vegetarian

Happy Herbivore Light & Lean is coming!

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I’ve made no secret of my love for Happy Herbivore Lindsay Nixon.  I found the blog while searching for cleaner and lighter vegan alternatives for the food I love.  Her cookbooks are my go-to when someone asks me for healthy recipes and I’ve picked up her meal plans from time to time.  Her twists on Southern favorites are loved by the omni family, too, and as I’ve mentioned before, pleasing the man and boy is not always easy.

When Lindsay made the announcement about her newest book, I pre-ordered it (In March) and scored!  I receive an excerpt with 14 recipes and a bonus book.

Happy Herbivore Light & Lean includes more of the low fat,whole food vegan recipes I love and workout plans. If you pre-ordered,you’ve seen some of the goodness this book has in store.  The Meatloaf Bites and Carol’s Cabbage Soup are particularly yummy.  If you’re looking for something sweet, her Blueberry Yogurt Muffins are a delight.  Pair one with fruit or hash browns for breakfast, snag one for a snack with coffee or tea, or have it for dessert.  

For the blog tour, I asked Lindsay three questions about her her favorite forms of exercise and her advice for someone new to the clean plant-based way of eating.  

Me:  In your blog you mention snowboarding a lot.  Besides hitting the board, what is your favorite type
of exercise?

LN: I go hiking almost every day when it’s not winter. I also really enjoy yoga year-round.

Me:  That’s great!  I love yoga, too. Finding activities I love helps me look at exercise as fun and not a chore. Now on to making a change in general.  Do you have any advice for someone just making the change from a sedentary lifestyle and SAD to active and whole food plant-based?  Should he/she go all in or take it one step at a time?

LN:  I can’t recommend the meal plans enough!  Or my 3-day reboot or 10-day cleanse immersion 
 program. Every person is different. I find most people have the best success doing
 a 180-approach, just rip off the band aid, as I say. Other people need a more gradual approach. Make every meal you can a healthy plant-based one, and start walking on your lunch break. Start with 5 minutes if you have to, then add on. Then start walking in the morning before work. Little by little!

Me:  I thought I was a 180-degree person, but with the family I’ve found it easier to make gradual changes. Converting their favorite recipes is sometimes a challenge.  Have you converted all of your favorite foods into whole food goodness?  How difficult was it?

LN:  Yes! Some recipes proved more challenging than others but for the most part everything has translated quite beautifully and many times, I like the new healthy version way better.

Appreciate your time, Lindsay – thanks!

While I recover and figure out how to get into a sustainable workout routine, eating clean helps me keep on track.  If you want affordable, easy, clean, quick, and delicious recipes with wide appeal, check out the Happy Herbivore blog and books.  Light & Lean is going to be awesome!  Get a sneak peek on Amazon and keep your eyes open for more from me on the recipes.

 

Strategic Shopping

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Salvatore Vuono photo.

I am a  huge fan of strategic shopping.  I wasn’t always.  Wandering the aisles aimlessly and grabbing whatever looked good was the old plan.  It explains why I have tons of condiments in the fridge and pantry.  Returning to school, buying a house, rising gas prices, and growing kiddos forced me to re-evaluate and put spending in check.

But the budget does not keep me or the family from eating well.  Coupons, store specials, menu planning, and a stocked pantry make all the difference.  When I shop for produce, I check for sales, but make sure I wander around for goodies.  It’s the only section I wander aimlessly in anymore.

We hit Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, or Earth Fare for my hippie stuff I can’t get in the standard grocer.  Vegan chorizo, coconut milk or almond yogurt, and an assortment of gluten-free baked goods are what I look for.

Big box stores may be the bane of some shoppers, but they are awesome for my budget.  Bulk almond butter, agave nectar (if on the list), and organic produce are ready and waiting at killer prices.  Thank you, Costco!  Ethnic markets are good for the budget, too, but I have to admit I haven’t visited one in a while.  I have to see if I can score gluten-free soy and hoisin sauces.  (I cannot believe how much i miss hoisin sauce! Okonomiyaki is just not the same without it.)  

