Recipage, feast your eyes:

I have compiled a list of a few recipes we tried during our vegan - Eat To Live challenge:

- Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms: I sauteed spinach, onions, cherry tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes and garlic...mixed it with quinoa (made with vegetable stock) and stuffed the mushrooms. 

NOTE: no one in our family likes mushrooms, however, we all enjoyed this recipe.

* Here is a similar recipe, http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2009/04/quinoa-stuffed-portobello-mushrooms.html

- Carrot, Apple, Ginger Soup: this recipe is next on our hit list. In all my excitement, I broke our blender, so our soup-making was put on hold until we replaced the smoothie-making machine. 

* http://ohsheglows.com/recipage/?recipe_id=6002008&prev_term=vegan

- Gazpacho: as soon as I pick up some V8, I'm making this; a chilled soup to celebrate summers end.

* http://ohsheglows.com/recipage/?recipe_id=6002012&prev_term=vegan

- Black Bean, Quinoa & Citrus Salad: LOVE THIS. We ate it hot, cold, plain, on salad - you name it!! Plus, it is the perfect "leftover" dish - stays good for up to 5 days in the fridge.  

* http://www.eatliverun.com/black-bean-quinoa-and-citrus-salad/

- Roasted Vegetables: mix and match your favorite veggies. we usually have a mix of asparagus, onion, zucchini, squash, beets and carrots. we use the grill, but the oven works too!!

* http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/roasted_asparagus/

* http://www.marthastewart.com/315517/oven-roasted-vegetables

- Vegetarian Chili: feel free to add corn (we did). This is GREAT over brown rice or a baked potato.

* http://www.contrarycook.com/vegan-chili/

We usually paired these dishes with a big spinach salad loaded with raw veggies and fresh fruit. It's not uncommon for our household to consume multiple watermelons within a week!!

I'd love to hear of some new recipes you've tried. 

Eat To Live, don't live to eat.

As strange as it might sound, one of the books on my summer reading list was Eat To Live by Dr. Fuhrman (I am an admitted health freak). Within the 224 pages, Dr. Fuhrman defines wellness with his Health = Nutrients/Calories formula. The more nutrient-dense food you consume, the more you will be satisfied with fewer calories, and the less you will crave fat and high-calorie foods. Dr. Fuhrman confidently asserts that this book will let you live longer, reduce your need for medications and improve your health dramatically. 

After having read it, cover to cover, I agree. In summary, the more natural, nutrient-dense ingredients you consume, while simultaneous eliminating all animal products, white flour, sugar and processed foods, the better you will feel (and longer you will live). Dr. Fuhrman is strongly opposed to all animal products (i.e. meat, poultry, dairy, etc.). 
In response, I encouraged my family to adopt his health plan for one week. How can you turn down a challenge that not only causes you to broaden your palate, but adds years to your life!? With minor hesitation, my family jumped on board the bandwagon. We're currently on our fourth day of vegan-living (note: a vegan diet is void of animal products, we are also excluding all flour/sugar). So far, it's been a huge success. We stocked our fridge full of fresh produce and scoured the internet for appropriate and healthy recipes. 


Are you curious as to what a days worth of meals looks like? 


Breakfast: oats with light soy/almond milk or fruit smoothie
Lunch: a large green salad with raw vegetables and beans or lentil soup, fruit
Snack: nuts, veggies with hummus or fruit
Dinner: vegetable curry, vegetarian chili or tofu scramble with roasted vegetables, fruit


We have yet to stumble upon a recipe that we wouldn't use again. It's GREAT!! Since embarking upon this challenge we've discussed making "Meatless Mondays" a part of our every day life. Why? 
1. Meat has very few nutrients per calorie, 
2. We want to be more proactive about supplying our bodies with greens and fruit 
3. It has expanded our recipe book (who knew roasted beets were delicious??) 
4. Fewer pesticides 


So, I am writing this not only to keep you informed of my seemingly inconsequential life, but to encourage you to take the challenge as well. Try going vegan/gluten-free for a week, cut sugar out of your diet. Pick up Eat To Live at your local Borders bookstore (they are going out of business, so you'll get a great deal!) Educate yourself about the benefits of produce and start integrating them into your menus.