So....Your BFF has entered a contest to cook through Sarah Kramer's La Dolce Vegan cookbook in one year & blog about it! (Think Julie and Julia). I"m so excited!!! You can follow my progress right here on my blog...this is where I am required to post pictures & write about the recipes. The Challenge is being hosted by The Vegan Culinary Institute, check them out too as I'm sure they'll be following everyone's progress as well. Here is Sarah! And Thanks Sarah for not cooking lobsters!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Your Imperfect BFF...Mistakes I've made as a vegan.
After attending my second Farm Sanctuary Hoe Down and hearing Bruce Friedrich speak about mistakes he made as an animal activist, I decided to take a good hard look at myself. I've been a vegan for two years now and I've definitely made some "mistakes", or let's say I "created learning experiences" for myself. Hey, nobody is perfect & especially not your BFF!
Shortly after becoming vegan, I had the amazing privilege to hear some seasoned vegans/animal advocates speak at my first Hoe Down. One such speaker was Gene Baur, founder of Farm Sanctuary, and he said something that really stuck with me. He said that there is no such thing as a perfect vegan...we all somehow do harm to living creatures & the environment. Just by living & breathing, we do some harm. He called veganism an "aspiration". Something to aspire to, continuing to do the most good for animals, step by step, without beating ourselves up. Wow! So here is my list of "learning experiences" and my WWGBD (What Would Gene Baur Do) approach to actually learning from them!
1. SAY YOU'RE SORRY!
Say you're sorry now, or you can't have dessert. You're a vegan and making everyone here uncomfortable, and you must apologize 100 times. BFF, I'm sorry. This is just a choice I've made for myself, please ignore me, I'm obviously crazy, can we please never mention this again? Honestly, I just recently realized that I am constantly apologizing for being vegan. I apologize to friends who have to "bend over backwards" to provide something for me to eat at parties, I apologize to servers at restaurants for asking questions & for requesting no cheese on my pasta, I apologize to said server for having to take back the pasta that has arrived with cheese, and I apologize to all friends at the table for being "difficult". Ugh! I am so annoying myself! I'm not even sure I can look at myself in a mirror. Oh who am I kidding, I can always look at myself in a mirror...but let's get serious here. In my quest to be the nicest vegan you have ever met, I have "sorry-ed" away my very valid, not to mention compassionate, life choices. This has got to stop! I'm done apologizing. This is who I am, and I'm truly NOT SORRY! WWGBD? I think GB would tell me to have some compassion for myself as well. I can be mindful of animals, others, and myself without feeling the need to say "sorry" 20 times in one sitting. Thanks GB.
**Little side note** I've realized that others always feel the need to apologize to me for their life choices. A friend walks in the door & I compliment her on her outfit. She immediately apologizes to me for her leather belt. As if it's MY skin she's wearing around her waist! Ha! People will be talking about a picnic they had and will apologize to me for every food item mentioned that is not vegan. This is pretty funny...but it's also starting to piss me off!
2. THIS IS STARTING TO PISS ME OFF!
I have realized that there are certain places where, times when, and people with whom I feel very comfortable & "let my guard down". What I mean is that in these circumstances, the central focus is not my veganism, & I admit that I like it. We don't have to spend an entire meal/evening talking about me and my life choices, but rather we can focus on more important issues like who's husband is a lazy POS, and remember that time 'Shelly' got so drunk that she fell over, and you'll never believe what my crazy MIL did at my daughter's birthday party! You know, BFF, important life stuff! In these situations I often find myself annoyed & ill-prepared to answer questions and defend my veganism. More often than not I try to get out of the situation and/or say something I end up regretting. WWGBD? I think GB would be open all the time to all possibilities of discussing being vegan. Every situation is an opportunity to share info and advocate for animals. Most people are genuinely curious and not trying to make me feel bad. Lesson learned: ALWAYS be open & prepared to discuss veganism! I also need to recognize that when others apologize to me for their own choices (leather belt, picnic food, etc.), that their own awareness is growing. They are recognizing how their choices affect animals, others, and the environment. In these situations, I am actually a representative of the animals & of the vegan movement, and if they feel the need to apologize then maybe a connection is being made. How cool is that??????
3. DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS.
There have been times where I have caught myself in the grocery store staring at an item for 15+ minutes. What exactly IS this calcium sulfate & is it from an animal? Is this company one that I can support? Do you think they test on animals? Yada, yada, yada...the questions go on and on and on. I have beat myself up over some honey in a loaf of bread. Or buying Revlon mascara because they do not test on animals, but are not completely vegan, but I cannot justify $20 on the Urban Decay mascara right now because I have no job. Ack! It's difficult in the beginning, before you know what companies are safe, what bread is ok...it's all a learning process. At the most recent Hoe Down, Bruce, Gene, Victoria Moran, Susie Coston, and Zoe Weil all said the same thing...What will do the MOST GOOD for the animals. Meaning, you've chosen a vegan lifestyle...that is soooooooo good for animals! What if you accidentally buy a loaf of bread with honey in it? Should you throw it away and beat yourself up for it? WWGBD? Dearest GB would remember that we are not perfect and that while we are aspiring to be the best little vegan we can be, there will be minor bumps in the road of lesson learning. Oh, well! Pick yourself up, learn from it, move on, & do better next time! You cannot completely undo all the good you're doing by being vegan with 1 loaf of bread!
4. SUCKER!
While I do believe that every question is an opportunity to advocate for animals, I also feel that there are certain situations you cannot allow yourself to be sucked into. For instance, the co-worker who says that plants feel pain too, or the steak eating woman who has had one too many glasses of wine, and many other situations...you'll know 'em when you see 'em. Some people are looking to get you fired up. Some are looking for a fight. In situations like this, when someone is purposely trying to make you mad...walk away. Change the subject. Stick another forkful of tofu in your mouth. Shut up. And then go home and vent like crazy to someone who will understand! If you know you cannot remain calm in a situation, it's best not to engage at all. WWGBD? I imagine GB to be calm and cool at all times. As a seasoned vegan maybe he never loses his cool...I really can't answer this question for GB. But I go back to what will do the most good for animals? Will coming to blows with a DB hell-bent on making you look bad help more animals? I don't think so. I remember that I am a representative of the vegan movement & realize that sometimes an argument can do more harm than good. There are lots of opportunities each and every day...it's okay to avoid certain ones.
There are many, many more mistakes I've made as a vegan & more in my future. But I remember compassion is my motivator, so some of that should be given to myself. It's a journey...and it's your journey. Love it! Enjoy it! Eat a vegan doughnut...or three! WWGBD???
PS...as you can see, I found my vegan doughnuts! I'm the happiest little vegan you've ever seen! Thank you Iron Betty!
Shortly after becoming vegan, I had the amazing privilege to hear some seasoned vegans/animal advocates speak at my first Hoe Down. One such speaker was Gene Baur, founder of Farm Sanctuary, and he said something that really stuck with me. He said that there is no such thing as a perfect vegan...we all somehow do harm to living creatures & the environment. Just by living & breathing, we do some harm. He called veganism an "aspiration". Something to aspire to, continuing to do the most good for animals, step by step, without beating ourselves up. Wow! So here is my list of "learning experiences" and my WWGBD (What Would Gene Baur Do) approach to actually learning from them!
 | |
| Do my doughnut goggles make you want to forgive me? |
1. SAY YOU'RE SORRY!
Say you're sorry now, or you can't have dessert. You're a vegan and making everyone here uncomfortable, and you must apologize 100 times. BFF, I'm sorry. This is just a choice I've made for myself, please ignore me, I'm obviously crazy, can we please never mention this again? Honestly, I just recently realized that I am constantly apologizing for being vegan. I apologize to friends who have to "bend over backwards" to provide something for me to eat at parties, I apologize to servers at restaurants for asking questions & for requesting no cheese on my pasta, I apologize to said server for having to take back the pasta that has arrived with cheese, and I apologize to all friends at the table for being "difficult". Ugh! I am so annoying myself! I'm not even sure I can look at myself in a mirror. Oh who am I kidding, I can always look at myself in a mirror...but let's get serious here. In my quest to be the nicest vegan you have ever met, I have "sorry-ed" away my very valid, not to mention compassionate, life choices. This has got to stop! I'm done apologizing. This is who I am, and I'm truly NOT SORRY! WWGBD? I think GB would tell me to have some compassion for myself as well. I can be mindful of animals, others, and myself without feeling the need to say "sorry" 20 times in one sitting. Thanks GB.
