Meat-Free Mondays

We have one of our favorite guest with us this week. One of the hubbys closest friends. He leaves in a few days and we still never have enough time to catch up. He is a strict vegan. And he has been on this fast/raw/fast/raw diet cycle the past few weeks. He takes food very seriously.  He is much stronger than I could be. And he sure enough can make me feel guilty about even eating a banana half the time! He is so fun. So he has been eating this recipe that even my meat-eating brother loved! I cant get enough of it. I hope you enjoy. On the side or by itself. It is delicious!

Green Leaves and Coconut Milk
This recipe is extremely easy. Its origin is Uganda. (Serves 4)

Grapeseed or olive oil

1 onion (chopped)

1 cup mushrooms (chopped)

2 large bunch of kale
(or be a wimp and do 3 bunches of spinach)

1/2 cup coconut milk

Few slices of red bell pepper (optional)

Salt and Pepper

1. Wash leaves well and set to drain

2. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in saute pan

3. Add onion and mushrooms and saute for a few minutes

4. Add leaves (and bell pepper, optional) and steam-simmer covered for 5 minutes

5. Pour in coconut milk, season with salt and pepper. Stir well

6. Let mixture cool for a further 10 - 15 minutes, uncovered

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Real Food Vegetarian: Recipes for Your Slow Cooker


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Meatfree Mondays (got my days mixed up!)

This journey to vegetarianism is tough. Its not just about eliminating meat. Thats the easy part. Its the eating when your nervous or anxious or  bored or pissed off or just plain celebrating that can get you. Thats what needs to be checked.

But I resorted back to something that I used to eat as a kid...Taco Bell Tostadas. I never really paid much attention to the fact that they are meatless. Yep. Beans, cheese, lettuce and that yummy red sauce. Its the only way I ever really liked beans; on a tostada. I have been craving them and when I realized they were meatless, I was excited. Its 250 calories and 10g fat and its low sodium. Its all relative to the other items on the menu. But in the overall scheme it is a nice cheat. I've been doing good so far.

Its not even half as bad as it seems to go vegetarian. Its harder to say it then it is to be it.

Meatfree Mondays

1. 
   
   
   
   
   

Going Veggie

Ok, its day 2 of the new year 2010 and my journey into becoming a vegetarian is official.

to become: enter or assume a certain state or condition. 


Today I had black beans and corn over rice. I mixed that really red, hot spicy sauce you get at the chinese food store in with some sour cream. Dropped a few dollops on top and it was beautiful!

Then for dinner we skipped the burgers we planned and had pancakes at Denny's with some old friends from high school. And then later this evening I had this tofu and soy chorizo mizture I stirred up, rolled in corn tortillas and wala! I did very good today.


One note of battle success is that I realized that my eating schedule is so different from others because I am a night owl. I mean even now its almost 2 am and I am still up. So my day doesn't begin until 10 or so. So I know now that if I eat a good protein at night around 8 or 9, then I am satisfied until bedtime. I like that. Score....

I am setting up a blog to document this journey. Isn't it just the thing to do huh?! But you'll get used to it. I figure, I got enough friends who can support this and I will have alot of people to be held accountable to. sounds like a plan....

I'll let you know. In the meantime, I'll be back on track Sunday with Sacred Sundays. Don't miss it!!

Meatfree Mondays

I have struggled with weight since I was 8. Most of those who know me, it comes as no surprise. When I had my first child twleve years ago, I was at my smallest in my adult life after the birth. I was so proud of myself for getting so small. I didnt appreciate it though...

I got into a relationship with the love of my life at the time and I made every effort to stay small because I felt like he motivated me to get up in the mornings and get out and walk. But as soon as that relationship ended, I just lost track. I gained a little back.

I started a new relationship and stayed pretty neutral with my weight. No up or down and I didn't feel bad really. When that relationship ended a year later I took my sadness out on the new treadmill I bought! I felt like I was doing very good. I was 30 and I felt good about my job. I felt like I was over the previous relationship. I had even started dating again.And then I met who would later become my husband and I never put any mind to my weight again.

