We all know I'm a short-cut cook and I love my spices. Ahh how much easier (not to mention tasty!) spices make my life...

Recently I was having a conversation with a friend -- she'd said she added a whopping 1 tbsp of cayenne to something and it still wasn't spicy... what gives? 

My eyes started tearing up at the thought! Cayenne is so strong! How could my friend possibly stand all that heat and say it's bland?! 

Ask Happy Herbivore: Your Questions Answered!

Have a question for me? leave a comment, share it on the Facebook wall or send me an email! Lindsay-at-happyherbivore-dot-com

1. What are some protein-rich foods?

Quinoa, greens (i.e. spinach), beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, soy (such as soy milk and tofu). Bare in mind that all foods -- even bananas and kale -- have protein. So even when you're not eating a protein-rich food, you're still getting protein.

Also, please, please read my blog …

Anytime I'm interviewed, this question comes up -- and it's a good one!

Where do you get inspiration for your recipes? 

 For me, it’s a mix of trying to recreate foods I used to eat that were either not vegan or maybe not so healthy, responding to requests and suggestions by Herbies and being moved by an ingredient. 

For example, I might spend all day playing around with chickpea flour because I think its a great alternative flour that …

Here are some of the meals you can expect to eat on this weeks meal plan:

• Pumpkin Muffins
• Pad Thai
• Butternut Soup
• Chipotle Corn Soup
• Garden Chowder
• Mexican Cabbage
• L.A. Tacos 
• French Toast

I'm also including a new feature -- 50 snacks under 50 calories. (All healthy!)

Download & Donate Now

See what people are saying:

"Following the 1200 calorie plan by @happyherbivore and loving it!" - @metaliciousgems

"I love @happyherbivore's simple meal plans... they make life so …

I've been busy trying to clean out our fridge and pantry in preparation for our move. This means using only the ingredients I have on hand and if something runs out, too bad. 

That's exactly what happened here. Although I love (love!) my Sweet & Spicy Butternut Squash Soup recipe (p. 59 HHC) -- I was missing two of the ingredients. So I got a little creative.

I roasted my butternut, then blended it with leftover veg broth. I …