Oh, how we love Angela Liddon!

The girl from Oakville, ON (but originally from Moncton, NB) has made a huge splash since she started her plant-based vegan food blog Oh She Glows in 2008. Angela is not only a New York Times bestselling cookbook author, but has 5 million unique visitors to her blog each month, 322,000 Instagram followers, and knows every single trick for turning black bananas into something delicious.

We love Angela because she is real. Angela started Oh She Glows to write about her own recovery from an eating disorder, and to help others see how embracing healthy food and cooking can lead to big changes, and a healthy lifestyle. The blog was a passion project that turned into a full-time career and now Angela is preparing to launch her 2nd cookbook in 2016  – all the while balancing raising a toddler and giving her fans amazing recipes to try at home.

Erin cooks from Angela’s Oh She Glows Cookbook or blog weekly. “I love that she doesn’t sacrifice flavor for health and has introduced me to new ingredients or new uses for ingredients – I never though about using nutritional yeast in salad dressing! My favorites are her Banana Bread Muffin Tops for kids lunches, the African Peanut Stew and all of her power bowls are amazing,” says Erin.

We recently had a chance to catch up with Angela for a Q&A on eating healthier. Read on to get her tips on quick & easy snacks, food trends to watch out for this year, and balancing eating healthy and being a busy parent.

A Healthy Eating Q&A with Angela

Oh She Glows 10-Spice Vegetable Soup | Photo credit: Angela Liddon

Rebecca & Erin: We hear that you’re a frequent Well.ca shopper! What things do you always buy as your kitchen staples?

Angela: I buy everything from protein powder to prenatal vitamins to iron and B12 supplements. I love the selection!

R & E: What’s your go-to snack?

A: Lately, I’m loving protein green smoothies for a mid-afternoon snack. I blend a cup of almond or coconut milk with a large frozen banana, 1 tablespoon of chia seeds or hemp hearts, 1-2 cups of leafy greens, and a scoop of my favorite protein powder. If I don’t have much time, I will have a simple snack of a banana spread with almond butter for a boost of energy and protein.

R & E: As a new mom, what advice would you give to new parents who are trying to balance healthy eating with the demands of having a new baby?

A: When you do find a sliver of time to cook, always make enough so you’ll have leftovers to enjoy for at least the next day. I will often make a big batch of my toddler’s favourite spelt pasta and simply reheat it the next day on the stovetop with a splash of marinara to “refresh” it. I’m also a big fan of batch cooking now more than ever, and always try to stock my freezer with soup this time of the year for a quick and satisfying meal. Try my popular 10-Spice Vegetable Soup for a meal that’s sure to impress!

R & E: What are you most looking forward to in the New Year? Any food trends you’re excited about?

A: I love reading about all of the anticipated food and wellness trends of the New Year! One of my favourites for 2016 is avocado oil. I started cooking with avocado oil last year and I absolutely love its flavour. It also has a high smoke point so it’s great for cooking at high temperatures. I’m also looking forward to incorporating Matcha green tea powder into more recipes this year. I drink Matcha tea daily, but I want to find a way to include it in more healthy recipes too.

Our Favourite Oh She Glows Recipes

Erin’s Pick: Red Lentil-Kale Soup from the Oh She Glows Cookbook

This soup has been in heavy rotation in my kitchen lately! It’s healthy, flavourful, and super easy to make, and I love that it uses ingredients I usually have in my pantry.

Rebecca’s Pick: Effortless Vegan Overnight Oats, from the Oh She Glows Cookbook

Like all moms, I know how hectic mornings can be. That’s why this is my new go-to breakfast recipe. I make the base the night before and leave it in the fridge to soak, and add my favourite toppings in the morning.

Do you have a resolution to eat healthier this year? What are your favourite healthy recipes? Tell us in the comments, and don’t forget to check out our top picks for Healthy Pantry Essentials here!

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Feature photo credit: Toronto Star