FAQ’s

• When and why did you start Veggie Chick?

I started Veggie Chick in January of 2014. I enjoy cooking and I started this site to help others find nutritious and flavorful whole food, plant-based recipes, as well as offer tips to make people’s lives easier in the kitchen.

• Where did you get the name “Veggie Chick”?

A few years ago, I started a videography business called “Video Chick”. Eventually, that company name dissolved but the “chick” stuck. I feel it represents me and my site so well. Plus, it’s just a catchy name.

• Where do you shop for your ingredients?

I shop at Trader Joe’s a lot (I’m there at least 4-5 times a week). I love Whole Foods, and I also shop some other local markets in my hometown area (Holiday Market, Westborn Market, etc.). I love farmer’s markets but it’s hard to find all-organic in Michigan. I always look for the freshest ingredients possible.

• Which photography equipment do you use?

My background is in video production, and I’ve been experimenting and learning photography since 2003, and I taught a digital photography college course back in 2008. My husband is also a professional photographer so he gives me some awesome tips. Currently, I use a Canon 6D and I love it. I use both a 50mm and a 100mm lens for all of my photo work. I use a Manfrotto tripod, and small bounce board. With my current schedule and the fact that I live in Michigan, I usually shoot using a soft box light.

• When are you going to write a cookbook?

My ultimate dream is to one day write a cookbook. I’m hoping someday it will become a reality!

• Can I use your photos on my blog/website?

If you’d like to use my photos, please send me a message for permission. I don’t allow use of my photos for other blogs, unless you credit and link to my website. Please see my Privacy and Disclosure Policy.

• What do you eat in a typical day?

Breakfast– I’ve never been much of a breakfast person, so it’s always a struggle in the morning. Usually it takes me a couple hours to even get hungry, so 9 times out of 10, I have a smoothie. I add a combination of Juice Plus Complete powder (contact me for more info), and an array of fruits and vegetables with almond, coconut or flax milk. I throw it all in my Vitamix and I’m out the door. I’m also not the biggest fruit person so I try to get in as much as I can in my morning smoothie.

Lunch– I’m usually at work, so I eat healthy leftovers from dinner the night before. On weekends, I made a quick salad or a small meal.

Dinner– Dinner is my favorite meal of the day! I make a combination of healthy grains, beans, vegetables, and salads, and anything else you see on this website. I try to limit my pasta to just once every couple weeks, and I try to add as much whole foods (quinoa, lentils, etc.) to my diet as possible. I absolutely LOVE vegetables so I try to add as many as I can in every meal. Whenever I make dinner, I always make double the recipe so I have leftovers for lunch the next day.

Snacks– Currently, I love nuts, Hemp Hearts Crunchy Hemp Snacks, and hummus with baby carrots. I’m always trying new healthy snacks because I get bored easily.

I try to drink as much water as possible (sometimes with a little lemon, rosemary and mint). I also love coffee and drink it with a tiny 1/2 teaspoon of agave (I’m trying to eliminate all sugar) and soy creamer from Trader Joe’s.

Desserts– This is usually my end-of-the-night chocolate fix. I’ll have a piece of dark chocolate, or a small scoop of chocolate or strawberry coconut milk ice cream (dairy free). Delicious!

Favorites– Pizza is my ultimate weakness, so I try to have it once a month or so (without cheese). Some of my other favorites include:

• Indian food with Naan bread
• Middle Eastern garlic sauce
• tomatoes
• pesto
• arugula
• coconut
• chocolate
• Green Pepper Tabasco
• avocados
• peanut butter-and-chocolate-combos
• Cabernet and other red wine

What is your workout routine?

My goal is to work out 4-5 days a week. I joined a fitness center that offers super fun group fitness classes, and that has become my new obsession. I usually try to fit it in at 6am before work (I love getting it out of the way early in the day). I get EXTREMELY bored on a treadmill, so I love to mix it up by taking dance, weight lifting, kickboxing, and step classes. On the weekends, I absolutely love running or walking outside. And with Michigan winters, I try to take advantage of good weather any chance I can get. I have noticed that I’m MUCH happier the more I get moving, and especially when I get outside. I also used to be completely obsessed with salsa dancing (I’m still pretty good at it!) so I try to mix that in every once in awhile too.

If you have other questions, shoot me a message. =)