the Vegan Journey Continues

So, we have been doing Vegan 5 days a week pretty much for a little over a month. I have lost 4 pounds and William has lost 8 pounds. Most importantly, we feel much better. No stuffed, bloated feelings after eating. We are simply satisfied.

"Eat to live, don't live to eat" - this is something my sports nutrition professor, Dr. Angel, at Samford University, always used to say. Now I can say I understand what he meant.

There have been some "off the wagon moments" where I have indulged myself overly in non-vegan food. Mind you, we are only doing vegan 5 days a week to make it easier to go over to people's homes for dinner, eat out every once in a while (although i usually choose vegetarian options if I can). Yesterday I paid for my non-vegan gluttony with stomach cramps and aches - my body was punishing me, I think.

I will say, Trader Joe's is one of the best places for Vegan food on a budget. There are many vegan options that make life simple with 2 working individuals.

Here are some of my most recent favorite dishes:

Tofu Stir-Fry with Veggies - you can alter this recipe for veggies you like, add rice, etc. It's one of William's favorites. He says that tofu tastes like chicken, so we are going to run with that one.

Tofu & Black Bean Tacos - vegan cheese and you are set!

BBQ Tempeh Sandwiches - another "William favorite" - would go well with sweet potato fries

Another favorite of ours is Vegan Gyros.
We do pita bread with Trader Joe's "Meatless Beef Strips" cooked and seasoned with Greek Seasoning found in your local grocery store. For sauce, shred cucumber into soy plain yogurt with Greek seasoning. Yummy and easy!

And so, the Vegan journey continues...

Vegan: Here We Come

After watching 'Forks Over Knives', my husband, William, decided we should try going vegan for a while. He has had some high blood pressure, high cholesterol and was ready to change.

So, here we go - VEGAN it is.

Today we went to Whole Foods for our first look at what vegan had to offer us. We were armed & ready with our list for our planned vegan meals this week. It was a little pricey going to Whole Foods but since we are cutting out alcohol and won't be eating out as much, it should balance out. Plus there's no price you can put on feeling better and healthier in the long run. Once we get in the groove with some recipes and knowing what vegan options are at each store we frequent, we will be able to head to the the Dekalb Farmer's Market for discounted produce, too. William got really excited when he saw all the "meatless" options of sausages, burgers, etc.

Here's some, but not all, of our gatherings:

On the docket for this week's dinners are:

Tofu & Black Bean Tacos
Orange Sesame Noodles
Spaghetti & Vegan Meatballs
Thai Spring Rolls
and possibly some Vegan burgers or something else left over.

I will let you know how this goes. I am excited to be a little more healthy with William...

I am not going to think about Thanksgiving right now...

homemade pesto

Seeing as I have an abundance of basil in my garden,

I thought it was time to put it to good use.

A bunch of basil (probably 30-40 leaves or so)

3 Tbs of minced garlic

3/4 c. freshly ground parmesean cheese

1/4 c. walnuts

1-2 Tbs of olive oil

Combine in food processor or chop until fine as can be.

Ta da! homemade pesto!

Yum! I can't wait to mix it with some pasta or smear it on toasted bread.

The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin: book review

Don't you sometimes wish that Jane Austen could write another tale so you could take another romantic jaunt to another time and place? I do, and I solved my yearning by reading The American Heiress.

I have to admit that I am not a "reader," but I devoured this novel by new British author, Daisy Goodwin, in 3 decadent days at the beach. The storyline kept me engaged with every turn of the page (yes, it was an actual book with pages thanks to my local library). Although I would say that her writing is in a more modern form than the insurmountable Jane Austen, there was something refreshing in this travel back to a time of elegance in America and England in the late 1800's. Being reminded of a time of proper things, comments and actions is refreshing and infuriating as the same time. The class system along with the gender roles of the time are my "fifty shades of grey," I suppose.

I was encouraged by random postings on pinterest and facebook the read this book due to the quote, "for those going through Downton Abbey withdrawals." So true! I would, however, even argue that The American Heiress is more engaging than a book on Downton Abbey would be (sounds sacrilegious as a devout Downton Abbey-er, I know).

The general premise (without spoilers because I actually want you to read the book!) surrounds the "coming out" (the old fashioned meaning of coming out, not the new) of an American heiress. It continues with a mother's search for a titled European husband for her heiress of a daughter (haven't we all imagined Prince William or Mr. Darcy would ask for our hand at some point in our lives?). Once married, this American heiress, Cora (no association with our Downton Abbey's Cora), stumbles through her role as an English Duchess. With twists and turns that are sure to keep you glued to the page, you won't be disappointed. I won't disallusion you to think that this book is a richly penned as one of Jane Austen, however, it's ease of read makes it all the more delicious, in my opinion.

If you have ever imagined life in a different time or place (especially 19th century England), a Prince or Duke to call your own, riding side-saddle through the woods, investigating an English estate, or how you would fare in the high society as an American Heiress turned Duchess - then this is the book for you.

Enjoy and let me know what you think! (and I bet your local library has a free copy for you to borrow)

blueberry-lemon popsicle recipe

I recently came across a cooking light recipe for lemon-basil Popsicles, and thought I would try to make a blueberry-lemon rendition on my own.

Here it goes:
Makes 4 - 1/2 c. Popsicles

1/3 c. water
1/3 c. sugar
1/3-1/2 c. blueberries (i used fresh but I am sure frozen would work too)
lemon zest from 1 lemon (roughly 1 Tsp.)
lemon juice - from the lemon you zested, plus 2 Tbs.


Boil water, sugar, blueberries (some smashed) and lemon zest in small saucepan then let sit for 30 minutes.
(filter the lemon zest and berries if you desire - I like to have them in the popcicle, but some prefer not to)
Add lemon juice from the lemon you zested plus 2 Tbs.
Pour into Popsicle molds.
Freeze.
Enjoy later!

Caprese Salad on a Stick

One of my favorite summertime (well, anytime really) snacks and salads.

I made mine from my garden using fresh plucked basil and cherry tomatoes. Here's how you can make it yourself:

Toothpicks as your "stick" to put the ingredients on
1-2 fresh basil leaves per stick
1 grape or cheery tomato per stick
1 small mozzarella ball or chunk per stick
Balsamic vinegar for drizzling & dipping

Stick on your toothpick & Enjoy!

Kale Chips: My New Favorite (healthy) Snack

It's been a while since I have blogged - for no good reason other than that I have been busy, nonetheless, I am BACK!

Upon receiving word that my husband has high blood pressure & high cholesterol, along with being over his ideal weight, I have set out on a mission to continue to encourage more healthy eating practices in our home. Perhaps this time, I will have a more attentive ear listening.

William loves chips, so enter my recent attempt at KALE chips.

Here's what I tried:

Ingredients:

1 bunch of kale (3-5 leaves)

olive oil - you could also use flavored olive oil if deesire

sea salt or seasoning salt

spices (if desired)

Turn oven to 350 degrees.
Break off pieces kale and place on baking sheet.
Drizzle some olive oil over them.
Sprinkle some light amount of salt.
Add spices if desired (I havent tried this yet, but you could use cumin or paprika for some spicy flavor)
Bake for 10-12 minutes until crispy with a light brown/green tint but not black.

ENJOY!