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Quick Weeknight Meal: Tortellini Salad with Kale Pesto & Cherry Tomatoes

Welcome! I'm Donna Castellano, registered dietitian nutritionist, wife, mom, food photographer and blogger. Here you'll find deliciously simple plant-based meals for you and your family.

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Cheers friends! Even in the midst of some of the

Cheers friends! Even in the midst of some of the most difficult and challenging times, there is always something to be grateful for! I’m truly grateful to this community of bloggers, photographers and followers for the love, support and kindness you’ve shown me this year! Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and above all health, joy and peace!
Recipe for this festive and delicious Cosmopolitan:
•2 oz. vodka
•1 tbsp triple sec
•2 tbsp cranberry juice cocktail
•1 tbsp fresh lime juice
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour into your favorite glass. Makes one cocktail.
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#grateful #festive #cocktailsofinstagram #foodandwinemagazine #njphotographer #redbanknj #monmouthcountynj #cosmopolitan #cheerstoyou #christmascocktail #ediblejersey #foodphotography #foodblogger #bonappetitmag #williamssonomahome #feedfeed #food52 #foodgawker #foodandwine #christmasevedinner #foodtographyschool #foodstylist #goodeats #holidaycocktails #foodphotographer #drinksofinstagram

I’ve been busy putting together the last few ele

I’ve been busy putting together the last few elements of the new blog, so that it’s ready to go live right after the holidays!! Between that and getting ready for Christmas, I haven’t had time for much else. Luckily, I was able to squeeze in some time this weekend to shoot these delicious and Festive Endive Quinoa Cups! I stuffed endive leaves with cooked multi-colored quinoa, herbs, seasonings and combined with a bit of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, chopped walnuts, pomegranates and spoonful of smooth and creamy vegan chive cashew cheese that was out of this world! They’re the perfect appetizer or snack to munch on this holiday season! 🎄
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#foodblogger #holidayappetizers #veganappetizer #vegetarianappetizer #festivefood #njfoodblogger #njfoodphotographer #feedfeedvegan #vegnews #thrivemags #plantbased #wellandgoodeats #foodstylist #foodgawker #food52 #homecooking #healthylifestyle #healthyfood #bestofvegan #healthyeats #foodtographyschool

These Gingerbread Smoothies may be the most delici

These Gingerbread Smoothies may be the most delicious and festive treat I’ve had in a long time! And they’re healthy enough to enjoy for breakfast or have as a snack any time of day! The entire family will love them!
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•2 cups unsweetened vanilla nut or oat milk (I used macadamia nut milk and it was insanely delicious!)
•2 cups frozen bananas
•2 tbsp almond butter
•1 & 1/4 tsp all spice + an extra pinch of ground ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon for extra flavor
•2 tsp molasses (highly recommended) but if you don’t have molasses use maple syrup or sweeten with 2 small pitted dates
For topping: Add vegan or regular whipped cream and crushed gingerbread or gingersnap cookies and an extra sprinkle of your favorite spice!
Combine ingredients in a high powered blender, beginning with milk first then continue on with remaining ingredients for easier blending. Add toppings!
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#festive #gingerbread #plantbased #veganrecipes #vegetarianrecipes #healthyfood #foodphotography #monmouthcountynj #redbanknj #christmasrecipes #winter_classes_contrse #task1_winter_classes_contrse #feedfeedvegan #food52 #foodgawker #foodandnutritionmagazine #healthyaperture #ediblejersey #foodtographyschool #williamssonoma #bonappetit #foodcapturecollective #foodartblog #njrestaurants #wellandgoodeats #foodstylist #healthysmoothies #foodblogger #foodiesofinstagram #njfoodphotographer

