I'm not going to tout Taco Bell as a health haven. That's loco.
But, indeed, a vegan can eat at Taco Bell - and Lord knows, you'll likely end up there at some point with your friends or at that moment when you've got only 3 dollars and little time.
Other than Subway, Taco Bell is the one fast food place that I might visit just to make things easy and cheap. Most every time, my order consists of only a couple of bean burritos -Fresco style. But a vegan can order more. A whole lot more if you like. But it's no haven for vegan eating either. It depends on how much labor and confusion you really want your soon-to-be, frustrated cashier to deal with.
Vegan Eating Out makes it a bit more simple with their list. If your cashier doesn't mind taking the time, then you might venture beyond a couple of burritos.
I would say "good luck."
But I will admit, without shame, that Taco Bell has really increased their level of service over the last 3-4 years. I'm not sure if this was due to the "beef authenticity" scare that was in the news, or if it was simply something they decided to do in order to change their customer service approach. But I have yet to visit a Taco Bell in the last 3 years that wasn't willing to cater to my every detailed wish. That is an odd thing for me to admit. It's fast food. But they continue to make it exactly as I desire. And if it isn't the way I ask, they happily remake it until it's correct.
Good work Taco Bell, you loco personas.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Oreos
Are Oreos vegan?
You bet they are - in America at least. I've read that Oreos produced in Europe contain animal products. But here in the states they do not. Let's look at the ingredients:
Oreo Ingredients
Ingredients: SUGAR, ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE {VITAMIN B1}, RIBOFLAVIN {VITAMIN B2}, FOLIC ACID), HIGH OLEIC CANOLA OIL AND/OR PALM OIL AND/OR CANOLA OIL, AND/OR SOYBEAN OIL, COCOA (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CORNSTARCH, LEAVENING (BAKING SODA AND/OR CALCIUM PHOSPHATE), SALT, SOY LECITHIN (EMULSIFIER), VANILLIN - AN ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CHOCOLATE. CONTAINS: WHEAT, SOY.
I don't see any animal ingredients in there! I don't see anything good for me either, but then I'm not pounding these cookies. In fact, I rarely eat sweets, But I'm glad this one is available to me.
However, it has been reported that some of the suppliers from which Kraft/Nabisco obtain their sugar use some animal-derived products in the processing of that sugar. So I guess it depends on how vegan you are. Then again - Look at the main ingredient! It's a tough decision.
I don't believe they taste the same, but Newman's Own makes an oreo-like cookie with organic and animal free ingredients:
Original:
Organic Unbleached Wheat Flour, Organic Powdered Sugar (Organic Sugar, Organic Corn Starch), Organic Sugar, Organic Palm Fruit Oil, Canola Oil (Expeller Pressed), Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Unsweetened Chocolate, Salt, Natural Flavor, Sodium Bicarbonate (leavening), Soy Lecithin (an emulsifier).
First ingredient is wheat flour. That's a cookie I can pound.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
FireFox Error
Apologies. This is a tech post. I googled the hell out of this problem and never found a solid resolution. After fiddling around, I was able to solve this problem repeatedly using this solution.
The error occurring looks like this from FireFox version 14:
The error occurring looks like this from FireFox version 14:
A copy of Firefox is already open. Only one copy of Firefox can be open at a time.
This was happening to every account on a machine running Mac OS X Snow Leopard Version 10.6.8
To resolve the problem, navigate to each user's Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles folder.
There was only one directory within the profiles folder in the format of XXXXXXXX.default.
Copy that file to the desktop and then delete it from the Profiles directory.
Run Firefox.
You should get an error that reads: "Profile Missing. Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible."
Click "OK" and move the XXXXXXXX.default directory back to the Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles folder.
Run Firefox, and Voila! It should be running without a problem.
I have not clue why this works, but I hope it helps some of you get past the problem.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Greasy Burger? YES!
This is by no means new information.
But it's new to me, and I'm pretty excited about it.
I've had Gardein products before, but I just tried their frozen, meatless beef patties, and I must say, I am simply shocked!
Check the details
This beefless burger can be grilled, microwaved, or anything in-between and they are still dripping with juicy flavor. The first one I ate took my taste buds back 10 years to the last burger I had. The texture and flavor are as close to a real burger as anything I've tried in the meat substitute market. Apparently, their technique is a secret.
Although the patty is processed, as most imitation meat substitutes are, it ranks pretty low on the bad-for-you scale in my opinion. Sodium and fat are low, protein is high, and they use several ingredients with near complete protein/amino profiles, like Quinoa. One of the main fears that people have with meat substitutes is soy origin. Gardein claims to only use non-GMO soy protein.
You HAVE to try this burger.
But it's new to me, and I'm pretty excited about it.
I've had Gardein products before, but I just tried their frozen, meatless beef patties, and I must say, I am simply shocked!
This beefless burger can be grilled, microwaved, or anything in-between and they are still dripping with juicy flavor. The first one I ate took my taste buds back 10 years to the last burger I had. The texture and flavor are as close to a real burger as anything I've tried in the meat substitute market. Apparently, their technique is a secret.
Although the patty is processed, as most imitation meat substitutes are, it ranks pretty low on the bad-for-you scale in my opinion. Sodium and fat are low, protein is high, and they use several ingredients with near complete protein/amino profiles, like Quinoa. One of the main fears that people have with meat substitutes is soy origin. Gardein claims to only use non-GMO soy protein.
You HAVE to try this burger.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
A Healthy Heart
Without it, everything else suffers.
I don't feel like I need to go into what a healthy diet contains. If you're vegan, you're probably doing your research and you already know that an ample amount of vegetables, fruits, nuts/seeds, and legumes are weighted heavily on the grocery list. If you're not vegan, there are many online resources.
But something I discovered early on was that there are a couple of items that will have an immediate, positive effect on the cardiovascular system. Who doesn't need that?
I said I would discuss the two spices that will immediately work to lower your overall cholesterol level.
So here they are:
Cayenne and Cinnamon
You likely have these spices in your cabinet right now. Use them. Use them in ample amounts.
When I say ample amounts, I mean a teaspoon or more - several times a day if you can.
These spices do wonders for your heart by opening the vascular system and providing ample blood flow. They also scavenge free radicals from the blood stream and contain many essential minerals. The benefits are outstanding. The recommended fashion for optimal ingestion is to add a teaspoon of one or the other to a glass of warm water. I have yet to try doing this with cinnamon, but I do this with Cayenne on a daily basis. It is one of the reasons that my cholesterol level is quite good and at one time it lowered my Blood pressure below the healthy average. You can feel its invigorating effects as you're drinking it.
Note, though, that using a teaspoon on the first glass is not recommended. Try to work your way up to that amount per dose. The burning is very present, but it will also work to rebuild the lining of the stomach if there is any damage.(Also prepare for some uncomfortable bowel movements for the first few days.) I would recommend working up to an amount that is comfortable for you. I think you will notice that you will likely add more and more with each dosage, however, be warned that Cinnamon has been known to increase the heart rate. Listen to your body.
I've read that Cayenne can stop heart attack on the spot. Though I've never seen or experienced this, it wouldn't surprise me. See the below links for ample amounts of info on these two Miracle spices:
CAYENNE PEPPER BENEFITS
CINNAMON BENEFITS
Enjoy!
I don't feel like I need to go into what a healthy diet contains. If you're vegan, you're probably doing your research and you already know that an ample amount of vegetables, fruits, nuts/seeds, and legumes are weighted heavily on the grocery list. If you're not vegan, there are many online resources.
But something I discovered early on was that there are a couple of items that will have an immediate, positive effect on the cardiovascular system. Who doesn't need that?
I said I would discuss the two spices that will immediately work to lower your overall cholesterol level.
So here they are:
Cayenne and Cinnamon
You likely have these spices in your cabinet right now. Use them. Use them in ample amounts.
When I say ample amounts, I mean a teaspoon or more - several times a day if you can.
These spices do wonders for your heart by opening the vascular system and providing ample blood flow. They also scavenge free radicals from the blood stream and contain many essential minerals. The benefits are outstanding. The recommended fashion for optimal ingestion is to add a teaspoon of one or the other to a glass of warm water. I have yet to try doing this with cinnamon, but I do this with Cayenne on a daily basis. It is one of the reasons that my cholesterol level is quite good and at one time it lowered my Blood pressure below the healthy average. You can feel its invigorating effects as you're drinking it.
