Diet is a dirty word as far as we’re concerned, but we love clean, nourishing food and firmly believe there’s no better mood lifter.

It’s pretty normal to want to drop a little weight for the big day (or after a luxuriant holiday season) but it’s so important to do it right! Highly processed fat-free-this or low-cal-that set our alarm bells ringing – what the heck is in that stuff?

There’s no big mystery when it comes to eating well, but a little inspiration doesn’t go astray. We follow a myriad of blogs to keep our daily menus varied and love to experiment with new ingredients and ideas (to varying degrees of success, admittedly). Here are some of our favourite go-to food bloggers for wholesome, healthy inspiration.

Half Baked Harvest

Cooking for a family of 9 from the ripe old age of 15, Tieghan Gerard of Half Baked Harvest knows her way around a kitchen. Her back catalogue is enormous, with creations crossing every food genre and meal type. You’ll find some pretty indulgent stuff on her pages too, but we love her most for her wholesome vegan and veggie-friendly dishes (all beautifully photographed by this talented chick!)

Can you imagine a better start to the day than this coconut acai breakfast bowl? Created and captured by Half Baked Harvest.

Set the detox in motion with this mean green detox salad by Half Baked Harvest.

Green Kitchen Stories

We’re suckers for couple collaboration and love everything about Luise and David’s blog-baby, Green Kitchen Stories. She’s the self-confessed hippie who dreams up the dishes, he’s the food stylist and photographer. A match made in heaven, you say?

Gorgeous, petal-dressed quinoa bircher by Green Kitchen Stories.

Get everything you need in this hippie bowl by Green Kitchen Stories.

My New Roots

A Holistic Nutritionist by trade, Sarah of My New Roots has been on the food blogging scene since 2007. In this calorie-obsessed world of ours, her whole-food ethos is a refreshing change. “I never count calories or worry about my weight because I know that if I eat this way, my body will be in a perfect state of balance and health, naturally.”

Vegan and sugar-free, these peachy keen creamsicles by My New Roots are the perfect summer snack.

Tropical fruit-laden coconut black rice breakfast pudding by My New Roots.

My Darling Lemon Thyme

We love local and Perth-based blogger Kiaora of My Darling Lemon Thyme is a wealth of knowledge and know-how when it comes to wholesome food. Both she and her kids are gluten and lactose intolerant, so all her recipes are naturally sans-both.

Refuel the right way with this vegan blueberry power smoothie by My Darling Lemon Thyme.

My Darling Lemon Thyme mixes up these black bean tacos with a zesty kiwifruit salsa.

A Couple Cooks

A food blog with a love story, A Couple Cooks is a passion project that gradually became Alex and Sonja’s business. Their recipes have a rustic, uncomplicated vibe, which the husband and wife team create, photograph and eat together.

Wholesome, nutritious Italian ribollita by A Couple Cooks.

A vegan and (almost) guilt-free dessert – mocha almond fudge ice cream by A Couple Cooks.

Dolly and Oatmeal

Lindsey, the Brooklyn-based blogger behind Dolly and Oatmeal, began her whole-food journey after discovering food intolerances were causing some health issues. Turning this into a major positive, she now inspires thousands with her delicious, seasonal, allergen-free creations.

A nutritious slant on an old favourite – gluten free super seed pancakes by Dolly and Oatmeal.

Forget the BLAT for brunch, try this spicy sweet potato chip and avocado sammie by Dolly and Oatmeal.

This Rawsome Life

The clue’s pretty much in the title here. Em from This Rawsome Life loves raw, vegan food because she loves her body, the planet and all the creatures in it. Her recipes include loads of unexpected sweet treats and snacks as well as all the green smoothies you can handle.

Snack healthy with these raw super food energy bars by This Rawsome Vegan Life.

All the colours of the food rainbow – garden veggie Vietnamese rolls by This Rawsome Vegan Life.

Happyolks

Colorado couple Kelsey ad Shaun run Happyolks, a food blog that promises “humble, wholesome recipes and meanderings on life, love, loss and the stuff in-between”. Their recipes are delicious and totally accessible and some even include a little soundtrack to set the scene while you’re cooking.

A meat-free twist on a Vietnamese (and Aussie) favourite, try Happyolks’ vegetarian pho.

Channeling flavours of Ubud, Bali, this mango chili rice salad by Happyolks looks utterly delicious.

Cook Republic

Sydneysider Sneh has fingers in many a delicious pie. A food photographer and stylist, cookbook author, and owner of award-winning blog Cook Republic, it’s safe to say this one knows her stuff. As you might expect, her recipes are polished and beautifully photographed, but also super easy to follow.

This roasted rhubarb and chia pudding by Cook Republic is a nice autumn/winter twist on a summer fave.

Salad as comfort food? You bet. Hearty sumac roasted eggplant, lentil and cherry salad by Cook Republic.

Life of Goodness

Tiana Haines of Life of Goodness is one passionate uni student. Studying nutrition and dietetics, she delves a little deeper into the benefits and properties of the ingredients used in her recipes, all the while dispelling myths and misunderstandings of various fad diets. Plus she’s an Aussie and that gets her extra vegan-brownie points.

Swap the straw for a spoon with this vibrant Mango smoothie bowl by Life of Goodness.

Always room for dessert! Raw vegan lime cheesecakes by Life of Goodness.

So many recipes to try this weekend! Still need more? Check out our Nourish Pinterest board.