Vegan, Gluten-Free & Refined Sugar-Free 4th of July Menu!

Hey y'all! ♡

I wanted to give you, my friends, some ideas for vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar-free snacks, dips, sides, main meals, and desserts to bring to a party or serve to guests for the 4th of July! I was pretty amped to create a menu full of delicious & creative plant-based items designed to impress. Holidays always get my creative juices flowing now that I'm a vegan.

The vegan lifestyle has really helped to bring forth my creative side. Up until that point, I had just come to accept that that side of me was non-existent or maybe just buried deep down with a key to unlock it that had dropped to the bottom of the ocean floor. My mom was so gifted in art and creating, so it always baffled me how I seemed to lack that quality, but the truth is, I have always been creative, we all are, I just had to find my outlet, which just so happens to be cooking and food. Cooking/baking, recipe development, food photography, food styling, food presentation... they are all truly an art. But I digress...

Anyway... some of these recipes are mine but I'm also going to provide you guys with some recipes from other bloggers, too. They are all certified crowd-pleasers, no need to fear! :-)

4th of July is a day to celebrate freedom with family, friends, food, and fireworks (check out that alliteration!). That doesn't mean you have to slip into a food coma from eating junk though. These delicious options will keep you energized, satisfied and still healthy. Imagine that! :-P I hope you all find something that tickles your fancy below to help you celebrate cruelty-free style!

* indicates recipe sourced from another blogger.

Top left to right: Watermelon Mango Smoothie • Black Bean, Quinoa & Veggie Salad • Sweet Potato Fries
Middle left to right: Black Bean & Quinoa Veggie Burger • Nachos with Cashew "Cheese" & Tempeh Crumbles • Avocado Enchiladas
Bottom left to right: Almond Butter Brownies • Key Lime Pie Bars • Chocolate Cupcakes with Coconut Icing

Beverages
• Watermelon Mango Smoothie
• Fresh Orange Banana Lime Daiquiri* (Kathy Patalsky) --adult beverage; use raw coconut nectar instead of agave syrup
• Naturally Flavored Water* (Nancy Creative)

Snacks/Dips
• Guacamole* (Budget Savvy Diva)
• Buffalo Cauliflower Bites & Ranch Dip* (Nutrition Stripped)
• Queso* (Detoxinista)
• Raw Red Bell Pepper Dip* (Kimberly Snyder via The Wooden Spoon Diaries)
• Brown Rice Tortilla Chips* (Kimberly Snyder)

Sides
• Black Bean, Quinoa & Veggie Salad with Tangy-Sweet Dressing
• Sweet Potato Fries
• Asparagus Pesto Pasta Salad* (Fat Free Vegan)
• Snappy Crunchy Coleslaw* (Gluten-Free Goddess) --use raw coconut nectar instead of agave

Mains
• Black Bean & Quinoa Veggie Burgers
• Nachos with Cashew "Cheese" & Tempeh Crumbles
• Tex-Mex Style Quinoa Salad --you could also stuff this filling in a tortilla & add some cashew "cheese" sauce on top, yum!
• Avocado Enchiladas 
• Grilled Veggie Skewers* (Love & Lemons)
• Ultimate Green Taco Wraps with Lentil-Walnut Taco Meat* (Oh She Glows)

Dessert
• Almond Butter Brownies
• Blueberries & Strawberries with Whipped Coconut Cream
• Raw Strawberry Shortcake "Nice Cream"
• Chocolate Cupcakes with Coconut Icing
• Nutty for Nutella Milkshake* (Vegan à la Mode)
• Triple Berry Raw Cheesecake* (Spabettie) --use raw coconut nectar or pure maple syrup instead of agave
• Key Lime Pie Bars* (Kimberly Snyder)
• Chocolate Chip Cookies* (Healthy Crush)
• Light Summer Berry Yogurt Pie* (Chocolate Covered Katie)

"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." Nelson Mandela