Note, though, that using a teaspoon on the first glass is not recommended. Try to work your way up to that amount per dose. The burning is very present, but it will also work to rebuild the lining of the stomach if there is any damage.(Also prepare for some uncomfortable bowel movements for the first few days.) I would recommend working up to an amount that is comfortable for you. I think you will notice that you will likely add more and more with each dosage, however, be warned that Cinnamon has been known to increase the heart rate. Listen to your body.
I've read that Cayenne can stop heart attack on the spot. Though I've never seen or experienced this, it wouldn't surprise me. See the below links for ample amounts of info on these two Miracle spices:
CAYENNE PEPPER BENEFITS
CINNAMON BENEFITS
Enjoy!
Vegan Mayo (Day 129)
I don't really have much to say in this post other than to point out that I brought up Vegenaise many posts back. It's one of my favorite things as a condiment, for dressings, or making a creamy pasta.
(Note: I will post the cholesterol reducing goodness I mentioned recently ASAP)
It just so happens that America's Ultraman, Rich Roll, agrees.
In this 10 minute tour of his natural foods shopping trip, he shows us what foods he prefers for a healthy training diet and why. If it's good enough for Rich Roll, it's good enough for me.
His love for Vegenaise at 6:30 -
Thanks Rich.
(Note: I will post the cholesterol reducing goodness I mentioned recently ASAP)
It just so happens that America's Ultraman, Rich Roll, agrees.
In this 10 minute tour of his natural foods shopping trip, he shows us what foods he prefers for a healthy training diet and why. If it's good enough for Rich Roll, it's good enough for me.
His love for Vegenaise at 6:30 -
Thanks Rich.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Overall Health: Initial Screening
Today I went to a free health screening offered by my employer. I was very interested to find out what my numbers are. I've not had a complete screening in the past, though I have had one cholesterol level check about 8 years ago. The results: "Normal."
That doesn't really tell me much. In fact, I was a bit upset that I didn't get the numbers after waiting two weeks for the results. I suppose I could have asked for the paperwork, but what does it matter now? I took this opportunity to get a few numbers so that I could compare sometime in the future.
So this is Day 127 since becoming Vegan. I lost about 10-15 pounds in the first couple of months, but the weight loss tapered as I began working out. Let's take a look at my numbers for today:
Body
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 167 pounds
Waist (at navel): 34.5"
Body Mass Index: 23 (Normal is 18.5 - 24.9)
Those numbers look good. And to add to that, I am in the 25 percentile for my height and age.
Blood
Blood Pressure: 142/80
Total Cholesterol: 156
HDL Cholesterol: 54
Glucose: 86
The Blood pressure is a bit high(Healthy is 120/80 and under). 142 for the Systolic number is straight up High Blood pressure STAGE 1. I have suffered, and sometimes still suffer from anxiety, but it is near gone. I will have to chalk these high numbers up to a stressful life change in the last few months and the fact that I practically ran to the appointment. I had my numbers checked at my doctor about 6 months ago and they were at normal range. And if you read my last post, you know that I've eliminated the addition of Salt to my meals. Something is amiss here. I plan to by my own blood pressure monitor and keep track at home.
Total Cholesterol is in a VERY good range, though I would like it to be lower. Unfortunately, with a simple, free screening such as this one, acquiring my LDL cholesterol was not possible. The HDL level at 54 is very good though if I ate more fruits and vegetables rather than beans and wheat pasta, it would likely be much higher. More importantly, though, is the Total to HDL cholesterol ratio - Which is a fantastic 2.9!!! This means that the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis is very low and it points to a very low probability of a heart attack. Good range is considered around 3-4. Glucose appears normal.
However, the more research you do on Veganism and overall health based on studies throughout the globe, the more you will find that the upper 100's range considered normal for total Cholesterol in America is a truth believed only by some. As I've learned, getting the overall Cholesterol lower than 120 and the HDL above 60 is IDEAL and damn near makes a heart attack and heart disease not only impossible - but levels like that can actually REVERSE heart disease.
I'll say again, watch Forks Over Knives to get you started down the right path. It took me many years to get here, but that documentary put the fork in eating animals for me. Everything changed after that. In fact, I have a couple of coworkers following suit(and even teaching me things).
In my next post I will reveal 2 simple things that one can do to drastically reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure in just 2 months. It's not a huge secret, but these 2 things are easy to use and they WILL WORK.
Here's to the Heart.
That doesn't really tell me much. In fact, I was a bit upset that I didn't get the numbers after waiting two weeks for the results. I suppose I could have asked for the paperwork, but what does it matter now? I took this opportunity to get a few numbers so that I could compare sometime in the future.
So this is Day 127 since becoming Vegan. I lost about 10-15 pounds in the first couple of months, but the weight loss tapered as I began working out. Let's take a look at my numbers for today:
Body
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 167 pounds
Waist (at navel): 34.5"
Body Mass Index: 23 (Normal is 18.5 - 24.9)
Those numbers look good. And to add to that, I am in the 25 percentile for my height and age.
Blood
Blood Pressure: 142/80
Total Cholesterol: 156
HDL Cholesterol: 54
Glucose: 86
The Blood pressure is a bit high(Healthy is 120/80 and under). 142 for the Systolic number is straight up High Blood pressure STAGE 1. I have suffered, and sometimes still suffer from anxiety, but it is near gone. I will have to chalk these high numbers up to a stressful life change in the last few months and the fact that I practically ran to the appointment. I had my numbers checked at my doctor about 6 months ago and they were at normal range. And if you read my last post, you know that I've eliminated the addition of Salt to my meals. Something is amiss here. I plan to by my own blood pressure monitor and keep track at home.
Total Cholesterol is in a VERY good range, though I would like it to be lower. Unfortunately, with a simple, free screening such as this one, acquiring my LDL cholesterol was not possible. The HDL level at 54 is very good though if I ate more fruits and vegetables rather than beans and wheat pasta, it would likely be much higher. More importantly, though, is the Total to HDL cholesterol ratio - Which is a fantastic 2.9!!! This means that the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis is very low and it points to a very low probability of a heart attack. Good range is considered around 3-4. Glucose appears normal.
However, the more research you do on Veganism and overall health based on studies throughout the globe, the more you will find that the upper 100's range considered normal for total Cholesterol in America is a truth believed only by some. As I've learned, getting the overall Cholesterol lower than 120 and the HDL above 60 is IDEAL and damn near makes a heart attack and heart disease not only impossible - but levels like that can actually REVERSE heart disease.
I'll say again, watch Forks Over Knives to get you started down the right path. It took me many years to get here, but that documentary put the fork in eating animals for me. Everything changed after that. In fact, I have a couple of coworkers following suit(and even teaching me things).
In my next post I will reveal 2 simple things that one can do to drastically reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure in just 2 months. It's not a huge secret, but these 2 things are easy to use and they WILL WORK.
Here's to the Heart.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Protein (DAY 126)
PROTEIN
"I" before "E" except after "C."
Not really. Except, except, except...the English language. ("Protein" is actually German from French)
This is day 126 since I've become vegan. Except, I still find myself discovering how it should be done.
Another exception: I've been through a major life change that I won't go into here, but It has a massive effect on my choices or dietary habits/abilities. I've eaten more beans in the last few weeks than many people have had in 10 years. In addition to that, I have totally eliminated salt from the recipes that I make.
I will say that it was a wise decision. I feel a lot better.
But I've taken on a new addiction when it comes to flavor.
Sriracha Sauce. I LOVE IT.
I put it on almost everything. And if the flavor isn't right for my "experimental" meals, I add it. And maybe even a LOT of it.
The only downfall I see here is the amount of sugar, and perhaps the origin of the ingredients. I doubt that anything is organic, otherwise it would be stated as such. But it contains no oil as far as I can tell.
The chili spice is healthy and only supplements the amount of cayenne pepper I intake. (which I will elaborate in another post.)
I'll admit that the amount of beans I was eating mixed with ample amounts of Sriracha sauce provided for a very gassy weekend. It wasn't very pleasant, but at least I know the reason for it.
I'd like to say it was my CD release but, alas, it was another kind. And no one showed up(good thing).
I have, however, been working out regularly and recently began getting up so early it's ridiculous.
I jog as long as I can and then walk the rest of the way aiming for at least 30 min. Then I shower and go to work early enough to get 1-2 hours of studying in before 8am.
But back to the working out.
I want to build muscle. I'm doing that. But I don't want to be big.