How do you shop?

And on that note, I need to get to making my shopping list.  Off to check Southern Savers for this week’s coupon match ups!  Peace, all.

Semi-Wordless Wednesday: Raw Goodness

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Oh man has it been a while.  I’ll cover where I’ve been in another post since today is about less words and more pics.  So here’s one pic of my fab lunch and (hopefully) tomorrow’s breakfast if hubs doesn’t love it):

It’s is the Save the Tuna Salad from KrisCarr.com.  It’s nummy!  It’s my first seed and nut-based tuna salad and I think I have a new favorite.  Of course I had to add more pickles and celery than the recipe calls for, but that’s just how I roll.  And since gluten is a no-no, I had it over romaine with tomatoes from the garden and cukes.  Want some?  I might share, but it would be better if you just made your own.  Cuz that’s how I roll when I’m sleep-deprived and sore.

So much for semi-wordless, eh?  Jeez.

Peace, all.

Semi-Wordless Wednesday – Jackfruit!

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Kai4104 photo.

I love jackfruit!  I wasn’t sure I would, but it is perfect!  Soy-free, gluten-free, and budget-friendly goodness just ready to absorb whatever seasonings my heart and tummy crave.  Jackfruit carnitas have been the biggest hit overall, but jackfruit and black bean enchiladas work, too.  

Get to an Asian market and pick up a can or two of young jackfruit in brine.  Drain, rinse, season, and cook.  Dump it in a crockpot with onions and your favorite barbecue sauce.  Want to cook it on the stove?  Saute the jackfruit and onions, then simmer in sauce on low-medium heat.  Serve it with slaw, beans, and cornbread or a bun.  35 minutes from can to table if you have sauce on hand.

Have you tried jackfruit yet?  What did you think?

I’m working toward a stronger, healthier me. Join me?

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You all know that I’m semi-broken and in pain 95% of the time.  What you might not know is I’m not going to let that stop me from reaching my goals.  It might take a little longer than others on the same path, but it’s not a race.  I’ll get there when I get there; without making things worse for myself like I have in the past.

Yoga and Pilates are good for my flexibility, building some strength, and helping me handle pain better.  But I need more.  I need to get in more exercise (a mix of fun cardio and strength training) and to eat better.  I’m learning as I go along.  The veggie path isn’t enough on its own; it has to have more veggies and less veggie junk food.  More water and less veggie junk food.  Notice I said ‘less’ and not ‘no,’ lol. Balanced meals that give me everything I need are on the menu, whether at home or out.   


From now through July 31, there is a killer deal on Beachbody.com – challenge yourself for 30 days for just the cost of shipping.   You can try P90X, Brazil Butt Lift, or Turbo Fire, a month of Shakeology in your choice of flavor, and a 30 day membership in Team Beachbody’s Club for $14.95.  If you decide you don’t like them or want to go a different route, just cancel and return the DVDs.  But if you like how you feel and what you see, stick with it.  Then you’ll be charged the full price for the challenge pack.  Interested?  Visit http://beachbodycoach.com/WAHMinSCor email me. 

I’m not alone in this and neither are you. Slow, steady, consistent progress is what I’m going for.  What about you?


Feel free to ask anything about my routine (a mix), my menu (gluten-free veggie), my mood, and/or progress.  I’m all in and not scared of questions.  

Overfed and Undernouished

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Part vent, part epiphany.  Oh, and a request for a swat on my hand or bottom if you see me slipping into destructive behavior.

Yep, that’s been my way of eating for years now.  On and off that is.  First it was about money and later about convenience.  When I focused on speed or cost more than getting what my body needed, I ate too much to help quench my hunger without giving my body the nutrition it needed.  And I gained.  A lot.

The various eating plans and diets I’ve tried over the past 15-20 years have taught me what works for me and what doesn’t.  I know meat doesn’t work for me.  I hate the thought of it and hate how it makes me feel more.  I love carby, yeasty, and wheaty goodness, but it does not like me at all.  And cheese used to be my beloved, but alas it broke my heart.

