How To Create Beautiful Spring Table Decor On a Budget (With Vegan Crepes)

*This is a sponsored post. All opinions are authentic and my own. Thank you for supporting the awesome companies that partner with Woman in Real Life.*

Spring is coming! Even though I see five inches of snow on the ground outside my window, I know spring can't be far away. One of my annual "celebrating spring" traditions is to set a bright and pretty spring table. I like to use a new, fresh design each time because spring is all about renewal and, of course, it's just fun to get something new. That being said, you don't want to break your budget buying tableware for spring - save some cash for those glorious summer outings! For my spring table this year, I partnered with proudly Canadian retailer Giant Tiger. They are well known for their (very) affordable and fun fashions, and they also have lovely, budget-friendly finds for your home.

Superfoods Peach Smoothie Bowl (vegan, gluten-free, nut-free)

I have been reading How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease and perusing The How Not to Die Cookbook: 100+ Recipes to Help Prevent and Reverse Disease. I know I'm late to the game, but to tell the truth, I figured the recommendations in Dr. Michael Greger's books would be pretty close to the plant-based diet I currently enjoy. And they definitely are, but Dr. Greger's Daily Dozen checklist has been helpful in encouraging me to get more nutrient-dense foods in my diet (as well as water and exercise) on most days.

I have found that in order to check off most of the 24 boxes on the Daily Dozen checklist, it's helpful (pretty much necessary) to start the day with a healthy breakfast that includes at least a few of the items on the checklist. That's where this smoothie comes in. You can check off a few boxes with just one lovely bowl of fruity, superfoods goodness.

Vegan on a Budget (Recipes, Review & Giveaway)

You know I love my vegan cookbooks. I have shelves full of them to prove it. I'm a little more discriminating now when buying or reviewing cookbooks because I've run out of room to store them. But I jumped at the chance to review Olivia Biermann's cookbook, Liv B's Vegan on a Budget: 112 Inspired and Effortless Plant-Based Recipes. Why? For one, I like the vegan on a budget concept. (It's a common misconception that vegan eating has to be expensive.) But my favourite thing about this plant-based cookbook is that the recipes are super simple to prepare.

Despite being the creator of a popular vegan YouTube channel, Liv B doesn't want to spend tons of time in the kitchen. I completely understand - I love food but I opt for dinners that take less than an hour to prepare. The recipes in Vegan on a Budget - from breakfast to dessert - don't call for fancy or expensive ingredients and they are quick and easy to make. This cookbook is perfect for students, beginner vegans, busy parents and anybody who enjoys everyday plant-based meals that are simple to put together.

Girl's Teen Bedroom Decor Updates (With A Brunswick Mattress Review & Giveaway!)

It's been over four years since we changed my daughter's bedroom from very pink to very purple. Now that she's in high school, she's once again ready for a whole new look. She's thinking a mix of boho and vintage, with lots of white, will be just the right fit. We'll probably paint the walls this summer when the inertia of winter lifts, but in the meantime we wanted to make her bedroom look and feel more cozy for this extremely cold winter.

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Maple Pecan Oatmeal & 6 More Amazing Vegan Breakfast Recipes

Oatmeal is oatmeal is oatmeal. Yes? With the resurgence in popularity of this classic grain, we know that's not so. Oatmeal can be thick, cold and clumpy. (My granny used to make it early in the morning and leave it on the back of the stove for my mom and her brothers to eat much later. Eek.) Oatmeal can also be creamy, warm and delicious, with lots of flavourful and healthy toppings. I vote to eat it that way. With that in mind, I'm sharing my simple recipe for steel-cut oats cooked up in the Instant Pot. There are endless ways to flavour your oatmeal - in this case I'm going with maple pecan. Because I'm Canadian. So maple syrup.

Plus, I've joined together with some vegan blogging friends to share six more amazing plant-based breakfast recipes. Trust me, they are mouthwatering. You'll want to get together with friends and make all of these recipes, for a fantastic vegan brunch.

Quick, Healthy Vegan Coconut Tahini Freezer Fudge (gluten-free, nut-free)

I know that the tahini freezer fudge trend has been going strong for a while now, but I nevertheless wanted to share my own variation of this delicious, addictive, healthy dessert recipe sensation. If you have not yet heard of tahini fudge, it might sound just a little bit odd. Tahini is for making hummus, right? Well yes it is. But it turns out you can also make some very nice fudge with it. Will it taste like tahini? Kind of. In a good way. Read on for the details.

Après-Ski Party With Vegan Chocolate Fondue

An après-ski party is just what it sounds like - a party after skiing. Because, while we ski independently, it's also nice to hang with friends and family on a ski day. That "we" should be in quotations because I do not ski. Ever. I went skiing once in high school and it wasn't for me. I kept throwing myself down on my butt on purpose to avoid picking up speed.

Fortunately my husband and my kids like to ski. (I have a few characteristics I'm happy my kids didn't inherit, like cowardice.) I'm always open to going along on a skiing excursion, so long as there is some sort of ski lodge with abundant hot beverages and maybe a liqueur or two. I'm certainly willing to join in for a little chocolate fondue party at any time as well.

Après-Ski Blog Hop

My thanks to Ariel from PMQ For Two for arranging a blog hop around all things après-ski and winter fun. At the bottom of this post, you'll find links to other bloggers' lovely ideas for après-ski happenings. There will be new posts each day until Thursday this week, so come back daily for new additions.