Wednesday, April 22, 2020

I'm Baaaack! And Happy Earth Day 2020!



Hey everyone, I know I haven't posted on here in forever.......again! But with Covid-19 going on I am sadly not working at this time, so I'll try to keep up as long as I have this free time.
 I hope you're all having a wonderful Earth Day and doing something you love. Here in MN it's a beautiful sunny day and perfect for a walk. Get off your phone or computer and GO HUG A TREE! Love you!

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Monday, March 23, 2015

Apple Crisp and Banana Nice Cream Recipe (without oil or butter)



Ok so I never said I was the best blogger out there, I know I don't put too much on here too often but I am pretty awesome on Facebook and Instagram if you want to follow me there :) Now that I got that out in the open did you survive the bulk of winter? I did pretty good here in Minnesota, I didn't get the winter blues too bad, and you know... took a million pictures of my cat...


 I was able to get in a couple bike rides recently with some warmer spring weather hinting at it's arrival, but as I'm writing this it has begun to snow unfortunately, but it shouldn't stay for long with spring hot on it's heels, we will feel warmth again!


    Without further ado here is an awesome Apple Crisp recipe if I do say so myself! It is in fact crispy on the top without the use of any oils or butters which I find amazing, however it is still an occasional treat since it does incorporate some sugar, you could use something like dates but it's hard to get a "crisp" top that way, it is almost fat free other than the small amount from oats and flour, and that is pretty cool in my book ;)

You can use whatever apple you love, however most prefer something on the tart side like a granny smith, other apples like red delicious can turn out really mushy, so whatever it is make sure it's a crispy apple!

Apple Mixture:
6 apples peeled and sliced
1 Tbs flour*
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 Tbs vegan brown sugar (usually brown organic cane sugar)

Topping:
2/3 cup regular rolled oats
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/3 cup flour*
2/3 vegan brown sugar (usually brown organic cane sugar)
4 Tbs maple syrup

-Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees, and lightly oil/spray an 8x8 baking dish (greasing the pan is optional but recommended)

- Place apples in a large bowl and sprinkle in remaining apple mixture ingredients and mix well.
- Add apple mixture to the baking dish

-Put the oats in a food processor or blender and pulse about 5 times, making some smaller pieces, it doesn't have to be oat flour, just trying to make some smaller pieces, this helps make the top more crispy but not necessary.

-Add oats and the rest of the dry topping ingredients into a medium sized bowl, mix well.

-Add in the maple syrup and mix until it becomes darker and everything seems incorporated, some larger chunks are just fine and will be nice and crispy when cooked.

Bake for 30-35 mins uncovered, let cool 10-15 minutes before serving. Enjoy with some *Banana nice cream :)

*I have not tried other flours but feel free to use another type, it will most likely turn out just as delicious.

This recipe was adapted from recipe4living.

*To make Banana Nice Cream: simply freeze some peeled bananas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for a few hours until frozen, thaw for 10-15 mins, break into pieces and blend in a good blender or food processor splashing small amounts of vanilla plant milk as needed until smooth. You can also add cinnamon, cocoa powder, or carob powder etc.. there are endless variations :)





Saturday, November 1, 2014

Got Milk, Got Disease

I would just like to share this from a newsletter I received from drmcdougall.com about milk, please subscribe to the newsletters for more helpful tips and information:


Dr. McDougall's Health & Medical Center





Dr. McDougall Comments on Today's Headlines

Got Milk, Got Disease

The British Medical Journal reported in the news on October 29, 2014 on “Milk intake and risk of mortality and fractures in women and men: cohort studies.” This observational study found higher death rates for men and women who drank 3 or more glasses of milk daily, compared to less than a glass a day. There were also more fractures in general, and hip fractures, in the higher milk-consuming women. The researchers from Sweden focused on the milk sugar, D-galactose, as the trouble causer. They believe that oxidative stress and inflammation all over the body is caused by D-galactose.

An accompanying editorial in the British Medical Journal, as well as the worldwide lay press; have tried to put these findings in perspective for the consumer.  In reality, this balanced reporting has kept the consumer from making sensible decisions that would undermine the dairy industry.

Cow’s milk is not only unnecessary for strong bones and healthy bodies, but this category of food is a more important cause of obesity and illness than is red meat. See my article: When Friends Ask: Where Do You Get Your Calcium?

May I remind you of some of the harmful qualities of this product?

1) The milk sugar, galactose, is toxic. As far back as 1981, cow’s milk was reported to cause cataracts of the eyes.

