

CHIMICHURRI SAUCE
I really love sauces. I think everyone in the world could be a happier plant-eater if only they would explore the magic of homemade sauces, dips, marinades, dressings, and spreads. The right sauce can turn a measly little carrot into a succulent morsel of the gods. It makes all the difference. Chimichurri sauce (one of my favorites) is a fantastically aromatic Argentinian sauce that is traditionally used as a marinade for steak. But of course, it is a mind-blowing condiment f


SPAGHETTI WITH TENDER EGGPLANT MUSHROOM MEATBALLS
I’m not a huge fan of faux/processed meats, so I enjoy the challenge of recreating classic dishes with real whole foods from scratch. So here it is, my version of the beloved spaghetti and meatballs! On a side note, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how I rarely give exact measurements for salt in my recipes- I believe it’s just too personal of a decision. Depending on who you ask, it’s always too little or not enough. So my recommendation is: add a little shake, give it


TANGERINE DREAM BODY BALM
We had a record heat wave in Los Angeles last week, sometimes getting as hot as 108 degrees, in the middle of September! It’s the kind of heat that hits you like a thick hot curtain when you step out of the AC. You basically get accustomed to being a bit drippy all the time. In a civilized society, this requires lots of showers, and an ongoing struggle to stay dry and sweet smelling. Now I know the internet has been quite abuzz in the last few years with the fear that antiper

GRAPEFRUIT BODY SCRUB
The fastest and easiest way to get beautiful, glowing, touchable skin is by exfoliating with an oily scrub. And b-b-b-b-b-bonus: a study by the Smell and Taste Institute of Chicago found that when women smelled like grapefruit, men guessed their ages to be 6 years younger than they really were. This also makes a really great and affordable gift during the holidays. Smooth skin, the perception of youth, giftable, and all natural ingredients? You’re welcome, from the bottom of


BABA GANOUSH!
This super creamy and delicious Levantine delight is the perfect dip for pita chips or raw veggies. Like most of the dips and sauces I post about, you can use this for just about anything, on sandwiches, on salads, on top of roasted vegetables etc. It’s so easy and full of flavor. It makes a great sidekick to hummus and tapenade on an appetizer platter. There are many ways to cook an eggplant and tradionally, you would grill it whole to get a smoky flavor, but I wanted it fa


MOROCCAN SPICE STEW
I started out wanting to make a simple pureed carrot soup. But then I just kept thinking of more and more ingredients I wanted to add, and I realized that what I really wanted was to recreate one of the best meals I’ve ever had. I’m talking about a giant bowl of assorted Moroccan food that I got from the food court at the Louvre Museum, in France. The first and only time I went to Paris on a college class trip, we were primarily there to visit all the museums and sketch the l