The Benefits of Adding Greens to Your Plate

Whether you're plant-based or an omnivore, eating greens isn't just for Popeye. I could go on and on about the benefits, but that's included in the infographic from Vegan Mainstream below.

Adrienne's Journey to a Plant-Based Lifestyle

I have been wanting to share the stories of some of my fellow vegan readers. We all know that becoming a vegan is a journey and it can take you for some unexpected twists and turns. Adrienne was one of the first to reach out to me when I was asked for others to share their personal stories. As a busy grad student who also is practicing Bikram yoga, she truly exudes the dedication that I see in many others who have decided to take this path. I've asked her about what brought her to this life, how she makes it all work, and what advice she would offer to others looking to make a change!

LRJ: Tell me a little bit about yourself!

Adrienne: I’m a 25 year old New York transplant now living a life powered by all things green! I grew up an omnivore in CT and went to Marist College in the Hudson Valley. After graduating college with a MS in Business, and tipping the scale at almost 200 lbs., I moved to Westchester, NY and took a job at IBM.

Soon after moving out of college and away from my parent's food choices, I realized I needed to make a drastic change in myself. I started transitioning to a more plant-based diet. I cut out all meat, although I was still eating shellfish and some dairy. I started running extensively and dropped 40 lbs. by the end of 2011. Now, as a vegan, I’ve lost an additional 10 lbs. (and still dropping!) since I’ve incorporated Bikram into my life.

Aside from my plant-life, I’m also a part-time grad student getting my MA in Marketing/Communications. I have my own blog, The Broke Vegan, and I have an omnivore “ball & chain” who good-heartedly tries all of my vegan cooking experiments.

LRJ: What made you decide to go plant-based?

Adrienne: In March 2012 I made two of the greatest decisions of my life: I got a roommate and made the jump to a fully vegan lifestyle. My non-traditional roommate is a 5 lb., black, white and brown bundle of fur, a 2 year old rabbit named Lady Bug (like royalty, not like the insect). As a prey animal, I couldn’t bear to think of anyone ever considering her as something to be featured next to sautéed asparagus. It occurred to me that every being has feelings, emotions and awareness. I started doing research about veganism, made up my mind, and never looked back.

Incidentally – Lady Bug is also a vegan!

LRJ: You're super busy working full-time, going to grad school part time and studying Birkam! How do you plan for your meals or have time to cook?!

Adrienne: I live and die by my spreadsheet. I am constantly on a timeline, and do a lot of prepping for my meals. Everyone loves the convenience of microwaveable meals – and there’s no reason why you can’t have that in a healthy, vegan, budget-conscious way.

I usually make a crock-pot full of lunch meals on a Sunday, and every night make my lunch for the next day. My new favorite cook-ahead are my Super Green Muffins – I make a dozen on a Sunday afternoon – volia! – all my breakfasts for the week (paired with a banana) and I’m off to my 6 a.m. yoga!

Dinner is anything I can throw into a sauté pan. Literally anything. No secrets – just healthy convenience!

LRJ: I tried Bikram a while back and loved it, but I didn't feel I had enough time to commit to it. I definitely felt challenged and motivated when I was in the studio, though! Tell me how the Bikram yoga come into play with your new lifestyle change.

Adrienne: Going to Bikram is a PITA (pain in the a**) and I’ll be the first to admit it. I have to take 3 outfits, 2 towels, 2 mats (one towel and one mat), a water bottle – honestly, I could use a small suitcase. Not only that, but the only time I can usually get to go is at 6 a.m. Yeah, 105 degrees at 6 a.m. Talk about a recipe for misery. I know why Bikram isn’t for everyone!

For me – even though it takes a lot of prep – it’s worth it. If you can’t tell, I’m a Type A personality, with a lot of stressors on my plate. Bikram gives me the 90 minutes where it’s just me and my mat. No cell phone, no distractions. I find myself so much more in control of my emotions, and my energy level is off the charts. You have to love yourself enough to go, and compassionate enough to let each session be whatever it is – and in that love, you find love and compassion for everything else. Sounds like hippie 101, but I swear it’s true!

LRJ: What has been the biggest health benefits or changes that you've noticed since going vegan in March 2012?

Adrienne: That’s an easy one – I haven’t been sick. If I’ve been sick, it’s for one or two days, and that’s it! Cutting out all the processed chemicals, dairy and meat has allowed my body to build up some incredible natural defenses. I used to be the queen of sinus infections (multiple times a year) and I think I’ve only had half of one since becoming vegan!

