mesh sieve, and gently shake the sieve side-to-side until you have about 127 grams of sifted flour in the bowl. Discard the coarse flakes that remain in the sieve. Using sifted whole-grain spelt flour produces a more wholesome flavour and texture. Alternatively, you can use 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (127 grams) all-purpose white flour instead of white/light spelt flour. When using all-purpose white flour, the cookies will taste a bit less sweet and complex compared to spelt flour.

 

Flours are measured using the “scoop and shake until level” method, where you scoop the measuring cup directly into the flour and shake the cup side to side until the flour is level. I recommend weighing the flour whenever possible for the most accuracy.

For those of you who missed my earlier announcement, Indigo is hosting a wonderful contest in celebration of Oh She Glows for Dinner! Plum members who pre-order my new cookbook are automatically entered in this wonderful prize package. It is a great time to do so, because the book is on sale for 22% off right now (Please note, I don’t know when this sale ends). Click here to enter!

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Hi everyone! I hope that summer is treating you well so far, and you’re staying in good health and good spirits during what has been a heartbreaking year. How are you and your families doing right now? 

At long last, I have some fun news to share with you today! This cookbook reveal was supposed to go out to you in May, then in June, and then in early July, but with everything going on in the world it just didn’t feel right, so I delayed it multiple times. I’m not sure it feels right even now, but I’ve had a lot of questions about the new book’s listing on various retailers online, so I knew I couldn’t delay any longer. I’m holding onto the hope that this news will bring a smile to your face and a bit of cheer. 🙂

If you haven’t guessed already, my new cookbook, Oh She Glows for Dinner: Nourishing Plant-Based Meals To Keep You Glowing, is finally complete and it comes out in a couple of short months! It’s been a wild ride to cross the finish line (never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be wrapping up a cookbook during a pandemic and lockdown), but after 3 years of working away on this project, I’m absolutely thrilled to let you know all the juicy (pun intended) deets about this new book. If you subscribe to my newsletter, you may have seen the sneak peek pop into your inbox yesterday! 

Here’s a little behind-the-scenes from earlier this year when I was going over the book design!

Shifting from “behind-the-scenes” mode to “in-the-spotlight” mode doesn’t come easily for me (I’m much more of a behind-the-scenes kinda gal!), so this “launching into the world” part of the creation process is a big challenge for me on a personal level, and oh boy, the nerves I have right now are unreal. I’d be perfectly happy to work away diligently behind-the-scenes and never have to self-promote. 😉 Do any of you relate? I’m always up for a good challenge, though, and getting to reconnect with you all is the icing on the vegan cake! 

This book would not have been possible without your encouragement, patience, and support throughout the whole process! It also wouldn’t have been possible without my small-but-mighty team made up of Nicole and Eric. They are my rocks, my sanity savers, my reasons for inappropriate fits of laughter, my sounding boards, my reminders to drink more caffeine and breathe, and it goes on. My incredible, diligent group of recipe testers (a special shout out and thank you to Anna, Carin, Tana, Tammy, Laurie, Caroline, Danielle, Vanessa, Lynn, Audrey, Stephanie D., Anne, Kathy, Stephanie S., Andrea, Beth, Katie, Lindsay M., Bridget, Laura, Lindsay V., Erin, Heather, Suzanne, Adrienne, Stephanie M., Carolina, Kirsten, Lori, Marina, and Kristen) have tested, and tested, and tested these recipes right alongside me and shared the most helpful feedback. And last but not least, I have so much gratitude for the amazing teams at Penguin Random House Canada and Avery! 

I held this book in my hands for the first time last week! I can’t even tell you how fast my heart was a-thumpin’ when I opened the box! It is always slightly terrifying and thrilling to open one of my books for the first time, and it really never gets any easier to send my heart and soul’s work off into the world. But I am so darn proud of this book. It’s my very first hardcover book, too!

About this book

Oh She Glows for Dinner is a reflection of what you, my dear readers, have asked me for the most over the years—more plant-based, crowd-pleasing dinner recipes! 

