You've got questions...

Q: I switched to a soy-free, gluten-free, plant-based diet about a month ago, and have gained quite a bit of weight. Do you know why this might be? (Do you have any tips?)

A: It's hard for me to guess without seeing some kind of food journal to know exactly what you are eating — and how much. In most cases, I find people are 1) eating too many calories overall, 2) eating too many high-fat …

Here's an island-flavored twist on the Skillet Frijoles Negros in Everyday Happy Herbivore. 

Black beans & plantains are a common pairing in Caribbean cuisine, but I know how hard plantains are to find — and then they take eons to ripen. Anyway, I'm using bananas as a cheater approach — and trust me, it's good. 

Bananas are one of my favorite "surprise" ingredients — check out the Red Red Stew in EHH too and see what I mean. Nom! 

Back in November, Gina posted this beautiful picture of herself on Happy Herbivore's wall with the following caption:

"This time last year, I was telling everyone how thankful I was to have found you; I'd lost 30 lbs. cooking from your cookbooks and blog. Now, a year later, I can say I'm over 130 lbs. lost, due to your methods of cooking delicious food easily and quickly (and especially the meal plans!)! Thank you doesn't seem …

New recipes this week: Leek & Potato Soup (individual), Chickpea Gravy Bowl (both plans), and Spicy Black Bean & Corn Wrap (both plans). PLUS tons of fan faves that YOU keep requesting such as Chocolate Shake, Pecan Sweet Potato Bake, Hippie Loaf, Pineapple Quinoa Salad, and so many more easy "weeknight" recipes!

Individual Highlights

• Double Chocolate Muffin (single serving!)
• Hippie Loaf
• Cinnamon-Apple Oatmeal
• Leek & Potato Soup (NEW!)
• BBQ Rice & Veg
• Pecan Sweet Potato Bake
• Chickpea Gravy Bowl (NEW!)
• …

It's unfortunate, but most of us will come into contact with a "naysayer" when we switch to a plant-based diet. If that never happened to you, you are very lucky (and we're all jealous) but chances are you've experienced a naysayer, or you will at some point in your life.

Before I talk about ways to respond and deal with naysayers, there are two things you need to know (and keep in mind).

1. If someone is attacking you …