Last night I trained with Erica and of course we discussed Biggest Loser at length as we always do. She made a good point about the sugar cube challenge, that being that they had to sprint back and forth, for what I think was an hour, gathering those sugar cubes ONE AT A TIME (until the two minute free for all). So maybe there was a lot more physical work involved in that challenge than met the eye. We still both agree about a bad episode still being worth watching. And who knows, maybe next season they will come up with a really interesting “cast.”
This week Vegan Feast Thursday, was Wednesday. Just a crazy week around this house but we NEVER want to cancel our weekly get together. Being a crazy week, I put together one of the easiest meals that I know the “kids” really enjoy. Tofurky cold-cuts, faux bacon, vegan cheese and fresh grainy bread, with all the sandwich trimmings. I find this meal to be unhealthy, salty and would never eat it without them, but once in a while, with a bag of fresh Wise potato chips, it does the trick. The greatest trick to cooking faux bacon is to spray each piece lightly with some cooking spray (I always use olive oil) and cook the pieces a couple of minutes on each side on the gas bbq. A piece of two takes care of a salt craving, that’s for sure! What made last night’s dinner special, and the part I filled up on, was the homemade bean, lentil and barley soup that Pappa Zipp’s girlfriend, Ellie made for us to share with our VFT guests. The recipe was extensive, and I probably would rarely spend that much time making soup, so we are extremely grateful to her for thinking of us and making it for us. She is a wonderful “almost” mom and grandmom and we are thankful she and Pappa Zipp found one another. A nice hearty soup makes sandwich night special, but could also CLEARLY stand on it’s own as a meal, with a fantastic bread and or salad. The Italian bean or pasta fagioli soups are some of the easiest soup recipes out there. When using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, make sure to read the label. Not all vegetable broths are vegan.
Thanks to Carolanne for this article about the rise of the “power vegan.” Definitely interesting, and sparking the attention of an elite group of powerful players, with only 1% of the population vegan, I think the numbers are clearly on the rise. Click here to learn more:
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_46/b4203103862097.htm
I am off to start a busy day, but very much looking forward to all of it. Though I am all about peace, I do offer my humble gratitude to the veterans who have served our country. I hear so many stories via my students and there really are some very special heroes amongst us. Today is THEIR day, but you make yours special, too. Wouldn’t it be nice to live in a world where there was never war…
The VA is very good to my Fred. Besides our other wonderful (we’re blessed) doctors, they care but oh so sad, the wars go on.
Great Post!!! Thanks for spreading awareness about plant-based nutrition. I’m a physician who advocates a plant-based lifestyle (I hate the word diet, lol). As a hobby, I recently started a blog as a resource for those considering transitioning to a plant-based diet (that word again), wanting to learn more about plant-based nutrition and those new to a plant-based lifestyle. Kindest Regards, Jenna (www.theplantrx.com)
Jenna…thanks for stopping in. I will definitely be not only regularly visiting your site, but recommending it as well. Let’s continue to spread the word on the wonderful benefits of a plant-based “diet.” I hate that word, too, but used properly, its really not the bad guy 🙂 Let’s stay connected! Though peaceandfitness.com is mostly about that, my daily blogs have gravitated more and more towards including info on the plant-based foods, recipes, health benefits, etc. I will be suggesting people go to your site, perhaps you will do the same 🙂