LRJ: Did you face any challenges in the beginning?

Adrienne: Of course, everyone makes mistakes. I’m not a Veg-magazine-thumping vegan, I’m not going to judge you for accidentally eating an egg in a piece of bread. I too had a fair share of mistakes as I was navigating the early waters. The biggest challenge was/is giving up seafood. I grew up on the coast of CT, and summers were filled with hush-puppies, fried and lobster boils. It’s very very hard to break old behavior patterns, especially when they’re so closely tied to memories.

LRJ: What advice would you give to others who are considering making a lifestyle change?

Adrienne: My number one suggestion: Watch this video by animal rights activist Gary Yourofsky titled, “The Best Speech You’ll Ever Hear”. He makes the most compelling, logical, fact-based argument for veganism I’ve ever heard. If you don’t at least consider living a plant-fueled lifestyle after that, I don’t know what to tell you.

LRJ: Have you shared your plant-based knowledge with anyone else in your life?

Adrienne: Yes – I’ve told everyone and anyone who will listen! I don’t mean that I go around handing out PETA brochures, but if nutrition and health is brought up – I’m happy to add my two cents. My boyfriend is incredibly supportive, and always makes sure to choose restaurants that have veg-friendly restaurants. I’m trying to convince my parents to become more plant-based; I actually got my dad to eat (and enjoy) a vegan meal at a local café – and he does like vegan cookies now. Although, who doesn’t like vegan cookies?!

Veganism, like any other decision directly affecting your health, is a very personal decision. People become a vegan for many different reasons, and, in my opinion – any steps towards a more compassionate lifestyle should be considered steps in the right direction. If you’re interested in veganism, do what anyone does: Google it!

Anatomy of a Vegan

This was one of the first infographics that I had seen when first making my lifestyle change. Although this only represents 144 people that were surveyed, it's interesting to me and informative in regards to who we really are. It seems that almost half surveyed are under 20 and that gives me the impression that these young'uns and taking a stand for what they believe in. Regardless of the reasons, check it out and see what strikes a chord within yourself!

Transitioning to Veganism: Kitchen Overhaul

Once we decided to go plant-based, I knew there was no way that I could handle having any tempting foods in the house. I had just weighed in at my doctor's office at 30 lbs. more than the day I graduated high school. Things had to change and I wanted to succeed in my journey. I watched Forks Over Knives and immediately after, I walked straight into my kitchen and declared to my husband that I was going vegan.

My pantry and refrigerator was pretty much packed with non-vegan items. I had cans of beans with pork fat, junk foods out the wazoo, frozen foods and canned meals like you wouldn't believe. Luckily, our friend moved to Austin recently and didn't mind me handing over any items that I could no longer consume under a plant-based diet. Here are my tips for starting with a clean slate and make your pantry and kitchen plant-based friendly!

Clear a counter and pull out all non-vegan items. I know this sounds daunting, but you have to get into every nook and cranny. If you allow yourself a few of your favorite non-vegan items, you'll be setting yourself up for a relapse. It's best to pull out everything so you can really see what you've been consuming and how you can clear out some space for more whole grains, beans, veggies and fruits!

Junk foods are enemy numero uno. We had all kinds of little snack items that were completely processed and nowhere near healthy for us. I'm talking buttered popcorn, salmon dip, frozen pizzas and frozen dinners that I took to work. No more of that! Clear out anything with ingredients that you can't even pronounce. That's usually a good sign that it's not plant-based! Instead, you'll be eating healthier snacks, like homemade guacamole, spring rolls and spinach artichoke dip.

Donate all non-perishable items you can no longer consume. I wouldn't tell you to toss everything into the trash since that is wasteful, however there were some items that I realized I should never have been consuming, much less anyone else! I bagged up most of what we couldn't eat anymore and passed it along to a friend. You could also donate the items to a church or local food bank.

Rethink your freezer space. I always crammed meat in the freezer but despised cooking it. I guess I always had a vegan heart, but just didn't know it yet. Regardless, you need to clear out all the non-vegan items and make room for your next trip to the grocery store. Toss or give away foods such as meats, frozen dinners, pizzas, corn dogs, waffles, ice creams, etc. You'll be filling your freezer up with frozen fruits and vegetables that can come in handy for last-minute meals, smoothies and homemade vegan fruit ice cream.

