Please give a warm welcome to Hot From The Kettle's new Vegan blogger, Dianne Wenz, otherwise known as Veggie Girl.

That's right - vegan. I know Hot From The Kettle® is somewhat pork-centric, with all that proscuitto curing, pig roasting and what not. Fear not my carniverous friends, I will not be dropping the meatball.

Dianne Wenz, VLC, HHC, AADP is a Holistic Health Counselor, Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Plant-Based Nutrition Specialist. Dianne coaches people from across the country to help them improve their health and wellbeing, and she helps people make the dietary and lifestyle changes needed to go meatless. Dianne also runs the busy MeetUp group Montclair Vegans. Through the group she hosts monthly potlucks, runs charity bake sales and organizes guest speaker events. An avid cook and baker, Dianne also teaches cooking classes to local New Jersey clients. To learn more, visit Dianne’s website and blog at www.VeggieGirl.com

So how do foodies bond? Over food, of course! So we headed over to Samba Montclair for lunch. Dianne, opted for the vegan friendly Arugula and Mango salad with pistachios. I ordered an Arugula, Watermelon and Feta salad that was refreshing and delicious, but not vegan.

Look for Dianne's vegan column on Hot From The Kettle® every "Meatless Monday."