Recipe Time: Carrot Ginger Squash Soup.

Carrots And Squash Ready To Go.

This soup combines a little bit of everything I like in a simple manner and turns them into something wonderful. This soup is easy to make, can be easily reheated the next day as left overs and can also be frozen for a later time. I do not have any nutritional information on this recipe but as you can see by the ingredients, there is nothing bad for you in and whatever fat does occur is coming from the olive oil which is good for you anyways. This is the perfect soup to enjoy as the weather gets colder and even better it is 100% vegan 🙂

Carrot Ginger Squash Soup.

Ingredients:

– 1/2 Onion, Chopped.

– 1 Tablespoon Fresh Grated Ginger.

– 1 Clove Garlic, Minced.

– 1 Teaspoon Of Olive Oil.

– 1 1/2 Cups Vegetable Broth.

– 1 Cup Frozen Butternut Squash Cubes.

– 1 Cup Frozen Carrot Slices.

Directions:

– Saute The Onion, Ginger And Garlic In The Olive Oil For 3 Minutes In A Medium Pot.

– Add The Vegetable Broth, Frozen Squash Cubes And Frozen Carrot Slices.

– Bring To A Boil And Simmer For 5 Minutes.

– Using A Hand Blender/Food Processor Blend Until Smooth, If You Want To Make It Thinner Add More Broth.

– Season With Salt And Pepper, Serve Immediately With Whole Grain Crackers.

It’s All In The Stalk.

Celery Is A Natural Diuretic.

I adore celery, always and forever, I love the crisp texture and it’s many uses. Ever since I was a kid I have always loved celery, my parents were not really big into us eating junk food so celery and peanut butter was a common snack during my years of living at home. Now a days I eat it however, mostly just naked with a little sea salt, ranch dressing is always welcome too 🙂

The first appearance of celery in the healing sense was actually in Homer’s The Odessy back in the 9th century B.C. These days it is known as a natural detoxifier and is used in many cleanses and as a weight loss aid. Celery is a terrific source of Vitamin C, B6, potassium, folate, manganese and fiber. Eating celery on the reg has been shown to lower your risk of getting inflammatory conditions like asthma, arthritis. It also has been shown to reduce high blood pressure, cholesterol and help the body get rid of excess fluids.

Now when it comes to picking the best of the bunch in the celery field, go for the stalk. The stalk is where it is at. Smooth stalks inside and out with no blemishes that are light green in color . Celery should snap when you break it and pull apart easily. Do not buy celery that has dark green or brown spots on it’s stalks or its leaves. To keep your celery crisp and fresh be sure to store it in a sealed container with some water in the bottom or a sealed plastic bag.

Now Go Get Your Stalk On 😉

Sweet Potato Dog Chewz.

I have always hated rawhide. Even before I had my own dog I thought rawhides were nasty. Smelly, Slimy and GROSS. I tried to give them to my dogs back in the day but never liked doing it. Then one day a few years back I was looking for bones/rawhides/whatever and saw that there were pig ears next to the rawhide. So needless to say a connection was made right then and there. These were parts of once living animals. Homey Don’t Play That. Time to seek alternatives.

The general healthy alternative seems to be sweet potatoes these days and we have tried many kinds over here. This most recent brand is Front Porch Pets and they make all different kinds of sweet potato based dog chews. My dogs LOVE sweet potatoes so this is like double heaven for them. The only ingredient in these ‘chewz’ is sweet potatoes, no sugar, no gluten, no wheat, no nothing. Sweet potatoes are loaded with fiber and vitamin c making them very good for you dogs, the tough texture of these chewz helps to clean your dogs teeth and gums. It’s like a ‘veggie jerky’.

We have tried the ‘Sweet Potato Chews’ and the ‘Bichon Fries’ in this house and my dogs freak out and devour them.  I know my parents dogs eat these on the reg because this product review is a request of my mother. She thinks these treats are the bomb and highly recommends them to pet owners who are looking to give their dogs truly healthy chew treats with no garbage in them :)Front Porch Sweet Potatoes Chewz are also grown and made in the USA.

Chew With Compassion.

http://frontporchpets.com/ Front Porch Pets Homepage.

http://frontporchpets.com/products.html The Products. The First 3 Are What We Have Tried Out And Recommend.

Mildly Spiced Vegetable Burritos From Trader Joe’s.

Since I became vegetarian I have fallen in love with burritos. I get my Chipotle fix once a week and another night there is usually a frozen burrito in the mix. The most recent ones that got a whirl are Trader Joe’s Mildly Spiced Vegetable Burritos and they were gooood. Made with organic black beans, corn and tomatoes these burritos are  all natural ingredients and have 9 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber in them. They are spiced the perfect amount and cooked in the microwave in 7 minutes. Can’t beat that with a bat 😉

Traders Joe’s starts with a whole wheat tortilla and loads it with black beans, onions, potatoes, corn, broccoli, bell peppers, tomatoes, kidney beans, green chilies and jalapenos. There are 10 grams of fat in each burrito which comes from the safflower oil they use which means that it is good fats. They are also pretty low on sugar with none added, just 4 grams of naturally occurring ones. At 350 calories they will not break the calorie bank and they are so easy to make you can keep them at work for lunch, or have them as a snack. There are 2 servings per container and they cook up right in the tray they come in. These joints are dairy free which makes them vegan.

