January Exercise Challenge: Day 21

Yay!  Today is the final day of the challenge and I was able to get a 2 mile run and some ab work in.  This darn cold really stuck around.  I don't get sick often, so when I do I don't handle it well.  I am impatient and don't have time to be sick. 

Now that I'm on the mend I can get back to my routine and start exercising and blogging again.

How did your exercise challenge turn out?  I would love to hear from you!

Remember, don't stop now.  If you've established an exercise routine, stick with it!

January Exercise Challenge: Day 20

Still didn't feel like doing much on Day 20, so I took advantage of lounging around and getting a nap in.

January Exercise Challenge: Day 19

On Day 19 I still wasn't feeling too well, so the extent of my exercise was doing a few minutes of Just Dance 3 with the kids.  And, does carrying my one year old niece around most of the day count for something?  I think so.

January Exercise Challenge: Day 18

Don't worry, I didn't skip a day of exercise, even though I really felt like it!  This stinking cold just hasn't gone away yet.  Yesterday I lost my voice and has me pretty congested. 

However, Brad and I did make it to the rec center last night.  I was able to do 30 minutes of cardio, running on the track and walking on a steep incline on the treadmill.

January Exercise Challenge: Day 17

This morning I went to the rec center and ran on the track and the treadmill for 30 minutes.  As of yesterday, I found out that Brad has committed us to running an indoor marathon relay on February 18th, so I will definitely be increasing my running mileage!  Nothing like having a race planned to motivate me! 

January Exercise Challenge: Day 16

How is everyone feeling?  Have you made exercise a priority and a part of your daily routine?

Today I did 30 minutes of cardio (treadmill, Cybex machine, and running on the indoor track), followed by a 30 minute ab workout.

Garlic

picture from www.teatreewonders.com

Garlic was my other weapon of choice to combat my sore throat.  I usually eat garlic in my meals every day, but today I upped my dose.  I minced 3 cloves of raw garlic and put it in 2 cups of warm vegetable broth.  And for supper I minced at least 6 cloves of raw garlic and sprinkled it on top of my chilli (which was on top of my potato).  I love, love, love garlic and, thankfully, so do my daughters and my husband, because I add it to almost everything!  After drinking my garlic vegetable broth, my sore throat was completely gone! 

Here are two websites that discuss the benefits of garlic:

http://www.miracleofgarlic.com/the-power-of-garlic/

http://www.garlichealthbenefits.com/

There are many other resources on the web regarding the benefits and uses garlic.

So add some raw garlic to your daily meals!  It not only adds flavor but has many health benefits as well.

Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is one of the things that helped me overcome my sore throat.  There are many, many health benefits and uses for this amazing super liquid!  Here are just two websites that explain the many uses and benefits of apple cider vinegar:

http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/

http://www.foodmatters.tv/_webapp_448797/Apple_Cider_Vinegar_-_The_Wonder_'Drug'_of_Yesterday_and_Today

There are many more resources on the web regarding the uses of ACV, just Google it!  You will be amazed at the ailments you can treat and control.  And, to make it even better, it doesn't even taste bad.  Last night I drank 2 teaspoons ACV in 1 cup warm water and it was very soothing to my throat.  I have also been drinking 1 teaspoon in 1 cup of water 2-3 times a day.  I am going to stick to this regimen!

January Exercise Challenge: Day 15

Thankfully, I am feeling better than yesterday!  Nothing that some garlic, apple cider vinegar and Zicam couldn't fix! 

Anyways, today I did a 20 minute walk, 10 minute yoga workout from Netflix, and the ab workout of the day from www.randomabs.com/today.

January Exercise Challenge: Day 14

Luckily I did my workout at the rec center first thing this morning because I'm not feeling to good right now.  I have a sore throat and have been trying to fight it off all afternoon/evening.  Hoping that I feel better tomorrow.  Anyways, I did 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of ab work today.

January Exercise Challenge: Day 13

Today I was kind of lazy and only did an ab and leg workout.  Tomorrow should be better.  I'm still pleased with myself for doing something rather than nothing!

