Rainbow
Pearl Clutcher
Where salt is in the air and sand is at my feet...
Posts: 4,103
Jun 26, 2014 5:57:41 GMT
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Post by Rainbow on Feb 4, 2016 20:54:48 GMT
Oh, also, DH misses the crunch of chips, crackers, etc. We did find some crackers at whole foods that work for us. But we can't find any baked chips that really work. Does anybody have a brand they have found that they like? Try Garden of Eatin' chips, they're delicious! We had the whole grain ones and the blue ones, both from Walmart. link
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Rainbow
Pearl Clutcher
Where salt is in the air and sand is at my feet...
Posts: 4,103
Jun 26, 2014 5:57:41 GMT
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Post by Rainbow on Feb 4, 2016 21:12:14 GMT
Yay yay! I just found this thread. I'm running on about three hours of sleep, so I'm going back to bed for awhile and will post later. I the idea of a weekly thread and thank you birukitty for starting us out. Here's a pic of my vegan pizza I made for dinner last night. I've always been a cheese freak so that was by far the scariest thing to give up. I've found a vegan cheese brand called Daiya that has shreds in cheddar, mozzarella and I think southwest flavors. I don't use it often but I HAD to put some on my pizza! Oh my goodness it was one of the best pizzas I've ever had in my life. I'll probably make another tonight. ETA: I took this pic before I put it back into the oven to melt the cheese...and forgot to take another when it was done because I couldn't wait to chow it down! View Attachment I just found this thread today too! Your pizza looks delicious! Have you made the mayo yet?
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Rainbow
Pearl Clutcher
Where salt is in the air and sand is at my feet...
Posts: 4,103
Jun 26, 2014 5:57:41 GMT
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Post by Rainbow on Feb 4, 2016 21:14:23 GMT
Whoop Whoop! Ben & Jerry's now has non-dairy ice-cream made with almond milk and it's certified vegan. I'm not a big ice cream fan but it's nice to know that if I want a special treat now and then I can have some. Here's a link: www.benjerry.com/flavors/non-dairyIt comes in four flavors: Chunky Monkey, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Coffee Caramel Fudge and PB & Cookies. View Attachment I've got to try the caramel and the chocolate fudge brownie!
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Rainbow
Pearl Clutcher
Where salt is in the air and sand is at my feet...
Posts: 4,103
Jun 26, 2014 5:57:41 GMT
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Post by Rainbow on Feb 4, 2016 21:18:00 GMT
Just found this thread so I thought I'd chime in. My 17 year old DS is a vegan. He has been for about 2 years, and had been a vegetarian since about 1st grade. I so admire his commitment, and although it's hard to prepare several meals or meal variations, I respect his choice and want to encourage his healthy lifestyle. My 21 year old dd is vegetarian, my two youngest DSs are picky eaters but not vegan or vegetarian, I'll eat about anything, and my DH doesn't eat carbs, so meal time at our house can be quite an adventure. My vegan DS is also very conscious of the choices he makes with clothing as well: no leather and tries to shop at thrift stores for environmental reasons. If only we could all be so kind to our environment! He and I have learned to make a lot of soups, bean-based chili, sweet potato quesadillas, and tofu. Eating out is harder, but we have found him choices at Chipotle (ours finally has sofritas!) and Noodles and Company. We visit a lot of Thai restaurants in our town as well. It's hard to find pre-made, convenient "treats" that don't have honey, but I thought I'd list some that we've had success with. He's been a fan of coconut ice cream, but recently discovered cashew ice cream. The snickerdoodle flavor is fantastic! LUNA bars are not ALL vegan, but some are: the high protein "for women" version of the chocolate cupcake as well as the lemon, and both are good. Bear Naked granola in Cinnamon/Sunflower butter flavor has no honey, and is delicious. Chex cereal, which we also use to make Muddy Buddy snack mix (peanut butter, chocolate, chex cereal, powdered sugar) Chex Mix brand chex mix, original flavor Most tortilla chips are fine, and we make a LOT of homemade salsa. We use Pioneer Woman's recipe for restaurant style salsa. Ciabatta bread with roasted red pepper hummus are a good healthy snack. Oreo cookies and Chocolate teddy grahams are good when you need a bad-for-you treat, as are non-frosted strawberry Pop Tarts for a quick after school snack, ready made soups from Amy's Organic Soups: minestrone and lentil vegetable are both good. Enjoy Life brand makes a chocolate snack bar, cocoa loco, that's good. for fruit snacks, the only one we've found without gelatin is Annie's Organic Fruit Snacks. Even Target carries them. and for anything we bake that needs chocolate, we use Guittard brand semisweet baking chips. They're usually at most grocery stores and aren't too pricey. Chex mix! OMG, my fave!
