Welcome to my blog
The French name Vert au Verre translates to Green to Glass in English: the inspiration for this blog started with a glass of freshly made green juice!
This blog is for everyone who wishes to gradually introduce more plant-based protein in their diet. If your goal is to eventually adopt a flexitarian, vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, you will find guidance here. My recipes are also perfectly suited for people who wish to benefit from a gluten-free and dairy free diet, or for those who wish to simply recalibrate their dietary habits. The transition process of adopting a healthier diet, or a whole new lifestyle, can be quite challenging and time consuming. I intend to share my knowledge in nutrition and my cooking experiences to offer a variety of recipes, approved and tested, for the whole family.
About the blogger
Hi!
My name is Valerie, I’m a blogger, and mom of two active boys. A few years ago, I had a "aha moment" after viewing quite a few documentaries and reading many books detailing the link between food and : health, animal welfare, the environment, and world hunger. I wanted to eat less meat, and eventually adopt a mostly plant-based diet.
I did a lot of research before making the transition to eating a plant based diet. In fact, I discovered many fascinating related disciplines including vegetarian and vegan philosophies, the human microbiome, gluten-free and dairy-free diets, and nutrigenomics. To broaden my knowledge, I undertook studies in Nutritional Sciences and got my degree. Moreover, I took cooking classes to better master the art of vegan, raw, and gluten-free cuisine and homemade fermentations.
After adopting a mostly plant-based diet, I discovered firsthand the many health benefits of my green lifestyle. I was so enthusiastic about the new foods and recipes I was discovering, that I decided to embark on a new endeavor : offer transition guidance and support for individuals who wish to adopt an energizing, wholesome, earth friendly and ethical diet. The eating lifestyle I promote is flexible and non restrictive, it aims at gradually reducing the consumption of animal products, processed foods, gluten, and adding more natural foods, raw and fermented ingredients, juicing and blending, for optimal nutrition and health.
Making the transition from eating meat, or animal by-products, at every meal, to eating almost only plant-based protein sources can be tricky when you make the switch on your own. Moreover, if you are also making changes for your children and your spouse, some resistance is to be expected in the beginning. I have experienced these challenges, and pushed through to finally achieve my goal: prepare healthy well-balanced and delicious meals without depending on meat. My kids and spouse actually enjoy smoothies with wheatgrass and hemp seeds in them, their taste buds and cravings have evolved.
It’ll be “smooth(ie)” sailing from here on...
Valérie Gagnon
Val’s Favourite Vegan Recipes
In this article, you will find my list of suggested documentaries to learn more about the impact of meat eating on health, the environment, animal welfare, and poverty.
Wild rice recipe with tahini, raisins and almonds rich in fibre, gluten-free and vegan. This rice salad can be served warm or cold, and pairs really well with a nice green salad. Furthermore, the wild rice and roasted almonds add a wonderful crunchy texture to this salad.
I have to admit, shepherd's pie is a bit tacky, but it's definitely, most of the time, an ideal meal for picky eaters! I season my vegan ground with, among other ingredients, miso and liquid smoke, which gives it a meaty, savoury flavour that surpasses the taste of the bland ground beef normally used in this dish.
This recipe is a perfect go-to for your chocolate and crunchy cravings. Also, the chia, sunflower and pumpkin seeds added to this bark are rich in fiber and protein, in addition to being loaded with essential micronutrients (good fats, omega-3, vitamin E, etc.).
This refreshing beverage, made with coconut water kefir, is rich in beneficial bacteria and yeast. Just add the fruit juice of your choice. I love that it’s so easy to prepare ; I leave my fermentation at room temperature 12h-24h, and it becomes gassy and rich in probiotics!
My favorite caesar salad is made with kale, homemade coconut bacon, vegan parmesan, hemp seeds and this creamy caesar dressing made with cashews, roasted garlic and capers. Vegan, gluten-free, rich in prebiotics and probiotics, just perfect. Also, I like to add miso onions to my Caesar salad ; the onions are fermented in miso for one month and the taste is very similar to anchovies!
These pancakes are perfect for people who enjoy eating their breakfast at dinner. They are a good source of protein and I often serve these with a nutritious smoothie. Once you try this recipe, you will surely make it a household staple, and served with maple syrup or blackstrap molasses of course!
