Hello friends!
It's been wayyyy too long since I last posted something on here. Well I have a lot of things going on right now so I've been looking for easy meals to prepare that are easy on the pocket book as well. I just made this Vegan Chili for lunch and loved it so much that I wanted to share. I know that most of you are experiencing colder weather than I am, and I am totally jealous. Fall is my favorite season of the year and I miss the cool, crisp air that is supposed to accompany it! I'm still in fall mode regardless of the weather.. eating chili, scents of pumpkin in the air, and comfy sweatshirts just to name a few. Now onto the recipe. I hope you like it!
Vegan Chili
1 15oz can Black Beans
1 15oz can Great Northern White Beans
1 15 oz can Diced Tomatoes
Approximately 3 cups Water
1-2 stalks Celery
1/2 Medium-sized Onion
3-5 Cloves Garlic (I love Garlic more than most)
2 tbsp Chili Powder
1/2 tbsp Cumin Powder
Dash of Onion Powder
Dash of Garlic Powder
Salt & Pepper to taste
Chop the celery, onion, and garlic. (I like mine a little chunky.)
Mix all the ingredients together in a large pot.
Cover and bring to a boil. Allow vegetables to soften. (about 10 minutes)
Let it cool and enjoy!
Serves 4
The great thing is that this can be made for around $7 and that is using organic ingredients!
You can't beat feeding your family for such a low price!
You will probably be seeing a lot more Vegan, Gluten-free recipes popping up on my blog. I am going to do a 30-day vegan trial so I'm hoping to be disciplined enough to share with you everyday for the month!
Besos,
Courtney
Showing posts with label vegan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vegan. Show all posts
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Baby Steps
Hello!
Are you like most people making the switch over to organic but totally freaked out by the cost of it? Well the Environment Working Group (EWB) has come out with an updated list of the cleanest and dirtiest fruits and vegetables this year. This is based on the amount of pesticides these hold. Obviously fruits and vegetables with a thinner skin are going to absorb more than those with a hard outer shell. So here it is!
The Dirty Dozen:
1) Apples 7) Nectarines
2) Celery 8) Grapes
3) Strawberries 9) Bell Peppers
4) Peaches 10) Potatoes
5) Spinach 11) Lettuce
6) Nectarines 12) Kale/ Collard Greens
^ So make sure you buy these organically because it means that they were never treated with pesticides/herbicides so you can eat them worry free!
The Clean Fifteen:
1) Onions 9) Cantaloupe
2) Corn 10) Kiwi
3) Pineapples 11) Cabbage
4) Avocado 12) Watermelon
5) Asparagus 13) Sweet Potatoes
6) Sweet Peas 14) Grapefruit
7) Mangos 15) Mushroom
8) Eggplant
^ Until you are able to purchase everything organic, you will be okay with eating these non-organically. Most have a protective barrier so little or no pesticides reach the inside.
I know it's hard to find organic produce in some areas or the cost may scare you off, but think about your health and the health of your family the next time you are at the supermarket. In a recent news, it has been found that fruits and vegetables contain 2+ pesticides each, and there has also been a link made between pesticides and children affected by ADHD. Hufingtonpost.com reports that, "with the latest news that ADHD in children is linked to common pesticides used on fruits and vegetables, it is more important than ever to be aware of what we are putting on our plates. Of the 1.2 billion pounds of pesticides used annually in the US, less than .01% actually reach their intended targets--the bugs! Obviously they are completely contaminating our food, and the consequences are disastrous, with numerous national and international government agencies acknowledging the connection to various health problems--nervous system toxicity, cancer, hormone system effects, and irritation of skin, eyes, and lungs among them."
Take steps toward a healthy lifestyle. It doesn't have to happen all at once. Look at the things you eat the most or the top 5 things on the "Dirty Dozen" list and start your organic journey there. Good luck to you all!
Besos,
Courtney
Are you like most people making the switch over to organic but totally freaked out by the cost of it? Well the Environment Working Group (EWB) has come out with an updated list of the cleanest and dirtiest fruits and vegetables this year. This is based on the amount of pesticides these hold. Obviously fruits and vegetables with a thinner skin are going to absorb more than those with a hard outer shell. So here it is!
The Dirty Dozen:
1) Apples 7) Nectarines
2) Celery 8) Grapes
3) Strawberries 9) Bell Peppers
4) Peaches 10) Potatoes
5) Spinach 11) Lettuce
6) Nectarines 12) Kale/ Collard Greens
^ So make sure you buy these organically because it means that they were never treated with pesticides/herbicides so you can eat them worry free!