Evaluate what's left. Don't worry, you've just made one of the biggest steps in your journey, which is purging the old foods from your life and discovering all of the new ones that will replace them. I know it's tough (I've been there), but now you have the opportunity to fill your kitchen with all of the grains, beans, veggies and fruits your little heart desires! Head on over to my post Vegan Diet 101: Where to Begin for a starter grocery list for some ideas on what to buy for a plant-based diet.

Looking to go vegan? Check out these related posts below!

Where to Begin

5 Tips for a Healthy Vegan Diet

Pinterest Plant-Strong Board

Top 5 Reactions to "I'm Vegan"

Protein in a Vegan Diet

5 Tips for Eating a Plant-Based Diet (Anywhere)

Veganism in a Nutshell (video)

5 Things I've Learned Through Veganism

Foods That Kill

Vegan Book Review: Chef AJ's Unprocessed

Even though I'm in my mid-20s, I am still learning my way around my kitchen. When I started my plant-based journey, I gathered up all of the books, documentaries and research that I could find to educate myself on my new lifestyle. One of the books Dr. Linda Carney recommended was Chef AJ's Unprocessed. Since then it was on my must-read list and I was delighted to be contacted by Chef AJ personally to review the copy she sent me.

Upon reading her life story and what drew her to a plant-based lifestyle, I immediately felt connected to the information she presented. I've been researching the benefits of plant-based diets for months, but Chef AJ brought some new perspectives to the subject that I hadn't previously considered before. While we all have different inspirations and journeys that bring us to this lifestyle, I feel that her proposed method of implementing these changes will resonate with many people! 

The book is broken into two main acts: part one, which details Chef AJ's own journey, why readers should eat unprocessed and how to follow-through, and part two, which includes 100 easy and nutritious plant-based recipes. The insight into Chef AJ's life provides a sense of hope and encouragement that I admire. She is open and honest about her journey which gives the reader a sense of motivation to take charge of their own health. 

The first act of the book features a down-to-earth approach to going plant-based, avoiding processed foods, taking charge of your health, a comparison of processed and unprocessed foods and how to transition. The second act is broken into eight categories of recipes, including desserts, appetizers, beverages, entrees, salads and dressings, soups, sides and truffles. 

I've bookmarked many recipes (Perfect Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms, Sweet Potato and Blue Corn Enchiladas and Easy, Cheesy, Peasies to name a few!) and I can't wait to try them out. This book has motivated my husband and I to cut sugars out of our diets and incorporate even more variety of plant-based foods. 

Check back for an exclusive interview with Chef AJ, which will be posted soon! For more information on Chef AJ or Unprocessed, please check out her site.

Top 5 Reactions to "I'm vegan!"

The last thing you expect when you take charge of your own health and take the path of a plant-based journey is to receive harsh criticism. I know I've mentioned in passing that I've had to deal with some negativity and other reactions, but I haven't fully explained this phenomenon. Here are some of the things that I have encountered when people discovered I had gone plant-based.

1. "You're taking this too seriously." Yes, I now take my health more seriously than ever before. Here's why: my grandma was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a decade ago and my mom received the same diagnosis in January 2012. See the pattern? I'm trying to break it. I thought by being young, I was essentially bullet-proof. The real story: my health had been on the decline since college. Now, my health has significantly improved and I'm nearly at "optimal" levels for all of my bloodwork, which is impressive compared to my results in January 2011.

2. "Where will you get your protein?"I've answered this question already in another post, but I'd like to take this moment and ask anyone who's thinking that, "Why do you think I need meat to obtain my protein?" I don't remember hearing this information ever in my life, but there are many other foods that provide the right amount of protein. Too much animal-based protein in a diet can actually contribute to severe problems like osteoporosis, cancer, impaired kidney function and heart disease.

3. "I'll have to eat enough meat for you and I both!" I was shocked when people said this, albeit jokingly. The reasons why I have cut animal products out of my life can easily be explained in the Forks Over Knives documentary, which is on my blog to watch for free. If you're feeling blah and don't know why, consider checking out the documentary and see what it's all about. Whatever you do, don't double up on your meat intake just because of me!

