Lifestyle Choices: Veganism

September 4, 2013 / ktbuchs87 / 1 Comment

Hi everyone! I hope that you all had a fabulous holiday weekend and were able to relax and enjoy the last few days of summer. I spent the weekend in Indiana with friends and family and had an amazing time! My mother-in-law even surprised me by inviting my friend from Missouri that I haven’t seen in months! It was awesome because I miss her a lot since she moved. I tell you all that because that is partially why I am doing my normal Monday post on Wednesday. Because of Labor Day, I am pushing Monday’s post to today and I will post my normal recipe on Friday. So you’ll still get all the normal stuff, just a day later! Alright, let’s get to business!

My sister, Ashley (!), and me!

Today I am going to go over the vegan lifestyle. Last week I talked about vegetarianism and briefly mentioned vegans, but this lifestyle needs a little more in-depth description. Just like vegetarians, vegans consume no meat, including fish, poultry, or pork. In addition, they also do not consume any animal by-products. This means they do not eat dairy or eggs, they don’t eat honey or gelatin, and they do not use any products that contain animal products or have been tested on animals. In the simplest sense, if anything has been made with some form of an animal, vegans will not eat or use it. Now, there are some people who only stick to a vegan diet rather than a vegan lifestyle. This means they won’t eat any animal products, but they may use products that do have animal in them. There are also some people that follow a raw vegan diet, meaning that they will not eat animals/animal products and will not consume food that has been cooked over 118 degrees F.

Just like last week, I am going to share my opinions on what is good/bad about the vegan lifestyle. Remember, these are only MY opinions. I am not a doctor/nutritionist/dietician, if you want more advice please talk with your doctor or another health professional. Let’s start with the good. I love the focus that veganism places on fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. I believe that everyone, whether vegan or not, needs to add these nutritional powerhouses to their diet. I also like that veganism helps shine a light on the way our diets and lives can affect the environment. The Standard American Diet does place a lot of strain on the environment. It takes a lot of resources, both natural and unnatural, to produce food for us to eat. It boggles my mind that 90% of the crops grown in this country are fed to livestock, and we only consume 10%. It also take a lot of land, water, and fuel to raise livestock for the population to consume. Vegans have done a good job of bringing this issue to light, and have even started a movement called Meatless Monday’s. The idea is that if we just had one day a week where we didn’t eat meat we could lessen the impact we have on the environment. It has become a rather large movement and has brought mindfulness to a lot of the American population.

More info on this at this website: http://goo.gl/75GL17

On the flipside, the vegan lifestyle can be very intense, both in eating and ideals. In my years of learning and reading about different lifestyles, I have come across some very intense individuals. These people are the ones that think that their way is the ONLY way to live, and that everyone else is horrible for choosing to live some other way. Let me make this very clear, this is a very small population of vegans. In most cases vegans just want to promote healthier and more compassionate living. Sadly, the ones who are not like this can be very caustic and off-putting. They turn others away because no one likes to feel like they are being judged or feel guilty for making their own decisions. The vegan lifestyle can also be intense in other ways as well. After seeing everything that vegans don’t eat or use, it can seem like there is nothing left to use. This can turn people away or cause those just starting out to rely heavily on processed vegan products, which can be just as unhealthy as regular processed products. In truth, there are tons of healthy, delicious, and varied vegan meals and food. It just takes some research and trial and error in the beginning. If you do decide to go vegan, I suggest that you ease into the lifestyle rather than just jumping in fully. It’s much easier to slowly cut out all animal products over a long period of time than going cold turkey and living on salad for a year before realizing there are better things out there.

It is also very important that vegans monitor their vitamin and mineral intake to ensure they are getting the proper nutrients. The big vitamin that they need to make sure they get is B12. You can not get B12 from any plant-source, so if you go vegan you will need to supplement that into your diet. The good thing now is that veganism is becoming more and more mainstream. It might not be as popular as vegetarianism, but they are making good strides towards that. It is easier to find food at grocery stores and eating establishments that are fully vegan. Just be careful to not fall into the junk food vegan trap. You can still be unhealthy and vegan, there are plenty of mainstream products out there that are considered vegan. As long as you are aware of what you are putting into your mouth and body, you can make healthy and delicious vegan choices.

Overall I think that the vegan lifestyle can be a very good choice for a healthier life. That being said, it isn’t for everyone and that is ok! Some people will just never be able to go through life without eating meat or perhaps the thought of never cooking food makes their stomach turn. This is all ok, being healthy is about trying to find what works best for your body and life. Maybe you become a big supporter of the Meatless Monday movement and just cut animal products from your life for one day or maybe this lifestyle sounds right up your alley. If so, do your research, talk with your doctor and come up with a plan to start incorporating veganism into your life! I hope you all have a fabulous day and make sure you check back next Monday for my thoughts on the Paleo lifestyle.

