Eat your Veggies

veg-life: Grilled Portobello Mushroom Sandwich. Recipe!

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:13:37 -0400

Grilled Portobello Mushroom Sandwich. Recipe!

I tasted tofu for the first time about a week ago. It was pretty good, but not exactly what I...

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:30:23 -0400

I tasted tofu for the first time about a week ago. It was pretty good, but not exactly what I expected. I just wasn’t sure about the texture, but I got use to it quickly. The texture kind of reminded me of french toast; how it is crispy on the outside but kind of soft on the inside. But, to my eyes it looked like chicken, so I think my brain was really confused. haha! Overall, it’s good. Now I just need to learn how to cook it.

omnommy: Chickpea and cauliflower curry.

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:46:00 -0400

omnommy:

Chickpea and cauliflower curry.

overcoming-obstacles: 1. Tofu The edible kind’s tasty, the...

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:24:21 -0500

overcoming-obstacles:

1. Tofu

The edible kind’s tasty, the musical version’s killer. Made from soybean curds, tofu’s a great low-cal protein source. The spongy beige stuff works raw, baked, grilled, or fried and easily absorbs the taste of whatever it’s cooked in— yum! Plus, it works in pretty much any traditional meat dish (and even on a stick).

2. Seitan

Sei-what? Swap meat for wheat and use this vegan alternative made from wheat gluten. The texture is pretty similar to meat’s, and like tofu, it absorbs the flavor of any sauce. Bake it, grill it, fry it (it’s not so appetizing raw)— seitan can sub for meat in fajitas or fancy up vegetable dishes.

3. Tempeh

Star of the “TLT sandwich,” tempeh’s the crunchy cousin of tofu and seitan. It’s made from soybeans, and a single serving packs as much protein as some meats. Tempeh works well in basic rice and veggie dishes, or in more exotic ones like spicy sushi, so try grilling and frying it with different flavors.

4. Okara

Made from soy pulp, okara’s high in nutrients like protein and fiber. It can replace meat and eggs in soups, stews, and omelets, and even transforms crab cakes into a vegan delicacy.

5. Quinoa

Rice is nice, but quinoa’s awesome. This grain is protein-rich (actually, it’s a complete source of protein) and offers other nutrients like magnesium and folic acid. Quinoa’s a staple in meat-free salads and pilafs. Plus, baked quinoa patties are a posh alternative to beef burgers.

6. Garbanzo Beans

Don’t be fooled by their nickname— chickpeas are an awesome meat alternative for guys, too. Most have made the beans’ acquaintance in hummus spreads, but chickpeas add protein and fiberto pretty much any meal. Hide the ham and try whipping these babies into a homemade veggie burger, or make it Mediterranean and go for the falafel.

7. Black Beans

Everyone knows they’ll make you toot, but these Mexican legumes also boast some big health benefits. Like chickpeas, black beans are a huge protein source for vegetarians. Try a black bean burger that makes the meat variety look like chopped liver, or (metaphorically) beef up a breakfast burrito.

8. Black-Eyed Peas

This Fergalicious protein source is the veggie alternative to typical Taco Bell fare. Healthy black-eyed pea tacos are as easy to prepare as any meat dish, and maybe even tastier.

9. Soybeans

Otherwise known as edamame, soybeans are a nutritious vegetarian snack. Cook like an Egyptian and whip up a meatless stew with these beans that come in almost every color of the rainbow.

10. Split Peas

Peas: It’s what’s for dinner. Other than the classic soup, these legumes also feature in vegan burgers and golden potstickers, an appetizer that’s okay to bring to a PETA party.

11. Lentils

The BFF of every low-budget, protein-hungry vegetarian, lentils are pretty easy to prepare, too. Try a meat-free stew or a vegan chili— meals that look (almost) as good as they taste.

12. Peanuts

Make like Mr. Peanut and go nuts! A handful of peanuts adds a powerful protein punch to any meatless meal. In place of chicken and rice, take a trip to the Middle East and eat couscous with roasted peanuts. And instead of beef noodles, slather on the Skippy— a little bit of peanut butter makes a sesame noodle feast. “Nut burgers” are another way to use chopped peanuts (or pretty much any kind of nut).

13. Walnuts

Kick the Cobb to the curb and choose nuts for a serious salad. Though walnuts are among the more fattening nut varieties, a handful packs a ton of protein.