4. "[Insert illness or health-related problem] runs in my family!" I understand the link between genes and illnesses, but I also have researched and discovered the benefits of a plant-based diet in relation to illnesses—both as a means to prevent and reverse problems. When my mom called and told me that she had type 2 diabetes, I selfishly thought, "Well, I must be next. It's inevitable!" as I tossed my hands into the air. However, one month later at a fateful appointment, my weight inspired me to take action, and since February 2012, my health has reflected my change in numerous ways.

5. "This is dangerous for your health!" I pretty much started to freak out when people told me that what I was doing was dangerous. What did I do about it? I promptly found a plant-based doctor and remembered that I was eating nothing but fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts and seeds—healthy food. No one thought it was dangerous when I ate myself into this mess through fast-food drive-thrus, unhealthy eating habits and a general disconnect with my health.

I really don't want to come out of this post as seeming negative, but when you're battling cravings, reversing 20+ years of eating habits and trying to hold it all together while people that are close to you are not being supportive, well it just sucks! So that's what this blog is about. I'm here to support YOU in YOUR journey! It's inevitable to run into these responses early on, but once people start to see your results, they will start to ask questions and will want to learn more. Be patient and be kind—these people care for you. Don't let it affect your progress. Your health is too important!

Looking to go vegan? Check out these related posts below!

Where to Begin
Kitchen Overhaul

5 Tips for a Healthy Vegan Diet

Pinterest Plant-Strong Board
Protein in a Vegan Diet
5 Tips for Eating a Plant-Based Diet (Anywhere)
Veganism in a Nutshell (video)
5 Things I've Learned Through Veganism
Foods That Kill

When "fat free" really means 100% fat

I don't know about you, but I always sprayed my pans and cookie sheets with lots and lots of Pam. It's how I grew up! You spray that pan like it's an endless bottle of spray and just go to town on it. Dietician Jeff Novick describes why "Fat Free" isn't really fat free. Chances are, you are overspraying. I've switched to cooking with vegetable broth instead of cooking spray. The video below talks about cooking with these sprays!

My doctor highly recommended his videos and he has a really great Fast Food series that I've seen only a fraction of. Below is a segment where he talks about finding foods in the store that are quick to make and healthy for you. Enjoy!

Interview with Kendan

Kendan, my husband, has been super supportive during my lifestyle change. Recently, I noticed he looked a little different. After asking him to step on the scale, we were shocked to see he had lost a total of 30 lbs. over the last five months! I'd been begging him to sit down and talk with me about why he's made the same changes and to find out how he feels about the switch.

What made you want to make this switch?
You had some pretty convincing arguments about the health stuff, so I just went along with it. It made it easier that you wanted to do it and I didn't have a problem with that.

Had you ever considered going vegan before?
In high school, I went vegetarian for a short period of time. I didn't really tell anybody about it and I just didn't eat any meat. No one really noticed. I'm not really a vegan, but have cut out many animal products -- I still have a leather belt that I wear and a leather wallet.

Have your reasons evolved since we made the switch?
It started out with health reasons but I've always been thinking about eating an animal in general. Why kill an animal to eat the meat, when you could eat something else instead? When we were at family gatherings and there was BBQ, no one else made a big deal about eating meat, so it didn't really cross my mind. It's just always been the norm.

What keeps you going strong with this lifestyle?
I've lost 30 lbs. over the last five months, so why would I go back to eating meat and animal products when I know that's what caused the weight gain in the first place?

What has been the hardest food to give up?
Every once in a while, I definitely want to have "regular" ice cream -- like Amy's Ice Cream -- or something with heavy cream fat in it.

You don't like my fruit ice cream?
No, it's good, but -- and I'm sorry to say this, but that Boston Cream Pie that Amy's had... pretty, pretty good.

Do you miss milk and eggs?
I really didn't drink milk, only with cereal and I haven't had cereal for a long time so it isn't that bad. I won't lie, I do miss eggs in baked items. The vegan carrot cake [without eggs] from Whole Foods is good.

What's the one meat that you really miss? (I hate to bring this up -- I don't want you to relapse!)
Well, when you eat the Bac'n Cheeze Burger [from Arlo's Food Truck], it is almost the same thing as a "real" bacon cheeseburger. It tastes pretty much the same, so it's not like I miss it.

This was a pretty big change for us. Has it been hard to change what you eat?

I just like food. And if the food is good, then I'll eat it. Can I cook this vegan macaroni? All this talk about food now... 

