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vegan chocolate cake recipe

Fran Costigan’s Vegan Chocolate Cake to Live for Recipe + Interview & Giveaway

06/07/2017 by Sharon

fran costigan pastry chef

I’m excited to bring you the first interview in our Vegan Influencers Interview Series! There are so many amazing vegans taking the world by storm in the best, most delicious, compassionate, kind and inclusive way possible. Because compassion is at the heart of veganism, everyone you will hear from … [Read more...] about Fran Costigan’s Vegan Chocolate Cake to Live for Recipe + Interview & Giveaway

Filed Under: Desserts Tagged With: fran costigan interview, plant-based vegan cake, vegan cake recipe, vegan chocolate cake recipe, vegan dessert recipe

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sharon nazarian big city vegan

Latest on Instagram

thatsnazzylife

☀️Vegan Food+Recipes⁣
📍NYC⁣
📧 Partnerships: sharon@bigcityvegan.com

Sharon 🌱  Vegan Blogger 🌱


Vegan Trader Joe’s Items 💫 June 2022 Haul

T
Vegan Trader Joe’s Items 💫 June 2022 Haul 

This latest Trader Joe’s haul was a bit bonkers. I purchased most of the items shown here. I’ve tried many. Have you? What ones do you love, like, don’t like? Any other items we should know about?

Here are some highlights of some of my faves. 
* Pickle seasoning blend & Green Goddess seasoning blend. I’m putting on corn on the cob and in chickpea salad sandwiches. 
* Dill pickle mustard.
* Peanut butter caramel coated popcorn. 
* Decaf French Roast instant coffee - for quick lattes. 
* Salsa De Cacahuate - southern Mexican inspired salsa made with Chile peppers and peanuts.
* Organic sugar cones
* Soy Vanilla non-dairy frozen dessert - Vanilla Ice Cream
* Vegan cookies & cream Bon Bons - not to be confused with the non-vegan ones!
* Organic Dark Chocolate Truffle bar. If you’re not a dark chocolate fan, try the Oat chocolate bars… more like a milk chocolaty vibe
* Cauliflower Crisp Snack - these are vegan, gluten free, and no oil plant-based. Cauliflower and brown rice are the first two ingredients, followed by tapioca and coconut milk powder. 
* Organic kosher sandwich pickles
* Hold the Dairy mini cones
* Oat non-dairy frozen dessert sandwiches - aka ice cream sandwiches
* Coconut whipped topping
* Vegan marshmallows 

I’ve yet to try.
* Vegan mayo
* Dill pickle mini falafels
* Bamba puffed peanut & corn snacks with hazelnut crème filling
* Watermelon spread
* Bamba puffed peanut & corn snacks
* Spicy pickles in that cute jar

In addition to what’s in this reel, got lots of produce too. 
* Peaches - amazing!!
* Bananas - lots, always!
* Sweet potatoes
* Russet potatoes
* Beets 
* Broccoli
* Arugula

And other stuff.
* Apple sauce
* Roasted seaweed snacks
* Habanero Lime tortillas
* Soy milk
* Raw almonds
* Kombucha
* Maple syrup
* Ciabatta rolls

What are your favorite things to get from TJs? 

Have you spotted any new vegan items? 

🧡 Follow for more vegan finds, recipes & lifestyle tips at @thatsnazzylife 

#traderjoesfinds #traderjoeshaul #vegantraderjoes #traderjoesvegan #bigboxvegantraderjoes @traderjoes #veganlifestyle #veganicecream #vegansnacks



Iconic Candy Bars now VEGAN thanks to Go Max Go 🍫🧡⭐️🤩

Do you or did you before going vegan love iconic candy bars like Twix, Snickers, Heath, Milky Way, 3 Musketeers? 

The chocolate coating of these bars tastes like milk chocolate, but it’s dairy free and vegan!!

If you miss these iconic candy bars from your pre-vegan days, or even if you’re not vegan, these bars are better in every way! 

Check their website for locations near you that may have them. Also available to order on their website and Amazon. 

Just love these bars and wanted to share in case you are looking for something like these in your life! 

My favorite is the Buccaneer which is like a 3 Musketeers. Yummmm!! 

