Portabella & Pinto Bean Enchiladas

Potrabella & Pinto Bean Enchilads

9 Corn Tortillas
1 tsp Olive Oil
1 cup Onions, thin chopped
1 tsp Chili Powder
1/2 tsp Cumin Powder
1/4 tsp Salt
Pinch Black Pepper
1 Lg Portabella Mushroom, chopped
1/2 container Nasoya Tofu, pressed and crumbled
1 can Pinto Beans
1/2 cup Cashews, chopped
1 Lemon,, squeezed
1 jar Enchilida Sauce (I used Verde Enchilida)
3/4 Chili Sauce
8 oz Monteray Jack, shredded
1 bunch Cilantro, chopped

Preheat oven to 400. In pot or pan add oil, chili powder, cumin, salt &pepper and onions and saute for 3 min.

 Add pinto beans, mushrooms, and cashews. Saute for 4 min. Add lomon juice and take off the heat.

Mix enchiladia and chili sauce in a bowl. Pour on the baking dish to cover the botton. Fill tortillias with bean mixture. Roll and place in baking dish.





Pour the rest of the sauce on top of the tortillias.

 

 

Cover with foil bake 18 min. Take out of the oven top with grated cheese. Put back in the oven for 15 min. Let cool 5 min.

 

 

 Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.



 

 

Happy Eating!

Vegetarian Soup

Not all soups are equal!! I know I need to stay away from processed foods but as I have said before sometimes it is just easier as a single mother.

I was given some Venice Vegetarian Soups. I was happy and excited. So I put them away for a rainy day. Well today was that rainy day with 2 kids home with colds.

I decided I wanted to check the label to see what yummy goodness was in these cans.Well to my surprise there was not much yummy anything. I would say that most of it is on my new Dirty Foods list.

It starts out good with water, peas, carrots and tomato paste but then we are in trouble. Thiamine monontirate, frolic acid, green beans, high fructose corn syrup,potato starch, granulated onion, dehydrated onion, MSG, yeast extract, hydrolyzed corn gluten, soy protein, wheat gluten, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, granulated garlic, citric acid, celery powder and white pepper. Doesn't that sound yummy!!

So I did some checking and this wonderful little company is in business with the king of pasta Chef-Bo-Ar-Dee. Why can't these companies just make healthy foods, instead of chemical ridden foods.

So who wants soup.

Happy Healthy Eating

Low Fat-Peanut Tofu with Rice Noodles

Hello,

Today I was inspired by this recipe by Kalyn. It is a Peanut Tofu. But like always I had to change the recipe.

(yea, I have a camera now)

Peanut Tofu with Rice Noodles

3 tab Tamari
2 tab Rice Vinegar
2 tab Peanut Butter
1 tab Agave
2 tab Water
1 package of Extra Firm Tofu (Nasoya Brand is what I use)
1 clove Garlic sliced
2 slices of Ginger Root
1 tab Peanut Oil
1 bunch Rice Noodles (The noodles I get come in bunches, so I guess 1/4 package)

Heat some water in a pot and cook Rice Noodles. Drain and put on a dish.

Take a wok(I had to use a pot, need to buy a wok soon) heat Peanut Oil on medium add Garlic and Ginger Root, cook until light brown. Remove from the pot. Add drained & pressed Tofu. Cook until light brown.

 

 

Mix the liquid ingredients and Peanut butter in a bowl then add to Tofu. Cook on low for about 7 min. Don't over cook or it will be paste.

 

 

 Lay Tofu on top of the Noodles. Drip Sauce on top.

 

 

 

Serve with a side of steamed Bok Choy or any Green Veggie.

 

 

P.S.

Thank you Nasoya for the Tofu!!

 

Happy Eating!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



LightLife Meatless Tacos

This is my new best friend. I know all you anti-processed foodies won't like this. As a single mother, I have to get a break sometimes. This product is very close to ground beef. I can cook it in tacos or meatballs. The best part is my kids are eating. My son cleaned his plate tonight with lettuce.

Tacos
1 pk Smart Ground
1 pk Taco Seasoning (or homemade taco spice)
1/2 cup Water
1/2 head Lettuce, sliced
1 Tomato, diced
1/4 Red Onion, diced
1 cup Grated Cheese
1 can Black Olives, sliced
1 pk Taco Shells

Season your pan with spray oil. Heat. Add Smart Ground. Cook 2 min. Add pk of Taco Seasoning and water. Cook on low till all the water has disappeared. Place meat, olives, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and onion all in separate bowls. Give each person 2 or 3 warmed Taco Shells. Let your kids build their own Tacos.