**Little side note** I've realized that others always feel the need to apologize to me for their life choices. A friend walks in the door & I compliment her on her outfit. She immediately apologizes to me for her leather belt. As if it's MY skin she's wearing around her waist! Ha! People will be talking about a picnic they had and will apologize to me for every food item mentioned that is not vegan. This is pretty funny...but it's also starting to piss me off!
2. THIS IS STARTING TO PISS ME OFF!
I have realized that there are certain places where, times when, and people with whom I feel very comfortable & "let my guard down". What I mean is that in these circumstances, the central focus is not my veganism, & I admit that I like it. We don't have to spend an entire meal/evening talking about me and my life choices, but rather we can focus on more important issues like who's husband is a lazy POS, and remember that time 'Shelly' got so drunk that she fell over, and you'll never believe what my crazy MIL did at my daughter's birthday party! You know, BFF, important life stuff! In these situations I often find myself annoyed & ill-prepared to answer questions and defend my veganism. More often than not I try to get out of the situation and/or say something I end up regretting. WWGBD? I think GB would be open all the time to all possibilities of discussing being vegan. Every situation is an opportunity to share info and advocate for animals. Most people are genuinely curious and not trying to make me feel bad. Lesson learned: ALWAYS be open & prepared to discuss veganism! I also need to recognize that when others apologize to me for their own choices (leather belt, picnic food, etc.), that their own awareness is growing. They are recognizing how their choices affect animals, others, and the environment. In these situations, I am actually a representative of the animals & of the vegan movement, and if they feel the need to apologize then maybe a connection is being made. How cool is that??????
3. DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS.
There have been times where I have caught myself in the grocery store staring at an item for 15+ minutes. What exactly IS this calcium sulfate & is it from an animal? Is this company one that I can support? Do you think they test on animals? Yada, yada, yada...the questions go on and on and on. I have beat myself up over some honey in a loaf of bread. Or buying Revlon mascara because they do not test on animals, but are not completely vegan, but I cannot justify $20 on the Urban Decay mascara right now because I have no job. Ack! It's difficult in the beginning, before you know what companies are safe, what bread is ok...it's all a learning process. At the most recent Hoe Down, Bruce, Gene, Victoria Moran, Susie Coston, and Zoe Weil all said the same thing...What will do the MOST GOOD for the animals. Meaning, you've chosen a vegan lifestyle...that is soooooooo good for animals! What if you accidentally buy a loaf of bread with honey in it? Should you throw it away and beat yourself up for it? WWGBD? Dearest GB would remember that we are not perfect and that while we are aspiring to be the best little vegan we can be, there will be minor bumps in the road of lesson learning. Oh, well! Pick yourself up, learn from it, move on, & do better next time! You cannot completely undo all the good you're doing by being vegan with 1 loaf of bread!
4. SUCKER!
While I do believe that every question is an opportunity to advocate for animals, I also feel that there are certain situations you cannot allow yourself to be sucked into. For instance, the co-worker who says that plants feel pain too, or the steak eating woman who has had one too many glasses of wine, and many other situations...you'll know 'em when you see 'em. Some people are looking to get you fired up. Some are looking for a fight. In situations like this, when someone is purposely trying to make you mad...walk away. Change the subject. Stick another forkful of tofu in your mouth. Shut up. And then go home and vent like crazy to someone who will understand! If you know you cannot remain calm in a situation, it's best not to engage at all. WWGBD? I imagine GB to be calm and cool at all times. As a seasoned vegan maybe he never loses his cool...I really can't answer this question for GB. But I go back to what will do the most good for animals? Will coming to blows with a DB hell-bent on making you look bad help more animals? I don't think so. I remember that I am a representative of the vegan movement & realize that sometimes an argument can do more harm than good. There are lots of opportunities each and every day...it's okay to avoid certain ones.