Recipe Time: White Bean Salsa.

This recipe is super easy and can used as a side dish, snack or appetizer. Ready to eat in just 10

Beans Are A Cheap And Easy Protein Rich Base For Many Vegetarian Dishes. They Are Super Easy To Make And Take On The Taste Of Whatever Spices You Are Using.

minutes this White Bean Salsa has 135 calories per serving, 6 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. Enjoy!!!

White Bean Salsa.

Ingredients:

– 1 Can Of White Kidney Beans Rinsed And Drained.

– 2 Tablespoons Of Fresh Lime Juice.

– 1/4 Teaspoon Of Sea Salt.

– 1 Plum Tomato, Finely Diced.

– 2 Scallions, Finely Diced.

Directions:

1-Drain White Kidney Beans And Combine In A Bowl With Lime Juice And Sea Salt.

2- In A Bowl Mush It Up With A Potato Masher Until Ingredients Are Semi-Smooth.

3- Add Tomato And Scallions And Stir To Blend.

4- Serve With Tortilla Chips And Enjoy!!!

Recipe Time: Hawaiian-Style Sweet And Sour Pineapple And Roasted Bell Peppers.

Oahu, Hawaii. May 2010.

I LOVE Hawaii. L-O-V-E IT. I had the pleasure of going there in May and to be honest it was never really a place on my (very long) ‘to go’ list. I always figured it was overrated, not to mention the 11 hour flight is WAY LESS than desirable when you have the lack of attention span that I have. Stir crazy much??? So all I can say is that it is well worth the flight, cost and jet lag. We had planned to go again in like 2 weeks but now we will not be going until February or March, latest. So since I cannot get there I figured I would bring a little ‘there’ to all of us 😉

Besides the amazing weather, to die for scenery, beaches for days and good-looking people to boot, Hawaii also has some of the best food I have ever had in my life. No lie. I had the best fried tofu in my life at a Thai restaurant in Waikiki and ate the best crepes in my life at a farmers market in Hawaii-Kai. And the Acai Bowls OMG. Like I said, if you can ever get there. Like Nike, Just Do It. Now I am done plugging the state of Hawaii. This recipe is simple, colorful (we should be eating the rainbow at all meals), delicious and versatile. You can eat it by itself, as a side dish or make it a dish atop of some jasmine rice. I love the combination of pineapples and peppers brought together in a sweet sauce.

Hawaiian-Style Sweet And Sour Pineapple And Roasted Bell Peppers.

Ingredients:

-3 Cups Of Cubed Fresh Pineapple.

– 1 Medium Red Bell Pepper Cubed. Should Be About 1-11/2 Cups.

– 1 Medium Red Onion Cut Into Thin Wedges. Should Be About 1 1/2 Cups.

– 1 Tablespoon Toasted Sesame Oil.

– 1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil.

-1 Tablespoon Light or Dark Brown Sugar.

– 1 Tablespoon Sweetened Coconut Flakes. (Optional)

Directions:

– Preheat Oven To 400.

– Arrange Pineapple, Peppers And Onions On An Ungreased, Rimmed Baking Sheet.

– Drizzle With Oils And Brown Sugar. Toss To Coat. You Can Add Salt And Pepper For Taste.

– Roast Pineapple Mixture On Center Rack Of Oven For 30 Minutes Until Lightly Brown, Flip Once At 15 Minutes.

– Remove From Oven And Sprinkle With Coconut Flakes And Lime Juice, This Step Is Optional.

– Toss To Mix And Serve Hot Or At Room Temperature Over Rice.

Aloha!!!  

 

 

Aloha. Greetings From Maui. May 2010.

 

Recipe Time: Spicy Southwestern Black Bean Vegetarian Chili

There Are Many Varieties Of Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup.

This is a recipe I just came across but I have no idea where. It looks and sounds so good I just had to share it. In under 30 minutes this high protein, high fiber vegetarian meal will be ready to warm you up on a cold night. The ingredients are super easy to find (mostly things you will have in your pantry) and the prep work is simple. As everyone knows prep work that takes a massive amount of time usually kills the whole ‘urge’ to cook something delicious. At least I know it does for me 😉 Just like the recipe I gave you for the Toasted Corn and Black Bean Tacos, this recipe will also give you the meat flavor minus the meat. I know there are many different companies that make Roasted Red Pepper Tomato soup, some will be vegan and if that is the case then this is a totally vegan meal.

