Xmas Eve Dinner

Does it get better than spinach and beans and broccoli quinoa with avocado? I think not.


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Cookies!

Mine and Matt's mom are in town, do we decided to bake some cookies for the neighbors. Thanks Chocolate Covered Katie and Oh She Glows!





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Adopt a Turkey!

Ever wanted to pardon a turkey, but didn't have the funds to run for president?  Great news!  You can adopt one!

Last year, though I was, yes, a vegetarian, I bought a free-range Heritage turkey from a local farmer.  We were having family over and I felt it wouldn't be right not have turkey (then again - pilgrims didn't really have turkey at their feast!).  Any who, I couldn't even cook the thing, leaving it to my mother-in-law while I secretly cried in the bathroom.  The guilt!

I refused to ever have a turkey at my Thanksgiving ever again.  

This year, we are an ocean away from the United States, but that doesn't mean we won't be celebrating Thanksgiving.  I have SO many plans - vegan dishes, organic decorations.  But there is one thing that will never be on that list - turkey.

So, if you feel the same way I do about this, please consider adopting a turkey.  Just click HERE to go to Adopt A Turkey Project.  Save a life, build some karma, and have a feast for which you (and a certain cute creature) are especially thankful for.  

Sorry!

Sorry I've been slacking!  Work and school have gotten the best of me, and I haven't been posting that often.  I promise I shall get better!

Veganism Debunked :)

I'm putting this on Veganista, so I thought I'd share with you, too!

Sometimes Matt and I catch flack for our diet choices.  When most people find out that we eat a plant-based whole foods diet, they think we're stinky hippies.  That, and they don't understand why we do what we do.  But always, there is the inevitable question that makes me want to scream: "But, if you don't eat meat, how do you get enough protein?".  It's not their fault, they have bought into what years over Western overeating has preached.  This is extremely annoying to Matthew and me.

I was told by someone who had never researched or done so much as to read one article about plant-based diets that I was unhealthy.  Really?  Every time my blood pressure is taken people are astonished, I'm not skin and bones, heck, I eat a TON, and my body glows from the inside out.  I'm perfectly fine.  Maybe you should read a little more...

And there is always the, "What are you going to do when you get pregnant?".  Ummm, DUH.  If I think this diet is best for me, and I want the best for my child, I'm going to continue eating healthy.  Maybe a little more soy ice cream than normal, but what gives?  Vegan moms produce healthier birthweight and laboring babies.  

As for my children, ah, yes.  This is tricky.  You want the best for your kids, right?  But you also want them to make their own choices.  So we've decided on raising our children as vegans.  When they procure their own money they may spend it on whatever they want.  If it's a cholesterol filled burger, so be it.  That's their money, not mine.  They are affecting their own health, not mine.

My Twink, aka Sarah Flory, recently posted this infographic on Pinterest, and it actually led me to the post.  Click HERE!

A big shout out to my parents who laughed when I became a vegetarian in high school, rolled their eyes when I joined PETA, but always supported my decision.  Thanks for putting up with me when I won't eat things you labored over (the roast and veggies looked and smelled great, but they were marinated with the meat...sorry!), and for listening to me when I rag you about a plant-based diet (Dad).  But most of all, thanks for being proud of me for daring to be a little out there.  LOVE YOU!

Soul Food

Yet again, I had to indulge. I miss home so much!! My favorite foods of all time are typical southern treats. Well, besides the fried stuff ;)

So tonight I made steamed green beans, black eyed peas and rosemary sweet potato nuggets (like the fries, but in home fry form).



Oh, and don't forget the fresh tomato slices!

Next time you are craving soul food, fear not veggie lover. You can have your heritage and eat it, too!

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Southern Delights

The other night I was craving some soul food from back home. So, I decided to make a goulash of sorts.

Because we don't have fresh Southern veggies (WAH!) I had to resort to the frozen variety. I dumped two cans of diced tomatoes in a pot, then added a bag of frozen butter beans as well as a bag of frozen okra. After seasoning (I use the Spicy Mrs. Dash and Texas Pete) and cooking on medium heat for about 45 minutes, it was ready to go!