There are many, many more mistakes I've made as a vegan & more in my future. But I remember compassion is my motivator, so some of that should be given to myself. It's a journey...and it's your journey. Love it! Enjoy it! Eat a vegan doughnut...or three! WWGBD???
 | |||
| Heaven is a vegan doughnut! |
Monday, August 15, 2011
Look Out BFF...Hubby Has Taken Over Blog!
Hey guys…it’s your BFF’s hubby. I asked the wife if I could share a little something with you all that I realized recently.
As you probably know by now from reading this blog, I am also vegan…I am also a fairly active person. I have done the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge (a 35 mile in one day hike) every summer for the past 10 years, many other similar extreme hikes, I’ve run full and half marathons, 5k’s, 10k’s…you get the idea. I was doing these things before I was vegan, and I have continued to do them since I became vegan about two years ago. I am certainly not the fastest guy (or gal) on the trail, I never was, but that’s not my point……I’m getting there.
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| BFF adding pictures. This one is Hubby coming off the cargo nets. |
So I’m finally coming to my point. I barely had (made) any time to train for the two events I did this summer (you know how it goes, work gets busy, the grass needs to be mowed, you’re just too damn lazy), BUT I still rocked them! In The Ruckus, I was in the top 30% of my category (which consisted of all males under 45…I’m 34…the kid that won it was like 19 or something…so I was pretty happy with that), and that’s without training!
And I didn’t break any personal records doing Rachel Carson this year, but…my recovery time was almost zero! I was walking around the next day like nothing happened…again, without training! That is unheard of for me.
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| Hubby in the mud. |
BTW…just to prove I’m not a complete nut…check out this interview with vegan, professional mixed martial artist (cage fighter), Mac Danzig. I can’t imagine anything much harder on your body than that……except maybe iron man triathlons.
Well, I’ll give you back to your BFF now. Thanks for letting me hijack your blog, darling, and thanks to you for reading. Let me know if you want to go for a hike sometime!
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| Finished and all smiles! Isn't he just the cutest thing? |
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
BFF, let's talk about commitment and your hypothalamus!
Sorry BFF, allow me to begin at the beginning. Several weeks ago, while at a picnic, I was asked how I can maintain my vegan lifestyle. Now, let me first say that my guard was down because I was with a group of friends who know me pretty well & eat out with me often. That is to say that I really don't get many vegan questions any more. But my friend's husband mentioned that he could never be vegan & wondered what I did when I got a craving for a big juicy hamburger (ack!). Guard down and all, I was a little annoyed at the questioning & mentioned that I never crave meat because animal corpses do not appeal to me in any way. As the questioning continued, I shrugged my shoulders and said that maybe I was never a really good carnivore in the first place, hoping to end the conversation. BUT, the last thing he said to me really gave me pause. He said that being vegan must really be a "commitment" for me. Hmmmmmmm.....
I thought about my commitments in life. First to my husband. I definitely do not wake up every day and worry about keeping my commitment to be faithful to my husband. He is so much a part of me and my life...being married to him is as essential to me as breathing air. And that is how being vegan is as well. I don't wake up every day committed to being vegan any more than I wake up being committed to breathing air. This is who I am! The day at Farm Sanctuary that I became vegan, changed me on a cellular level. There was no question or commitment...it just was. The only commitment that I made was to research foods and recipes so that we could really enjoy being vegan and get all of our nutrients. But once I stocked my kitchen...the rest was easy...and here I am, 2 years later, feeling like I've been vegan all my life.
Are you wondering how Deepak Chopra is involved? Well, in his book he talks about Subtle Action. Subtle actions are those that "involve only the mind, whereas gross actions involve direct contact with the material world". And even though subtle action comes naturally to us, it can be broken down into steps. Here is how it works according to Deepak Chopra:
1. You go inside and make your intention known.
2. You believe in getting results.
3. You don't resist the process of change.
4. Your body shifts effortlessly at the physical level.
5. You repeat your subtle action until you have mastered the change you desire.
An example in the book is of Tibetan monks who meditate in caves at subzero temps overnight wearing nothing but a thin silk robe and emerge the next morning unaffected. Using subtle action, they tap into the hypothalamus (you were wondering where this would come in!) which controls body temp, and are able to raise their internal temperature by as much as 8 degrees F. Is that incredible or what?!? I also imagine that subtle action is what women in labor sans drugs are tapping into, especially those women using Hypnobirthing techniques. But I digress....