🧡
🌱
🧡
🌱

#vegancandy #iconiccandy #candybars #vegancandybar #veganlifestyle #plantbasedliving #vegantreats #gomaxgofoods #gomaxgo #vegantwix #vegansnickers #veganchocolate

I went 🍌 B-A-N-A-N-A-S 🍌at the grocery store
I went 🍌 B-A-N-A-N-A-S 🍌at the grocery store!! 

I was tired of always running out of frozen bananas for smoothies. 

Are you a banana smoothie person? 

I like to make a thick milkshake-type smoothie with bananas, water or plant milk, and my favorite protein powder. Lately I started using Ka’Chava chocolate protein powder @kachava I use the vanilla when I add berries. So delicious!

Do you have a favorite protein nutrition powder? 
What do you like in your smoothies? Answer with emoji(s), just for fun. 😄

Cheers!!

P.s. Is it just me, or do you think we need a smoothie cheers emoji too? 

#bananasmoothie #plantbasedvegan #smoothietime #smoothielove #vegansofinstagram #chocolatesmoothie #plantbasedlifestyle #veganlifestyle

✨ Gratitude Turns What You Have Into Enough ✨

✨ Gratitude Turns What You Have Into Enough ✨

This Memorial Day and always we remember and honor by living life to the fullest and with an abundance mindset! 

This plant-based charcuterie board is a bit nutty and cheesy, but I’m so here for it!! What emoji represents your favorite charcuterie board food?

Featuring:
🌱 Mary’s Gone Crackers @marysgonecrackers 
🌱 Trader Joe’s tortillas - I cut and made into tortilla chips! @traderjoes 
🌱 Follow Your Heart vegan bleu cheese @followyourheart 
🌱 Vegan brie cheese
✨ The Very Good Butchers Very Good Pepperoni plant-based sausage @theverygoodbutchers 
🌱 Kite Hill non-dairy cream cheese with fresh dill from my herb garden @kitehillfoods 
🌱 Grape tomatoes
🌱 Peanuts
🌱 Macadamia nuts

What are you grateful for today? 

#gratitudequotes #plantbasedfood #vegancharcuterie #vegancheese #veganpartyfood #vegansnacks #veganappetizer #veganlifestyle #plantbasedlifestyle  #charcuterieboard #vegantasty #feedfeedvegan

✨ Tips on How to Go Vegan in 2022 ✨.

Learn &
✨ Tips on How to Go Vegan in 2022 ✨. 

Learn & get inspired!! 

🌱 explore new foods and veganize your favorite eats *many some may be vegan already* 
🌱 learn and become even more inspired 

Documentaries to watch 
🎞 What the Health @wthfilm 
🎞 Game Changers @gamechangersmovie 
🎞 The Ghosts in our Machine @theghostsinourmachine 
🎞 Forks Over Knives @forksoverknives 
🎞 Cowspiracy @cowspiracy 
🎞 Seaspiracy @seaspiracy 
🎞 Vegucated @vegucated 
🎞 A Prayer for Compassion @compassionmovie 
…just to name a few

Accounts to follow ~ so many, but here are a few
@thefeedfeed.vegan 
@bestofvegan 
@diannewenz 
@veganzinga 
@caracelestewest
@bigboxvegan 
@fitgreenmind 
@veganricha 
@plantbasednews 
@pbnfood 
@plantbasedrd 
@thatsnazzylife 😄 that’s me! 

Hashtags for food Iinspo
#veganrecipes 
#plantbasedrecipes 

Comment below with questions, thoughts, other resources, your favorite vegan or plant-based accounts, podcasts, restaurants, tips, movies, books, etc. 

Cheers!! 
Sharon @thatsnazzylife 

….
#veganlifestyle #goingvegan #vegansofig #veganshare #govegan #veganfortheplanet  #veganfortheanimals #veganforeverything #icareelschallenge #veganreels


4-Ingredient Watermelon Spring Summer Salad Recipe
4-Ingredient Watermelon Spring Summer Salad Recipe 

🌱 The combination of watermelon, tomatoes, fresh-squeezed lime juice, and fresh mint makes this spring salad/summer salad so refreshing and delicious. It's plant-based, gluten-free, oil free, and vegan. 

🌱 Great to serve in the warmer months, or just keep in rotation on the regular. Meal prep friendly, the salad will last a few days in the fridge. My non-vegan friends gave this watermelon tomato salad recipe a big thumbs up. 