What does work for me is produce and lots of it.  Produce and protein.  It’s simple, right?  I mean, beans, greens, fruit, and nuts.  Why does this scare me so much?  Why do I fall back on goodies and are so bad for me?  I know what I have to look forward to when I deviate (and I’m feeling some of that right now), so why torture myself?

Well, partly because I’m feeling lazy.  I’m fighting off something nasty (chest colds, woohoo – not) and want to reach for my old favorite comfort foods.  So I did.  Two sandwiches and two days and I feel horrendous. On top of the elephant sitting on my chest, I have blocked sinus and a migraine.  Were those grilled cheese sammys worth this?  Today, nope, but at the time, yes.  I know better, dammit!

I also torture myself because part of me feels like I’ll spend too much money on food.  This is a dumb one I’ve debunked several times.  It’s cheaper overall when I eat what’s good for me because the ingredients are cheaper (and better) than the packaged versions of kinda food-like substances.  What I feel guilty about is the amount of Gardein and Boca I snagged before going gluten-free. Hubs said he’d happily eat them, and I know he will.  I just feel bad about how much I spent.  I can’t get it back, so I need to let it go.

I promised an epiphany, didn’t I?  Well, I realized I know what works.  Instead of searching for a new answer, I need to get back to basics.  Shopping in season and preparing good food.  That’s it.  Summertime harvests make a huge difference for me.  I love the colors and selection of produce this time of year.  Focus on that, throw in some nuts, seeds, and other forms of protein, and I’m golden.  Avoid gluten and dairy and the headaches and joint pain will ease to manageable levels – if I hurt at all.  Keep sugar intake down (especially easy with all the berries and melon around) and I’ll feel even better.

Wow, I’m chatty today, headache and all.

If you see me out and about, say hi.  And if I need a gentle swat on the hand or bottom, please remind me that I asked for them.

And speaking of bottoms, mine is still getting firmer and higher.  Yeah, baby!  The scale is holding firm, but the body is firming up.  I’ll take that as a win.  

Peace, all.

Food, glorious gluten-free food! Thank you, Patat Spot!

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Gluten-free isn’t as difficult as I thought it might be when dining out in Charleston.

Patat Spot is one of my favorite places in town.  It’s not just about the food, but the staff, decor, and falafel.  Okay, the food is one of the main reasons I love it.  I was concerned I’d have to forgo the pita with my falafel or black bean cakes, but I don’t.  GF pitas are available and the black bean cakes and falafel are both GF. It works.  It works very well.

Sorry for the dark pic – my phone’s camera is not the best sometimes.

Last trip was the first time we took the kiddos with us, and they were smitten.  Teen Girl does not always love new experiences, but she was willing to give it a go.   She ordered the Frikendel Especial, a veggie dog served with diced onions and Patat’s fantastic curry catsup.  She thought it was pretty good.  If you’ve met her, ‘pretty good’ is her second most enthusiastic rating.  The top rating of ‘awesome’ only applies to electronics and anime.

Teen Boy snagged the Beef Shawarma and inhaled it before I could get a shot of it.  No joke.  He ate like he was starving (which he could have been because he’s always hungry) and praised the flavor between bites.

Hubs went for the Regular Falafel (two patties in pita with all the toppings you want from the toppings bar) and I had the Salad Spot (two falafel or black bean cakes served on a bed of greens and anything I wanted from the toppings bar).  Of course, we all made our meals combos with drinks and friet.  We all left satisfied (well, closer to happily stuffed) and smiling.  Oh, and the falafel can be grilled or deep fried.  Either way, the meals are healthy and filling.

Now that school’s out we plan to go more often, with or without the kids. Swing by Patat Spot at 41B George Street and enjoy some GF comfort food.  Yes, I consider falafel comfort food.  Sue me.

Until next time, peace.

Short and sweet – three days in.

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So it takes three weeks to form a habit.   I intend for some form of morning exercise to make my day complete.  I restarted on Sunday and am two days with morning exercise.  I know without a doubt now that my battered body requires modifications if I am to keep on track without injury. 


My mind and body are finally connecting as they should.     

