Hi, I'm Rhonda, welcome to the Fresh Fun Flavor community! Hang around for a while and I'll teach you to create simple, tasty, fun to make, plant-based recipes that are sure to put you on the map at your next neighborhood shindig!
I live in a little country town in Southeast Michigan with my forever person Chris, my kiddo Justin, and Charlie our snuggle-enthusiast rescue kitty. A few years ago, our family made the exciting leap to a fully plant-based lifestyle, and we’ve never looked back!
While I had been vegetarian for over three decades, it was in 2020 that I fully embraced a plant-based lifestyle, diving even deeper into cooking from scratch (something I’ve been passionate about for 35 years).
A complete paradigm shift
Our transition to plant-based eating started when a friend suggested we check out two documentaries, What The Health and Forks Over Knives. The information was so incredibly eye-opening that by the time the credits rolled it was a no brainer that we were all in.
Chris even enrolled in the Forks Over Knives Culinary School, bringing his new culinary expertise into our kitchen, while I immersed myself in researching everything I could about plant-based nutrition. I will tell you, the benefits are seemingly endless.
We noticed some of these benefits quite quickly—within just a couple of weeks, we were both already feeling positive changes. For me, that “last five pounds” I had been trying to lose for five years suddenly came off effortlessly. We both felt more energetic, no more afternoon fatigue. And I saw how much clearer and more radiant my skin was becoming—something I hadn’t experienced in decades.
That thing that no one talks about
Even Justin (who was 10 at the time) experienced a noticeable difference! He came to me one day and very seriously asked me why he was suddenly “pooping so much.” It turns out, when you fuel your body with healthy plant-based, whole foods, everything functions better—even the pooping! It was a funny moment that perfectly captured this new lifestyle.
Let's do this together
My decision to start this blog was to document our culinary delights in a fun way so my son (when he eventually moves out) can easily recreate the healthy, delicious meals he grew up with. It will feel like Mom’s right there guiding him (and all of you!) with simple, foolproof recipes, easy step by step instructions, and mouth-watering photos.
Some say Peanut, we say PeaNOT
If you, your spouse, or your kiddos have peanut allergies, you’re in a completely safe space here! We’ve been navigating peanut allergies for 15 years, as my son is also a peanut allergy kiddo. We’ve become pros at handling this challenge and creating safe, delicious meals completely free of peanuts. While some recipes may include other nuts, I’ll always provide nut-free substitutions wherever possible, so everyone can enjoy the food without worry.
How to Go Plant-Based Without Losing Your Mind (or Taste Buds)
I'll be your tour guide on this plant based journey of yours and I am so very excited to have you here! You'll learn everything from how to stock your pantry for success (and what to get rid of). How to impress even the most stubborn carnivores (like my own Dad). How to be the hit of the next school bake sale, and sooooooo much more! So grab your apron and let's get cooking—because life’s too short for boring meals.
The official FFF philosophy
There’s only one rule in our kitchen: If you're not making a mess, you're not having fun!