 Monterey veggie burger served w/lemon risotto rice Burgers, burgers, lovable burgers! I like burgers. But recently I’ve come to really like burgers. No, not meat burgers…the idea of a burger. It makes me start to wonder, is this the reason burgers in general sell so well to the public? Is it because other people love the idea of a burger just as much as I do? As a vegan, I can’t help but wonder, maybe typical burgers are so accepted because it’s one of the easiest ways to ignore the truth. After all, how in the world could you possibly think of a dead cow when what you’re tasting is delectable, juicy, and bursting with flavor? And why would anyone want to try some kind of “healthy” version of a burger when they can go out and get “the real thing” for cheaper? But all that flavor is not native to the burger itself. It’s marinated, doused, seasoned and spiced to death until the remains of a dead body have become convincingly something it’s not. read more… |
March 8 2010 No Comments
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So often the dietary temptations in our lives become addictions without even the slightest notice. They creep into our lives in the form a delectable treat, or become so familiar and “normal” that they blend right in, like syrup in a latte….at that point, who seems to notice something so harmful when it’s so widely recognized and accepted? What illusionary benefits do these dietary offenders seem to offer us in the NOW? And what are the long term affects on our individual health? Some people may say, “Who cares? We’re all gonna die anyway!” But for a few moments, let’s shift our focus and give special attention to the life in our years instead of the years in our life? In the end, don’t most of us find a quality life more enjoyable? Double bonus: people that kick the nasty offenders to the curb, usually end up with both quality and quantity…I ask myself, “Is it worth it?” read more… |
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 Meat without the red mask on.... How far is too far? How far is a vegan supposed to go with this “vegan thing” anyway? Morals are morals, ethics are ethics. But facts are facts. And no one can argue with that. So if you’re vegan, and you know cold, hard facts about meat processing, do you share those facts at the risk of “offending” your non-vegan friends? When I was a non-vegan, I couldn’t stand the preachy type vegans who tried to guilt me into it. I’m horrible under pressure. Quite resistant actually…I don’t want anyone to push me into something I’m not ready for. But what’s a person to do when you know the health of your very close friends and family are at high risk because of the preposterous meat industry and their dirty little secrets? Well, you take what you know to be true, hope that you find the facts condensed in a nice little email, close your eyes, cross your fingers and send it to your whole buddy list…hoping that maybe, just maybe, they’ll feel ready to skim over the info with sprouting interest and without creeping skepticism. Information passed on by a third party seems to be a comfortable way for myself to share the truth with others without making them annoyed by me and my “crazy life choice” feeling like I’m trying to convert them. Converting them is not what I’m after. It’s empowerment I’m after. The people in my life are worth the truth. And that’s why I want them to know about the ammonia treatments. Or the rotting flesh in disguise….these facts about animal muscle tissues are facts that can’t stand to be disguised anymore. Check out the link to this article and read for yourself, you deserve to know. www.chicagotribune.com/health/ct-nat-meat-safety-20100121,0,288473.story?page=1 |
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 So Italian, so delicious! All that's missing is the fine music and a balcony! I had a craving for a really good Romano sauce last night. So I went at it, and coming up with this was super easy! If you ever want some noodles with Romano sauce, look no further…this will score some points all across the table. And no one will ever know that the sauce is chalk full of protein from the beans! You can even garnish with fresh basil if you’d like! What you’ll need:
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 So decorative, you almost don't want to eat it! Cookies, candy cane brownies, and ginger bread houses leave you feeling gross after the holidays? I’m not big on refined sugar, so when I do eat it, it takes it’s toll on me. Every year, I love decorating a ginger bread house. But since I’ve been vegan, I don’t buy a kit. I make the dough from scratch and cut my own walls and roof. Then I use all natural colors and vegan candy to make it look cute. Sure, it’s “natural” and cute, but it’s still sugar… Sugary foods are super addicting and are also some of the most damaging. This year, I made my gingerbread house with 25% less sugar, but it was too much anyway. After eating the chocolate door, a few gingerbread people, a couple gum drop bushes, and part of the roof, I felt ready to cave in. Of course this binge was spread out over the course of a couple days, but still, eating sugar makes you want more sugar. read more… |
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Biochemical individuality changes circumstances for each of us. Becoming ill is a multi-layered process. Could be the germ, could be the host! Could be the stress, could be the crumby diet! All four? During the holidays we do encounter lots of stress, good and bad. And that means that more stress equals more strain on the adrenal glands. The poor little things are pushin’ out cortisol more quickly than we can roll cookie dough, decorate a tree, or carol to the reindeer. Cortisol is a hormone that helps keep our balance during periods of stress. It is supposed to work well during periods of acute stress rather than prolonged stress however. So when we do have long periods of stress, it is most likely that the cortisol is more overworked than Santa’s elves. Producing too much cortisol destroys T-cells, and therefore our immunity becomes compromised. Combine that with excess sugar, fatty foods at Christmas parties, a few cups of Christmas cheer and very little sleep and this is a great set-up for all things yucky. Our elimination systems go into overdrive; lungs coughing out the junk, sinuses becoming inflammed, digestive systems running amuck, and all the while our intestinal flora is at its lowest, we’re desperate for some enzymes and our adrenals are screaming for help…. read more… |
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 Cruelty free Thanksgiving...Thankful to be vegan! I know that this has been turning into a major recipe blog lately, but it’s because I’m putting up all these recipes that are going into my book, My Teenage Rejection of Death Products, due out soon. I have a habit of cooking without measuring and have acquired many favorites, all of which my friends and family like and none of which I can pass on since I never bothered to write them down! So, I’ve been cooking up a storm lately–stuffed shells, french toast, etc.–all for the sake of the book…and of course for my friends, including you! Seeing as how Thanksgiving is right around the corner though, why not bake a pumpkin pie for your family? Or yourself? Or both? :) Enjoy. read more… |
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 Golden brown zucchini loaf right out of the oven! Mmm! This is a wonderful nutritious choice to serve with a hearty dinner—maybe mashed sweet potatoes and stew. The applesauce lends a subtle sweetness and adds some great fiber as well! What you’ll need: 2 c. whole wheat flour 1 c. gluten free all purpose flour* 1 Tbsp. baking soda 1 tsp. Baking powder ½ t. salt 1 Tbsp. cinnamon 2 tsp. Nutmeg 1 tsp. Cloves *NOTE: Sometimes I use oat flour or any all purpose flour read more… |
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 Stack up your morning with scrumptious french toast! Deluxe, yet relatively simple, this tasty morning delight is perfect for anytime…holidays, special occasions, breakfast in bed or just because. A triple layer treat with unforgettable goodness–enjoy! What you’ll need for the French Toast:
Additional ingredients:
NOTE: If you create a triple layer french toast stack using 3 slices of bread, you need 6 strawberries, sliced. If you are only using two pieces of bread, you’ll have one layer of strawberries; so use 3 strawberries, sliced. read more… |
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What you’ll need: |
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Veggies, protein, and layers of flavor will all be great reasons to get yourself outta bed for this creation. Inspired by my Best Burrito Ever, this breakfast version is a close cousin yet has a uniqueness all of it’s own! So dig into nutrient packed morning goodness and give the cereal a break! What you’ll need:
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You can have your fat and eat it too. Healthy avocado tops off a wonderful protein-packed hummus spread, with layers of deep, well-rounded flavor, that will leave you happy and satisfied. Garbanzo beans are a perfect blend of steady carbs, adequate fiber, and palate-pleasing protein, so don’t wait any longer–indulge in that Vitamin A and iron. Strength never tasted better!
 Balanced fats, proteins, and carbohydrates--the perfect triangle!