14. Almonds

Sliced, slivered, and sprinkled, a serving of almonds is a sneaky way to add meatless protein. The nuts replace chicken in stir-fry recipes and make vegetable dishes a savory main course.

15. Cashews

Cashews are popular as a healthy snack— their antioxidants promote heart and bone health. But they also make a surprising appearance in meals that normally include meat and cheese, like this vegan pasta Alfredo and meatless lasagna.

16. Pumpkin

No Halloween mask’s necessary to reap the benefits of this veggie celebrity. The Greatist superfood is also an unexpected meat alternative. Skip the meat sauce and pump(kin) up the protein value of pasta with this creative recipe— it uses the seeds and the pulp.

17. Mushrooms

Meaty in texture, a Portobello mushroom cap fits neatly inside a hamburger bun— the perfect substitution! ’Shrooms can also replace meatballs in pasta sauce. (Not sure how well they’ll work in the Lady and the Tramp spaghetti scene, though.) One caveat: Mushrooms don’t provide as much protein as most meats, so make sure to add cheese or tofu to get the same nutritive value.

18. Eggplant

Eggplant’s another vegetable with a deceptively meat-like consistency. Say, “that’s amore” again and use it like mushrooms in pasta sauce. Or veg out— don’t pig out— and fry up some eggplant bacon. Of course, it’s best to add some cheese or nuts, since vegetables don’t have the same protein value as most meats.

19. Zucchini

Zucchini’s an easy way not to miss meat in classic carnivore dishes. Try it in vegetarian lasagnafor a low-fat, high-fiber twist on the meat variety.

20. Squash

Chunks of squash have the added benefit of making meals bright orange. (If meat’s that color, consider returning it.) And while this vegetable usually turns up as a side dish, vegetarian entrees like baked risotto put it back in the spotlight. It’s best to serve the squash with an ingredient like quinoa to up protein intake.

21. Potatoes

Don’t be fooled by the Greatist “dangerfood” label: Potatoes are okay in moderation. ’Taters keep vegetarian dishes filling— try these recipes for a meat-free Mexican omelet or a squash and goat cheese gratin. Potatoes can also serve as a hearty veggie burger base.

22. Textured Vegetable Protein

TVP isn’t as popular as, say, chicken nuggets, but it’s a great source of protein and other important nutrients, and doesn’t take much preparation. Dehydrated powder rarely sounds appealing (astronauts can’t be the pickiest eaters), but TVP is actually a great way to make vegan versions ofdishes like meatloaf and chili. There are lots of different varieties, like powder, chunks, and slices. Find it in most health food stores and buy it in bulk— it lasts up to a year in a sealed container.

23. Imitation Crab

Crabs can be contagious— but the fake stuff’s safe. Friends of Sebastian can relax with this humanitarian spin on crustacean cuisine. Try these recipes for fish-free sushi and mock crab cakes. (When buying fake crab, double check that it’s the vegetarian kind, since many varieties contain fish.)

24. Eggs

Scrambled, sunny-side up, or unfertilized, there’s no wrong way to prepare this awesome protein source. Eggs can easily replace any kind of meat in a main dish. (Those looking to lower their cholesterol can stick to the whites.) Egg and cheddar quesadillas spice up the classic chicken variety. Try eggs, tomatoes and couscous for a veggie spin on meat ’n potatoes.

25. Cheese

As versatile as Katy Perry’s beau, cheese comes hot and cold. It’s a perfect protein source for vegetarians, with the added bone-healthy benefit of calcium. Use ricotta cheese on pasta instead of meat sauce, grab some goat cheese for a meat-free sandwich, or replace chicken with feta for a fancy salad.

I ordered a veggie burger, and they asked me if I would like to add cheese and bacon. Uh, no. haha!...

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:33:11 -0500

I ordered a veggie burger, and they asked me if I would like to add cheese and bacon. Uh, no. haha! I realize that people like to add bacon to everything, but that clearly defeats the purpose of a “veggie” burger.

For the record, my veggie burger was delicious without the bacon. :)

As I’ve stated before, I actually became vegetarian for health reasons, but very quickly...

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:55:42 -0500

As I’ve stated before, I actually became vegetarian for health reasons, but very quickly became aware, and more sensitive about animal welfare. I still have a lot to learn, but at least I’m learning. And, I knew that dairy would also be eliminated from my diet eventually, but that is going to be harder for me than giving up meat. I love cheese and sour cream. So, I’ve been limiting those two things as much as possible.

