Unprocessed, unbleached and cruelty-free: low-fat, low-sugar, whole food and plant-based recipes to nurture body, brain and conscience.
I was in my 30s before I really started to take care of my body. My motivation back then was purely physical: I wanted to keep my weight under control. And so I began running and working out, but I was still missing a vital component to my health: diet. I didn’t realize that the meat, dairy and sugar I was consuming was undoing all of the good that running and weight-training was providing to my body. It took me another ten years before I put it all together and today my body runs on a plant-based, low-fat, low sugar diet that keeps me fueled, strong and at a good “fighting” weight. My goal is to share what I’ve learned and what I’m still learning by offering simple, delicious and nutritious - “unrefined” recipes that nurture body, brain and conscience.
In creating An Unrefined Vegan, I am aware that I’m not inventing something new and different. I stand on the shoulders of giants and many, many regular-sized folks who have forged the plant-based, low-fat, healthy path before me. It’s one of those deals where I think more is merrier: spreading the word of how delicious, exciting and satisfying vegan cooking – healthy cooking – can be.
Many of the recipes on this site come from other cooks on other sites, cooking magazines and from the large collection of cookbooks taking up too much shelf space in my garage. I give grateful credit where credit is due. I often make subtle and not so subtle changes and I note those when I remember to note them. If you try one of my recipes and have a complete failure (or conversely, you love it), please let me know. I also welcome any suggestions you may have for the recipes or for this site. There are many more experienced vegans out there and I can only benefit from their knowledge.
All of the photos on this site are my own – unless otherwise credited – and are taken with a very cheap camera using natural light. I cannot imagine why anyone would want to use my photos elsewhere, but on the off chance of this being the case, I ask that you credit me and include a link back to my site.
For more vegan goodness, please visit my other site, Virtual Vegan Potluck!
March 23, 2012 Update: Well, I did it. I bit the bullet and got myself a “real” camera. And I’m having a blast playing with it. In case you’re interested in those kinds of things, it’s a Nikon D3100 and looks like something a professional photographer would have hanging around his or her neck, but it does everything for me – if I want it to. My iPhone, Android and iPad yielded surprisingly good results on the photos, but I’m thrilled with the images I’m getting with the Nikon. Future posts will be sprinkled here and there with my “old school,” iPhone, iPad and Android photos – can you spot them??
You underestimate your photos, they’re really good.
Oh, thanks, Lorna! I guess I want them to look food magazine-worthy!
What a beautiful human being — inside and out!
:-[ I’m a work in progress!
This is very quickly going to become my favorite blog!
Wow! Thank you – that makes my (cold, gray) day in a big way!
Hi! I enjoy reading your blog so I picked you for the versatile blogger award. You can collect it here:
http://theadventuresofvegancharlie.wordpress.com/2012/02/26/versatile-blogger-award/
Great piece!
thank you!
I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger award! Here are the details, thanks for the great blog! http://inpursuitofmore.com/2012/03/04/finding-more-in-just-a-little-versatile-blogging/ Cheers!
Your photos and recipes are wonderful – so real and down to earth! Deliciousness on the page
Thank you so much!
Looks like I’m not the first, but I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. You can read about it here: http://meizac.wordpress.com/2012/03/17/you-bet-im-versatile-or-maybe-just-random/
It’s an honor! Thank you so much!
My very refined friend, I nominated you for the Inspiring and Versatile Blogger Awards. You can read about it here: http://veggiewitch.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/inspiring-and-versatile/
Get out! Thank you, my friend!
=0) *squishy hugs*
The Torch Has Been Passed
I’d Like To Thank The Academy
Wow! I’m surprised and flattered! Thank you!
I love your blog Annie and yes the photographs are wonderful. I am so glad you blog.
Lidia, thank you very much. You are a dear! Very glad our paths have crossed!
Wonderful Annie, I’ve nominated you for the Blog on Fire Award because, well, your blog is on fire lady! http://lornastearoomdelights.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/more-gongs/ I’m afraid I haven’t stuck to the rules but you can find them here: http://taniajessicasmith.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/why-am-i-pouring-myself-a-shot-in-a-furry-hat-6-awards-from-you-lovely-people-thats-why-cheers/
Lorna you are so sweet! I’ve never heard of this award – but I like it
! Thank you!
It’s perfect for you!
[...] at An Unrefined Vegan is hosting a Virtual Vegan Potluck on May 12th. Anyone can sign up to ‘bring’ a vegan [...]
Hey there! Just wanted to let you know that Big Sis and I have nominated you for a Sunshine Award. Details here: http://mysisterspantry.wordpress.com/2012/05/01/sunshine-day-indeed/. Thanks so much for all you do! Have a great day!