Dinner is something I think most of us have struggled with (I know I sure have!), and when you throw “plant-based” into the mix it can be even trickier to figure out. If you’ve ever shrugged your shoulders over what to make for a vegan meal and resorted to toast or a bowl of cereal, you certainly aren’t alone. I knew I had to create this cookbook to help answer the ever-burning “what’s for [plant-based] dinner?” question. As an added benefit, the recipes in this book also make incredible (and often portable) lunches! You’ll also find the perfect, satisfying sides to add to your dish, meal-worthy salads for every season, hearty & healing soups and stews, and a bounty of flavour-poppin’ sauces, dressings, parmesans, and pestos that you can make to change up the flavour profile (or simply punch up your dish even more). And I threw in a delicious dessert/drink chapter, of course, because it wouldn’t be an Oh She Glows cookbook without some sweet, healthified treats! 😉

What you’ll find inside:

Dietary and Cooking Labels

Each recipe indicates whether it is nut-free, gluten-free, soy-free, grain-free and/or oil-free, raw/no bake or one pot. Out of 106 vegan recipes in this cookbook, 101 are gluten-free or have a gluten-free option, 90 are nut-free or have a nut-free option, and nearly all are soy-free. I also share whether the recipe is kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, and/or if any advance prep is needed. My “on the glow” label tells you whether the recipe is portable. My goal was to pack in as much helpful info as I could for you (dare I say this is my most informative book yet?)…you know me, go big or go home…lol.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Almost all of the recipes in this cookbook also include specific storage and reheating instructions, customized to each recipe. My recipe testers and I spent so much time testing the recipes to take the guesswork out of them for you!

Active Time and Total Time

Each recipe tells you how much active time and total time will be required. Active time is the time you are actively preparing food in the kitchen. Total time reflects how long the recipe takes from start to finish. If applicable, we also share Soak time and/or Chill time.

Full-page colour photographs 

I am so excited to share that I did the food photography and food styling for the recipes in this book – there are more than 100 of my photographs inside! 

Glow Getter Meal Plans 

This book includes 4 meal prep plans! Each time-saving plan provides step-by-step instructions, so you can prep or fully make 3 dinner recipes in just 60 to 90 minutes. I knew it was important to create plans that would actually work for a busy lifestyle. I’ve tried plans in the past that take 2.5 to 3 hours each week, and they just didn’t fit into my life. These plans don’t take long (60 to 90 minutes at a brisk pace) and they set you up with a few hearty meals each week!

Menus To Get Your Glow On

I also share my tried-and-true menus for special occasions or themed nights, such as Girls’ Night, Mother’s Day, Game Night, The Oh She Glows Cookbook Club Night, and more. If you have ever struggled with how to combine recipes for special meals, I really hope this will give you the inspo you need to simplify your planning. Don’t forget to check out our bonus bundle below as it includes 4 designed printable menus which correspond to menus found in the book!

Helpful Recipe Lists

My Helpful Recipe Lists index at the back of the book provides at-a-glance searching of recipes by allergy label or preference, so you can find all the gluten-free recipes grouped together in one spot, or all the kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, nut-free, one pot, and on the glow recipes. 

My Pantry Staples, Kitchen Tools and Appliances

I’ve included a condensed list of the essential pantry items I keep on hand along with my favourite tools and appliances. If I have a preferred brand, I share those names with you, so you know exactly what I use in my own kitchen.

The Oh She Glows for Dinner Bonus Bundle is here! 

The response to my pre-order bonus bundles for my previous two cookbooks was so enthusiastic, I knew I had to raise the bar and add in some exciting and unique new bonus features. This Oh She Glows for Dinner Bonus Bundle is definitely my favourite, most cheerful and creative pre-order bundle yet. All the *heart eye* emojis for this one. I had so much fun collaborating with local artist, Kayla Whitney, to create an adorable, custom Oh She Glows “Glow” downloadable art print for you to print and hang on your walls! This is my very first custom Oh She Glows print and it looks so bright and cheery on the wall. If you end up hanging the print in your house, we’d LOVE to see it! Simply tag it with #ohsheglowsfordinner on social media.