My kids feel like they made dinner and eat more vegetables on their own. It's a win win!

Thank you to my friend Amy for giving me coupons for this product!

Happy Eating

Snacks & Cravings

I am a big snack person. I can eat and watch a movie like a rhino. I wanted to help with listing some health snacks.








If your craving something sweet try these:
Grapes
Strawberries
Apples
Oranges
Raisins
Dried Cherries
Apple Sauce (I use organic)
Make a frozen smoothie

If you crave something salty try these:
Nuts
Carrots
popcorn(popped at home)
Celery
Nut butters with apple slices
Cucumbers
Tortilla chips and hummus
Pretzels
Kale chips
Sunflower seeds
Pumpkin seeds

If you want sweet/salty eat KIND bars.These are the best! They are my new candy bar.


No I did not get any free stuff for posting this. I just want everyone to buy them so they keep making them.So I can keep eating them.

Happy Eating.

Institute for Intergrated Nutrition

Institute for Intergrated Nutrition

Well I have decided to do it. I have decided to go to nutrition school so I can learn about my gut.

 My gut has been the focus of my life for the past 6 months. What to eat. How to eat. What not to eat. The doctors have no answers so I am going to learn what is best.

 In this learning process I will be sharing tips I learn at school. My goal is to be a Health Coach and do Health Coaching for others that have diet, weight, stress, and stomach problems.(just to name a few)

For those of you who don't know me I have a Masters in Social Work. So I have done counseling before. It was just for depressing things like death, cancer, and child abuse.

I think working with people for health and wellness will be a rewarding and positive experience.

If you are interested I need 3 volunteers to do a short health assessment with. You can email me at positiveperceptions@outlook.com.




Happy Eating

Vegan Butternut Squash

Hello,

Yesterday I went to the market and got these humongous Butternut Squash. There are so big I did not know what to do with it. I am new at this Vegan/ Vegetarian eating so I had to get the recipe from the foodnetwork. It is for Roasted Butternut Squash.

This is what theirs looks like


I hope mine look the same. I did change the recipe a bit as usual.

I took my squash. Cut length wise. Cleaned out the seeds. Sprayed with Canola Oil. Sprinkled Salt, Brown Sugar and Garlic Powder. Put in a 400 degree oven for 30 min. I like mine cooked well so I added five min on to the foodnetwork recipe.

Ok well 30 min did not work they are still hard so I added another 20 min. This may be due to the size. I mean mine are HUGE!!!!!!

Unfortunatly, I have no camera at this time to show off mine.. But soon I pray.


Happy Eating

Lightlife Smart Bacon

As you may know I am new to the Vegan world. I have become a Vegan due to major food allergies. I happen to like meat. I just don't like getting sick from it.

Anyway, I tried this "Bacon" product today. I was all excited. I opened the box an noticed it was not a full pound, only 5 oz in the box. Boo. Then I could not get the plastic open. I had to cut it. Once open, I tried to separate the pieces. It crumbled in my hands. I have to say the uncooked product is much like PlayDough. Sounds so good!

Ok, so now I have got the"Bacon" apart and in some type of strip. I set the "Bacon" in the pan as directed on the box and cooked it. It took just a few minutes and it was done.

I liked the fact that it has no grease. The smell was flat and I did not find the taste exciting. As for my reviewers my son (6) did not like it at all. He loves meat and it is hard to get by products past him. My daughter (4), she loves it. She is not very interested in meat and has some food allergies like mom.

I am not planning on buying this product again. I would rather use the money for Tofu or another protein.

Happy Eating

I wrote this review on my own, not for the company Lightlife. I did not get this product at a discount or free.

Pasta Primavera

Well I have been having a craving for some pasta. I found this easy to make. This recipe was meant for spring vegetables but you can use whatever fresh vegetables are available. You can use Broccoli, Yellow Squash, Mushrooms or Carrots.