Any Fruit Crisp

August 28, 2013June 15, 2015 / ktbuchs87

I have a really delicious treat for you guys today, a dessert recipe! I realized that I had not posted any kind of dessert recipe and knew that needed to change. It is entirely possible to eat well and healthy and also enjoy a few treats! This crisp is probably not what you would immediately think of when you think a typical crisp. I’ve adapted it to fit into a healthy lifestyle, but also taste just as delicious! It also doesn’t take that long to put together and you can use whatever fruit you have lying around depending on the season. I’ve done strawberry and rhubarb, strawberry and pear, and more recently peach and raspberry. An all berry crisp would be delicious and in the fall an apple one would taste phenomenal!

Any Fruit Crisp

1/2 cup steel cut oats, soaked in just enough water to cover for about 15 minutes
1/2 cup almond flour
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp safflower oil (olive oil would work, but I like the lighter flavor of safflower)
3 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp lemon juice
3-4 cups fruit of your choice

1. Preheat your oven to 400. Slice your fruit up into bite size chunks and place into a pie dish, or another shallow dish. Add your lemon juice and 1 tbsp maple syrup to the fruit. Mix well

2. In a medium bowl add your soaked steel cut oats, almond flour, and cinnamon. Stir together, it will look a little crumbly at this point, that’s totally fine. Add in 1 tbsp safflower oil and 2 tbsp maple syrup. Mix again. It should start to stick together now but not be too wet looking.

3. Spoon the oat/almond flour mixture over the fruit making sure to cover as much of the fruit as possible. It won’t look perfect and that is fine, it isn’t suppose to!

4. Place in oven and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. You want the fruit to be bubbling and the top part should just be starting to brown. Cool completely and then serve up the yum!

Because this is such a quick dessert, you can make it often and experiment with what fruit combo you like the best. It’s also yummy enough to share at a BBQ or party… if you feel like sharing! Enjoy!

Lifestyle Choices: Vegetarianism

August 26, 2013 / ktbuchs87

I have a lot of opinions when it comes to health. Go figure. I try not to force my views down anyone’s throat or stand on the mountaintop shouting, “It’s my way or the highway!” I share what I believe, why I believe it, and then allow you to make your own opinion based on what I have shared. You know my mantra is what works for me might not work for you, which is why I don’t force my ideas on my readers. One of my stronger opinions is not labeling the way I eat. I feel that putting my eating habits into a category doesn’t work. I eat foods that make me feel the best, that promote my health, and that work for my body. I don’t follow any certain rules or guidelines other than no processed food and more real food. This method works for me, but I understand that when you are just starting to change your eating habits, it can help to have rules and guidelines. In order to help those of you just starting your journey to better health, these next few weeks I am going to be taking a look at some of the more popular eating styles. I’ll highlight the basics of each diet, then tell you what I personally like/dislike about each one. Remember, I am not a dietitian/nutritionist/doctor/health professional. I am just presenting you the facts and then offering my own views and opinions. If you have any questions/doubts, you should talk with your doctor. At the same time, I will be more than willing to answer any questions and offer my advice, and if I don’t know the answer, I’ll point you in the direction of someone more qualified than myself. Let’s get started!

I figured I would start with vegetarianism because this is the lifestyle that is closest to my own, so I know a little more about it. The simple principle of vegetarianism is that you eat no meat. This includes beef, poultry, pork, fish or shellfish. However, things are a little more complicated than that, as there are different types of vegetarians. You have pescetarians that eat no meat except for fish. Lacto-ovo vegetarians eat no animal flesh but will eat eggs and dairy. Lacto vegetarians will eat no animal flesh or eggs but will eat dairy. Ovo vegetarians will eat no animal flesh or dairy but will eat eggs. Flexitarians will mostly eat no animal flesh but will occasionally eat meat. Vegans will eat no animal flesh or animal product (more on this last one in a later post).

Vegetarians focus their eating habits on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and, depending on what type of vegetarian you are, high quality dairy/eggs/meat/fish. Many vegetarians also consume different forms of soy such as tofu, tempeh, textured soy protein, soy milk, or miso, along with many other soy products. There are a wide variety of vegetarian options available both in stores and at restaurants. There are about 7.3 million vegetarians in the US, so it is a fairly popular lifestyle, which makes it relatively simple to find food options.

There are a lot of things that I personally like about vegetarianism, but it does also have some drawbacks. I’ll start with the good. I really like that this eating lifestyle promotes fruits and vegetables. In my humble opinion, Americans following the Standard American Diet do not consume enough of the nutrients that fruits and vegetables offer. I have said it before and I will say it again, we really need to eat more real and whole foods. Nothing is more real or whole as a stalk of broccoli or an apple. Foods that are as close to as nature intended them really offer the most nutritional bang for your buck. While it might not be true for some people (those that really like/crave/want meat), following a vegetarian lifestyle is fairly simple in terms of finding things you can eat. Any grocery store will be full of options and so will many restaurants. In that aspect, vegetarians will generally not have a difficult time following their lifestyle.

