A look back ...

TGIF!!! Just a recap on a few things I've learned or done this week.

I began using my new cookbook: Veganomicon. We tried out the vegan lasagne and it was AWESOME!!!!! The kids and I fought over who would get the left overs for breakfast the next morning. I am going to try to cook at least one new recipe out of it each week, until we have a total of 3 weeks menus with no repetition!! I really think I am going to like this book ALOT!!!

Whatelse..... I learned about a new type of winter fruit. It's called a Cherimoya. Here is the Wikipedia definition: "The cherimoya (Annona cherimola) is a species of Annona native to the Andean-highland valleys of Chile, Ecuador and Peru. It is a deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub or small tree reaching 7 m tall. The leaves are alternate, simple, oblong-lanceolate, 7–15 cm long and 6–10 cm broad. The flowers are produced in small clusters, each flower 2–3 cm across, with six petals, yellow-brown, often spotted purple at the base. The fruit is oval, often slightly oblique, 10–20 cm long and 7–10 cm diameter, with a smooth or slightly tuberculated skin. The fruit flesh is white, and has numerous seeds embedded in it. Mark Twain called the cherimoya "the most delicious fruit known to men." "

I'm not sure where to find these around where we live, but they definitely look yummy! Here is the link to a video explaining how to peel and eat one of these:
http://www.youtube.com/user/rawsynergytv#p/u/1/01TJr8xschM

Let me see, is there anythingelse? I'm continuing to read and study a lot about the raw food diet. I think I've decided that I prefer this diet over the macrobiotic one. Although, I do think that as long as we live where it's sooo cold in the winter, I will never go 100% raw, but I'll strive for at least 75%.

If you're interested in some really great raw vegan videos, here are a few people I subscribe to on Youtube.com ☺

http://www.youtube.com/user/rawsynergytv

http://www.youtube.com/user/kevingianni

http://www.youtube.com/user/karenknowler

http://www.youtube.com/user/RawFoodMuscle

http://www.youtube.com/user/RawRadiantHealth

http://www.youtube.com/user/aniphyo

Well, I guess that about does it for this week's little tidbits.. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Great Sprouting Video!

If you've read through my blog, you know I love sprouts. Curretly, my favorite is the lentil sprout! Because I am still new at growing my own, I'm always looking for great sprouting videos. Here's the latest one I've come across!

http://www.youtube.com/user/kevingianni

I really enjoy this couple's youtube videos. They have a lot of great info on their site- The Renegade Health Show with Kevin and Ann Marie Gianni.

Enjoy!

Success when doctors said "No" !!!!!!

I thought I would use this post to brag on my hubby a little and to tell you all a wonderful success story. Several years ago, my husband began to develop some chronic medical issues due to an accident he was involved in, in 1996. What started as a few minor problems, grew into major issues partly due to the medications he was having to take. One of his main struggles was with his weight. Between not being able to exercise and taking prescriptions that cause weight gain, he had put on about 50 or 60 lbs. We had tried sooooo many things to bring his weight down, but we were told by the doctors that until he came off all of his meds and was able to begin a regular exercise routine, he would never lose the weight. This was very discouraging to both of us because it seemed as if it would take forever for him to come off even one of the medications completely. We were at a loss!!! Added weight equals added pain and more health issues (high blood pressure, cholesterol issues, etc...)

About a year ago, my 14 year old daughter made a decision to become a vegetarian- for animal rights reasons. She had been trying very hard to convince our entire family to give up meat too! I have always been interested in healthy living and have TONS of "Diet" or "Healthy Lifestyle" books, but I had never truly considered vegetarianism or veganism to be a healthy way of eating. My daughter's new found sense of activism, prompted me to do some research about becoming a veggie from a nutritional aspect. I wanted to be sure she wasn't going to die from a nutritional deficiency of some sort (LOL!!!). Then I found Alicia Silverstone's book The Kind Diet!!! This opened up a whole new world for our family!!

Soooo, in late October/ early November, my husband (and our entire crew) began his Vegan journey. Please understand that my hubby is a steak and potatoes kinda man! He loved dairy and meat and never for one minute thought he could give it up!! But, when you've suffered for as long as he had, you'll try just about anything to get some relief!!

I am happy to report that after a trip to the doctor today for a wellness check-up, he has officially lost 30lbs in 4 months!! Only 30 more to go!!!! This was done entirely by giving up meat and dairy!! Nothing else in his life or ours has changed. He is still eating the same portion sizes as he always has (snacks and desserts included). He is still taking the meds that cause weight gain. He still has been unable to increase the amount of exercise he gets each day. All other factors remain the same and yet 30 pounds are gone!! Even his doctor was surprised by the success of our diet :-) I am sooooooo proud of him for giving it a shot and for sticking with it!!

I just wanted to share his success with all of you to encourage anyone out there who is struggling with weight issues and feels that there is no hope!! If my husband can do it, you can too!! 

This week's meals

I finally got my new Vegan cookbook this weekend- Veganomican. It has sooooo many wonderful and simple recipes for eating healthy. I decided I would add one new dish each week to my weekly menu. We have been in some serious need of variety here! So, this week we are trying a new Vegan version of Lasagne. It looks pretty simple and very yummy! Can't wait to try it ☺

This Week's Menu...

