Lauren Lobley, Author at Whole Life Challenge

Pumpkin Hummus for the Holidays

Lauren Lobley — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 13:00:00 +0000

What better ingredient to work with at this time of year than pumpkin! This recipe for pumpkin hummus will make for the perfect addition to your holiday table this year. It’s a definite show-stopper, but it only takes a few minutes to put together. Score!

As far as what to dip in your pumpkin hummus, the options are pretty limitless. You can cut up celery, carrots, or jicama.…

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Roasted Beets, Carrots, and Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Lauren Lobley — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 15:00:21 +0000

This dish of roasted beets, carrots, and sweet potatoes is a great way to warm up your winter, but in truth, roasted vegetables are great at any time of year. These roasted veggies can dress up a salad, making it beautiful and nutritious, but they are also perfect when served warm alongside fish or your favorite protein.

Beets, carrots, and sweet potatoes all come in different colors, and each of those varieties is packed with slightly different nutrients.…

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Homemade Coconut Milk

Lauren Lobley — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 09:00:30 +0000

Reading Time: 2 minutes

I drink an obscene amount of nut milk: almond, coconut, hemp, hazelnut. But I don’t love all the additives in the store-bought versions, so wherever I can (read: when I’m not feeling lazy), I make homemade almond milk and homemade coconut milk.

This recipe for homemade coconut milk uses shredded coconut and could not be easier — or faster, for that matter.…

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Sweet Potato Beet Pesto Vegan Tuna Bites

Lauren Lobley — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 09:00:47 +0000

Reading Time: 3 minutes

I am proud to say that in February of this year (2018), I released my very first cookbook. It’s called The Accidental Paleo: Easy Vegetarian Recipes for a Paleo Lifestyle. It’s filled with mostly plant-based, vegetarian recipes that are also a fit for paleo eaters.

My friend hosted a launch party for me last month, and I prepared a sampling of some of the recipes from the book.…

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Raw Blueberry Banana Strawberry Cashew Cheesecake

Lauren Lobley — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 09:00:37 +0000

Reading Time: 2 minutes

I’m on a guilt-free dessert streak right now, and this cashew cheesecake does not disappoint. It’s creamy, it’s sweet — but not too sweet — and it’s so refreshing.

And best of all? No refined sugar. None at all. Just some sweetness from the dates in the crust and the fruit in the filling.

Oh, and did I mention there’s no baking involved in this cashew cheesecake?…

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Curry Spiced Chickpea Veggie Burger

Lauren Lobley — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 09:00:51 +0000

Reading Time: 3 minutes

I’ve been on a veggie burger kick lately. Call it a passion project to find the perfect veggie burger that every palate can enjoy. I’m still testing, but I wanted to share this curry spiced chickpea burger because frankly, it’s awesome.

One of the best things about these veggie burgers is that you can make the patties ahead of time and keep them on hand in the freezer.…

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Mushroom Walnut Vegan Bolognese

Lauren Lobley — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 09:00:15 +0000

Reading Time: 2 minutes

As the daughter of an Italian mother, my childhood was filled with the most incredible Italian food. I loved my mom’s cooking, but what I loved even more was my Nana Rita’s cooking. Whenever we made the drive from Montreal to Toronto, no matter what time we arrived (it was usually 3:00am), my Nana Rita would have a pot of pasta sauce and sausage on the stove.…

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Soy-Free Dairy-Free Spinach Artichoke Dip

Lauren Lobley — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 10:00:11 +0000

Reading Time: 2 minutes

I love me a warm savory dip! But I don’t love the heavy creams that tend to be the reason for the creaminess of those dips.

You can imagine my delight when I discovered this cream-free recipe for warm spinach artichoke dip. This recipe contains no soy and no dairy, but still retains a delectable creamy quality due to the cashew ricotta “cheese” base.…

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Cashew Ricotta “Cheese”

Lauren Lobley — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 10:00:19 +0000

Reading Time: 2 minutes

One of my all time favorite restaurants is Cafe Gratitude. Apart from having a tranquil and beautiful atmosphere, they also have amazing vegan food – good enough to please even the most staunch carnivore (says me). I received their cookbook as a Christmas gift, and I already have a new favorite: cashew ricotta cheese.

The great thing about cashew ricotta cheese, just like regular ricotta cheese, is that you can use it as the foundation for so many amazing dishes.…

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Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pecans and Balsamic Reduction

Lauren Lobley — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 10:00:46 +0000

Reading Time: 3 minutes

I’ve learned the secret to enjoying the wonderful Brussels sprout: caramelize them! When I was little, I hated Brussels sprouts. They smelled like, well, we don’t have to say what they smelled like. But it was enough to turn me off ever wanting to eat them.