~ls
Holy moly!! Thank you so much! What a great start to my day
!
Annie your blog is such an inspiration to me that I would like to award you with the Kreativ Blogger title. Keep up your wonderful posts.
http://whataboutthepie.wordpress.com/2012/05/08/cali-wrap-and-an-award/
Wooohooo! Wow – thank you so much! It means a lot to me that you find my blog inspirational!
[...] Virtual Vegan Potluck, organized by the witty, smart, brilliant, fabulous, lovely, PUNNY Anne of an Unrefined Vegan. So for the past week or so, I have been looking at various recipes, trying to decide what to [...]
[...] love to entertain. Therefore, I think a lot about main courses to serve at a party. Hence, when beautiful punny Anne (get it? AnNE Unrefined Vegan? It took me a while . . .) sent out the invitations for the [...]
An inspiring blog, with high quality food experiences!
I know you are going through a difficult time now, but I want you to know that doesn’t make you or your blog any less beautiful. I want to pass along to you the Beautiful Blogger Award: http://composersofsibelius.com/2012/06/26/beautiful-blogger-award/. Best wishes to you now and always.
I nominated you to participate in the Hope relay. You’re really inspiring.
Wow! Thank you!
What an inspiring blog! I love that you realized where your diet was lacking, and had the motivation and self control to make a huge change. YOU ROCK!
Aww! Thank you so much!
I love the minimalist feel to your blog..Also your pictures are beautiful
. Def props to the unprocessed plant-based diet, I agree wholeheartedly
I love the minimalist feel to your blog..Also all your pictures are beautiful
. Def props to the unprocessed plant-based diet, I agree wholeheartedly
Thanks, Bridget! Looks as if we are on the same page – I’m SO glad you found my blog and commented.
I love your ethos and am really glad that I found you through Somer’s blog. As a creative vegan myself, I love hunting out how to do the basics myself so that then you can customise your food to how you like it. I just found an amazing blog (Chinese) that shows how to make all sorts of noodles etc. that really has me excited especially some potato starch noodles that I figure you could add ground nuts etc. to. I also found how to make steamed buns and an interesting premise called “water roux”. I LOVE hunting out great vegan food blogs and this is one of the best. I love the way that you share what you are doing and that you give us fantastic recipes. Again, thank you for all of your efforts to share the love around. I totally agree with you about sharing recipes and making it easier for people to make educated choices whilst not missing out on the good stuff. Cheers
Hey there Ann,
Just a heads up that I’ve nominated you for the ‘Healthy Fun Foods’ Blogger Award !!
http://cannedtime.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/healthy-fun-food-blogger-award-fb.jpg
You can copy the award pic to your post with the link address above.
Rules for “Healthy Fun Food” Blogger Award are:
1. Copy the Healthy Fun Food Blogger Award logo and place it in your post.
2. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.
3. List 5 favorite fun food recipes from your site.
4. Nominate 3 other bloggers for their own Healthy Fun Food Blogger Award, and comment on their blogs to let them know.
I really appreciate all the fun stuff you put out on your blog and look forward to seeing what great ideas you show us next!
Have a great day!
Angela
Oh, Angela – sorry to be so late on responding to this! I’m so scattered
! Thank you so much!! Now I need to do some blog-combing it looks like!
Oops! Looks like I had the same idea as Angela… I too have nominated you for the “Healthy Fun Food Blogger” Award (you can see the post here, http://themisfitbaker.com/2012/11/28/healthy-fun-food-blogger-award/)… Of course when a blog is this good, duplicate awards must be expected
Wow! Thanks, Starr! One can never have too many awards
! I really appreciate it.
Dear Annie, I just nominated you for Blog of the Year 2012 because I think you’re fabulous! Details here: http://cauldronsandcupcakes.com/2012/12/18/im-a-star-blog-of-the-year-award-2012/
Much love, Nicole xx
Oh, Nicole! Thank you so much – I’d be giving you a big ol’ bear hug right now if I could!
Well, I’ll consider it a virtual one!
You’re so deserving of this award xoxo
I’m excited to find your blog (through Healthy Living Blogs). New follower here!
Hey there! How nice to meet you and thank you so much for following – I really appreciate it!
Soooo happy to find your blog!! I’m working on changing my diet and I just love your food photos!!
Hi Laura! Yay for you for making changes in your diet
! Best of luck and please let me know if I can help. Thanks for the compliment!
i love your blog, i’m quite curiouse about veganish..
then i end up here and i’m happy for that…
nice to know you then…
[...] Unrefined Vegan: Annie is a wholesome, honest and lovely soul who practices what she preaches. She adopted a vegan diet [...]
