VegEat - Compassionate Cooking

Re: Thanksgiving Recipes : Real Food Daily's Gravy

noradm — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:21:40 GMT

It's fantastic! Their veggie loaf recipe is outstanding, too.

RE: Best Friends Cookbook

FluffinStuffin — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:48:46 GMT

What ever happened to this idea. I would love a copy!

Why Water is the Key to Detoxifying Your Body.....and Improving Your Health

michelle — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:25:07 GMT

by Alex Jamieson

Water is, quite literally, the river on which our good health flows. Water carries nutrients to our cells, aids digestion by forming stomach secretions, flushes our bodies of wastes, and keeps our kidneys healthy. It keeps our moisture-rich organs (our skin, eyes, mouth, and nose) functioning well, it lubricates and cushions our joints, and it regulates our body temperature and our metabolism, just to name a few of its many functions.

Water also plays a crucial role in disease prevention. In a study conducted at the Centre for Human Nutrition at the University of Sheffield, England, researchers concluded that women who stay adequately hydrated reduce their risk of breast cancer by 79 percent.

Another study, done at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, found that women who drink more than five glasses of water a day have a 45 percent reduced risk of colon cancer compared with women who drink two or fewer glasses of water a day.

Many doctors believe that proper hydration can help prevent chronic joint diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, because water reduces inflammation and promotes cartilage health. Adequate water consumption can also slow the signs of aging and improve conditions such as constipation, diabetes, hypoglycemia, obesity, arthritis, kidney stones, dry skin, wrinkles, cataracts, and glaucoma.

H2O: the Toxic Avenger
Without enough water flowing through our systems to carry out wastes and toxins, we would literally drown in our own poisonous metabolic wastes. I don’t mean to sound alarmist, but this is no exaggeration. Even slight dehydration can wear down our systems in ways that seriously compromise our overall quality of life.

Just as the liver is crucial to the digestive process, the kidneys are necessary for helping the body remove water and waste. The kidneys are a pair of small organs that are located near the spine at the small of the back. They take in about 20 percent of the body’s blood each time the heart beats, cleans it of unwanted substances and then produce urine, the fluid by which these wastes are eliminated from the body.

Normal-functioning kidneys also control the concentration levels of body fluids. If body fluids are too dilute, the kidneys expel excess water via urine. If body fluids are too concentrated, the kidneys excrete the excess solutes and hang on to the water. In short, the kidneys are all about balancing the fluids and electrolytes in our bodies so that our systems run smoothly.

If the kidneys don’t get the water they need to perform these filtering functions, our health deteriorates rapidly.

Electrolyte is the scientific term for a type of salt made up of ions that are positively and negatively charged. These are the “sparks” that transfer electrical messages across cells, and this activity is what makes our bodies function. Our kidneys work to keep our electrolyte concentrations steady, since they must be replaced constantly. If they’re not, dehydration can set in, which can lead to organ damage and seizures. How can we be sure that we’re getting enough electrolytes?

Do we need to buy specially formulated, sugar-enhanced sports drinks? Many sports physiologists actually recommend water-that’s right, plain water—over the fancy sports drinks that are marketed to us. Experts have found that the difference in electrolyte content between water and sports drinks is important only to elite athletes who are competing professionally in endurance events.

Since electrolytes are already plentiful in the American diet, moderate to regular exercisers don’t have to worry about running out of these salty ions. Edible sea vegetables, the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet, are a great source of electrolytes as well as of minerals and trace elements.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidneys ad bladder regulate the fluids in our bodies and make up the Water Element. Our kidneys are fantastic removers; they get rid of the waste products from protein metabolism—uric acid, urea, and lactic acid—but they need lots of water to accomplish this.

Traditional Chinese Medicine reveres the kidneys because they distribute qi, or vital life energy, throughout the body. The kidneys are responsible for removing excess hormones, vitamins, minerals, and foreign toxins such as drugs, chemicals, and food additives.

Water Fights Fat
Drinking water is hugely beneficial for weight loss. In fact, if you’re looking for a magic bullet to get your weight loss under way, there is no better strategy than to drink 10 glasses of water a day. Here’s why: Water is a natural appetite suppressor, and it helps the body metabolize fat.

When the kidneys don’t get enough water and can’t function properly, the liver gets called upon to fill in and take on the role of eliminating toxins from our systems. Normally, one of the liver’s big jobs is to metabolize stored fat into a usable form of energy. But when the liver is busy doing the kidneys’ job, it’s not available to metabolize stored fat. As more and more fat is stored in the body weight loss stops.