In addition to the “Glow” art print, you’ll receive 4 artfully designed Oh She Glows for Dinner menus to download and adorn your dinner table on special occasions. Super-handy Glow Getter Meal Plan printables from the new book will make prepping the plans even easier when your book arrives. It’s so convenient to print the meal plans and place them on your counter so you can cross things off as you work through the plan. Lastly, I couldn’t make you wait until October to get cooking, so I’ve included 4 advance recipes in this bundle—a few of my summer-friendly ones that we’ve been enjoying during this hot season! 

If you pre-order Oh She Glows for Dinner, keep your receipt handy and follow this link to get your free bonus bundle PDF! 


Pre-order now at the following retailers:
Amazon.ca
Amazon.com
Indigo.ca 
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble (signed copy)
The Book Depository 
Books-A-Million
Apple Books
Amazon.co.uk

 

Please note: We earn a small commission if you purchase an item through our affiliate links above. Thank you so much for your support!

I can’t wait to hear what you think!! 

With love and gratitude,

Angela xo

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Hi everyone! It has been so hard to find the right words for this post as my heart is breaking for the world right now. I hope you are all staying safe and doing well. How are you doing? I’m wishing you all love and strength to get through whatever challenges may be coming your way during this pandemic. We’re about to start our 7th week of “sheltering at home” and are all doing well & taking things one day at a time. 

A gift from my heart 

We’ve been trying to do our part by helping the community in various ways, but I also want to do a little something personal for some of my blog readers who are working on the frontlines and in essential services during this pandemic. This idea is a small way for me to connect with you and say thank you for all that you’re doing! So that said, I’d like to mail a signed and personalized copy of my brand new cookbook (my very first hardcover….eek!), along with an Oh She Glows Recipe App download, to 15 frontline and essential workers located in Canada or the US. These gifts will be sent out as soon as my book launches early this fall. Side note: I almost nixed this idea because I worried there would be hard feelings if I couldn’t send one to everyone who reaches out (I will likely have a lot more than 15 emails), but I hope you’ll understand that even though I can’t send you all one, I’d still like to do this to bring a smile to some of your faces during this difficult time. (And I’ll be doing more cookbook giveaways for the entire OSG community in the late summer and fall, too, so there will be other opportunities coming up.) You can nominate yourself or someone you know. Please send a brief email along with your city, and province or state (or your nominee’s story and location) to frontline@ohsheglows.com by May 1, 2020. We’ll select 15 frontline and essential heroes and I will cover all costs of shipping, the book, etc. Due to the volume of emails we anticipate receiving, we’ll only be able to reply to those who are selected, but I want to say a huge thank you in advance for sharing your story with me and to all of you out there who are making sacrifices for your communities every day.

A little about this soup

Today, I’m sharing a versatile, nutrient-packed, and pantry-friendly soup that I’ve been making for the past several weeks. I can’t tell you how much of a go-to recipe this has been while trying to juggle work deadlines and refereeing (oops, I mean parenting) and homeschooling. You can use virtually any veggies you have on hand as long as it totals about 8 cups (be sure to see the Tips in the recipe below for ideas). I’ve created both Instant Pot and stovetop versions for you as well. I love that I can throw everything into my Instant Pot, turn it on, and walk away! And the stovetop version is almost as simple…the only difference is that you’ll need to stir it a few times during cooking. I’m whipping this up twice weekly until the warm weather sets in. I hope it brings you some comfort during these trying days. I’d love to hear which veggie combos you use…my favourite combo so far is: broccoli, carrots, butternut squash, frozen green beans, and sliced cremini mushrooms. A nutrient powerhouse! I’m not joking when I say that I’m eating this daily for lunch…it helps balance out all the baked goods that I’ve been stuffing in my face…lol. 

PS – I’ll be sure to share a lot more details about the new book (as well as the big cover reveal!) soon. If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for our newsletter, as we’ll be relaunching it this spring and revealing the cover and details there first.

