Change your diet to a plant-based. You can do this slowly, one meal a day or one day a week (meatless Mondays or at least avoid sugar, red meat, and dairy). Or jump right in and change 100% to a plant-based diet overnight like I did. It is good for your health, the planet, and the animals.
Eating whole foods, unprocessed plant-based diet will reduce your body’s overall inflammation. This will help clear up your skin, reduce pain and improve your cognition, amongst other things.
I will be posted some favorite plant-based dishes that my friends and I enjoy eating. I encourage you to buy organic for the same reasons – fewer chemicals, which is better for you, the planet, and the farmers.
My next few posts will be family tested recipes. Bon Appetit. Bonne Santé.
All of these portions can be customized to your own taste preferences. Serves 6-8.
2 1/2 cups of dried red kidney beans (Prepare in Instant Pot pressure cooker. You can also prepare with traditional method of soaking for several hours and boiling)
6 cups of vegetable broth *
1 cup raw coarse bulgar **
1.5 cups marinara or spaghetti sauce
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 large onion, chopped
Olive oil to sauté
1 cup each, chopped:
celery
carrots
sweet green peppers
2 cups tomatoes, chopped
1 Tbsp lemon juice ( juice from 1/2 lemon)
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp chili powder (more or less, depends on how spicy you like it)
3 Tbsp of tomato paste
3 Tbsp cooking wine
Parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper
Rinse beans. Place in Instant Pot and add vegetable broth. Make sure there is a few inches of liquid above the level of the beans (water height should be at least double height of dried beans). Cook in pressure cooker, high pressure for 20 mins. You can do quick release of pressure for al dente beans or let it slow realize for softer beans. Strain beans and set aside.
Meanwhile, add bulgar to tomato sauce. Let sit until all the liquid is absorbed. Let it stand at least 30 mins.
Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil. Add rest of carrots, celery and spices. When vegetables are almost done, add peppers.
Combine all the ingredients and heat by simmering, stirring to prevent burning. If too thick, add more fresh vegetable broth. Simmer until veggies and bulgur have the texture you desire. Takes about 15-20 mins.
Serve topped with chopped parsley.
ADDENDUM:
*I do not reuse the bean broth. Although tasty, it is high in sugars that can cause bloating and gas. If you want to thin out the chill, add more fresh vegetable broth. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12489819/
**The grain used in this recipe is for texture. It need not be bulgar. I tried the grain Folio the other day (in photo). It’s from Africa, grows in poor soil conditions and drought tolerant. Follow the package direction. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fonio
This recipe is super easy and so elegant. Delicious meal for some lucky mom on Mother’s Day!
Serves 2-4 depending on your portion sizes.
Truffle CarpaccioOrganic Whole raw CashewsLinguine
Ingredients:
1 cup raw cashews, soaked in 2 cups of water for at least 2hrs
Linguine (use about 1/2 pack for 2 servings)
1/2 jar Truffle Carpaccio in olive oil (6.35 oz) (use 1/2 of the jar for every 1 cup raw cashews). I bought mine at Costco. I have seen it on Amazon too.
1-2 tsp Garlic, minced
2 tbsp Fresh basil, chopped (optional)
Crushed red pepper
Salt/pepper to taste
Boil water, add 1 tsp salt. Add linguine bring to rapid boil. Turn heat off. Cover for 12-14 minutes. Then drain.
While linguine is cooking, drain cashews, saving 1/2 cup of the water. Put cashews and 1/2 cup water into a blender and blend until creamy.
Mix cashew cream, truffle, garlic, basil.
Put linguine on individual serving plates, top w sauce, sprinkle w crushed red pepper, decorate with fresh basil and or truffle.
I recently became vegan or AKA “plant based diet”. Vegan, I guess is too hippie-ish and could turn some people off??? Anyway, it has been life changing. I wanted to share how and why I made this transition with you because it is so healthful. When I talk about this to people, many are doubtful they could make the transition. I could be like a sports coach… atta girl, you got this, you can do it… That sort of thing. But more than a sport, your life depends on it. My life depends on it.
Please note that it blog is just my opinion. I am just trying to enjoy life. This Blog is NOT at all meant to be medical advice. I have to say this disclaimer because there are people out there who are always trying to sue or litigate against us docs. So please don’t. It will ruin everything. You and everyone else out there are unique. Every situations is special and potentially complex. So if you need help with anything, you should seek out personal advice from a professional.
I hope you will enjoy reading this blog as much as I enjoy writing it.
Blogging about What It Takes to be Healthy 
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