Do You Small What I Smell?

More than anything, the things I remember about Christmas are the smells.  My grandmother (Nanny) would cook different kind of meat for each of her three son-in-laws.  Usually turkey and ham and chicken-fried steak.  Imagine that, along with the fresh rolls and home-grown vegetables and several brands of pies.  My favorite sweets was the soft pralines, probably because they're just about pure sugar.  All of that makes a symphony of smells that is hard to duplicate.

As our traditions have emerged, so have the smells.  But, they have been just as good as the original.  The meals at my mother-in-laws and our own home have never disappointed.  Not the same - but just as good.  So, as we anticipate our first plant-based Christmas, we really shouldn't be afraid.  Already, I am anticipating the new fragrances that come from trying new things.  Maybe it will be spinach lasagna or some Engine 2 cookies or whatever our girls and Laura and my mother-in-law dream up.

It's gonna smell great! It's gonna taste great!  I can't wait!

Books as Gifts

Why not give a book at Christmas?  Here a few that I would recommend

Plant Pure Nation Cookbook

How Not to Die











Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease

Forks Over Knives Cookbook

The Starch Solution

Recipes I Have Tried

It is one thing to have a recipe that qualifies as a plant-based recipe.  It is another thing when someone can vouch that the recipe is a keeper!   Here are a few of my recent favorites.  The first one is a reference to Plant Pure Nation's, Preeti Kshirsagar.   The rest are ones that Laura and I have tried and approved. 

Sorghum Flat Bread

Taco Hummus and Tortilla Chips
This so good and very easy to make!  I  can just imagine all kinds of flavor packets and making this every time we gather with people.

Lentil and Tomato Soup
This could be labeled a Vegan comfort food.  Makes a nice size batch and was even better when re-heated.  Give it a try!

Corn Chowder:
Yellow Corn Chowder (Yield: 6 Servings)

If you are yearning for a sweet soup with a chewy texture, this recipe will fit the bill. You can make it year-round, but fresh corn is sweetest in late summer and early fall.
Ingredients
2 leeks, thinly sliced 3 shallots, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
kernels sliced from 4 ears fresh corn, or 4 cups thawed frozen or drained canned corn
2 medium yellow potatoes, peeled and diced
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
6 cups vegetable broth
1 cup unsweetened soymilk
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, or 1 teaspoon dried
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme, or 1 teaspoon dried

1. Put the leeks, shallots, and garlic in a medium dry pot over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Stir in the corn, potatoes, celery, and red pepper flakes.

2. Cook, stirring frequently, for 15 minutes, making sure the vegetables don’t brown. Stir in the broth and soymilk. Increase the heat to medium-high and simmer for 20 minutes, using a ladle to skim off any foam that forms at the surface.

3. Discard the foam. Stir in the chives and thyme. Serve hot.

Stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator, Yellow Corn Chowder will keep for 3 days. Reheat before serving.

Note: If you replace the yellow corn with sweet white corn, this soup will taste just as good. I prefer yellow corn for this recipe because the color contrasts so well with the other ingredients.

I Am An Extremist

It is probably kind of dangerous to title an article as such in today's climate.  I am not Arab or Muslim and hopefully not even very radical (even in my Christian walk).  Although I often wonder if that is what Jesus requires - he was certainly a radical, if not an extremist when he walked here.

However, the other day someone actually labeled my eating habits as "extreme."  What they actually said was "What made you choose such an extreme way to eat?"  My co-workers have been more gentle and just look at me like I'm crazy.  Although, I'm not sure that this began with my eating habits.  I never really wanted to conform and have always loved blazing new trails.

The results from our lifestyle change have certainly been extreme.  Most of my medicine is no longer necessary and I'm starting to feel better as the weight naturally comes off.  My doctor even said "Wow, I'm impressed!"  Trust me, that has never happened before!

I think what is extreme is what most people consider normal.  It is just considered normal that a certain percentage of people we all know will drop dead from a preventable disease at an early age.  Many more will suffer along through life with ailments from type 2 diabetes to high blood pressure when they don't have to.  It is also quite extreme to believe that over 500,000 people in the U.S. each year will have their chest pried open to have surgery when they didn't have to.  Many more will live way below healthy levels that they could easily achieve.

Even if I only prevent or slow down one of my issues, it is a small sacrifice to simply eat healthy.  Even if I don't live a day longer but have a better quality of life, it is worth it.  In my case, my tastes have changed - I enjoy it all - I love this new life!  It is not really extreme at all.

I Can't Be Quiet

I'm tempted to share this every day until I stop hearing about someone that I know or someone related to who I know has had a heart attack or heart surgery.  If I could just go a week!!!  Truth: I've heard of 3 in the last 3 days.  500,000 open heart surgeries a year and over 600,000 heart related deaths!  If we lost $600,000 in the Middle East, we would be upset.    I'm reminded not to be "judgy" or project my lifestyle on others; but, my compassion for people wins out!  I wish I knew what I know now earlier!  I wish someone would have told me.  So, I'm gonna keep sharing.  If it prevents one of my friends from having a $100,000 surgery where their chest is opened like a sardine can, then it's worth it!  If one person doesn't leave their family too early just because they "like the taste" too much, then something has been gained.  All I'm saying is we should keep learning what is best for us and when we find it we should treat our "temples" well.  

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Abolishing Heart Disease

By Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn Jr. October 15, 2013 · modified on October 6, 2015

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The truth be told, coronary artery disease, the most common form of heart disease which is responsible for heart attacks need never exist and if it does exist, it need never progress.

How can one make that statement 

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Nutrition Facts

This is one of my favorite sites.  It is hosted by Dr. Michael Greger, M.D.

He reads every medical journal that is published and compiles that information into videos and articles that are very helpful.  Most of them are shorter than 5 minutes and easy to lookup alphabetically.  I encourage you to pick a topic and check it out.

Nutrition Facts

A New Way to Live

I grew up in Oklahoma and later lived in Texas.  In Texas, we believed that you could improve any food by frying it.  There was so much good food in Texas, I learned to eat and cook the food I loved.  Along with my heredity, I found myself at 50 facing some health challenges but, at the same time, addicted to the foods that were making me unhealthy.  I loved fried foods - I was accustomed to processed foods - and caffeine was my best friend.  I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol and was about 40-50 pounds overweight.  

I decided to make a change.  Kerrie Roberts, a Christian performer, was probably the greatest influence.  When she came to perform for our church, I was in charge of setting up meals for the band.  Her request was to have the vegan option.  I had to google it.  

We are still trying to discover exactly where we are going to land on the way we eat and live.  But, basically the only meat we eat is a little seafood.  So, you could call us pescatarians except that we do not eat dairy (another thing I never thought I would never do).  So, you could almost call us Vegan, except for the fish thing and I don't belong to PETA..haha.  The final radical move we made was to give up caffeine.  I don't really remember that week - but, I am glad I made it through it.  

What have the benefits been?  I lost about about 15 pounds in two months and haven't felt this good in a long time.  My resting blood pressure is 115/85 without any medication.  My doctor reduced my cholesterol medicine to 20mg.  I hope it will be eliminated when I go see him next time.  I feel so much more optimistic about my future.  I feel like I a starting the second half of my life with a fresh start.

Maybe this lifestyle is not for everyone.  I would simply encourage everyone to do what they can.  Make small changes that improve your life and understand that you can do a lot more than you thank you can.  The bonus is that you may enjoy it much more than you think!