Check out these links to read about how vegans are smashing world records in endurance and weight lifting, winning bodybuilding competitions, and taking home UFC titles.
Take a look at the chart below to help you gauge which protein-rich ingredients to add to your shopping list.
Feel free to drop me a comment. Let me know if there are any other questions you’ve wrestled with when contemplating cutting back on animal products.
Until next time!
What is up, all of my lovely peeps!? I’m taking a minute today to write about something that I don’t talk about a lot. (On purpose) And that thing is…. drumroll… being Vegan. Ugh, welp, that’s out there. In the interest of full disclosure, I have to say right off the bat that I am what I call “dirty vegan”. Many people have difficulty distinguishing the difference between “vegan” and “vegetarian”. Here’s the diff. Vegetarian = No meat. Vegan = No animal products at all, whatsoever. This includes dairy. The term “dirty vegan” refers to someone who is vegan most of the time, but will occasionally make an exception with eggs or dairy. I prepare all of my food at home completely vegan. The recipes I post here are 100% vegan. However, if I go out to eat and there is butter in something, I’m not going to throw a hissy fit. Because, well… you just can’t always do that. And let me also state that if I find myself on a farm, where I see the farmer gently collecting milk and see the chickens roaming free and sitting on their nests, I have ZERO problem with consuming the eggs and milk that comes from this, but most of you probably (at least slightly) know… that’s not what happens before these things hit the shelf at your local grocery store. I have had people say to me, “I’m vegetarian, too! I don’t eat any red meat, but I still eat chicken and fish.” At the risk of sounding condescending… PEOPLE! STOP! PLEASE! Look up “vegetarian” in the dictionary because I’m pretty sure chicken and fish are still meat. Like, that’s not even a gray area. The term “pescatarian” actually refers to someone who does not eat other meats, but still eats fish. There is your Biology 101 lesson for the day. Anyway… I digress… Read more
I absolutely love cooking for family and friends during the Holidays! But when you have a strict “no animal products” policy when it comes to your diet, it can be difficult to make a Holiday dinner that will be enjoyed by not just you, but loved by all. The next time you find yourself in this difficult scenerio, try my veggie lasagna recipe. My family loved it… and I hope yours will, too! 😋🍴
Ingredients
2 packages of Daiya cheese in flavors of your choice
1 onion, chopped
1 small head of garlic, all cloves chopped or pressed
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
1 head broccoli, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1 tsp rosemary
2 jars pasta sauce
2 boxes whole grain lasagna noodles
16 oz frozen spinach, thawed and drained
Note: to save time with the spices, I often just use Mrs. Dash Italian or Extra Spicy Seasoning Blend. It already has most of the spices you will need for this recipe and they are already blended together perfectly. For this recipe, I used a little over a tabllespoon of the Extra Spicy blend and nixed the cayenne as well. It worked out PERFECTLY!
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 ° F. Saute the onion and garlic on high heat for 3 minutes in a wok or nonstick pan. Add the mushrooms and cook until the onions are limp and the mushrooms give up their liquid. Remove them to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. Reserve the mushroom liquid in the pan. Saute the broccoli and carrots for 5 minutes and add to the mushroom bowl. Saute the peppers until just beginning to soften. Add them to them to the vegetable bowl. Add spices to the vegetable bowl and combine.
Cover the bottom of a 9×13 inch casserole with a layer of sauce. Add a layer of noodles. Cover the noodles with sauce. This way the noodles cook in the oven, saving time and energy. Spread the vegetable mixture over the sauced noodles, and add about half of the cheese. Cover with a layer of noodles and another dressing of sauce. Add the spinach to the second layer of sauced noodles. Add another layer of sauce, the final layer of noodles, and a last topping of sauce. Cover the lasagna with the remaning cheese. Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and let sit for 15 minutes before serving.
Did you know May 18th is “National I Love Reece’s Day“? Yep! My two favorite things, chocolate and peanut butter combined and a day to celebrate! Happy “National I Love Reece’s Day” folks! If you’re looking for a way to celebrate, check out my simple how to video to make my new favorite (vegan) dessert.