I've been watching my protein intake and for the most part, it's on par with my weight.
At around 165lbs, I need around 50-60 grams of protein per day.
But that just to maintain health. If I am working out, I need more.
This is where Soy protein Isolate comes in.
I will update as time moves forward. Protien for....... NO, Protein for dinner tonight.
"I" before "E" except after "C."
Not really. Except, except, except...the English language. ("Protein" is actually German from French)
This is day 126 since I've become vegan. Except, I still find myself discovering how it should be done.
Another exception: I've been through a major life change that I won't go into here, but It has a massive effect on my choices or dietary habits/abilities. I've eaten more beans in the last few weeks than many people have had in 10 years. In addition to that, I have totally eliminated salt from the recipes that I make.
I will say that it was a wise decision. I feel a lot better.
But I've taken on a new addiction when it comes to flavor.
Sriracha Sauce. I LOVE IT.
I put it on almost everything. And if the flavor isn't right for my "experimental" meals, I add it. And maybe even a LOT of it.
The only downfall I see here is the amount of sugar, and perhaps the origin of the ingredients. I doubt that anything is organic, otherwise it would be stated as such. But it contains no oil as far as I can tell.
The chili spice is healthy and only supplements the amount of cayenne pepper I intake. (which I will elaborate in another post.)
I'll admit that the amount of beans I was eating mixed with ample amounts of Sriracha sauce provided for a very gassy weekend. It wasn't very pleasant, but at least I know the reason for it.
I'd like to say it was my CD release but, alas, it was another kind. And no one showed up(good thing).
I have, however, been working out regularly and recently began getting up so early it's ridiculous.
I jog as long as I can and then walk the rest of the way aiming for at least 30 min. Then I shower and go to work early enough to get 1-2 hours of studying in before 8am.
But back to the working out.
I want to build muscle. I'm doing that. But I don't want to be big.
I've been watching my protein intake and for the most part, it's on par with my weight.
At around 165lbs, I need around 50-60 grams of protein per day.
But that just to maintain health. If I am working out, I need more.
This is where Soy protein Isolate comes in.
Luckily, a vegan can acquire this at your local health food store. And luckily for me, they have it in bulk, in bags, that I can afford on a bi-weekly basis. I just discovered this, so although I feel very successful with each workout, it doesn't seem to amount to much if I'm not taking creatine or doing something else to retain water(which would make one look bigger). I simply need more protein. I've also been taking Spirulina to supplement the amino acids that one needs and it has many other great benefits that I should go into in the future.
I will update as time moves forward. Protien for....... NO, Protein for dinner tonight.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
SALT (Day93)
I'm addicted to it. I only use Sea Salt, however, at the rate that I dump it on my food, it's lower sodium and mineral benefits are outweighed by the load it's putting on my heart and cells.
About 5 days ago, I stopped putting salt on my food all together. The meals are bland to the taste, but it's getting better.
And my heart thanks me.
About 5 days ago, I stopped putting salt on my food all together. The meals are bland to the taste, but it's getting better.
And my heart thanks me.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
McDonald's is Gay
How do I start?
I probably can't without getting hazed by your perspective.
First, you only have to watch Food Inc. and Supersize Me to realize that McD's is McBAD!
The Pink stuff is not Moisturizer. It's foreign. It's Toxic.
Now take a moment and google for yourself what might be in that burger patty or the hot dog you're having tonight. (I said what MIGHT BE. If McD's can do this, then who knows...) Hot Dogs might taste great. I love the taste of Hot Dogs. But as my friend once said, "The finest Lips and Assholes" is not something in which I want to indulge.
Since going vegan, I rarely eat out. One evening, I went to Cheddar's here in Norman Oklahoma and scanned the menu for some options. I didn't want to complicate it for the 20 year-old college student serving me, so I ordered french fries and steamed broccoli - no butter. My friends ordered straight from the menu. In the end, they were so full they could barely comprehend the drive home. I was fine. I was full, but I knew I would be simmering with energy in about 20 minutes without any hindering stomach bulge.
For some reason that broccoli broke me a new one(yes, in the butt area). Not sure why, but I had a bad stomach ache shortly after. Probably because I ate so much raw greens. I digress.
I often visit a site that discusses food and we often touch on the Fast Food arena. McDonald's is an American staple for almost anyone aged 3 to 63. The Happy Meal? It used to make me happy and it continues to keep them happy now. McD's is good at pulling us in.
I won't argue that certain items on the menu don't taste good. McDonald's Fries? It used to be something that I philosophically backed as perfection. I've learned since then that most of our fast food(and, largely, all of our restaurant food) is so involved in the mass production realm of American food that in order to fathom it's quality -- well, watch Food Inc.........
It Boils down to a couple of things. If you want to keep eating McDonald's, go ahead. If it tastes great to you, why wouldn't you? But do your research. If you still want to eat it after that, you are simply what I define as someone who has decided.
DECIDED. There is no information that will change your mind.
It's difficult. And I'm not judging anyone on that fact. As a Vegan, I will visit Taco Bell when I'm near broke and limited monetarily. The Burrito without cheese is Vegan. .99 cents and you can't beat that except for home cooking. So do what you're gonna do. I'm not perfect either. Taco Bell is quickly becoming a place I will not visit. Beans are cheap.
We all have this dilemma. We all have our vices. I have many as well. Did I mention "Clumsy?"
But if you are reading this and saying that you will never be vegan, I beg you to keep reading about it.
If you don't change your mind, I hope you find something great for your health and for global health. Do as much research as you can.
BUT, if you think Veganism is "gay," and you use terms like that, then maybe gay has a new meaning.
I probably can't without getting hazed by your perspective.
First, you only have to watch Food Inc. and Supersize Me to realize that McD's is McBAD!
The Pink stuff is not Moisturizer. It's foreign. It's Toxic.
Now take a moment and google for yourself what might be in that burger patty or the hot dog you're having tonight. (I said what MIGHT BE. If McD's can do this, then who knows...) Hot Dogs might taste great. I love the taste of Hot Dogs. But as my friend once said, "The finest Lips and Assholes" is not something in which I want to indulge.
Since going vegan, I rarely eat out. One evening, I went to Cheddar's here in Norman Oklahoma and scanned the menu for some options. I didn't want to complicate it for the 20 year-old college student serving me, so I ordered french fries and steamed broccoli - no butter. My friends ordered straight from the menu. In the end, they were so full they could barely comprehend the drive home. I was fine. I was full, but I knew I would be simmering with energy in about 20 minutes without any hindering stomach bulge.
For some reason that broccoli broke me a new one(yes, in the butt area). Not sure why, but I had a bad stomach ache shortly after. Probably because I ate so much raw greens. I digress.
I often visit a site that discusses food and we often touch on the Fast Food arena. McDonald's is an American staple for almost anyone aged 3 to 63. The Happy Meal? It used to make me happy and it continues to keep them happy now. McD's is good at pulling us in.
I won't argue that certain items on the menu don't taste good. McDonald's Fries? It used to be something that I philosophically backed as perfection. I've learned since then that most of our fast food(and, largely, all of our restaurant food) is so involved in the mass production realm of American food that in order to fathom it's quality -- well, watch Food Inc.........
It Boils down to a couple of things. If you want to keep eating McDonald's, go ahead. If it tastes great to you, why wouldn't you? But do your research. If you still want to eat it after that, you are simply what I define as someone who has decided.
DECIDED. There is no information that will change your mind.
It's difficult. And I'm not judging anyone on that fact. As a Vegan, I will visit Taco Bell when I'm near broke and limited monetarily. The Burrito without cheese is Vegan. .99 cents and you can't beat that except for home cooking. So do what you're gonna do. I'm not perfect either. Taco Bell is quickly becoming a place I will not visit. Beans are cheap.
We all have this dilemma. We all have our vices. I have many as well. Did I mention "Clumsy?"
But if you are reading this and saying that you will never be vegan, I beg you to keep reading about it.
If you don't change your mind, I hope you find something great for your health and for global health. Do as much research as you can.
BUT, if you think Veganism is "gay," and you use terms like that, then maybe gay has a new meaning.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Indian Curry (Day82)
Indian restaurants are likely one of my favorite places to eat when I go out. These days it's not a lot.
Let's make it at home.