Sending you all love, good health wishes, and big virtual hugs,

Angela xoxo

Cozy At Home Spicy Any-Veggie Soup
Vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free

This spicy, bursting-with-flavour soup can be made with whatever veggies you have lurking in the crisper and pantry. My favourite combination of veggies is broccoli (rich in immune-boosting vitamin C), butternut squash, carrots, and frozen green beans, and I’ve detailed the amounts I use in my recipe below. You can use any veggies you love as long as it totals 8 cups of chopped veggies (see my Tip below for ideas!). I’ve also provided two different cooking methods: a hands-free Instant Pot method and a traditional (but still very easy) stovetop method. The beauty of this soup is that it’s so simple to make—we simply add the ingredients to the pot and let it cook away! The soup’s spicy flavour comes from using a generous amount of red pepper flakes. I like 2 teaspoons for a moderate, zippy heat level, but if you aren’t a fan of a lot of heat, start with 1 teaspoon and go from there. If you want to use my Instant Pot method, you can find the directions at the bottom of the Tips section. This recipe is adapted from my 8-Minute Pantry Dal.

Yield
8 cups (2 L)

Prep time
15 Minutes

Cook time
25 Minutes

Total time
40 Minutes

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon (15 mL) coconut oil or olive oil2 1/2 cups (625 mL) water1 (14-ounce/398 mL) can light coconut milk1 (14-ounce/398 mL) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes*3 cups (190 g) broccoli florets (1 1/2-inch florets)**2 cups (270 g) peeled, seeded, and chopped butternut squash (1/2-inch cubes)1 1/2 cups (195 g) chopped peeled carrots (1/2-inch thick coins)1 1/2 cups (160 g) frozen cut green beans***2 teaspoons red pepper flakes, or to taste****1 teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste1 teaspoon garlic powder1 cup (170 g) uncooked red lentils2 tablespoons (30 mL) apple cider vinegar, or to tasteHerbamare, for garnish (optional)

Directions:
Stovetop method: To a large pot, add the oil, water, coconut milk, diced tomatoes (with juices), broccoli, butternut squash, carrots, frozen green beans, red pepper flakes, salt (starting with 3/4 teaspoon), garlic powder, and red lentils. Stir to combine. Set the heat to high, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and bring the mixture to a low boil. Once it comes to a boil, remove the lid and reduce the heat to medium. Stir again, scraping off any lentils stuck to the bottom of the pot. Simmer, covered, over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are soft and the veggies are just fork tender. The veggies should have a touch of resistance when pierced with a fork. The cook time will vary based on the type of veggies you use. After cooking, remove the lid and stir in the apple cider vinegar, starting with one tablespoon and adding from there, to taste (we love 2 tablespoons for a lot of brightness). Sometimes, there may be a slight separation in the soup after adding the vinegar, depending on the brand of coconut milk used. This is nothing to worry about. Season with more salt, if desired (I add another 1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt, plus a bit of Herbamare). I also enjoy adding a bit more apple cider vinegar to my individual serving because I adore its tanginess in this soup. Serve and enjoy. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 to 5 days.

Tips:

* I love fire-roasted diced canned tomatoes in this soup, but feel free to use regular canned diced tomatoes if that’s what you have.

** You can use practically any veggies you have on hand (most veggies should work, however, I probably wouldn’t try beets or eggplant, but maybe that’s just me). Veggies to try out: broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, yellow or red potatoes, button mushrooms, squash, sautéed onions/garlic/celery, thickly sliced zucchini (with skin), kale, frozen peas, etc. Just make sure the chopped veggies total 8 cups. If using onion, celery, or garlic, be sure to sauté them in the oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until softened, before adding the remaining ingredients. I have not tested any frozen veggies besides frozen green beans, so I can’t vouch for other ones working.

*** If using French-cut frozen green beans (the thin variety), add them during the last 5 minutes of cooking to prevent them from softening too much.

**** 2 teaspoons of red chili flakes results in a zippy, moderate level of heat (my fave way to make this soup!). If serving to spice-shy folks, start with 1 teaspoon (for a mild soup) and add more after cooking, if desired.

 

INSTANT POT METHOD:

1.To a 6-Quart (or larger) Instant Pot, add all the ingredients, except the red lentils and apple cider vinegar. Stir until combined.