Monday- Rice pilaf with Veggies

Tuesday- Vegan Chilli (Soooo Yummy!) * Recipe to come!

Wednesday- Vegan Lasagne out of my new book and yummy Garlic Toast☺

Thursday- Breakfast for dinner- Pancakes, YAY!!!

Friday- Potato and Spinach Soup w/ Cornbread

Small Moves...

I love the scene in the movie "Contact" where young Ellie is trying so desperately to make contact w/ anyone or anything on her short wave radio and her dad so lovingly gives her the advice.."Small moves, Ellie. Small moves..."


I believe this advice can be applied to soo many things! Whether you're trying to move up in your career, trying to build your relationships with others, trying to increase your faith, or even trying something new- such as a new way of eating!

There is soooo much information out there on nutrition that sometimes it can feel a little overwhelming when you are first starting out. You hear so many different approaches to a healthy way of eating... "raw foods are the best", "cooked foods are better", "juicing is the only way to go", "everyone should do a 40 day fast",... the arguments go on and on. So, how do you determine the right choices for you? "Small moves"...

Begin with one move in the right direction. It doesn't even have to be a big move, like giving up meat or dairy. It can be something as simple as giving up diet sodas for 3 weeks. When the 3 weeks are up, take a look at how you feel. Did giving up the sodas have a positive or negative affect on your body? Do you feel the change was significant enough to continue? Great! Now, make another move. Each time you take something out of your diet or add something new, listen to your body. Always take time to ask yourself how this change is affecting your overall sense of well being. You will begin to see what works for you and what doesn't. Everyone is different. What works for one, may not work for another. The important thing is that you try. Little by little these small moves will begin to have a profound affect on your overall health.

Very Short!

Just an update to the B12 topic from the other day. Here is a great short video on B12 supplements :-)

http://www.youtube.com/user/kevingianni#p/u/441/A9mVetTJc5E

Another Fantabulous Find!

My family and I are still chugging our green smoothies in the morning. So, everyday I research new ingredients I can add to the shake to make it even healthier. My latest find is the Chia seed. This powerful little seed is packed with tons of AWESOME nutrients! The chia seed's oil contains 30 percent Omega 3 oil and 40 percent Omega 6 oil which is a perfect balance for those who take supplemental Essential Fatty Acids! The Chia seed is also full of fiber and protein! Chia seeds are also highly hydrophilic which means they absorb large amounts of water- over ten times their weight! This makes them a great enhancer in hydrating our bodies. Also, studies have shown that eating chia seeds slows down how fast our bodies convert carbohydrate calories into simple sugars. This means that the chia seed may have great benefits for diabetics. It is also a great calorie blocker for dieters! The Chia seed is truly a wonderful superfood find!

Here's a link for purchasing Chia

http://www.vitacost.com/Natures-Answer-Chia-Seed

Here's a video on the benefits of Chia. In the beginning of the video they discuss a few other health related issues. To hear about Chia skip ahead to around minute 5 or listen to the entire video (it's only 7 minutes)! It has some great info on it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm16k3vVy1w

I'm in love!

I've finally found a tea that I can be completely obsessed with and never have to worry about negative side effects. Being from the south, I LOVE tea- especially sweet tea! But, I am also very picky about the tea I drink...it can't be too spicy, too sweet, too fruity, or too caffeinated.


While reading the book The Kind Diet a few months ago, I stumbled upon a new tea that I had never heard of or tried before. It's called Kukicha tea. Kukicha is made from the twigs, stems, and coarse leaves of the tea tree. It has only 10 percent of the caffeine of a regular cup of coffee and the health benefits rival that of green tea. Here are just a few of those benefits:


- Kukicha tea helps to alkalize the body's fluids and tissue, thereby balancing acidity levels and preventing disease.
- It is also packed with nutrients. One cup is a good source of calcium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, and fluoride.
- It is also a rich source of B-complex vitamins  which is great for vegetarians and vegans
- It also contains vitamin C and A, flavonoids, and the same polyphenols that have made green tea known as a cancer-fighting food, catechins.

At first I found the tea to be a little "twiggy" tasting, but after adding a small amount of stevia and lemon, I was HOOKED!!! It has now replaced my morning decaf coffee and has become an AWESOME end to my hectic days!

So, if you're up for trying something new and extremely healthy, why don't you check out the Kukicha tea at your local health food store or follow this link to order it online:

http://www.vitacost.com/Eden-Foods-Organic-Kukicha

What's on the Menu

This weekend, we tried something a little new for me. Roasted veggies over mashed potatoes. Soooo good and sooooo simple. Here's the recipe:

1 head of cauliflower cut into medium sized chunks

1/2 red onion chopped

2 zucchini chopped

1 yellow squash chopped

2 cloves of garlic minced

olive oil

fresh ground pepper

sea salt

Mrs. Dash original seasoning

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Put enough olive in a bowl to lightly cover all the veggies. Mix all seasonings with the olive oil. Add veggies and mix around until all vegetables are coated well. Pour into a 9x13 inch pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until all veggies are lightly browned and tender. Serve over your favorite mashed potatoes. You can top it with a small amount of vegan cheese if you would like, but it's just as good without the cheese :-)