January Exercise Challenge: Day 12

Today was another busy day filled with Alanna's Spelling Bee, a trip to Home Depot, making lunch and supper in a partially remodeled kitchen with the fridge and stove out in the dining room, and running errands with four girls in tow.  So, for exercise today, I played Just Dance 3 with my daughters, my two nieces, and my nephew for over half an hour.  Now, that the little girls are in bed and the house is somewhat put back together, I am going to do the ab workout of the day on www.randomabs.com/today and some leg/glute exercises.

Hope everyone is hanging in there and completing the challenge!

Vegan Jambalaya

Tonight I made Jambalaya.  I adapted this recipe.  It was very good!  It was a little spicy, but my husband and even my 21 month old niece loved it!

Vegan Jambalaya

Serves 6

1 Onion, diced

1 Green bell pepper, chopped

3 Cloves garlic, minced

3 Celery stalks, sliced

1 Cup long grain brown rice, cooked

6 oz. Frozen okra

3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

2 Links Tofurky sundried tomato and basil sausage, sliced

28 oz Can low sodium diced tomatoes

1 Cup low sodium vegetable broth

In deep skillet, saute onion, bell pepper, garlic, and celery in 1/4 cup water for 3 minutes.  Add remaining ingredients and heat through. 

January Exercise Challenge: Day 11

Today I did ab work, push ups, and leg exercises.  I was busy chasing after my 2 nieces and running my daughters around today; I am surprised I got any exercise done today.  I definitely have to make it a priority and put exercise on my "To Do" list, or it would not get done on days like today!

Pizza Bellas

These are tasty healthy mini pizzas made using a portabella mushroom as the crust.  I adapted this recipe.

Pizza Bellas

4 Servings

4 Portabella mushroom caps, with stem removed

12 oz Low sodium spaghetti sauce

7 oz Low sodium diced tomatoes

Pizza seasoning to taste

1/4 Red onion, chopped

3 Cloves garlic, minced

6 oz Black olives, sliced

1/2 Cup Daiya shredded mozzarella cheese

Place mushroom caps upside down in shallow casserole or bar pan sprayed with non-stick oil.  Bake at 400 degrees for 8 minutes.  While mushrooms are baking, combine spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, pizza seasoning, onion, garlic, and olives in a bowl.  After mushrooms are baked, top them with sauce mixture.  Top with cheese.  Bake 8-10 minutes in 400 degree oven.

Notes:  Any pizza toppings can be used: peppers, Tofurky pepperoni, etc.   

January Exercise Challenge: Day 10

I found this on www.pinterest.com

Yay!  We are half way through the challenge!  I hope you getting into a daily exercise routine.  If not, why not?  What are your challenges and/or excuses? 

Today I did 30 minutes of cardio (elliptical and running) followed by 30 minutes of ab and leg work.  I did the ab workout of the day from www.randomabs.com/today.  I think I like this website a lot!

Let me know how you are doing at this half way point!

January Exercise Challenge: Day 9

Today was another rec center day for me.  Thirty minutes of cardio and thirty minutes of abs and weights.

Here is a website I found today that gives daily ab workouts:  http://randomabs.com/today/  I will be trying out the daily workout starting tomorrow. 

It's always nice to find new inspiration and ideas to keep me motivated to workout.  I am sure it is the same for you.  So, when I come across something interesting I will post a link for all of you, too!

Keep active!

January Exercise Challenge: Day 8

Hey!  How is everyone doing with the challenge so far???  I hope you are staying motivated and staying active! 

Today I exercised at the rec center.  I did 20+ minutes of cardio (running and elliptical) and then did some ab work.

What did you do today?

Pueblo Corn Pie with Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad

For supper tonight I made Pueblo Corn Pie using this recipe.

It was pretty good, if you like corn bread.  If I were to make it again, I would definitely spice it up some more and not cook the corn meal in the pot so long.



I also made this Kale and Brussel Sprouts Salad using this recipe.