My apologies to Mr. Chopra if I am misunderstanding or misusing his explanation of subtle action, but this is what happened to me when I became vegan. I had a very strong reaction to the animals at Farm Sanctuary and the stories of abuse in the meat and dairy industries. I told myself that I was now vegan, I was open to that change, & BAM! I am vegan. It was easy and effortless because the change happened all the way down to my cells.
So there it is...Many thanks to Deepak Chopra for explaining what I have been feeling and unable to put into words. I would also like to renew my commitment to this blog, beginning at a once a month entry. It's at least a start, BFF. And just one more time, I'd like to say 'hypothalamus'. That was fun!
Peace, Love, and Kale,
Your Vegan BFF
PS. The second most common question I get after "Where do you get your protein?" is "Is there any food that you miss?". My answer is that I have been craving a really really good and sweet DOUGHNUT for almost 2 years now! Somebody hook me up!
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| These are real vegan doughnuts from Mighty-O Donuts in Seattle!! |
Friday, April 1, 2011
Miss me? I'm back!
Dear BFF,
I'm sorry for being absent for so long. I hope I didn't hurt your feelings. It has been an exceptionally long and challenging winter for me. Please accept my apologies for neglecting our friendship...I will try very hard not to let it happen again.
So anywho, how are you? I hope you are getting ready for spring and all the sunshine that it brings! I have had a few requests for kid-friendly recipes, and as I don't have any kids of my own, I'm kind of guessing on this one! But what kid doesn't like burgers & mac-n-cheese? Here you go...this one's for you Rach!
Black Bean Burgers from Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Hope Romero
makes 6 burgers and takes about 30 minutes
Ingredients:
2 cups cooked or 1 15oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup vital wheat gluten (this gives them a great consistency) can be found at Giant Eagle, Bob's Red Mill is a good brand
1/2 cup plain whole wheat bread crumbs
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 cup water
1 tbsp tomato paste or ketchup
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro (optional)
2 cloves garlic
1/2 small onion
About 2 tbsp olive oil plus olive oil spray
Whole wheat buns
Mash the beans with a fork in a mixing bowl. Leave some half beans, but don't puree. Add the wheat gluten, bread crumbs, chile powder, cumin, water, and tomato paste ( and cilantro if using), but don't mix yet. Use a garlic press or microplane grater to grate the garlic in. Use the large holes on a box grater to grate in the onion.
Mix everything together with a fork and then proceed to knead with your hands until the mixture is firm and uniformly mixed (about a minute).
Preheat heavy bottomed pan over medium heat.
Divide burger mixture into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a firm ball. Use your palm to press the ball down on a clean surface to form a patty that is about 1 1/2 inch thick.
Pour a thin layer of olive oil into the pan. Cook the patties 5 minutes on each side, gently but firmly pressing them down with a spatula. Spray or brush with olive oil before turning over, for uniform browning. Once done, the patties should be very firm when you press down on them.
Enjoy with your favorite toppings! BBQ sauce, sprouts, avocado, etc...
Macaroni & Four Cheeses from Skinny Bitch in the Kitch by Rory Freeman & Kim Barnouin
Serves 8
Ingredients:
1 tbsp refined coconut oil, melted, or safflower oil, + more for the casserole dish
About 2 tbsp fine sea salt
1 pound elbow macaroni (try whole wheat or brown rice for a change!)
2 (10 oz) packages frozen pureed winter squash
2 cups soy or rice milk
4 oz vegan cheddar cheese shredded (try Daiya, found with other dairy shredded cheese)
2 oz vegan jack cheese (again I highly recommend Daiya)
4 oz (about 1/2 cup) vegan cream cheese (try Tofutti, found near the tofu)
1 1/2 tsp powdered mustard
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
2 tbsp vegan Parmesan cheese (find near the Tofutti or make your own by following this link!)
Preheat oven to 375. Oil a 2 qt casserole dish; set aside.
In a 4-6 qt saucepan over high heat, combine 3 qts of water w/ about 1 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil and add the macaroni and cook according to package directions.