Indian Curry and Jasmine Rice
1 cup of Jasmine rice
1 cup of Lentils
2 Carrot stalks chopped
1 Medium sized potato cubed with skin
1 cup Broccoli florets
1 cup sliced crimini mushrooms sliced
1 Yellow Onion chopped
1/4 cup Yellow Split peas
Add any additional vegetables you wish
1 can Coconut milk
1 Tblsp veg oil (optional)
2 TBlsp of Patak's Hot curry paste
2 TBlsp Traditional bulk curry
1 TBlsp Powdered Garlic
1 TBlsp Powdered Coriander
2 TBlsp Powdered Turmeric
A preferred amount of Salt
Copious amounts of water.
Directions
In a large pot, boil the lentils for a good 30 minutes(use amount of water per package requirements)
Bring pot to simmer and Add the full can of Coconut milk, yellow peas and all other spices and mix well.
Add Carrots and Potatos and cook for 20 minutes. Add remaining vegetables and cook for a minimum of 10 more minutes - or as long as desired adding water when needed.
Cook the rice required by the package. Mine is usually for 20 minutes for Jasmine.
Top Rice with Curry goodness and enjoy.
Let's make it at home.
Indian Curry and Jasmine Rice
1 cup of Jasmine rice
1 cup of Lentils
2 Carrot stalks chopped
1 Medium sized potato cubed with skin
1 cup Broccoli florets
1 cup sliced crimini mushrooms sliced
1 Yellow Onion chopped
1/4 cup Yellow Split peas
Add any additional vegetables you wish
1 can Coconut milk
1 Tblsp veg oil (optional)
2 TBlsp of Patak's Hot curry paste
2 TBlsp Traditional bulk curry
1 TBlsp Powdered Garlic
1 TBlsp Powdered Coriander
2 TBlsp Powdered Turmeric
A preferred amount of Salt
Copious amounts of water.
Directions
In a large pot, boil the lentils for a good 30 minutes(use amount of water per package requirements)
Bring pot to simmer and Add the full can of Coconut milk, yellow peas and all other spices and mix well.
Add Carrots and Potatos and cook for 20 minutes. Add remaining vegetables and cook for a minimum of 10 more minutes - or as long as desired adding water when needed.
Cook the rice required by the package. Mine is usually for 20 minutes for Jasmine.
Top Rice with Curry goodness and enjoy.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Friend Gift (Day76)
If you've decided to go vegan, you are undoubtedly going to end up in this place at some point.
For me right now, I'm going through a rough time. Without going into detail, I will say I'm near broke and the people around me know this.
So I have a coworker that I love and is very good to me. He's brought me some Thai curry that is "supposedly" vegan. As much as I love and respect this guy, I recall reading a story online where a friend made them a "Vegan" burger. Excited with the idea, they bit down and began devouring what they thought was a meatless burger. They came to find very soon after that it was a turkey burger and they were upset and felt bad about having eaten such food.
As I've said in the past, I'm not one to deny the taste of a good steak. A steak is one of the most delicious things I've eaten in my life. But based on my decision to be vegan, I simply choose not to eat meat anymore - as well as all other products that are derived from animals.
If you look up the basic ingredients for Thai curry, you will undoubtedly find that most of them include some sort of fish product. Ok, so I have a decision to make. Do I eat all of this curry that a good friend is offering in a time when I need help? It sits in my refrigerator without him speculating whether I will consume it or not. I think my decision has already been made based merely on the fact that he was doing something nice for me in a time of need. And I don't want to drill him about what the paste has in it.
We will deal with this problem for the rest of our lives. We won't die if we eat it. But some animal along the way has. As I read in another long and descriptive report about someone becoming vegan, he mentioned the fact that his belt was made of leather. "The animal already gave it's life," he said. And I agree. If it's been done, it's done. Give respect to that animal by continuing the belt's use.
I will eat this thai curry he has offered and I hope to enjoy it.
I never said he was a good cook. That remains to be seen.
For me right now, I'm going through a rough time. Without going into detail, I will say I'm near broke and the people around me know this.
So I have a coworker that I love and is very good to me. He's brought me some Thai curry that is "supposedly" vegan. As much as I love and respect this guy, I recall reading a story online where a friend made them a "Vegan" burger. Excited with the idea, they bit down and began devouring what they thought was a meatless burger. They came to find very soon after that it was a turkey burger and they were upset and felt bad about having eaten such food.
As I've said in the past, I'm not one to deny the taste of a good steak. A steak is one of the most delicious things I've eaten in my life. But based on my decision to be vegan, I simply choose not to eat meat anymore - as well as all other products that are derived from animals.
If you look up the basic ingredients for Thai curry, you will undoubtedly find that most of them include some sort of fish product. Ok, so I have a decision to make. Do I eat all of this curry that a good friend is offering in a time when I need help? It sits in my refrigerator without him speculating whether I will consume it or not. I think my decision has already been made based merely on the fact that he was doing something nice for me in a time of need. And I don't want to drill him about what the paste has in it.
We will deal with this problem for the rest of our lives. We won't die if we eat it. But some animal along the way has. As I read in another long and descriptive report about someone becoming vegan, he mentioned the fact that his belt was made of leather. "The animal already gave it's life," he said. And I agree. If it's been done, it's done. Give respect to that animal by continuing the belt's use.
I will eat this thai curry he has offered and I hope to enjoy it.
I never said he was a good cook. That remains to be seen.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Alfredo's Mexican
This is an Oklahoma-only restaurant, as far as I know. But any mexican eatery will introduce the same questions for a vegan.
I called the manager and got a quick rundown of some of the menu.
The pickled carrots, onion and jalapenos are bathing in vinegar. Sounds Good. The salsa is safe as well. Their corn is cooked with butter and the rice is made in Chicken stock. Not surprising.
I'll be getting the avocado enchiladas, sans sour cream, and probably add some refried beans as they are made with canola oil and salt. Add that plate to the chips and salsa and I think I'll be a happy camper.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Taco Cabana
What can I do?
Most Vegans will tell you that they were duped at some point because someone gave them some food that they claimed was "animal free." But it's hard to know for sure and it's an uncomfortable situation to turn down food when some has labored to make it.
I have a great friend that works at Taco Cabana and he has often brought me food that he's bought after his shift. They claim that the tortillas there are Vegan friendly. This particular friend was vegan at one time and prefers to eat healthy when he can - thus he often ate these tortillas. One night he was looking at the ingredients list and INDEED they are not.
I will gather more information and update this post, but be aware that(and it may depend on your location) it might not be vegan, though they may claim that it is.
New information coming...
Refried Black Beans (Day68)
Ok, so they're not fried. But they are beans. And I intend to devour them with some tortilla chips.
Tortilla chips are vegan most of the time, though they might not be all that healthy in massive amounts. But if you're at a social function and they have food out, the tortilla chips are likely vegan. Google for items that meet vegan standards as I couldn't find a simple list.
You can find this on Wiki:
Tostitos Wiki
"Some Frito-Lay brand seasoned products, including some flavors of Tostitos, contain pork enzymes in addition to herbs, cheese and other seasonings. Frito-Lay's web site[1] states that they use enzymes from pigs (porcine enzymes) in some of their seasoned snack products to develop 'unique flavors'. The presence of pig-derived ingredients makes them unsuitable for Vegetarians, Vegans, as well as non-kosher (forbidden for observant Jews to eat), and haraam (forbidden for Muslims to eat)."
As far as I know, Tostitos regular white corn chips are vegan. If someone has more info on that let me know.
I grabbed a large can of pre-cooked Black beans this evening and boiled the hell out of them.
didn't have a potato masher because I'm dead broke and trying to rebuild (more on that later - maybe). But I added some water, oil and salt and went to work with a fork after boiling for about an hour and here is what we got:
I never claimed to be a class-act photographer, so you get what you get from my iPhone. Like I said, I'm broke. Better pictures when I have a better camera.(better recipes too!)
I'm getting after this with some Mission tortilla chips. It tastes great with almost nothing in it -except, oh...the massive amounts of protein and fiber that we all need.
Tortilla chips are vegan most of the time, though they might not be all that healthy in massive amounts. But if you're at a social function and they have food out, the tortilla chips are likely vegan. Google for items that meet vegan standards as I couldn't find a simple list.
You can find this on Wiki:
Tostitos Wiki
"Some Frito-Lay brand seasoned products, including some flavors of Tostitos, contain pork enzymes in addition to herbs, cheese and other seasonings. Frito-Lay's web site[1] states that they use enzymes from pigs (porcine enzymes) in some of their seasoned snack products to develop 'unique flavors'. The presence of pig-derived ingredients makes them unsuitable for Vegetarians, Vegans, as well as non-kosher (forbidden for observant Jews to eat), and haraam (forbidden for Muslims to eat)."