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happymomma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
Aug 6, 2014 23:57:56 GMT
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Post by happymomma on Feb 4, 2016 21:23:00 GMT
OK me! I'm Tamara, and I am a newbie. DH and I and my girls watched this film a little over a week ago, and boy was I surprised when my meat and potatoes guy suggested we do it. I was totally on board, being a pescatarian (vegetarian who eats seafood) for over 20 yrs, but he blew me away suggesting it. We just finished our first week on Saturday and we are both down 5 lbs. We primarily did it to lose weight, but the prevention of heart disease, diabetes and cancer are just added bonuses. My oldest DD was also pretty impressed with it and would do it if living on her own, but she is in college and her and her roomies all cook and shop together. But she did convince them this week to try almond milk instead of cow's milk, and she has decided she prefers it. We do raise chickens for eggs, and DH has said that is one thing he is not giving up is an occasional breakfast of eggs. And I am a New England girl living outside Seattle, and I eat lobster any chance I can, and that probably won't change either. But for the most part, we have stuck with it over this first week, and didn't really find it difficult. And both of us already notice a difference in our energy levels and even some of our everyday aches and pains. I am interested to hear about dining out options. We did go out Friday night and had vegetarian Pho which was yummy. But looking for other ideas and or places you recommend to get a meal out. Try the Happy Cow app from the appstore. It will tell you the vegan/vegetarian restaurants in your area and also the restaurants that have a vegan/vegetarian option on the menu. Also tells of stores where you can shop for vegan/vegetarian items. Love it!I know I mentioned this on a different thread, but you can also get the Happy Cow website using a browser on your phone iPad or computer if you don't want to buy the app. ?
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happymomma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
Aug 6, 2014 23:57:56 GMT
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Post by happymomma on Feb 4, 2016 21:25:04 GMT
Yay yay! I just found this thread. I'm running on about three hours of sleep, so I'm going back to bed for awhile and will post later. I the idea of a weekly thread and thank you birukitty for starting us out. Here's a pic of my vegan pizza I made for dinner last night. I've always been a cheese freak so that was by far the scariest thing to give up. I've found a vegan cheese brand called Daiya that has shreds in cheddar, mozzarella and I think southwest flavors. I don't use it often but I HAD to put some on my pizza! Oh my goodness it was one of the best pizzas I've ever had in my life. I'll probably make another tonight. ETA: I took this pic before I put it back into the oven to melt the cheese...and forgot to take another when it was done because I couldn't wait to chow it down! I just found this thread today too! Your pizza looks delicious! Have you made the mayo yet? Not yet. I got the tofu while I was in town but forgot to grab the apple cider vinegar from my other house. What a ding dong! I'll grab it tomorrow when I go to town.
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Rainbow
Pearl Clutcher
Where salt is in the air and sand is at my feet...
Posts: 4,103
Jun 26, 2014 5:57:41 GMT
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Post by Rainbow on Feb 4, 2016 21:39:58 GMT
I have recently become vegan (after Christmas) because the kidlet's doctor wanted her to do it for health reasons. I just jumped in with her and it's been awesome! It's been slightly difficult finding where the things I need are in the stores. Once I find them my shopping trips are a lot faster.
The foods are so delicious! It reminds me of when I was vegetarian and was seriously addicted to fresh veggies and fruit. Yum!
I just got the new blender and am looking into making my own protein powder. I'll know exactly what is in it and nothing I can't spell or pronounce, LOL. Looking forward to smoothies!
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Post by birukitty on Feb 5, 2016 0:53:36 GMT
Welcome to our little group Rainbow and I'm so happy you found us. Making your own protein powder sounds like a much healthier choice than buying one of the vast choices on the market that have processed ingredients in them. Like you I read the ingredients in anything I buy and if I can't pronounce it, I don't buy it. To everyone-while not vegan I've leaned a lot about choosing healthier choices from this blog www.100daystorealfood.com as far as deciphering misleading labels on the front of food packages, ignoring them completely and turning them over and just reading the ingredients list. Things like what is the difference between multi grain and whole grain and what to really look for. It's been a big help as far as choosing the most healthy options. I was wondering when you became a vegan because of your recent posts so thanks for filling us in. I love reading all of the different reasons people decide to become a vegan. Your child's doctor recommended a vegan diet for health reasons? You must have a very progressive doctor. How interesting and wonderful. How is your child doing with the change? I don't have a smartphone so no apps for me, but I'm going right now to the Happy Cow website and check it out for myself. Thanks for all of the wonderful information you've shared recently. Debbie in MD.