Meanwhile, in a 3-4 qt saucepan over medium heat, combine the squash and milk, stirring and breaking up the squash with a spoon until defrosted. Increase the heat to med-high and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and whisk in the cheddar, Jack, cream cheese, mustard, cayenne, and the remaining tbsp of salt.
When the pasta is done, drain it and return to the pot. Stir the cheese sauce into the macaroni. Transfer to the prepared baking pan.
In a medium bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, and 1 tbsp of oil. Sprinkle over the top of the mac and cheese. Place casserole dish on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, then broil for 2-3 minutes until the top is browned.
***Tips for introducing new/weird/exciting meals to your family***
As I said earlier, I have no children of my own. I did, however, work with children with autism for 5 years, and getting them to try new foods was a part of therapy for many. Lots of these amazing kids had aversions to certain flavors, textures, and change in and of itself. So here are my tips:
xoxo
YVBFF
I'm sorry for being absent for so long. I hope I didn't hurt your feelings. It has been an exceptionally long and challenging winter for me. Please accept my apologies for neglecting our friendship...I will try very hard not to let it happen again.
So anywho, how are you? I hope you are getting ready for spring and all the sunshine that it brings! I have had a few requests for kid-friendly recipes, and as I don't have any kids of my own, I'm kind of guessing on this one! But what kid doesn't like burgers & mac-n-cheese? Here you go...this one's for you Rach!
Black Bean Burgers from Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Hope Romero
makes 6 burgers and takes about 30 minutes
Ingredients:
2 cups cooked or 1 15oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup vital wheat gluten (this gives them a great consistency) can be found at Giant Eagle, Bob's Red Mill is a good brand
1/2 cup plain whole wheat bread crumbs
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 cup water
1 tbsp tomato paste or ketchup
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro (optional)
2 cloves garlic
1/2 small onion
About 2 tbsp olive oil plus olive oil spray
Whole wheat buns
Mash the beans with a fork in a mixing bowl. Leave some half beans, but don't puree. Add the wheat gluten, bread crumbs, chile powder, cumin, water, and tomato paste ( and cilantro if using), but don't mix yet. Use a garlic press or microplane grater to grate the garlic in. Use the large holes on a box grater to grate in the onion.
Mix everything together with a fork and then proceed to knead with your hands until the mixture is firm and uniformly mixed (about a minute).
Preheat heavy bottomed pan over medium heat.
Divide burger mixture into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a firm ball. Use your palm to press the ball down on a clean surface to form a patty that is about 1 1/2 inch thick.
Pour a thin layer of olive oil into the pan. Cook the patties 5 minutes on each side, gently but firmly pressing them down with a spatula. Spray or brush with olive oil before turning over, for uniform browning. Once done, the patties should be very firm when you press down on them.
Enjoy with your favorite toppings! BBQ sauce, sprouts, avocado, etc...
Macaroni & Four Cheeses from Skinny Bitch in the Kitch by Rory Freeman & Kim Barnouin
Serves 8
Ingredients:
1 tbsp refined coconut oil, melted, or safflower oil, + more for the casserole dish
About 2 tbsp fine sea salt
1 pound elbow macaroni (try whole wheat or brown rice for a change!)
2 (10 oz) packages frozen pureed winter squash
2 cups soy or rice milk
4 oz vegan cheddar cheese shredded (try Daiya, found with other dairy shredded cheese)
2 oz vegan jack cheese (again I highly recommend Daiya)
4 oz (about 1/2 cup) vegan cream cheese (try Tofutti, found near the tofu)
1 1/2 tsp powdered mustard
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
2 tbsp vegan Parmesan cheese (find near the Tofutti or make your own by following this link!)
Preheat oven to 375. Oil a 2 qt casserole dish; set aside.
In a 4-6 qt saucepan over high heat, combine 3 qts of water w/ about 1 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil and add the macaroni and cook according to package directions.
Meanwhile, in a 3-4 qt saucepan over medium heat, combine the squash and milk, stirring and breaking up the squash with a spoon until defrosted. Increase the heat to med-high and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and whisk in the cheddar, Jack, cream cheese, mustard, cayenne, and the remaining tbsp of salt.