The Clean Fifteen:
1) Onions 9) Cantaloupe
2) Corn 10) Kiwi
3) Pineapples 11) Cabbage
4) Avocado 12) Watermelon
5) Asparagus 13) Sweet Potatoes
6) Sweet Peas 14) Grapefruit
7) Mangos 15) Mushroom
8) Eggplant
^ Until you are able to purchase everything organic, you will be okay with eating these non-organically. Most have a protective barrier so little or no pesticides reach the inside.
I know it's hard to find organic produce in some areas or the cost may scare you off, but think about your health and the health of your family the next time you are at the supermarket. In a recent news, it has been found that fruits and vegetables contain 2+ pesticides each, and there has also been a link made between pesticides and children affected by ADHD. Hufingtonpost.com reports that, "with the latest news that ADHD in children is linked to common pesticides used on fruits and vegetables, it is more important than ever to be aware of what we are putting on our plates. Of the 1.2 billion pounds of pesticides used annually in the US, less than .01% actually reach their intended targets--the bugs! Obviously they are completely contaminating our food, and the consequences are disastrous, with numerous national and international government agencies acknowledging the connection to various health problems--nervous system toxicity, cancer, hormone system effects, and irritation of skin, eyes, and lungs among them."
Take steps toward a healthy lifestyle. It doesn't have to happen all at once. Look at the things you eat the most or the top 5 things on the "Dirty Dozen" list and start your organic journey there. Good luck to you all!
Besos,
Courtney
Monday, June 20, 2011
E Coli: Corn vs Grass
Hey guys!
So I must say that I have been reading and learning so much information that I feel overwhelmed- in a good way! My head is spinning and my emotions are all over the place, but it's ok because I know that I am supposed to be doing what I am doing! After the European E Coli scare, I really started thinking about why they don't just make a few obvious changes and put an end to E Coli as we know it. I know that it wouldn't be easy because it would affect too many pocketbooks - aka the meat producers and government - but who cares! Is our health and safety really not worth it?
In a 1998! (that's 13 years ago) study done by Cornell, they look the differences in corn vs grass fed beef. I don't know where you are, but in Texas this is a big deal. We are all about eating a big, juicy steak the size of our plate. I, on the other hand, am thinking - and have been thinking for some time - about becoming vegetarian or vegan. Meat has honestly started grossing me out, especially with the amount of information that I have learned!
I want to start out by giving you the overview of E Coli.Their article states that, "E Coli is a normal bacterium in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals, and most types are not harmful." So after reading that, I wondered what could cause it to be harmful. I am not oblivious to what happens in today's beef industry with the over-crowded feedlots, the use of anti-biotics and hormones, and corn fed diets. I feel that it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this stuff out, but hey, let's just look at the facts. So how did corn-fed diets for cattle become such the go-to diet anyways? Last time I checked, cows were supposed to eat grass. Well during WWII, farmers were producing more grain than the US population could eat so they started feeding it to cattle. They soon realized that they could fatten them up a lot faster for slaughter with grain (corn). During that time, it would take 4-5 years to fatten a cow to 1,200 pounds, but with the discovery of feeding them corn, it cut the time to 14-16 months. Wow! That is so great, right? Well it sounds great, but what are the effects?
Healthytheory.com states that, "the stomachs of cows are naturally pH neutral. A corn-based diet, however, creates an acidic environment that contributes to a host of health problems. Corn-fed cattle are prone to serious health conditions such as bloat, diarrhea, ulcers, liver disease, and a weakened immune system. To combat these health problems, cattle are continually fed antibiotics, which leads to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that increasingly render modern medicine ineffective." All I can say is... the poor cows! So they are suffering, and we are ruining their digestive and immune systems in the process. Sounds like the kind of cow I want to get my meat from. A sick one. - Total sarcasm.
I would think we would want them at optimal health so that we can get the healthiest product to feed to consumers, but it's all a money game. So where does E Coli come in with all of this? Well corn leads to a very acidic intestinal tract which is a perfect home for E Coli. Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, states that "the lethal strain of E. coli known as 0157:H7 is believed to have evolved in the gut of feedlot cattle. The development of a more acidic environment in cows’ intestinal tracts created an acid-resistant strain of the pathogen, which is able to survive the acidic conditions of the human stomach and prove fatal." In the documentary Food, Inc., Pollan states that switching feedlot cattle to a grass diet would eliminate 80 percent of the E. coli in the cows’ digestive tracts.
E Coli 0157:H7 can lead to bloody diarrhea and kidney failure in humans, that ultimately, could lead to death if not treated immediately. That's such a scary situation, but it happens more often than we think. Sure, we have had big outbreaks of E Coli here in the States just like they did in Europe, but what people aren't getting is that there are people that die, here in the United States, all the time from E Coli. Just a few weeks ago, a 2 year old girl and her older brother were both hospitalized for E Coli. The little girl did not survive, but her older brother was able to pull through. It's heartbreaking that preventative changes could be made, but they're not.