This was super yummy!  I think I ate about half the salad right after I made it.  My husband and daughters liked it, too.  I will definitely be making this again!!

January Exercise Challenge: Day 7

Today I exercised 45 minutes by playing Just Dance 3 for the Wii with my girls.  It was actually a good workout.  I broke a sweat and my arms are sore.  It was a fun new way to exercise, a nice change from my usual workouts. 

Get up and get dancing!

Leftover Nachos

I made these nachos with leftover taco soup, Daiya cheese sauce, and topped with cilantro and green onions.  To make the cheese sauce, I heated plain unsweetened almond milk and pepper jack Daiya shredded cheese on medium heat while stirring constantly with a whisk for about 5 minutes.  The Daiya cheese melts easily and tastes great.  These nachos made a fast and tasty lunch!

Taco Soup

Taco Soup

serves many, fills a large oval crock pot

28 oz Diced tomatoes

15 oz Tomato sauce

2-6oz Cans black olives with juices

1/2 Red bell pepper, diced

1 1/2 Onion, diced

1 Green bell peper, diced

3 Cups frozen corn

3 Cups cooked black/pinto beans

1 Cup cooked kidney beans

2 Cups cooked rice

2 Packages taco seasoning

Cilantro for garnish

Combine all ingredients in crock pot and set to desired cook time.  Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.

Notes:  This can cook as fast or as slow as you would like.  It can even be done on the stove top.  It only needs to heat through.  It is great for game day!



Black Eyed Pea Dip

picture fromwww.tastygardner.com

Sorry, I didn't get a picture of the dip I made, I will get one next time because I will definitely be making this again!

Black Eyed Pea Dip

serves 10-12

3 Cups cooked black eyed peas, mashed

2 Cups cooked black eyed peas, whole

3 Tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

1-2 Tablespoons jalapenos, diced

1/2 Onion, diced

2/3 Cup salsa (can be mild, medium, or hot, depending on desired taste)

1 Tablespoon lime juice

2/3 Cup Tofutti Better Than Sour Cream

1-2 Cups Daiya Shredded Pepperjack Cheese

Salt and Pepper to taste

Hot sauce to taste (I use Cholula)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and spread in greased or non-stick shallow casserole dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, or until heated through.  I served this with tortilla chips. 

Note:  I prepared most of the ingredients in my food processor.  Also, the heat of this dip can vary depending on amount/type of peppers, salsa, and cheese used.  This can be served with a layer of salsa on top.  This is a great party appetizer.

January Exercise Challenge: Day 6

Today I went to the rec center and did 40 minutes of cardio, which included running, the elliptical, and the Cybex machine.  I followed that up with some free weights and ab work. 

The rec center was packed today (probably people trying to uphold their New Year's resolutions).  I sure hope they all succeed!  And I hope you have all been able to commit to the January Exercise Challenge!

January Exercise Challenge: Day 5

It was such a beautiful day today that Alanna and I went on a walk this morning.  I actually took my sweatshirt off because I was so warm; unbelievable weather for this time of year.

Engine 2 Diet Sweet Potato Lasagna

Tonight I made Sweet Potato Lasagna from the Engine 2 Diet.  You can find the recipe here.  It was different from any lasagna I've ever made before because it was sweet. 

If you are not familiar with the Engine 2 Diet, check it out at www.engine2diet.com

The website lays out a 28 day program to transition to a veg diet.  It is after watching the Engine 2 Diet Kitchen Rescue that I decided to cut out as much oil out of my diet as possible.  That is why I have been sauteing in water in the last few recipes I have posted.  So, check it out.  Rip has some great information!

January Exercise Challenge: Day 4

This morning I walked on a 6-8% incline on my treadmill for 22 minutes (that's how long one episode of The Office is on Netflix) and then lifted free weights and did ab work for another 20 minutes or so. 

How was your exercise today?

Veggie Pasta Stew and French Bread

Tonight I made Veggie Pasta Stew using this recipe and a Rapid Rise French bread using this recipe.

It was a hearty meal for a cold day!  By the way, I sauteed my soup veggies in water and not oil and it turned out great!