When the pasta is done, drain it and return to the pot. Stir the cheese sauce into the macaroni. Transfer to the prepared baking pan.
In a medium bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, and 1 tbsp of oil. Sprinkle over the top of the mac and cheese. Place casserole dish on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, then broil for 2-3 minutes until the top is browned.
As I said earlier, I have no children of my own. I did, however, work with children with autism for 5 years, and getting them to try new foods was a part of therapy for many. Lots of these amazing kids had aversions to certain flavors, textures, and change in and of itself. So here are my tips:
- Give plenty of notice that you will be trying something new. Maybe have "new food Wednesdays" and make everyone try at least 2-3 bites of everything. Give at least 1-2 days notice that you will be trying a new meal.
- Make it fun! Try not to make it seem like a chore right off the bat. Only give the 2-3 bite rule if there is resistance at the meal itself.
- If your kids ask what's in it, be honest!
- Give lots of praise for trying something new and being brave!!!
xoxo
YVBFF
Sunday, December 5, 2010
The Vegan Bubble
My hubby may be the only other vegan that I interact with in my daily life, and I have one other vegetarian friend, but still I have realized that I live in a sort of vegan bubble. You see, my friends and family & even my many FB friends all know and accept that I am vegan. Sure, I get the occasional smart ass comment on FB about my veganism, but usually I get genuine questions if any at all at this point. So what does your BFF do when she has her bubble burst?
Interesting that you should ask that, as last night I found myself in just that sort of situation! I was at dinner with 2 friends and about 6 other women whom I did not know. I of course got the usual "What made you go vegan?" to which I respond with my usual "I was vegetarian for 10+ years for ethical reasons, & recently became vegan because that seemed to be the natural course for me". To which I usually get one of 2 responses: "I could easily give up meat." and "I could never give up meat." All standard stuff here, BFF. But at this table, there was one person who wanted more... "Where do you get your protein?" This question has ceased to astonish and annoy me, so I reply, "Protein is in almost everything we eat. I get high doses of it in a variety of plant sources." I then realized that I was dealing with a hostile meat-eater. She then loudly took a poll at the table, raising her own hand and asking "Who here could ever give up red meat? I could never give up meat!", to which every person sat in uncomfortable silence except for one. She wanted to single me out and remind me that there were more people on her side than on mine. So what did your BFF do? I met her with compassion. She asked more questions & I answered with compassion. I related to her. I made her feel that we weren't so different. She told me that she can really feel when she needs more protein in her diet and I told her that I get the same cravings and can totally satisfy them with plant-based foods. And eventually her voice quieted down, and we were able to talk about other things.
So was your BFF annoyed by this encounter? Yes and no. It's never easy to be picked on. I don't care if you are a kid or an adult, it's no fun to be singled out and ganged up on. I was also taken by surprise because I have not stepped out of my "vegan bubble" in a while. But on the other hand, I saw this as an opportunity. Not an opportunity to preach to her about the horrors of the meat industry, but an opportunity to show her that vegans are fine people to talk to and share a meal with. As I heard Rae Sikora say at a Farm Sanctuary event, "you represent an entire movement". This may have been the only time this woman had ever met a vegan. I could have snapped back at her comments or been a smart ass. But I wanted her to take away from our encounter that vegans are kind and compassionate (that is the whole point after all, isn't it??).
We as vegans have a great responsibility...we do represent an entire movement! And there are many negative stereotypes out there about vegans. We need to be vigilant about our interactions...making sure we are open, honest, and compassionate. We can get our point across without preaching and acting self righteous. Nobody wants to be around that person. Interact with others from a place of awareness and compassion...most of us did not come out of the womb vegan. It is a journey...and often times it begins at that first encounter with a vegan.
“Drop a pebble in a still pond and watch the pebble travel out in an ever expanding ring.”