But, the question is will I be able to limit it completely? Hmm, what should I do? Let me go check out some information on veal factories … yep, I’ll be able to cut those things out of my diet. When veal factories are a direct result of the dairy industry, I just cannot continue to eat dairy. It’s better for my health anyway.

Everyone, meat eaters and vegan/vegetarians, can aim for humane treatment of calves. Here is a sensible article. It has no gross pictures or anything like that. It just gives basic information of the veal industry, and gives some alternatives. http://www.mspca.org/programs/animal-protection-legislation/animal-welfare/farm-animal-welfare/factory-farming/cows/veal-calves-on-a-factory-farm.html

One great thing about becoming a vegetarian is that I am trying to learn to cook new things. This...

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:17:45 -0500

One great thing about becoming a vegetarian is that I am trying to learn to cook new things. This week I’ll be making mashed potato stuffed mushrooms. Yum!

New vegetarians should not feel like their food choices are limited. There are so many options. And, the nice thing is that there are usually so many colors on the plate! As an artist, I appreciate that. :)

We lose weeks like buttons, like pencils.: On the topic of abortion:

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:07:00 -0500

We lose weeks like buttons, like pencils.: On the topic of abortion::

angelameds:

This is blog post is in repsonse to this post, http://gremilya.tumblr.com/post/16928861882/as-a-vegan-i-cant-help-but-roll-my-eyes-when-a I wasn’t able to reblog, and my answer was too long to put in the ask box. So, I’ll share here, and maybe you can enjoy the discussion…

That is a tough question for me for a few reasons. One, I believe a life is at stake, so I have to ask myself how I can believe in laws that allow an innocent life to be taken? But, I also have to understand that I do not have all the answers, especially when it comes to laws and politics. What I do believe is that I think when it comes to laws there will always have to be something in place for the health of the mother. First, most abortions are not done because of dangers to the mother’s health, but obviously serious health complications can arise in some cases. When there is a serious health complication that could possibly end in the death of the mother, that is a terrible circumstance, and the mother will need to choose what to do. I personally would like to think that I would give my own life for the child. However, what if I had 3 other young children at home that needed a mother? There are just too many factors to consider, and it is a choice the mother would have to make. A very terrible choice. However, as I said, most abortions are elective abortions and are not done for health reasons. Also, if a woman is facing a serious health problem, I would encourage her to get counseling and a second opinion if possible.

As far as situations like rape, I honestly just do not have the answers in regards to what the laws should be. For me personally, abortion would not be an option if I am ever in that situation. But, I can’t imagine the pain and fear of the woman, and I would never judge someone that chose abortion. I may not agree with it, but I know it’s a horrible situation. What I would like to see happen is for women to have plenty of counseling, and to understand that she should look into all of her options. When I talk to women who have been raped and are facing a pregnancy, I try to remind her that the rape and pregnancy are two separate issues, and she may need to find counseling and healing for both.

I do need to clarify some things. Even though I’m pro-life, I do realize there may be situations where a life may need to be taken. One example that comes to mind is self-defense. If someone is trying to kill me, I’m going to fight for my life and in the process may kill them. And, I’m sure there are other examples. I think the main issue is that life should be respected and valued as much as possible. I think my pro-life stance really began as a child when I poured salt on a slug to see what would happen, and then felt a huge amount of guilt afterwards. Even at a young age it occurred to me that I had taken a life for no reason at all. It’s odd that I went so long with a disconnect with what I was eating, but I’m making wiser choices now. :)

I also agree with you that there are things in our society that need to change. Abortion is a consequence of other problems. So, it will never end until we start to recognize some of the other major problems that we face. I don’t know what all those problems are, and there may be many of them. So, although I think it is great that people try to limit abortion as much as possible, we cannot forget to understand the problems that cause abortion in the first place. If we do, the cycle will just repeat itself.

This is blog post is in repsonse to this post,...

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:33:00 -0500

This is blog post is in repsonse to this post, http://gremilya.tumblr.com/post/16928861882/as-a-vegan-i-cant-help-but-roll-my-eyes-when-a I wasn’t able to reblog, and my answer was too long to put in the ask box. So, I’ll share here, and maybe you can enjoy the discussion between pro-choice and pro-life vegans/vegetarians. :) (why does tumblr always mess up paragraphs? lol)

———

Thanks for your repsonse. I’ll try to answer a few of the things you brought up and compare them to my own beliefs. First I think the main fundamental difference with our views is that I do believe life begins at conception. I do not believe that a sperm or ovum is life. But, together they do create a human embryo that’s not just a potential being, but is growing and developing. And, I base this on the very basic definition of life and biology.