As far as I know, Tostitos regular white corn chips are vegan. If someone has more info on that let me know.
I grabbed a large can of pre-cooked Black beans this evening and boiled the hell out of them.
didn't have a potato masher because I'm dead broke and trying to rebuild (more on that later - maybe). But I added some water, oil and salt and went to work with a fork after boiling for about an hour and here is what we got:
I'm getting after this with some Mission tortilla chips. It tastes great with almost nothing in it -except, oh...the massive amounts of protein and fiber that we all need.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Curried Yellow Split Peas (Day63)
I'm giving up on the green peas that I spoke about in my last post. They simply take too long to cook even if I soak them for 48 hours. My best guess based on reading is that they are very old and too dried out. Let's move on to a staple that I've grown to love: The Yellow Split Pea.
First, they are already split, unlike the green peas I bought. Thus, they only require 45 minutes to cook fully. The peas will break down quite easily and if cooked beyond 45 minutes will be a mush, but I love it. With ample spices and some vegetables, it's an enjoyable meal, and at only $1.66 per bag, a steal.
When it comes to the spices, I like to buy the bulk bags that are available at our local natural foods store. I imagine most of these type stores will carry bulk and there are a couple of advantages. One, there are organic options and they come in large quantities with prices ranging from $1.50 to $4.00. Buying a bottle/sm jar of 1/4 of that amount in organic form is usually priced anywhere from $3 to $8 depending on the brand. Way too high!
I also would like to mention a new-found ingredient that I've grown to love. I like to make creamy dishes, but when going vegan, you need vegan options. Normally using Coconut milk for something like this, I was hunting for something in the store with more concentration. I found Creamed Coconut.
This is not coconut cream, a more dense version of coconut milk, squeezed from the plant's meat. This is actually the creamed version of the meat itself. It's thick and hard as a brick at cool temperatures. For use, soften the bag in a bowl of warm water and squeeze out a TBlsp or more into your dish. It gives it a rich and delicious flavor. I'm not a fan of coconut itself, but this stuff has opened up a new world of flavor. This is the product I found and it was inexpensive:
ORGANIC CREAMED COCONUT
It's recommended that one remove the matter that is residual from the collection process(Much like you see on a label of dried beans). But I've never worried about the extra matter and normally throw whatever is in the bag directly into the pot and get started.
Again, I rarely measure exact quantities when I make a batch of curry or other homemade recipes, so make adjustments as desired. I'll give my best guess, but who doesn't like a ton of curry? The recipe will make about 3-4 servings and the cost is super low.
Ingredients:
1-2 cups of Yellow Split Peas
3 cups of Water (add more as needed- and you will likely need to)
1 Tblsp Curry
1 tsp ground Coriander
2 tsp Garlic powder
1 Tblsp Creamed coconut
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
optional: (any vegetable would do, right?)
Chopped onion
Minced garlic clove
Small broccoli florets
Directions:
Boil for 40 minutes or more. Be sure to check often that you're not running out of water and that the peas aren't sticking to the pot. It can also froth up and spill over if over-heated. This is just a recommendation, but I normally add my spices and optional vegetables about 75% through the process. You can boil longer if needed, taste as you go and so on. It's hard to mess up this dish, and as I'm cooking it right now(live pictures indeed), I'm getting excited. When it's achieved the consistency you prefer, remove from heat and serve - or contain it and enjoy it later. This tastes soooooo good.
Please comment if you try this insanely easy recipe. I'd like to hear what you think.
First, they are already split, unlike the green peas I bought. Thus, they only require 45 minutes to cook fully. The peas will break down quite easily and if cooked beyond 45 minutes will be a mush, but I love it. With ample spices and some vegetables, it's an enjoyable meal, and at only $1.66 per bag, a steal.
When it comes to the spices, I like to buy the bulk bags that are available at our local natural foods store. I imagine most of these type stores will carry bulk and there are a couple of advantages. One, there are organic options and they come in large quantities with prices ranging from $1.50 to $4.00. Buying a bottle/sm jar of 1/4 of that amount in organic form is usually priced anywhere from $3 to $8 depending on the brand. Way too high!
I also would like to mention a new-found ingredient that I've grown to love. I like to make creamy dishes, but when going vegan, you need vegan options. Normally using Coconut milk for something like this, I was hunting for something in the store with more concentration. I found Creamed Coconut.
This is not coconut cream, a more dense version of coconut milk, squeezed from the plant's meat. This is actually the creamed version of the meat itself. It's thick and hard as a brick at cool temperatures. For use, soften the bag in a bowl of warm water and squeeze out a TBlsp or more into your dish. It gives it a rich and delicious flavor. I'm not a fan of coconut itself, but this stuff has opened up a new world of flavor. This is the product I found and it was inexpensive:
ORGANIC CREAMED COCONUT
It's recommended that one remove the matter that is residual from the collection process(Much like you see on a label of dried beans). But I've never worried about the extra matter and normally throw whatever is in the bag directly into the pot and get started.
Ingredients:
1-2 cups of Yellow Split Peas
3 cups of Water (add more as needed- and you will likely need to)
1 Tblsp Curry
1 tsp ground Coriander
2 tsp Garlic powder
1 Tblsp Creamed coconut
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
optional: (any vegetable would do, right?)
Chopped onion
Minced garlic clove
Small broccoli florets
Directions:
Boil for 40 minutes or more. Be sure to check often that you're not running out of water and that the peas aren't sticking to the pot. It can also froth up and spill over if over-heated. This is just a recommendation, but I normally add my spices and optional vegetables about 75% through the process. You can boil longer if needed, taste as you go and so on. It's hard to mess up this dish, and as I'm cooking it right now(live pictures indeed), I'm getting excited. When it's achieved the consistency you prefer, remove from heat and serve - or contain it and enjoy it later. This tastes soooooo good.
Please comment if you try this insanely easy recipe. I'd like to hear what you think.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Peas.......PLEASE(Day57)
Lesson learned. Have I mentioned the name "Clumsy Vegan?"
I often buy yellow split peas because they are so very cheap, easy to cook/season, and they have a lot of protein and fiber(among other positives). So I thought I would grab a huge bag of the raw, dried green peas and add it to the cooking menu. Little did I know that the dried green pea needs to soak overnight.
I cooked a pot of indian for 6 hours straight trying to get these guys tender! Granted, the outcome was amazing, but I used a lot of gas just to get things done. I don't like that at all.
In addition, I came home tonight to find that my electricity was turned off! Thank god for the iPhone. Unfortunately, there was some sort of problem with my email and I was supposed to initiate the start of my service through various online means. I didn't get that email. All the while, the vegetables and other goods in the fridge are potentially going bad. I got it figured out and I'm boiling some peas now.
But guess what..... I soaked this second batch of peas, just as suggested. They've been soaking for 2 days.
And after boiling for 3 hours, they are still not breaking like the yellow split pea.
Don't forget that. The dried green pea is a tough pea. Most of us just want to cook it up and eat it, like a can of black beans - especially when we're doing it meal by meal. I look forward to how great these peas are going to be. But the time and energy put into these little thangs has been more than I anticipated.
A little bit of curry powder, Garlic powder, Ground Coriander, and a drop of oil and salt.
I'll let you know how it turns out.
More boiling ahead...
Valentine's Day
:(
I often buy yellow split peas because they are so very cheap, easy to cook/season, and they have a lot of protein and fiber(among other positives). So I thought I would grab a huge bag of the raw, dried green peas and add it to the cooking menu. Little did I know that the dried green pea needs to soak overnight.
I cooked a pot of indian for 6 hours straight trying to get these guys tender! Granted, the outcome was amazing, but I used a lot of gas just to get things done. I don't like that at all.
In addition, I came home tonight to find that my electricity was turned off! Thank god for the iPhone. Unfortunately, there was some sort of problem with my email and I was supposed to initiate the start of my service through various online means. I didn't get that email. All the while, the vegetables and other goods in the fridge are potentially going bad. I got it figured out and I'm boiling some peas now.
But guess what..... I soaked this second batch of peas, just as suggested. They've been soaking for 2 days.
And after boiling for 3 hours, they are still not breaking like the yellow split pea.