 

PASTA PRIMAVERA

1 cup uncooked Pasta, (Farfalle or Penne or Fusilli)
1 cup Diced Canned Tomato
1 cup Zucchini
1 cup Red Pepper
1 cup Peas (I use frozen)
1 cup Asparagus
2 Garlic, minced
1/2 cup Onion, chopped
11/2 Olive Oil
1 tea. Good Seasons Italian Salad Dressing mix
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (or use vegan cheese)


Cook pasta. Reserve some of the liquid. In a pan heat oil, add Garlic and Onion. Cook 2 min. Add Vegetables cook till soft. Add Tomato and Italian Seasoning cook a min. Add Pasta, toss. If it is dry add some of the cooking liquid.
Serve




Happy Eating

BBQ Tofu

I love BBQ. Being an x meat eater, I was use to BBQ chicken and pork. Now I missed it until I read VEGAN DAD. He has a recepie for Smoked Tofu. Being I live in an apartment I had to change it to Crock Pot Tofu. Doesn't sounds as good but I can think of a snapper name later


BBQ Tofu

1 pk Nasoya Extra Firm Tofu Plus

3 Tab A1 Sweet Hickory

2 Tab Soy Sauce

3 Tab Maple Syrup

2 Tab Olive Oil

1/2 Tea Sesame Oil

2 Tea Dijon Mustard

2 Tab Water

Press Tofu. Mix liquid ingredents in the Crock Pot. Turn Crock Pot on low. Slice Tofu in 8 cutlets. Lay flat in Crock Pot. Coat with sauce, Cover, Cook for 6 hours. Calories about 200 per serving.

I got the Tofu free from Nasoya. But even if I didn't I would still buy the same product.


 I am making my dinner with Broccoli and Lemon. Brown Rice steamed.















Happy Eating

Coffee Creamer

Processed foods are terrible for everyone, maybe even more for a person with food allergies and gut problems. I have a problem, I like creamy coffee. I do not like soy or almond milk in my coffee or tea. I am use to that butter fat heavy taste. I started using powdered creamer that has no dairy but I feel this is not a good idea especially with this new VEGAN world I found.

When I was in high school, I had a science project where we had to pick a food and write questions to the company about their ingredients. Well I am not going to write a company but I did look up whats in my creamer and this is what I found:

Sodium Casenate- A milk derivative

Dipotassum Phosphate- Is a type of salt used in dairy products. From WEBMD I found- Phosphate salts can irritate the digestive tract and cause stomach upset, diarrhea, constipation, and other problems. Just What I don't need to help my gut.


Monoand Diglycerides- Is trans-fatty acids  On LIVESTRONG,

prepared foods that commonly contain mono- and diglycerides are some of the least healthy food products on the market, including baked goods, soft drinks, candy, gum, whipped cream, ice cream, margarine and shortening.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/445850-what-is-bad-about-mono-diglycerides/#ixzz28X7tYxIP

Silicon Dioxide- This a a non clumping agent which has been shown in large amounts to cause cancer,and possible dementia.

No wonder I am never feeling any better. Look at that junk in my coffee cup.


Fitting Picture


So now what am I to do. I could stop drinking coffee or find a happy alternative. Anybody have any suggestions?

Happy Eating

Lunch Bots & Toffutti

As you know I am learning how to eat Vegan. My choice is due to MAJOR food allergies. In the process I have lost 33 -35 pounds. I have 9 more to go. But the price tag for food is high and when you are feeding 2 kids it is time to get us all eating the same foods. My kids are not interested in trying new foods so I have to do some fancy mom work.

For my first trick:





My son is anti-eating non dairy products. He would have a cow in our living room if he could. He loves cow milk and cheeses. So he is one tough costumer but I tricked him this morning. I gave he his bagel and cream cheese but with the Toffutti. He ate ever bit no questions asked. Yea! That's round one.


For my next trick:


This is for my picky daughter. Now my son likes school lunch and his animal products. But my daughter likes fresher foods. So this is a great way to give her the favorites but add 1 new item each day or week. I have a list I keep on the fridge on what items I use. I can't remember my name at 7am so I need all the help I can get.

1. Veggies- Carrots, Celery, Grape Tomatoes. Radishes, Cukes, Olives, Peppers, Pickles, Green Beans.
2. Fruit- Blueberries, strawberries, Melon, Peaches ,Apple Slices, Grapes, Orange Slices, Mango, Apricots.
3. Protein- Shrimp, Cheese, Peanut Butter, Sunbutter, Nuts, Seeds, Chick Nuggets, Egg Whites
4. Starch- Rice, Granola, Crackers, Pasta, Tater Tots, Pretzels, Animal Crackers, Popcorn

Remember my kids are not vegan yet so they still eat animal proteins. You can see this idea. I can interchange with soy products and other veggie products. This little box gives you many options. I can also fit in sandwiches.

