Food For Thought or Thoughtful Food

“The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.” – Thomas Edison

Thomas Edison.  Another genius.  Too bad we aren’t quite there, yet.  Dr. Oz gets it.  Our brilliant cardiologist, Dr. Gary Garfield–he gets it, too.  He doesn’t just talk the talk, he definitely walks the walk and I totally respect that and him. It took HIM to remind my female primary care physician that menopause is not a disease.

So here it is vegan Thursday, again.  The weeks sure roll into one another!  I woke up this morning all ready to get busy blogging about this but first I had to take care of some business that I need to share with all of you.  CHECK YOUR BANKING AND CREDIT CARD BALANCES VERY REGULARLY!  I check mine almost daily.  Today was the 3rd time in a couple of years that our accounts have been compromised.  Today it was my American Express card.  Apparently someone went shopping online at zappos.com and used my card number (the card was not physically stolen, it’s in my hand) to the tune of $940.  The good news is this–American Express is wonderful at handling these situations.  I will have a new card in by 7pm tomorrow and they never hassle about the discrepancy.  So though it took a few minutes of my peaceful blogging time away, the situation was easily remedied.  The important take away is CHECK YOUR ACTIVITY AND BALANCES REGULARLY!

I am currently re-reading Diet for a New America and the information contained within that book is just mind blowing.  The stories about animals taking care of not just humans, but each other, bring tears of joy to my eyes.  Ok, let me be more honest–hysterical crying…but a good hysterical crying.  I may have mentioned this last week.  If so, I apologize a little–but it’s truly worth repeating.  Eat whatever you feel good about eating, but don’t EVER underestimate the intelligence, intuitiveness, compassion or emotional IQs of animals.  Not just our furry friends, either.  That said, most of my decision to choose plant-based foods is based on health, but my soul  feels really, really  good about the choice.  After all, some of my very best friends are animals.

Now, back to Vegan Feast Thursday (VFT).  Tonight’s theme is breakfast for dinner.  This is not only one of my favorites, but also one of the easiest.  Bagels (unless you buy egg bagels) are thankfully a vegan item.  I am going to make a big pot of tofu scrambles (recipe below).  They are one of my personal favorite tofu based meals for taste and ease of preparation.  There will also be some fake bacon (kids love it…I don’t really love anything {or anyone} fake!)  I am going to try a french toast recipe that I found at thekindlife.com (the companion site to the kind diet book).  If it tastes half as good as it looks, it should be a winner.  Fresh maple syrup…yum.  I’ll let you know how that one works out.  Last week’s stuffed shells, by the way, were easy and delicious.  I made about a dozen jumbo shells just to taste.  They went quickly!  Back to tonight- veganized muffins and brownies (applesauce in place of eggs and they become vegan).

For the non-vegans there will also be both salmon and tuna salads.  And since it’s breakfast, its a great excuse to make both vegan and non-vegan chocolate egg creams.  Its always important that the kids get a slice of our upbringing included in their meals, whenever possible.  Some of them have never been to New York and never heard of an egg-cream before having one here.   Remember, real chocolate is a vegan item–and in moderation, it’s even good for us 🙂

Tofu Scrambles

2 blocks of extra firm or firm tofu (crumbled)

1 green pepper, chopped

1 onion, chopped

small box of mushrooms sliced

spices of YOUR choice- I use garlic powder, cumin (we love the cumin it these) some red pepper or black pepper

a few tablespoons of salsa

2 stalks of green onions (scallions) chopped

splash of olive oil

In a  large pan saute onions, peppers and mushrooms in a splash of olive oil, on a medium-high heat until onions are translucent.  Crumble (by hand) tofu right in the pan.  Add the spices and continue to saute for another 10 minutes or until most of the moisture has evaporated.  Add the salsa and the scallions and scramble all together on a high heat for just a few minutes.  Serve as you would scrambled eggs.  You could easily adapt this recipe to substitute or add chopped vegetables of YOUR choice.   This will make about a half dozen servings, give or take–depends on what else you are serving.

I want to thank my students and friends for their kind words, comments and responses to my blog.  You are all such an important part of my life.

Have a great day and do your very best to  be kind to yourself and to all living things.