Paradoxically, drinking lots of water is also a best remedy for water retention. The body retains water as a response to not getting enough water in the first place. Perceiving a threat, the cells cling onto the water they have, causing swelling in our hands, feet, and legs. When we drink enough water, our cells can relax and do their job-without holding on to the scarce water.

Also, someone who is overweight needs to take in more water than someone who is thin. This is because the larger person has a larger metabolic load. To support this, more water is needed.

As you are losing weight, your body is going to have more toxins and waste to dispose of. Step up your water intake at this point, and you’ll help your body eliminate wastes more efficiently, thereby helping your weight loss along.

What you can do:
Read The Great American Detox Diet: 8 Weeks to Weight Loss and Well-Being by Alex Jamieson.

Visit Alex's fantastic website at Healthy Chef Alex.
http://www.healthychefalex.com/

Also see sea veggie recipes.
Click Here

posted by Michelle Buckalew

Meatout 2008: Move the Veg Message on March 20th

michelle — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 01:57:30 GMT

By Mat Thomas, In Defense of Animals

The first day of spring is just around the corner, which means it’s time once again for the Great American Meatout, an international educational campaign sponsored by the Farm Animal Reform Movement (FARM) and co-sponsored by IDA.

Every year on and around March 20th, thousands of caring people throughout the world celebrate Meatout by educating their communities about the joys and benefits of a non-violent plant-based diet by asking their friends, families, and neighbors to “kick the meat habit” (at least for a day).

Meatout has taken place every year since 1985, when FARM founder Alex Hershaft and four other animal rights activists gathered one cold winter’s night to determine how they could counteract National Meat Week, a new industry-driven campaign aimed at boosting meat consumption and sales.

They were inspired to create Meatout by another successful public health effort, the Great American Smokeout, which encourages smokers to abstain from lighting up for at least one day in the hope that it will make them more mindful of their health. While National Meat Week is but a nearly forgotten footnote in the annals of failed publicity, the Great American Meatout is still going strong 23 years later, making it the largest and longest-running annual grassroots diet education campaign in history.

What makes Meatout so successful is that it brings people of all ages and walks of life together to work for an important cause: The vegetarian mission. This encompasses a broad cross-section of individuals and organizations—everyone from animal rights, environmental, and consumer protection advocates to doctors, teachers, celebrities, and beyond.

Elected officials such as governors and mayors also issue proclamations encouraging their citizens to put down the burgers for a day and pick up some heart-healthy veggies instead.

The theme of this year’s Meatout is focused on the recent recall of 143 million pounds of ground beef (which represents the flesh of approximately 300,000 cows).

This largest meat recall in U.S. history came in the wake of an undercover video investigation that showed cows who were too sick to walk being forced onto the kill floor by slaughterhouse workers using kicks, electric shocks, high-pressure water hoses, and a forklift.

The USDA shut the Westland/Hallmark processing plant down, but this sort of abuse continues to happen every single day in slaughterhouses around the country and the world.

That’s why in 2008, the Great American Meatout is calling for the recall of all animal products—because they all come from abused animals. Please join other compassionate people on and around March 20th to help end the ongoing violence and cruelty against farmed animals.

What you can do:

1. To participate in Meatout, visit http://www.meatout.org

Find out what events are scheduled for your area, or plan and register your own Meatout event. Ideas for activities include festivals, lectures, public dinners, cooking demonstrations, feed-ins, leafleting, street theater, information tables (i.e., “steakouts”), exhibits, farm animal walks, activism skill-building workshops, and documentary screenings.

2. Read network story: Meat of the Matter
http://network.bestfriends.org/connecticut/news/23506.html]

posted by Michelle Buckalew

Connect with other vegetarians and vegans wherever you live!

michelle — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:00:56 GMT

posted by Michelle Buckalew

Meet fellow Vegetarians near you! Visit a local Vegetarian Meetup and discuss living a healthy vegetarian lifestyle. Have delicious meals, share your favorite recipes and make new friends!

You will be amazed at some of the different groups.

You will find so many exciting events and groups to connect with on the Vegetarian Meetup website.

1.Check out the Meetups near you with the most members.

2. Join in the excitement of these brand new Meetups near you!

3. See Popular Meetups with Vegetarians

What you can do:
Visit:
http://vegetarian.meetup.com/

pictured: two happy vegans from Florida, Dill & Raylon

Check out "Easy Ways to Reduce Meat Consumption While Retaining Your Comfort Foods"

michelle — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:50:55 GMT

posted by Michelle Buckalew

A series of writings to help "reduce your meat consumption." Defintely worth the time to read!

