Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Breakfast Made Simple
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| Green Juice and Oatmeal |
Green Juice
4 small fuji apples
1 large Cucumber
2-4 inches Ginger
Hearty Sugar-Free Oatmeal
1 cup. Organic rolled oats
1/4 c. Raisins
6 oz Applesauce (homemade/unsweetened container)
1/4c. Fresh Organic Blueberries (for topping)
Nutmeg and Cinnamon to taste
Friday, February 1, 2013
Restaurant Review: Pizzanista
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| I love boobies |
Set in the art district of Los Angeles, California, Pizzanista, is a laid back, cozy, and quaint venue. They offer a variety of creative pizza flavors designed to satisfy meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans alike. The decor is simple wooden tables and bar stools, while their signature breast cancer support “I love boobies and pizza” shirts adorn the walls. They have a an awesome selection of beverages and customer service is quick and friendly.
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| Vegan Pizza |
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| Scott and I (as soda) |
We washed it down with soda pop. I had the bubble up, while Scott had the the Creme Soda. Yum!!! I had a great time here and will return upon my next SOCal visit. Check them out!
Monday, January 28, 2013
Get Creative: My "Raid your Fridge" Salad
Hi all, the week has been hectic and I haven't had the time to stock up on groceries. Instead, I've been making smoothies, eating a lot of beans and rice, and snacking on fruit and veggies with hummus. I was super hungry today and craving something fresh and light. I didn't have much in the fridge so I decided to get creative. With the help of a friend (shot out Brittany) we put together a huge, delicious, and simple salad.
"Raid the Fridge" Salad
5 baby tomatos cut in half
1/4 c. Crimini Mushroom sliced
1 Tangerine
2 tbsp. Sliced almonds
1 carrot shaved
2 handfuls of Mixed baby greens
1/2 Avocado
It was super yummy! Now, go raid your fridge and share your recipes here. Have fun and remember to be creative.
"Raid the Fridge" Salad
5 baby tomatos cut in half
1/4 c. Crimini Mushroom sliced
1 Tangerine
2 tbsp. Sliced almonds
1 carrot shaved
2 handfuls of Mixed baby greens
1/2 Avocado
It was super yummy! Now, go raid your fridge and share your recipes here. Have fun and remember to be creative.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Restaurant Review: Gracias Madre
Delicious, spicy, flavorful, and vegan are just a few of the words to best describe the food at Gracias Madre Restaurant. Nestled in the belly of San Francisco’s Mission District, the sister company of Cafe Gratitude houses tasty traditional favorites like enchiladas, tacos, and even horchata with a vegan twist.
As you enter you are welcomed by a larger than life size glass mosaic of Mother Teresa outstretching her arms. The outside seating, seats large parties and echos warmth and laughter. Inside, the restaurant is set up family style with large chairs and long tables designed to seat multiple parties.
I arrived a few minutes earlier than my friend, so I sat at the bar and defrosted with a warm cup of spicy vegan Mexican hot chocolate. When my friend arrived we sat at one the large tables, we reviewed the menu and quickly made a decision. We both wanted the tacos; good thing Gracias Madre offered a variety to choose from.
I chose the kale, butternut squash, and plantain tacos. While my friend ordered the mushrooms, plantain, and cauliflower tacos. When our food arrived our plate looked beautiful. A colorful arrangement of three tacos, surrounded by black beans, with a cashew cheese garnish sat before us. It smelled delicious and the taste was beyond words. Our table became dead quiet as we focused on the flavors that enveloped our mouth. We cleaned our plates and although, satiated we didn’t want to pass on dessert. We ordered the warm apple cobbler a la mode. The vanilla vegan ice cream was amazing yet the cobbler left more to be desired.
Please, believe I will return again and again for the great service, the delicious tacos, the vegan drinks and for a great time.
If your in the area pop your head and hunger into Gracias Madre and share your thoughts, located at 2211 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94110, 415.683.1346 you wont be sorry.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Protein Pack Your Diet
>Protein is essential for the growth, maintenance, and repair of our cells, for energy, fluid balance, immune function, and enzyme function. We need it to survive. So when people ask
the infamous question asked of all vegetarians and vegans: "where do you get your protein?" I love to answer because its what I consider to be a teachable moment. There are a host of foods that are packed with protein but its all about the combination and quantity eaten of these foods to ensure your diet is protein packed.
First thing to know is that all protein is not the same. Animal and dairy protein are higher in protein per serving and easier to digest. While, plant proteins are lower in protein per serving and harder to digest. Thus, it is important for non-meat eaters to eat a variety of protein sources that are complete proteins.
A complete protein contains 8 of the essential amino acids our body needs. A serving of animal protein contains all 8 amino acids and is thus a complete protein within itself. However, plant, grain, nut, and bean proteins lack one or more of the essential amino acids and are thus incomplete proteins.
Complete proteins: All 8 essential amino acids, found in animal meat and dairy (some grains).
