About.com Vegetarian Food

How has your health improved on a vegetarian diet?

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:39:32 +0000

I'm personally motivated by the ethics of ahimsa and the Golden Rule when it comes to eating a plant-based diet and supporting animal welfare. I also eat vegetarian because, well, meat is gross. But plenty of people who enjoy the taste of meat and don't give a hoot about animals or the environment are realizing that another reason to go vegetarian is out of pure selfish self-interest and self-preservation. In other words, for a longer, healthier, and happier life! Check out why one reader went vegetarian:

After several months of eating a rich in animal product diet, I ended up with an ulcer that put me out of commission for weeks. Having so much pain every time you eat one of these items really wakes a person up. I began to discover how harmful animal products really are for the human body. They are full of chemicals, hormones, antibiotics, disease, and other gross factors. I made the choice to live without these products. I'm shocked at how good I feel after eating. Wish I would of done this years before...I'm growing more convinced this is the proper way to eat for our bodies and blood types. Two good book to read is the "China Study", and the "Ph Balance". These will wake anyone up who eats a animal fat laden diet.

Plus, one vegetarian forum poster wrote in to say that she had incredible success lowering her cholesterol (and blood glucose levels and her weight!) on a healthy plant-based diet and was "amazed" by the results:

I've been a vegetarian for just over a year. I had my physical and am amazed. My cholesterol went from 250 to 190 (normal). My blood glucose dropped and I am starting to lose weight without dieting. I am no longer considered obese.

Of course, I'm not surprised because I've heard these success stories over and over again, but I would like to collect some more anecdotal success stories to share with people who may be a bit skeptical about the health benefits of vegetarianism.

How has going vegetarian or vegan improved your health?
Click the link to share your story.

How has your health improved on a vegetarian diet? originally appeared on About.com Vegetarian Food on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 07:39:32.

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Chocolate for Good

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:23:08 +0000

We're all motivated by different things, especially when it comes to eating vegetarian. Some are motivated by health or weight, while others are motivated by animal rights. If you need a good reason to support vegetarianism, why not do it for the chocolate?

One super sneaky (or brilliant!) vegetarian advocacy organization is offering vegan chocolate (yes, gourmet, handmade vegan chocolate truffles!) for new members who make a donation. They're thinking that people will send a special someone the gift box for Valentine's day, but, of course, I'm thinking I'll just keep those lovely looking chocolates to myself.

Action for Animals is a small vegan advocacy organization based in the Pacific Northwest with a focus on youth outreach campaigns.

Link: Valentine's chocolate for good
Vegan chocolates photo courtesty of Action for Animals

Chocolate for Good originally appeared on About.com Vegetarian Food on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 20:23:08.

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Why I love couscous for breakfast (and you should too!)

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:38:23 +0000

I don't really like oatmeal.

There, I said it. It's okay, I don't really hate it, I just prefer to eat another kind of grain, rather than oatmeal. Don't get me wrong; I love oatmeal cookies (who doesn't!?) but when it comes to a hot breakfast cereal? Meh, I say.

Recently, my hot breakfast of choice has been couscous. Let's deconstruct the reasons I've been loving couscous for breakfast:

It's quick. Maybe you have a personal chef whipping up fluffy vegetarian casseroles and slicing your fresh pineapple for you, but I don't. Five times out of seven, just about everyone needs a quick breakfast. Couscous cooks in just a minute or two, and it's as simple as boiling some water. Which you're probably doing anyways to make tea or French-pressed coffee, right?
It's cheap. A box of couscous is usually less than $2 and will last you for quite a few breakfasts. Even better? Shop for it in bulk.
It's versatile. While most people prefer a sweet cereal and fruit type of breakfast, I sometimes like a savory veggie laden breakfast, so I add some garlic salt, thawed frozen veggies and nutritional yeast for a healthy one-bowl couscous breakfast.

Convinced? Here's a few simple breakfast couscous recipes to try:

Orange banana breakfast couscous (pictured above, left)

Apple cinnamon breakfast couscous (pictured above, right)

Low-calorie breakfast couscous

Breakfast couscous with dates

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Why I love couscous for breakfast (and you should too!) originally appeared on About.com Vegetarian Food on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 05:38:23.

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Vegetarian macaroni and cheese four ways

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:54:23 +0000

Macaroni and cheese is one of my favorite high-carb comfort foods. You're never too old to love mac n' cheese, right? We all have different ways of showing our love, but I'm sure I'm not the only vegan who can be seduced by a fantastic mac n' cheese. Who needs champagne and chocolate? I'm swooning already!