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Grom Pea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,944
Jun 27, 2014 0:21:07 GMT
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Post by Grom Pea on Feb 5, 2016 1:30:17 GMT
OK me! I'm Tamara, and I am a newbie. DH and I and my girls watched this film a little over a week ago, and boy was I surprised when my meat and potatoes guy suggested we do it. I was totally on board, being a pescatarian (vegetarian who eats seafood) for over 20 yrs, but he blew me away suggesting it. We just finished our first week on Saturday and we are both down 5 lbs. We primarily did it to lose weight, but the prevention of heart disease, diabetes and cancer are just added bonuses. My oldest DD was also pretty impressed with it and would do it if living on her own, but she is in college and her and her roomies all cook and shop together. But she did convince them this week to try almond milk instead of cow's milk, and she has decided she prefers it. We do raise chickens for eggs, and DH has said that is one thing he is not giving up is an occasional breakfast of eggs. And I am a New England girl living outside Seattle, and I eat lobster any chance I can, and that probably won't change either. But for the most part, we have stuck with it over this first week, and didn't really find it difficult. And both of us already notice a difference in our energy levels and even some of our everyday aches and pains. I am interested to hear about dining out options. We did go out Friday night and had vegetarian Pho which was yummy. But looking for other ideas and or places you recommend to get a meal out. Try the Happy Cow app from the appstore. It will tell you the vegan/vegetarian restaurants in your area and also the restaurants that have a vegan/vegetarian option on the menu. Also tells of stores where you can shop for vegan/vegetarian items. Love it!Thank you! I used the app to discover a bunch of places that just opened and will put them on our list to visit :-)
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Post by tamaraann on Feb 6, 2016 1:15:36 GMT
Yes! Thank you for the Happy Cow tip! Found a couple places nearby we must try. :-)
Going out for Pho again tonight with DH for date night. Next week we will hit up one of these new places!
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happymomma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
Aug 6, 2014 23:57:56 GMT
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Post by happymomma on Feb 6, 2016 2:40:13 GMT
Yay yay! I just found this thread. I'm running on about three hours of sleep, so I'm going back to bed for awhile and will post later. I the idea of a weekly thread and thank you birukitty for starting us out. Here's a pic of my vegan pizza I made for dinner last night. I've always been a cheese freak so that was by far the scariest thing to give up. I've found a vegan cheese brand called Daiya that has shreds in cheddar, mozzarella and I think southwest flavors. I don't use it often but I HAD to put some on my pizza! Oh my goodness it was one of the best pizzas I've ever had in my life. I'll probably make another tonight. ETA: I took this pic before I put it back into the oven to melt the cheese...and forgot to take another when it was done because I couldn't wait to chow it down! I just found this thread today too! Your pizza looks delicious! Have you made the mayo yet? I made the mayo tonight. It's "ok" but not great. It'll do as a sub though.
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Rainbow
Pearl Clutcher
Where salt is in the air and sand is at my feet...
Posts: 4,103
Jun 26, 2014 5:57:41 GMT
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Post by Rainbow on Feb 6, 2016 3:45:28 GMT
I just found this thread today too! Your pizza looks delicious! Have you made the mayo yet? I made the mayo tonight. It's "ok" but not great. It'll do as a sub though. View AttachmentView Attachment It's the first one I've made. I agree about it being just OK. Now that I've used it a few times I'm like it's not the best but it will work for now.
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Post by birukitty on Feb 6, 2016 3:48:08 GMT
Recipes for a Vegan Superbowl- Today I got an email for PETA, something about being vegan so I clicked it and went to their website. Normally I don't usually associate with them as I think they are a bit aggressive for my taste. Anyway, on the main page of their website is 50 vegan recipes for Superbowl 50. You can get there by this www.peta.org At the top you'll see a scrolling bit of 4 photos and eventually it'll scroll to that title. Some of the recipes have oil, so adjust as you wish. For instance there is a recipe for hummus and for myself I'd just skip adding the oil. Debbie in MD.
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happymomma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
Aug 6, 2014 23:57:56 GMT
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Post by happymomma on Feb 6, 2016 20:34:58 GMT
Just wanted to share pics of my DELICIOUS toasted sandwich with grilled veggies. Oh it was so yummy! I used my nonstick frying pan to sauté onions, baby Bella mushrooms and green pepper with a tiny bit of garlic powder. When I do this, I add a tablespoon or so at a time of water to the pan to keep things movin around well. No oil. Next, I grilled (not on a grill, but in the frying pan) sliced tomatoes and thinly sliced (the long way) zucchini strips sprinkled with some Mrs. Dash. Next, I grilled a handful of fresh bean sprouts with just a dash of soy sauce. I have some incredible multi-seed bread that I toasted, added a pinch of Dayia cheddar shreds to and heated that in the pan (no water!) until the cheddar melted. I places some spinach leaves over that. I stacked all the veggies onto the other slice and drizzled some of my special sauce over it and slapped the halves together. My special sauce: I mixed together fat free Catalina dressing with plain yellow mustard. It's great as it has a little zing to it. I love sandwiches and I'm going to get a panini pan or maker. I just have to decide which one. I don't need anything fancy.
