Since I have been using the terms vegan and plant-based interchangeably (so as not to bore you to tears with the same word) I thought it might be prudent to define what they mean. I found that vegan can be more of a lifestyle (and not so much a diet) that promotes the avoidance of killing animals for any use, and that you can be a "vegan" and not consume veggies at all! The term plant-based refers to what you actually eat, meaning food that comes from a plant; avoiding ingestion of anything that has a face! So at this point, it might be more accurate to say that I aspire to, and recommend others to follow a more plant based diet.
A friend recently asked me if I eat eggs. I do occasionally eat eggs, but they are certainly not on the official plant-based diet. It is a terrific treat to mix things up a bit and I recently enjoyed a fried egg (in coconut oil, stainless steel pan, please no non-stick coating) served over polenta and beans. My friend Maria eats a hard boiled egg on Ezekiel bread toast with mashed avocado for breakfast - yum!
Eggs have been under a lot of scrutiny over the last few decades and it's difficult to get accurate information about their health status; many of the studies conducted are backed by the manufacturers themselves. The current popular view is they do not increase cholesterol and provide a source of choline, an essential nutrient not found on the vegetarian or plant-based diet. If you do eat eggs, PLEASE buy organic. This ensures that the chickens are not exposed to antibiotics and are fed an organic, non-gmo grain.
My husband gets our eggs from a co-worker who raises chickens in his backyard. They are sold at local farmer's markets and the grocery - two are here in Ashburn on the weekends. One is by IHOP on Saturday morning, and by Brambleton Sport & Health on Sunday mornings. You can also buy them at Costco for a competitive price.
You might find this amusing: http://www.thevegg.com/ - let me know if you try them!
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Name change reversed
OOPS! My son got a hold of the blog today and changed the name unbeknownst to me. Finally, we were able to get it back this evening, but please, in honor of my friend, read the post from earlier and pray for her mom (who is now alone) and extended family. THANKS!
Losing a friend and one small step at a time
Today I devote my blog to Beth, a friend and talented actress, director and costumer who lost her 5 year battle with breast cancer this morning. It's tragedies like these that motivate me to encourage people to improve their health. Frankly I did not speak loud enough about this way of eating when I had the chance. I need to be clear, it's unfair to say that anyone caused their own cancer because they didn't eat enough broccoli, superfoods, etc. Certainly we all know that person who makes it to 90, smoked like a chimney and had bacon for breakfast everyday. We may even know a health fanatic who succumbed to disease before their time, but do not be discouraged! I look at making good food choices as stacking the odds in our favor and feeling our best while we're here. Sadly, Beth has no more options, but you do. It's hard to eat nutritiously in America, heck it's hard to breathe well. I admit that it's time consuming, and sometimes confusing, so I encourage you to take it one step at a time. It can, however, be very CREATIVE!
If you're not eating breakfast, then start eating something; a smoothie is a great place to start. A friend told me she is eating whole oats for breakfast and I encouraged her to add some walnuts for protein, so she can make it to lunch. You can throw in some dried fruit, flax seed (her idea) and spices (pumpkin pie spice)! If you're eating two pop tarts for breakfast (and please don't make me tell you why you shouldn't) then eat only one, and have a bowl of fruit with walnuts as well. If you're chowing on candy all day, then try to cut back gradually and replace it with something else, like nuts, carrots or pita with hummus.
The point I want to make is... start making small changes, think about adding, not subtracting and the real foods will soon take up so much room in your belly there won't be room for the others! Don't beat yourself up for where you are now and share your self-pity with a bag of chips (my favorite snack). You don't have to be vegan by COB, or ever for that matter, just start substituting real foods for processed foods a day, a week or a month at a time. You determine the pace!
Here's the SMOOTHIE I made today
1 whole peach sliced w/skin but no pit - need a Vitamix for that and if you do, go for it!
1/2 frozen banana, or fresh works too
handful fresh spinach (or use other greens)
1/2 cup almond milk
3 baby carrots
1 Tbsp each of ground flax seed and hulled hemp seeds
crushed ice if desired
Whirl all ingred. in the blender till smooth, sweeten if you need to w/honey or stevia or whatever you have (remember one step at a time) and don't fret if you don't have spinach or flax or want to substitute other fruits. Any smoothie you make at home is likely to be healthier than store bought because it doesn't contain additives such as corn syrup, artificial flavors and colors. Smoothie recipes are in abundance in books and on the web, but I'll share some of my super kid-tested chocolate ones soon!
Yes, my daughter drank this smoothie. Apparently I need a Vitamix because my blender keeps leaking, seriously it's Niagra Falls as soon as I start the motor! It's usually ground up better than this, but I had to stop the blender before it was all on the floor. I'm taking collections for the Vitamix, btw.
If you're not eating breakfast, then start eating something; a smoothie is a great place to start. A friend told me she is eating whole oats for breakfast and I encouraged her to add some walnuts for protein, so she can make it to lunch. You can throw in some dried fruit, flax seed (her idea) and spices (pumpkin pie spice)! If you're eating two pop tarts for breakfast (and please don't make me tell you why you shouldn't) then eat only one, and have a bowl of fruit with walnuts as well. If you're chowing on candy all day, then try to cut back gradually and replace it with something else, like nuts, carrots or pita with hummus.
The point I want to make is... start making small changes, think about adding, not subtracting and the real foods will soon take up so much room in your belly there won't be room for the others! Don't beat yourself up for where you are now and share your self-pity with a bag of chips (my favorite snack). You don't have to be vegan by COB, or ever for that matter, just start substituting real foods for processed foods a day, a week or a month at a time. You determine the pace!
