non-vegans picking out suggestions for you to eat at a mexican restaurant...
common suggestions:
-mexican rice: usually made with chicken stock
-beans: usually made with bacon and traditionally lard
-mexican dressing: made with eggs or milk
-quesadillas: um... those are made with cheese
-chips: make sure they are made in vegetable oil - otherwise... no.
good suggestions:
-chips & guacamole & salsa: as long as the chips are made in vegetable oil
-mexican salad: have the waiter bring you a meatless salad. dressing: lemon & lime wedges juiced over salad with some oil. avocados on top & sprinkle with a little bit of salt. yummo.
- cheeseless nachos with all the lettuce / tomato / salsa / guacamole... etc
- vegetable fajitas - make sure they are grilled in vegetable oil
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sage mustard sausage patty sandwich
RATING: 5 OUT OF 10. MADE WITH FIELD ROAST WAS TOO SALTY, BUT IF MADE WITH REGULAR SEITAN, IT WOULD GET A 8 OUT OF 10.
my mom makes a killer turkey melt.. which i've never tried... i just hear everyone oogling over it while they eat it. So, i wanted to make a vegan version... but couldn't find any type of "turkey" substitute... and i wasn't going to get tofurky (i don't like the taste). therefore, I decided to try it with a vegan sausage ground up and then made into a patty. these turned out pretty good... except I would make these with unflavored seitan next time & they'd be perfect... because they were too salty for my taste... but I don't like salty foods.
THINGS YOU NEED:
1/2 White Onion
3 Field Roast Smoked Apple Sage Sausage Links
2 TBS Fresh Sage
2 TSP of Worcestershire Sauce
2 TSP of Soy Sauce
1 TSP Mustard
1.5 TBS Olive Oil
Lettuce
Tomato SLices
Mustard (For Finished Sandwich)
8 Slices of Bread
Spoonful of Butter (I used Earth Balance)
Swiss Cheese (If you're a vegetarian)
WHAT YOU DO:
1. Cut a white onion into strips. Place onions, olive oil, salt, and pepper into a pan and stir until soft and a golden dark brown.
2. Straight out of the fridge cut the 3 sausage links out of the casing. Then break each link into 4 pieces. Place into food processor or blender & blend until smooth.
3. Add 2 TBS Fresh Sage, 2 TSP of Worcestershire Sauce, 2 TSP of Soy Sauce, 1 TSP Mustard, 1.5 TBS Olive Oil to the food processor and blend. Add Salt & Pepper to Taste.
4. Place Olive Oil in a skillet. Make the mixed "sausage" into patties. Place in skillet. Turn over until both sides are a nice browned color.
5. Take 2 pieces of Bread and Butter both sides. Place in a pan and turn until golden brown.
6. Assemble your sandwich with lettuce, tomatoes, caramelized onions, & mustard.
*If you're a vegetarian, add Swiss Cheese earlier in the process & grill as you would a grilled cheese sandwich.
7. Enjoy!
vegan chocolate peanut butter mousse
RATING: 7 OUT OF 10. VERY DELICIOUS, I WOULD REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF ALMOND EXTRACT, TOO MUCH FOR MY TASTE.
i was vegetarian for 3 years, and i accumulated around 10 vegan cookbooks, but only cooked a few things out of each (if any). Spork-Fed was one of them that I actually hadn't made anything out of yet, and was looking through today before doing my weekly grocery shopping trip, and found this recipe for vegan chocolate peanut butter mousse! lets just say... i couldn't copy down which items i needed fast enough!
this is probably one of the BEST chocolate mousse's i've ever had... and it just happens to be vegan! you could absolutely fool non-vegans into thinking it's 'normal' mousse. soooo goooood! definitely recommend this book as i can't wait to try more!!