🍉 Watermelon Tomato Salad Recipe Ingredients 

3 cups cubed watermelon (approximately 1 1/2 inch size pieces)
2 1/2 cups Campari or other medium-size tomatoes, quartered
3-4 limes, juiced
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

🌱 Feel free to adjust amounts to your preferences. 

🌱 Toppings are totally optional. Here are some suggestions.

* A pinch of sea salt on brings out even more of the flavor. 
* Hemp seeds add some nice texture and a little nutty flavor. 
* Vegan feta makes this a watermelon salad with feta. If you like that combo, go for it! 

✨Would love to know if you make this, how you served it, with what toppings, and how you liked it. 

✨ Note: If you are a fan of feta cheese, Follow Your Heart’s vegan feta is the most delicious store-bought vegan feta I’ve had that I love and recommend trying.

🧡 Follow for more easy plant-based vegan recipes @thatsnazzylife 🧡
 .
.
.
.

#watermelonsaladrecipe #springsaladrecipe #plantbasedhealthyrecipes #veganrecipestasty #plantbasedrecipes #summersaladrecipeideas #easyvegandishes 
#springsalad #watermelonsalad #veganlife


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Vegan Trader Joe’s Items 💫 June 2022 Haul T Vegan Trader Joe’s Items 💫 June 2022 Haul 

This latest Trader Joe’s haul was a bit bonkers. I purchased most of the items shown here. I’ve tried many. Have you? What ones do you love, like, don’t like? Any other items we should know about?

Here are some highlights of some of my faves. 
* Pickle seasoning blend & Green Goddess seasoning blend. I’m putting on corn on the cob and in chickpea salad sandwiches. 
* Dill pickle mustard.
* Peanut butter caramel coated popcorn. 
* Decaf French Roast instant coffee - for quick lattes. 
* Salsa De Cacahuate - southern Mexican inspired salsa made with Chile peppers and peanuts.
* Organic sugar cones
* Soy Vanilla non-dairy frozen dessert - Vanilla Ice Cream
* Vegan cookies & cream Bon Bons - not to be confused with the non-vegan ones!
* Organic Dark Chocolate Truffle bar. If you’re not a dark chocolate fan, try the Oat chocolate bars… more like a milk chocolaty vibe
* Cauliflower Crisp Snack - these are vegan, gluten free, and no oil plant-based. Cauliflower and brown rice are the first two ingredients, followed by tapioca and coconut milk powder. 
* Organic kosher sandwich pickles
* Hold the Dairy mini cones
* Oat non-dairy frozen dessert sandwiches - aka ice cream sandwiches
* Coconut whipped topping
* Vegan marshmallows 

I’ve yet to try.
* Vegan mayo
* Dill pickle mini falafels
* Bamba puffed peanut & corn snacks with hazelnut crème filling
* Watermelon spread
* Bamba puffed peanut & corn snacks
* Spicy pickles in that cute jar

In addition to what’s in this reel, got lots of produce too. 
* Peaches - amazing!!
* Bananas - lots, always!
* Sweet potatoes
* Russet potatoes
* Beets 
* Broccoli
* Arugula

And other stuff.
* Apple sauce
* Roasted seaweed snacks
* Habanero Lime tortillas
* Soy milk
* Raw almonds
* Kombucha
* Maple syrup
* Ciabatta rolls

What are your favorite things to get from TJs? 

Have you spotted any new vegan items? 

🧡 Follow for more vegan finds, recipes & lifestyle tips at @thatsnazzylife 

#traderjoesfinds #traderjoeshaul #vegantraderjoes #traderjoesvegan #bigboxvegantraderjoes @traderjoes #veganlifestyle #veganicecream #vegansnacks
Iconic Candy Bars now VEGAN thanks to Go Max Go 🍫🧡⭐️🤩

Do you or did you before going vegan love iconic candy bars like Twix, Snickers, Heath, Milky Way, 3 Musketeers? 

The chocolate coating of these bars tastes like milk chocolate, but it’s dairy free and vegan!!

If you miss these iconic candy bars from your pre-vegan days, or even if you’re not vegan, these bars are better in every way! 

Check their website for locations near you that may have them. Also available to order on their website and Amazon. 

Just love these bars and wanted to share in case you are looking for something like these in your life! 