January Exercise Challenge: Day 3

Whew!  It's after 11pm and I just finished my 30 minute walk on the treadmill!  Today was busy with helping out in Makenna's first hour class, cleaning the house, making supper, and taking Makenna to dance in Buffalo.  I'm glad I did it, though, and I'm glad I started this challenge to keep me accountable!
I hope you are all getting your 30 minutes of exercise a day!

January Exercise Challenge: Day 2

How is everyone doing on day 2 of the exercise challenge?

Tonight I went to the rec center and spent 15 minutes on the elliptical, 15 minutes on the Cybex machine, ran 10 minutes, lifted some weights and did some ab work. 

It feels good to get back in the rec again.  We renewed our family membership for 2012!

Breakfast for Dinner

Tonight we had breakfast for dinner!  Yum, I love Brinner!

Alanna made pancakes using this recipe.  I made potatoes with red peppers, onions, garlic, and cracked pepper using water to "fry" it all up.  It was super tasty and not greasy; all of the flavors came through and weren't masked by the olive oil that I would normally use.  I am trying to cut out as much oil as possible, due to it's high calorie and fat content.

Lastly, I added a side of kiwi, pineapple, and oranges.  

Super easy, super fast, and everybody loved it!

Tomato Soup

Tomato Soup
Adapted from this recipe

Serves 4

1 Onion, diced

3 Cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon chilli pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon ground mustard

1 teaspoon curry powder

1 Tablespoon water

15 oz can low-sodium chick peas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed

28 oz can low-sodium diced tomatoes

Handful fresh basil leaves, chopped

1 Cup hot water

Cracked black pepper to taste

Saute onion, garlic, cumin, pepper flakes, ground mustard, and curry powder in 1 Tablespoon water for 3 minutes.  Add chick peas and saute for 5 minutes.  Add tomatoes and basil, simmer for 15 minutes then add 1 cup hot water.  In a blender, puree soup to desired consistency.  Some blenders may not be able to puree all the soup at one time.  Puree in separate batches if necessary; use caution when blending hot liquids!  Season with fresh cracked pepper and enjoy!  I served this with Tofurky sandwiches.

January Exercise Challenge

The following is a link to a short 9 minute video by Dr. Mike Evans, a professor at the University of Toronto and a physician at St. Michael's Hospital.  Please, please watch it!  You will find that dedicating just 30 minutes of your day can dramatically improve your physical and emotional health. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo&feature=youtu.be

Give it a try...get up and get moving!  No more excuses!  It is easy to find reasons to avoid exercise, but why?  It has so many health benefits. You will feel less stressed and anxious and be more happy and energetic.

I know, I know, we all have really busy lives.  But isn't your life worth living to the fullest extent?  Don't just go through the motions just to make it through the day.  Take just 30 minutes of your day and go for a walk or do something physically active.  You will feel awake and rejuvenated. 

To make this work, you must plan and dedicate 30 minutes of your day to physical exercise.   Do what works for you, but just do it! 

Here are some tips for fitting exercise into your schedule:

• Wake up half an hour earlier and exercise in the morning
• Walk or run on your treadmill while supper is in the oven
• Walk or bike to work or the store
• Walk the dog
• Take your kids on a walk
• Take an exericise class at a local gym
• Walk and talk with a friend
• Take an exercise class with a friend
• Walk laps in the store
• Take a swim
• Take a walk on your lunch break
• Watch (and do) a workout video (there are lots of videos on Netflix and youtube)
• Vigorously vacuum/mop your entire house
• Take a walk or run while you are waiting to pick your child up from practice (always keep a pair of walking/running shoes in your car)
• Do walking lunges, squats, push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks in a circuit around your house
• Jump rope, lift some free weights, and do mountain climbers in a circuit in your garage or basement
• Turn the music up and have a dance party!  Your kids will love this one!
• Play interactive fitness games on the Wii or Xbox
• Go sledding
• Go skiing or snowboarding

My guess is that once you get into the routine of exercising, you will look forward to it, and NEED it to keep you feeling happy and healthy.

