Seeds of Change

While grocery shopping at the Barboursville Kroger yesterday, I tried to find cooking ingredients that would allow me to make vegan meals from scratch and/or leftovers without being forced to spend a lot of money. I also wanted something organic and vegan that would allow me to make a quick meal. I can't make those three hour marathon meals everyday! I was fortunate enough to find great simmer sauces from Seeds of Change.

"In 1989, Seeds of Change began with a simple mission: to preserve biodiversity and promote sustainable, organic agriculture. By cultivating and disseminating an extensive range of organically grown vegetable, flower, herb and cover crop seeds, we have honored that mission for 20 years.

We offer home gardeners and professional growers the highest quality seed varieties, combining superior agronomic traits with beauty, flavor and nutrition. With the relentless consolidation within the agriculture industry, declining natural resources, and the industry's focus on crop yield and handling characteristics over food quality, our mission resonates more than ever. Our organic seeds represent a starting point for change. They epitomize the best of our genetic heritage and are well-adapted for the low-input, sustainable gardening and farming of the future." (www.seedsofchangefoods.com)

Although several of their simmer sauces contain dairy, I did find a great curry sauce that would not compromise my vegan eating. I added a slice of bread and Earth Balance butter spread. The meal was filling and flavorful. Plus Seeds of Change makes such a difference in organic agriculture and the environment - efforts I am proud to support. I would highly recommend checking out all Seeds of Change has to offer!

Recipe:

1 package firm or extra firm tofu

2 jars Seeds of Change simmer sauce

1 can chickpeas, rinsed

1 can black beans, rinsed

chopped veggies (optional)

cooked brown rice

1. Crumble tofu in skillet and heat through. 2. Add chickpeas, beans, and simmer sauce. 3. Simmer until hot. 4. Serve over brown rice with bread and Earth Balance buttery spread.

Jalfrezi - The Medium-Hot Curry Sauce Everyone's Asking For By Name

Quote from the label:

"There are certain phrases most Americans don't normally hear around the dinner table. No one says, for instance, "Could you pass the fenugreek." And rarely does one hear, "This is delicious, Mom, but it needs just a touch more turmeric." That's why we love Jalfrezi. Roughly translated, it means "stir-fry." And the aforementioned spices help give it an exotic medium-hot kick. Oh, one more thing about those spices: In our simmer sauces, they're all organically grown and painstakingly selected, just as you'd expect from any Seeds of Change® product. Which is important, because you never know when your spouse is going to say, 'Honey, could you pass the cardamom shaker?'"

First Vegan Meal

Tonight I made my first vegan meal - fresh, from scratch, and no meat or dairy present what-so-ever. It was quite the process and it took a lot of time - about 3 hours. I didn't realize how much time processed foods have been saving me! I've been making vegan meals up to now, but nothing from a recipe book and they have involved some processed foods. Thankfully we had another snow day today, giving me plenty of time to prepare the meal. I know I would not be able to make a meal like this on a typical work day.

Menu:

Quinoa with Basil and Pine Nuts
Hijiki-Tofu Croquettes
Scarlet Roasted Vegetables
Plum Soup

I really enjoyed the dinner - what I ate of it. I know it doesn't look like much, but I was pretty tired by the time I finished. I made Ava spaghetti for supper, but also gave her a plate of these dishes. She played with them a little, but they were too foreign for her so she did not really eat them. AJ was a good sport and tried the late plate I left for him in the oven. In the end, he went for leftover pizza. Hopefully the next meal is a bigger hit. I have noticed that when I make these types of vegan dishes, with a meat dish for AJ, that he eats all of it. I may have to keep doing that for him. However, he has not yet tried the plum soup which is SCRUMPTIOUS!!!! I love it so much!

Update: AJ isn't getting any plum soup. I ate it ALL!!!!!!! lol

Happy Valentine's Day!