Now for the bad. While it is very easy to follow a healthy and nutritious vegetarian lifestyle, it is just as easy to become a “junk food” vegetarian. There are a lot of processed products out there that fit into the vegetarian lifestyle that will do nothing for your health. Things like mac n’ cheese, cookies, chips, candy, frozen entrees, soda, and McDonald’s can all fit into the vegetarian way of eating but still be detrimental to your health. I have run across many people who are vegetarians and think by simply cutting out meat and still consuming their regular junk food they will be healthier than the average Joe. I used to think this way myself in my early years of college. Sadly this is not true. Vegetarians still need to be conscious consumers by reading labels and choosing foods that are minimally processed. One other drawback to this lifestyle is that while it is completely possible to get all the nutrients you need, you need to make sure you are actually getting those nutrients. When people cut out meat, they sometimes don’t consume foods that will provide those same essentials. Most often that is iron, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamins B and B12. With the exception of B12, you can get all those nutrients from other sources of food other than meat. As much as I hate to even bring this point up, protein also needs to be monitored. Let me make it very clear: it is entirely possible to get adequate amounts of protein following a vegetarian diet. Here are a just a few of the plentiful sources of protein that vegetarians can eat. Vegetarians just need to be aware of this and make sure that they are getting those vitamins and minerals from other food sources or dietary supplement.

Overall a vegetarian lifestyle can be a very healthy and easy one to follow. If you feel that this is a way of eating that you would like to try start slow and build from there. Have a few meatless dinners a week and see how you feel. If your body adjusts well and you feel that this is a change that you can sustain for the long term, then keep it up! Here are a few more helpful tips to making the transition. The main thing to keep in mind is how do you feel with less/no meat, and do you believe you can sustain this lifestyle for the long term? If you feel your body doesn’t do well on a vegetarian diet, then this isn’t the choice for you and that is fine! You just have to find the right combination that works for you. If you are only switching to a vegetarian diet just to lose weight, you might want to reconsider. Being healthy is a long term goal. While that does include losing weight, it also means making sure your health as a whole is better. Switching from diet to diet just to lose a few quick pounds is not the way to achieve this.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about becoming a vegetarian, don’t hesitate to ask! I am more than happy to offer my advice and opinions and help you in any way possible. Make sure to come back next week for an in depth look at the vegan lifestyle and have a great Monday!

Sunbutter Sauce

August 21, 2013May 16, 2015 / ktbuchs87

I am a firm believer in sauces, dressings, dips, and spreads. They are super simple to put together, totally customizable to your tastes, and they can make a meal taste ten times better. Many of my meals are planned around some type of sauce. For me it’s kind of the best part of the meal! This sauce came about because I had bought a jar of sunbutter (sunflower butter) and still had yet to really use it. So I looked in my pantry/fridge and put this together. I poured it over leftover brown rice noodles and vegetables I stir fried. You can put it on whatever you want. You can even eat it by itself, I won’t judge!

Sunbutter Sauce

1/3 cup sunbutter (or peanut butter, but I like the sunbutter better with this sauce)
1/4 cup liquid aminos (or soy sauce)
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
1 tbsp rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
1 tbsp sesame oil (don’t sub in olive oil, the flavor will be off)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp ginger, minced

This is going to be really simple. Put all ingredients in a large measuring cup or bowl and whisk until fully combined. Yup, that’s it. If you like a thinner sauce you can use it right away, but it you want it a little thicker put it in the fridge for about an hour or so. This tastes fantastic with noodles and shredded carrots. I’ve also used it on stir fried green peppers, onions, zucchini, summer squash, and cabbage. Like I said before, put it on anything your little heart desires and enjoy!

Lentil Meatballs

August 14, 2013 / ktbuchs87 / 1 Comment

There are probably a ton of different variations of burgers/meatballs/meatloaf/any meat-type meal out there that use lentils. I have tried my hand at a few of these, but my burgers never quite came out just right. The taste/texture was always just slightly off. That is NOT the case with these meatballs. I was leery at first because of my previous meat/lentil failures, but I gave it a shot. I was not let down this time and my husband said that they tasted both delicious and like actual meatballs. Success!! This meal can be prepped in the morning and then all you have to do when you get home from work is just pop them in the oven. Wonderful!

Lentil Meatballs

1 cup cooked lentils
1 package of white mushrooms, sliced (shredded carrots could also work)
1/2 cup cooked quinoa (you can also use old-fashioned oats, dry)
1 tbsp parsley
1 tsp oregano
1/2-1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp marjoram
1 onion diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup vegetable broth
1 tbsp liquid aminos or soy sauce, or tamari
2 eggs

1. Place mushrooms, quinoa, lentils and all spices into a food processor or blender and pulse until everything is combined but not too mushy.

2. In a big skillet heat some olive oil and saute the onion until it is soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Then add in the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes. Add in your lentil mix and cook until it starts to brown. You want to have a little bit of a crust on your mixture so make sure you cook it long enough

3. Add in the vegetable broth and soy sauce and cook until the liquid has been absorbed. Take your skillet off the heat and place into a large bowl and let it cool. Once it’s cool enough to handle (aka not boiling lava hot) add the 2 eggs, whisked, to the bowl. Mix everything together and form into balls. Place on a baking tray and bake the meatballs at 425 for about 30 minutes.

You can serve these just like any other meatballs, over pasta, or rice, or even on their own. Top with some tomato sauce and eat up! Again, like pretty much every meal I make, these are good leftovers, so cook up extras!