Delicious and easy to make this plant-based Saffron Basmati and Wild Rice, will surely please everyone! Gluten-free, vegan, high in fiber, and wholesome!
This sauce is a perfect addition for your favorite vegetable sandwiches, as a vegetable or pita chip dip, or to complement your favorite salad or buddha bowls. Once you try it, you will be addicted!
This is such a simple recipe to prepare, it’s also super tasty, versatile and healthy! These confit tomatoes can be served on crusty bread croutons, like a bruschetta, incorporated into BLT sandwiches, or added to stews for extra flavour.
Vegan tofu recipe with orange juice and teriyaki sauce. A perfect plant based dinner option served with sautéed vegetables and rice.
This sparkling drink is a natural and healthy take on the store-bought Ginger Ale. This recipe requires an additional fermentation step to make a fermented ginger juice. When the fermentation process is complete, you will get a gut friendly probiotic drink.
Delicious creamy cheese spread that will leave you spellbound! It’s rich in fiber and protein, vegan, and super easy to prepare! This spread is fermented and therefore a good source of probiotics and dairy-free! Eat it with your favorite toasted bread, sandwiches, or as a dip.
Delicious and easy to prepare, this creamy garlic cashew cheese spread will surely please everyone! This cheese is vegan, gluten-free, gut friendly, rich in fiber and in protein, and super healthy!
If you want to add more probiotics to your diet, give water kefir a try! Dairy-free and vegan-friendly, this tasty beverage offers beneficial bacteria and yeast and can easily be made at home!
This recipe is about delicious, homemade, vegan coconut bacon. Slowly roasted in the oven, they come out crisp, tasty, and smokey! A perfect addition for your BLT’s, salads and dips!
This delicious green smoothie recipe is an excellent way to get a good dose of healthy chlorophyll, manganese, and iron on a daily basis. It's refreshing and simple to make.
A delicious and easy to make pesto sauce that will surely please everyone! This recipe is gluten-free, vegan, gut friendly, and super healthy!
Delicious and easy to make this savory Dragon salad sauce, will surely please everyone! This buddha dressing recipe is gluten-free, vegan, gut friendly, and super healthy!
This is my recipe for vegan spaghetti bolognese sauce. It’s rich in protein and the texture of this sauce is reminiscent of the traditional meat version. This recipe is a staple in our household repertoire of vegan meals and my kids really enjoy it.
A tasty and comforting meatless recipe that will appeal to the whole family. Jackfruit is an exotic fruit from India. Its texture is comparable to pulled meat. The addition of beans makes this recipe even more wholesome and satisfying.
This creamy soup is rich enough to stand alone as a meal served with your favorite crusty bread. The convenience of using frozen store bought squash cubes, makes this recipe a good weeknight option. Serve this soup with your favorite garnishes : pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds or chopped cashews. This is a very satisfying, flavourful soup with many health benefits!
This vegan French toast recipe is a perfect substitute of the traditional version made with eggs. A fresh slice of artisan crusty bread, soaked in a mixture of silky tofu and browned to perfection. Start your day off right with this breakfast ; rich in fiber and protein. Furthermore, the yogurt is a wonderful source of probiotics!
This meatless chili has a texture similar to the traditional version. It’s sweet and savoury notes, will appeal to vegans as well as carnivores. For a touch of culinary decadence, you can add a mini piece of dark chocolate 90% or more cocoa when serving ; it will have melted, and you can stir it in the chili for a more intense cacao flavour.
Wheatgrass is a good source of protein, a great energy booster, beneficial for your overall immune function, and a fabulous source of antioxydants. Easy recipe to make it!
Are you ready for a fresh green juice detox today? This juice blend is an excellent way to get a good dose of healthy chlorophyll. An instant boost of nutrition and vitamins that’s just a drink away. It will give you excellent reason to start using your old juicer again or to consider purchasing one!
In this tutorial, I demonstrate how you can make delicious probiotic miso onions and garlic cloves. The end result is a nice dark amber color and a mouth watering layered, salty taste. Fermented onions and garlic cloves contain more nutrients and are more easily digested than their unfermented counterparts.
his is a very easy recipe to prepare, and it will make your taste buds travel with its aromatic spicy notes! The broth is flavored with a cinnamon stick, anise stars, cloves and Miso. A balanced vegan meal that will appeal to the whole family. For a gluten-free version of this recipe, substitute the couscous with quinoa.