Start with:
1 box brownie mix
Egg replacement for 2 eggs
Earth balance or other oil based butter (melted to a half cup)
1 jar Natural Jiff peanut butter
24 Newman O’s Oreo cookies
Watch video how-to:
End with:
Well, I don’t know about everyone else… But I’m starting to feel like winter is NEVERRRR going to be over! We are experiencing teases of spring one day and arctic blasts the next. If you’re like me and you need some comfort food to spice you up on those below zero days, try this recipe! You can make this as a casserole, use it as a dip with chips, or you can roll it up as traditional enchiladas… whichever you prefer. I may or may not have eaten mine straight out of the dish… 😉 MMM MMM Delish!!
Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa
1 can (10-ounce) enchilada sauce
1 can (4.5 ounce) chopped green chilies, drained
1/2 cup canned corn kernels, drained
1/2 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
3/4 cup shredded Daiya (vegan) or regular cheddar cheese, divided
3/4 cup shredded Diaya (vegan) or regular mozzarella cheese, divided
1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced
1 Roma tomato, diced
Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a large saucepan of 2 cups water, cook quinoa according to package instructions and set aside.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Lightly oil an 8×8 or 2 quart baking dish or coat with nonstick spray
In a large bowl, combine quinoa, enchilada sauce, green chilies, corn, black beans, cilantro, cumin and chili powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Stir in 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
Spread quinoa mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Top with remaining cheeses.
Place in oven and bake until bubbly and cheeses have melted. (About 15 minutes)
Serve immediately, garnished with avocado and tomato, if desired.
Stuffed peppers seems to be a recipe that tends to get passed down from generation to generation. If you’re an odd ball like me, no one in your family ever made the dish and you need a simple starter recipe. Here’s a mouth-watering stuffed pepper recipe that contains absolutely zero animal products and will leave you full and satisfied! It takes a little bit longer than most of the recipes I share with you, but trust me when I say it is worth it!! Read more
Does anyone have a case of the “Mondays”? Want a quick and easy way to liven up the dinner table this Meatless Monday? You’re in for a treat! I’m officially sharing with you my signature Chick’nless Parmesan dish, my absolute favorite of my cruelty free recipes and my personal “go-to” when I need something quick, easy and delicious to prepare for dinner guests. If you’re looking for a healthy dish free of animal products that tastes like the “real” thing, this one’s for you. Read more
We’ve heard of Portobello mushroom burgers, and we’ve heard of Eggplant Parmesan… but have you ever heard of Portobello Parmesan? Furthermore, what about putting in on a burger? This is where experimentation lands you. After scouring my pantry and refrigerator one night and only finding a hodgepodge of ingredients, I knew I would have to get creative. This deliciously light recipe is perfect for Summer. You can make the Portobello Parmesan alone, or stick it on a burger and pair it with fries like I did. Read on for the recipe. Read more
The most common and probably the most frustrating question I am asked when I tell people that I’m a vegan is, “Don’t you get tired of eating salads?” OHHH EMMM GEEE, PEOPLE!! I don’t even LIKE salad! Trust me when I say I do not starve, eat dainty, or feel deprived in any way. In fact, thanks to products like Gardein, I don’t even miss meat. These meat substitute options are quick, delicious, and most of them only take about 8 minutes to make! Continue reading for a few of my favorite Gardein meals to put on the table this “Meatless Monday”!! 🙂 Read more
Most of us can identify with this familiar scenario: After a long day at work, we’re then faced with the daily challenge of deciding what to rustle up for dinner! Often times we opt for the fast food drive through or settle for whoever delivers. Options that are detrimental to our health. Let’s give the pizza delivery boy a break tonight, shall we? If you’re on the hunt to put something delicious and healthy on the table tonight, this zesty mouth-watering dish is sure to brighten your case of the “Mondays”. Does anyone NOT like Mexican food? To that end… who doesn’t like casserole? I aim to please. You have got to try this delicious and filling Mexican Casserole Recipe. And guess what? IT’S VEGAN!! 🙂 Read more
Secret Winds 