Hi! I’m Beth. I’m so glad you have found your way here. Since you’ve clicked on the “About” page, I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that you want to know a little bit more about me, so here are the most important facts to know:
I love pickles.
I’m a total nerd about spaghetti squash.
If you quote a line from the The Office or Friends, I can most likely finish the quote, give you the context of said quote, and possibly name the season and episode that contains the quote. I’m not sure what this says about me, but whatever it is, it’s gotta be a good thing. Right?
I am married to my favorite person. His name is Michael, and he doesn’t like pickles. He recently started taking over my kitchen as chief bread baker on the weekends, and he also roasts our weekly coffee. He’s also the Chief Taste Tester for Pass the Plants, and probably gets tired of hearing me ask if something is good enough to go on the blog.
He’s probably the most polite and kind person I know, and is always thinking about things that regularly escape my attention, like taxes and savings accounts and retirement planning. I love him more than I could ever say.
We have a daughter named Vida (aka Mini-Me), and she is the best of both of us. Her name has nothing to do with Matthew McConaughey.
She loves pickles.
And unicorns, and My Little Pony, and Star Wars.
Being around her is like watching myself grow up, which is just as trippy as it sounds.
We also have a son named Josh (aka Mini-Michael), and he does not like pickles. You’re starting to understand the pattern here, aren’t you?
He does, however, love dinosaurs (especially T. Rex), Batman, and Paw Patrol.
He tells me he loves me about a bazillion times a day and I just can’t get enough of him.
What’s up with the name?
From April 2014 until January 2018, this site was known as Eat Within Your Means. In January of 2018, I changed the name to Pass the Plants. You can read all about how that change came about here.
Are you Vegan?
So, here’s the thing. I am not a big fan of labels. I think they are polarizing and create division. I’ve seen some pretty nasty stuff go on in comment threads for vegan food blogs (and Facebook groups, yikes), and it makes me sad. So, here’s what I will say. Predominately, I eat a (mostly) whole food plant-based diet free of animal products, and for the foreseeable future, the recipes on this site will reflect that preference. So if you are looking for dairy-free, egg-free, and meat-free recipes, that are healthy, approachable, and shareable, you are in the right place! I’m so glad you’re here!
I have more questions!
I have more answers! Please contact me here or e-mail beth (at) passtheplants (dot) com.
Majella
Hi! I love the name “Eat within your means”. What a great mantra, I feel like I should embroider it and frame it for my kids, lol. At the start of this year I was 270 lbs and am down to 169 lbs by following a “plant-based diet”. Just like you I don’t like the label of Vegan, probably because I tend to slip up occasionally and still use an egg here and there or accidentally buy something with sneaky milk solids etc. Anyway, now I have only 10 lbs to lose then maintenance starts. I too lost 60 lbs 8 years ago and they found me but the diet that lost me that weight wasn’t sustainable like this one, too restrictive.
All I really want to say is it’s wonderful to see a like-minded soul somewhere else in the world and I wish you every bit of luck (and hugs) with your healthy new lifestyle.
Lynn
You’re probably long gone since your post was 6 months ago, but still, I want to say it: Congratulations! You have accomplished something that wasn’t easy to do, so I applaud you 🙂
Kirstin Troyer
I’m so glad you commented on my FB comment asking where everyone lived. I think I’m going to totally love you blog and I love your mantra!“Everything In Moderation, Provided Your Jeans Still Fit and You’re Not Flat Broke Diet” LOL…YES!!!!! I like that
Beth
Well, let’s see. I’m only just over a month behind in responding to this. Sorry Kirstin! I’m so glad we connected via FB too – love what a small world it truly is! Looking forward to keeping in touch. 🙂
Heidi Kleiber
Hi, I like your site and am totally digging your mantra. I have been trying the plant based diet for a few months now and I’m loving it. Your recipes look great and I will be trying all of them.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Heidi – Flawlesss Chaos
M. Mah
I found your website when looking for how to cook quinoa. I also looked at your recipe for carrot hot dog–interesting. I do not know whether I will visit again, but I read your About section and want you to know that some doctors now say that the right kind of fats in the diet are necessary for one’s health. Generally, most agree that extra virgin olive oil is good. I have been using coconut oil. What do you think about having fat in the diet?
Mary Scott
I really like you Beth, your recipes are delightful I can’t wait to try them… Keep them coming… very fun fun fun
Christi
I just made the ranch dressing with the cashew cream and all I can say is THANK YOU! Like you, I love real ranch dressing, the kind you get in a restaurant. The first time I ever had it was in the 1970’s in a cute little restaurant on the Upper West Side of NYC. I thought I had found the holy grail. But then later, when I lived other places and I tried eating ranch dressing from a bottle, it was awful. Even when I tried to make it myself, it was just so-so. This recipe is the bomb. I finally found a ranch dressing with zing! And that cashew cream is divine. Thanks for giving me a new go-to dressing for everything I eat.
Chris Carr
Beth! I just stumbled upon your recipes and I’m so excited to try! Especially the meat substitute!
Is there a way to get notification of new recipes? I don’t do social media, Do you have a cookbook?
Melissa
Hi Beth,
I was checking out your spaghetti squash cutting technique and I was really impressed with your garden. Did you build it yourself? If so, how did you make the frames with what looks like netting? I love to garden, but am short on space and have stayed away from growing squash as a result. I think your method could work for me.
Thanks!
Bananas
Hi Beth,
I read your post about how hard the re-branding has been, but as someone who just found your blog this week, let me tell you: Pass the Plants is WAY better! Eat within your means sounds like a blog about finding ways to make cheap food. But your blog is really about finding ways to make AMAZING plant-based dishes. The new name reflects this and will draw more new followers. I just wanted to give you some support for the re-branding even if it has been tough. You audience will come back (and more!).