Yeah, let's eat it!

Looking to go vegan? Check out these related posts below!

Where to Begin
Kitchen Overhaul

5 Tips for a Healthy Vegan Diet

Pinterest Plant-Strong Board
Top 5 Reactions to "I'm Vegan"
Protein in a Vegan Diet
5 Tips for Eating a Plant-Based Diet (Anywhere)
Veganism in a Nutshell (video)
5 Things I've Learned Through Veganism
Foods That Kill

Heart Attack Proof

Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, MD, knows his stuff. As a former surgeon, he realized he was only treating symptoms of heart disease and not the disease itself. His son, Rip Esselstyn, is the frontman of the Engine 2 Diet and has endorsed a plant-based diet to help lower cholesterol and prevent other huge health problems many people face.

In this video, Dr. Esselstyn talks about becoming heart attack proof at the 2003 VegSource Healthy Lifestyle Expo.

Looking to go vegan? Check out these related posts below!
Where to Begin
Kitchen Overhaul
5 Tips for a Healthy Vegan Diet
Pinterest Plant-Strong Board
Top 5 Reactions to "I'm Vegan"
Protein in a Vegan Diet
5 Tips for Eating a Plant-Based Diet (Anywhere)
Veganism in a Nutshell (video)
5 Things I've Learned Through Veganism
Foods That Kill

Bill Clinton on Veganism

Ellen was gung-ho about President Clinton's lifestyle change and I couldn't help but notice how Wolf Blitzer looks slightly puzzled or confused. Five years ago, President Clinton had quadruple bypass surgery and less than two years ago he was hospitalized with a clogged artery that required two stents. Months later he was down to his high school weight and eating a plant-based diet. I laughed when I watched the second video because it seems like Wolf was a little shocked or something about this diet.

They're both a quick watch and he drops several names in the second video that are worth Googling. I began my change with Rip Esselstyn's Engine 2 Diet, and his father, Caldwell Esselstyn, had a huge impact on the reversal of atherosclerosis in his patients with a vegan diet. Their names, among many others, have helped bring this information to light.

Looking to go vegan? Check out these related posts below!
Where to Begin
Kitchen Overhaul
5 Tips for a Healthy Vegan Diet
Pinterest Plant-Strong Board
Top 5 Reactions to "I'm Vegan"
Protein in a Vegan Diet
5 Tips for Eating a Plant-Based Diet (Anywhere)
Veganism in a Nutshell (video)
5 Things I've Learned Through Veganism
Foods That Kill

Kale Mac N' Cheeze

I stumbled upon this post on a Kale Mac N' Cheeze recipe, and it looked so yummy that I had to try it out ASAP. I basically used the same recipe, but didn't have all the same ingredients. Here's my modified version of the recipe below!

Kale Mac N' Cheeze
yields six servings


1 pound whole wheat penne pasta or macaroni
2 bunches of dino kale, chopped
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1 cup almond milk
1 cup nutritional yeast
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 tablespoon whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
pinch cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons tahini
1 teaspoon yellow miso
black pepper to taste


1. Cook whole wheat penne pasta or macaroni according to instructions box.
2. Add kale to a pan on medium high heat with vegetable broth and garlic for ten minutes.
3. Once finished steaming the kale, add to blender and shred. Turn off pan and add kale back in.
4. Rinse blender and combine milk, nutritional yeast, cornstarch, lemon juice and spices for the sauce until smooth.
5. Place sauce in the pan with kale over medium high heat and stir until the sauce thickens.
6. Pour over drained pasta and toss lightly with a spoon to coat thoroughly.

Infographic: Veganism Debunked

I love infographics! This one, made by Column Five Media, is dubbed "Veganism Debunked" and it is loaded with some great information. Click here for the full image.

Ellen Degeneres on Veganism

Veganism comes in many forms. Some are dietary vegans, ethical vegans, environmental vegans... You get the idea. I always loved Ellen and I had no clue she was vegan. As I was searching for some more content for my blog, I stumbled across this video. She talks about being disconnected from food and how it's easier to just "put it out of your mind". Ellen also mentions Earthlings, which I am still working up the courage to watch (maybe tonight). See her take on why she's vegan in the video below and check out her blog.