Next time you're in the grocery store, look for organic, grass-fed beef. I know you can get it at Whole Foods and other specialty stores. Make sure it's hormone and antibiotic free also. Antibiotic use is another topic that I could talk about forever, but I will shorten it for your sake, and just say that it doesn't help E Coli. At all. Don't let the media and other people make you think that E Coli comes from vegetables or that you should avoid them at all costs either! Vegetables, cannot produce it, but they can definitely transport it if they are contaminated with some corn-fed, E Coli tainted manure. Reduce the risk and eat beef that's grass-fed (or no beef at all). You're less likely to eat an E Coli burger that way!
Besos,
Courtney
So I must say that I have been reading and learning so much information that I feel overwhelmed- in a good way! My head is spinning and my emotions are all over the place, but it's ok because I know that I am supposed to be doing what I am doing! After the European E Coli scare, I really started thinking about why they don't just make a few obvious changes and put an end to E Coli as we know it. I know that it wouldn't be easy because it would affect too many pocketbooks - aka the meat producers and government - but who cares! Is our health and safety really not worth it?
In a 1998! (that's 13 years ago) study done by Cornell, they look the differences in corn vs grass fed beef. I don't know where you are, but in Texas this is a big deal. We are all about eating a big, juicy steak the size of our plate. I, on the other hand, am thinking - and have been thinking for some time - about becoming vegetarian or vegan. Meat has honestly started grossing me out, especially with the amount of information that I have learned!
I want to start out by giving you the overview of E Coli.Their article states that, "E Coli is a normal bacterium in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals, and most types are not harmful." So after reading that, I wondered what could cause it to be harmful. I am not oblivious to what happens in today's beef industry with the over-crowded feedlots, the use of anti-biotics and hormones, and corn fed diets. I feel that it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this stuff out, but hey, let's just look at the facts. So how did corn-fed diets for cattle become such the go-to diet anyways? Last time I checked, cows were supposed to eat grass. Well during WWII, farmers were producing more grain than the US population could eat so they started feeding it to cattle. They soon realized that they could fatten them up a lot faster for slaughter with grain (corn). During that time, it would take 4-5 years to fatten a cow to 1,200 pounds, but with the discovery of feeding them corn, it cut the time to 14-16 months. Wow! That is so great, right? Well it sounds great, but what are the effects?
Healthytheory.com states that, "the stomachs of cows are naturally pH neutral. A corn-based diet, however, creates an acidic environment that contributes to a host of health problems. Corn-fed cattle are prone to serious health conditions such as bloat, diarrhea, ulcers, liver disease, and a weakened immune system. To combat these health problems, cattle are continually fed antibiotics, which leads to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that increasingly render modern medicine ineffective." All I can say is... the poor cows! So they are suffering, and we are ruining their digestive and immune systems in the process. Sounds like the kind of cow I want to get my meat from. A sick one. - Total sarcasm.
I would think we would want them at optimal health so that we can get the healthiest product to feed to consumers, but it's all a money game. So where does E Coli come in with all of this? Well corn leads to a very acidic intestinal tract which is a perfect home for E Coli. Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, states that "the lethal strain of E. coli known as 0157:H7 is believed to have evolved in the gut of feedlot cattle. The development of a more acidic environment in cows’ intestinal tracts created an acid-resistant strain of the pathogen, which is able to survive the acidic conditions of the human stomach and prove fatal." In the documentary Food, Inc., Pollan states that switching feedlot cattle to a grass diet would eliminate 80 percent of the E. coli in the cows’ digestive tracts.
E Coli 0157:H7 can lead to bloody diarrhea and kidney failure in humans, that ultimately, could lead to death if not treated immediately. That's such a scary situation, but it happens more often than we think. Sure, we have had big outbreaks of E Coli here in the States just like they did in Europe, but what people aren't getting is that there are people that die, here in the United States, all the time from E Coli. Just a few weeks ago, a 2 year old girl and her older brother were both hospitalized for E Coli. The little girl did not survive, but her older brother was able to pull through. It's heartbreaking that preventative changes could be made, but they're not.
Next time you're in the grocery store, look for organic, grass-fed beef. I know you can get it at Whole Foods and other specialty stores. Make sure it's hormone and antibiotic free also. Antibiotic use is another topic that I could talk about forever, but I will shorten it for your sake, and just say that it doesn't help E Coli. At all. Don't let the media and other people make you think that E Coli comes from vegetables or that you should avoid them at all costs either! Vegetables, cannot produce it, but they can definitely transport it if they are contaminated with some corn-fed, E Coli tainted manure. Reduce the risk and eat beef that's grass-fed (or no beef at all). You're less likely to eat an E Coli burger that way!
Besos,
Courtney
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