What a great Valentine's Day today has turned out to be! Luckily the holiday fell on Sunday so the whole family was able to be lazy and relax and enjoy each other. AJ has been working very long hours this past week and will do so again this week. He and Ava are spending some quality alone time at the YMCA pool, giving me time to write today's blog post. I woke up this morning to find my usual Valentine's Day surprise - flowers, a card with a gift certificate for a pedicure and massage (YES!), and a box of chocolate. Ava even had a special heart plate with her own chocolates and a card from Daddy. AJ is the best husband and father!! Usually I would be so excited about the box of chocolate, but since recently returning to vegan eating I knew I would not be able to enjoy it like I had in the past. The box of chocolate sat unopened until 4 pm. Then I decided, in the spirit of the holiday, to open the box and have just one. I did...and then I had two more!! What I found most interesting was that I didn't think the chocolate tasted very good at all. Don't get me wrong, it was a perfectly respectable box of chocolate. Last year I would have devoured the entire box; however, I didn't really crave the chocolate and the sugary flavor didn't satisfy me! I found more satisfaction in the grapes the three of us shared this afternoon. I was very happy to discover I didn't want white sugar anymore and that I didn't feel I was sacrificing anything. Fantastic! The bad news? Within the hour of eating the three pieces of chocolate (containing dairy products) I was bloated, gassy, and suffering other unpleasantries. My body knew what I had done. It KNEW!! It had become accustomed to my cleaner diet and the chocolate really shocked the system. Okay, maybe shocked is too harsh a word, but the bod definitely wasn't happy!

I did make a special treat for us though. I found these great baking mixes from Cherrybrook Kitchen at my local Kroger grocery store. I've also seen them at natural and whole food stores. Cherrybrook Kitchen's Mission:

• "At Cherrybrook Kitchen our primary goal is to provide delicious all natural baking mixes for the millions of people that are affected by food allergies. Typically, not only the person with the food allergy has to be concerned with the food they eat, but all of the people around them as well. That is why we have made our products so good that they can be enjoyed by all! We dare you to disagree and we will even put our money where out mouth is! If you are not satisfied with any of our products for any reason at all, just return it to us and we will either replace it with a product of your choice or refund your money."

Although my family does not suffer from food allergies (other than my RAW egg allergy), I thought this company's products (dairy and egg free) would be perfect for vegan desserts and treats my whole family could eat. I decided to bake a cake using Cherrybrook Kitchen's Chocolate Cake Mix and Chocolate Frosting Mix. I worried the cake would bake weird, but it was perfect! The frosting mix suggested 2 Tbsp. of rice milk, but when I made it the 2 Tbsp. weren't enough and I had to add more. I also used Earth Balance butter spread sticks. Earth Balance provides vegan butter substitutes and more - perfect for those with dairy allergies. AJ and Ava LOVED the frosting! AJ went back for another piece - three times! I will definitely use Cherrybrook Kitchen products again! Visit Cherrybrook Kitchen at www.cherrybrookkitchen.com for additional products, allergy support (How cool is that?!), "fun stuff", and more!

Shiloh Farms Oragnic Soup

Tonight I made a BIG dinner. I haven't made a "real" dinner in awhile. To me a real dinner is a meal with plenty of options so everyone can find something they like, and preferably hot. Since I am the only vegan in the house, I try to make one meal with one meat dish. Tonight's table consisted of mushroom and onion meatballs, egg noodles, and Shiloh Farms Organic Soup (recipe on the box, I omitted the chicken and added two chicken flavored bullion cubes - chicken free of course!): Harmony Blend. I bought the soup mix at the healthy foods store yesterday. It was a 15oz box of organic wheat, organic red rice, and organic barley mixed with 5 different types of organic beans and legumes. The soup does require the addition of carrots, onion, and celery, and two spices I hadn't heard of before. That said, I still thought the soup would make enough for two adults to have one-two cups of soup at dinner and maybe one for lunch the next day. I was wrong. I could easily have fed a family of six with this one soup mix and possibly still have leftovers. The soup mix was less than five dollars, add maybe three dollars worth of veggies and the soup could feed a family for under $10. However, there is the initial cost of the seasoning - Garlic Salt, Turmeric, and Savory. If you don't already have these in your spice cabinet they will each run you close to $4. They will last for a VERY long time, so even though the first time you make the soup you may feel you are spending quite a lot, it won't always be that way. Check out all the soups and other available Shiloh Farms products at http://www.shilohfarms.com/!


UPDATE: As of 2/15/10 I am still eating the soup twice a day. This stuff goes a LONG way and it is still as good and flavorful as the day it was made. A super soup choice!

The Ginger People Rock! Me not so much.

Today I became reaquainted with the Healthy Life Market in Barboursville. It is a small health food store located inside a drug store. They don't have a lot, but they have so much more than anywhere else around here when it comes to organic and/or natural and vegan options. Since Ava was not with me today I could really stop to check out everything they have and get to know the store in and out. I think I was there for over an hour and it only has four isles!

