Make it Vegan

When I started following the vegan diet, I started by substituting the meat and dairy I was eating for soy based alternatives. However, all the soy alternatives made me very tired and bloated. The lack of meat caused some withdrawal feelings, I was irritable and had a hard time concentrating. Since I've switched to the vegan diet my skin has never been so clear. [I have had acne since I was 12, but now I just get a cluster of pimples now and then, I still have slight rosacea, however.]

I thought I was eating really well, but didn't know why I was feeling so awful. So I talked to a very good friend whom is a nutritional therapist. She told me I was eating too many soy based alternatives, which are processed foods which are hard on the body. Her suggestion was to eat more whole foods, nuts and beans. She was right, and now I am trying new recipes. I've never felt so healthy and I know it's because of the way I'm eating.

BUT I still get cravings for some old favorites, such as the lasagna and shepherd's pie I've shared with you. Another food I get nostalgic for sometimes is deep dish pizza!

Pizza Hut Vegetarian Pizza, without cheese!

Quinoa with Mushrooms

Well, it seems the nice weather has distracted me from photographing food because I've been trying to get the flowers to pose for me!  We are in the middle of preparing for our first move in five years so updates may continue to be a little bit slow, but I'm sure my new kitchen will inspire many new recipes to share with you!

In my last update I posted pictures of our garden seeds.  Unfortunately the peat moss pots molded, the herb and veggie seeds that sprouted were very weak and didn't make it.  But the sunflower is almost as tall as me!  So we went to our local nursery and bought some of our favorites - cucumbers, parsley, oregano, basil, tomatoes, and hot peppers.  Rahne brought home a bean plant from school, which will make a very nice addition to our little garden patch!  I will post some photos, soon!

However, today I have a quick little recipe that I got from my Mom, who got it from a gentleman at a health food store, where she was researching vegetarianism when I first cut out the meat.  Quinoa is a grain, like couscous or rice, but is the best source of protein in all the vegetable kingdom.  This grain can be made as a breakfast cereal by adding fruits, (fresh or dried) and milk, or you can make it savory by adding some grilled veggies, like I am doing in the recipe below!

You will need :

quinoa : you can find quinoa at most grocer or bulk food stores.

A small box of your favourite mushrooms, half an onion, and two cloves of garlic.

Preparation :

Finely chop the onion, mushrooms and garlic.

Over medium heat cover the base of the pot with your preferred cooking oil ( I used olive oil )
Add the onions and mushrooms and cook until tender, add garlic and cook for two more minutes.
Stir occasionally.

Add 1/2 of a cup of quinoa and stir.  Add 1 cup of water ( or broth )
Bring to a boil, turn heat to low, and cover with a lid.

Add a tsp of Salt, stir and simmer for 15 minutes,
Remove from heat and allow to sit for 5 minutes, .
Stir, Serve, and Enjoy!

My yummy lunch all packed up for work!