Reading through the MFA's top 10 Blog List from 2010 is comical. http://www.mfablog.org/2010/12/mfas-top-10-blog-posts-from-2010.html First of all, how did I not know that Lady Gaga wore a meat dress? I'm so out of the loop. I only have a couple years before I really need to keep up just to have a conversation with my daughter. I find the dress disturbing...even if I wasn't Vegan it's nasty.
The next thing I found interesting is the Betty Crocker Project. I am now adding that to one of the blogs I attempt to follow. But just this week, with Christmas and all, I start to clean out to make room for the new presents, and I got 2 new vegan cook books, therefore I need to dump 2 old cookbooks and one that is being sent to Goodwill is the Betty Crocker Cook book. Definitely no longer need it if I can go on the blog and it's already veganized!!
I need to keep up with my reading, totally missed World Go Vegan Week. Will make it a point to go out to one of the restaurants that participates next year. Speaking of, if you are planning a trip to Orlando, FL...I just returned from a couple days there and ate at an amazing place that will please the whole family. My child who snacked uncontrollably on the plane ride ate almost her whole dinner and my non-vegan husband loved his meal and was happy I made him go. The Loving Hut. Downtown Orlando. I'll just warn you, when you pull up you will not think it's going to be any good, but it really is wonderful and healthy!
Gotta love the billboard, "Why love one and eat the other?" with a picture of a puppy and a piglet. And right next to a Wendy's. My husband would flip! He hates it when anyone tries to push their beliefs on another, and I'm not shy about my veganism!
Just to through my little piece in to finish out the year...My Aunt and Uncle got me a couple Peta shirts. The one I actually wore to Chirstmas dinner with Evan's parents, "Holidays are murder on Turkeys, Go Vegan." I plan to wear this to every holiday type event possible! My favorite part, weather they go vegan or now, buying the shirt supports Peta. Good for them!
Greaning and Cleaning My Life A new chapter to a healthier lifestyle, Vegan and Organic (in all parts of my life that I can control)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Super "Meaty" Chili with TVP and Cornbread
TVP was introduced to me by my sister. She has made many meals out of it, including tacos that I enjoyed. I found it in the bulk section of Whole Foods, which is the only place I want to shop these days. Don't be surprised by the look of it. It's dry flakes. Just try it.
Most of the time, TVP needs to be re hydrated in hot water for 8-10 minutes, unless it will be hydrated when cooking, such as in a soup with extra liquid. But the secret in this recipe is to only partially rehydrate the TVP, so that it absorbs some of the spices from the chili and the liquid from the tomatoes.
From: The Everything Vegan Cookbook
Chili
Serves 6
1 1/2 cups TVP granules
1 cup hot vegetable broth
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 yellow onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup corn kernals (fresh, frozen, or canned)
2 15 oz cans beans (black, kidney or pinto)
15 oz can diced tomatoes
1 jalapeno pepper, minced, or 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
1 tsp cumin
2 tbsp chili powder
salt and pepper to taste
Cover the TVP with hot vegetable broth and soy sauce. Allow to sit for 3-4 minutes only, then drain. In a large soup or stock pot, saute the onion and garlic in olive oil until onions are soft, about 3-4 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and TVP, stirring well to combine. Cover and allow to simmer over low heat for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasonings to taste.
From: The Joy of Vegan Baking
Cornbread
9 servings
1 1/2 cups nondairy milk
1 1/2 tbsp distilled white vinegar
1 cup cornmeal (or polenta)
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
3 tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tbsp canola oil
1/2 to 1 cup organic whole corn kernels (optional)
Preheat the oven to 425. Lightly oil a 9 x 9 inch baking dish.
In a small bowl, combine the milk and vinegar, and set aside.
Mix the cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl. Add the milk and vinegar mixture as well as the oil. If adding the corn kernels, now is the time to do so. Stir until blended. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish. Bake until the top is golden brown, 25-30 minutes. You may serve it at room temperature, but it's most delectable hot out of the oven.
Most of the time, TVP needs to be re hydrated in hot water for 8-10 minutes, unless it will be hydrated when cooking, such as in a soup with extra liquid. But the secret in this recipe is to only partially rehydrate the TVP, so that it absorbs some of the spices from the chili and the liquid from the tomatoes.