As I was shopping I picked up ginger wasabi sauce made by The Ginger People.

It looked SO good and I couldn't wait to get it home. As I was unloading the groceries, I took the bottle out of the sack and admired it. I was daydreaming about all the meals I would make just so I could use the sauce. Then it occurred to me - I DIDN'T CHECK THE LABEL! As I feared, the product is not vegan. It contains whole eggs. UGH!!!!! Luckily I can still use it on AJ's meals, so it won't be a waste at all, but I am sad I am not going to get to partake. Thankfully there are plenty of vegan options available at www.gingerpeople.com

UPDATE: You gotta try this sauce! I used it tonight (2/15/10) on chicken breasts I baked for AJ's dinner. I washed two chicken breasts, coated them in the sauce, and then dipped them in ground flaxseed. I baked them at 325 for an hour. AJ thought it was great! However, the chicken wasn't as spicy as I thought it would be - from what AJ said. However, the sauce can also be used as a dip for the chicken. I did go ahead and try a tiny taste of the sauce on my finger and it is just hot enough to be good. I wish I could use it on my food!

Three Great Treats!

Three great things happened today. 1. I was able to sleep until 11 am, which never EVER happens. Luckily there was no school today due to parent/teacher conferences last night, so Ava went to daycare as planned and I was able to get some sleep. I was very happy because I haven't been feeling too great. I've had a sore throat and cough. I can't tell if those are a result of a cold or my detoxification. 2. I've lost four pounds this week since dedicating myself 100% to vegan eating. I've been eating a lot and I've been so full. I never guessed I was actually losing any weight. 3. Yummy vegetable soup. Tonight I made Alicia's Healing Soup in an attempt to help my throat feel better. Basically it is boiled water with a mixture of veggies (carrots, corn, daikon, potatoes, broccoli, celery, onion). I also added leftover brown rice. I know it sounds pretty bland, but I did season it with soy sauce and it is actually really good! Not too spicy so it doesn't make my stomach upset and it doesn't aggravate my throat. I've never cooked with daikon before. In fact, I'd never heard of it before. It is from the radish family and cooked it tastes really good.

Surprises I LOVE!

I have been pleasantly surprised with the effects and tastes of two of my new favorite ingredients - whole wheat flour and brown rice. About a month ago I switched our usual bleached white flour to minimally processed whole wheat flour. I was shocked to find how much BETTER everything tastes when it is made with this flour. I've always liked the texture of wheat and other grains in their natural forms, so why did it take me so long to buy wheat flour? Everything from cookies and breads to entrees at meal time are improved with the use of wheat. Meals have a thicker consistency and baked goods have a coconut-like texture. Make the switch - you won't look back!

Since eliminating meat and dairy from my diet, I've relied heavily on grains. Brown rice has been a staple. I thought I would be bored with brown rice, fearful of a bland taste and boredom with meals. I've actually found my relationship with brown rice to be the complete opposite. Plus I feel so full after eating brown rice, I don't find myself searching through cabinets and the fridge looking for snacks during the afternoon and evening hours. Brown rice is better than any diet pill out there when it comes to conquering hunger. Another benefit of brown rice - beautiful skin. I know eliminating animal products has helped in this area too, but after researching the benefits of brown rice I found it contains essential B vitamins that promote healthy, youthful looking skin. Hallelujah!

Baking goes Vegan, Pt. 1 - Chocolate Chip Cookies

For those of you who don't know, I've been treating AJ to 10 Days of Valentine's. I've done pretty well with organization and having his gifts ahead of time so that he is sure to get his gifts on the designated day, but I must admit today and tomorrow I am empty handed. Since Ava and I are snowed in we haven't been able to get out and get anything. Luckily one of AJ's favorite treats is a chocolate chip cookie and I had all the ingredients to make them today! Little will he know he's eating vegan cookies. *Note: AJ won't eat anything if he knows it is sugar free, vegetarian, or vegan - regardless of how good it tastes. I've stopped telling him and he has no idea!

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 c. firmly packed light brown sugar or natural sweetener
1/4 c. pure maple syrup
1/2 c. corn oil
Egg replacer for 2 eggs (2 T. ground flax seed + 6 T. water, mixed)
1 t. pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. semisweet vegan chocolate chips
1/2 c. chopped nuts of your choice (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil two baking sheets (I use parchment paper instead!)

