Krogering

This is a pretty typical shopping trip. Maybe a little less than normal. I do have 4 boys to feed at my house! ;)

Stir-fry dinner

Tofu
Veggies
Brown rice

Homemade Freebirds!

My husband and I absolutely love Freebirds. It's a great place to eat vegan and eat a lot!! We decided to make our own burritos at home. They were amazing!!!
We used...
Wheat tortillas
Brown rice seasoned with cayenne pepper
Peppers and onions
Guacamole
Tomatoes
Jalapeños
Black beans
Lettuce
Salsa
Green Tabasco sauce

OMG Ice Cream!

This ice cream is absolutely amazing! Who needs dairy ice cream when you can buy this!? Kroger healthy/organic section rocks.
My son loves the cookies and cream kind, but it's made with coconut milk and has a strong coconut taste that's not my favorite. But it's a kid pleaser!

Weekday Lunch

I need easy to pack and eat lunches to take with me to school. Here's an example of one day's lunch. I also bring many things I can snack on as I get hungry throughout the day so I don't get weak and make bad choices!!!! ;)

Lunch contents: hummus, blueberries, carrot sticks, cucumbers, green and re peppers, pretzel crisps, almond milk- chocolate flavor, to cover my sweet craving, and fruit juice. I often bring the frozen and microwaveable single servings of edemame, too! Yum!

After a lunch like this I feel light and not tired like most heavy meals.

Must Read: The China Study

The reasons to choose a vegan diet are so varied and obvious... at least now that my husband and I have spent time researching and honestly reflecting on the food we eat. This book, The China Study, is the scientific answer to all doubters answers. Dr. Campbell goes into great detail about how cancerous cells grow. He explains the research behind the conclusion that a high protein animal based diet can be a catalyst to cancerous cell growth while a plant based diet can prevent and even slow down or allow reversal of cancerous cells!!! If there's anything I can do to prevent cancer for myself or my family, I'm going to do it! How deep the regret would be if I didn't at least ponder these possibilities when choosing the food I feed my family. What if??? There are many other life threatening and life changing diseases that Dr. Campbell will discuss as preventable by choosing a plant based diet. This books will convince you to adamantly choose healthy foods and it'll give you the answers and statistics needed when sharing your vegan choice with others. Happy reading!

Vegan Ribs!

These meatless and dairy-free ribs are amazing!! We are having these for dinner with steamed broccoli and ranch style beans! (Watch out for animal fat in beans!)

A crunchy snacky find!

My husband and I suffer from a need for crunchy and salty foods. It's often our downfall. We found these yummy treats in the organic section of Kroger. Kroger has been good to us as far as healthier and organic options go.
Check these out.

The Vegan Society - Great Resource

The Vegan Society website says...

Why Vegan?

Do you have to choose between a healthy, fun, modern lifestyle and a fair, sustainable, compassionate lifestyle? No, you can have it all!  Have a look at the Vegan Society's film, 'Making the Connection', to explore the reasons why people choose to become and stay vegan.  

You can watch the flim in chapters on our website or straight through with Play All on our YouTube playlist. 

What is a vegan?

A vegan is someone who tries to live without exploiting animals, for the benefit of animals, people and the planet. Vegans eat a plant-based diet, with nothing coming from animals - no meat, milk, eggs or honey, for example. A vegan lifestyle also avoids leather, wool, silk and other animal products for clothing or any other purpose.

Some of the main reasons for choosing a vegan lifestyle

It’s a healthy choice

A balanced vegan diet (also referred to as a ‘plant-based diet’) meets many current healthy eating recommendations such as eating more fruit, vegetables and wholegrains and consuming less cholesterol and saturated fat. Balanced vegan diets are often rich in vitamins, antioxidants and fibre and can decrease the chances of suffering from diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some cancers. Well-planned plant-based diets are suitable for all age groups and stages of life.

There are many more reasons listed on the website.  You can also join the vegan society, donate, shop, and learn.  Check it out.  

Veggie Sub

When I'm out and about or road trippin' and evil fast food temptations are everywhere, I turn to Subway. I kick the meat and cheese and ask for all the veggies! Even the pickles and jalepenos. It makes for a delicious and satisfying sandwich! And I feel better than usual after restaurant lunches, because I ate lighter and healthier. But, it keeps me full for hours!

Well, as a teacher, I don't get to eat a lot of food from the outside world. ;). You either bring your lunch or buy the yuck from the cafeteria that passes for nutrition for kids! Ah! That's a different discussion and post to come. ;)

Anyway, I wanted the satisfied feeling i get from Subway at school, so I decided to make my own veggie subs! They turned out amazing. Wrap them up well and they travel in my insulated lunchbox perfectly!

My sandwich fixin's include...
spinach leaves and any other green leaf I have available
cucumbers
red and green pepper slices
pickles
jalepenos
and...

avocado!

Meatless Meatball Subs

I have three growing boys and a busy schedule. I need quick and kid-pleasing meals! This is a quick go-to that always satisfies!

I used wheat sub bread I found at Kroger.  I carefully read the ingredients for milk and eggs.  All clear! I used marinera sauce.  Again, I carefully scanned the ingredients for milk, eggs, and too much sugar content.  The meatless meatless meatballs have changed our lives, or at least the lives of our pasta dishes.  Now, if they look and taste too good to be vegan, well that's because they aren't 100 % vegan.  They contain egg whites.  :(  Booooooo!  I know.  Why am I even teasing you with this?  Well, part of becoming vegan is finding substitutions for previously meat-heavy meals.  This is one way to break the habit of using meat, while still making delicious and satisfying meals.

The vegan mozzarella cheese came from Trader Joe's.  I love a trip to Trader Joe's!  Find one near you.

I toast the subs in the oven a little, and I use the middle part that I cut to make garlic bread sticks.  A winning touch with my boys!

In Honor of National Meatball Day

In Honor of National Meatball Day… A Veggie Patch Giveaway!

I just missed missed national meatball day, but this is the very best meatball I have ever had!  Even better than meatballs made of animal meat!

My Favorite Vegan Dinner!

I LOVE Mexican food!!! It's an obsession that goes back to my childhood. ;) I'd eat it every night! This is one of my very favorite meals that I have turned vegan. Veggie fajita burritos

Black refried beans
Whole wheat tortillas
Avocado
Salsa/Hot sauce
Peppers and onions

So easy and satisfying!

Groceries

It takes a lot longer to shop when trying to be healthy. Reading all the labels to check for milk or eggs can be time consuming. But, eating healthy foods feels so good that it's worth the extra time and effort!

Here's a picture of my shopping cart from yesterday's healthy trip to Kroger!

Tonight's Vegan Meal

Being off for spring break gives me time to focus on being a good mom and wife.  Tonight, I wanted to come up with something new to cook for dinner.  We get in such a rut eating the same meals we know are good and healthy during the regular work week.  I decided to actually try one of the million meals I have pinned.

Click on the images below and you will go to my pin board.  Click the image again and you'll go to the recipe.

The main dish was meatless meat loaf.  It doesn't look nearly as good here as it was in person.

Source: themightyvegetarian.com via Audrey on Pinterest

On the side, we had mashed cauliflower & green beans.

Source: andloveittoo.com via Audrey on Pinterest

The recipe says "twice baked" and that it should be broiled, but I didn't do that extra step, and it was still amazing! I am shocked that cauliflower tastes so good!

All in all, it was a very successful vegan dinner!  I'd gladly eat it again.  Great combination of foods.