Writings that explain health, environmental, and moral reasons for not eating meat. Check out musings about food and choices that are good for your body and your spirit.

You will find ways to add fruits and vegetables, ways to expand your range of these "good for your health" foods, in terms of nutrients, variety, etc and also how they're prepared.

Also you will find some fantastic links!

What you can do:
Please visit:
Click Here

Entertain Your Family and Friends on Super Bowl Sunday the Compassionate Way

michelle — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:05:19 GMT

Veggie options for Super Bowl Sunday!

When you prepare to entertain for Super Bowl Sunday, bear in mind that more people, including athletes, are turning to a veggie diet. To make that point, a recent Wall Street Journal reported recently on NFL star Tony Gonzalez choosing a vegan diet.

Bottom line is we can all serve delicious foods and do it the compassionate way!

As you know, vegetarian versions of burgers, hot dogs and snacks are available everywhere. Choose a veggie menu this year for the big day.

When you do, you spare factory-farmed animals a life of suffering and a painful death at the slaughterhouse. As media is reporting and revealing more and more everyday, it is on factory farms that animals live a painful existence until they are killed.

So please consider choosing delicious and healthy vegetarian versions of Super Bowl faves. And have a great time February 3 rooting for your team!

What you can do:

See famous vegetarians:
http://www.happycow.net/famous_vegetarians.html

Choose some of these grocery store options-
Veggie Burgers: Amy’s brand All-American Veggie Burger, Bistro Burger, Texas Burger, California Burger; Gardenburger Garden Vegan; Gardenburger Texas Burger; and Morning Star Farms

Find recipes at:
http://vegetarian.about.com/

Photo of Super Bowl champion Joe Namath, who is now a vegetarian.

posted by Michelle Buckalew

Vegan Style: No Animal By-Products : Vegan, Handmade Items on www.Etsy.com

Celeste — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:14:54 GMT

They've got everything from soaps to make up to casual clothes to high fashion!

Etsy is like an ebay for handmade items, and it rocks! Just go there and do a search for "vegan" and/or "cruelty free" and get ready to ogle lots of options!

I even have a mini, online "shop" there to sell the handmade, vegan scarves I design & knit (no animal products such as silk, mohair, wool, angora, etc).

Happy Shopping & Happy New Year!

RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Celeste's Crimi-Creamy Dreamy Gravy

Celeste — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 20:15:07 GMT

Thanks, Kathy!! :) By the way, this recipe goes equally well as a creamy sauce for pasta. Just add Italian herbs and lots of yummy, cooked veggies like broccoli, bell pepper, onion, etc. It's actually adapted from the Pasta Primavera sauce recipe in Louise Hagler's Tofu Cookery

Thanksgiving Recipes : Real Food Daily's Gravy

Kathy — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:06:42 GMT

This recipe was added to another thread (the one with Celeste's Crimi-Creamy Dreamy Gravy) by Spax and it sounded tasty. I didn't want it to get lost in another thread, so I'm giving it it's own spot. Hope you enjoy it...

Real Food Daily's Gravy:

1 Cup whole wheat flour
1 Cup nutritional yeast
1/2 to 1 Cup vegetable (not olive) oil
6 to 8 Cups water
1/2 to 1 Cup Braggs or tamari to taste (Four Directions has Braggs)
you can add any or all of:
1 Tblsp thyme
1 Tblsp sage
1 Tblsp marjoram
1 Tblsp basil
1/4 to 1/3 teasp black pepper to taste

In a large saucepan ligthly toast flour and yeast over medium heat for 7 to 10 minutes, remove from heat, stir in herbs and pepper (for best results use herb grinder and mix all together), return to low heat, slowly add oil to flour/yeast to create a paste, slowly whisk in water and Braggs or tamari until smooth. Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes whisking or stirring often. Gravy thickens as it cools - whisk in more water if too thick, but also loosens at it warms.

Pour over mashed potatoes, tofurky and veggies.

RE: RE: RE: RE: Celeste's Crimi-Creamy Dreamy Gravy

Kathy — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:46:14 GMT

I've changed the typo in the original message in this thread for Celeste's Crimi-Creamy Dreamy Gravy to:
"Add equal parts equal parts FLOUR and OIL (let’s say, ½ cup of each). Whisk briskly with fork, whisk or spoon (you can’t lose!)"

