VeggieTalk

Check in on Thursday, May 15, for the podcast interview I did with Erik Marcus on vegan.com. We discussed how my family transitioned from vegetarian to vegan, recipes from Vegan Express, and a fond look forward to fresh spring produce. We also talked about how Erik’s many non-veg listeners might transition to a more veg-friendly diet, and the glimmer of hope that mainstream media is finally catching on to the fact that animal agriculture, particularly beef, is a major contributor to greenhouse gases.

And while you’re there, make sure to explore the main vegan.com site for a compilation of news analysis, opinion, juicy rants, and recipes on all things vegan.

Erik Marcus of Vegan.com recently ran a nifty feature on the top 10 vegan recipes of 2008. He contacted the authors of the top recent vegan cookbooks, in which he included Vegan Express, and asked each author to pick a favorite recipe from the book. I chose one that I love to make due to its extreme ease, the Nearly Instant Coconut Corn Soup, which is accompanied by the gorgeous photo taken by Susan Voisin of the FatFree Vegan Blog.

Here are the featured recipes: 1) Plantain Omelet - From Mark Reinfeld and Bo Rinaldi’s Vegan Fusion World Cuisine.

2) Thai Coconut Corn Soup - From Nava Atlas’ Vegan Express.

3) Indonesian Coconut Rice - From Robin Robertson’s Vegan Fire & Spice.

4) Baked Ziti - From Beverly Lynn Bennett’s Vegan Bites.

5) Moroccan Phyllo Rolls - From Dreena Burton’s Eat, Drink, & Be Vegan.

6) Italian Stuffed Crepes - From Bryanna Clark Grogan’s Nonna’s Italian Kitchen.

7) Chickpea Curry - From Hema Parekh’s The Asian Vegan Kitchen.

Desserts:

Banana Chocolate Bread Pudding - From Isa Chandra Moskowtiz and Terry Hope Romero’s Veganomicon.

9) Root Beer Float Cupcakes - From Hannah Kaminsky’s My Sweet Vegan.

10) Fresh Mango Cobler - From Ani Phyo’s Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen.

So this week, instead of one Recipe of the Week, you’ve got ten! To view the entire list (and thus access the recipes) click here.

I’m so lucky! An Associated Press article on seitan, featuring my recipe for Jerk-Spiced Seitan from Vegan Express, is making its way across the web as well as the wires to newspapers and all kinds of media outlets. An AP photograph accompanies some of these stories, which appear differently depending on the venue. Here’s one that’s on the web site of ABC News. It just spooks me that it looks so meaty!

One of my favorite posts, visually, is the one of Butterscotch Mousse Pie on Diet, Dessert, and Dogs. Ricki Heller is still perfecting her recipe for the coconut cream with which she’s garnished the pie; and I also love her idea for the nut crust. I’m waiting to see if she posts that coconut cream soon, and I would love to try making the pie with it as well as the nut crust. A calorie explosion, to be sure, but a rare and worthy indulgence!

Hope you don’t mind my continuing to share these postings with all of you. It’s really fun for me to see visual representations of my recipes, especially given my own remedial photographic skills.

Since I am too lazy to take photos of the recipes I post, you might enjoy, as I do, browsing the photos that other bloggers have taken of the recipes they’ve made from Vegan Express. Here is a small sampling. Oh, and I might add, I’m really very touched and grateful when bloggers choose my recipes to cook, photograph, and write about. Thank you, thank you!

This list is from the most recent on down. There are lots more out there on the web, but here are some highlights, so I don’t overwhelm you, or myself:

Just today, Ricki at Diet, Dessert and Dogs posted a full review with SEVEN photos of the recipes she tried. Stay tuned to this blog, as she is planning to post her version of my Butterscotch Mousse Pie, including her own recipe for a nut crust and a coconut whipped cream for topping. She sent me the photo for approval and all I could think was, I want some of that, with some strong coffee!

The Peaceable Kingdom posted a photo of Paella Vegetariana, with some unique changes. I never, ever mind when readers change recipes to suit their own tastes. I like it that my recipes don’t have to be followed to the letter to work, and that they are tweakable. That’s what cooking is all about, to take ideas and give things your own personal touches.

One Third Nerd made Polenta with Black Beans and Spinach. I haven’t made that one for a while so I was delighted not only to view it but to read that it took her only 20 minutes total to make.

Culinary (and other) Adventures of a Veggie Girl made Lemony Couscous with Broccoli after a cold bike ride.

A Damzlfly in London (Ontario, that is), AKA Shayna, made Our Favorite Chocolate Cake for her friend’s birthday, and decorated it so festively with fresh raspberries!

The Curly Knitter took inspiration from Fatfree Vegan Kitchen’s post on Pink Bean, Quinoa, and Spinach Soup, which is also a bit further down on this list.

