Friday Faves: YumUniverse (and a giveaway)

This is a guest post written by Heather Crosby.

Most people hear the words “vegan” “gluten-free” or “plant-based” and think “flavorless,” “where would I start,” “where will I get my protein” or “what on earth will I eat?”

I too, used to have these responses, but like most folks, I grew up eating the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.). And in turn, spent my 20s in and out of medical offices, having myriad scary tests performed for illnesses that doctors claimed “had no real cure.”

Not satisfied with the answers I was getting, I took matters into my own hands, and started researching about how to heal without meds. I was interested in getting well, not masking symptoms. Prescriptions weren’t a good answer for why I was ill.

After years of researching, using myself as a guinea pig, and ultimately returning to a natural, clean, plant-based diet, I have found complete relief from the symptoms doctors told me would “never go away”. And throughout this journey I have discovered an infinite universe of ingredients and delicious recipe possibilities. This is why in 2009, I started developing the website YumUniverse.com—what I was learning would help others, and let’s face it, a journey is always better shared with friends.

YumUniverse is a website that is dedicated to proving that a plant-based diet can be comforting, incredibly delicious, full of quality protein and full of infinite possibilities—everyone from die-hard herbivores to skeptical omnivores agree, often to tune like “my very omnivore husband said last night, ‘If all vegan food tastes this delicious, I’ll never eat meat again.’’

The newly relaunched YumUniverse provides hundreds of free gluten-free, plant-based recipes and inspiring resources for folks who want to transition into, and maintain, a plant-based diet. With the relaunch, visitors will find more of everything, including a new national business directory and events calender where they can search for, and upload herbivore-friendly businesses and event—for free.

For folks who want even more help, support and connection, I’ve developed a comprehensive Lifetime Membership plan that will outfit them with everything they need for success for the long-term. Members receive every beautiful eBook from the YU Library now, and all in the future, our 3-month Inspirational Meal Plan Subscription, access to the exclusive YU Community where they can make other herbie friends, participate in forum discussion and create groups for everything from Organic Gardening to Plant-Based Parenting. And all of these resources are available à la carte as well. Lots of options so people can find what suits them best for success.

We are pretty excited about the new launch over at YumUniverse and to share our excitement, we are offering $100 off our new Lifetime Membership using coupon code YUTBP100. It expires October 1, 2012. .

So if you are curious, die-hard or even skeptical about a gluten-free, plant-based diet, head over to YumUniverse.com to see how infinite and delicious the possibilities can be. Whether you want to go 100% plant-based or not, I think we can all agree—medical professionals and nutritionists included—that more nutrient-rich veggies incorporated into our diets will make us happier and healthier in the long run.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.  The winners have been contacted by email!

• We are giving away ONE copy of Heather’s 30 Clean Plant-Based Dinners e-book! 

• To enter all you need to do is leave a comment below answering this question: what is your favorite vegetarian dinner?  

Give-Away Rules – Contest closes on Thursday, September 27th at 11:59 pm.  Winner will be contacted by email.