When I started preparing for surgery, it became a priority to address my iron levels. After nearly 2 decades of dealing with anemia, it was important to ensure that my iron was within normal range to decrease the fatigue after surgery. I got a referral to see a hematologist and then orders for iron infusions. I was a little nervous, as things didn’t go well the first time I had an iron infusion nearly a decade earlier. This time wasn’t all flowers and sunshine, but I actually made it through the entire infusion series and saw improvement.

A bowl of noodles has always been a favorite in our house and in regular menu rotation. But after a trip to Japan, we were trying to relive our days in Tokyo and Kyoto eating them every day. It didn’t hurt that we brought home a few packs of noodles that we wanted to try either. Mixing up the veggies and changing the broth quickly creates new dishes.

Stillness was my friend as I processed the state of my body and its response to the trauma of surgery. Sometimes I listened to meditation music and tried to focus on the breath. Other times I just let the tears fall as my husband comforted me. But releasing through words by responding to a prompt or sitting with my feelings as I journaled provided me an outlet when I felt confined. Being still reminded me of the lessons that kept showing up.

Every November around my birthday, I choose a word that embodies my intent for the next 12 months. My word for 2025 was “prioritize.” I planned to focus my attention on my health and taking care of my body. Little did I know what was in store for me. It was one of the hardest years of my life, but it was absolutely life-changing.

Our weekend in Charlotte was a last-minute road trip, but we filled our short time with lots of good eats. Since visiting and writing this plant-based adventure, two of the restaurants have closed unfortunately. But there are still some delicious spots that would make the trip worth it.

Growing up in the South, there were some classics that I knew I couldn’t let go of when I changed my diet. Mac and cheese has always been one of my favorite foods. But what do you do when you no longer eat dairy and can’t add 3 kinds of cheese and butter? Making classics without dairy and meat proved to be challenging in the beginning, but with some time and experimenting I’ve been able to make plant-based meals that don’t feel like they are missing anything.

The views in Arizona were absolutely breathtaking and definitely made our meals more memorable! We landed in Phoenix before making a scenic drive to Sedona. We spent a few days enjoying the views and hiking the area before returning to Phoenix.

I’ll be honest. I hate when people tell me there’s a plant-based option on the menu, and it’s just a simple salad. A side salad with a single tomato slice is not a meal, and I don’t want to remove the cheese, bacon, and dressing from the full salad in order to eat it.

I had less than 48 hours to get unpacked from a trip and repacked to head to Guam. Unsure of what would be available there, I stuffed my luggage with all the snacks. I spent the first couple of weeks earing a bowl of rice and veggies every day since that was all I could find. Then, I was able to explore some and found delicious meals around the island.

After living in the DMV for nearly a decade, I am excited to return each time There are always options between veggie-friendly menus and vegan restaurants. Even better, new restaurants pop all the time.

A week in Tampa and Sarasota was just enough time to squeeze in a few restaurants after long work days. There was plenty of variety, and I appreciated that so many places had more than 1 vegan option on their menus. It made it easy to go out with others and enjoy some delicious food.

When I started eating more plant-based foods, I initially followed a restrictive diet. The immediate difference in made in my health motivated me to continue, but it definitely got old fast.

A week in Tampa and Sarasota was just enough time to squeeze in a few restaurants after long work days. There was plenty of variety, and I appreciated that so many places had more than 1 vegan option on their menus. It made it easy to go out with others and enjoy some delicious food.

While there are plenty of meatless options available for purchase, making your own can be satisfying and nutritious. From produce to beans, there are numerous choices to meet your dietary needs.

I’m excited to announce the launch of the Rooted in Balance Get Rooted, Stay Rooted Program. This program is designed to help you transition to plant-based eating on your terms whether it’s going meatless, reducing dairy, or incorporating more produce.

A week in Tampa and Sarasota was just enough time to squeeze in a few restaurants after long work days. There was plenty of variety, and I appreciated that so many places had more than 1 vegan option on their menus. It made it easy to go out with others and enjoy some delicious food.

The Spanish moss hanging from the trees makes Savannah, Georgia one of the most idyllic cities. The last time we visited we only had a couple hours to explore the city and enjoy some food. So I was excited to return for a fall wedding and try a few more restaurants.

Whether you are an early riser or like to sleep in late, the first meal of the day should be nourishing. Without dairy and meat, you may wonder what options you have for making a filling breakfast.

How many evenings have you stared into the refrigerator or pantry and wondered what you were making for dinner? When time is short or I need a simple meal, I turn to a tried and true concept – a greens & grains bowl.

I have always loved numbers and was probably one of the few students who actually enjoyed math class. I took calculus just because and even registered for advanced statistics ... during the summer term. Yeah, give me numbers, and I'm a happy lady.

You're probably wondering where I'm going with this and if I'm going to make you do some math. Rest assured I won't make you recall those formulas or find the square root of anything. However, I do encourage you to get familiar with your numbers.