Day to Day Vegan wasn’t too excited about the Tofu Aloo Gobi, saying it was bland for her taste, but also mentioned that she was at the peak of a cold when she couldn’t taste very well. I will admit that my recipes tend to be on the mild side — I’m not a huge spice person — but I’d rather that readers spice things up to their own tastes. I don’t mind constructive criticism, however, and I respect Lindsay’s opinion!

Diann, a regular reader of this blog and the creator of a very nice one of her own, Eat’n Vegan, posted a photo of Gingery Rice with Sweet Potatoes and Peas amid a long post on yummy vegan desserts.

Living on the Vedge posted a photo of Seitan and Mushrooms in Paprika Cream, a recipe that was inspired by one of my trips to my beloved Paris. I love how she wrote that “Dinner met plate within twenty minutes, and it was restaurant qualilty.” Thank you, Kelly!

Vegan Quickies is the title of the post by Dynise at Urban Vegan, where she posts photos of Zucchini and Polenta Marinara as well as Roasted Brussels Sprouts.

Chris and Darlene from Eat Air posted two photos: Creamy Pasta with Asparagus and Peas and Big Quesadillas with Black Beans, Broccoli, and Portabella Mushrooms.

Susan Voisin of FatFree Vegan Kitchen, who took the photos for the book’s photo insert did a lovely shot of Pink Bean, Quinoa, and Spinach Soup, and also ran the recipe.

Alanna at A Veggie Venture posted what she called Stir-Fried Brown Rice, but which in the book is called Bok Choy, Edamame, Cashew, and Orange Rice. Whatever it’s called, I’d like to make it again soon!

At the VegBlog, Ryan posted a recipe I made again very recently, one of my very simple but so colorful faves, Broccoli Salad with Yellow Peppers, Pine Nuts, and Cranberries.

And last (or actually first) but not least, at Dreena’s Vive le Vegan, you’ll find a photo of Butterscotch Apples

Yesterday, there was a mini “blog tour” for my book, Everyday Traditions, on a few parenting sites. This is off the subject of vegan cooking of course (though there is plenty about food in the book, as food is a huge part of everyday tradition). So in case any of you want to see these posts while still fresh:

Parent Hacks

Within the Woods

MUBAR (Mothered Up Beyond All Recognition)

For those of you who don’t receive my newsletter, for November I offered my first ever e-book, called Nava’s Thanksgiving Favorites. It’s an instantly downloadable mini e-book, with 40 vegan recipes on 38 printable pages that makes planning for the Mother of All Food Holidays a cinch. I’ll be donating a generous amount from each $8.00 purchase to Share Our Strength, an organization of culinary professionals dedicated to easing hunger in the U.S. and around the world. For details on this offer, go to Nava’s Thanksgiving Favorites.

I know that most people with kids are just recovering from Halloween; and even here in the northeast it feels pretty mild and not Thanksgiving-ish at all, so I’ll announce this offer again in a couple of weeks. The e-book is available now, and will be available for the foreseeable future.

I’ve covered this in my monthly newsletter, but I wanted my blog readers to know about this, too. Evan (my younger son, who is nearly 15) has for the last two years he has been creating beautiful photographic cards and small prints specifically to raise money for his favorite charities, which include the Jane Goodall Foundation, Clearwater Foundation, and Farm Sanctuary (you can find out more about these great organizations on his links page).

Evan donates 100% of proceeds to these organizations. There are a handful of gorgeous new photos this month. In October, he plans to donate funds to the Goodall Foundation. View his work at Evan Atlas Photo Gallery.

I’m pleased to let you know that there are lots of new articles, recipes, and tips on the Vegetarian Kitchen site. I’ve added some great information from guest experts on many topics of interest in the vegetarian realm (I’ll be announcing this in my September newsletter as well, along with lots more news, tips, and recipes; subliminal message: subscribe to my newsletter! You’ll find the subscription box on every page of Vegetarian Kitchen). Here are the new articles:

In Vegetarian Tips:

• Planning Vegetarian Meals by by Nikki Goldbeck
• Vegetarian Nutrition for Teenagers by Reed Mangels, Ph.D., R.D.
• Fiber for Plant-Based Diets by Connie Sarros
• Slow-Cooking, Vegetarian-Style by Robin Robertson
• The High Performance Vegan Athlete: It Is Possible! by Brendan Brazier
• Go Nuts for Goodness Sake! by Zel Allen
• Super Foods for Vegetarian Pregnancy and Lactation by Cathe Olson
• Vegan Substitutions Guide by Erin Pavlina
• Fats: Choose the Best, Avoid the Worst by Sally Kneidel
• Plant-Based Calcium: Sources and Absorbability by Beverly Bennett

In Kid-Friendly Recipes:

• Organic Foods and Children by Elaine Marie Lipson
• Do you have a picky eater in your family? by Amy Hemmert and Tammy Pelstring

And in Recipes Galore, my own recipes and tips in some new topics (you’ll see these new topics marked with the word New):

• Versatile Tofu
• Five Easy Pizzas
• Seitan, Anyone?
• Savoring Soy Sausage
• Spring’s Leafy Greens
• Herbal Harvest
• Fresh Corn
• Hardy Grains for Cool-Weather Meals
• Roots

I hope you enjoy the new info!