From: The Everything Vegan Cookbook
Chili
Serves 6
1 1/2 cups TVP granules
1 cup hot vegetable broth
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 yellow onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup corn kernals (fresh, frozen, or canned)
2 15 oz cans beans (black, kidney or pinto)
15 oz can diced tomatoes
1 jalapeno pepper, minced, or 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
1 tsp cumin
2 tbsp chili powder
salt and pepper to taste
Cover the TVP with hot vegetable broth and soy sauce. Allow to sit for 3-4 minutes only, then drain. In a large soup or stock pot, saute the onion and garlic in olive oil until onions are soft, about 3-4 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and TVP, stirring well to combine. Cover and allow to simmer over low heat for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasonings to taste.
From: The Joy of Vegan Baking
Cornbread
9 servings
1 1/2 cups nondairy milk
1 1/2 tbsp distilled white vinegar
1 cup cornmeal (or polenta)
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
3 tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tbsp canola oil
1/2 to 1 cup organic whole corn kernels (optional)
Preheat the oven to 425. Lightly oil a 9 x 9 inch baking dish.
In a small bowl, combine the milk and vinegar, and set aside.
Mix the cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl. Add the milk and vinegar mixture as well as the oil. If adding the corn kernels, now is the time to do so. Stir until blended. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish. Bake until the top is golden brown, 25-30 minutes. You may serve it at room temperature, but it's most delectable hot out of the oven.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Vegan Body Building
I found something interesting, worth taking a peek at. Vegan Body Building. While I enjoy a good work out, and am taking a lot of pleasure in eating well and animal-free, I am not going crazy and diving into this world...yet. It's a really neat website to explore. I like knowing that there are all different types of vegans out there. They are normal people, and they are capable of doing anything! We're not all "Vegan Freaks" although from time to time we may feel that way.
http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/
http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Vegan Babies
I was just reading an article about Vegan pregnancies and vegan babies. Now it was a couple years old, but it was one of the first things that popped up when I searched vegan baby. Since I just had a miscarriage and we're about ready to start trying again (physically we're ready, emotionally we're scarred), I want to do a lot of research to make sure I do things right. I have already read The Organic Pregnancy and I have a couple other books on the subject. This article really upset me. No I know there is a lot of bad publicity out there on veganism, but this is just silly. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/21/opinion/21planck.html
First of all, did you really think only giving your 3 month old baby soy milk and apple juice is enough? Emma has been on vitamins all her life, mostly because we have well water and there isn't any flouride in it, but also because children do not eat everything their parents give them. Until she had enough teeth, she was a vegan. Only had breast milk fruits and vegetables., that I personally made. and the occasional jar of baby food. She turned out just fine. Now she has the rare chicken nuggets or something from a fast food when she's with someone else, but she is mostly vegan AND she is very healthy. As long as you do the research and know how to do it right, than it is healthy and is actually good for you. This site is very informative: http://www.naturalnews.com/025563_food_vegan_foods.html
It's giving vegans a bad name, and really it's only people who don't know what they're doing. Apple juice and soy milk is not enough for a baby. They need more nutrients. That's why people made formula, for those that can not breast feed. There are also milk banks and vegan formulas, although they may be expensive, if you really want your child to be vegan and you really can't breast feed, than it's worth the money to save your child from dying of malnourishment. And as for meds and vaccines, although they are totally your choice and some have eggs in them, by the way you idiots, they save lives! So if you value your child's life, do it. Because of the ridiculous people that don't give their children vaccines, we are now having outbreaks of the diseases that haven't been heard of for years! People make me angry.
Maybe it's because of the business I work it, EMS, that makes me say, job security is stupid people. On the other hand, people are dumb and drive me nuts.