It may be a magical time of year, but it can get h

It may be a magical time of year, but it can get hectic and many people lack the time and energy to prepare a healthy home cooked meal. But we can’t survive on candy canes and gingerbread cookies. So, I present to you the easiest, most comforting pasta dish I can think of to help get you through the holidays! This garlicky Farfalle with Artichokes, White Beans and Spinach takes about 20 minutes to prepare. It’s a great way to get in your greens, power up with protein and sustain your energy levels. You can sub in any type of pasta (gluten free, whole wheat, lentil or whatever you like).
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•1 lb farfalle pasta
•2 cans artichoke hearts (quartered and drained)
•1 small bag baby spinach
•1 15 oz can cannellini beans
•2-3 cloves garlic chopped
•1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives
•2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• about 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
•Vegan or regular Parmesan cheese
•Chopped fresh herbs (basil, thyme, parsley)
Boil water for and cook pasta according to package directions.
In meantime, heat olive oil in a large sauté pan. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant about a minute. Toss in the artichokes, beans and season with salt and pepper. Sauté only until heated through. Add the cooked pasta to the pan along with the spinach and olives. Ladle some of the pasta water into the pan and gently stir into the pasta and veggies. Top with grated cheese, chopped fresh herbs and drizzle with some extra oil.
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#plantbased #vegan #vegetarianrecipes #pasta #pastalover #bonappetit #foodphotography #njfoodblogger #njfoodphotographer #tastingtable #thekitchn #foodandwine #foodcapturecollective #foodartblog #easyweeknightmeals #monmouthcountynj #homecooking #italiandinner #vegnews #ediblejersey #redbanknj #foodblogger #healthyrecipeideas #foodstylist #foodtographyschool #twolovesstudio #feedfeedvegan #feedfeed #food52grams #foodgawker

Who’s doing some Christmas cookie baking this we

Who’s doing some Christmas cookie baking this weekend? I know a lot of my followers happen to be bakers and God bless you all! I love the thought of making cookies and getting into the spirit and all, but because I’m do a lot of baking I never really seem to enjoy it as much as in my dreams!! 🤣 Add photography and kids to the mix and my stress level goes up to 🤯! Anyone else relate or is it just me?? I did however survive making these Almond Snowball cookies (and even managed to make them plant-based and slightly healthier by using vegan butter and white whole wheat flour). How do guys cope with holiday baking? Is it magical like in a Hallmark movie or more like my reality? 🤦‍♀️🎄🙄
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#christmascookies #snowballcookies #christmasbaking #12daysofchristmas #holidayfoods #dessertsofinstagram #feedfeedbaking #food52grams #foodgawker #foodphotography #njfoodphotographer #tastingtable #inmykitchen #bokehandfood #bokeh #foodblogger #foodtographyschool #homebaking #foodstylist #foodblog #vegan #plantbased @ediblejersey #foodcapturecollective #virtualcookieparty2020

Appetizers! They’re always my favorite part of

Appetizers! They’re always my favorite part of any holiday meal! I’m usually searching last minute for recipes and ideas that are simple and easy to put together like these Vegan Herbed Ricotta and Cranberry Crostini! I used store bought vegan ricotta (you can use any good quality soft cheese you like) that I jazzed up with chopped thyme, rosemary and olive oil. Then topped the warm toasted crostini bread with chunky sweet cranberry sauce. And those colors!! They couldn’t be more perfect for your Christmas tablescape! ‘Tis the season my friends!
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#christmasappetizers #foodphotography #njfoodphotographer #vegan #vegetarianrecipes #plantbasedrecipes #food52 #feedfeed #foodgawker #healthyfood #foodandwinemagazine #bonappetitmag #veggie #tastingtable #foodart #foodstylist #foodblogger #thekitchn #ediblejersey