So, here is my challenge to you:  do some form of exercise at least 30 minutes every day for the rest of January.  That is just 3 weeks, 21 days to get yourself into a healthy routine.  Start by writing down your goal on a calendar and share your goal with those around you.  Hopefully, others will even join you in this challenge.  It's always nice to use the buddy system for support.  Mark down what you did on your calendar every day and how it made you feel.  After those 3 weeks, read back over your calendar/notes and see what you have accomplished.  At this point you will, hopefully, be motivated to continue exercising every day.  Start today and send me messages or post comments to let me know how you are doing!  I will be doing this challenge as well and I will do my best to post my accomplishments every day.

For my exercise today, I ran 30 minutes on my treadmill and lifted some free weights.

Now, it's your turn!

Mushroom Stroganoff

Mushroom Stroganoff

Serves 4-6

16 oz Fresh mushrooms, sliced

1/2 Onion, diced

3 Cloves garlic, minced

Cracked pepper to taste

2 Tablespoons water

1 Tablespoon Vegan margarine

3 Tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon paprika

3 Cups low-sodium vegetable broth

1 Tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce

2 Tablespoons cornstarch mixed in 2 Tablespoons cold water

2 Tablespoons Tofutti Better Than Sour Cream

12 oz pasta, cooked

Saute mushrooms, onion, garlic, and cracked pepper with 2 Tablespoons water in pan for 3-5 minutes.  Add margarine and melt.  Then, sprinkle with flour and paprika and mix well.  Add  3 cups vegetable broth and soy sauce, bring to a boil.  Stir in cornstarch and water mixture and stir constantly to desired consistency.  Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.  Combine sauce with cooked pasta and ENJOY!  I served this with a marinated kale salad.

American Dietetic Association Postition Paper on Vegetarian/Vegan Diet

picture from healthjockey.com

Check out this link to read the American Dietetic Association position paper on a vegetarian/Vegan diet:

http://www.eatright.org/About/Content.aspx?id=8357

Vegan Italian Dressing

Vegan Italian Dressing

Makes 1/2 Cup Dressing

1/2 Cup olive oil

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar

2 teaspoons Braggs Organic Sprinkle Seasoning

1 teaspoon ground pepper

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 clove garlic, minced

Combine all ingredients in glass jar with lid and shake. 

Alanna used this dressing for pasta salad tonight.  Yum!

Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes

Tonight I made crock pot scalloped potatoes, Boca "chicken" patties on homemade whole wheat buns, and spring mix salad with mushrooms, black olives, and onions.  The scalloped potatoes were modeled after what I saw my sister-in-law make for Christmas dinner.  I'm not sure of the exact ingredients she used, but it looked good, so I "veganized" it!  They turned out great!

Crock pot Scalloped Potatoes

Serves 6-8

4 Large potatoes, sliced about 1/4 inch thick

1 Onion, sliced

3 Cloves garlic, minced

Cracked pepper

8 oz Tofutti Better Than Sour Cream

8 oz Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese

Several tablespoons vegan margarine

Lots of chives

Dill weed

1 Cup vegetable broth

1 Cup Daiya shredded pepper jack cheese

Spray crock pot with non-stick spray.  Place potatoes, onions, and garlic in crock pot.  Place a couple tablespoons of margarine on potatoes.  In separate bowl, combine pepper, sour cream, cream cheese, chives, and dill weed.  Pour cream cheese mixture and vegetable broth over potatoes.  Add a couple more tablespoons of margarine on top.  Add cheese about 30-60 minutes before serving.  Cook on high about 3 hours, or until potatoes reach desired tenderness.  Cooking times/temps can be adjusted.  I stirred my potatoes occasionally and adjusted the temperature several times. 

California Sandwich

I "Veganized" this recipe for California sandwiches on my homemade bread and served with a fruit salad.  It was so tasty, and a bit summery.  It must be all this warm, sunny weather we've been enjoying that has inspired me to make these summery dishes in January!