Thankfully, my palate has changed, and as an adult I truly enjoy this little sprout.…

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Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

Lauren Lobley — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 09:00:47 +0000

Reading Time: 3 minutes

This recipe for quinoa stuffed acorn squash is not only delicious, but is also so hearty that you can serve it as a meal. It’s a great side-dish for the holiday table or any time of year if you’re just craving that autumn feeling.

When it comes to nutrition, the little acorn squash packs a punch. It is high in fiber and full of vitamin C, vitamin A, thiamine, potassium, magnesium, manganese, iron, copper, phosphorus, and calcium.…

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Spicy Kale and Cauliflower Rice

Lauren Lobley — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 09:00:36 +0000

Reading Time: 2 minutes

When I’m craving a big ol’ bowl of rice, this recipe comes to the rescue. Not only does it satisfy my craving for those pesky carbs, but it also packs a big dose of nutrition and killer flavors all into one dish.

And, if you’ve got little ones around who you are trying to get to eat their veggies, this recipe would be a hard one for them to turn up their noses at.…

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Healthy Homemade Pecan Butter

Lauren Lobley — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 09:00:59 +0000

Reading Time: 2 minutes

I’m kind of obsessed with pecan butter. It’s creamy and sweet, and yet there is no sugar in it. Something about those pecans just makes everything taste sweeter.

And since my husband, Ted, likes pecan butter so much (and often polishes off a batch before I’ve had a chance to fully enjoy it), I’ve invited him into the kitchen with me this week to learn how to make it.…

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Shiitake Mushroom and Leek Saute

Lauren Lobley — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 09:00:02 +0000

Reading Time: 2 minutes

I have a strong affinity for mushrooms — the culinary ones, not the other ones. I especially love cooking with shiitakes, and this recipe is one of my favorite ways to use them. Shiitakes are not only full of vitamins and minerals, but also possess some amazing anti-inflammatory and disease-preventing properties.

This recipe can stand on its own, but can also serve as a hearty side dish or even as a co-star in an entree featuring a protein like fish, chicken, or your favorite vegan alternative — if you eat those things, of course.…

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Peach Raspberry Iced Tea

Lauren Lobley — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 09:00:46 +0000

It’s summertime and there’s nothing quite as refreshing as a cold beverage. Make your tea more interesting this summer with this refreshing recipe for peach raspberry iced tea. It’s great to have in the refrigerator, is pretty enough to serve at parties, and is so simple to make it’s almost silly.

And the best part? It’s sweetener free! So you can indulge all you want and stick to your healthy eating goals.…

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Oven-Roasted Tomato and Spaghetti Squash Pasta Salad

Lauren Lobley — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 09:00:18 +0000

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The other day, I was at my cottage, miles away from a grocery store, and had to prepare dinner for my husband and my dad. There wasn’t a whole lot in the house, so I had to get creative. I ended up making one of my most favorite recipes yet!

Here is the recipe for my new favorite take on roasted spaghetti squash.…

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Mango, Grapefruit, and Strawberry Guacamole

Lauren Lobley — Sun, 14 May 2017 09:00:05 +0000

Reading Time: 2 minutes

I’m a fan of taking recipes I already like and making simple changes to make them a little different. I love me some traditional guacamole, but adding mangoes, strawberries, and ruby red grapefruit took my guac to another level.

This mango, grapefruit, and strawberry guacamole recipe is not only beautiful and perfect to serve at dinner parties, but it’s also incredibly tasty and healthy.…

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Baked Halibut with Leeks and Cherry Tomatoes

Lauren Lobley — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 09:00:06 +0000

My dear friend Liza Utter and her husband Tom has us over for dinner a few years ago, and Liza made us a baked halibut dinner that was so incredible I simply could not believe my taste buds. She graciously gave me the recipe as soon as I asked for it — and now I’m giving it to you.

If you like fish and great flavor (that looks more complicated and fancy than it actually is), you are going to love this baked halibut dinner!…

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Homemade Pesto: The Answer to Making Dinner in a Pinch

Lauren Lobley — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 10:00:28 +0000

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Having homemade pesto in the freezer at all times is a must in my home. It’s so easy to pull it out of the freezer when you need to make dinner in a pinch. It can dress up just about anything you have on hand and adds a wonderful flavor that keeps your food from being boring — all while being healthy and nutritious.…

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Puttanesca Sauce: An Easy Way to Dress Up Dinner

Lauren Lobley — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 10:00:02 +0000

Don’t you just love it when a few simple ingredients come together to give you an amazing burst of flavor? That’s how I feel about puttanesca sauce.

With only about six ingredients (plus a few spices), you can create a meal that is incredibly flavorful, and perhaps best of all, it only takes a few minutes to put together. It’s the perfect meal for the family any night of the week, especially if you are starved for time or aren’t the biggest fan of cooking!…

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