The Vegan Link
Hello! My name is Mathew and I welcome you to my blog, The Vegan Link. On this website, I share my favorite vegan recipes, tutorials, how-to guides and other resources for those who enjoy cooking or are looking to transition to Veganism. No matter how you ended up here, I welcome you all from around the globe.
I started following a vegan lifestyle about four years ago. It was a natural progression for me as my body tended to react poorly when I consumed meat or dairy. Finally, I watched a documentary on Netflix called Forks Over Knives and it completely changed my mindset.
Up until four years ago, I had been following a ‘healthy’ diet for a young guy in his 20’s who liked to workout and keep active. Everything I read online said to eat lean ground turkey or ground chicken with egg whites. I was consuming four eggs a day (yikes and gross, I know.)
Now that I have made the switch to Veganism, I have a new found appreciation for natural ingredients our planet provides us with. I run this blog to celebrate foods that are clean, healthy and nutrient dense. I enjoy recreating traditional dishes using vegan ingredients without sacrificing on taste.
Being Vegan Is Not Hard
You may think ‘I couldn’t last’ or ‘no way,’ but it is easier than you think. It is not expensive or overly complicated. Plant based products have penetrated the market and are available in almost every grocery store and restaurant. I promise if you give it a try and think of it as a lifestyle, it won’t seem as daunting.
I tell you this because I used to feel the same way. But, eating natural plant based foods and following a healthy lifestyle has truly become a joy and passion for me. Whether you are just trying to eat better, help the environment, help the animals or even save some money, join me here on The Vegan Link.
What You’ll Find On The Vegan Link
I focus on sharing simple vegan recipes that are easy and affordable to prepare. My recipes are not complex and are ideal for a novice cook, someone who is new to vegan cooking, a college kid, or a busy parent.
I also curate recipes for athletes who yearn for nutrient dense and high protein meals. And while of course I try my best to stay healthy, sometimes I do slip in a few indulgent dishes š AKA Chocolate Chip Cookies
I share a lot of meal prep recipes. I think a lot of us have hectic schedules and nowadays, it seems everyone is meal prepping. With that said, on The Vegan Link, you’ll find quick, healthy and long lasting recipes with storage instructions.
Here are a few of The Vegan Link‘s favorites:
- Chickpea ‘Tuna’ Salad
- Vegan Lentil Loaf (Meat Loaf)
- Vegan Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Lentil Salad with Ginger Dressing
- Baked Marinated Tofu
- Vegan Eggplant Parm Sandwich
Recipe Instructions
You’ll find that each of my recipes are structured similarly to help cover all the bases. Using a recipe card, the details for each dish include the following information below to ensure any questions you may have are covered. For each recipe, you’ll find:
- Ingredients: everything you need + measurements and substitutions
- Step-by-step instructions: detailed descriptions on how to correctly prepare each dish
- Pictures of the process: confidently create each meal while referencing what your food should look like
- Top tips: the top tips and important take aways for you to create the recipe with success
- Storage information: how to store each dish and for how long
- Dietary: adjusting for dietary restrictions (such as gluten-free or soy-free)
- Serving suggestions: ideas for toppings, sides dishes, or anything that will enhance the finished recipe
Resources + Articles
The Vegan Link is your hub for all guides and resources relating to Veganism. You’ll find plenty of articles loaded with recipe ideas, information on nutrition, vegan grocery lists, clever ways to substitute meat, etc.
Here are a few of our most popular posts:
- The Ultimate Vegan Grocery Shopping List
- 8 Meatless Monday Ingredients To Cook With
- 30 Bodybuilding Vegan Recipes
- How to Transition to Veganism
FAQ About Vegan
Yes. Many people are under the assumption that you can only get protein from meat and dairy. However, that is not the case. Nuts, beans, grains and seeds are packed full of protein. In fact, studies show that vegans tend to eat 7% more protein in a day than non-vegans. Have you ever thought about why gorillas grow to be so big and strong, yet they only eat plants?
So yes, you will absolutely get enough protein eating plant based foods. You can get ample amounts of protein from beans like black beans or chickpeas, fruits like avocados, vegetables like broccoli and grains like quinoa. The list goes on and on!
No! In fact, vegan food is some of the most affordable food out there. Items such as rice, beans, chickpeas, fruits and vegetables are some of the cheapest things you’ll find at your grocery store.
Here are some money saving tips for purchasing vegan ingredients:
1. Buy in bulk: purchasing large quantities of items help reduce cost in the long run. For example, buying beans or rice in bulk will save you a few dollars per meal. These includes items that you can prepare from scratch (such as dry beans) rather than precooked or prepackaged items (pre-package processed foods), which come at a premium price.
2. Purchase items in season:Ā buy produce in season at itās best quality and often most reasonable price.
3. Buy frozen produceĀ when on sale and save it.
4. Buy from the cans: Opt for canned beans and legumesĀ as a main protein source. It’s affordable and already cooked for you!
5. Meal Prep: Meal preppingĀ can also be a great way to save money. Check out my tips for meal prep here.
Stay In Touch
I would enjoy getting to know you all through conversations on The Vegan Link. If you try a recipe, please drop a comment and let me know how it turned out! For advice or clarification on a particular recipe, or just to say hi, you can also leave a comment and I will always reply.
If you are on Pinterest or Instagram, let’s connect. And of course, subscribe to my monthly newsletter full of exclusive recipes and articles! (you can enter your email on the homepage here.)
Lastly, if you want to collaborate or have any questions, feel free to email me at social@theveganlink.com and I will respond within 24 hours.
Thanks for stopping by.
Mathew | The Vegan Link.