Don't forget that. The dried green pea is a tough pea. Most of us just want to cook it up and eat it, like a can of black beans - especially when we're doing it meal by meal. I look forward to how great these peas are going to be. But the time and energy put into these little thangs has been more than I anticipated.
A little bit of curry powder, Garlic powder, Ground Coriander, and a drop of oil and salt.
I'll let you know how it turns out.
More boiling ahead...
Valentine's Day
:(
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Allergies (Day51)
I had hoped that Veganism would help with seasonal allergies, but that doesn't seem to be the case. The rains came and in a matter of minutes I was headed for a sinus infection. I read sometime in the past that Oil of Oregano was supposed to be a good natural remedy for allergies so I'll need to look into that. If anyone has any ideas, let me know. Otherwise I will need to bite the bullet and take Claritin everyday for the rest of my life - and that is the last thing I want to do.
Edit: Upon a quick google search...
Live Strong
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/04/help-alergies.htm
It's worth a try.
Edit: Upon a quick google search...
Live Strong
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/04/help-alergies.htm
It's worth a try.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Fruity Pebbles
...Rice and Sugar
Ok, we can do that.
...Hydrogenated Vegetbale oil
Damn. We're only down to the third ingredient and we've already hit poison! Hydrogenated oil is Vegan so we can go ahead and eat that, but read a bit about it before you decide to keep buying things off the grocery shelf. It's in more than half of the products. Look at this site for a scary explanation: http://www.treelight.com/health/nutrition/PartiallyHydrogenatedOils.html#pageToc1
...Natural and artificial flavor, Red 40, Yellow 6
Probably plenty of synthetic stuff there.
...Turmeric and Oleoresin (Plant based Oil and resin)
Finally, some fairly normal/natural ingredients.
...Blue 1, Yellow 5, Blue 2 and BHA
More color and Food additives
Holy cripes. Other than a few ingredients, Fruity Pebbles is either synthetic or poisonous. ("Poisonous" is a matter of opinion, but I can assure you that almost any health professional would highly recommend against ingesting Hydrogenated oils). So we can eat this cereal because it's Vegan, but at what health cost? Not only is that an issue, but many of these synthetic dyes and preservatives are tested on animals before approval or disapproval by the FDA. This is really disappointing because I love Fruity Pebbles.
Well, I'm gonna have to find a natural/organic alternative, but I guess this isn't it: http://www.nr2you.org/items/fruity-pebbles/
I'll let you know if I find one. Gonna have to have some soon.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Thai Stir Fry
Thai Stir Fry ALL RECIPES
I could eat this for every meal if I had the opportunity. I suppose I could, it costs a total of around $1.00 to make if you don't count the gas required to cook it. It's so damn good, I'm upset when the bowl is gone.
Be aware that I'm listing the ingredients and the amounts to be used, but I honestly don't measure any of it - and you probably won't need to either. It will be incredible no matter what you do.
I could eat this for every meal if I had the opportunity. I suppose I could, it costs a total of around $1.00 to make if you don't count the gas required to cook it. It's so damn good, I'm upset when the bowl is gone.
Be aware that I'm listing the ingredients and the amounts to be used, but I honestly don't measure any of it - and you probably won't need to either. It will be incredible no matter what you do.
1 full-sized Carrot
1/4 Onion
2 Green Onions
1/4 sliced Red Bell Pepper
1/2 cup of Broccoli
1-2 Cloves of Garlic sliced thin
2 TBsp Olive Oil (oil of your choice)
2 TBsp Brown Sugar
2-3 TBsp Soy Sauce
1 TBsp Sriracha sauce
1 TBsp of of fresh ground Peanut Butter
1/2 cup Rice
Directions
Heat the Oil, Sugar, Soy Sauce and Sriracha sauce to med/high heat
Throw in the vegetables and stir fry on high heat for 2 minutes
(Make sure not to overcook the veggies to keep them fairly firm - you don't want them soggy)
Throw in the Peanut butter and mix thoroughly for 30 seconds. Toss that stir fry on to some rice and be amazed.
Don't use Peter Pan or Skippy peanut butter. It won't taste right with all of the added sugar and processed junk they use. Use some fresh ground PB and it will make a huge difference. It helps the sauce stick to the veggies. Also, note that I've sliced these veggies very thin.
This is a philosophy that contrasts with cooking meats and other non-vegan meals to keep the moisture in. People often want to keep the veggies large as well. But the trick is to slice everything thin so that you increase the surface area and get that fantastic flavor married throughout the dish. You can even add some sliced tofu and it's even better. Let me know your opinions if you try this. It's unbelievable and you'll think twice about paying $8 at the local thai restaurant once you've had this!
Black Bean Salsa
I personally change this one up quite a bit based on what I have around. I add it to salads or just eat it with tortilla chips.
2 cans black beans - drained and rinsed
1 can corn - drained and rinsed
1 or 2 jalapeno peppers - seeded and chopped
1 clove garlic - minced
3 Plum/Roma tomatos - chopped
1 medium red onion - chopped
2-3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
lime juice of 2 limes
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper
Directions
Mix ingredients to ether and let sit 4-6 hours
Option: Add chopped Avocado just before serving
Mix ingredients to ether and let sit 4-6 hours
Option: Add chopped Avocado just before serving
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Tough Sleep (Day43)
Yesterday afternoon I was bopping around work like some sort of freak. I felt like someone had slipped some adrenaline into my water because I couldn't stop making noise, couldn't stop talking and I couldn't stop moving. Granted, I got a lot done, but I was a little in awe of my energy level. I hadn't had any coffee since 8 am.
Last night was a bit difficult. Normally, I would be tired around 6-7 pm, and getting to bed around 9 or 10 would work out just fine. I fell asleep without a problem, but staying asleep was the issue. In fact, I woke up once at 1:30am and damn near jumped up to get ready for work until I looked at my watch.
I consider this a good thing and a bad thing. I need to get enough sleep, there is no doubt about that - especially because I'm using this newfound energy and focus to study more and catch up on the knowledge I need to advance my career. But if I have so much energy that I can't stay asleep, the problem has to be one of 2 things:
Either I need to reduce my caffeine intake, or I need to excerpt more energy during the day.
Since I only drink 2 or 3 cups of coffee a day (between 6 and 9am) I'm guessing that caffeine is not the problem. Clearly I need to start jogging/walking and working out everyday. I've been wanting to, especially now that I've lost ten pounds, I just haven't gotten around to it. I suppose my body telling me that it's time to get into gear.
Last night was a bit difficult. Normally, I would be tired around 6-7 pm, and getting to bed around 9 or 10 would work out just fine. I fell asleep without a problem, but staying asleep was the issue. In fact, I woke up once at 1:30am and damn near jumped up to get ready for work until I looked at my watch.
I consider this a good thing and a bad thing. I need to get enough sleep, there is no doubt about that - especially because I'm using this newfound energy and focus to study more and catch up on the knowledge I need to advance my career. But if I have so much energy that I can't stay asleep, the problem has to be one of 2 things:
Either I need to reduce my caffeine intake, or I need to excerpt more energy during the day.
Since I only drink 2 or 3 cups of coffee a day (between 6 and 9am) I'm guessing that caffeine is not the problem. Clearly I need to start jogging/walking and working out everyday. I've been wanting to, especially now that I've lost ten pounds, I just haven't gotten around to it. I suppose my body telling me that it's time to get into gear.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Inflammation (Day42)
I mentioned in a previous post, or in the "What's up with this Vegan Blog?" page, that I dealt with Bursitis in my hip. It's important to mention this because it's a problem that began in approximately October or November 2010. That's fairly recent and, thus, I can recognize subtle changes in how bad or good my hip may feel on any particular day.
Since the problem began, and for the life of me I have no idea how I developed the condition, there have been days when I could hardly walk it hurt so bad. I recall taking a day off work about a year ago because I couldn't stand. So the pain and inflammation would flare up and then go away and I never really knew when it would be tolerable or not. I can tell you that if I tweaked it in any way, I was looking forward to a bad week.
However, since going Vegan, not only has it improved, I honestly can't remember a day when it was in any way "bad." In fact, this became extremely apparent yesterday when I went walking for about 2 hours. I could feel that my hip was tight, but it wasn't painful. It felt like it just needed stretching. Bursitis can take a long time to heal depending on the severity or reason for the inflammation. Stretching is of utmost importance.
But I seem to recall in the film "Forks over Knives" and/or reading somewhere that inflammation was connected with Dairy consumption.