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Post by dazeepetals on Feb 6, 2016 22:02:58 GMT
So this week for lunch I've been doing a lot of very simple dishes and try to make 50% of it veggies.
For instance, lunch twice this week was a large serving of steamed broccoli with about 1/4 cooked brown rice with some lentil or bean type item over it (i.e. Chana Dal, black beans, etc). I may add a tablespoon or two of sauerkraut to it also. And of course....some hot chili sauce. Fills me up and keeps me satisfied until dinner time. Breakfast is usually my overnight oats with a banana.
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Post by candygurl on Feb 7, 2016 4:25:32 GMT
if anyone wants a good chili recipe I made the one by the blog The Glowing Fridge and its really good! I only used a tiny bit of the jalepeno because I am a wimp but yummy and easy to make. Its called the Spicy Veggie Chili I believe.
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happymomma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
Aug 6, 2014 23:57:56 GMT
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Post by happymomma on Feb 7, 2016 4:36:53 GMT
Speaking of mayo...I just read that Hellman's has released a vegan mayo! It's gotta be better than the stuff I made.
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Post by tamaraann on Feb 7, 2016 4:39:17 GMT
Just wanted to share pics of my DELICIOUS toasted sandwich with grilled veggies. Oh it was so yummy! I used my nonstick frying pan to sauté onions, baby Bella mushrooms and green pepper with a tiny bit of garlic powder. When I do this, I add a tablespoon or so at a time of water to the pan to keep things movin around well. No oil. Next, I grilled (not on a grill, but in the frying pan) sliced tomatoes and thinly sliced (the long way) zucchini strips sprinkled with some Mrs. Dash. Next, I grilled a handful of fresh bean sprouts with just a dash of soy sauce. I have some incredible multi-seed bread that I toasted, added a pinch of Dayia cheddar shreds to and heated that in the pan (no water!) until the cheddar melted. I places some spinach leaves over that. I stacked all the veggies onto the other slice and drizzled some of my special sauce over it and slapped the halves together. My special sauce: I mixed together fat free Catalina dressing with plain yellow mustard. It's great as it has a little zing to it. I love sandwiches and I'm going to get a panini pan or maker. I just have to decide which one. I don't need anything fancy. Oh my! That looks so yummy!!!! Thanks for sharing!
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happymomma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
Aug 6, 2014 23:57:56 GMT
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Post by happymomma on Feb 7, 2016 4:52:25 GMT
And this is the Cashew "Chicke'n" stir fry I made the other day! I used chick'n strips by Lightlife. They were very good and had a texture extremely close to real chicken. They're made with soy, so I won't eat them often, but I'm trying to find variety here as I get used to this. Here is a link: lightlife.com/products/smart-strips-chicknTomorrow I'm going to try Field Roast Smoked Apple Sage sausages which are potato based. They look great in the package, I'll let you know how they taste! Link: fieldroast.com/product/field-roast-sausages/
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happymomma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
Aug 6, 2014 23:57:56 GMT
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Post by happymomma on Feb 7, 2016 18:31:36 GMT
And this is the Cashew "Chicke'n" stir fry I made the other day! I used chick'n strips by Lightlife. They were very good and had a texture extremely close to real chicken. They're made with soy, so I won't eat them often, but I'm trying to find variety here as I get used to this. Here is a link: lightlife.com/products/smart-strips-chicknTomorrow I'm going to try Field Roast Smoked Apple Sage sausages which are potato based. They look great in the package, I'll let you know how they taste! Link: fieldroast.com/product/field-roast-sausages/Well...we grilled the sausages today and I loved them! They looked a little dry on the outside as there's no casing (which are normally made from animal intestines or skin) but they actually weren't dry at all. Not drippy with juicy grease, which is a big bonus, but the texture and flavor were great. I'll definitely try them again, as well as the other flavors they offer. I made an onion/mushroom/green pepper mix in the frying pan (no oil) to top them off and I also had some fresh diced tomatoes on mine. Squirted a little mustard on them too. I think they'd be even more awesome with Dijon mustard but we are out of that at the moment.
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