California Sandwiches

Serves 4+

1/2 Cup Veganaise

Bunch of fresh chives, chopped (doesn't have to be an exact amount, I used quite a few because I like the taste)

1 Clove garlic, minced

Fresh ground pepper to taste

1 Avocado, diced

1 Tomato, diced

1 Cucumber, diced

1/4 Onion, diced

1 Bunch cilantro, chopped

Fresh lime juice to taste

Fresh ground pepper to taste

1 carton broccoli sprouts

In small bowl, combine Veganaise, chives, garlic, and pepper.  In another bowl combine avocado, tomato, cucumber, onion, cilantro, lime juice, and pepper.  Spread chive mixture on bread and top with sprouts and avocado mixture.

Homemade Bread

This is the recipe I am using to make bread.  Today, I doubled it and made 4 loaves of bread.  I use whole wheat flour and Rapid Rise yeast.  I mix it up in my KitchenAid mixer with a dough hook, cover, let it rest for 10 minutes, knead it by hand a couple minutes, put it in loaf pans, let it rise for an hour or two (until at least double in size), and bake for 23 minutes.  It is very easy; rising takes the most time, so plan ahead.  You can also make it into buns or round loaves.

Black Bean Salad and Homemade Tortillas

Black Bean Salad

Serves 8-10

I adapted this recipe, and it turned out GREAT!

2- 15oz Cans black beans, drained and rinsed

12oz Frozen corn, thawed

1 Red bell pepper, chopped

1 Green pepper, chopped

2 Cloves garlic, minced

1 Bunch green onions, sliced

1 teaspoon Salt

1 teaspoon Chilli powder

5 Tablespoons olive oil

6 Tablespoons lime juice

1 Bunch cilantro, chopped

2 Avocados, diced

2 Tomatoes, diced

Combine all ingredients and enjoy!  I served this in homemade tortillas made using this recipe.

Making the Switch

This my Veg family!  Love them so much!

This post is aimed at helping you and your family make the switch from the Standard American Diet (SAD) to a Vegan diet.  This is in no way a one-size fits all plan, but it is what has worked for me and my family.  Remember, in order to make a change, you must be open-minded and willing to learn new things.  You also have to be motivated to change or it is easy to lose focus on why you wanted to change in the first place.  This post was prompted by all of the interest I have had from friends and family saying they would like to change their lifestyle but have no idea where to start. 

It is difficult to know where to start when trying to eat a veg diet. There is so much information and misinformation to sift through. I will let you know what has worked for us.

First of all, start following my blog http:onewyomingvegan.blogspot.com where I post recipes and other information, and I will be there with you on every step of your journey to a new lifestyle.

Also, if you have Netflix or any other way of watching the Food Inc video, I would highly recommend it.  Watch this video with your family. This was the first video relating to where food comes from that my girls ever watched. They were 9 and 11. Ever since seeing that video 2 years ago, they have both been vegetarian by choice. The Meat Video that is posted on my blog is a very graphic look at the meat industry and very difficult to watch. However, for some reason we have learned to separate ourselves from our food and live in denial about where it comes from. So, even though it is taboo to discuss and look at these things, it is an integral part of the process to changing your lifestyle. A majority of people would not eat meat by choice if they had to kill it, or understood how it ends up on their plates. It is so important to educate yourself and your children when it comes to understanding food sources. 

Other good movies to watch to help educate yourselves about the benefits of a plant based diet are Food Matters, Forks Over Knives, and The Beautiful Truth.

After you and your children have been educated about the importance of a veg diet, you will most likely be motivated to make a change. Some people make the switch full speed ahead without ever looking back, and for others it is a gradual change. Some people may start out with Meatless Mondays and gradually work themselves into a veg diet. The speed of the change is not what's important, it is the fact that you are willing to make a positive change that matters.