Peace and love,
Your BFF
Interesting that you should ask that, as last night I found myself in just that sort of situation! I was at dinner with 2 friends and about 6 other women whom I did not know. I of course got the usual "What made you go vegan?" to which I respond with my usual "I was vegetarian for 10+ years for ethical reasons, & recently became vegan because that seemed to be the natural course for me". To which I usually get one of 2 responses: "I could easily give up meat." and "I could never give up meat." All standard stuff here, BFF. But at this table, there was one person who wanted more... "Where do you get your protein?" This question has ceased to astonish and annoy me, so I reply, "Protein is in almost everything we eat. I get high doses of it in a variety of plant sources." I then realized that I was dealing with a hostile meat-eater. She then loudly took a poll at the table, raising her own hand and asking "Who here could ever give up red meat? I could never give up meat!", to which every person sat in uncomfortable silence except for one. She wanted to single me out and remind me that there were more people on her side than on mine. So what did your BFF do? I met her with compassion. She asked more questions & I answered with compassion. I related to her. I made her feel that we weren't so different. She told me that she can really feel when she needs more protein in her diet and I told her that I get the same cravings and can totally satisfy them with plant-based foods. And eventually her voice quieted down, and we were able to talk about other things.
So was your BFF annoyed by this encounter? Yes and no. It's never easy to be picked on. I don't care if you are a kid or an adult, it's no fun to be singled out and ganged up on. I was also taken by surprise because I have not stepped out of my "vegan bubble" in a while. But on the other hand, I saw this as an opportunity. Not an opportunity to preach to her about the horrors of the meat industry, but an opportunity to show her that vegans are fine people to talk to and share a meal with. As I heard Rae Sikora say at a Farm Sanctuary event, "you represent an entire movement". This may have been the only time this woman had ever met a vegan. I could have snapped back at her comments or been a smart ass. But I wanted her to take away from our encounter that vegans are kind and compassionate (that is the whole point after all, isn't it??).
We as vegans have a great responsibility...we do represent an entire movement! And there are many negative stereotypes out there about vegans. We need to be vigilant about our interactions...making sure we are open, honest, and compassionate. We can get our point across without preaching and acting self righteous. Nobody wants to be around that person. Interact with others from a place of awareness and compassion...most of us did not come out of the womb vegan. It is a journey...and often times it begins at that first encounter with a vegan.
“Drop a pebble in a still pond and watch the pebble travel out in an ever expanding ring.”
Peace and love,
Your BFF
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving BFF!!!
Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays...yep, you heard it right! I love the flavors of this holiday and, for me, turkey has never been the centerpiece of the meal...until this year. We adopted a beautiful turkey named Daphne and we will be honoring her this year at our Thanksgiving meal. Daphne is one of the few lucky turkeys who have been rescued and allowed to live out their natural lives, free and peaceful at Farm Sanctuary. Hubby and I have made it an annual tradition to head to the Farm at Thanksgiving time to honor and celebrate the beautiful turkeys like Daphne.
We are so very lucky to have open-minded families who are willing to "give up" the traditional turkey dinner to join us for a compassionate Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for, and first on the list are the beautiful hearts of these wonderful people.
It's not like our guests will be suffering though! Our Compassionate Thanksgiving meal will have all the wonderful and traditional flavors that everyone so looks forward to. I am still surprised at the doubters who think that by not having animal products in a meal, all traces of a yummy Thanksgiving are lost. So not true BFF!!
So what is on the menu, you ask? Here it is...and if you want the recipes, just ask!
Here's a little more info on the turkeys at Farm Sanctuary featuring our very own Daphne:
Reel Life Video Series: Episode 3
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| Daphne ~ Isn't she beautiful? |
We are so very lucky to have open-minded families who are willing to "give up" the traditional turkey dinner to join us for a compassionate Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for, and first on the list are the beautiful hearts of these wonderful people.
It's not like our guests will be suffering though! Our Compassionate Thanksgiving meal will have all the wonderful and traditional flavors that everyone so looks forward to. I am still surprised at the doubters who think that by not having animal products in a meal, all traces of a yummy Thanksgiving are lost. So not true BFF!!
So what is on the menu, you ask? Here it is...and if you want the recipes, just ask!
- Field Roast (turkey substitute made from whole grains)
- Mashed potatoes
- Stuffing
- Mushroom gravy
- Butternut squash & apple casserole
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Homemade cranberry sauce
- Pumpkin cheesecake
- Pumpkin pie
Here's a little more info on the turkeys at Farm Sanctuary featuring our very own Daphne:
Reel Life Video Series: Episode 3
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