Hello there lovely. I’ve nominated you for the Super Sweet Blogger Award… sounds a little corny, I know, but you immediately came to mind in terms of a genuine, talented and sweet (in a healthy kind of way!) baker blogger! You can take a look here if you like: http://laurasmess.me/2013/03/15/awards-and-acknowledgements/
Hi Laura! Wow! That came out of nowhere!! Thank you so much – I am really touched by this.
I am so excited to come across your blog via my guest post on Go Bake Yourself- I am not vegan (yet) but LOVE vegan food and am feeling really inspired right now… your blog is just the ticket. Lovely!
Wow! Thank you so much! I really appreciate that you took the time to come visit. Going plant-based is the best
!
Hi there! I have nominated your blog for the ‘Super Sweet Blog Award’! Because I love your sweet posts and recipes! Check out the link here with rules on how to participate if you’d like
http://anodetomungbeans.wordpress.com/2013/04/07/vegan-chocolate-peanut-love-pie-with-peanut-butter-cream-frosting-and-nominations/
How cool (and sweet) is that?! Thank you!
haha totally! Your welcome, love your blog
Hi there. Visiting my fellow vegan bloggers.
<3 from HerbivorousGeek
Hey! Nice to meet you – visiting your blog now!
It’s quite new (only a few days old) And thankyou for visiting <3
I have an invitation for you – - check your About page in a minute or two
.
will do
hi there
My name is Daniella Harel and I am a Gr 12 student and currently enrolled at Epworth Independent High School for Girls in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. We have been asked to do a research task as part of our portfolio. The topic of my research task is veganism and the focus research question is: Can veganism improve dietary health disorders? what i hope to achieve from your answers will be my primary research. please answer the questions that follow.
Any information that I receive will only be used for education purposes and will not be published in the media. You may remain anonymous but if I could have details with regard to sex (male / female) and age bracket, it would be greatly appreciated.
(My Consumer Studies teacher, Mrs Georgina Kidd could be consulted should you have any concerns: gkidd@epworth.co.za )
Questions
Gender
-Male
-Female
Age
_____
Name, if not anonymous
___________________
1. Why did you decide to become vegan?
2. How long have you been a vegan for?
3. What is the hardest part?
4. What positive changes have occurred in your life since making this change?
5. What negative changes have occurred in your life since making this change?
6. Do you feel stronger or weaker now that you are a vegan?
7. What are your main concerns being a vegan?
8. Is it hard to obtain all protein sources?
9. What are your main sources of protein?
10. Do you understand all the health benefits of being vegan?
11. Have noticed any changes in your health since becoming a vegan?
12. If so what are they?
many thanks
Thanks for contacting me, Daniella – I’ll take a look at your questions and get back to you!
Hi Ann! It was really great to see you and Jane at mom’s party. Wanted to let you know that I listed your great blog on our web site: mindfulnutritionusa.com. (pinterest)
Hi Rebecca! Cool! Thank you very much!
It was wonderful to spend time with the family. I really wish I were closer to everyone. I hope things are going as best they can – - thinking of you all.
Hey there! I saw a comment you posted on a blog I follow and thought I’d check out your blog. It’s great – I love it! And you certainly don’t give yourself enough credit for your photos! Your food photos are beautiful – they look professional to me. I’m a new blogger, and the thing I’m struggling with the most is taking nice photos of food. Thankfully, I’m doing more of a lifestyle blog, so food is only a part of what I post. Still, I’d like to post more food posts, but I’m embarrassed by my photos. Anyway, I’m so glad I found your blog. It’s always great to connect with other people on the plant-based path. Celeste:)
Hi Celeste! I really appreciate that you came over and took the time to comment. Nice to meet you! Photos are the hardest part of blogging. I stress out about it which is kind of crazy – - so it’s nice to know the photos look good to people reading my blog. I don’t see myself doing any more as far as photography (skills) goes than I’m already doing! My guess is you are also too hard on yourself
. I’ll be sure and visit your blog!
Annie beautiful, I’ve nominated you for the Sisterhood of the World blogger’s award: http://laurasmess.me/2013/05/01/awards-and-acknowledgements-ii/ No pressure to do the whole acceptance thing if you don’t want to, but you are definitely an appreciated blogging sister and I wanted you to know! xo
We hope that more and more people will find you and enjoy your blog as much as we do which is why we also nominated you for the Sunshine Award! Keep ‘em coming!
http://tryitvegan.com/2013/05/02/our-sunshine-award-nomination/
Thank YOU!
What a lovely site you have here! I’m so glad I found you through WordPress. I look forward to following along.
Thank you so much, Lori! I’m glad you found me, too
!
I’m nominating you for a Very Inspiring Blogger Award because you’ve inspired me. I know you’ve already received the award, I just want you to know that you’re rad.
Sweet!! I really appreciate that – - one can never receive too many awards
!
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