2. Now, pour the red lentils evenly overtop the mixture and gently press them into the liquid with your hands or a spoon (do not stir the lentils into the mixture as this can result in a burn notice in some machines).

3. Secure the lid in the lock position and check that the Steam Release Handle is pointing to the “Sealing” position.

4. Press the “Pressure Cook” button (or “Manual”, on some machines) and set the cook time to 1 minute on high pressure. After a few seconds you’ll hear a couple beeps and the screen will say “on”. The cooking process has begun! (Pro tip: it will take about 25 minutes for the machine to come to pressure before the 1 minute timer is triggered.)

5. You’ll hear a few beeps when the 1 minute timer is up. Immediately do a “Quick Pressure Release” to avoid overcooking the soup (simply shift the Steam Release Handle to the “Venting” position to release the pressure). Once all of the pressure has been released, the float valve will sink and you won’t hear steam anymore.

6. Carefully open the lid. My Instant Pot defaults to the “keep warm” setting, so I cancel it and turn the machine off to avoid over-cooking the veggies. Stir in the apple cider vinegar (starting with 1 tablespoon and adding more from there, to taste…we love 2 tablespoons for a nice zing). Sometimes, there may be a very slight coconut milk separation in the soup after adding the vinegar. This is natural and nothing to worry about. Season each bowl with a sprinkle of salt or Herbamare, if desired, and enjoy!

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https://ohsheglows.com/2018/09/26/sleepy-morning-blender-matcha/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sleepy-morning-blender-matcha

At long last I’m able to give you a bit of an update on my recent health struggles! If you’re catching up, read this post and this post (and the comments) first.

Well, where did we leave off? To start, I’m so thankful to have found a great naturopath after not having an overly helpful experience earlier in the year. I’ve been struggling with my symptoms on and off for years now, so it’s been a huge relief to finally get some answers! Slowly but surely I’m starting to feel like a new person. My recent tests showed that my hormones are a hot mess…estrogen is too high, my morning cortisol is way too low (hello, feeling like a zombie even after a decent night’s sleep), and one of my thyroid hormones is also too low. My doctor had suspected many of these results based on my symptoms, but it was interesting to see them on paper! I’m definitely no expert on this stuff, but I learned that when one hormone is off, it can impact another…and on and on the cycle goes, often throwing your entire system out of whack in the process. I felt such relief knowing that how I was feeling wasn’t just in my head all this time.

It’s so easy to push through feeling awful, blaming your symptoms on other things. I can’t even tell you how many times I told myself that I felt like crap because I was a new mom, or I was nursing and up in the middle of the night, or I was working out too hard (or not enough), or I wasn’t taking my vitamins, or my diet wasn’t balanced, or I was just feeling anxious about changes in my life. Some of those things may have been part of the issue, but I overlooked the real possibility that something beyond my immediate control was at work.

Dear self: it’s okay to ask for help.

Speaking of which, my biggest regret is that I didn’t get help for my symptoms sooner. It’s easy to put off, especially when Dr. Google is at your fingertips. Everyone would tell me how important it is to take care of myself while raising two young kids, but most days I just pushed it aside and tried to rely on the fact that I am a generally healthy person who eats well and exercises. My mom and Nicole were the ones who finally pushed me to get help…we all need those people in our lives who look out for us! Sometimes you have to learn the hard way, but I’m grateful for this lesson and wake-up call. I may have ignored my body’s messages for quite some time, but once I commit to something, I’m all-in, and I’ve been such a good “student” these past few months!

Taking the time to heal has set me back on some career goals this year, but sometimes there’s no better goal than good health. I actually can’t think of a better way to celebrate OSG’s upcoming 10-year milestone than circling back to my journey to health, which is the reason I started my blog! It’s just another reminder that our journey is always changing and evolving over time.

I’ll try to update you again as soon as I have more to share, but in the meantime if you have any questions, or would like to share your own experiences, I would LOVE to read them below.