Spicy Southwestern Black Bean Vegetarian Chili:

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 large chopped onion (1.5 cups)

1 jalapeno seeded and chopped

1 large clove of garlic finely chopped

2 tablespoons of chili powder

1 teaspoon of cumin

4 cups or 1 box of roasted red pepper and tomato soup

2 15.5 oz cans of black beans rinsed and drained

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1/4 cup reduced fat sour cream (optional for topping)

1/2 cup firm ripe avocado (optional for topping)

Cooking Instructions:

-Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat.

-Add onion and jalapeno, cook stirring until softened (about 4 minutes).

-Stir in the garlic, chili powder and cumin, cook for 2 minutes.

-Stir in soup and black beans, simmer for 8 minutes.

-Stir in chopped cilantro.

-Ladle soup into bowls an top with i tablespoon of sour cream and avocado if you desire.

Enjoy!!!

Serving Size: About 2 cups. 395 calories. 11 grams of fat (4 saturated, 5 mono and 1 poly). 13 grams of fiber. 17 grams of protein.

http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Natural-Foods-Organic-16-Ounce/dp/B000LKU1TO

This is a popular brand of pre made Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Soup

https://veggiefitness.wordpress.com/2010/09/07/recipe-time-black-bean-and-toasted-corn-tacos/

This is the post with the Black Bean and Toasted Corn Tacos recipe. DELICIOUS!!!

Vegetarian Chili Is Just As Filling But More Healthy Then Meat Based Options.

Meet Your New Burgers.

Boca Burger Original Burgers. A Great Substitute For 'Real' Burgers.

Burgers. Such a staple in the average American diet and usually so bad for you. Everywhere I turn I see some type of burger joint, from ridiculous lines at the new Sonic Burgers they opened here in Jerz, to the Checkers and Five Guys. Hamburgers are here to stay. Even though I was never a huge ‘meater’ I did enjoy hamburgers from time to time, especially on the grill. When I first became vegetarian, I remember calling my sister Mary (actually now that I think of it I called Ang too) and asking her what a ‘veggie burger’ tasted like and what brand they recommended. They said simply ‘It tastes like a hamburger’ and to get either Boca Burgers or Morning Star Farms. So with my ‘non vegetarian’ boyfriend at the time (he is one now), we tried the veggie burgers and we liked them to our surprise. We have since ‘moved on’ to the Morning Star Farms Spicy Black Bean Burger. Which I think is one of the best inventions EVER 😉

Many people who are switching to a vegetarian diet should  just opt for the basic Morning Star Farms Grillers Burger. This burger tastes just like a hamburger. For real. I know anyone could slide one of them in a bun, add the toppings and serve it to a carnivore like it ain’t no thang. It comes shaped like a frozen ‘beef’ patty and cooks up just like a normal hamburger. They have a nice texture and a very, very good flavor. As far as easy to find veggie burgers go, these are my top choice. You will also find Boca Burgers almost everywhere these days. I know lots of people who prefer Boca to Morning Star, but it is all a matter of preference. Boca burgers cook up the same way and also have a really great taste to them. Both products are made with soy and other vegetables, and are high in protein and low in saturated fat. They are filling, but do not leave you feeling like there is something just sitting in your stomach like a real burger can do. You can cook them in a pan or grill them on the grill. Treat them like a normal burger. Veggie burgers are a really great transition food and one that many people will need in order to successfully complete the transition from carnie to veggie.

Now my personal favorite is the Morning Star Farms Spicy Black Bean Burger. OBSESSED. We eat them like two times a week. They are amazing. This ‘burger’ is not really a ‘burger’ per say, shaped like one yes, but does not taste like one. It is a soy burger with black beans and corn with a delicious spice to it. So good. Lots of protein, about 11 grams, a nice chunk of fiber and low in saturated fat. We eat them on a Deli Flat (only 100 Calories) with an organic ketchup/Seracha mix. They seem like they would be really good on a salad or even crumbled in a dip. All I know is that my BFF, who is also vegetarian, is obsessed too and I think she may actually eat them more then we do. Unless you have a child that likes things a little spicy, this is probably more an ‘adult’ burger. Kids will prefer the Boca or Grillers burgers to this. I like to pair this burger with a side that is sweet for a nice contrast. Sweet potatoes work well. Just microwave them until they are soft and mash them up with some agave nectar or honey and cinnamon for a tasty side 😉

There are many other flavors of veggie burgers you will come across. I know that Morning Star Farms makes a Tomato and Basil Veggie Pizza Burger and also an Asian Veggie Patty. I am sure there are a plethora of others that I have never even seen and I am sure most of them are pretty darn good. F.Y.I. Burger King has a veggie burger option on their menu now. This maybe old news, but I do not frequent the joint so I just found out a few months ago. It is a Morning Star Farms veggie burger that they offer. This is an easy transition to make and I encourage you to try one of these products. I guarantee you will find something that you like.

Save Your Body. Save A Life. Eat A Veggie Burger.

http://www.morningstarfarms.com/products_veggie-burgers.aspx Morning Star Farms

http://www.bocaburger.com/our-products.aspx Boca Burgers

Morning Star Farms Spicy Black Bean Burger. DELICIOUS!!!