Drenda-Michell Brennan
Drenda-Michell Brennan joined EatPlant-Based in January 2023 as a recipe developer and has continued to expand her skills into photography, SEO, technical assistance, and writing. She is a valued member of our team that continually impresses! Our EatPlant-Based community knows her as Chelbo from our Facebook Tuesday LIVES.
She lived in Japan in the 1980s and 90s where she enjoyed spending much of her time visiting the kitchens of family and friends, watching and learning to prepare traditional Japanese cuisine.
Over the years, as her family grew, her family’s enjoyment of cooking and eating Japanese dishes together grew as well. Many of the recipes she writes are a result of the strong affection for the family meal traditions they have developed over the years.
She was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis/autoimmune disease and it runs in her family. Not wanting to give up the foods she loves led her to begin to adapt the recipes for a plant-based lifestyle. Read about her health journey in this personal article.
Drenda-Michell is the mother of three Japanese-American grown children and grandmother (HuneyGram) to eight grandchildren. She is an avid apiarist and spends most of her time working with her bees. (#huneygramshoneybees.com) She also happens to be the sister of Terri Edwards, of EatPlant-Based. Read more about her story in this article, From Veggie Hater to Plant-Based.
Recipes & Articles by Drenda-Michell Brennan
Vanilla Vegan Cashew Cream (in 10 minutes!)
This super easy vanilla cashew cream recipe is amazing! It’s a sweet, icing-like, topping that turns anything into a guilt-free dessert in only 10 minutes!
Mexican Soup in a Jar
This Mexican soup in a jar offers both convenience and taste because all you have to do is add water, and it’s ready to enjoy. It simplifies meal preparation without…
Homemade Walnut Butter
Let us show you how to make your own homemade walnut butter by simply roasting raw walnuts to bring out their natural oils and then blending them in a food…
Asian Mason Jar Soup (Just Add Water)
This Asian Mason Jar Soup is a meal prep dream, requiring minimal effort and zero cooking. Simply layer the fresh ingredients in a jar, add the broth base, seal the…
Best Homemade Poultry Seasoning
This homemade poultry seasoning recipe adds a burst of deliciousness to vegetable dishes, elevating their flavor profile with a savory and aromatic blend of herbs and spices. Its versatility enhances…
Easy Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe
Whipping up your own batch of Taco Tuesday magic with Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix is a breeze! You’ll be tempted to declare it Taco Fiesta every day of the week…
Peanut Butter Granola Cereal
This peanut butter granola cereal is the perfect make-ahead breakfast that is healthy and hearty enough to keep you full for hours. It is soft and chewy, perfect for all…
Vegetable Udon Noodle Soup
This delicious udon noodle soup recipe is centered around thick chewy udon noodles in a rich dashi-based broth with vegetables, tofu, and tender mushrooms. It is a warm, comforting vegan…
Oatmeal Energy Balls with Almond Butter
Oatmeal Energy Balls are easy, no-bake snacks that can be assembled in mere minutes. They are packed with wholesome ingredients and serve as convenient options for on-the-go breakfasts and snacks.
Controlling Rheumatoid Arthritis with Diet
Controlling symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis with diet is not something that most RA patients hear much if anything about. However, a healthy diet can play a huge role in managing…
Japanese Somen Cold Noodle Soup Recipe
This quick and easy somen cold noodle soup recipe is a perfect light meal for cooling down on hot summer days. It is made with a delicious dashi broth and…
Asian Cabbage Salad with Wasabi Mayo Dressing
This Asian Cabbage Salad with wasabi mayo dressing is light, colorful, and bursting with flavor which makes it a perfect side dish for many other dishes!
Veggie Pasta Primavera
This delicious vegetable pasta dish is vegan, oil-free, and so super quick and easy to make that it makes the weekly rotation at our house all summer long! It can…
Furikake (Japanese Rice Seasoning)
Homemade furikake is a Japanese rice seasoning that is not just for rice. Sprinkle it on ramen noodles, veggie sushi, poke bowls, and even popcorn to easily add flavor to…
Easy Vegan Wasabi Mayo
This vegan wasabi mayonnaise adds a bold, spicy kick to your favorite dishes while staying dairy-free and egg-free. It’s a creamy, plant-based condiment perfect for veggie sushi, sandwiches, burgers, and…
Vegan Miso Ramen Japanese Soup
This Vegan Miso Ramen Japanese Soup is flavored with miso broth and a mix of vegetables like cabbage, green onions, and corn served over a bed of delicious ramen noodles…
Easy Dashi Stock (Japanese Soup Broth)
Dashi Stock is the key ingredient in many Japanese recipes, soups, and sauces. Using only 2 ingredients plus water, this meatless broth adds a deep, rich flavor to Asian and…
Sweet Potato Sushi Roll
This vegetarian/vegan Sweet Potato Sushi Roll recipe is made with baked or roasted sweet potatoes, sushi rice, nori, and even other vegetables if you want to add them. It’s absolutely…
Easy Vegan Veggie Sushi
We love Vegan Sushi, but it can be so expensive to buy in restaurants. The good news is that it’s easy to make at home, and you can customize it…
How to Make Sushi Rice
Make this easy Sushi Rice in your rice steamer, Instant Pot, or on the stovetop. With only 5 ingredients you can have sticky rice ready to make sushi for dinner…
How to Roll Sushi
Learning How to Roll Sushi at home in your own kitchen saves money, and it isn’t difficult at all. With only a few ingredients, it is easy to make custom…
Barley Soup with Vegetables
I love soup for so many reasons! Not only is it easy to make and super filling, but it reheats and freezes well too. This barley vegetable soup recipe is…
WFPB Diet: From Veggie Hater to Plant-Based
I posted this picture on my big sister’s Facebook page sometime back. I’m so very proud of her! This is her plant-based diet weight loss before and after. Former vegetable-hater For…
Dairy-Free Ranch Seasoning
This dairy-free ranch seasoning is a flavorful blend of herbs and spices that brings all the tangy, savory goodness of traditional ranch, without the dairy. Perfect for sprinkling on salads,…
Dairy-Free Hazelnut Cashew Coffee Creamer
This Dairy-Free Hazelnut Cashew Coffee Creamer is a Java game-changer! It’s so simple that you can make it in less than 5 minutes. It’s dairy-free, has no refined sugar or…
Easy Chocolate Cashew Cream
Chocolate Cashew Cream is a delectable, creamy whipped topping that pairs wonderfully with bagels, cakes, muffins, and pancakes. It also makes an excellent pie topping, dip for fresh fruit, or…
Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes
These Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes are cozy, fluffy, and full of fall flavor—even if it’s not fall! They’re the perfect weekend breakfast treat, and no one will ever guess they’re plant-based…
Healthy Vegan Ramen Noodles
This quick and easy Healthy Vegan Ramen is made with just a handful of simple ingredients and ready in 10 minutes! With a rich, savory broth and customizable toppings, it’s…
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies (gluten-free)
The most difficult thing about these easy-to-make vegan chocolate chip cookies is waiting for them to cool! Packed with non-dairy chocolate chips, these cookies offer a delightfully rich chocolate flavor…
Slow Cooker Pinto Beans (with Instant Pot instructions)
Learn how to make perfectly tender, flavorful slow cooker pinto beans (and Instant Pot) from scratch. This easy, budget-friendly recipe is packed with plant-based goodness and perfect for meal prep,…