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YU+Me=Clean Challenge: Melissa’s Wrap Up

Detox, Family, Guest Bloggers, Melissa Zihlman, Vegan Lifestyle, Vegetarian Lifestyle, YU+Me=Clean

Written by: Heather Crosby

©Melissa Zihlman Photography

This month has been eye opening for me. I’ve been forced to really watch the things I put in my body, to make better choices for the long run. Being vegan isn’t just about not eating animal products for me, it’s about a complete lifestyle change for my family.

When I jumped on the vegan train in December, I hadn’t really thought through what it meant for my boys. Two months in, and my husband is losing weight and feeling better overall, and my oldest son (who has always been a great eater) is enjoying new foods and not missing the meat products that once ruled our diets. The baby seems so much happier too, less gas and more smiles.

YU+Me=Clean: Melissa’s Healthier Peanut Butter Patties a.k.a Tagalongs

Baking, Chocolate, Dessert, Family, Gluten-Free, Guest Bloggers, Kids, Melissa Zihlman, Vegan Food, Vegetarian Food, Wheat-Free, YU+Me=Clean

Written by: Heather Crosby

You know what stinks for a new vegan, especially one trying to kick her sugar habit?

Girls Scout Cookie sales.

There, I said it. This challenge participant isn’t going to cave, but don’t fault me for opening a box of Peanut Butter Patties or Caramel deLites (Samoas) and inhaling deeply multiple times a day. I figure though, if I can’t have them I might as well make something similar that I can have, right?

So I spent the last couple of days scouring for the perfect recipe, and after some trial and error, I think I have found my own vegan-less sugary-can-read-all-the-ingredients-cleaner version of the elusive Peanut Butter Patties (Tagalongs). And yes, I’m sharing them in all their deliciousness. Read more…

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Tags: Baking, Chocolate, Dessert, Family, Gluten-Free, Guest Bloggers, Kids, Melissa Zihlman, Vegan Food, Vegetarian Food, Wheat-Free, YU+Me=Clean

YU+Me=Clean: Melissa Tackles Week 1

Family, Guest Bloggers, Kids, Melissa Zihlman, Tips, Vegan Lifestyle, Vegetarian Lifestyle, YU+Me=Clean

Written by: Heather Crosby

I’ve finished my first full week of the Challenge! Truth be told it wasn’t too hard, since I started the vegan lifestyle a month prior, but what did prove to be challenging this week was our schedule. We are usually a family that eats dinner together every night, and this last week was crazy, requiring us to eat on the run for dinner quite a bit. Read more…

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Tags: Family, Guest Bloggers, Kids, Melissa Zihlman, Tips, Vegan Lifestyle, Vegetarian Lifestyle, YU+Me=Clean

YU+Me=Clean: Melissa’s Week 1

Detox, Family, Guest Bloggers, Kids, Melissa Zihlman, Raw Food Lifestyle, Vegan Lifestyle, Vegetarian Lifestyle, YU+Me=Clean

Written by: mzihlman

©Melissa Zihlman Photography

I’m so excited to get started here on YumUniverse. This challenge is proving to be just what I needed to take my clean eating up a notch. While most people were gaining weight over the holidays, I took on a green smoothie challenge (I modified the challenge a bit because I’m still breastfeeding, read about the mods here), and actually managed to lose weight between Thanksgiving and Christmas…the first time *ever* in my life that I can say that, and it felt awesome. Read more…

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Tags: Detox, Family, Guest Bloggers, Kids, Melissa Zihlman, Raw Food Lifestyle, Vegan Lifestyle, Vegetarian Lifestyle, YU+Me=Clean

YU+Me=Clean Challenge: Nancy’s Wrap Up

Detox, Nancy Conger, Vegan Lifestyle, Vegetarian Lifestyle, YU+Me=Clean

Written by: Heather Crosby

Well, my month-long challenge has ended! Overall, I have to say that I enjoyed it thoroughly, and saw many benefits. The last week, I began to get impatient, and started dreaming about scrambled eggs and cheese, but other than that, I think I did pretty well.

Penny’s Rosemary Cornmeal Cookies

Written by: pshack

Hi fellow foodie friends! Oooh….I like the sound of that. I want to say I am beyond thrilled to be a part of YumUniverse for the next couple of months and a HUGE thanks to Heather for letting me share in the goodness! With that, let the blogging commence!

Throughout my guest blogging experience, if you see a recipe you love but don’t want to make it yourself, contact me at pennyspastrieschicago.com and I’ll make it for you! Also, I encourage questions and comments below and feel free to contact me directly as well—I am a friendly person and I don’t bite….unless you are a raw vegan creampuff! Read more…

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Guest Blog: Holiday Recipes from Penny’s Pastries

Baking, Dessert, Gluten-Free, Guest Bloggers, Holiday, Raw Food, Vegan Food, Vegetarian Food, Wheat-Free

Written by: Heather Crosby

I am excited to introduce you to a true pastry chef rock star—just in time for the *holidays*. Over the next 8 weeks, Penny Shack from Penny’s Pastries will be sharing some of her top holiday treat recipes with YU in an effort to make sure that you have plenty of gluten-free, diabetic-friendly, raw and vegan options for those work parties, family functions and other holiday events. Make sure you stay tuned to her weekly posts, because I don’t use the term “rock star” lightly. Her recipes will help you WOW everyone you know this holiday season. Read more…

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Tags: Baking, Dessert, Gluten-Free, Guest Bloggers, Holiday, Raw Food, Vegan Food, Vegetarian Food, Wheat-Free