Just what you needed

I was vegan for 4 wonderfully complicated years—like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the instructions, but with kale instead of screws. It reset my system in a way I’ve never experienced with any other diet. One month in, I felt renewed, like a phoenix rising from the ashes of a cheeseburger. The fact that I was helping a movement to reshape human consumption rates of meat really pulled me through the years that followed. I even managed to navigate a couple of years in Texas (avoiding barbecues like they were a bad ex) as a vegan. I figured moving to NY would make it even easier to maintain my diet.

The Big Apple Dilemma

NY was definitely more open-minded, but the availability of vegan foods was still a scavenger hunt. I spent countless hours in vegan-friendly coffee shops and bakeries, charging my credit card for a vegan pastry and cup of coffee every other morning at a place called "Bakerie." But everything changed when I left Brooklyn. Moving to Washington Heights (also known as Little Dominican Republic) was like stepping into a fragrant carnival of sweet bread and sizzling bacon. I was surrounded! At this point, I had been vegan for 4 years. My body was like, “What’s this ‘no meat’ nonsense?” and suddenly I found myself craving salmon. I think it was my body’s way of requesting omega-3s or maybe just a desperate plea for a taste of the sea. That was the tipping point. After that, turning down a slice of pizza felt like denying a puppy its favorite toy. I was transforming back into a meat eater, pulled into a current of culinary temptation. Any time I caught a whiff of bacon, I was like a cartoon character floating towards it, eyes wide and drooling.

The Mental Tug-of-War

When you invest so much time, money, and energy into one lifestyle, only to stray away from it out of sheer convenience, it can mess with your head. Eventually, I realized I wanted to eat in a way that felt intuitive. I craved a relationship with food that was more like a warm hug than a strict diet. I wanted to listen to my body and respond to its needs, whether that meant exercise, hot tea, chocolate, meats, bread, greens or sweets. I wasn’t wealthy, but I had to make it work!

Winter Cravings and Soulful Cooking

Now, in the winter of 2025, I’ve been craving soups, stews, and of course, squash. I visited a friend recently, and she made an acorn squash stew for her daughter and I. It was so comforting it felt like being wrapped in a cozy blanket while sipping hot cocoa on a snowy day. I knew I had to recreate that experience for myself. Although I’m not living on a purely vegan diet anymore, I’m much more experienced with cooking and eating intuitively. This year, I made the best dish ever: a butternut squash curry that felt like a hug to the soul. It took me three days to gather the courage to face the bitter cold and gather all of the ingredients, but everything was actually so affordable! The entire cooking process was a breeze. It's a 40 minute dinner. After devouring my first serving, I realized it was completely vegan. I was impressed with how hearty and nutritious it felt—like a warm embrace from a long-lost friend. If you ever try it, let me know what you think! The lime and fresh parsley really brought everything together for me, so don’t skip those. It’s one of those dishes that becomes like muscle memory to make after the first time. Plus, I loved having something to do while the squash roasted in the oven. The entire process was such an aromatic meditation. Whether you’re a die-hard vegan, a meat lover, or somewhere in between, remember that food is about joy, comfort, and connection. And who knows? You might just find your own culinary hug waiting for you in the kitchen!

You can also opt for added protein like I did with baked salmon...

You can find the recipe link below along with other great ideas brought to you by Delish.com