Ingredients: 1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed 2 Tablespoons Tahini Juice from ½ lemon* ½ teaspoon dried garlic flakes ¼ - ½ cup olive oil** 1/8 teaspoon celery salt 1/8 teaspoon sea salt 2 teaspoons parsley read more… |
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 Healthy Hair grows from the inside, out! Don’t look to the hair care aisle to treat your tresses…what you need is right there in pantry. And if it’s not, here’s what you can stock up on to let those locks shine! A balanced vegan diet supplies all the nutrients necessary, while keeping the offenders away. Here’s what I consider to be the top 6 picks for healthy hair: |
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I walked out beaming from ear to ear…hmmm, maybe that’s a new restaurant adventure for Rob and I… The world can be frustrating sometimes. Steak houses here, turkey farms there…but the small things in life are what really count…even the small blessings of vegan cupcakes! |
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One of the small things in life I love is finding vegan food while traveling. Over the weekend, my fiance (Rob) and I went to Chapel Hill, NC for a wedding. He found a place on the Happy Cow website (www.happycow.net) called Butternut Squash that looked really good. We were welcomed by friendly staff, and the overall feeling of the atmosphere was warm, welcoming and sunny. They were slightly packed and there was only one server on that took all the tables, so the service was a bit slow, but the quality and taste of the food was good. I tried the Black Bean Hemp Nut Burger that came with vegan aioli sauce, sprouts, avocado, tomato and onion on a rosemary ciabatta bread., served with carrot-cabbage slaw. It was filling! Rob had the Club Sandwich with Sweet Potato Fries. He says the fries were great and the sandwich, even though the bread was too thick, was a nice mingling of flavors. So our meal was pretty good! Even better is that we convinced our friends to try it too…all of our non-vegan friends (actually one is a vegetarian) and they cleaned their plates! How’s that for a nice Saturday lunch? |
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Wake up with the sun for breakfast! This tasty casserole is not only filling, but with stoplight peppers, paprika and golden potatoes, you’ll be in a sunny mood even if it’s gloomy out with this protein-packed breakfast treat! Serve with toasted rye bread and a bundle of red grapes on the side to create a lovely little morning delight. Entertain with these breakfast selections and surely your guests will find it to be a most pleasing, delicious meal!
Ingredients needed:
*Note: I find these at Whole Foods in the frozen aisle by the other breakfast options, not by the burgers as one would think! **Note: If you want to do a soy free option at all, sub this out for veggie broth or mushroom broth! read more… |
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Cue the music! Draw the curtains! Focus on centerstage, as our next talent, GUS, woos the audience with his impressive song and dance routine! But he’s not just entertainment, folks! No, he’s not just a side dish! No longer waiting in the wings as the last thing to go on our plates, see why this fella is taking off the top hat with pride; showcasing his hidden abilities is now a full time act for this Asparagus! Let’s sneak backstage and see if we can snag this lean, green health-boosting machine to find how he put’s on a sold out show… I push through the crowd, dodging the screaming fans and the merchandise table, gripping my microphone tightly, clutching it to my chest, and yelling “Excuse me!” at the top of my lungs. I zig and zag until finally, I knock on the dressing room door. Gus opens it, and welcomes me into the brightly lit room, where I wedge myself in between Oli and Cole. Who could’ve predicted my night would end up between an olive and a stalk of broccoli? So there I sat, across the table from one of the most famous asparagus of all time. read more… |
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If someone you loved was being abused what would you do? If someone you knew was being beat up, what would you do? If a friend was being beat up on a regular basis with a bullhook, would you take action to stop it? What if it was somebody else’s friend? Somebody else’s child? Baby? ELEPHANT? I can’t stand the thought of abuse. To anyone…human or not….but when it’s completely in vain and for profit, when it’s completely uncalled for and violent, when it’s a complete horror to somebody that’s innocent and gentle, I can’t help but wrench my heart out. The circus is not all fun and games–it only seems that way. Fun for humans that get to watch the show, but for the animals, it’s hell on earth. Now put yourself in those elephant shoes! Here’s the letter I wrote this morning to the Secretary of Agriculture, Thomas J. Vilsack. read more… |
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