In honor of NOLA tradition, I put it all on top of a serving of quinoa, in place of rice.

YUM TOWN!



Add some fresh steamed green beans, and you have a feast!!

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The Pup's Officially a Vegan!

For the past few months, Matt and I have been trying to track down some reasonably priced organic vegan dog food. The task proved a lot harder than we anticipated. But we found it! And it just came in yesterday :)



It only cost a couple of dollars more than what we were feeding him, and there is free shipping! It only took a week for the food to get here. How awesome is that!?

It's called V-Dog, and I actually found it via PETA's website.

In addition to the food change, I've switched Patton from his daily Fish Oil to Flax Seed Oil.



He loves it! He always thinks vitamins are candy, anyways.

As always, Pup adores his veggies. He'd do anything for a sweet potato, red bell pepper or banana. We are so lucky to have such an accommodating and healthy pup!
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Fasting and Miso

I've been fasting this week, and no, it's not because of Ramadan.  I just finished a FANTASTIC book called Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr, and learned so much about the benefits of fasting!

Fasting is basically consuming liquids and cleaning out your system, usually when you're feeling a bit sluggish and "gunky" - at least, that's what I call it :)

After a couple of weeks of indulging on processed treats, fasting seemed like the natural solution.  That being said, one should consider their health when fasting.  Those who are ill or elderly should be more careful.  Pregnant women should not fast at all.

So what does a fast include?  First of all, LOTS of water!!  Drink more than you usually do.  Flush that system out!  You can cater a fast to your own preferences, but check out Crazy Sexy Diet or Crazy Sexy Life for more information.

For me, it includes drinking a cup of water before I get out of bed.  It's best if this water is warm, even better if it has a squeeze of lemon or apple cider vinegar.  Then, when I get hungry, I drink a juice smoothie.  I just throw an apple, pear, banana, fresh berries, spinach, carrots, and a teaspoon or so of spirulina into the trusty Vitamix.  Ummmm!  

This juice smoothie keeps me wired and full until lunch.  Then, I indulge in one of my favorite meals ever - miso soup!  You can make your own with miso paste, or buy it in packets.  I prefer paste, but whatever you like is best.  I add a few pieces of nori (seaweed) and slurp away.  DELISH.  And yes, nori is not liquid, but it is SO important to eat your sea veggies!!

Through the rest of the day, make sure you are drinking tons of water, and if you get hungry, drink fresh fruit juice or a smoothie or another bowl of miso soup.

For dinner, I usually eat some tasty veggie soup.  Yes, solids again.  But, the majority is liquid, and I feel you benefit more from the beans and veggies.  Legumes have so much protein, and help move things right out of your colon.  Terrific!  But they also use a lot of water, so make sure you are hydrating.

If I'm craving dessert (ummm, ALWAYS!) I drink a glass of rice milk with some Nesquick mixed in.  Yes, it has sugar :(  But it has vitamins, and most important - chocolate!  Plus, if you aren't indulging every once and a while, you are sure to go overboard one day.  

Check out Crazy Sexy Life for more information.  And next time you're feeling gross, consider a fast, and if you're really brave,  a colonic!   

Market!

Yesterday, Brett and I went to the local market. Kaiserslautern's Farmer's Market is on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Saturday is the standard day for us, and they have more vendors then. But we were out of town this weekend and needed veggies stat, so we headed downtown.

Let's start with the artichokes. Aren't these simply gorgeous?!


Then I picked up some random beans. They were pretty, and I love beans, so I thought, why not?


And of course, I got a kilo and a half of tomatoes. You can never have enough!

This is what our kitchen looks like after a market day:


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Vegan Derby Pie

So my mother and mother-in-law make this FANTASTIC dessert called a Derby or Kentucky Derby Pie. It is basically a chocolate chip pecan pie, and tis the best thing that ever came out of the South (besides collard greens, of course).

Most desserts I try to veganize fail the first few times. I often give up or just wait a few months to try it again because I'm not a dessert person, and if I have sweets lying around, I or my darling sweet tooth of a Hubby will devour them within a couple of days.

This confection, however, is a family favorite. And because it's been so long since we've had one of mom's famous Derby pies, we decided to make one ourselves.