WHAT YOU NEED:
MOUSSE
(1 1/2 Cups) Vegan Chocolate Chips
(14 Ounces) of Silken Tofu
(1/3 Cup) Maple Syrup
1/3 Cup Chunky Peanut Butter
1/2 TSP Vanilla Extract
1/4 TSP Almond Extract
1/4 TSP Ground Cinnamon
(Dash) Sea Salt
TOPPING
(1 Cup) Pecans or Walnuts
(Dash) Cinnamon
1 TBS Neutral Flavor Oil
1/4 Cup Evaporated Cane Sugar (I Used Vegan Sugar)
(Dash) Sea Salt
WHAT YOU DO:
I actually did it backwards from what they recommend in the book.
1. Combine everything needed for the topping in a food processor or blender. Pulse a few times and then put in a small container, put aside.
2. Combine everything needed for the mousse into a clean food processor, with the exception of the chocolate chips. Mix until well blended.
3. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler. If you don't have one, put the chocolate chips in a pan. Place that pan over a smaller pan filled with continuously boiling water. After 3 minutes, mix the chips, until smooth.
4. Add the melted chocolate to the mousse mix, blend until smooth.
5. Place mousse in container.
6. Leave in fridge for 2 hrs & serve, or wait overnight for harder consistency.
7. Sprinkle with the pecan topping, and if you wish serve with raspberries, strawberries, bananas.. you name it!
8. Enjoy!
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for the 745,693 time. YES, i get enough protein.
when you are either a vegetarian or a vegan, or have any type of dietary restrictions, every time you eat, you become the teacher for a class of students you don't want to teach, and can't remember when you signed a sheet requesting to be one. now, i have no problem talking about being a vegetarian or vegan (i have this blog right?), in fact it's nice to get the facts straight with people, because a lot of people are ignorant to why people are vegan, and most of the time have no idea what we eat.
so, here's a list of questions & comments i get anytime i'm around new people and i happen to be eating.
1. Well, how do you get your protein?
For some reason (just like the myth of 'you have to drink dairy milk for your calcium') people are taught from birth that meat is your main source of protein. Now, I'm not saying that their isn't protein in meat. THERE IS. I just choose to get my protein from healthy alternatives and non-violent ones at that. You can also just reply "Same place all herbivore animals get theirs."
Here's some foods that I get my daily protein from:
Black Beans / Brown Rice / Oatmeal / Quinoa / Wheat / Broccoli / Cauliflower / Kale / Lettuce / Mushrooms / Onions / Potatoes / Spinach / Tomatoes / Apples / Bananas / Oranges / Papaya / Strawberries / Peaches / Pears, and after a workout I like this protein shake with chocolate almond milk.
2. So, what exactly can you eat........... salads? You just eat salads right?
I can eat anything I want as long as it doesn't have meat, dairy, or any animal derived items. So... possibilities are pretty endless. And even though I LOVE salads, and eat them almost every day day for lunch... it's not my only option.
3. Why do you care about animals more than humans?
I'm not sure why people ask this question. I've only gotten it a handful of times, usually from people on the defense. I care about a LOT of human issues, and just because I'm vegan doesn't mean I'm only vegan.
4. Wait, honey isn't vegan? Are you serious?
All living things that inhabit this earth are earthlings. So, it doesn't matter if it's the size of a lion or the size of a ant, all sentient living beings have a nervous system and feel pain and are conscious . And all have the right to live on this planet peacefully. I eat honey, but only from farmer's markets where I know they are taking care of the bees. Lots of mass production bee farming take all the honey the bees make and replace it with corn syrup, so I don't use those. But only 20% of vegans eat honey, so I'm in a minority there.
5. Don't you miss eating bacon?
Bacon was good from what I remember, but I don't miss anything that I gave up. In fact people always apologize and say "I'm sorry, you can't eat this." When it's not that I CAN'T eat it, I DON'T want to eat it. The thought of eating bacon or any meat for that matter honestly disgusts me. It doesn't bother me when people eat it around me, but the thought of me eating a burger with some dairy cheese is revolting.
