Testing Spree Continued
Regina (aka mtbVegan) has blogged so much about her testing experience that I had to split it into two post. Check out what else she has said about the new recipes for my up coming e-book.
Regina (aka mtbVegan) has blogged so much about her testing experience that I had to split it into two post. Check out what else she has said about the new recipes for my up coming e-book.
Lisa of Vegan Culinary Crusade has also been taking part in testing a number of recipes for the upcoming e-book. Check out what she thinks and her beautiful photos sure are something to talk about!
Completely off the topic of the e-book; the Hubz and I will be in NYC for the day on February 12th and would like to plan a blogger/tweep meet-up we were thinking for happy hour (location TBD) come enjoy a beverage and appetizers-interested? email me! lindsay@cookingforaveganlover.com
For the last few months I have been blogging and tweeting about my newest e-book which will feature recipes for the whole family. The testing has been going really well and much faster than anticipated so I am hoping to have the e-book ready for release by February 7, 2011(update- the hubz says he hopes to have it all worked out by then but no guarantees it may be more like the 1oth or 14th). Until then check out what the testers have been saying:
Check out more from Ricki on her blog Diet, Dessert and Dogs.
Whole grains are an excellent source of nutrition, as they contain iron, dietary fiber and vitamin E and B Vitamins. They are also absorbed slowly providing sustained and high-quality energy. To aid in digestion it is best to soak grains prior to cooking*; soaking helps to eliminate phytic acid which is what causes gas.
Beans can be a great source of fiber, protein and folic acid. For more information on beans and how to make them more digestible you can refer to this post – Beans, Beans, The Magical Fruit…
Greens are a great source of calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, zinc and vitamins A, C, E and K; as well as fiber and folic acid. Some of the benefits of eating dark leafy greens are:
-Blood purification
-Cancer prevention
-Improved circulation
-Strengthened immune system
The best choices for greens are bok choy, napa cabbage, kale, collards, watercress, mustard greens, broccoli rabe and dandelion. Other good options are green cabbage, arugula, endive, chicory, lettuce, mesclun and wild greens. Spinach, Swiss chard and beet greens are good as well but should be eaten in moderation because they are high in oxalic acid, which depletes calcium from the bones and teeth; best eaten with tofu, seeds, nuts, beams, or oil to balance the effects of the oxalic acid.
*Whole Wheat Couscous is technically not a grain but rather a pasta product made from wheat and doesn’t require soaking.
Tonight I decided to try some new heirloom beans that I picked up at the health food store; I boiled them until tender and the sauteed them with garlic, shallot, olive oil and cremini mushrooms tossed with a little nutritional yeast and Braggs. I placed the beans on top of a bed of lettuce and a scoop of whole wheat couscous and topped with a little avocado.
After our night of indulgence I felt like I was a bit hungover from the sugary and fried foods. To cure this I went right to a big glass of water things morning and have been making an effort to eat better today. For breakfast I started out with some Sun Seed Manna Bread with The Nutty Vermonter Maple and Chipotle Triple Nut Butter that I got in my Christmas stocking. I didn’t love the bread because it was really chewy but I think the issue was that I cut my slices too thick. Generally when I purchase sprouted grain bread it comes pre-sliced and is usually really thin; fail on my part. So I didn’t end up finishing much of my bread with nut butter and stole two left mock prawns from my husbands leftovers breakfast.
For lunch I ran out to the market to see what looked good and came home with a cremini mushrooms, red bell pepper, red onion, radish sprouts and cauliflower. I cut the cauliflower up into small pieces, diced up the red bell pepper, red onion and mushrooms and sauteed with a bit of olive oil until soft; then tossed in chickpeas for protein. I seasoned with a bit of salt, pepper, granulated garlic and red chili flakes. I plated the cauliflower pilaf and topped with a fist full of the sprouts and drizzled with a bit of Drew’s Roasted Garlic & Peppercorn Dressing that I had picked up at the market last week. On the side we had THINLY sliced Manna Bread with nutritional yeast and garlic gold.
For dessert we split a treat sent from JJ’s Sweets– a Java Chocolate Covered Caramel- TO DIE FOR. They need to start selling these in Vermont…or maybe they shouldn’t because I would buy them all the time. They are lush and creamy and VEGAN!
I just received a huge stack of $1 off coupons from Nature’s Path and want to give you a few! So email me lindsay@cookingforaveganlover.com with your address if you would like a few!