In Canada, no outdoor space is complete without a BBQ. I decided it high time that I develop a new vegan burger recipe that I can enjoy, but that also caters to those with grain-free and nut-free lifestyles, but is still tasty, filling, and sturdy!

It's smoothie season! Well, wait. Every season is smoothie season as far as I am concerned. Even though I have recently retired my hat as a vegan, I do still prefer using a non-dairy base in my blended concoctions.

I don't know about anyone else, but this past week was a tease, and the above average warm temps had me swooning for summer. I think we all deserve a flashback to the hot, hot, heat. So this is one time that I say, go; go buy out of season fruit, and whip this dish up: peach faux-ghurt.

This cake wasn't dry at all. It was super moist, just sweet enough and way too good to have around the house. What was my secret weapon? Apple sauce. I love using apple sauce in my gluten free baked treats because it works in three magical ways to make for baking success.

By default, January is usually the month that best suits slurping up soup. Short days, long dark nights, cold winds, and freezing flurries. So far, this month has come in rather like a lamb, wouldn't you say? So let's talk food. Raw food.

It feels good to bake for those you love. And it feels even better to give the gift of goodness, and watch as every morsel is savoured with sweet satisfaction. So this year I challenged myself to create one new vegan seasonal recipe. And I went after the big one; I went after gingerbread.

To me, fall means root veggies of any kind. And one low-cost option that I always seem to have in my crisper is the humble carrot. Here, I am offering a super simple, low maintenance side, one that you can prep and forget. Lovely honeyed heirloom carrots!

Raw food is often seen in one of two ways: super bland and boring or far too complicated. But, there are also days when I just don't have the energy or time to commit to a prep-heavy menu, and on those occasions all I want is to be able to present as many fresh foods I can, in the quickest and simplest way possible. That's where this quick and easy raw applesauce comes in.

When times get tough, the tough get...protein. Well, I do anyway. Protein-packed, blood sugar stabilizing snacks at the ready to power me through long days or hard-core workouts. And these little bites should preferably have the ability to be prepared well ahead of time and frozen, or be whipped up in an emergency energy situation with ingredients that I often have on hand.

Afke Zonderland is the enthusiastic chef behind Foods Alive. She has a passion for gourmet vegetarian food and lives an abundant and healthy lifestyle in Okanagan, British Columbia. When she's not busy in the kitchen, you can find her biking the Rocky Mountain trails in the summer or skiing the same snow-covered trails in the winter. Foods Alive products are hand-made in a second kitchen in Afke's home on a small acreage in the North Okanagan.

Sprouted chickpeas are raw, so they're an easy way to hop onto the raw food wagon, and a delicious way to incorporate some raw protein and fibre into your diet every day! Try this twist on your standard appetizer of hummus for a delicious and crowd-pleasing recipe to introduce these raw beans to your brood this holiday season.

Protein is an extremely important nutrient that must be obtained in the diet daily. Protein in liquid form, as opposed to food, is much easier on the body and provides quick energy and nourishment. Food sources can take up to two hours to process, whereas a protein shake takes only 30 minutes. Try one of these delicious protein smoothie recipes, or create your own! The options are endless.

Sometimes I just want a plain old sandwich. I do adore PB & J. But what I have been loving lately, is a simple concoction inspired by a pre-packaged snack I saw at a local supermarket. It delivers all the necessary lunch-time desirables: flavour, texture, energy, and portability. This slick stacker will deliver substantial midday protein, and a solid serving of vegetables.

In some circles, vegans are considered the purists of the vegetarian world because of their more limited diet.Vegans eschew all animal-derivative food...