Hi! I’m Wendy, and I’m so glad you came by.

Happy Apple Vegan is my evolving recipe collection and a little bit comfort writing food. I am a freelance writer, plant-based recipe developer, food photographer, former Kindergarten teacher, dedicated runner and overall fitness enthusiast, and most of all mama passionate about healthy living, not least in ways nurture our planet and all those who call it home.

In the past, I fell into a lonely power struggle with food. It was something I feared, obsessed over, and defined myself by via attempts to control my consumption of it. I lost my sense of self, and my health, relationships, and focus suffered. One day hitting rock bottom, it struck me with renewed clarity, it was time to let go.  I began a journey of voracious learning, cultivating renewed appreciation for food for what it is: fuel, sustenance, and a beautiful, powerful gift. It is communion and community. It a means to vibrant health, and it's meant to be shared. 

I’ve been vegan since 2013, converting from a flexitarian approach shortly after our son was born. Inintially itrigued by the testimonials of various ultra-athletes, and moved by books like The China Study and a boatload of compelling documentaries, my husband and I originally embraced the plant-based experiment aiming to satisfy curiosity with fitness goals in mind. From the get-go, I experienced an immedate, marked impact on my health, in unexpected ways. I bade goodbye to sinus infections. All my life, I’d suffered seasonally to the point that I’d grown comfortable with round after gut-trampling round of strong antibiotics to treat them. Dropping dairy was the key! Since turning to plant milks, I’ve only had one short course of antibiotics.

While our decision to embrace being plant-based began with diet and centered on personal health, each day has further cemented our commitment to a vegan lifestyle as a family for the big picture wellbeing of our planet and all who occupy it. This is one, deliciously powerful way I can contribute to the future, protect the environment, and propel compassion. Plus, we get to lick the bowl of cookie dough without fear!

Our plant-strong diet has fueled more than ten marathons, numerous half-Ironman distance triathlons, an Iron distance triathlon, running of the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim in one go, and a boatload of other adventures. It’s powered similar endeavors for my husband, including many ultra distance cycling and paddling events. I hope it will continue to nourish many more for years to come.

I love experimenting in the kitchen: the bright colors, varied textures, and crisp sounds of produce on the cutting board. I love to bake, gift from the heart, and explore ways of being healthfully creative and economical. I’m always eager to learn and improve, such as through earning my Forks Over Knives Plant-Based Certification. My recipes, photographs, and recipe posts are regularly featured on the Organic India USA blog. My work has also been in Clean Eating, Cooking Light (pre-vegan), Delicious Living, Natural Health, and Natural Solutions magazines; Good Karma’s recipe collection, and more. I hope you find something helpful in this collection of plant-based dishes that nourish our active family, and that we can share our discoveries together, savoring the enjoyments of life less processed.

~Wendy