6. "I could be vegan, but I could never give up bacon, oh or cheese. I LLOOOOVVVVE cheese, so much. I couldn't live without cheese." Now, this one I can't get mad at, because I was like this during my 3 years as a vegetarian. I did love cheese, but it's funny how much i don't even miss it after a month of not having it at all. I don't even use cheese substitutions, my body doesn't even need it. But this goes back to question #5, I'm NOT giving anything up, I have no urge to eat it. It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle change.
7. But lettuce is a living thing! You need to get your ethics in line.
Last time I checked, lettuce doesn't have a central nervous system and can't feel pain, and isn't a sentient being. Also, when you rip an arm off a pig, it's off for life. When you pluck a carrot from the ground, a new carrot grows in it's place. And, if I could give you any advice..... really just don't make this statement. It's not funny, you're not original, and it makes you seem really ignorant!
8. I've seen those slaughterhouse images, but I have to put that out of my mind when I eat meat. I feel like there is such a disconnect with meat eaters. I eat vegetables and enjoy and savor each bite. I don't have to pretend I'm eating something different. I 100% enjoy every meal knowing that no life was taken for mine to thrive.
9. God created us to eat meat. I'm not going against God.
- Our teeth are not created to eat meat.
- Our bodies are not made to process raw meat. We have to cook it to eat it.. that's natural.
- The garden of eden was "heaven on earth" and it was vegan. Don't believe me? Check out this website that explains vegetarianism in the bible and how jesus was even a vegetarian. Crazy right? But actually makes a lot of sense when you think about it. {I'm in no way religious, I just did my research, because I've gotten this one a LOT.}
10. We're on the top of the food chain, and it's in the food pyramid. They wouldn't put it there, if we weren't supposed to eat it. That's a nice thought, but the people who make the food pyramid have their own jobs and friend's jobs in mind, not your body. Otherwise, why would America be the #1 country with people who are overweight? And, you want to tell me you're really on the top of the food chain? So, if you bare armed, no weapons , and went at it with a lion, you'd say you'd come out on top? We're NOT on top of any food pyramid. We're all equal in that we deserve to live our lives on this planet, but don't be mistaken by thinking that we are on top. We aren't.
11. What made you become a vegan? this post pretty much answers that. but it was from watching the movie earthlings. i was immediately turned off by dairy and became a vegan after watching 45 minutes of that film. Pin It Now!
Animals Should Be Left Off The Menu Debate
I watched the entire debate here, to be fair & unbiased, but Philip Wollen sums up exactly why I'm vegan in 10 minutes! So awesome!! The first two debaters that are for meat personally I think are lacking in heart. And none of them mention the slaughtering of animals, and really didn't bring anything to the table for me to sway my position. The last guy for meat was the only one that I agreed with if you are to eat meat. He seemed the most knowledgable out of the bunch. And of course I thought all against eating meat made valid points for not eating it.
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karyn's on green
I've eaten here twice now. Once for dinner (We had appetizers, main course, & dessert). And today I had brunch there. I opted for Chicken & Waffles! Soooo Good. They have such great food, and it's 100% vegan, with the exception of honey, which I don't mind. I'd recommend Karyn's to anyone vegan or non-vegan! Everyone left very satisfied & full.
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toms shoes!
today i got this letter & $50 gift card from TOMS when I buy a pair of sunglasses! I own 4 pairs of TOMS shoes, & a pair of TOMS flats. They give people who need shoes a pair of shoes for every pair of shoes you buy. They also have sunglasses, where for each pair of sunglasses you buy, they give an eye exam & glasses to someone who can't afford it. They also have vegan shoe options!
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vegan starbucks
RATING: 10 OUT OF 10. THIS IS LIKE A CINNAMON ROLL IN A CUP.
grande soy* cinnamon dolce latte / no whip / no cinnamon powder (has butter in it). yummo!