So with a simple google search using "inflammation" and "Dairy," the first hit brings us over to another BlogSpotter where you will find the connection and a few other good points. I can attest to what Jenni is saying in that post. I used to have joint pain all of the time. It didn't feel like Arthritis. It felt like aching, but it was daily. For the most part, all of that B.S. has gone packing and I can relax.
Since the problem began, and for the life of me I have no idea how I developed the condition, there have been days when I could hardly walk it hurt so bad. I recall taking a day off work about a year ago because I couldn't stand. So the pain and inflammation would flare up and then go away and I never really knew when it would be tolerable or not. I can tell you that if I tweaked it in any way, I was looking forward to a bad week.
However, since going Vegan, not only has it improved, I honestly can't remember a day when it was in any way "bad." In fact, this became extremely apparent yesterday when I went walking for about 2 hours. I could feel that my hip was tight, but it wasn't painful. It felt like it just needed stretching. Bursitis can take a long time to heal depending on the severity or reason for the inflammation. Stretching is of utmost importance.
But I seem to recall in the film "Forks over Knives" and/or reading somewhere that inflammation was connected with Dairy consumption.
So with a simple google search using "inflammation" and "Dairy," the first hit brings us over to another BlogSpotter where you will find the connection and a few other good points. I can attest to what Jenni is saying in that post. I used to have joint pain all of the time. It didn't feel like Arthritis. It felt like aching, but it was daily. For the most part, all of that B.S. has gone packing and I can relax.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Steak and Breast Milk (Day38)
I never claimed that I didn't like the taste of a juicy steak. In fact, years ago, it was a weekly meal for me. I looked forward to it. But after learning about the beef industry, I decided I needed to stop eating beef all together. That was 2002. I still say, to this day, that if I were to eat beef right now, I would head down to Sonic and grab myself a SuperSonic Cheeseburger and go to town.
But that's not gonna happen. I've made my decision and I'm going to stick with it. Eliminating beef was the beginning. Dairy was one of the last items I removed from the grocery list when going Vegan. Goodbye Cheese. Here is the conversation I often have with people when they ask me about deciding to go Vegan:
"If your wife was nursing a child, would you consume her breast milk?"
100% of the time, there answer is "No." So I ask them, "Well, how about your neighbor's breast milk?" Obviously, "No." Just the thought of it disgusts most people. It's not just an odd idea. Most people find it repulsive. So then why on earth would you drink a Cow's Milk? There is no logic behind this. But the dairy industry has been telling us for years: "Milk, It does a body good." Does it? Does it really?
Cows don't even drink cow's milk beyond the first few months of life. So why would a human? The claim that Dairy is the source of calcium that we need is just preposterous. In fact, Soy milk has as much calcium, if not more, than cow's milk (Probably supplemented). I never said I didn't like the taste of Cow's milk. But I wonder what else I could be eating right now if I ate only the foods that corporate industry claimed were healthy.
But that's not gonna happen. I've made my decision and I'm going to stick with it. Eliminating beef was the beginning. Dairy was one of the last items I removed from the grocery list when going Vegan. Goodbye Cheese. Here is the conversation I often have with people when they ask me about deciding to go Vegan:
"If your wife was nursing a child, would you consume her breast milk?"
100% of the time, there answer is "No." So I ask them, "Well, how about your neighbor's breast milk?" Obviously, "No." Just the thought of it disgusts most people. It's not just an odd idea. Most people find it repulsive. So then why on earth would you drink a Cow's Milk? There is no logic behind this. But the dairy industry has been telling us for years: "Milk, It does a body good." Does it? Does it really?
Cows don't even drink cow's milk beyond the first few months of life. So why would a human? The claim that Dairy is the source of calcium that we need is just preposterous. In fact, Soy milk has as much calcium, if not more, than cow's milk (Probably supplemented). I never said I didn't like the taste of Cow's milk. But I wonder what else I could be eating right now if I ate only the foods that corporate industry claimed were healthy.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Brown Rice/White rice (Day36)
I'm not a huge fan of brown rice, I'll admit. But I was under the impression that it was much healthier than white rice. To find out for sure, I hit up google. I've been doing research on a lot of individual vegetables and other foods lately to find out which of them would provide me with the proper nutrients I need (Esp. protein) since going Vegan. The site I have found most valuable is http://nutritiondata.self.com/
The site has a comprehensive review of each food item and what it provides your diet. It even covers the food's potential for losing or gaining weight. If I recall correctly, it even has fast food items.
Most importantly, though, it's been a great learning tool. While reading about brown and white rice, I learned that white rice is actually quite good for you - the main difference being the amount of Fiber.
Even more interesting, in the same article, was the nutrient content found in a medium baked potato with the skin. Wow! A baked potato is really good for you if you eat the skin - and I have no problem with that. I was just making fun of an Idaho potatoes commercial the other day. I still have a lot to learn.
The site has a comprehensive review of each food item and what it provides your diet. It even covers the food's potential for losing or gaining weight. If I recall correctly, it even has fast food items.
Most importantly, though, it's been a great learning tool. While reading about brown and white rice, I learned that white rice is actually quite good for you - the main difference being the amount of Fiber.
Even more interesting, in the same article, was the nutrient content found in a medium baked potato with the skin. Wow! A baked potato is really good for you if you eat the skin - and I have no problem with that. I was just making fun of an Idaho potatoes commercial the other day. I still have a lot to learn.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Notches on my Belt (Day32)
As I've stated earlier in this blog, my main reason for going Vegan was not to lose weight, though I keep talking about it. I suppose the reason it keeps coming up is because it is easily measured and noticeably present(or absent). It's Day 32 and I can see based on the scale that I've lost a total of 7 pounds. But what was even more shocking was that just a day or 2 after mentioning that my belt needed to be tightened, I actually had to tighten it even further the next day!
The belt I'm wearing is old. The original notch that I used on the belt is clearly marked by the wear on the leather. (A Leather belt, I know. That animal gave it's life long ago so I might as well make use of it now.) That notch is from 6 years ago and I had to use it again. That is more than 2 inches off of my waist.
Incredible. In 32 days - 7 pounds and 2" lost.
I guess it time to actually begin exercising and working out. Duh.
The belt I'm wearing is old. The original notch that I used on the belt is clearly marked by the wear on the leather. (A Leather belt, I know. That animal gave it's life long ago so I might as well make use of it now.) That notch is from 6 years ago and I had to use it again. That is more than 2 inches off of my waist.
Incredible. In 32 days - 7 pounds and 2" lost.
I guess it time to actually begin exercising and working out. Duh.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Flat Stomach (Day30)
I eat a lot of salad. I have at least one per day. This is reducing my caloric intake significantly. Although I don't see the pounds coming off of the scale, I definitely see it coming off of my stomach. My belly is losing a lot of its "pooch," if you will. My belt is getting looser, and I never feel bloated anymore.
And here is an interesting kicker: The cold air of Oklahoma this Winter really isn't bothering me all that much. Normally I will walk outside and start shivering almost immediately. But lately, I don't feel all that uncomfortable. I'd theorize that this might be due to getting better sleep and my body's overall increase in efficiency and ability to keep or feel warm.
So here I am - one month into Veganism. So far it's been a great experience and I feel very good. I don't get so tired at work anymore as if I'll keel over and fall asleep at any moment. I can focus for longer periods of time. I have the ability now, to leave a complicated situation and revisit it a few minutes later with a fresh perspective so that I can get things done in a timely manner. Already looking forward to Month 2!
And here is an interesting kicker: The cold air of Oklahoma this Winter really isn't bothering me all that much. Normally I will walk outside and start shivering almost immediately. But lately, I don't feel all that uncomfortable. I'd theorize that this might be due to getting better sleep and my body's overall increase in efficiency and ability to keep or feel warm.
So here I am - one month into Veganism. So far it's been a great experience and I feel very good. I don't get so tired at work anymore as if I'll keel over and fall asleep at any moment. I can focus for longer periods of time. I have the ability now, to leave a complicated situation and revisit it a few minutes later with a fresh perspective so that I can get things done in a timely manner. Already looking forward to Month 2!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Injury and Recovery (Day21)
Saturday afternoon I was moving some furniture back into the living room after having put the Christmas tree away. During the struggle to get a large chair through a bedroom doorway, I rolled my ankle and let out yelp. I was thoroughly pissed that this happened, but I walked it off.