Looking to go vegan? Check out these related posts below!
Where to Begin
Kitchen Overhaul
5 Tips for a Healthy Vegan Diet
Pinterest Plant-Strong Board
Top 5 Reactions to "I'm Vegan"
Protein in a Vegan Diet
5 Tips for Eating a Plant-Based Diet (Anywhere)
Veganism in a Nutshell (video)
5 Things I've Learned Through Veganism
Foods That Kill

Animal Rights: Yet Another Reason

Warning: This post focuses on a controversial topic. I'm only reflecting on my personal experience and don't see myself becoming an animal rights activist per se, but only more conscious of the many reasons people decide to eat what they eat (or don't eat).

~~~~~

As my husband and I drove to see a movie recently, I could not stop thinking about one factoid I had heard from a coworker during work that day. She mentioned that around 10 billion animals are slaughtered every year for human consumption, (although while doing research for this post, I saw a much higher stat sourced from USDA documents). I couldn't shake that number. I'd also been reading Skinny Bitch, which is a hardcore, no BS approach to veganism.

By this point, I had only relapsed with cheese and was looking for a kick in the rear to get me back on track. Other than the cheese, I was on board and probably 95% vegan, although nothing less than 100% will cut it. However, as I was reading Skinny Bitch, I hit a chapter that was so much harder to stomach than the rest.

The chapter, while short, was packed full of direct quotes from slaughterhouse employees who had witnessed some crazy stuff first-hand. I won't go into the gory details (pick up a copy if you want the deets), but there were basically some references to animal abuses and even tossing animals back into the production line after they fell onto the disgusting bloody floors. Ew.

As I mentioned all of this to my husband, he groaned, "Oh, you're not going to become one of those vegans, are you?" Well, no, not exactly. I was just kind of surprised to read all of that and then I added yet another reason to my growing list for why I've made the switch. I'm always interested in learning more about why people do the things they do, and the subject of veganism is no exception. 

Even if you aren't a fan of animal rights, understanding where your food comes from is always a good thing to know. I'm also talking myself into watching Earthlings, which is another documentary that goes into this topic quite heavily, and from what I've heard, in great detail. I've included the trailer below!

Sweet Potato & Veggie Lasagna

One of the first recipes I learned when I went plant-based was Engine 2's Sweet Potato Lasagna. I took this lasagna to a housewarming party for some co-workers of mine and it was a big hit. The 9x13 pan was pretty much finished off and several requests for the recipe were made.

This is a nice dish to prepare on Sunday afternoon and can provide 12 servings. If you don't mind eating leftovers, this is the perfect option for cooking in "bulk". After two days, if there's still plenty left, store meal-sized portions in a small container and toss in the freezer. If you're running late for work and don't have time to make lunch, you can easily snag one!

Sweet Potato & Veggie Lasagna
yields 12 servings

1 onion, choppped
2 cloves garlic, minced
10 mushrooms, diced
1 cup frozen spinach, thawed
1 zuchinni, diced
1 squash, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 cups corn
1/2 block tofu, drained, squeezed and crumbled

1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon rosemary
2 sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
4 roma tomatoes, sliced
1 cup raw cashews, chopped



1. Boil sweet potatoes and once cooked, drain and mash with 1/4 cup almond milk and a dash of cinnamon.
2. Saute the onions, garlic on high heat for 3 minutes.
3. Add mushrooms, spinach, zuchinni, squash, bell pepper, corn and tofu into a mixing bowl and stir well.
4. A seasonings to bowl and stir until fully blended.
5. Layer accordingly: thin layer of pasta sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 glass pan, noodles and veggie mix.
6. Add another layer of noodles and then spread your sweet potatoes on top.
7. Add pasta sauce, sliced tomatoes and then top with chopped cashews.
8. Cover with foil and bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes.

Pinterest: Plant-Stong! Board with 500+ Recipes

I am a huge fan of Pinterest and joined the craze last year (see to the right of this post for proof). I first used it to pin dozens of DIY & craft projects that I swore I would one day create. So far, i've finished only a few projects with a couple more still mid-way complete. After I finally figured out how to truly utilize Pinterest, I found myself pinning all sorts of things and now have 730+ pins.