My favorite is the Buccaneer which is like a 3 Musketeers. Yummmm!! 

🧡
🌱
🧡
🌱

#vegancandy #iconiccandy #candybars #vegancandybar #veganlifestyle #plantbasedliving #vegantreats #gomaxgofoods #gomaxgo #vegantwix #vegansnickers #veganchocolate
I went 🍌 B-A-N-A-N-A-S 🍌at the grocery store I went 🍌 B-A-N-A-N-A-S 🍌at the grocery store!! 

I was tired of always running out of frozen bananas for smoothies. 

Are you a banana smoothie person? 

I like to make a thick milkshake-type smoothie with bananas, water or plant milk, and my favorite protein powder. Lately I started using Ka’Chava chocolate protein powder @kachava I use the vanilla when I add berries. So delicious!

Do you have a favorite protein nutrition powder? 
What do you like in your smoothies? Answer with emoji(s), just for fun. 😄

Cheers!!

P.s. Is it just me, or do you think we need a smoothie cheers emoji too? 

#bananasmoothie #plantbasedvegan #smoothietime #smoothielove #vegansofinstagram #chocolatesmoothie #plantbasedlifestyle #veganlifestyle
✨ Gratitude Turns What You Have Into Enough ✨ ✨ Gratitude Turns What You Have Into Enough ✨

This Memorial Day and always we remember and honor by living life to the fullest and with an abundance mindset! 

This plant-based charcuterie board is a bit nutty and cheesy, but I’m so here for it!! What emoji represents your favorite charcuterie board food?

Featuring:
🌱 Mary’s Gone Crackers @marysgonecrackers 
🌱 Trader Joe’s tortillas - I cut and made into tortilla chips! @traderjoes 
🌱 Follow Your Heart vegan bleu cheese @followyourheart 
🌱 Vegan brie cheese
✨ The Very Good Butchers Very Good Pepperoni plant-based sausage @theverygoodbutchers 
🌱 Kite Hill non-dairy cream cheese with fresh dill from my herb garden @kitehillfoods 
🌱 Grape tomatoes
🌱 Peanuts
🌱 Macadamia nuts

What are you grateful for today? 

#gratitudequotes #plantbasedfood #vegancharcuterie #vegancheese #veganpartyfood #vegansnacks #veganappetizer #veganlifestyle #plantbasedlifestyle  #charcuterieboard #vegantasty #feedfeedvegan
✨ Tips on How to Go Vegan in 2022 ✨. Learn & ✨ Tips on How to Go Vegan in 2022 ✨. 

Learn & get inspired!! 

🌱 explore new foods and veganize your favorite eats *many some may be vegan already* 
🌱 learn and become even more inspired 

Documentaries to watch 
🎞 What the Health @wthfilm 
🎞 Game Changers @gamechangersmovie 
🎞 The Ghosts in our Machine @theghostsinourmachine 
🎞 Forks Over Knives @forksoverknives 
🎞 Cowspiracy @cowspiracy 
🎞 Seaspiracy @seaspiracy 
🎞 Vegucated @vegucated 
🎞 A Prayer for Compassion @compassionmovie 
…just to name a few

Accounts to follow ~ so many, but here are a few
@thefeedfeed.vegan 
@bestofvegan 
@diannewenz 
@veganzinga 
@caracelestewest
@bigboxvegan 
@fitgreenmind 
@veganricha 
@plantbasednews 
@pbnfood 
@plantbasedrd 
@thatsnazzylife 😄 that’s me! 

Hashtags for food Iinspo
#veganrecipes 
#plantbasedrecipes 

Comment below with questions, thoughts, other resources, your favorite vegan or plant-based accounts, podcasts, restaurants, tips, movies, books, etc. 

Cheers!! 
Sharon @thatsnazzylife 

….
#veganlifestyle #goingvegan #vegansofig #veganshare #govegan #veganfortheplanet  #veganfortheanimals #veganforeverything #icareelschallenge #veganreels
4-Ingredient Watermelon Spring Summer Salad Recipe 4-Ingredient Watermelon Spring Summer Salad Recipe 

🌱 The combination of watermelon, tomatoes, fresh-squeezed lime juice, and fresh mint makes this spring salad/summer salad so refreshing and delicious. It's plant-based, gluten-free, oil free, and vegan. 