First of all, did you really think only giving your 3 month old baby soy milk and apple juice is enough? Emma has been on vitamins all her life, mostly because we have well water and there isn't any flouride in it, but also because children do not eat everything their parents give them. Until she had enough teeth, she was a vegan. Only had breast milk fruits and vegetables., that I personally made. and the occasional jar of baby food. She turned out just fine. Now she has the rare chicken nuggets or something from a fast food when she's with someone else, but she is mostly vegan AND she is very healthy. As long as you do the research and know how to do it right, than it is healthy and is actually good for you. This site is very informative: http://www.naturalnews.com/025563_food_vegan_foods.html
It's giving vegans a bad name, and really it's only people who don't know what they're doing. Apple juice and soy milk is not enough for a baby. They need more nutrients. That's why people made formula, for those that can not breast feed. There are also milk banks and vegan formulas, although they may be expensive, if you really want your child to be vegan and you really can't breast feed, than it's worth the money to save your child from dying of malnourishment. And as for meds and vaccines, although they are totally your choice and some have eggs in them, by the way you idiots, they save lives! So if you value your child's life, do it. Because of the ridiculous people that don't give their children vaccines, we are now having outbreaks of the diseases that haven't been heard of for years! People make me angry.
Maybe it's because of the business I work it, EMS, that makes me say, job security is stupid people. On the other hand, people are dumb and drive me nuts.
Vegan Freak
I'm reading another vegan book, Vegan Freak. After someone pointed out to me that I am not actually vegan, I eat a plant based diet, this book is the inspiration I needed to be vegan. I originally did this whole thing for my health. And while I have never felt more amazing, I need more purpose. So we're going vegan, everything I buy should be vegan. No more animal products anywhere! I am really inspired to be part of the animal rights movement. The authors of this book, Bob and Jenna Torres, have a pod cast... veganfreakradio.com. It's good. They are hilarious and informative.
As for the cooking, I ate left overs for a whole week from Thanksgiving. I do have one or two recipes I need to add and will get to that soon. For Thanksgiving, my husband, with the culinary degree was asked to do the turkey, stuffing and gravy. He made stuffing and gravy just for me, how nice. I made the stuffed butternut squash recipe I believe I posted on here already, if not than I will get on it. My mom and her husband were in charge of mashed potatoes, the made some vegan. I also made rolls. Everyone made fun of my veganism and called my food fake, but after they tried it, no one complained about the taste. Then for dessert I made the no bake peanut butter chocolate pie and a pumpkin pie. There were 9 pies, so not everyone tried all, but anyone that did try mine, loved it. I decided that aside from being labeled as "weird" the biggest challange is showing people that there is a ton of delicious vegan foods and explaining that we don't need extra vitamins (other than B12 and an occasional D), I eat a lot and I eat well. I also love telling people how awesome my skin is (turned out I was pregnant and that's why my skin was awesome, since I miscarried I'm really itchy, but that's in debate of the cause), I have not gotten sick at all, I have had no migraines or sinus infestions (which are chronic for me) and I feel awesome!
I realized there are many resources on facebook for finding people to talk to about the challanges you may come across. The longer I do this, the easier it becomes. I promised I wouldn't make anyone become vegan, but I feel really strongly about it, and I can come up with a thousand reasons to convince you!!
As for the cooking, I ate left overs for a whole week from Thanksgiving. I do have one or two recipes I need to add and will get to that soon. For Thanksgiving, my husband, with the culinary degree was asked to do the turkey, stuffing and gravy. He made stuffing and gravy just for me, how nice. I made the stuffed butternut squash recipe I believe I posted on here already, if not than I will get on it. My mom and her husband were in charge of mashed potatoes, the made some vegan. I also made rolls. Everyone made fun of my veganism and called my food fake, but after they tried it, no one complained about the taste. Then for dessert I made the no bake peanut butter chocolate pie and a pumpkin pie. There were 9 pies, so not everyone tried all, but anyone that did try mine, loved it. I decided that aside from being labeled as "weird" the biggest challange is showing people that there is a ton of delicious vegan foods and explaining that we don't need extra vitamins (other than B12 and an occasional D), I eat a lot and I eat well. I also love telling people how awesome my skin is (turned out I was pregnant and that's why my skin was awesome, since I miscarried I'm really itchy, but that's in debate of the cause), I have not gotten sick at all, I have had no migraines or sinus infestions (which are chronic for me) and I feel awesome!
I realized there are many resources on facebook for finding people to talk to about the challanges you may come across. The longer I do this, the easier it becomes. I promised I wouldn't make anyone become vegan, but I feel really strongly about it, and I can come up with a thousand reasons to convince you!!
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