* I avoid soy as much as I can. Moderation is key. Pin It Now!
grande soy* cinnamon dolce latte / no whip / no cinnamon powder (has butter in it). yummo!
* I avoid soy as much as I can. Moderation is key. Pin It Now!
400 Calorie Lunch {mushroom meatballs}
I bring my lunch to work everyday, and eat it at my desk, then try to use my 1 hour lunch break to work out (if i don't have any errands to run).
Here's my Wednesday Lunch
Meijer Natural Whole Wheat Pasta
Nate's Savory Meatless Mushroom "Meat"balls
Nutritional Yeast (as parmesan cheese substitute)
Newman's Own - Sockarooni Pasta Sauce
Raw Baby Carrots
Based on the MyFitnessPal website (a great calorie / protein counting weight track site) it seems that this meal is 403 calories! Awesome... and yummy.
P.S. These ziploc divided containers are sooo great for packing your lunch.
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Here's my Wednesday Lunch
Meijer Natural Whole Wheat Pasta
Nate's Savory Meatless Mushroom "Meat"balls
Nutritional Yeast (as parmesan cheese substitute)
Newman's Own - Sockarooni Pasta Sauce
Raw Baby Carrots
Based on the MyFitnessPal website (a great calorie / protein counting weight track site) it seems that this meal is 403 calories! Awesome... and yummy.
P.S. These ziploc divided containers are sooo great for packing your lunch.
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the case of the no lettuce for you, only bread, even though we serve salads restaurant
For father's day (which was my first restaurant experience since becoming vegan a month ago), my dad picked Marion Cheese Market in Oak Park, IL.
Based on the name, I went to dinner with the realization that I would most likely NOT be eating anything... I mean it's a CHEESE market. But, I was surprised to see that they had a tempeh sandwich on their menu. I asked the waiter if they could put the sandwich in a lettuce wrap or even just on a bed of lettuce as a salad due to not knowing what the bread was made with... nor trusting them if they told me it was vegan. He looked at me like I had three heads attached to my neck and said "No. We can't do that." At first I thought he had a dry sense of humor and was being sarcastic with me, so I said "Okay, so you can't put a sandwich on a piece of lettuce instead of bread? Even though you sell salad?" He looked at me with confusion and said, "No. That's not something that we do." My sister in law even chimed in stating that I'm a vegan, and that there's no way to put it on a salad? He stuck with his "No."
The waiter went around the table asking for everyone's order, when he got to me he asked, "So, what can I get for you?" I said, "I'm good." He then said, "Are you sure I can't accomodate you with something?" Then I looked at him like he had 4 heads attached to his neck and politely declined.
Now, if you're not a vegan or vegetarian you might think this is ridiculous, but this isn't the first time that common sense looses to ignorance. Unrelated to veganism; It's like the time I went into Starbucks and they didn't have any regular coffee. Oy vey, what a world... what a world.
Needless to say I won't be recommending this to any vegetarians or vegans... even though their menu clearly states "Please read our menus carefully and tell us what you cannot eat ask your server about our vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan options".... i guess that means that they'll accomodate you as long as you don't ask for a lettuce substitute? yeah... that totally makes sense. Pin It Now!
why i drink almond milk over soy milk or cows milk
"i just don't understand the new concept of almond milk. if i were to drink milk, i'd drink the real thing; i'd drink dairy milk!"
I can't tell you how many times i've heard that one in relation to any milk that isn't dairy milk. but there's a few things wrong with it. but with all things, i feel like a lot of people hear something and take is as truth. i on the other hand do a lot of research and read a lot of books on both sides of an argument and decide which one makes the most sense to me. that's how i chose almond milk, well that and i've never liked the taste of dairy milk.
Most people think and refer to almond milk as a new thing or new trend, but it's actually been around since the middle ages as a substitute for dairy milk. reason for this was that they didn't have any way to refrigerate the dairy milk, it would spoil quickly. they would make cheese and butter right away to preserve the dairy milk. but for cooking and baking... you guessed it they used none other than almond milk, since it's easier to store.
on to the nutrition:
I used to drink soy milk, until I found out that soy milk is not good for you due to being linked to multiple health conditions. There are multiple websites on the dangers of drinking soy milk, and the possible links to breast cancer in women is one that I'm not going to risk.
