As a flexitarian, I promote a plant-based lifestyle and encourage others to incorporate more vegan and vegetarian meals into their diet. While I do still consume animal products (conscientiously), I prioritize a plant-based diet and believe in the benefits of vegan food for both personal and environmental health. Plant-based eating can:
Cook healthy meals that help you lose weight
Save you money (meat and animal products are expensive!)
Reduce your environmental impact
Increase your micronutrient intake
Increase your phytonutrient intake
Improve heart health & lower blood pressure
& potentially even help you live longer!
For those of you who are carnivores, switching to a plant-based diet might seem a daunting task. I encourage you to take it slow, and start where I started- just commit to one meal per day being 100% plant-based. Here’s some easy ways you can incorporate plant-based eating and healthy food recipes into your lifestyle here in Houston!
Visit a local Farmer’s Market
There’s no better way to get nutritious and delicious FRESH veggies, than by visiting a local farmer’s market. Shopping local means that the produce is picked at the peak of ripeness, which makes for tastier + more nutritious healthy recipes. Find me at Urban Harvest Farmers Market on Saturdays 8am-12pm. This is Houston’s biggest farmer’s market and there are so many great produce vendors! There’s also several vendors there who sell plant-based items (such as plant-based burgers, pupusas, and even Indian curries!).
Get plant-based meals delivered to your door from Prep to Your Door
One of the easiest ways to get vegan food in Houston- have it delivered to you! Prep To Your Door is a Texas-based, female-owned biz that is shaking up the meal-prep industry. Not only are they 100% plant-based, but they are also Texas’ only zero waste meal prep company (read more about how they do this here). If you are new to plant-based and healthy food recipes and don’t know what to cook (or dont have time!), PTYD is your answer- check out this week’s menu here. I love this company so much that I invested in them! Use Code HOLISTICINHOUSTON20 at checkout for $20 off your first week of meals.
Eat & Drink at Verdine
One of my favorite vegan restaurants- this is a great spot for vegans who want some comfort food (like burgers, pizza and even a chili dog!). Their desserts are fantastic and they also have an impressive wine list consisting of sustainable, organic, and certified vegan wines. They even have gluten free & nut free options, so most dietary restrictions can be accommodated!
Eat at Pondicheri + try some of their at-home recipes
This is quite possibly my favorite restaurant in Houston! My boyfriend and I eat here several times a month. If you like Indian food with a twist, you will LOVE Pondicheri. They are not a strictly vegan restaurant, but they have SO many vegan options and a plant-forward menu. I love to get the Earth Thali! They also have a ton of plant-based healthy recipes available on their sister website, India1948. I recommend trying the Cauliflower Lentil Pilaf recipe; it’s gluten free + vegan and tastes amazing! This is a great resource to spice up your cooking (literally) and get out of your comfort zone in the kitchen.
Check out Vegan H-Town
For all full list of vegan restaurants + vegan-friendly events in Houston, Vegan H-Town is your go-to resource! You can search healthy food restaurants by cuisine type, and they even have a map view for easy selection.
Don't forget, it's okay to start small. Even just replacing one meal per day with a vegan or vegetarian option can make a significant impact on your health, budget, and the environment. No matter where you are on your plant-based journey, consider branching out of your comfort zone and supporting local businesses as you adopt a healthier lifestyle. For recipe ideas and inspiration, be sure to check out our collection of delicious vegan and vegetarian lunch and dinner recipes here. #supportlocal
In good health,
Haley