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Monday, June 1, 2026

The Best Vegan Glow Bowls

tofu, broccoli, kale, lentils, cauliflower, tomatoes, pickled beets glow bowl with creamy white bean dressing
tofu, broccoli, kale, lentils, cauliflower, tomatoes, pickled beets glow bowl with creamy white bean dressing

 

Vegan Glow Bowls are vibrant, whole food plant-based foods (WFPBF) served in bowls, that are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrients designed to gently detox and nourish our skin, bodies, and minds.

 

Glow Bowls are entirely customizable (select foods we love plus those we want to develop a taste for). Glow bowls are designed to provide energy, good flavor, and help make us feel vitally alive and glowing from the inside out.

 

To be satisfying and cover all our nutritional bases, it is best to include leafy greens, a hearty whole grain, roasted or fresh vegetables and/or fruit, and a small amount of fat from olive oil or olives, avocados, nuts, and/or seeds. For added plant protein include tofu, tempeh, and/or high protein vegetables including peas, lentils, and other beans or legumes. Then, consider adding a teaspoon or two of fermented food from this group: miso paste, kimchi, apple cider vinegar or nutritional yeast, sauerkraut, vegan yogurt or raw, salt-brined pickles.


Marinated Tofu and Veggie Glow Bowl
soy sauce marinated baked tofu, spinach, tomatoes, sesame seeds, carrots, pickled cabbage salad, cucumbers


Our food goal is to eat at least 30+ different foods from those mentioned in this post and beyond to meet our weekly requirement for variety and to supply all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients we need to function at our peak.

 

 

Look below to see ideas that 

transform ho-hum meals into

 colorful, nutritious glow bowl 

combinations
 

 

1.     Select at least one item from this group: brown rice, quinoa, wheat berries, barley, millet, cornmeal, oats, rye, whole grain pasta, sourdough or other whole grain bread or cereal, farro, or amaranth.

  

2.   Add at least one bean or legume from this group: pinto beans, black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, three bean combo, butter beans, black-eyed peas, cannellini, or other white bean, etc.

 

3.   Combine with 3 to 7 veggies and/or fruits from this group: sweet potatoes or yams, Yukon gold potatoes, squash, red peppers, radishes, mushrooms, artichoke, tomato, celery, kale, chard, corn, collards, spinach, bok choy, beets, string beans, red cabbage, cucumber, and all types of lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, citrus fruit, bananas, summer fruit, and edible berries.

  

4.   Fortify glow bowls with any plant-protein from this group: tempeh, tofu, lentils, peas, chickpeas, dark leafy greens, and beans or legumes.

 

5.   Garnish with ¼ cup of anything from this group: walnuts, pine nuts, peanuts, cashews, pecans, macadamia nuts, pistachios, chia seeds, Pico de Gallo sauce, avocado, lime or lemon juice and zest, or hemp hearts. Then, sprinkle on healing herbs and spices including chopped onion or scallions, garlic, turmeric, ginger, basil, and parsley. Finish with a healthy dressing like delicious oil free miso and ginger dressing.



Oil Free Miso and Ginger Sauce or Dressing
tofu stir fry with rice noodles, red pepper, carrot, broccoli florets, and vegan miso and ginger dressing



Please look below for more ideas

 

 

 

Yam, ancient grains, arugula and tomato salad

roasted yam, ancient grains, arugula and tomato salad, sautéed mushrooms, broccoli pesto, avocado


or


Combine brown rice, chipotle black beans, and roasted Brussel sprouts with guacamole, salsa, lime juice and zest, sliced jalapeno pepper and a chicory salad with cashew dressing, illustrating a single glow bowl can easily include 8–10 plant foods.


or


Serve quinoa, pinto beans, roasted Delicata squash, massaged kale with pumpkin seeds, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, and a few teaspoons of the lemon and olive oil dressing used on kale salad pictured below.


Colorful and Delicious Kale Salad



or


Combine soba buckwheat noodles with bok choy, edamame or grilled tempeh, snap peas, low sodium soy sauce or low sodium teriyaki sauce, peanut or almond  butter, fresh grated ginger and garlic, garnished with fermented cucumber or fermented daikon radish.




 

 
Please keep in mind...




A large-scale study from the American Gut Project analyzed thousands of participants and found a clear pattern. Those who ate 30+ different plant foods per week had greater gut microbiome diversity, and those who ate 10 or fewer had far less diversity. This matters, especially because our gut microbiome isn’t just about digestion. 



Our gut  influences:

 

 

Immune function

 

 

Inflammation levels

 

 

Metabolism and weight regulation

 

 

Blood sugar balance

 

 

Mood and brain health


 

  
The study also shows...

 



Different plant foods contain different types of:

 

 

Fiber

 

 

Polyphenols (powerful plant compounds)

 

 

Resistant starches

 

 

Prebiotics

 

 


Each of the items above feeds different strains of beneficial gut bacteria. So when we eat the same 5–10 foods on repeat (even if they’re healthy), we’re only feeding a limited group of microbes.



When we expand our food repertoire we create a thriving, balanced ecosystem in our guts. In other words, a diverse garden is strong, more resilient, and abundant than one with only a few types of fruit, vegetables, beans, legumes, and whole grains.



Do you include at least 30 different foods in your weekly meal planning? 



Do you realize your gut and what you feed it is closely related to your energy and how good or bad you feel? 



Have you had issues with gas, bloating, diarrhea or constipation? Gastrointestinal (GI) problems encompass a wide range of conditions affecting the digestive tract, including the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Symptoms often include bloating, gas, stomach pain, constipation, or diarrhea. Some conditions are mild and resolve with diet and lifestyle changes; persistent symptoms require medical evaluation. [1, 2, 3].