I cannot give out our family's secret recipe, but if you are interested, I'm sure Google can appease you.

To veganize, simply substitute Ener-G for eggs and Smart Balance vegan substitute for margarine.

We started with dry...


Added in the wet ingredients...


Baked...


And ATE!


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Pasta and Hummus

Matt and I decided to have a little party for the Women's World Cup Final last Sunday, since we were unable to attend.  There were all kinds of goodies, including mashed cauliflower and vegan burgers and such.  

But two of my favorites were my friend's (Lara's) family's hummus and some noodle concoction I threw together.

Fawaz humus is always my favorite, and it gets rave reviews!  I could bathe in the stuff.

And the noodle stuffs.  I wanted to make a filling side, so I just boiled some macaroni (wheat is best, but I couldn't track any down), mixed in some squash, tomatoes, peppers, and herbs I had lying around.  Then, I mixed in some marinara and baked it in a 200* oven until I felt it was ready.  I think it took about 45 minutes.  Just make sure you cover it with foil when you bake it so it doesn't dry out!

YUMMY!  

Now, for a post on my latest vegan dessert!

Simple Pasta Dish

The other night I made a dish after a good friend, Ms. Brett Zima, told me about something her mom used to make.

I simply boiled some pasta (I like to use quinoa pasta), and while it was cooking, halved cherry tomatoes and laid them on a pan with fresh crushed garlic.  After a sprinkle with safflower oil (similar to olive oil) and the "spicy" Mrs. Dash, it all went into a 250 or so oven for about 30 minutes.  Just until it got a bubbly and you could smell it all through the house!

I removed it from the oven, tossed with with the pasta, and let it sit while a few pieces of whole wheat bread toasted up in the remaining olive oil :)  Deeeeeeeeeeeeelish!

So quick and easy, and perfect for when you don't feel like cooking a complex meal.

Another dinner

Every week we eat at least one dinner at the Zima house. Last night we had eggplant medallions and spinach and white beans.



Mine was sans cheese




Patton being a snuggle butt with Brett and Shawn.

4th of July

We had an amazing cookout to celebrate Independence Day!  So many delicious goodies, including a flag cake :)

For the cake, I just made a typical vegan yellow cake, vanilla frosting, and topped with blueberries and strawberries.

We also grilled vegan burgers, veggie kabobs, cous cous salad, corn, and a delicious mac and cheese alternative.  For the mac and shews recipe, click here!   Isa Chandra is the best.

Hope you enjoyed your 4th of July :)

Patton loves Tofu!

Sir Pookerson was whining today as I was making something with tofu.



Naturally, I gave him some. He loved it!!



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Backyard Cherry Cobbler!

We finally got around to our cherry cobbler.   Oh my, is it delicious!  We used this recipe, and just alternated in margarine and soy milk.

Nothing says summer like fresh fruit.  And when it comes from your backyard, from a tree you've been watching for months just praying for a little berry - well, it's extra special.

Try to pick your own fruit, or buy it from the farmer's market, and make a nice summer dessert today!  Next on my list - cherry tart!

Breakfast

Ummmmm, a raw breakfast! Carrots, spinach, blueberries, banana, apple, and pear. If that doesn't wake you up, I don't know what will!

Thanks, twink, for the inspiration. I've been lacking...
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Tacos and Cherries

Last night Matt and I decided to try tacos.  Usually I just use beans, but craving something more "meaty", the hubby wanted to try faux meat.  So we did.  Turned out pretty great.

We just started out by sauteing onions, red pepper, and eventually the meat.  Then added it to a whole wheat soft taco along with salsa, guacamole, and tomatoes.  TADA!  We were in a hurry, and I see where we will get more creative, but it was a fun start!

After dinner we decided to pick cherries from the tree in our backyard.  So much fun!  Matt hoisted me on his shoulders and I dropped the occasional fruit on his head.  Whoopsie!

Then we spent the rest of the evening pitting the cherries for tonight's dessert.  Can't wait!  Isn't summer so much fun!?!?

Happy summer!!

Snuggle Bugs

Yes, I blog a lot about Patton. I can't help it; he's just so darn lovable.