After watching Food Inc. my girls and my husband were very motivated to eat vegetarian and I decided I was going to go all the way Vegan. So I took advantage of this momentum and checked out every book I could from the library on these topics (they were mainly cookbooks). One book that still stands out in my mind was Being Vegan by Joanne Stepinak

A really fun cookbook for kids, and one of the first I got, was Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar by Chandra Moskowitz. Kids always seem to be excited about cookies and this book helps them realize that eating Vegan tastes great.

Another fun thing for kids to know is who all the celebrity Vegans/vegetarians are. Let them do a search for famous Vegans; they may be surprised how many celebrities are vegetarian/Vegan!

www.vegweb.com is the main website I use for recipes. They have all the recipes broke down into different categories and there is a "kid friendly" category.

www.chooseveg.com has a ton of information on making the switch to a veg diet. They also have recipes. Definitely check this site out! It will probably help you and your family in every way possible.

http://www.mercyforanimals.org/vegan-starter-kit.aspx from this link you can order a free vegetarian starter kit (not sure what's in it, but I would assume lots of brochures, etc)

www.peta.org and www.petakids.com also have lots of information

www.vegansociety.com has a wealth of information, too

Here are some pointers to make it fun to eat veggie for your kids:

Let them help choose a recipe and help prepare it (I know this seems like a lot of work, but they are more likely to eat what they make)

Don't try any really exotic recipes with strange ingredients right away

At first stick with pastas, pizzas, and other things they may already like (you can Veganize anything!)

There are also great meat alternatives to make the transition easier such as, Morningstar sausages, chik n nuggets, black bean burgers, prime burgers, etc. Tofuky makes lunch meat slices that have an uncanny resemblance to real turkey.

Remember that there are many good reasons to eat veg: saving the planet, saving the animals, and living a longer, healthier life, to name a few!

There is so much information out there, and once you start looking around you will have many questions answered and you will have more questions to ask! You are doing a great favor for yourself and your family by taking this first step and asking for information. I firmly believe this lifestyle change is one of the most valuable gifts you will ever give yourself and your children! 

Remember, I am here to support you along the way.  Please contact me with any comments, questions, suggestions, etc (contact info can be found under my contact tab).  Also, check out my resource and reference page.  There are many wonderful books and documentaries about Veganism; most can be found on amazon or in your local library.

Please let me know if you have any other questions. I will be here to help you in this journey any way I can.

Green Juice

Green Juice

Serves 1

1 Stalk kale

2 Romaine lettuce leaves

1/2 Cucumber

2 Stalks celery

1 Lime

1 Apple

1 Kiwi

1 Pear

Juice all ingredients in a juicer and enjoy right away!

Potato Soup

Potato Soup

Serves 6-8

3 Potatoes, scrubbed and diced

2 Celery stalks, sliced

8 oz Mushrooms, sliced

1 Onion, diced

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

3 teaspoon dill weed

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 teaspoon celery seed

3 teaspoon Bragg's Organic Sprinkle

14.5 oz Vegetable broth

2 Cups plain unsweetened non-dairy milk

2 Tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 1-2 Tbs milk

1 Handful fresh spinach, chopped

1 Bunch cilantro, chopped

Extra milk or broth if needed

Saute potatoes, celery, mushrooms, and onion until potatoes are al dente.  Add garlic powder, dill weed, salt, pepper, celery seed, Bragg's Organic Sprinkle, and vegetable broth.  Simmer to desired tenderness.  Add milk and cornstarch and heat through and stir to desired consistency.  Add cilantro and spinach prior to serving.  If necessary, add more milk or broth. 

The Ultimate Vegan Baking Cheat Sheet

The Ultimate Vegan Baking Cheat Sheet: Many of your favorite recipes can easily be made vegan by substituting a few key ingredients. Use this list to get started…

Happy New Year!

picture from holistichealthandme.com

Happy New Year everyone!  I wish you all a happy, healthy 2012!  I would like to thank all my blog followers and readers for checking out my blog the last month or so; I hope you will continue to do so in the new year. 

With the new year, I hope to give you all some new challenges to lead you onto a healthier, happier, and more compassionate lifestyle. 

As always, please don't hesitate to leave me feedback, comments, and suggestions.