Once I made my switch, I knew I would need some visual reminders everywhere to keep me on track. Aside from my Vegetarian Times subscription, Engine 2 and Forks Over Knives books and my Happy Herbivore Cookbooks that are strewn across my apartment, I realized that my Pinterest account was missing an important board.

My Plant Strong! board is now at over 230 pins and grows daily. At first, it was just to pin a few simple vegan recipes. It's been an amazing resource for me to quickly be inspired or enticed by vegetables. I never thought I would say that, but it's just absolutely gorgeous.

I've met so many other vegans that I currently follow who always pin great recipes, so there's always something to be pinned! It's been nice to just snag something and I can easily share the board with anyone. Whenever someone says, "You can't eat seafood? What do you eat?!"I just send them my board and they immediately are surprised.

Pinterest is an amazing tool to share lots of ideas with other people. If you're a pinner, let me know! I love to follow interesting boards and they usually inspire me to create a new one. And if you think I'm starving and eating leaves of lettuce for dinner, just check this out!



Looking to go vegan? Check out these related posts below!
Where to Begin
Kitchen Overhaul
5 Tips for a Healthy Vegan Diet
Pinterest Plant-Strong Board
Top 5 Reactions to "I'm Vegan"
Protein in a Vegan Diet
5 Tips for Eating a Plant-Based Diet (Anywhere)
Veganism in a Nutshell (video)
5 Things I've Learned Through Veganism
Foods That Kill

Video Breakdown: Foods That Kill

I stumbled upon a video yesterday that I linked in my last post. After watching the full video last night, I felt that it deserved its own full post since the information is so compelling... and nearly 20 years old. As always, I am continuously amazed at the information that's out there waiting to be found. The problem is, you have to dig for it and not just accept what we thought was good for us.

One of the reasons I decided to do this was because of some bad bloodwork I received in January 2011. My total cholesterol was considered too high a year and a half ago, and for whatever reason, I just didn't do anything about it. I was 23 and it should have been 80 points lower to be considered normal. THAT is why I am doing this!

The further I go "down the rabbit hole", the crazier I feel, but crazy in a good way. I feel like I'm in on this little secret and no one else totally understands why I gave up the animal products. Since people are curious about why I'm doing this, I will break this video down a little bit to where you can fast-forward to the parts you're interested in! I know it's really long and you may not be interested in viewing the full hour, so here it is listed in fragments. Enjoy!

Introduction (0:00-1:03)
North American Diet from 1909-1985 (1:04-2:51)
Health Effects of Eating an Animal-Based Diet (2:52-7:13)
Animal Fats, (Red Meat/Yolk of Hen Eggs/Cow's Milk) (7:14-9:34)
Mr. Phillips' Surgery/Atherosclerosis who is mentioned during 2:52-7:13, (9:35-12:01)
Animal Fat Causing Problems (Stroke/Heart Attack/etc.) (12:02-13:41)
All Fats Are Not Created Equal (13:42-15:40)
Animal Fats Stick to You/Dr. Michael Klaper's Personal Story (15:41-17:23)
Will You Miss Nutrients if You Go Plant-Based? (17:24-17:24)
Fat Consumption and Breast Cancer (17:25-19:36)
Fat Consumption and Prostate Cancer (19:37-20:31)
Chicken & Fish, Too?! (20:32-21:10)
Too Much Protein (21:11-24:36)
Protein-Induced Hypercalciuria (24:37- 27:17)
Not Enough Fiber (27:18-28:37)
Carnivore or Herbivore? (28:38-32:19)
Dr. Michael Klaper's Personal Experience (33:00-35:51)
Problems With Meat (35:52-39:04)
High Blood Pressure/Sodium (39:05-43:05)
The P.M.S. Prevention Diet (43:06-43:44)
Why Do We Have All of These Diseases? (43:45-45:01)
Athletes & Diet (45:02-46:11)
Four Food Groups (46:12-48:18)
Where Do We Get Our Protein? (48:19-50:00)
Where Do We Get Our Calcium? (50:01-51:41)
Whole Grains (51:42-52:56)
Legumes/Beans/Lentils (52:57-53:49)
Tofu! (53:50-55:24)
Raw & Fresh is Best (55:25-56:18)
Change Our Attitudes (56:19-58:04)



Looking to go vegan? Check out these related posts below!
Where to Begin
Kitchen Overhaul
5 Tips for a Healthy Vegan Diet
Pinterest Plant-Strong Board
Top 5 Reactions to "I'm Vegan"
Protein in a Vegan Diet
5 Tips for Eating a Plant-Based Diet (Anywhere)
Veganism in a Nutshell (video)
5 Things I've Learned Through Veganism
Foods That Kill