And, the reason why I don't drink dairy milk other than the fact that I never liked the taste as a child or an adult, (Your taste buds change, and you should really continue to try foods that you initially didn't like, because you might be surprised your taste has changed.) is that i never understood why we would drink another species milk that was meant for their young calf. The image of a species larger and more intelligent than us pumping human women and repeatedly artificially impregnating them to produce milk for their species is a crazy thought... but when you put yourself in their position, it makes you think about how crazy we treat these animals, and with such disrespect and disregard. This is why I don't drink dairy milk. To me, it just doesn't make sense, a cow normally lives around 25 years in a normal life, but a dairy cow lives only 3-5 years due to their "living" conditions. And since that mother cow was pregnant her calf is taken away from her and used as veal. That is reason enough for me to not drink or support an industry like that. Not to mention all the hormones and other things you're receiving while drinking dairy milk.
One of the largest misconceptions about healthy bones is that you need calcium for them to be strong and healthy, but most people can't absorb calcium, so you need Vitamin D for healthy bones. There are also reports that the calcium in milk isn't able to be absorbed into our human bodies, and that it goes right through your system and can cause prostate cancer in men. There are tons of other things about milk that are bad, as I've just really scratched the surface of why milk is bad for you, but I always encourage everyone to do their own research and decide for yourself what is best for you and your body.
Food For Thought: 75% of the world is lactose intolerant, so if we were really meant to drink dairy milk... wouldn't that number be less?
Here are the ones I use.
FOR BAKING:
FOR DRINKING:
The book Skinny Bitch has some great information about being a vegan (and cutting out unnecessary items out of your daily life) and what exactly goes into making milk. Pin It Now!
orange you glad i didn't say it's monday?
RATING: 10 OUT OF 10. ABSOLUTELY FILLING AND SATISFYING.
this morning i woke up and wanted something different from my usual naked juice and banana or oatmeal with blueberries. And since it's sunday i can actually cook in the morning (i'm not a morning person and usually running out the door during the weekdays).
and while still in bed, i went through all the things i have and wondered what i could make myself for breakfast that would be yummy & satisfying. last night i had a blue moon with an orange slice... so i have half an orange in the fridge. i bought a loaf of french bread yesterday. i have almond milk in the fridge.... *ding*... that's when i remembered seeing this recipe for orange french toast on vegan stoner (an awesome website for quick easy vegan recipes). now, i've only eaten french toast a handful of times in my 26 years, because the eggs would gross me out too much. well today i'm in heaven. this recipe was all i could have wanted this morning and more, and the fact that it took about 5 minutes made it even more spectacular. i changed a few things to my preference, but here's the recipe.
WHAT YOU NEED:
1/2 Orange (Juiced in a juicer) {if you don't have a fresh orange, boxed orange juice will work too}
Equal Parts Unsweetened Almond Milk to the Orange Juice
Slices of Bread (I used French Bread)
Spoonful of Butter (I used Earth Balance)
3 spoonfuls of cinnamon (Vegan Stoner used 1 spoonful... but I LOVE cinnamon)
2 spoonfuls of powdered sugar
maple syrup
WHAT YOU DO:
1. Mix the orange juice & almond milk in a bowl. (It makes a vegan buttermilk).
2. Dip both sides of your bread in the "buttermilk".
3. Heat up a pan and place the butter in it.
4. Place the bread slices in the pan and flip until brown and golden on both sides.
5. Move bread to plate, top with syrup and cinnamon powdered sugar.
6. Enjoy!
Update: I've now made this 3 times for breakfast and or dinner... sooo yummy.
