Non-GMO Shopping Guide

I just watched a documentary on PBS (of course) about the effects of genetically engineered foods on animals and people who eat them.  It was not surprising that the effects are illness, tumors and more.

The most common GMO crops are soybeans, canola, cottonseed, corn, and sugar from sugarbeets

We all know that GMOs are not good for us but many of us do not realize that unless it is labeled NON-GMO is IS Genetically Modified!!!

Check out this website!  It has articles, shopping guides, even mobile apps!

http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/

http://vegan.sheknows.com/category/recipes/

She Knows is a good recipes website but there are ads all over it so be aware.  I really enjoyed the Asparagus & Lemon pasta recipe here.

For some reason the URL would not load into my recipe website list below, so I have put it here for now to be added later.

http://vegan.sheknows.com/category/recipes/

Pasta with Asparagus in Lemon Cream Sauce
Serves 6
Ingredients:

• 1 pound pasta noodles
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, to taste
• 1 pound asparagus stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 1 cup raw cashews
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1-1/4 cups water
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions:

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
2. In a deep skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Stir in garlic and red pepper. Add asparagus and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
3. Saute asparagus until crisp but tender, about 5 to 7 minutes, depending on thickness of stalks.
4. Meanwhile, puree cashews in a food processor until a smooth paste forms. Add lemon zest, black pepper, and remaining salt, and blend together.
5. Add water and lemon juice in a steady stream to cashew mixture with food processor running; the sauce will be thin.
6. Add pasta to skillet, toss to combine, and remove from heat. Stir in cream sauce to coat. Taste for seasoning and serve hot.

The Chubby Vegan

Another great vegan recipe blog!  I was looking for a vegan wonton recipe, since I discovered that the wonton wrappers I have always purchased had eggs in them.  My search brought me to this blog.  It has all kinds of great recipes but I especially liked the one for mini-lasagna cup appetizers.  I am going to a wedding shower and bringing appetizers, hence the need for wontons.... follow me?

http://www.thechubbyvegan.com/

2 great vegan cookbooks

After re-watching Tackling Diabetes with Neal Barnard (see links in the Nutrition videos folder on the right) with my husband, I was inspired to find some new vegan cookbooks.

In the past while my family did not mind if I ate vegan, they did not necessarily want to.  I have found that recently everyone is more willing to get on board especially if there is tasty food being made.

So I went to the library and ordered a bunch of cookbooks and I have found that these two are my favorites.

*The Sexy Vegan Cookbook: Extraordinary Food from an Ordinary Dude by Brain Patton
The recipes are very straight forward and ingredients are pretty easy to find.  The chef does have a fascination with profanity so be forewarned.

*Chloe's Kitchen: 125 Easy, Delicious Recipes for Making the Food You Love the Vegan Way by Chloe Coscarelli

Chloe's cookbook has tons of great pictures which is always a plus and her recipes are easy and also has mostly commonly found ingredients.  

I have already made several of the recipes in these books and like them alot.

NETFLIX

I am one of the cheapest people when it comes to TV or movie viewing but I have to admit that I am a big fan of NETFLIX!  For just $7.99 per month, we can watch great movies and tv series on the computer or through streaming player devices like Roku.  At our house, we rarely watch regular network TV anymore.

I have added a list of good nutrition/food related videos available on NETFLIX.

I just watched Vegucated the other night and while I personally did not agree with all the issues covered in the film, I think it is very insightful and needs to be seen.

My list of NETFLIX films is on the right.  Enjoy!

Now wheat is the bad guy!!!

Ok, I knew that all of the soy and corn that is hidden in processed foods was causing health problems but whole wheat?  Dr. William Davis says that the protein in our genetically-modified wheat called Gliadin that stimulates our opiate-receptors in our gut, causing cravings and fat promotion.  This concept is not only promoted by Dr. Davis.  I watched a PBS show on eliminating 7 foods that also mentioned this problem.

Interesting and maybe worth trying an elimination diet of wheat products and see if you lose weight and feel better.  Careful though since wheat is included in products that may not be obvious such as chewing gum.

Dr. Davis's website is http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/.  You can also see him on Dr. Oz or at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWtsHTNhPa4.

Chocolate Covered Katie blog

I was looking for a vegan granola bar recipe and came across this blog with this amazing pumpkin bread pudding!!!

I really love Katie's young vibe and great recipes!

Check the blog out at  http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/