Author: Desty G

7-Minute Latin-Inspired Tacos That’ll Blow Your Mind Estimated Time: 25 minutes | Serves: 4 A Flavor-Packed Dinner That Feeds Your Soul There are two types of weeknights: the ones where you’ve got energy to cook something elaborate… and the ones where you stare into the fridge wondering if cereal counts as dinner. This taco night was born from one of those second types. I was standing in the kitchen with a hungry family, a ripe plantain, and a pantry full of basics. I wasn’t in the mood to spend a lot of time cooking — but I wanted something…

$25 Emergency Grocery Budget: 5 Power-Packed Plant-Based Meals When Money’s Tight Struggling to feed your family healthy meals on a super tight budget? Here’s how to stretch $25 into a full week of simple, satisfying, plant-based meals. These recipes are nourishing, affordable, and built for real life. I know what it’s like to stare down a nearly empty fridge, a too-small budget, and hungry kids asking, “What’s for dinner?” There was a season where my grocery trips involved calculators and anxiety. But that’s when I learned this truth: plant-based meals can be a lifeline. Not only are they affordable when…

20-Minute Magic: Budget-Friendly Peanut Butter Noodles That’ll Change Dinner Forever Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4 | Calories per Serving: ~450 Budget-Friendly Peanut Butter Noodles with Vegetables Creamy. Comforting. Customizable. Cheap. This peanut butter noodle dish came to life on one of those wild evenings when I had a half-box of spaghetti, one sad carrot, some cabbage, and a jar of peanut butter. That’s all it took to create a recipe that became a family favorite in The Destined Kitchen. Plant-based Budget-friendly Quick and easy Totally satisfying Perfect for…

7 Pantry-Only Plant-Based Meals That Actually Taste Good (No Fridge? No Problem!) Got no fridge or trying to rely on what’s already in your pantry? These pantry only plant-based meals are budget-friendly, shelf-stable, and surprisingly good. Perfect for tiny kitchens, emergency prep, or saving money. No Fridge? No Problem! Pantry-Only Plant-Based Meals That Actually Taste Good I’ve never personally had to live without a fridge—but I’ve definitely had those weeks where I needed to stretch what was in the pantry and make it work. Whether you’re in a temporary housing situation, dealing with a broken fridge, trying to save money,…

From Forest to Fryer: The Day I Fell in Love With a Mushroom Y’all — I remember the first time I made this recipe. My kids came running into the kitchen thinking I was frying up chicken. One bite in, my oldest said, “Mom… this is better than chicken.” I nearly dropped my tongs. Fried Hen of the Woods mushrooms (aka Maitake) are that magical. They’re crunchy, savory, juicy, and satisfying in a way that only real-deal comfort food can be. And the best part? It’s totally plant-based and made from whole foods. No fake meats. No weird ingredients. Just…

You ever just stare into your fridge and think… “What should i cook tonight?”Y’all, I’ve been there more times than I can count—especially as a busy mom trying to whip up something quick, healthy, and plant-based. That’s exactly why I created the Recipe Spinner—a fun little tool that does the deciding for you!Yep, no more endless scrolling. No more overthinking. Just click and cook. Why You’ll Love the Recipe Spinner: 1. It’s Fun! We all need a little joy in the kitchen. This spinner adds a sprinkle of surprise to your mealtime routine and makes dinner feel less like a…

5 Powerful Mindset Shifts That Made My Plant-Based Journey Easier When I first started transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle, I had all the enthusiasm in the world—but not the mindset to match. I was excited by the health benefits, inspired by others’ transformations, and determined to feel better in my body. But within a few weeks, I found myself feeling overwhelmed. One day I’d be crushing it—eating a rainbow of veggies and feeling amazing. The next? I’d grab something processed, feel guilty, and start questioning whether I could even do this. There was a point where every little “slip-up” felt…

Vegan Scalloped Potatoes | The Destined Kitchen Irresistible Vegan Scalloped Potatoes for the Perfect Easter Side These creamy vegan scalloped potatoes are a comfort food dream—layered with tender yellow potatoes and a rich dairy-free sauce, then baked to golden perfection with herbed breadcrumbs on top. Whether you’re prepping for Easter brunch, a holiday potluck, or just a cozy family dinner, this is the recipe to wow your table. “Food can be both healing and nostalgic. This dish brings both.” Easter gatherings have always been about love, laughter, and sharing food that brings people together. In my family, the side dishes…

Exploring How a Vegan Diet Supports Autoimmune and Inflammatory Disorders We’ve all heard how plant-based diets can help with weight loss, reduce cholesterol, and lower the risk of heart disease. But what about people dealing with chronic health conditions—like autoimmune flare-ups, hormonal chaos, or gut inflammation that feels like a full-time job? This is where the healing side of veganism really shines. Today, we’re digging into how a vegan or mostly plant-based diet can support three major (and often frustrating) health concerns: Autoimmune Diseases Gastrointestinal Disorders Hormonal Imbalances This isn’t just theory either—we’re blending research with real stories from people…

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Destined Kitchen (@thedestinedkitchen) Creamy Vegan Cajun Pasta | The Destined Kitchen Creamy Vegan Cajun Pasta (Nut-Free!) I’ll never forget the day I found out my middle son was allergic to cashews. He was just a toddler, sitting in the cart at Walmart while I was grabbing groceries. I was snacking on a small pack of mixed nuts and thought nothing of handing him one—just one—tiny cashew. Within minutes, his face started swelling. His lips puffed up. His eyes looked puffy. I remember the pure panic that shot through my body.…