Hey, good news! Spring is coming. I don’t know about you, but I was totally shocked when someone told me that daylight savings time begins this weekend. Crazy, huh?
In the Spring, we put away the heavy pot roasts and beef stews, and instead bring out lighter dishes. In the past, I’ve given up meat for lent and although I won’t be doing that again this year, I always like to just eat lighter in March. Kind of like a spring cleaning, you know? Oh don’t worry, I still save room for butter, chocolate, sugar and cream. Don’t you worry your pretty little heads about that.
Doing a spring cleaning of your own? Try some of this “springy” vegetarian recipes!
Penne with White Beans and Spinach
Whole Wheat Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Kale Salad with Walnuts and Feta
Rooibos Quinoa with Coconut and Dried Blueberries
Whole Wheat Walnut Ginger Carrot Cake
Lemon Blackberry Cake Sandwiches
Banana Bread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Whole Grain Strawberry Pop Tart Scones
{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
Jenna, I absolutely love your blog. I cannot wait to try these tasty recipes. They look so delicious. Thank you for sharing them!
Thank YOU for reading!
Those are some great recipes! I would really love to try the Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting. YUM
thanks for the ideas! I moved from Vermont to Auckland, New Zealand a month ago–literally from the heart of winter to the heart of summer! I sort of forgot was summer cooking was all about
I’m excited because my favorite veggie for “light eating” is about to be fully in season- ASPARAGUS! Nothing says spring like a light asparagus pasta. YUM!
Spring?! We have another snow-storm on the way. Boo.
BUT your first picture is remarkable!
I want to try that Lentil Loaf – seen one on OSG’s site too I think.
Oh and the Zucchini Pizza (duh).
This weekend?? Wow, that snuck up fast! I’m glad I read this.
Lentil loaf sounds delish! All of those recipes do!
What an awesome collection of recipes! I’m definitely in a Spring mood, considering it’s 70 degrees outside.
I don’t want to put away my heavy dishes and fat pants… You just reminded me that I have to
wait why? I fully support fat pants all year round.
the best thing about spring/summer is being able to LIVE in stretchy skirts!!
Jenna!
Thank you! Hope you have a great day!
I am going meatless for lent and am so thankful that you posted these recipes!
Wonderful. light recipes! Those all sound so good, I love spring-y dishes!
Jenna. I want to make all of these things. Right now. Where to start?!
I love spring and colorful menus and produces that comes with it
Love the light veggie meal ideas! I almost did Meatless in March again this year…
Have to say, Jenna, the first recipe that caught my attention was sangria… Don’t know what THAT means…
well don’t get your hopes too up because it’s virgin! still delicious though
The whole wheat walnut ginger carrot cake looks amazing…I can’t wait to try it and the rest of these recipes!
I love to photograph citrus ! Lovely shot Jenna. Also, thanks for all the links… I’ve been in need of some serious inspiration this week.
Hi Jenna!
What are you giving up for Lent this year?
What about Adam?
Just wanted to let you know that as a faithful reader (yet a stranger!) I still
from time to time think of your brother John and hope he is soaring high and
smiling at you and your parents-I believe he is.I will never forget your posts about him and how he was planning on saving that kitty and his love of surfing.
Love your blog-congrats on all your achievements and wishing you years and
years of continued success and most of all happiness!
LOVE LOVE your blog. I’ve cooked several things of yours and they’ve all been delicious!
Thanks for the re-linkage of your veggie & spring themed recipes!
I linked your oatmeal cream pie cookies in my current post. Drool worthy
I love the 1st picture. It looks like Sausalito maybe? Somewhere in Marin county maybe looking south over the water toward the city? We have friends in Marin and I adore it.
Sausalito! Marin is one of my favorite places on earth…darn me and my expensive tastes.
Have you guys been to Sam’s on the water in Tiburon. Love that place.
The recipes sound great–esp kale salad. Totally cut meat & wine for Lent.
You may have saved my taste buds, which I have been boring with baked chicken and greek yogurt. Thank you!
Jenna- I am so excited for Spring (especially in New England!!) and I cannot wait to spring ahead with time this weekend. It’s harder to get up – but it is so worth it to get the extra daylight at the end of the day. I’m all for being able to exercise after work! Enjoy spring in California!! Thanks (as always) for the great recipes in this post!
Soo glad spring is around the corner!! Can’t wait to try these recipes in a week after I return from my vacation. I will actually be in your neck of the woods. Any suggestions?
Armstrong redwoods, Botega bay…as for restaurant, check out my wine country page. I’ve got a lot of recommendations and reviews there!
The recipes look amazing im excited to to try some out!
Thanks for the suggestions! I’ve been dreaming about your poptart scones since you posted them!
That kale salad looks delicious!!
Im going to send that to my kale obsessed friend
Im with Katrina, I kinda cant stop thinking about those poptart scones
heh heh heh well then get ready for tomorrow
I am OBSESSED with your penne w/white beans and spinach recipe! I just made it for the second time on Monday. My family loves it!
awesome! I’m so happy that y’all love it!
This is completely unrelated to this post, but more towards the Oatmeal Creme Pie/Fudge Stripe Cookie posts. Since you’ve been doing a bunch of sort of ‘childhood throwback’ treat recipes, I was wondering.. How about homemade Oreos?! I don’t think you’ve done those, have you? If not, pleeease do!
Oh yes I haaaave! Check it out:
http://eatliverun.com/homemade-chocolate-covered-mint-oreos/
Oooh, thaank you!
Great recipes! I can’t wait to try some of them out. I love veggie dishes in the spring.
Hooray for spring! I’m loving your recipe line up and the warmer weather
SO excited for spring! These look yummy!
Love the recipe sections. Simply delish ;D
Jenna, that first picture makes me so happy! Love it
I remember when you first posted that Shanghai Tofu recipe and I thought it looked great…so thanks for the reminder…Must make!
I agree!!! Usually in the spring, I always make a meal like a salad or other light food. In my opinion, after we ate a lot of meat in the winter, we need healthy food for digestion.
I really like the idea of a spring cleaning for your diet. I could definitely use one of those right about now!
Thanks for posting Vegetarian dishes! As a vegetarian myself, I’m always looking for new recipes to change it up a bit. If I keep it interesting, my boyfriend doesn’t even notice he’s not eating meat! Muahahahahaha!
Love your blog – and this one was perfect for me! I am a vegetarian, and I have been having these same feelings, put away the winter food, eat lighter- but I didn’t know what to make! I can’t wait to try some of your recipes!
I love the phrase “don’t worry your pretty little head”. My husband and I say it to each other all the time, but I’ve never heard anyone else say it before. It made me smile to see it