Oh, and I should probably mention this recipe before I go! My naturopath recently encouraged me to add more green tea to my diet, and this has been my go-to mix. I had requests for the recipe after sharing it on Insta Stories last week, so I decided to put it up on both the app and blog! I hope you’ll find this warm, creamy matcha blend as calming and gently energizing as I have.

4.6 from 8 reviews

Sleepy Morning Blender Matcha
Vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, oil-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free

You know when you wake up on a chilly morning and need a hot drink now? Well this is my go-to on fall and winter mornings (or afternoons!) when I want a change from coffee. The thought of this smooth, warm, creamy drink seriously lures me out of my cozy bed. I love how effortless this recipe is, especially on those half-awake, barely functioning mornings (just make sure you’re alert enough to operate a blender with hot liquid!). I love matcha green tea powder because it delivers calming, jitter-free energy as well as powerful antioxidants. Be sure to see my Deluxe Version in the Tips section below for a more decadent way to make this beverage—when I want an especially comforting treat, I’ll forgo the water and only use canned coconut milk.

Yield
1 1/3 cups (330 mL)

Prep time
5 Minutes

Cook time
0 Minutes

Total time
5 Minutes

Ingredients:
1 cup (250 mL) water1/3 cup (80 mL) canned light coconut milk, room temperature*1/2 teaspoon matcha green tea powder, or to taste**1 teaspoon (5 mL) pure maple syrup, or to taste (optional)

Directions:
Add the water to a kettle or pot and bring to a boil. While the water heats up, add the coconut milk and matcha powder to a high-speed blender. Once the water has boiled, remove it from the heat and let sit for 15 seconds. Carefully add it to the blender along with the maple syrup (if using). If your blender’s lid is vented, secure it on top. If you don’t have a vented lid, keep the lid slightly ajar so air can escape. Blend on the lowest speed, very slowly increasing to medium, for about 20 seconds until frothy and combined. Immediately pour into a mug and enjoy your cozy cup o’ green!

Tips:

* If using already chilled canned coconut milk, add an extra 1/3 cup (80 mL) hot water to ensure your blend is hot enough (nobody wants lukewarm tea, if you know what I mean!). Be sure to stir the coconut milk before measuring.

 

** My preferred brand of matcha powder is DoMatcha Organic Summer Harvest Matcha Powder.

 

Deluxe Version: Heat 1 cup (250 mL) canned light coconut milk on the stovetop over medium heat, watching closely to ensure it doesn’t boil over. Once it starts to simmer and froth, immediately remove it from the heat. Add this to the blender along with the matcha powder (and maple syrup, if using). Follow steps 4 and 5 above and enjoy your extra-creamy tea!

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https://ohsheglows.com/2018/10/17/one-bowl-pumpkin-chocolate-muffins-vegan-gluten-free/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=one-bowl-pumpkin-chocolate-muffins-vegan-gluten-free

One thing that’s been especially hard during my recent health struggles is that I’ve had some negative feelings resurface surrounding food and restriction. Those of you who’ve been reading for years may know that one of the reasons I started blogging back in 2008 was to share my journey to health. I spoke a lot about my journey to recovery from disordered eating, something I had struggled with for over a decade.

When I taught myself how to cook and fell in love with making plant-based recipes, I started to make positive associations with food again. And slowly, as I learned to eat intuitively (and embraced therapy!), I built a solid, positive foundation channeling that energy into something that made me feel really good. I don’t know where I’d be now if I didn’t have your support and community along the way. Knowing that my readers were eager to try out the recipes I was sharing kept me immensely motivated to keep going! It still does to this day.

The various symptoms I’ve been dealing with this past year (as well as committing to the dreaded allergy elimination diet) have challenged my relationship with food a great deal. If you’ve dealt with food allergies or sensitivities, you know how much it can drive you crazy in frustration as you try to figure out what’s going on. Every single food becomes suspect. I had incorrectly thought that it was a single food causing my troubles, when in fact it was much more complex than I had realized, with many hormonal imbalances and other systems at play.