If you tried the one where it said to mix flour and water together and ended up with wallpaper paste ;-) go back and try it again with Celeste's actual ingredients... bet you'll be pleasantly surprised at the results! :-)

RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Celeste's Crimi-Creamy Dreamy Gravy

Sherylcatmom — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 18:39:43 GMT

Celeste, thanks for correcting that! I might have tried it and I would have been sure it was my error that made it come out funny. I am a haphazard cook and have never made the same dish twice even when "following" a recipe. I think of recipes as suggested starting points, a practice best left to more experienced cooks. Anyway, I look forward to trying this one. How could I not, when it's called "Crimi-Creamy Dreamy"? I love that name! And it suggests how we should be pronouncing your name, doesn't it? :-)

RE: RE: RE: RE: Celeste's Crimi-Creamy Dreamy Gravy

judylew — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 06:37:41 GMT

I love the mushroom gravy in the can, but I haven't been able to find it in any stores in my area.

RE: RE: Yummy Tofurky Appetizer Rolls

Kathy_g — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:55:52 GMT

Oh yummy! Thank you
None of my local stores sell the Cranberry Stuffing Deli slices, but I always get the Peppered slices and will try this Sat when my neighbors come over. :)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone....be safe and have a Blessed day.

Thanksgiving Recipes : Cranberry Salsa!

Celeste — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:23:35 GMT

Cranberry Salsa
Adapted by Celeste Crimi from the recipe of Carol Reich, Hillsboro, OR resident,
as presented on the (now defunct) Satellite Sisters NPR radio program

3 c cranberries (1-10 or 12 oz. bag, de-thaw if frozen)
½ c raisins, fill spaces between raisins with water
¼ c green onions (about 2 med size)
2 T jalapeno or smaller amount of spicier hot pepper
2 T ginger
¼ c cilantro, chopped
2 T lemon juice

Blend the raisins & water in a food processor and set aside in a bowl. Place the cranberries in the processor and pulse until finely chopped but not mushy. Place in bowl with the raisins. Finely chop the onion, jalapeno and ginger in the processor and place in the bowl. Add the cilantro and lemon juice and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours so flavor develops.

Note: This is wonderful poured over (vegan) cream cheese. Get a little of both on your chip...and your holidays are golden! ;)

RE: ‘Chick'n’ and Mushroom Duxelle en Croûte

Celeste — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:17:31 GMT

My, doesn't this sound fancy and decadent!! And this from the gal who points everyone to enjoy Campbell's in another post on this forum! ;)

RE: Yummy Tofurky Appetizer Rolls

Celeste — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:15:46 GMT

Yum!!! And I just happen to have both Tofurkey slices and Tofutti's "Better than Cream Cheese" at home...the flavored kind!

Happy Thanksgiving, Piper & everyone!

Thanksgiving Recipes : Yummy Tofurky Appetizer Rolls

Piper — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 19:36:46 GMT

-One package, Tofurky Cranberry Stuffing Deli Slices or Tofurky Peppered Smoked slices
-One container Tofutti or Rice Cream Cheese (vegan)
-One bundle onions with greens attached
- Sliced Olives
-Spices to taste

Lay out the Tofurky slices on a platter, coat with vegan Cream Cheese, layer onions, olives and spices and slice into one to two inch rolls.
Secure with toothpicks or cocktail sticks and serve with your favorite Vegan dip or as a stand alone.

Nummmmm....

RE: RE: Celeste's Crimi-Creamy Dreamy Gravy

Sherylcatmom — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 06:17:43 GMT

Well, it's no help for Thanksgiving and I'm not making any homemade gravy either, but this discussion is reminding me of the most amazing gravy/sauce I have ever had in my life. It was at a restaurant in Norfolk, Virginia called Amalfi. The gravy/sauce that made me moan with every bite was on this dish:

Vegan Chicken Boscaiola:
(vegan) Chicken breast, tossed in Vernaccia wine, asparagus, shitake mushrooms, artichoke hearts and roasted potatoes

I would consider visiting Norfolk again just to get that dish.

RE: Celeste's Crimi-Creamy Dreamy Gravy

scratchtopaz — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 05:44:15 GMT

My, my - it's raining gravy. I don't have anything constructive to add, other than I too may be having nightmares of room temperature cauliflower concoctions. Perhaps, Nicholas Meyeres the Best Friends Chef may have words of wisdom. You take a turnip and steep it in warm water for 24 hours, then you...and wait until pickled! <G>