🌱 Great to serve in the warmer months, or just keep in rotation on the regular. Meal prep friendly, the salad will last a few days in the fridge. My non-vegan friends gave this watermelon tomato salad recipe a big thumbs up. 

🍉 Watermelon Tomato Salad Recipe Ingredients 

3 cups cubed watermelon (approximately 1 1/2 inch size pieces)
2 1/2 cups Campari or other medium-size tomatoes, quartered
3-4 limes, juiced
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

🌱 Feel free to adjust amounts to your preferences. 

🌱 Toppings are totally optional. Here are some suggestions.

* A pinch of sea salt on brings out even more of the flavor. 
* Hemp seeds add some nice texture and a little nutty flavor. 
* Vegan feta makes this a watermelon salad with feta. If you like that combo, go for it! 

✨Would love to know if you make this, how you served it, with what toppings, and how you liked it. 

✨ Note: If you are a fan of feta cheese, Follow Your Heart’s vegan feta is the most delicious store-bought vegan feta I’ve had that I love and recommend trying.

🧡 Follow for more easy plant-based vegan recipes @thatsnazzylife 🧡
 .
.
.
.

#watermelonsaladrecipe #springsaladrecipe #plantbasedhealthyrecipes #veganrecipestasty #plantbasedrecipes #summersaladrecipeideas #easyvegandishes 
#springsalad #watermelonsalad #veganlife
NEW VEGAN ITEMS at TRADER JOE’S Vegan Spinach & NEW VEGAN ITEMS at TRADER JOE’S

Vegan Spinach & Cashew Ravioli - Thin stuffed pasta with spinach and a velvety cashew filling. My sister and I both really enjoyed these. They cook up in 4 minutes… talk about a quick meal! 

Vegan Buffalo Style Dip - Creamy and delicious. Maybe more of a newish item since I think this came out in March. Love the ingredients. First on the list is cauliflower. There’s also carrots, red peppers, and pumpkin seeds for some added crunch. 

Have you tried these? What do you think? 

How would you eat them? 

I’m totally mixing that dip with mashed chickpeas to make a buffalo chickpea spread. 

Any other new, newish, or oldies but goodies Trader Joe’s items you like that we should all know about? Drop a line in the comments. 

Cheers to Kreg at @bigboxvegan for tipping us off to the Vegan Spinach & Cashew Ravioli. You can follow his account and specific hashtags to find the latest at different stores. The one for TJs is #bigboxvegantraderjoes.

Feel free to tag your favorite vegan accounts too. Gotta love the vegan community here!! :) 

I hope you have a wonderful week!! 
Sharon

#traderjoesfinds #veganmarketfinds #vegan #plantbased #traderjoesnewitem #vegantraderjoes #traderjoesvegan #traderjoes  #veganfood #dairyfree #dairyfreelife
✨ Better than Reese’s Chocolate Covered Peanut ✨ Better than Reese’s Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Eggs ✨ 5-Ingredient Recipe

WAY healthier & better than the OG, these have been tested and vegans and non-vegans approved!! 😀

⭐️ Just mix together the following ingredients until you have a dough. 

1/2 cup creamy natural peanut butter, I used @costco Kirkland brand (the best!!)
1/4 cup powdered peanut butter, I used PB2 @pb2foods 
1/4 cup powdered sugar 
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

⭐️ Shape into balls, then mold into an egg shape. 

⭐️ Place on a parchment-lined baking tray.

⭐️ Freeze for about 20 minutes to set and firm up. 

⭐️ After the eggs have firmed up in the freezer, melt your chocolate. 

* You’ll need about 10 ounces of chocolate or 1 1/4 cup chocolate chips. I love @enjoylifefoods mini chocolate chips. If you temper your chocolate you will get that snap. 

⭐️ Remove the eggs from the freezer and start dipping. 

Once you’ve coated all the eggs, if the chocolate doesn’t set in about 10 minutes, go ahead and return them to the freezer for about 10-20 minutes to set. 

Enjoy!! 

Happy Easter!!

🧡 Sharon

#reesespeanutbuttereggs #reesespeanutbuttereggrecipe
#copycatreeseseggs #chocolatecoveredpeanutbutter #veganreeseseggs #veganrecipes #veganrecipeshare #veganchocolate

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