May 2024 Newsletter

Greek chopped salad, loaded guacamole, lentil spinach soup, and more!

Hello! Here’s what’s happening at The Garden Grazer:

Ultimate Greek Chopped Salad

Crisp, refreshing, and utterly delicious! It’s been 10 years since I posted this recipe, so I recently updated the photos. I’m thrilled that it continues to be one of the more popular recipes on the site (because it’s definitely a favorite of mine!)

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Mexican Quinoa Salad

A bowl of rainbow goodness! This colorful quinoa salad with veggies & black beans is tossed in a simple cumin-lime dressing. It’s awesome made ahead for picnics, potlucks, and summer gatherings.

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Lentil Spinach Soup

This (simple yet spectacular) lentil soup has also been a reader-favorite for years. It’s budget-friendly goodness that’s made in one pot with veggies, warm spices, and protein-rich lentils.

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Loaded Guacamole

This “fully-loaded” remix adds hearty black beans, sweet corn, tomato, and zippy jalapeño to the classic guacamole flavors. So fun & tasty!

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5-Minute Lentil Tomato Salad

A speedy salad that’s ridiculously simple. (But also easy to expand & customize!) It’s great packed in the cooler for road trip nourishment, or as a super quick lunch or meal prep.

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Thanks for reading! To browse more easy vegan recipes:

-Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer

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Behind the Scenes

Amidst the warm, encouraging, and supportive comments I’ve received over the past 12+ years of food blogging, I’ve had a multitude of rather unsavory ones as well. They run the range from being angry & meanspirited, to confusing & perplexing, to sometimes making me chuckle. It all comes with the territory of putting yourself out there on the Internet. My food is my art, and I don’t expect it to be for everyone and that’s okay.

In the spirit of transparency & reflection, here’s a comment I received on my Butter Chickpeas Instagram post last month:

I certainly commiserate with a person’s frustration of purchasing ingredients and taking time to prepare a recipe only to feel the trash can is a more proper place for it than a bowl. Total bummer. That’s the furthest from my intentions when I post a recipe.

But at the same time, it got me thinking:

When did we start talking to each other this way?

And more importantly, why?

To be clear, I’m not sharing this for sympathy. Not at all. Rather a gentle reminder (for myself included) to nourish and sustain more gratitude and introspection in our lives. To hold space in our heart & soul for ourselves and others. To speak with intention and hold ourselves accountable. To walk with patience, self-reflection, thoughtful curiosity, and an abundance of love.

(Only sharing because I definitely struggle with this practice and have a long, long way to go.) ❤️

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Meanwhile on the mountainside… Bathing in beautiful balsamroot blooms. :)

Back on my favorite springtime hiking trail. (My ancient iPhone SE camera can’t quite do this view justice!)

I hope you’re doing whatever feeds your soul, too. Until next time.