The thing about Patton is he thinks he's still a puppy. And yes, he gets away with just about everything. We started off with a rule that he couldn't get on the sofa or bed. Well, life's just too short. He's a snuggle bug, and so are we, so now we allow him up on the sofa or bed only if he's with us.



He's also been having light tremors, which seem to be getting much better with medication, but that also changed things around here. If he wants to snuggle, by golly he's gonna snuggle.

Matt leaves for work early, and like clockwork, Pookie jumps up in bed with me.



In the past, when I've been ill, he's stayed in bed with me all day. He knows to give me space, but will lift his head and check on me. The best love bug ever.

And of course, every day when Matt gets home from work, he has to climb on the sofa. He loves his daddy!! During our Sunday marathon of Two and a Half Men, Puppin and Papa snoodle:



I caught Papa Bear asleep sitting up. They are stinking cute.

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The Traveling Veganista

Sorry I haven't posted in a while!  We have been traveling across Europe :)  

I thought I would use this post to talk about how to eat with such a strict diet when you're on vacay.  True, a lot of places cater to certain diets.  Especially in the states where you speak the same language.  However, it's a little more difficult when you speak an entirely different language.  Not to mention, Europe is known for its plethora of meat dishes.  When there is a "vegetarian" dish, it probably has seafood and/or diary included.

In the states, it's completely acceptable to ask for "no cheese" or "no meat".  When you don't speak, for example, French, it's a little difficult to ask the waiter for such requests.  Navigating the menu can be a bit daunting, but bringing along a cheat sheet/book with you to restaurants can make all the difference.

But, if you're with good friends, like I was, they'll keep an eye out for acceptable things on menus.  Also, try looking for ethnic cuisine.  Middle Eastern, Asian, and Mediterranean foods are typically more vegan friendly than others.  

Be warned - there may be unintentional slip ups.  For example, one night I dug into a spring roll assuming it was vegetarian.  Oh no, there was pork.  So what do I do?  Spit it out?  I don't think so.  I swallowed my pride, and the first bit of meat I've had in god knows how long, and decided to be a lot more careful before chowing down.

Just know, it is possible to stick to your diet on vacation.  Bringing your own snacks, helpful travel mates, and finding ethnic restaurants can be lifesavers.  

Happy traveling!

Memorial Day BBQ

Well, we actually celebrated a day early. But still, we had a delicious BBQ!


Matt loves to grill! Here he's tending to veggie kabobs and corn.


Of course, Patton and I had to help. So we took refuge under our blooming apple tree as I sipped a Guinness and Pup looked adorable.


The end result - yummy vegan burgers, veggie kabobs and corn. Yum! Who says vegans can't have an outstanding cookout? Delicious, healthy, and cruelty free!

But Memorial Day isn't all about food, though often times we confuse it for a weekend to party. The day is about all American soldiers who have served, and sometimes lost their lives, fighting for what makes our country so spectacular.

This Memorial Day I'm thinking of my grandfathers who were in the Navy and Air Force, as well as my husband who is one of the Army's best. And, thank you, to all of our friends and family who have served.

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Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers

 

Sorry it's been so long since my last post!  My mom has been in town and we've been traveling and staying busy.

But tonight I finally was able to make a home cooked meal.  Stuffed bell peppers is one of my favorite meals, but since our diet switch we've used quinoa instead of the traditional ground beef or turkey.  Tonight, I tried something different.

To start cut the tops off of bell peppers (this recipe will fill four or five), place in a baking dish with 1/4 cup of water, cover with foil, and place them in a 350 degree oven for fifteen minutes.

Then, saute the diced tops of two red bell peppers, two spring onions, and a package of vegan imitation ground meat.

When cooked, mix with 1/2 - 1 cup cooked quinoa and 1/2 cup of your favorite salsa. Homemade is the best, but I used a close second, Muir Glen.

Fill tender peppers with quinoa and faux meat mix, and place in the oven for another fifteen minutes.

While in the oven, concoct a pico de gallo, or chop tomato and avocado sprinkled with lemon if you're like me and used all the onions in the stuffing mixture.

Top the cooked peppers with the pico, and you have a delicious - and healthy - meal!!