Also, in my own experience, I do not personally know any pro-life person that thinks a mother should automatically die for her baby if she is facing serious medical problems. Yes, there are those that only consider the life of the baby, but most in my experience understand that there are many factors that should be considered when both lives are threatened. I believe life should always be the most important choice, but unfortunately in extreme health cases, sometimes it does come down to determining the life of the mother or fetus. I think those are very sad situations, and my heart goes out to any mother and family dealing with that choice. Some mothers will give their life, some cannot. Either way, a life ends and I’m sorry for that. One example would be an ectopic pregnancy, which is a case where the embryo cannot survive, and it could be a serious health risk for the mother.

Like you, I do wish more pro-life people were vegans. I am not yet a vegan, but have goals to eventually make that transition. I’ve been a vegetarian now for a month with limited dairy. I think there is just a major disconnect with what people eat. But, I hope that things are changing little by little, and maybe we will see a difference in the future.

I can’t speak for everyone in the pro-life movement, but for me the motiviation is to help people realize that all life is valuable. But, also to help women realize that she has options and that abortion may not be the best option for her. Abortion is a choice (at least by law in the US), and does sometimes seem like the easiest choice to make in those tough crisis pregnancy situations. However, abortion is not always the best choice. And, it does not take away the fact that the woman was pregnant in the first place. Some will be totally fine with their decision. Others will go on to have deep regret for ending their pregnancy. I’ve personally talked to women in their 80s who were still grieving for their past abortion decision. So, I would like women to know that maybe there are better options for her, maybe she does have support, maybe she will be a good mother, etc. I don’t want her to feel like abortion is her only choice.

A lot of people assume that pro-life people only care about saving babies. And obviously that is important. But, I can say that I deeply care for the woman as well. I talk to women daily about their struggles with their pregnancies. Some go on to have abortions, some choose to keep their babies. My heart goes out to all of them. It can be a life changing situation no matter what she chooses.

Anyway, I hope that clarifies some of the questions you brought up. I guess what I hope I shared is that just like not all pro-choice people are pro-abortion, not all pro-life people are crazy, un-educated individuals that want to bomb abortion clinics. There are always extremes on both sides of the issue, but most of us are just the average person that cares about women and babies.

And, thank you for this discussion. :)

I’m trying to get in the habit of eating nuts and seeds every day. But, I hate how expensive...

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:23:01 -0500

I’m trying to get in the habit of eating nuts and seeds every day. But, I hate how expensive they are. I think that is a concern that a lot of people have. Healthy food is sometimes expensive. However, I had to remind myself that when I was eating meat, I was more likely to stop at fast food. Therefore, I was still spending extra money, except then I was spending it on horrible food.

I do believe it is possible to eat healthy and still be careful with the money. I just think it takes planning and some adjusting to a new menu. And of course, I’m still trying to figure all of this out. haha! I don’t have all the answers yet. I just know it is possible.

mufter: Speaks for itself.

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:55:59 -0500

mufter:

Speaks for itself.

nonsense: My thoughts.

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:59:04 -0500

nonsense: My thoughts.:

christinasballs:

A good amount of religious people tend to eat meat because their religion teaches it’s okay because humans have souls and animals do not. These same religious people use the argument that you don’t lose anything by being religious. But if you’re not religious and you’re wrong about the existence…

This is an interesting thought. It’s not necessarily one I agree with, but it made me think of my own position as a christian vegetarian (hopefully someday vegan). First, if animals have souls, and you assume that humans that eat meat are murderers, does that also mean that animals that eat meat are also murderers? I just think the idea fails on some levels, but is interesting start nonetheless.

However, I do wish more religious people chose a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle. I don’t know about other religions, but for christians, many believe that it is okay to eat animals because God gave humans dominion over animals. God also said that we can eat meat. However, I personally believe that having dominion over animals means that we are to care for them and their environment, and to have respect for creation. I also believe there is a big difference with eating meat for survival compared to eating meat because we think it tastes good. Some christians also sometimes forget that in the beginning God said he gave us plants to eat. I believe that is what God intended for us. Anyway, this is just from a christian perspective. I realize that people have many different beliefs.

