Hello and welcome to my new little corner of the internet! I'm Emily - the person running all things behind Plant Empowered Kitchen. It is great to connect with you and I am so happy you are here!
MISSION:
My mission is to:
- Help you discover the joy and abundance of plant-based cooking and empower you to lead a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.
Whether you eat a vegan diet or just want to add more plants to your plate - the recipes on my site are for you!
My Plant-Based Backstory:
I pursued a career in dietetics because I genuinely love food. I appreciate the ability to connect with others through food, whether it be through conversation, experimenting in the kitchen, or sharing a meal.
Two years into my career working as a Registered Dietitian, I attended a presentation on the environmental impacts of animal agriculture. This was my first exposure (that I recall anyway) to learning how factory-farming is destroying our ecosystems and it evoked many emotions including confusion about how this could be true, sadness, and concern. Now this talk was fortunately not all doom-and-gloom and there was positivity and enthusiasm shared around what adopting a plant-based diet can do for our land, air, and water. Shortly after this talk, I decided to do a 30-day vegan challenge to make a positive impact on the environment. During this 30-day challenge I experimented with new recipes, watched a few documentaries, and started reading various vegan/vegetarian research articles. I approached the transition with curiosity and flexibility. The more I learned, the more excited I felt about eating a vegan diet and once I reached my 30-day mark I did not want to return to my omnivorous meals. At the time I was training for a half-marathon and felt I was recovering from workouts well so I decided I would stick with it until after my race.
Fast-forward 10 years and I am still vegan and can attest to numerous benefits it has brought to my life - not just for my own health, but for the health of the planet and all its inhabitants. This choice aligns with my morals and values and has helped me become a more empathetic and compassionate person.
What You Will Find on Plant Empowered Kitchen:
You will find easy-to-follow, nutritious, vegan recipes as well as nutrition tips and evidenced-based information.
A key strategy to eating creating satisfying plant-based meals is to ensure you have a phenomenal replacement for whatever animal product(s) you are taking out. Here are just a few examples:
- Love eggs? Try making a flavorful tofu scramble and include kala namak (Himalayan black salt) for that sulfur-eggy flavor.
- Obsessed with buffalo chicken wraps? Swap in soy curls for chicken and top with your favorite sauce + toppings.
- Tuna salad sandwich fanatic? Try smashing chickpeas for that flakey, chewy texture.
When I'm NOT in the Kitchen…
I currently work as a Lifestyle and Culinary Medicine Program Coordinator with the Department of Lifestyle Medicine at Trinity Health Ann Arbor as well as work with a select number of endurance athletes through my private practice. I have resources and more info on GI and Sports Nutrition at Haller Health and Wellness.
When I am not working, you'll likely find me spending time outside cycling, on a run, or walk, spending time with friends, or reading. I love nature and exploring by bike or on foot. I love animals and have 3 kitties - Scout, Oakley, and Soba Noodle.
