The Vital Vegan

Nutrition and natural food expert Leah Vanderveldt puts the joy into plant-based cooking with over 100 easy and inventive recipes that redefine the boundaries for nourishing food.



With experience as an editor for the health and wellness website MindBodyGreen, Leah offers a new outlook on eating plant-based dishes for health and well-being. This is unashamed comfort eating – big hearty bowlfuls, packed full of goodness and rich in flavour. Her philosophy is to get the maximum enjoyment from foods by using seasonings and cooking techniques in over 100 simple recipes that offer indulgence and balance all at once. Affordability and accessibility is key, too, and these tasty, comforting and hearty meals are designed to bring excitement to the palate. Expect lots of colour, texture and flavour, with combinations of spice and freshness, creamy and crunchy, umami, sweet and sour. Try Spiced Buckwheat Porridge, Red Lentil Dahl, Winter Roasted Veg Bowl with Honey Balsamic Dressing, Curry-infused Quinoa with Herbed Black Lentils, Veggie Tacos with Five-seed Slaw, Planty Paella, Peanut Butter Cookies and Chocolate Bark with Dried Cherries and Almond Flakes. Plant-based comfort food incorporates an abundance of plant foods in meals that nourish the body and soul. It isn't heavy or overly rich, it can be light and healthy, while still being filling and flavourful.