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queen of the grill
there's something so great about being outside in the summer and grilling. the smells that come along with it, and the taste of hickory flavoring on your veggies. yum! i bought a mini weber grill when i became vegan so that i'm not a burden to others, and also for my own piece of mind. knowing that it'll be animal free is so great! tonight i grilled a vegan boca burger and (my mom made) roasted potatoes with onions and peppers and i finished it off with a ice cold blue moon w/ an orange slice. while i was grilling i started to read You Couldn't Ignore Me If You Tried, a book about John Hughes and his impact on so many generations that seems to have no end. My favorite movie is 16 Candles, and I can quote the entire movie line for line. he's one of my favorite writers and directiors. he just got it.
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you can't judge a package by it's name... only it's label
so... when you first become vegan there's a lot of label reading. i mean a LOT of label reading. a 30 minute grocery trip on the day after I became vegan lasted almost 3 hours and included 4 separate stores. below is a list of items that you need to look out for to determine if that item is vegan or not vegan friendly. it will be sad and quite disappointing during your first shopping trip, and continue to be, yet the yummy food that you can eat in place of your old favorites is worth the initial disappointments. (my grocery cart is now about 85-90% fruits & veggies).
casein: a class of milk proteins often found in items marked "non dairy"
whey: or milk serum is the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled or strained.
ghee: a common milk derivative
oleic acid: a fat from sheep or cattle
lecithin: from animal tissues and eggs
pepsin: from pigs stomachs
stearic acid: animal fats & oils
rennin / rennet: enzymes from a calf's stomach
albumen: protein found in egg whites
gelatin: protein from animal bones / cartilage / tendons / skin
and here's some items that might surprise you being vegan or non-vegan, and NO, I'm not claiming that these are healthy items or that i even eat these, it's just interesting what's really in the food we eat.
"but wait," you say. "where's the information on why these items aren't vegan?" well you didn't think i'd do all the work for you... did you? :) Pin It Now!
bananas for ice cream?
RATING: 3 OUT OF 10 - NOT HORRIBLY BAD, BUT I WON'T BE MAKING AGAIN.
I found this recipe on Pinterest, it's for Vegan Cake Batter Ice Cream. Now, with a name like that, I had super high expectations for this ice "cream". Well, to be completely honest it wasn't half bad... but it wasn't nearly as awesome as I had thought it would be. That being said, I for sure am going to make banana ice "cream" again, but I'll just leave it as banana. It was crazy how much the consistency is so similar to frozen yogurt or soft serve. I just feel like the extracts in this recipe were too strong and a little overpowering and fake tasting, so I'll make this again with the extracts cut in half. So, here's the recipe that I made, because well you might make it and love it to pieces. I personally won't make this again as I thought it was too powerful and tasted artificial.
WHAT YOU NEED:
(5) frozen bananas
(2 tbs) pure vanilla extract
(1 tsp) butter extract
(1/4 tsp) almond extract
(1/4 tsp) maple extract
(1/4 tsp) baking soda
(2 tbs) agave nectar
(as many or few as you like) sprinkles
WHAT YOU DO:
1. Peel 5 bananas and cut into pieces. Place in a freezer bag and place bag in freezer until frozen. (Around 6 hours). Once frozen, place the bananas in a food processor or blender.
2. Pulse for about a minute or two. Scrape down the sides with a spatula and then pulse for a few seconds or until bananas are smooth.
3. Add 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of butter extract.
4. Add 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract and 1/4 teaspoon of maple extract.
5. Add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda.
6. Add 2 tablespoons of agave nectar.
7. Put the lid on the processor, and then pulse until well blended.
8. Add as many sprinkles to your liking. Pulse again, until sprinkles are well incorporated into the ice "cream".
9. I'd recommend placing into freezer safe bowl and then refreezing for a harder constancy that's more like ice cream.
10. Enjoy!
There are so many different things to add, fresh fruit, chocolate, caramel... it's pretty endless.
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some things can not be unseen
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