2) The fat you eat is the fat you wear. (Overweight and obesity.) Whole milk is 50% fat, milk advertised as 1% (low fat) is still 18% fat, and cheese is 70% fat.

3) Risk for heart attacks and stroke is most strongly tied to animal fats also called saturated fats. Dairy fat is 97% saturated fat. Dairy is loaded with cholesterol.

4) Milk is loaded with people poisoning chemicals. High levels of pesticides and herbicides are present in these foods. They cause cancer and brain damage.

5) Milk is filthy with microbes. Cow’s milk drinkers consume bovine leukemia viruses, bovine immunodeficiency viruses, listeria bacteria, mad cow prions, and much more.

6) Osteoporosis and kidney stones are from bone loss caused by eating animal proteins and dietary acids. Hard cheese is the greatest source of dietary acids.

7) Constipation is caused by lack of dietary fiber. Dairy products contain no dietary fiber. Plus cow’s milk protein causes allergic reactions, which paralyze the bowels making it almost impossible for children and adults to move their rock-hard stools.

8) Cow’s milk protein is the most common dietary cause of allergy and autoimmune diseases, including nephritis (kidney disease) and severe forms of arthritis. 

9) Lactose, the basic milk sugar, causes the majority of people worldwide to become sick with diarrhea, stomach cramps, and gas (lactose intolerance).

10) The factory farming of dairy cows is considered to be animal abuse and production of dairy foods is a leading cause of environmental pollution and climate change.

Hopefully, today’s headlines will cause you to eliminate all cows’ milk products from your life.


John McDougall, MD
www.drmcdougall.com

Monday, October 13, 2014

How to Start a Plant-Based Diet || The Basics




I just watched this great video on How to Start a Plant Based Diet by Jay of PlantbasedAthlete on youtube, I love his videos and follow him, they are always to the point and very informative, check it out!

Friday, September 19, 2014

Fall is coming, let's eat Curried Red Lentil Soup!

 


  So it's September and it's getting cooler outside which means it's time for soups! You know I love soup, they are just so easy to bring to work and leftovers are delicious. I hope to post a few of them throughout the fall and winter, including minestrone and chili, I thought I would start with this delicious curried soup based on the original recipe at Vegetarian Times. I really love this soup, it makes a large batch. I also include cauliflower because for some reason it just fits perfectly in there. I hope you find it tasty!

  • 2 cups red lentils, sorted and rinsed
  • 1 qt. low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped (2 cups)
  • 4 celery stalks, finely chopped (1 ½ cups)
  • 2 large carrots, finely chopped (1 ½ cups)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 Tbs. curry powder
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • 2 Tbs. lemon juice
  • 1/2 head of cauliflower, cut in bite size pieces

- Bring lentils, vegetable broth, and 4 cups water to a simmer in large pot. Skim away foam that rises to top. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

- Add onion, celery, carrots, and garlic; simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes.

-Add cilantro, curry powder, cauliflower, and cumin, and cook 20 minutes more, or until lentils and cauliflower are soft. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and stir in lemon juice.

Monday, April 14, 2014

The Truth About Eggs


   Hello everyone, as you know I don't consume eggs and this video expresses most of the reasons why. Easter is coming up and I always feel like stressing this subject more around this time since so many people will be buying boatloads of eggs. 
   There are so many stories floating around about eggs that nobody is on the same page, this is reliable real science based information so you will no longer be confused if eggs are a health food or not, it also shows you what goes into egg laying such as the torture of the hens and male chicks, then when you find out what eggs actually are and where they come from it's a little disgusting if you ask me, without further ado please watch the video.

Click here for my other post about eggs and Easter ideas.
Click here to find out what you can use to replace eggs in recipes.
Click here for some healthier Easter treat recipes compared to store bought, however still not the healthiest and meant for a once in a while treat :)



Saturday, February 8, 2014

Inquiring About A Plant Based Vegan Diet With Type 2 Diabetes?


I've been talking to a few people lately that have type 2 diabetes that have shown interest in a plant based diet and are unsure where to find information , so I have found some potentially useful links of doctors that studied this exact thing. This subject is close to my heart due to family experience with type 2 diabetes, it is part of what inspired me to try to be healthier, and help others when I can. Here is some informative videos, how to's, and success stories of others that have cured or improved their type 2 diabetes with a plant based vegan diet, I hope this helps you or someone you know:

Videos:

Information and How To:

Success Stories:


Books:





*Please check out my Favorite Websites page for more information, and recipe sites.
*Also my Documentaries and Books page to learn more.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, and am not trying to diagnose, please see a doctor that specializes in plant based nutrition before starting any new dietary change.