Over the past year I found myself starting to question everything I was putting into my body, to the point where for a while I was only consuming a handful of specific foods. I didn’t know what I could eat because everything seemed to be causing reactions. It really messed with my head for a while there! This isn’t my first test by any means, and I know that these challenges and setbacks are a normal part of the journey—there’s no shame in struggling with things you may have thought you’d beaten. I can already tell that this experience has had many silver linings, one of them being a deeper appreciation for my health. And as I’ve seen my health improve over the past couple months, I’ve been so relieved to be getting back to a friendly place with food again by celebrating what it can do for me rather than fearing it!

And what better way to celebrate food this time of year than with the irresistible combo of chocolate and pumpkin? These rich and chocolaty gluten-free and vegan muffins have been enjoyed by everyone lucky enough to get their hands on a trial batch…minus a couple chocolate-hating toddlers roaming around our kitchen. *shrugs* Needless to say, Eric and I have had our fair share throughout the testing process…no complaints over here. Pair the muffins with my popular Pumpkin Spice Latte and you’ll have yourself a delicious and festive autumn snack!

 

 

   

4.8 from 40 reviews

One Bowl Pumpkin Chocolate Muffins
Vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, refined sugar-free

These moist, dense, gooey pumpkin chocolate muffins are similar to that feeling you get walking through a pumpkin patch, sipping dark hot chocolate, and crunching colourful autumn leaves beneath your feet! Picture a delicious pumpkin chocolate cake or brownie—but in muffin form. What could be better? How about that they take just one bowl to make! This recipe is adapted from Beaming Baker and my Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins.

Yield
12 muffins

Prep time
15 Minutes

Cook time
22 Minutes

Total time
37 Minutes

Ingredients:
For the chia egg:2 teaspoons (4 g) ground chia seed*3 tablespoons (45 mL) waterFor the wet ingredients:1 cup (250 mL) unsweetened pumpkin purée1/4 cup (60 mL) grapeseed oil or melted coconut oil1/2 cup (80 g) coconut sugar1/2 cup (125 mL) pure maple syrup1 teaspoon (5 mL) pure vanilla extractFor the dry ingredients:1 1/2 cups (150 g) gluten-free rolled oats, blended into a fine flour**1/2 cup (40 g) unsweetened cocoa powder2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice***1 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt2/3 cup (120 g) non-dairy chocolate chips or chopped chocolate, divided**** (optional)

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a muffin tin with 12 paper liners. Add the rolled oats to a high-speed blender and blend on high until a fine flour forms. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the ground chia seed and water until combined. Set aside for a few minutes to thicken. To the same bowl, add the rest of the wet ingredients (pumpkin, oil, sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla) and stir until smooth. Add the dry ingredients (oat flour, cocoa powder, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt) to the bowl with the wet ingredients. Whisk until smooth (I love using my big whisk for this task!). Set aside 1/4 cup (45 g) of chocolate chips (if using) for the topping and stir the remaining chips into the batter. Spoon the batter into the paper liners, filling each two-thirds full. Press the remaining chocolate chips into the tops of each muffin. Bake the muffins for 20 to 25 minutes (I bake for 22), until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Place the muffin tin on a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Carefully remove each muffin and place it directly onto the cooling rack until fully cooled. Leftover muffins can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for several days or frozen for up to 1 month.

Tips:

* If desired, you can use 1 tablespoon ground flax in place of the ground chia seed. Proceed with mixing in the 3 tablespoons (45 mL) water as directed.

** You can use 150 grams oat flour rather than grinding your own (this is equal to 1 cup and 7 tablespoons oat flour measured using the scoop-and-shake-until-level method). Alternatively, 1 1/2 cups (233 g) whole-grain spelt flour will also work as a swap for the oat flour. If using whole-grain spelt flour, you will likely need to bake the muffins for a couple extra minutes (until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean). Please keep in mind that spelt flour is not gluten-free.

*** If you’re a big pumpkin spice fan, you can use up to 1 tablespoon of spice mix in this recipe.

**** Try chopped walnuts or pecans for a crunchy, healthy twist!

You can make these muffins into a loaf instead. Simply pour the batter into a 9×5-inch loaf pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes (I bake for 46) at 350°F (180°C) until a toothpick comes out clean.

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