Greetings from snowy Boulder, CO. My first winter in Boulder has been quite an adventure so far. I learned only after moving here that February, March and April are some of the snowiest months of the year. While the temps have been vacillating a lot recently (60s one day, 9 degrees a few days later!), I got a chance to finally explore the Colorado powder at Copper Mountain. In anticipation of skiing, I unpacked my ski gear from childhood and donated everything that was made of leather, and picked up some gently used cruelty-free alternatives (a helmet without leather, leather-free gloves, wool-free neck warmer.

I’m by no means an experienced skier, but I had a really great time enjoying the beautiful scenery! I can see why people trek from all over the world to enjoy the slopes in Colorado.

Skiing at Copper Mountain in Colorado.

Recently, two amazing companies, Tolerant Foods and Explore Asian, sent me samples of their amazing gluten-free vegan pastas. At the risk of sounding incredibly ignorant, I had no idea that it was even possible to turn red lentils, black beans, soybeans and mung beans into pasta! These pastas list the respective beans as the only ingredients, which is a marvel of science if you think about it. This is definitely not your average brown rice or quinoa/corn pasta–each of the pastas I tried (Mung bean, black bean, and red lentil, so far) are rich in flavor and have enjoyable al dente textures.

Gluten-free, organic black bean, soybean and mung bean pastas from Explore Asian.

Tolerant Foods red lentil rotini is gluten-free and vegan.

So far, I’ve tried the black bean penne and red lentil rotini from Tolerant Foods (both so, so good!) as well as the mung bean fettucini from Explore Asian (so unique and satisfying!).

Beyond Meat also generously sent me samples of their latest gluten-free vegan product, Beef-Free Crumbles! I think this may be my favorite Beyond Meat creation yet. Other faux beef products are laden with processed soy and/or processed wheat. I love that Beyond Meat Beef-Free Crumbles, which comes in regular “beefy” and “feisty” flavors, contains pea protein and no weird added fillers.

Beyond Meat Beef-Free Crumbles are vegan and gluten-free and really delicious.

An easy, yummy recipe: Beyond Meat Beef-Free Crumbles, parsley, tomato sauce, black bean pasta from Tolerant Foods!

When I served Beyond Meat Beef-Free  Crumbles and Tolerant Foods’ black bean pasta to guests, the crowd went wild! Granted, they were a vegan, mostly gluten-free crowd, but still, these products are big winners in my book. I’d absolutely serve them again to my friends and loved ones, and enjoy them myself. The only real issue when eating foods like this with hella beans and protein is that you may feel absolutely invincible. Here’s to bean and pea protein power!

Stay warm! xo