Easy weeknight meal alert! Leek and apple perogie

Easy weeknight meal alert! Leek and apple perogies are a one pot meatless meal you can have ready in about 20 minutes! It’s filling, warm, comforting, delicious and it’s a meal the whole family will love! Amen to that!! 🙌🏻 Adding on toppings like sour cream (or vegan sour cream), chopped nuts, extra herbs like chives or parsley make it even more tasty! Sometimes I mix in baby spinach for some extra greens🤗! Hope everyone is staying healthy and well! Recipe posted below:
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•1 package of your favorite potato perogies
•2 leeks (light green and white parts thinly sliced)
•1 apple sliced thin (recommend sweeter variety)
•2 tbsp vegan or regular butter
•salt and pepper
•vegan or regular sour cream, chives or nuts to add extra flavor and texture if desired
In a large sauté pan, heat half the butter on medium high heat. Sauté leeks for about 2-3 minutes, then add in the apples and sauté for another 3-5 minutes until soft but not falling apart. Transfer leek and apple mixture to a medium bowl. In the same pan, add in the remaining butter and sauté perogies until golden and cooked through, about 3-4 min per side adding a bit more butter if needed to prevent sticking. Add the apple leek mixture back to the pan and toss gently to combine. Serve with above suggested toppings! Enjoy!
#njfoodphotographer #foodgawker #feedfeed #foodphotography #food52grams #tastingtable #yahoofood #perogies #comfortfood #plantbased #healthylifestyle #vegan #veganrecipes #vegetarianrecipes #foodandwine #bonappetitmag #redbanknj #onepotmeal #monmouthmoms #easyrecipes @foodtographyschool #foodandnutritionmagazine

To many, this is just a picture of a bowl of eggpl

To many, this is just a picture of a bowl of eggplant. But to me, this bowl symbolizes the power that plant foods have to save someone’s life. Today is #WorldDiabetesDay and not enough is being said about the power of a whole food, plant-based diet to prevent, control or even reverse diabetes. Did you know that prospective cohort studies including the Nurses Health Study and The Health Professionals Follow Up Study concluded that healthy, plant-based diets can reduce diabetes risk by up to 34%?! Higher intakes of animal protein seem to have an impact on risk as well. The EPIC-Interact Study revealed an association between intakes of red and processed meat and increased risk of developing DM. The incredible benefits of plant based diets are in part related to lower fat and calorie content (which means less fat stored in the liver and muscle tissue) and higher fiber content which help decrease insulin resistance, reduce inflammation and improve overall control of blood glucose levels. But the benefits go beyond glucose control, including lower blood pressure and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Remember prevention is key! Knowledge is power!
#worlddiabetesday #healthyfood #vegan #vegetarian #plantbaseddiet #diabetesawareness #wholefoods #pcrm #plantricianproject #foodphotography #foodart #plantpower #monmouthhealthandlife

These salted maple Brussels sprouts may be the eas

These salted maple Brussels sprouts may be the easiest and tastiest part of my holiday menu! So simple, they’re perfect for weeknight cooking too! They’re sautéed with garlic, Himalayan pink salt and maple syrup! Talk about flavor...sweet and salty!! And that caramelization gets me every time! I think you’ll want this delicious side dish on your table too!
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In other news, the new blog is coming along nicely, but it’s requiring a lot of my attention and time so that I can make it the best experience for you once it goes live! For now, I’ll be posting most of my recipes here until it’s up and running! Can’t wait to share all the new features!! 🤗
For the recipe:
•4 cups Brussels sprouts (halved or quartered)
•2 cloves garlic sliced thin
•2 tbsp maple syrup
•1/2 tsp coarsely ground Himalayan pink salt
•2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
In a large sauté pan, heat oil and add the sprouts, syrup and salt. Sauté for 5 min. Add the garlic and continue to sauté for another 10 min until golden brown and crispy. Finish with a pinch more of salt.
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#njfoodphotographer #foodphotography #monmouthcountynj #foodandwinemagazine #bonappetitmag #veganrecipes #vegetarianrecipes #fallrecipes #thanksgivingmenu #plantbased #brusselsprouts #holidaymenu #easyveganrecipes #easyrecipes #healthyfood #ediblejersey #jerseybites #redbanknj #foodtographyschool #feedfeed #food52grams #foodgawker #healthyappetizers #healthyrecipes #tastingtable #onebowlchallenge

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The information on this blog is for general nutrition education purposes and is not intended to treat specific individual medical and nutritional needs.

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