This is the big health news story of the day, on the front page of the paper, and all over the net wire services. To quote the Associated Press article:

Sydney - Obesity has reached pandemic proportions throughout the world and is now the greatest single contributor to chronic disease, an international conference was told on Sunday.

“This insidious, creeping pandemic of obesity is now engulfing the entire world,” Australia’s Monash University professor Paul Zimmet, chair of the 10th International Congress on Obesity, said on the opening day of the conference.

The spread of the problem was “led by affluent western nations, whose physical activity and dietary habits are regrettably being adopted by developing nations,” Zimmet told more than 2,000 delegates.

The world now has more fat people than hungry ones, according to World Health Organisation figures, with more than a billion overweight people compared to 800 million who are undernourished.

Read the rest of the story, and lots of related links. This is just so aggravating! With all the public education and information out there, the world is just getting fatter and fatter.

I know a lot of vegetarians and vegans read this blog. Do any of you struggle with weight? In my family, it seems like our vegan diets allow us to eat and eat and eat, and yet we are all at ideal weight. As I have written before, I even have to make sure to do some calorie-loading for the two teenage boys as they are both thin. What are your experiences with veg/vegan lifestyle and weight? If I get some interesting repsonses, I will put them together for a piece in my next newsletter.

In the most recent query to Vegetarian Kitchen’s new Reader Q & A column, a reader asks if a vegetarian diet can help her lose and keep off 20 pounds. In doing a little research for a recent study to quote in my answer, what I know in my heart to be true was confirmed—that a plant-based diet is the most healthful. Vegetarians and vegans are slimmer, live longer, and suffer from fewer cancers, heart disease, and diabetes.

I know full well that the world is not ready to “go veg,” but the message needs to be louder and clearer—more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans!! Fewer animal products, and NO white flour, high-fructose corn syrup, and partially hydrogenated fats. Unfortunately the U.S. has been exporting this kind of crappy, poisonous eating throughout the world via fast food and soft drinks. It just makes me so mad!

And furthermore, while I am still ranting, what about exercise? In Amsterdam, for instance, where people get around by bicycle, we did not see a single overweight person. As countries develop, there is more reliance on cars and less on walking and bicycling, and it shows up in rising rates of overweight, with the exception of cities that are set up for walking and biking.

So, I’d be very interested to hear your thoughts on how your veg/vegan diet and activity level affects your weight.

Everyone needs to be aware that good nutrition is a major part of a long, happy life.

First let me credit this photo right away to Jennifer McCann, who writes the blog Vegan Lunch Box. The premise behind this clever blog is that Jennifer packs these wildly creative lunches for her son everyday, then talks about the sources of the recipes. Oh yes, and she packs them in these cool bento-style boxes that were developed by two moms who noticed what a lot of waste is created by conventionally packed lunches. You can check these out at Laptop Lunches.

This blog struck a chord withi me at once. I’ve been packing lunches for my sons for more than a decade, and though my older son is off to an early college program, I’m still up every day to pack lunch for my younger son, who is in high school. I’ve long been an advocate of sending lunch from home rather than fighting with the school lunch system. And though I’ve written and ranted about it, I’ve settled into lunch bag burnout myself. I basically do the same repertoire each week (cashew butter and fruit preserves, soy deli slices on English muffin, blah, blah …), and though my son does not complain, I’m getting bored with it!

So Vegan Lunch Box has inspired me to make a list of ideas to end the school year in style. Its not a matter of more time, it’s more about attitude. It will take the same 10 to 15 minutes to make an interesting lunch than a boring one. Tomorrow, I’m going to send a simple potato salad, some apple slices with a great caramel sauce that my son made himself, and whatever else. Tuesday I plan on a stew in a thermos with some olive bread. Now let’s see if I can keep this up for the rest of the week (and maybe even the rest of the school year!). I actually have tons of good ideas in my own Vegetarian Family Cookbook, if I remind myself to look at it and shop for what I need.

Even if you don’t have a child in school, you will still enjoy Vegan Lunch Box.

Here’s a veg blog that has been around for some time (which is probably why it was able to nab the perfect name, The Veg Blog). I like The Veg Blog as a source for vegetarian and vegan-related news items, particularly ethics; I’ve also enjoyed following the journey of its host, Ryan McMichael, from new vegetarian to committed vegan. Aside from news and ethics, The Veg Blog covers books, recipes he has tried from various sources, and other various fun and fascinating items

I’m glad that there are sites like VegBlog to cover news and ethics; I’ll probably be sticking more with the what to cook and where to eat angle of the veg lifestyle!