Here's a few different ways to try this classic American favorite:

Vegetarian macaroni and cheese with avocados (pictured)

Cheesey vegetarian "hamburger" casserole

Vegan macaroni and "cheese" casserole

Gluten-free vegetarian macaroni and cheese

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Vegetarian macaroni and cheese four ways originally appeared on About.com Vegetarian Food on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 05:54:23.

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Quick and Easy Vegan Creamed Spinach

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:45:07 +0000

I love spinach! But sure, not everyone does. If you're having trouble getting your family to eat spinach, try this easy creamed spinach recipe. And of course, if you do like spinach, you'll love this vegan creamed spinach, using just a few simple ingredients.

Quick and Easy Vegan Creamed Spinach originally appeared on About.com Vegetarian Food on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 06:45:07.

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They licked the spoons clean

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:29:17 +0000

I cooked up this Thai red curry with tofu for a couple of friends recently, and it certainly didn't last very long! They gobbled it all up and licked the spoons. This basic recipe red curry recipe is very versatile, in that you can use just about any ingredients you want to mop up the curry sauce. Green peas and broccoli are two of my favorite veggies, so I always sneak them in whenever I can, but perhaps you prefer chickpeas, mushrooms or potatoes.

I'm nearly always a short-cut cook, meaning I prefer to use fresh vegetables and buy my curry paste at the store, but if you'd like to try your hand at making a homemade red curry paste, you can learn how here. Just be sure to follow the instructions for a vegetarian version, by omitting the shrimp and using soy sauce in place of fish sauce.

They licked the spoons clean originally appeared on About.com Vegetarian Food on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 05:29:17.

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Fancy a vegan cuppa?

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 06:09:35 +0000

I like coffee. I like it plain, I like the fancy $6 coffee drinks and everything in between. Instant, roasted, freshly ground, organic or not, I'll drink it! These days, most major coffee chains and independent cafes offer soymilk, but sometimes you need your fix at home, too. About.com's guide to coffee recently shared some tips for vegans like me who love coffee. She recommends a few spices, some dairy alternatives for coffee and has a few vegan coffee recipes as well. Check out her tips for keeping your cuppa cruelty-free.

The perfect vegan coffee

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Fancy a vegan cuppa? originally appeared on About.com Vegetarian Food on Sunday, January 24th, 2010 at 06:09:35.

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Carrot cake: Who needs sugar?

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 06:04:08 +0000

Who needs sugar? I certainly don't. Well, not when it comes to this carrot cake, at least! Fruit juice concentrate and some chopped dates provide enough sweetness to compliment the natural sugars in cooked carrots, and raisins and walnuts keep your mouth plenty entertained. If you're looking for a healthier cake recipe, try this (refined) sugar-free vegan carrot cake, with dates and fruit juice. And, of course, you can top it all off with a refined sugar-free vegan frosting, or, try a vegan cream cheese frosting.

Carrot cake: Who needs sugar? originally appeared on About.com Vegetarian Food on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 06:04:08.

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Amazingly easy vegan fudge recipe

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 04:57:07 +0000

Have you all broken all your New Years resolutions already? Great! Then its the perfect time to share this amazingly easy vegan fudge recipe. This vegan fudge recipe is deceptively simple, which makes it foolproof, and the end result is absolutely delicious.

One reviewer gave this recipe five out of five stars, and said:

This is by far, the most delicious fudge i have ever tasted! I think it would be very good with some rice krispies! It's good with or without nuts, which is a good thing. Very quick and easy to make.

Don't say I didn't warn you: This stuff is good.

Amazingly easy vegan fudge recipe originally appeared on About.com Vegetarian Food on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 at 04:57:07.

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What's for dinner?

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 06:47:21 +0000

What's for dinner? I've written quite a bit about some of my favorite breakfasts (including quick ideas and of course, tofu scramble) but vegetarian dinners are a bit more complex. A dinner needs to be hearty, appeal to the whole family, and provide warming comforting nourishment. When in doubt, I always love turn to a vegetable stir-fry for dinner, with or without rice. Here are a few more suggestions for a great vegetarian dinner meal.

Pictured: Sun-dried tomato risotto

What's for dinner? originally appeared on About.com Vegetarian Food on Saturday, January 16th, 2010 at 06:47:21.

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