Oh hi there!
We’re Liz and Paul, the creators of Zardyplants.
First off, let’s explain Zardyplants since, that’s us.
When I (Liz) was little, my mom called me Lizzie, which became Lizard, which eventually became Zard. That turned into Zardy because anything is cuter if you put a -y or an -ie at the end. Then my older brother, in his infinite cleverness, added “pants” to the end and called me Zardypants. Fast forward 20 years, Zardyplants seemed like the only blog name that felt authentically me, since I eat so many plants I call myself an Herbivore.
ANYWAY. Paul and I are a totally dorky married couple from the Northwest suburbs of Chicago with our cute but crazy dog Luna, a chihuahua-dachsund (chiweenie) mix from a local animal shelter.
Paul is a freelance photographer/marketer/nerd and I am a recipe developer/writer/dork. I also work a full time job at a house of worship.
When it comes to the blog, Paul is the brains behind everything you see and I am behind everything you eat. Paul does all the photography, videography, editing, technical blog stuff (there’s a lot you don’t see that goes into keeping this thing running!), and any marketing (besides social media posting, which we share). He also keeps the house running and does all the dishes which is amazing. I cook constantly and develop recipes, write the posts, write emails, do cooking demos (a blast!), write the e-books, and do a lot of trying to track down new things for us to learn whether it’s watching webinars, listening to podcasts on my way to and from work, or networking with other bloggers.
Paul and I started this food blog to share our vegan recipes. We went vegan together in early 2018 after watching the documentary Forks Over Knives. We went vegan for the animals, for our health, and for the environment and will always be vegan. I even went ahead and got a certificate in Plant Based Nutrition from eCornell because it was that important to me, and helped me understand how to eat a healthy, nutritious, satisfying plant based diet backed by science and research. The recipes on my site show that you shouldn’t have to give up the taste you love for to support the animals we love, our bodies, and our planet.
We’d love to get to know you, our readers. Drop us a comment below or find us on your favorite social media platform. We’re most active on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest (all under the handle @zardyplants) or you’re welcome to email us too!
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Jamie lauer
Awe, nice to meet you Zardy💚 You are correct putty a y at the ends makes everything cuter. I call my boy Tucky and Mitchy💙💙 Anyways I found a recipe of your on a clean eating page I belong to. I’m really excited to make the lavender nice cream and to continue checking out you blog. Have a wonderful day!
Jamie
Kristen
So excited to come across your blog! Can’t wait to try these recipes!
Cindy W
Just found you! So glad to meet you and try some of your recipes!
I became vegetarian at 50. I’m now 63 - and have removed milk a long time ago - cheese is my next hurdle. It’s definitely been a learning experience!
But- I feel great.
Viola
Hi, I am so glad I found your blo! Me and my husband watched game changers on netflix and was inspired so now we are transitioning to Vegetarian and eventualky vegan! So excited to try all your recipes!
Sandy Beck
I LOVE your blog. I have made so many of your recipes and they've all been great! I'm most grateful for the amazing cheese recipes! Your directions are so precise that I've been very successful with all of them. Having such tasty vegan alternatives has given me the ability to adapt favorite recipes that use cheese. Thanks again for your help in my vegan journey!!
Roberta Richardson
Hi, Zardy! Thanks for the Bio, I always like to know a little about the people who write the best recipe blogs!
Fun to know you live in my old stomping grounds. I grew up in Arlington Hts, and continued to visit family frequently there for decades.
I am looking forward to trying several of your recipes, as I transition from long-time vegetarian to vegan. Thanks so much for sharing your creativity!
Debi Allen
Extremely excited to try your recipes. My husband, our youngest son and daughter are all vegan since September 2019, except my daughter who has been since 2007. We are doing it for all the same reasons you mentioned. Forks over Knives, Game Changers and What the Health were all eye openers. My meals have never been so tasty and interesting. Thanks!!!!!
Liz
Hi Liz and Paul, I'm a Liz too! I also loved lizards as a kid ... found you via reddit and liked your logo ... AND turns out I'm on the other side of Chicago from you! Glad to find your blog and these recipes look amazing. Going to have to try my hand at some stretchy vegan mozz asap.
Kim Baker
How did I find you? I love Ruebens, as do my Vegan buddies, have tried a couple of recipes which were' ok,' but I have high hopes for your recipe. Reading the ingredients in your recipe resonant with me, so I jumped. Aaaaand, I happen to have a rye bread begging to be made into said sandwich. I also have Brussels Sprouts ! Dont you just love them?? Any who, I am hoping to become a 'groupy'. God bless you!
Sare
I love the bio! Zardyplants is a catchy, unique brand — nice! I’ve been eating and cooking a mostly plant based diet for about seven years (great stints of that were spent vegan, vegetarian, and raw vegan). I’ve looked at your stretchy vegan cheese recipe and I’m really excited to try it! Thanks for sharing your light and love with the world!
Ellen
Just found your site while looking for a vegan corned beef recipe for a vegan reuben. (Yes, another person searching for a good vegan reuben.) The kalamata olives and Better Than Bouillon Vegan Beef base caught my eye as I use those a lot. I love your website name explanation and I'm totally a dog person. Love your dog! I'm going to try this recipe tonight. I just wanted to thank you for your website. I will be returning!
Tammy
So nice to meet you! I'm excited that Forks Over Knives changed your lives as well. We watched it back in March of 2013 and never looked back. We've recently been following Chef AJ's Ultimate Weight Loss to drop some lb's (now that we're in our 50's!), but we're making an exception this weekend! I'll be making our Chanukah favorites (a little late this year) PLUS (as nervous as I am), I'm making your challah recipe. I look forward to following your channel. Peace, Tammy and Joey
Karen Flynn
Hi Zardy!
I’m so thrilled I found you! At 5* out, I was searching new soup recipes to try! This is my fourth year being vegan, and in fact, we recently bought and are fixing up a bed and breakfast, and I plan to serve an all vegan menu! Thank you for all your recipes, your fabulous presentation and your dedication! I’m so excited to read and try everything! Yum! Yum! Yum!
KAREN SWAN
I actually became a vegetarian after seeing the same documentary! Going to watch it again and will be vegan, soon! Just printed off a bunch of your recipes---can't wait to try them! Thank you!!!