I think the main issue is that people have a real disconnect with the food they eat. And because of that, they are almost in denial of the animal suffering that takes place. Hopefully in time more and more people will adapt to a vegan lifestyle.

I would also love to see more vegans adapt to a pro-life attitude. :) But that is a whole other debate.

Anyway, maybe other religious vegetarians/vegans can also chime in.

natemendeldaily: Dinner. Teriyaki tofu stir fry. I need to...

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:13:41 -0500

natemendeldaily:

Dinner. Teriyaki tofu stir fry.

I need to learn to cook tofu because this looks so good.

capturedcravings: Avocado, Cream Cheese, and Salsa stuffed Puff...

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 09:45:18 -0500

capturedcravings:

Avocado, Cream Cheese, and Salsa stuffed Puff Pastries

veganfoody: Waterzooi (vegan “Chicken” soup)You might prefer...

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:31:37 -0500

veganfoody:

Waterzooi (vegan “Chicken” soup)
You might prefer this to a traditional “chicken” noodle soup as it’s creamy and chunky. Under the weather or not, it hits the spot every time!

fuckyeahfancyfoods: Barbecue Hummus recipe

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:33:50 -0500

fuckyeahfancyfoods:

Barbecue Hummus recipe

I’ve been meat free for almost a month. This is the 4th week. I only had cravings for meat...

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:17:31 -0500

I’ve been meat free for almost a month. This is the 4th week. I only had cravings for meat once during that time. At this point, I’m not sure I could eat meat if I tried. I started this lifestyle for my health, but after watching a documentary on how animals are treated, I’m a little more aware of animal suffering.

Now I can’t handle the smell of cooking meat, and I get a little nauseas seeing meat. It’s true that I occassionally think about the fact that I will never again be able to eat some of my favorite foods, like seafood. But, I think most of it is about comfort than taste. I’m sure I can easily learn recipies to replace my comfort foods.

Oh, I have to admit that I’ve eaten vegetable broth. My mother made a big pot of vegetable soup for me, and a seperate pot for her where she added some meat. I was so grateful for her kind gesture of making my soup without meat that I didn’t have the heart to tell her that beef broth is not vegetarian. My family is learning as much as I am, and I’m just thankful they are working with me whenever possible. So instead, I will just buy a few cans of vegetable broth to keep in the cabinet, so that she can see the difference on her own.

If you are a new vegetarian like me, one difficulty you may have noticed is trying to eat meals with...

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:58:29 -0500

If you are a new vegetarian like me, one difficulty you may have noticed is trying to eat meals with your meat eating family. It doesn’t have to be a challenge if you do your best to plan ahead.

For example, my family just had pot roast with mashed potatoes, mixed veggies and corn. Obviously I did not eat the meat, but I did eat all the sides. I mixed together the mashed potatoes and veggies, and then poured on top some left over soup from the day before. It was really good, and I was just as full as the rest of my family.

So, there is no need to feel like you will be left out, or feel like you need to eat completely seperate meals. Try to work together as much as possible, and plan to make some adjustments to the meal as needed.

I’ve come to realize that I’m a picky eater. I don’t mean to be. It’s just that my palate has...

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:35:06 -0500

I’ve come to realize that I’m a picky eater. I don’t mean to be. It’s just that my palate has been rather limited for most of my life. I grew up with a hard working mom who occasionally had time to fix homemade meals, but mostly we ate quick, cheap meals. We never had a lot of fruit in our house, or variety. I have to admit that I’m almost 32, and I’m not sure I’ve ever eaten a pear.

So, part of my becoming a vegetarian for me is really about trying new foods. It’s intimidating at first, but I’m taking it one food at a time.

The first thing I’ve added to my diet is almond milk. Yum! I now drink this daily. It has calcium, vitamin A, D and E, some protein and iron, etc. There are different brands that you can buy, but here is some nutritional information about almond milk,

http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/custom/278488/2

"The standard diet of a meat-eater is blood, flesh, veins, muscles, tendons, cow secretions,hen..."

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:43:28 -0500

“The standard diet of a meat-eater is blood, flesh, veins, muscles, tendons, cow secretions,hen periods and bee vomit. And once a year during a certain holiday in November, meat-eaters use the hollowed-out rectum of a dead bird as a pressure cooker for stuffing. And people think vegans are weird because we eat tofu?”

- vegan bodybuilder Robert Cheeke (via vegheadsftw)