I got pregnant 2 years into the relationship and knew for sure that once I had the baby I would lose the weight I had gained, if not more, because I had done it before. Breastfeeding is the best kinda activity without actually moving! And it did, but I was in a tormented relationship and I was starting to get very depressed. I went back to an ex, but was torn between the two and I ate to compensate for the sadness. Then I got pregnant with my third child 5 months after the second was born and that really sent me further into a cave. I was sad and ate with no mind to what or how much. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I was so sad. My boyfriend was in another relationship while I was pregnant with our second child and I was stressed out. I was out of work and money and had to move out of my place when I was 5 months pregnant. So I started to notice that even though I wasnt eating anything extraordinary, I was stressed beyond capacity and it kept the weight at a stand still. Then I had her and lost 45 pounds immediately......and immediately gained that and more back not even a month later.

And I havent been able to lose the weight, even if I dropped it off in a remote desert 1000 miles away.
I have gotten married, feel like I resolved the issues with my husband, eat so differently than I did before; more veggies, less meat. Started a being more diligent in practicing Faith, walk and went to the gym for a while. And yet and still, I am stuck. I am scared though. Afraid to have heart trouble and die. I am full of anxiety about my health. I never imagined being without insurance. I can empathize with those that dont have it.

Looking back on it, I should have really appreciated me because I was not as big as I thought I was. Not even in high school. There is so much more that I did and havent even delved into as it relates to food. But its starting to get annoying because I have no idea what to do. I complain and cry and then I'm at souplantation and try to rationalize it as being better than. Whats a girl to do? I am from this day forward becoming a vegetarian.

Good bye Del Taco...you will be missed.....

*o*o*o*o*Here's to doing something about it NOW!*o*o*o*o*

Parmesan, Avocado, and Rocket Pasta

Serves 4

3.5 cups of wholemeal pasta

1/3 cup of rocket leaves, roughly chopped

2 avocados

1 clove of garlic, minced

2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar

A good handful of grated Parmesan cheese

A good pinch of sea salt and ground black pepper

Cook the pasta according the instructions on the pack.

While the pasta is cooking, add the rocket, Parmesan, garlic, salt and pepper to a mixing bowl and set aside.

When the pasta is cooked, drain it and then add it to the bowl.

Pour in the vinegar and olive oil and stir the pasta until it is nicely coated.  You should end up with stringy cheesy green pasta- YUM!

Slice the avocados in half and remove the stones, slice thinly and add to the pasta.

Serve straight away and devour!

Meat-Free Mondays

So on Meat-Free Mondays, when you still are craving a burger, what can you do?

Check out the most incredible burger you could ever taste at a really great restaurant in Venice Beach.
Its not the typical burger you know but it is the most delish burger and you won't miss the fact its not beef or turkey! Its so juicy and light.

SEED www.seedkitchen.com
The philosophy is Vegan and Macrobiotic.

Ever here of a macrobiotic diet? Well a macrobiotic diet is part of a philosophy of life that incorporates the ancient Oriental concept or theory of yin and yang. The diet itself consists mainly of brown rice, other whole grains, and vegetables. It requires foods to be cooked over a flame, rather than by electricity or microwave.

Happy Eating!!!
vnorene.blogspot.com

Manje Monday

Nothing better than soup for a day when you are feeling sick. But even better when you are feeling good too!
I like adding cilantro into the soup. The green onions and the cilantro taste soooo good together!

Manje!

Rice Noodles with Broccoli, Ginger and Garlic
Recipe Serves: 4

The combination of ginger and garlic gives a classic Asian flavour to this quick and easy supper dish.

Ingredients:

250g rice noodles

250grms broccoli florets

For the sauce:

4 spring onions, very finely sliced

1 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and very finely chopped (or 1 tsp of ground ginger)

2-3 large cloves garlic, minced

3 tbsp bean sauce (in the Asian isle at the grocers)

¼ pint veg stock (or chicken stock if you cant find veggie stock)

2 tbsp soy sauce or to taste

6 tbsp sesame oil

Instructions:

To make the sauce, mix all the ingredients together and let stand while you cook the broccoli and rice noodles.

Remove the paper from the noodles.

Place noodles in a large bowl and pour over enough boiling water to cover

Leave to stand for 5 minutes

Rinse in cold water, drain well. Meanwhile, in a large frying pan simmer the broccoli and sauce together, when broccoli is cooked stir in the rice noodles. When heated through serve immediately.