I’m Karla, a vegan recipe developer based in Puerto Rico, passionate about crafting delicious plant-based dishes. When I’m not in the kitchen, I work as a licensed psychologist and Eating Behavior Specialist while pursuing my Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology.
Hi there!
Hi, I’m Karla! I’m a vegan recipe developer, food photographer, and creator based in Puerto Rico. I started VeggieJeva in 2017 as a creative outlet, not knowing much about recipe development or food photography, but eager to share my journey. Over time, it grew into a space for plant-based inspiration, blending my love for cooking, storytelling, and visual creativity.
My transition to veganism was gradual—I stopped eating red meat in 2011, went vegetarian in 2015, and eventually embraced a fully vegan lifestyle. What started as a personal shift soon became a passion for making plant-based eating more accessible and exciting. A huge part of that journey has been exploring my culture through food, which led me to create #VeganizedPuertoRican—a series dedicated to reimagining traditional Puerto Rican dishes in a way that honors their essence while keeping them fully plant-based.
VeggieJeva was originally intended to be a personal project; a way to work myself into veganism and to spread vegan inspiration throughout the island.
Beyond the kitchen, I’m a licensed psychologist and eating behavior specialist, currently pursuing my Psy.D in Counseling Psychology. While my professional work focuses on helping others build a balanced relationship with food and life in general, this blog allows me to channel my creativity through recipes, photography, and storytelling.
Here, you’ll find delicious vegan recipes alongside posts about creativity, self-care, minimalism, and everyday inspiration. At the heart of it all, my goal is simple: to share good food and inspire others to explore plant-based living in a way that feels joyful and sustainable.
In addition to recipes, you will also find posts here about creativity, lifestyle, self-care, minimalism, traveling, blogging, and veggie-education.
My Food Philosophy
I follow a fully vegan lifestyle when it comes to food, and I strive to extend that to skincare, haircare, and fashion as well. Through vibrant, plant-based recipes, I aim to inspire others to embrace more plant-forward meals in their own lives. To me, food is not just fuel—it’s a vital source of wellness and joy. That’s why cooking creatively is my go-to way of grounding myself whenever life feels overwhelming.
Over the years, I’ve experienced firsthand the transformative power of a vegan diet. Most notably, I was able to reverse a pre-diabetes diagnosis, and I’ve seen how these lifestyle choices can positively affect both body and mind. While I don’t believe in pressuring anyone to adopt veganism, I do encourage others to explore the benefits of plant-based eating. Whether it’s incorporating more plants into your meals once a week, every other day, or even full-time, I’ve seen this approach work wonders for my friends and family.
I believe we all benefit from eating more of what nature gives us and less of what comes from a factory. Though I focus primarily on whole, plant-based foods, I also appreciate the joy of experimenting with processed foods from time to time—because I’m all about embracing variety and avoiding unnecessary restrictions.
A Few Things You Might Not Know About Me:
- I’m a licensed psychologist in Puerto Rico with a certification in Shame-informed Therapy for Eating Behaviors. Find my private practice here.
- Travel is one of my greatest passions, and my second favorite type of photography is capturing stunning landscapes and scenery.
- My curiosity about veganism began at age 10, when I first saw Lisa Simpson explaining her decision to become vegetarian on TV.
- My first job in the workforce was as a budtender in the medical cannabis industry on the island, which helped support me while I was completing my master’s degree.
- My top 5 favorite bands are: Alt-J, Coldplay, Tame Impala, The War On Drugs, and Khruangbin.
Want to work with me? Read all about it here!
Disclosure Statement:
Health & Wellness:
The content on VeggieJeva is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical, nutritional, or professional advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making decisions that may affect your health.
The information provided on this site and associated social media profiles is accurate to the best of my knowledge at the time of publication. As a reader, you are responsible for any actions taken based on the information shared on this blog. I, Karla Alverio, am not liable for any damage to health, well-being, or property resulting from the use of this content.
Sharing Content:
Unless otherwise specified, all content on VeggieJeva is my original work. I will credit third-party sources if I use their images or content. If you wish to share my recipes or photos on your website, please link back to the original post and credit VeggieJeva as the source. Please do not claim my work as your own.
You are welcome to share my content on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest, provided you credit me as the author and include a link to the original post. However, you do not have the rights to use my original content outside of these terms.
Got questions? Please stop by my FAQ page
Press: Looking to contact me about a press opportunity? Head over to the contact section.