So call me lazy or undisciplined because I don’t get in hard core workouts that leave me dripping in sweat.  I’m moving at a slower pace so I can keep moving instead of ending up yet again on injured reserve.  I’ll bet my lazy way leads to a stronger me.  

My former workout buddy,  RIP, Willow.

Until next time, peace.   

Had to change things up a bit

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So I started a yeast and sugar-free way of eating last week and had foggy brain by Wednesday.  By Friday night I was in a rage.  It was not pretty, I felt horrid, and scared my family a bit.  Eating clean in general (no junk or sugar with minimal if any bread) made me feel good and I had few if any symptoms I need to combat.  So back to clean eating I went – a combination of Radiant Health, Inner Wealth, Eat to Live, and clean eating guidelines. Lots of veggies, water, clean veggie protein, and no sugar.  I feel better and am still detoxing. 

Do I feel like I failed or am bailing?  No.  I know what detox feels like, and that was not just detox.  I was either yelling or crying with nothing in between. If I didn’t work from home, I may have been fired.  Yes, it was that bad. I feel like I hurt my family and never want to feel that way again.  I never want to make them feel that way again or tiptoe around me like they did. 

So here I am, even tempered and enjoying meals rather than dreading them. 

Until next time, peace. 

Harmony Valley Mixes and my Food Network Addiction

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You know me.  You know I love to cook and have to please the omni family while making meals healthy, colorful, and veggie.  Because I don’t always have the time to block 1-2 hour cooking sessions, most meals have to be quick.  Harmony Valley Foods helped cut down cooking time and made the omni man and boy happy at dinner and breakfast.  

I was sent two packages of Harmoney Valley to try, and both resuted in kitchen success!  I cannot tell you
how much I enjoyed them.

I am a Food Network Addict.  I freely admit it to anyone who asks.  On weekends, I set my DVR to record my favorite shows so  can catch up during the week.  I don;t always watch all of the shows.  I watch the intros and see if the family or I would be interested in any of the on-screen goodness and to see if I can veganize any of it.  Aarti Parti is one of my favorite shows.  Not only is Aarti a doll, her food looks amazing.  Hubster and I love Indian food, so learning from Aarti’s show is a must see.  Keeping food prep time manageable is also required most days.

A few weeks ago, Aarti made Kheema, a quick-cooking dish with ground beef and peas. While beef is out of the question, vegan beef crumbles are not.  Usually I make my own crumbles by seasoning TVP, but I was out of some of my ‘beef’ stock ingredients.  Harmony Valley Foods’ Hamburger Style mix was perfect.  I added cold water to the mix and threw it in the fridge.  The instructions say to refrigerate for 15 minutes before cooking, but it was much longer than that.  The dogs can be particularly cute when I’m cooking and I was distracted and watched them for a while.

I pulled out the rehydrated mix and went to cooking.  The recipe took 25 minutes from the minute I put
the onions in the skillet and made the house smell yummy. I forgot to take a picture of the finished dish
topped with cilantro because once I tasted it, I was ready to eat.  No need for stinking cilantro.  Cilantro,

baby, I still love you.  It was tender and much more like ground beef than my usual TVP blend. And the bonus was that it took took less time than my usual route.  The Hamburger Mix and Kheema recipes are keepers!

A few days later, the craving for biscuits with sausage gravy made me a mad woman, so I whipped some up.  The biscuits came from The Joy of Vegan Baking, and the sausage gravy was my own recipe with Harmony Valley Sausage Mix instead of my usual Gimmie Lean.  I loved it!  The texture was more like the sausage I loved back in the day, but so much better since it’s cruelty-free.  And the flavor was spot on!  I had it for breakfast, lunch the next day, and breakfast on the third day.  I still have a little waiting for me in the freezer.

Harmoney Valley mixes can be found on the dry goods store shelves (near the rice) and online.  And a Classic Hummus mix is next on tap!  Have I mentioned that one of my first vegan experiments included falafel and hummus mixes?

Anyway, pick up some HV and save some time in the kitchen.  And watch Aarti Party!  I’ll be doing both.

Peace!