Spring is in the air and many of us are dusting off our running shoes, uncovering our bikes, and getting ready for warm-weather outdoor activities!

I love playing outside as much as anyone, but I'm not a fan of Gatorade and other commercial "sports drinks." 

They always give me a headache and "stomach rot," even when I dilute them pretty considerably with water. (I think I just met my lifetime limit when training for my first marathon back in …

Back in October (2012), Diana left this comment on Happy Herbivore's Facebook page.

"My mother and I started plant-based diet and lost a total of 30 lbs. without much exercising. She also ditched 2 meds and her doctor is thrilled. We visited Mont Tremblant which is beautiful in the fall season. My sister is becoming more of a vegetarian. My cousin got baptized. My other cousin is getting married and so is my step-niece."

I contacted Diana to …

Feel that sunshine! This week's meal plan is bursting with flavors from the Caribbean and Island tropics with recipes like Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad — NEW! (family), Caribbean Black Bean Bowl, Island Portobello Burgers, Bean & Avocado Roll-Up — NEW! (family), Pineapple Teriyaki Chickpeas, Tropical Taco Salad, Sunrise Oatmeal and Pineapple Rice. 

PLUS, more NEW meals like my beloved Banana Split Parfait (both plans), BBQ Chickpea Wrap (individual) and Apple Pie Smoothies (both plans).

Take a nice, week-long Spring …

The most common food allergens are dairy, eggs, seafood (i.e., shellfish), tree nuts, peanuts, wheat/gluten and soy. Still, there are many other allergies and sensitivities to food out there. For example, I have a friend who is allergic to all citrus fruits, a friend's husband is allergic to quinoa, I can't eat broccoli, my sister is allergic to black pepper, my mom was allergic to bananas, and so on.

So often, people email me asking if they can …

I try not to get my wisdom from television — but a few weeks ago, a character said this line and I can't seem to get rid of it. It's been on loop in my life:

"At some point, it's not about giving up. It's about accepting your new reality."

In recent months, I've come to realize that while I love change, I only love change that I initiate. I don't wallow in change that's forced upon …