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, corn oil, egg replacer, and vanilla, mixing until blended. Add half of the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Add the remaining dry ingredients nad mix until just combined. Fold in the vegan chocolate chips and nuts (if using). Drop dough by the spoonful onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.

Bake until golden brown, 12 minutes. Let cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Ava LOVES these cookies!

Acknowledgement:

Robertson, Robin. Vegan Planet. Boston: The Harvard Common Press, 2003. p.510

Baking goes Vegan, Pt. 2 - Banana Bread

The past two days Ava and I have been snowed in at home. Although we're in the middle of the week, our forced time at home makes us feel like we're in our usual weekend routine and that means baking. One of Ava's favorite treats is banana bread. The recipe for the version I usually bake is loaded with eggs, cream, white sugar, and butter. Now that I'm feeling more comfortable with vegan options in baking I thought I would experiment with my own recipes. I tried two options I'll refer to as the Agave version and the Maple Syrup version. The Agave recipe is simpler and does not have all the extra ingredients of raisins and nuts, but it is not as moist or flavorful as the Maple Syrup recipe. I would suggest baking the Maple Syrup recipe if you can! The recipes are listed below. Try them - I'm sure you'll love them!

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Agave Nectar Banana Bread Recipe

3/4 c. Agave Nectar
1/2 c. Earth Balance Butter Spread
Egg Substitute for 2 eggs (2 T. Ground Flax Seed + 6 T. water, mixed)
3-4 very ripe bananas, smashed
2 c. whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
chopped nuts (as many as you like)

Mix in order given. Pour into greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 50-60 min.

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Maple Syrup Banana Bread Recipe

1 c. 100% Pure Maple Syrup
1/2 c. Earth Balance Butter Spread
Egg Substitute for 2 eggs (2 T. Ground Flax Seed + 6 T. water, mixed)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3-4 very ripe bananas, smashed
2 c. whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
chopped nuts (as many as you like)
raisins (as many as you like)


Mix in order given. Pour into greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 60-70 min.

Vegan Convenience

Kashi makes a wonderful selection of frozen vegan meals

and pizza. I know eating freshly made meals provides the best nutrition, etc. but as a busy working mom there are mornings I just don't have time to make a lunch. Due to where we live and the small variety offered at our local grocery stores there are only a few Kashi meals available to us. Tuscan Veggie Bake, Veggie Chana Masala, and Mayan Harvest Bake are my current go to meals. See all Kashi has to offer at http://www.kashi.com/.

Recipes

Previously I posted some of my favorite recipes. You will quickly see that most of them are not vegan/vegetarian friendly. However, all of them (maybe with the exception of the Italian Beef Recipe) could be modified to fit the vegan diet through the use of meat substitutes. The Muesli recipe remains one of my favorite dishes and the chi tea recipe only requires a dairy-free replacement for the milk powder. I will add suggested alternatives in the recipes soon.

The Beginning

This blog and the ones following it are meant as a personal record of trying to convert from a meat and dairy filled diet to a vegan diet. I am not a doctor, specialist, or otherwise expert on the subject. I am just an ordinary person trying to live a healthier life.
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In January 2001 I was determined to lose the weight I gained during the first three years of college. Thanks to the bookstore gift card AJ gave me for Christmas that year, I was able to buy a diet book. The book of choice was Mary Lou Henner's Total Health Makeover. I was expecting to read a book about restriction and diet tips. Mary Lou provided much more. I read about the poor effects red meat and dairy have on the body. I was curious to see how omitting those things from my diet would change my body. I was thrilled to find I felt better. I had struggled with asthma my entire life, but without the red meat and dairy in my diet my asthma symptoms all but stopped. I had energy I had never experienced before. Over the years I reverted to my old eating habits and I could feel it! Luckily I went back to being a vegetarian a couple years before getting pregnant (2005-2007). I was not a healthy vegetarian. I did not eat meat, but I still ate a lot of bread and candy and SUGAR. I lost most of my muscle mass and was weak. Fearful of not giving Ava the nutrition she needed during the pregnancy, I began eating meat again. Now, nearly three years later, I am ready to go back to my old lifestyle. I want to be smarter about it this time, getting the iron and protein I was lacking last time. I even want to take it a step further and move from vegetarian to vegan. I read The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone. Note: I am not switching back to this way of eating to lose weight - althought that would be a bonus. I am looking for a healthier, more energized life. The information in the book is very similar to Total Health Makeover, but the recipes are strictly vegan and much more intriguing to me. I plan to record my experience making this switch on this blog.