If you have leftover stuffing, just munch on it with homemade (or store bought organic) tortilla chips!  Oh my goodness :)

Lazy Vegan's Dinner

Sometimes there just aren't enough hours in a day. It's easy to rationalize picking up dinner on the way home. But you don't have to!


Meet my dinner. Just half a sweet potato (the skins are Patton's snack) and fresh spinach sauteed with my favorite white beans.

It's a healthy spin on a baked potato and creamed spinach, a couple of my favorite sides!

And if you think it's not enough food, add a spinach salad before. After all, you can't eat too much spinach!

Dig in!
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Stir Fry Greatness

We do stir fry about once a week around these parts.  It's an easy way to get your veggies, and I'll find any excuse to use chopsticks!

Really all you do is chop up whatever veggies you wish and saute them in 1 1/2 tbsp sesame oil at medium-high heat.  Add and a dash of low sodium soy sauce, if you like it.  We use broccoli, cabbage, and red peppers.

In another pot, we start to steam bok choy.  I adore bok choy because it is a green leafy veggie full of magical things, and it is always more readily available to us than collard greens.  Though I almost always use it as a base for stir fry, it is often substituted for steamed collards.

Usually I just give Patton the leftover scraps from the veggies, but it is ill-advised to give animals cabbage and broccoli.  It causes tummy problems and results in lengthy gas.  But red bell peppers are OK, so he gets those (plus they are full of vitamin C!).  We then compost the rest of our refuse.

We usually cook everything for about ten minutes.  It's super easy! 

And because we're udon fiends, a lot of time that rice noodle goodness finds its way into one of our bowls (last night it was Matt's) :)

Enjoy!

Mini Pizzas & Compassion

I blogged about savvy snacks the other day, and I just couldn't help myself from making mini pizzas for dinner last night!

Here's a pic:

Formerly a cheese addict, I didn't miss that stuff one bit!  I was full after just two.  All you do is cover  a whole wheat English muffin with homemade marinara, and your favorite toppings.  Then put in a hot oven (something similar to broil) until the edges get a little brown.  DELISH!

Now, compassion.  As I've stated earlier, I became a vegan for selfish reasons - my health.  Just over half of those who decide to follow this lifestyle choose to do so because of animals.  I think that's just excellent, but nonetheless, that wasn't me.

Don't get me wrong, I've always loved little creatures.

However, for years I justified my obsession with Chick-Fil-A.  And it was an obsession.  I still yearn for their waffles fries...sometimes I give in :)

I can't even stomach the thought of eating a grilled chicken sandwich.  Now I know the health implications of meat and such, but the thought of eating one of those precious creatures - it's too much.

We now know that when we ingest meat, we are also absorbing the hormones and antibiotics that the animal was treated with, along with the adrenaline that rushed through it's body the second before execution.  That's heavy stuff.

Along with getting bulkier for no apparent reason (hormones), and getting sick more often (antibiotics and contamination), we are also now a society of high anxiety.  This is for many reasons, but many scientists believe that meat is a major factor in this (adrenaline).

I can't speak for everyone, but I will speak for myself.  Since this diet has entered my life, I've found myself so much more at peace.  My meals aren't provided because of a creature's misfortune.  Along with being free of the hormones, antibiotics and anxieties, I am at peace.

Before I wouldn't think twice about killing a spider.  I won't do it anymore.  Not even a fly, and flies run rampant in our neck of the woods!  It's funny because I expected my husband to make fun of me when I ushered a spider out of the house.  But he does the same thing!  And when we watch, say, the Discovery Channel, Matt turns his head away when there is animal carnage on TV just like me.

We also have a tradition of "sending love" to animals in need.  Those poor chickens on the way to the processing plant get love from us.  They've never been loved in their entire lives, and here they are in cramped quarters on their way to become someone's dinner.  Doesn't every creature deserve to be loved?  After all, we would never send our dog to become a meal.  What makes a chicken/pig/cow/turkey so different?

The longer you abstain from meat and animal products, the more you recognize your love for animals and nature.  You can't help it!  And this compassion creates a peace within yourself, your home and your world.

Now, spread the love!