Incomplete proteins: Lack one or more of the essential amino acids, found in all other food groups outside of meat and dairy.
the infamous question asked of all vegetarians and vegans: "where do you get your protein?" I love to answer because its what I consider to be a teachable moment. There are a host of foods that are packed with protein but its all about the combination and quantity eaten of these foods to ensure your diet is protein packed.
First thing to know is that all protein is not the same. Animal and dairy protein are higher in protein per serving and easier to digest. While, plant proteins are lower in protein per serving and harder to digest. Thus, it is important for non-meat eaters to eat a variety of protein sources that are complete proteins.
A complete protein contains 8 of the essential amino acids our body needs. A serving of animal protein contains all 8 amino acids and is thus a complete protein within itself. However, plant, grain, nut, and bean proteins lack one or more of the essential amino acids and are thus incomplete proteins.
Lets RECAP:
Incomplete proteins: Lack one or more of the essential amino acids, found in all other food groups outside of meat and dairy.
Don’t get discouraged my non-meat/dairy eating friends, there is another group called complimentary proteins which are incomplete proteins that can be combined with another incomplete protein to create a complete protein.
To ensure that your diet is protein packed the following complimentary proteins should ALWAYS stay on your plate, these include:
Beans (legumes): Full of protein, calcium, fiber and iron. Beans (legumes) are a win-win option they are inexpensive and easy to prepare (slow-cooker style). When combined with a grain they provide the body with the essential amino acids it needs.
Nuts/Seeds: Go crazy with a few handfuls of almonds, pecans, walnuts these tasty nuts are packed with flavorful nutrients. They are great in trail mixes, salads, yogurt, oatmeal, as a paste on bread, or as is. In addition, seeds such as pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, flax, and chia are also great in salads, smoothies, cereals, and as baking substitutes for dairy.
Vegetables: Dark-hued veggies always rule in the nutrition factor. Colorful foods such as peas, chickpeas, broccoli, artichoke, spinach, kale, and potatoes contain both phytonutrients, fiber, and protein. When these vegetables are added to rice and bean dishes consider your body protein insured.
Grains: My go to is always "Oats for breakfast" and "Quinoa for lunch". There are may grains that offer a lot of bang for their buck. Many of these grains are ancient traditional staples for many around the world. They are now being recognized by America for their efficient source of protein. My first time tasting millet was in a village in Mali where it was being pounded by a woman into a paste that we dipped into an okra stew. It was delicious and filling. I had never tasted anything like it before. Grains such as oats, quinoa*, millet, amaranth, bulgur, and buckwheat are high in fiber and provide ample protein. These foods are great additions to bean and vegetable meals and tasty on their own as hot or cold cereal.
Remember although these items contain a good source of protein they are incomplete proteins and must be combined with one another to become a complete protein to give your body the nutrients it needs. Below are a few combinations you can try at home.
Beans + Rice + veggies
Beans + Corn or wheat tortilla + veggies
Lentils + Rice + veggies
Pea Soup + Bread or crackers
Peanut butter + Bread
Pasta + Beans (Pasta/Bean Salad) + veggies
* Some nutritionist argue that quinoa is a complete in itself.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Restaruant Review: Souley Vegan
Vegan soul food sounds like an oxymoron to some but at restaurant Souley Vegan its a way of life. Here soul food is re-imagined and recreated from its infamous fatty, salty, and artery clogging history to a vibrant, healthy, and flavorful modern meal.
Nestled in the heart of Downtown Oakland, CA, Souley Vegan mirrors the restaurants of the south with its picnic style tables, chalkboard menu, and self serve water as family photos and Blues artist adorn the walls. An in-house DJ entertains a jam packed room full of hungry people from meat eaters to die hard vegans. This is a great place for large groups, an informal date, or family meal.
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| Nothing like Blues Greats for Wall Decor |
I always order the everything plate which is a reasonable $20 and can be shared between two people. This plate offers all of my favorites: mac and cheese, bbq tofu, lentils, potato salad, yams, cornbread, tofu catfish, black eyed peas, and greens (for extra $5 I add fried okra and red beans and rice). After my meal I’m usually too stuffed for a dessert but they do offer various vegan treats that seem appetizing.
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| $20 Everything Plate |
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| Add $5 fried okra and red beans and rice |
During my last visit I brought two of my meat eating besties. One ordered a three item combo meal for about $10. It included the juicy bbq tofu, creamy mac and cheese, and the tender sweet yams. This meal went far above her expectations.
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| Three item combo plate |
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| Vegan Gumbo |
My friends came in as non-believers and left knowing that vegan soul food is tasty and there is, in fact life after meat. A long, healthy, and active life that is.
If your ever find yourself hungry in downtown Oakland with only $10 to spend check out Souley Vegan and report back on your experience. Souley Vegan is located at 301 Broadway Oakland, CA 94607.
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