Good luck with your kids or husband/ wife

Happy Eating

Bountiful Black Bean Soup

Hello

I am feeling better today. Just a bit of nausea. This morning I had Brown Rice Farina with Cinnamon. Yum!

Today I am cooking some Bean Soup. I have hot Red Peppers that I got 3 weeks ago. They are still good so I am using them in the Soup. I love them cause they are sweet and spicy.




I also have some Fresh Thyme that I let sit by the oven and now it is dried and I can use in soups, stews and stocks.



Bountiful Black Bean Soup- Crock Pot

11/2 cup Bob's Red Mill Beans
8 cups Water
2 cloves Garlic sliced
2 Red Cherry Peppers tops and seeds out, leave Peppers whole
1 stalk Celery diced
15 sm Carrots
1 Tomato diced
1Tab Adobo
1 tea Cumin
1/2 Oregano
1/4 tea Fresh Dried Thyme.

Place everything in the Crock Pot and stir. Turn on high and cook 2 hours.


This product is good because there are no seasoning. Therefore you can use the bean mix for any dish.
Happy Eating

Fall Veggies

With the fall season you will see a change in the farmers market foods. Change is good! You will see hearty vegetables. When I say hearty, I mean veggies you can stew, roast and mash. They have great texture and fill you up. I have included what vitamins are in each. If you are like me you worry that your are not getting the right amount since you gave up animal products.

Avocado- Vitamins A, C, E, Potassium, Fiber, Iron




Beets- Vitamin C, Folate, Potassium




Carrots- Vitamin A


Parsnips- Vitamin C, Folate

 

 

 

Pumpkin -Vitamin A, C, Folate

 

 

Sweet Potatoes - Vitamin A, C, B-6, Fiber, Copper, Potassium

 

 

Turnips- Vitamin C

 

 

Winter Squash - Vitamin A, C, Fiber, Folate, Potassium, Thiamin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 All but the avocado are great roasted and grilled. They can all be mashed to serve as a side dish.I will be posting recipies as I cook them.

 

Happy Eating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Photos from BING



Problem Foods Vs Healthy Foods

Food and Food Products to Avoid

Following are some of the foods that are making me sick.

Dairy Products
milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, regular cheese and eggs.

Fatty Foods
Anything fried.

Poultry and Red Meat
All meat

Fruits
Apples, any fruit juices

Caffeine
Any soda (I still drink coffee)

Processed Foods
These have too much sugar and fat so they make me sick.

Since I am now avoiding these I have lost 35 lbs. So what do I eat

Vegetables

Fish or Shell Fish

Whole Grains

See this Vegan shopping list to get the idea, (from www.bistrokatie.com) 

Hope this helps. It has helped me get thinner.

Happy Eating

Feeling Yuck

Well it is another rainy day. I have already had 2 Limotol. I felt better when I got up. But I am still running to the toilet.
 Food today

Breakfast: Waffle , coffee

Snack: Dried Cherries,

Lunch: Garlic Bread

Snack: Chocolate Muffin (home made, non dairy), Coffee

Dinner: Udon Veggie Noodle Soup with Shrimp

Recipe:

1/3 Extra Firm Tofu, diced
1 cup Spinach, jullian
20 sm Organic Carrots
1 diced Celery Stalk
1/2 Green Pepper
1/4 diced Onion
24 sm Shrimp
1 tea Garlic Powder
2 Tab Soy Sauce
1 Tab Rice Vinegar
1 tea Sesame Oil
1/2 tea Dried Sage
1 Vegggie Stock Package
6 cups Water

Combine in crock pot. Set high cook 11/2 hour, Set to low cook 1 hour..

Cook package Udon Noodles.

Put soup stock in lg bowl add noodles and serve.

Late night snack: Granola with almond milk.

Happy Eating

Warm Breakfast

Well it is October and this morning was a typical day. I have been in the bathroom 3 times. I am going to eat something to sooth my gut. Brown rice farina, it is easy to digest. It is a hot ceral, that is made with water and salt. Served with honey, cinnamon, brown sugar or dried fruit is good too. I am using Bob's Red Mill brand.

Brown Rice Farina

 

1 cup Farina

3 cups Water

1/2 tea Salt

Bring water and salt to a boil. Add the Farina. Lower the heat. Stir. Cook 6-7 min. Be careful the cereal is very hot and will burn if it splashes on your skin. Serve.

Sorry I have no pictures my camera needs a new charger.

But it should look like this (pic from fortheloveoffood.com)




For the calorie counters 150 cal per serving.

It is warm and yummy!
Happy Eating