Here’s what’s going on at the moment. I have re-dedicated myself to following a strict vegan diet, at least for 6 weeks. The reason for this is two-fold: 1) I need to lose about 40 pounds, and 2) I have some health problems that are aggravated by all this extra lard I’m hauling around.
It’s time now to put in a plug for my diet and health guru, Dr. Joel Fuhrman. If you haven’t read his book, Eat to Live, well, you should! I am a meat-lover from way back, and a junk food junkie too, but this sensible, easy-to-read book gave me the inspiration to move away from that sicko lifestyle. Dr. Fuhrman has a new book out now, which I haven’t read yet, but will be getting soon. It’s called Eat for Health, and gives new and updated information, including recipes, that will probably inspire me to an even healthier lifestyle. I will say here also that I am not affiliated with Dr. Fuhrman in any way other than as a fan, and the reader should not assume that everything on this blog is consistent with Dr. Fuhrman’s stuff. If you want more information on Dr. Fuhrman, check out his web site at www.drfuhrman.com.
Now that the Fuhrman plug is out of the way, back to me! My husband and I read Eat to Live (ETL) and decided to go vegan about 3 years ago. My husband is one of those annoying people with incredible self-discipline who makes up his mind to do something and then does it! I, on the other hand, cheated a lot! I had the dollar menu at every fast food restaurant committed to memory. But after 2-3 years of cheating regularly, my health problems started demanding my attention so I decided to get serious about my diet. So 2 weeks ago I started on the ETL eating plan (it’s not a diet!) and have lost 10 pounds, more or less (I have a crappy cheap set of bathroom scales, so sometimes it’s hard to tell).
Armed with my new-found confidence and optimism I began looking for some more recipes that fit within the eating plan. There are some recipes in ETL that are old favorites, but I am a person that needs variety. If you are vegan, or even just thinking about it, I highly recommend one of my other favorite sites, www.vegancoach.com, for vegan cooking inspiration. I have been collecting recipes and other info from Sassy "Vegan Coach" Knutson for awhile, but some of her recipes are not suitable for the induction phase of ETL. (But, oh boy, once I get through the 6-week induction period, we are gonna cook up some masterpieces!) ANYway!! I went to my local library and found 3 vegan cookbooks on the shelves. Note: Some of you older folks may remember the library – it’s a building where they have books that you can hold in your hand and turn the pages. Even better, you can borrow them for free! Check it out sometime….
The first book I found is Student’s Go Vegan Cookbook by Carole Raymond. I really like this one because it’s geared to the student, meaning recipes are quick, cheap, and easy. Kind of fits in my general philosophy of life, don’t it? The second book is Vegan With a Vengeance by Isa Chandra Moscowitz. This is a radical, romping ride through a vegan kitchen. Many of these recipes are non-vegan recipes that have been vegan-ized by Moscowitz. Simply put, the book rocks! Lastly, I found Vegan Express, by Nava Atlas. Her recipes are geared more to family dining, which works well for me since my husband, at almost 59, has the appetite of a 17-year-old! Family sized portions are the norm at our house! (That’s another one of the beauties of eating Fuhrman style – since you’re eating such nutrient-dense foods, you can eat as much as you want and not add pounds.) I have found many recipes in these books that I will be trying soon, and I’ll let you know how they turn out. Could be I’ll post some of our new favorites on the blog.
Well I guess I’ve gone on long enough, so I’ll stop for now. Looking forward to hearing from someone (anyone!!).
Mimi
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Dear Mimi,
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Dr. Fuhrman's book Eat to Live and am trying to follow his eating plan, too. On the days that I manage to follow it strictly, I feel UNBELIEVEABLY great. On the days that I cheat with a little half and half in my decaf and a little yogurt with my fruit for breakfast, I feel just plain old great. I would welcome some new recipe ideas, as warm beans and veggies on salad greens, while delicious, can get old. Sassy's Sauces sounds like a great place to start. I have tried one of the flavored vinegars Dr. Fuhrman recommends -- Perel's Cuisine Blood Orange Vinegar -- and it is fabulous. That on a salad, and you have no need for the olive oil. That on a piece of salmon, and you're found heaven. Trouble is, I can't remember where I bought it. Harris Teeter is my last chance of finding it. I did, however, find a delicious and much cheaper substitute: Trader Joe's Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar.
My challenge for you -- or anybody else out there: how does a Southern-by-the-grace-o-God gal cook up a decent mess of collards without fatback??
Glad you started this blog! My interest in easy, simple, and anything nature is getting more intense as the world gets more complicated!
-Susan
Clayton, NC