In my mid-thirties, hurting myself has became a common event. In fact, I've dealt with Bursitis in my hip for the last year. The condition gets inflamed enough sometimes to prevent me from walking. Lately it has been under control, however, when I hurt my ankle over the weekend, I thought for sure I was about to deal with another problem that may haunt me for a long time.
I woke up early Sunday morning around 2 or 3AM to my throbbing ankle. It was aching badly. I had no Ibuprofen so I took Tylenol and went back to bed. Again, 4 hours later, I woke to horrible pain and took more medicine. When I finally got out of bed I could barely walk. Throughout the day, it became looser and finally workable. I was able to get through the day without a lot of pain but I assumed that Monday morning would be more of the same.
I was pleasantly surprised. I woke up and my ankle felt ok. I had even put Ibuprofen at my bed-side table in case I woke in the night from pain. 2 hours into the day and it still feels ok. I have medication on hand in case my expectations are too high. But I wonder...
Does it feel better due to luck or does it feel better due to my new vegan diet? I couldn't say for sure, but inflammation is clearly down today compared to yesterday and this is simply something I am not used to. And on that note I'd like to point out that I've read about some MMA athletes that are strictly vegan (or vegetarian) and swear that their workouts and recovery time have drastically improved since making the dietary change.
Here is a site that discusses a few fighters and their reasons/experience with veganism or vegetarianism.
In my mid-thirties, hurting myself has became a common event. In fact, I've dealt with Bursitis in my hip for the last year. The condition gets inflamed enough sometimes to prevent me from walking. Lately it has been under control, however, when I hurt my ankle over the weekend, I thought for sure I was about to deal with another problem that may haunt me for a long time.
I woke up early Sunday morning around 2 or 3AM to my throbbing ankle. It was aching badly. I had no Ibuprofen so I took Tylenol and went back to bed. Again, 4 hours later, I woke to horrible pain and took more medicine. When I finally got out of bed I could barely walk. Throughout the day, it became looser and finally workable. I was able to get through the day without a lot of pain but I assumed that Monday morning would be more of the same.
I was pleasantly surprised. I woke up and my ankle felt ok. I had even put Ibuprofen at my bed-side table in case I woke in the night from pain. 2 hours into the day and it still feels ok. I have medication on hand in case my expectations are too high. But I wonder...
Does it feel better due to luck or does it feel better due to my new vegan diet? I couldn't say for sure, but inflammation is clearly down today compared to yesterday and this is simply something I am not used to. And on that note I'd like to point out that I've read about some MMA athletes that are strictly vegan (or vegetarian) and swear that their workouts and recovery time have drastically improved since making the dietary change.
Here is a site that discusses a few fighters and their reasons/experience with veganism or vegetarianism.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Weight Loss? (Day17)
I fell asleep last night no later than 10pm. That is outrageously early for me, so I'm a little excited about that. Though I could have slept longer this morning, I am now at work and I feel great. I usually feel pretty good on Fridays no matter the circumstance, but today is different. It's 7:59 am and I am teeming with energy.....
__________________
Weight loss?
If you do any research on the web about Veganism, you'll likely come across many people inquiring about whether going vegan will help them lose weight. In my opinion, weight loss is not a primary reason for going vegan. But if a vegan diet is done wisely, weight loss is almost a given (assuming the person is overweight). However, One can easily devour a package of Oreos and Club crackers and remain vegan - they'll also be eating a ton of processed and artificial foods. This isn't healthy and it won't help you lose weight. I'll admit that I indulge in some of these items, but for the most part I try include fresh vegetables and whole foods where possible. And that approach will be key in shedding the extra weight while improving overall health.
I would say that after 17 days, I've probably lost 5 or 6 pounds. This is difficult to measure because I'm quite sure that water weight is shifting due to going vegan. I imagine I'll shed more pounds over the next few weeks and probably find a balance after I've lost a total of 10-15 pounds or so.
So last night, my lady made Whole wheat pasta with a vegan pesto sauce mixed with spinach and artichoke along with some homemade wheat bread with garlic and vegan butter.
Delicious.
__________________
Weight loss?
If you do any research on the web about Veganism, you'll likely come across many people inquiring about whether going vegan will help them lose weight. In my opinion, weight loss is not a primary reason for going vegan. But if a vegan diet is done wisely, weight loss is almost a given (assuming the person is overweight). However, One can easily devour a package of Oreos and Club crackers and remain vegan - they'll also be eating a ton of processed and artificial foods. This isn't healthy and it won't help you lose weight. I'll admit that I indulge in some of these items, but for the most part I try include fresh vegetables and whole foods where possible. And that approach will be key in shedding the extra weight while improving overall health.
I would say that after 17 days, I've probably lost 5 or 6 pounds. This is difficult to measure because I'm quite sure that water weight is shifting due to going vegan. I imagine I'll shed more pounds over the next few weeks and probably find a balance after I've lost a total of 10-15 pounds or so.
So last night, my lady made Whole wheat pasta with a vegan pesto sauce mixed with spinach and artichoke along with some homemade wheat bread with garlic and vegan butter.
Delicious.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Vegenaise (Day16)
The Holidays are over and I'm back to work.
It's hard to believe that I'm barely over two weeks into Veganism. As I said before, the Holidays were a real struggle. But over the last few days, since balancing out my meals and cutting out the beer intake, things are becoming more stable.
Here are a few things I've noticed over the last few days:
Pros-
1. Sleeping better
2. Mental fog throughout the day is clearing up
3. Better mental focus for longer periods of time
4. Back pain and other aches have reduced (at least the awareness of)
Cons-
1. Constipation (not painful but noticeable)
2. Difficulty controlling mood
Otherwise, I have no complaints. Over the Holidays, I was eating a lot of stuffing, Potatoes, and other various starchy/sugary foods that probably didn't aid in digestion. I imagine that my recent changes since going back to work will show an improvement in that area. Here is what I've been eating over the last few days:
Breakfast: Raisin Bran with Vanilla soy Milk
Lunch: Spring Mix/Romaine salad with some raw vegetables and Vegan Ranch( more on that in a sec), Split Pea soup with Curry, and some crackers and Almond butter for a snack
Dinner: Salad or Black Bean soup with tortilla chips, Guacamole and Salsa
Dessert: Coconut Milk based Ice cream
The whole vegetbales, Split peas, and black beans are really helping to get things moving.
On the subject of Vegan Ranch, I have to say that having creamy sauces, dressings, or even cheese is something that I have a hard time giving up. Thankfully, vegan foods over the last 20 years have come a LONG way.
Mayo is one of my favorite condiments. I've tried 3 or 4 vegan brands and nothing Compares to Vegenaise, period. We use it to make homemade ranch and various other creamy sauces and I thank God for its existence. The same goes for Daiya Cheese. It tastes great and actually melts! You couldn't say that about vegan cheese a few years ago.
It's hard to believe that I'm barely over two weeks into Veganism. As I said before, the Holidays were a real struggle. But over the last few days, since balancing out my meals and cutting out the beer intake, things are becoming more stable.
Here are a few things I've noticed over the last few days:
Pros-
1. Sleeping better
2. Mental fog throughout the day is clearing up
3. Better mental focus for longer periods of time
4. Back pain and other aches have reduced (at least the awareness of)
Cons-
1. Constipation (not painful but noticeable)
2. Difficulty controlling mood
Otherwise, I have no complaints. Over the Holidays, I was eating a lot of stuffing, Potatoes, and other various starchy/sugary foods that probably didn't aid in digestion. I imagine that my recent changes since going back to work will show an improvement in that area. Here is what I've been eating over the last few days:
Breakfast: Raisin Bran with Vanilla soy Milk
Lunch: Spring Mix/Romaine salad with some raw vegetables and Vegan Ranch( more on that in a sec), Split Pea soup with Curry, and some crackers and Almond butter for a snack
Dinner: Salad or Black Bean soup with tortilla chips, Guacamole and Salsa
Dessert: Coconut Milk based Ice cream
The whole vegetbales, Split peas, and black beans are really helping to get things moving.
On the subject of Vegan Ranch, I have to say that having creamy sauces, dressings, or even cheese is something that I have a hard time giving up. Thankfully, vegan foods over the last 20 years have come a LONG way.
Mayo is one of my favorite condiments. I've tried 3 or 4 vegan brands and nothing Compares to Vegenaise, period. We use it to make homemade ranch and various other creamy sauces and I thank God for its existence. The same goes for Daiya Cheese. It tastes great and actually melts! You couldn't say that about vegan cheese a few years ago.
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