This delicious, chlorophyll rich, mint seaweed smoothie recipe is an excellent way to get a good dose of healthy nutrients and fiber for optimal health. It's super tasty and simple to make.
Probiotic, fruity water kefir you can easily make at home! This version was prepared with dried dates, citrus fruit slices, and fermented for 3 days. Kefir is linked to various health benefits, including improved immunity and digestive health.
An easy vegan dark chocolate mousse recipe that requires only 3 ingredients and a bit of salt. It's super creamy, chocolaty, decadent, and healthy! This chocolate mousse pie is rich in protein, polyphenols, and antioxidants, vegan, and gluten-free.
Homemade almond milk made with almond butter. Any nut milk can be created using this simple technique. Watch my tutorial to see how simple it is to make!
This is a tasty tofu recipe that reminds me of a dish I used to order at a wonderful Chinese restaurant in Montreal. An exotic flavor combination that will surely please your taste buds.
Easy vegan pumpkin seed pesto recipe that is delicious with brown rice noodles. Roast your pumpkin seeds before adding to the recipe for extra depth and flavor.
Iron is an essential mineral that is critical for many of the body’s functions. It can be found in plant-based foods like grains, beans, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. Here is a list of 25 plant-based foods that are rich in iron.
Why eat organic? Certain foods are highly contaminated with chemicals. The following plants have the lowest amount of pesticides, therefore can be purchased non organic.
Enjoy this delicious vegan wafu sauce as a dressing on top of your favorite salads or as a sushi dip. A super delicious and addictive recipe that will surely become a family favorite!
Delicious and easy to make this plant-based maple and banana chia pudding topped with coconut cream, will surely please everyone! The recipe is gluten-free, vegan, high in fiber, gut friendly, and very healthy.
Delicious pulled jackfruit in BBQ sauce. This recipe is a wonderful vegan alternative of the traditional pulled porc in BBQ sauce sloppy joe.
This is a quick and easy fermentation. Make your homemade vegan cashew yogurt, rich in probiotics, without a yogurt machine!
Here is a range of informative books that will help you demystify the different diets. I invite you to do your own research, to be well informed about the different food modes, in order to make the best choice for your personal well-being.
An easy-to-prepare sparkling fruit juice drink. I leave my fermentation at room temperature 12h-24h, and it becomes bubbly and rich in probiotics! You must prepare a coconut water kefir beforehand (recipe below) and then you will be able to transform your favorite juice into a refreshing soda pop alternative!
This gluten-free and vegan oatmeal cookie recipe is sure to be a hit with the whole family! It's a chocolate chip and natural mint extract twist on the chocolate chip classic that is oh so satisfying and tasty. My boys really enjoy these in their lunchboxes, and it makes them eat more legumes!
This pink elixir contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids and living enzymes. Wheatgrass & Dragon Fruit Juice is made with nut milk bag and a blender, therefore no juicer is required to make it.
This dark chocolate pudding is not only tasty, it's also a good source of fiber and magnesium. It can be eaten as a snack or as a dessert. Made with healthy ingredients, this creamy and chocolatey concoction will certainly satisfy your sweet tooth cravings!
Lentils are a complete protein so a great alternative to replace animal protein. They are the stars among legumes: 14 grams of protein for only ¼ cup of dried lentils! And what I like the most: they don't need to be pre-soaked, like other legumes. This recipe for Dupuy lentils comes from my French friend, Delphine. It quickly became a staple recipe in our household!
Plant based milks are very wholesome and easy to digest. They are rich in vitamins and minerals, high in B vitamins and iron. Moreover, homemade granolas are the healthiest, thus avoiding industrial ingredients and transformation processes. Vegan, gluten-free, it's just the perfect breakfast or snack!
A refreshing mocktail infused with spices (cinnamon, anise, cloves, etc.) that requires a few days to ferment naturally. This beverage, made with coconut water kefir, is very easy to make and packed with beneficial bacteria and yeasts.
If you want to add more probiotics to your diet, give water kefir a try! Dairy-free and vegan-friendly, this tasty beverage offers beneficial bacteria and yeast and can easily be made at home!