Note: This post is offered for entertainment and educational purposes only. Consult with your health care providers for medical advice.




How often do you try out new recipes? Does this post help encourage you to do that? Please explain.


I read and appreciate every comment, but won't be able to post those comments that contain links. Thanks for understanding.

Colors 4 Health by Nancy Andres


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Friday, May 15, 2026

Easy Ways to Improve Self-care this Summer

 

Improve Your Enjoyment this Summertime



Summer is a great time to kick-back and relax. If you can afford it, it’s also fun to travel and/or start that project you’ve been putting off until you have free time and/or money to do it.


This post offers tips and ideas to help you balance high-energy outdoor or creative activities with restorative or relaxing ones to maximize your sense of pleasure and well-being this summer.


Just know that this post was written for information and entertainment purposes only. If you need or want medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, consult with a professional provider.

 

1. Hydrate frequently. Drink plenty of water and other beverages and eat water rich foods to preserve electrolytes to counteract heat fatigue. Prioritize hydrating by eating foods that nourish and hydrate including berries, leafy greens, cucumbers, and celery. Get electrolytes naturally with a balanced diet rich in bananas, oranges, summer fruit, nuts, seeds, and beans. For intense exercise or high heat, hydrate by drinking a homemade beverage to supply electrolytes. The ingredients may include unsweetened coconut water for potassium, orange juice for potassium and fruit sugar, lime juice for magnesium, and a pinch of salt for sodium. Be as creative as you want, and make this cooler look and taste divine.


Drink a Refreshing Beverage to Stay Hydrated

 

2. Apply sunscreen generously, as it is essential to protect skin from harmful UV radiation, which peaks during the summer months. Sunscreen acts as a shield against DNA-damaging UVA/UVB rays, maintaining skin health, and even skin tone. Practice Summer Skin Sun Safety. The best times to walk or play outdoors is early or late in the day. For more tips about summer sun safety read Stay Sun Safe This Summer at the American Cancer Society Website.

 

3. Engage in nature-based activities. Let green energy and the healing power of Mother Nature help you take in nature's beauty and relax and/or refresh body, mind, and spirit. Allow for a few minutes each day to sit outdoors (for a natural dose of Vitamin D) or envision you are outside and picture the birds and other animals. Listen to nature's sounds and sights, or find additional ways to sense nature. Read this post from the Cleveland Clinic, about ways forest therapy is beneficial for your mind and body.

 

Get Your Family Outdoors for Fun and Connection


4. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule. This healthy habit regulates circadian rhythm, ensures better sleep quality, improves mood, and provides higher energy levels for activities. It prevents the "summer slump," keeps immune systems strong, and makes the transition back to school or work schedules easier by preventing extreme sleep debt.

 

5. Stick to a regular, nutritious eating plan during summertime for energy, regulating mood, and supporting overall health during busy, warmer months. Try to keep meals simple by making sandwiches or wraps, cook ahead or serve one dish meals, or make recipes for foods you can serve at least two or three times that week. Perhaps you’ll introduce one or two new plant-based recipes to upgrade the quality of the food you eat. See “Make the Best TomatoGazpacho Soup,” “How to Make Superb Vegan Chickpea Salad”, and How to Make a Tempting Red, White, and Blue Dessert," for ideas.


Make a Tempting Red, White, and Blue Dessert



6. Set boundaries to avoid social burnout. When you plan things to do this summer, nix activities that create emotional or financial stress, and reserve time to connect with people you love spending time with to fully enjoy your break. It may help to plan your calendar in advance. Practice saying “no” and valuing down time without guilt. See Budget Friendly Activities to Create Joy for ideas.

 

Block Out Time for Quality Connecting


7. Cool off your workout. Take a dip in a pool, ocean, or lake and/or participate in a water aerobics program. Adjust your workout time to cooler hours (early in the morning or later in the evening). Remember to include the kiddos! It’s recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day.


Find Relaxing Ways to Exercise this Summer



8. Reconnect with a friend or family member you haven't be able to see in a while. Reserve time this summer to go out to lunch, or if your loved one lives far away or is working, use Facetime or zoom to bond. Go with a bud to visit a museum, see a play, movie, or concert. Quality time spent with a family member or close friend makes the activity more enjoyable, and you'll be able to savor the memories long afterward.

 

9. Practice self-compassion by not comparing your ideas or summer plans with anyone else’s. Summer offers a unique opportunity to pause, step away from daily routines, and nurture yourself by looking inward. Optimal self-care means treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding offered to a dear friend. Know that it's important to be kind, caring, and understanding to yourself, particularly during moments of stress or perceived failure



You are the best one to know what you need to do to improve self-care this summer. The first step is to be mindful and intentional. Take tender, loving care of yourself and reap big contentment and serenity rewards.


Do you need to work straight through the summer months or can you take some time off? Please comment below.


How much attention and energy do you devote to entertainment, relaxation, and restorative activities during the week and weekend? 


Do you feel centered and balanced or frazzled and rushed most of the time? Summer is a good time to evaluate how much stress you carry and come up with a more user-friendly way of dealing with that unease.


What steps have you taken to simplify your lifestyle and ways you have enhanced downtime activities to reflect your most important wants and needs? Please share your ideas below.


I read and appreciate every comment, but will not be able to publish those with links in them. Thanks for understanding.


Wishing you a beautiful summer, filled with opportunities to be more thoughtful and proactive about self-care. 💓

 

Colors 4 Health Summeer Self-Care Ideas

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