Here's the SMOOTHIE I made today
1 whole peach sliced w/skin but no pit - need a Vitamix for that and if you do, go for it!
1/2 frozen banana, or fresh works too
handful fresh spinach (or use other greens)
1/2 cup almond milk
3 baby carrots
1 Tbsp each of ground flax seed and hulled hemp seeds
crushed ice if desired
Whirl all ingred. in the blender till smooth, sweeten if you need to w/honey or stevia or whatever you have (remember one step at a time) and don't fret if you don't have spinach or flax or want to substitute other fruits. Any smoothie you make at home is likely to be healthier than store bought because it doesn't contain additives such as corn syrup, artificial flavors and colors. Smoothie recipes are in abundance in books and on the web, but I'll share some of my super kid-tested chocolate ones soon!
Yes, my daughter drank this smoothie. Apparently I need a Vitamix because my blender keeps leaking, seriously it's Niagra Falls as soon as I start the motor! It's usually ground up better than this, but I had to stop the blender before it was all on the floor. I'm taking collections for the Vitamix, btw.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Cheating... and the morning after
Okay, Saturday night I was at a wonderful party and cheated a bit. I had a beef burger (ahhh) and definitely a few things with dairy. Later that night my hip pain returned and I've been saddled with a headache ever since. No way to tell for sure if it's relative to food, but it does remind me that before vegan eating I felt this way a lot, full of joint aches and headaches. I berated myself for not planning better.
It's not the host's responsibility to feed me, and certainly there were options, but I was low on commitment. Next time I need to plan ahead and not be so convinced that I'm full when I leave home. I will offer to bring something like a veggie platter with hummus or bean dip. I could also bring a veggie/bean burger or two to throw on the grill. Who knows, someone else might be interested in an alternative, and the food I bring could start a discussion!
The good news is I spent my Sunday making some tasty treats, mushroom risotto, granola for my son who's been begging for store bought and ratatouille. He's eating the granola but not so enthusiastic, apparently improvements are needed.
It's not the host's responsibility to feed me, and certainly there were options, but I was low on commitment. Next time I need to plan ahead and not be so convinced that I'm full when I leave home. I will offer to bring something like a veggie platter with hummus or bean dip. I could also bring a veggie/bean burger or two to throw on the grill. Who knows, someone else might be interested in an alternative, and the food I bring could start a discussion!
The good news is I spent my Sunday making some tasty treats, mushroom risotto, granola for my son who's been begging for store bought and ratatouille. He's eating the granola but not so enthusiastic, apparently improvements are needed.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
White Bean Soup with Kale
This is an excellent easy soup I've made many times and is company quality. I add the kale after I've pureed the beans so the soup doesn't look green. If you need to add meat for someone, sausage or chicken would work well.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/bean-soup-with-kale/detail.aspx
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/bean-soup-with-kale/detail.aspx
Welcome To Wellness!
As many of you know, I've been thinking of writing a blog for a while but recent circumstances have compelled me to take action. I can't keep quiet while people are struggling with disordered eating, obesity, inflammation or disease. It all started In September, 2011. I watched the movie "Forks Over Knives" on Netflix and felt I'd found my calling. I began eating a plant based diet and aspired to become a wellness coach. Over the last year I've learned about wellness in various forms and spoken to many people who are embracing this type of eating with positive results.
On November 1st, 2002 I was told I had cancer, and on December 13th, 2002, my thyroid was surgically removed. I don't want anyone else to hear the words "you have cancer" or lose a vital organ or any other part for that matter, while you are in your prime. Fortunately, my cancer was non-aggressive and small in size, in an otherwise healthy organ. If I knew what I know now, I might have adopted a wait and see approach and embraced a vegan diet. Why didn't anyone tell me? The evidence is clear that the traditional western diet, dependent on commercially produced animal protein and processed food, contributes to poor health. Practicing a plant based diet can lower your toxic load, maximize your immune system and decrease your risk of developing premature cancer and disease.
On this forum, I will share the health and environmental benefits of a plant based diet, and the various ways myself and fellow vegans incorporate plants and healthy habits into our lives. Most importantly, I hope to inspire, educate and encourage those who are curious and beginning this journey. Selfishly, I hope to hold myself more accountable - after all, I can't be over at Johnny Rockets eating a burger if I have a vegan blog, can I?
It's not as hard as it seems if you take one step at a time!
Welcome to my blog!
On November 1st, 2002 I was told I had cancer, and on December 13th, 2002, my thyroid was surgically removed. I don't want anyone else to hear the words "you have cancer" or lose a vital organ or any other part for that matter, while you are in your prime. Fortunately, my cancer was non-aggressive and small in size, in an otherwise healthy organ. If I knew what I know now, I might have adopted a wait and see approach and embraced a vegan diet. Why didn't anyone tell me? The evidence is clear that the traditional western diet, dependent on commercially produced animal protein and processed food, contributes to poor health. Practicing a plant based diet can lower your toxic load, maximize your immune system and decrease your risk of developing premature cancer and disease.
On this forum, I will share the health and environmental benefits of a plant based diet, and the various ways myself and fellow vegans incorporate plants and healthy habits into our lives. Most importantly, I hope to inspire, educate and encourage those who are curious and beginning this journey. Selfishly, I hope to hold myself more accountable - after all, I can't be over at Johnny Rockets eating a burger if I have a vegan blog, can I?
It's not as hard as it seems if you take one step at a time!
Welcome to my blog!
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