VegIdea

Vegan is the new AWESOME!!!

My 2 year old daughter

I have a 2 year old so I did extensive research. Our doctors at Kaiser and nutritionist Dr Lalazar  in Beverly Hills, not to mention every online source I could find recommends between 13-16 grams per 24 hours for a 2 year old child.

This is a cinch and my 2 year old vegan daughter gets twice the protein she needs per day so I cannot imagine what the protein status of  the average American 2 year old is.

What has  13-16 grams of  protein

1)1 cup of fortified soy milk  and 2 tbs peanut butter

2)one soy yogurt and one veggie breakfast patty

3) 1/4 cup dry quinoa and 1/2 cup beans

4) 3 oz of tempeh has 13 grams of protein

5.2.8 oz of tofu has 10 grams of protein, add spinach and a little daiya cheese and you’ve got it.Not to mention I always use 1 tbs of nutritional yeast flakes for a cheesy flavor and that’s another 3 grams of protein so that puts it between 13-16 grams of protein in one small meal. Morning tofu scramble. Easy,delicious and all the protein needed for a one day for a 2 year old.

6. protein shake with peanut butter and coconut milk added protein powder has 25 grams for less than a cup so if my daughter and I have one of those it’s 9 grams over her daily recommended protein. That is only one part of a breakfast some days.

7.kids size oatmeal 4 grams protein and one cup ultra soy 10 grams =14 grams

8.dairy free mac and chreese has 12 grams of protein per cup and I add peas or spinach. Most pastas I use have between 4-7 grams per cup plain. I use quinoa pasta or veggie pasta usually

9.garden veggie burger with vegan cheese and sweet pot fries

10. Potato,veggie and tofu cakes. I make these amazing. I bake potatoes,peel and mash with veggies also cooked and finely chopped and add firm tofu raw, a little orig rice milk and egg replacer and bake. Like nuggets.

11. homemade split pea soup or minestrone soup

This is a short list but the point is that a 2 year old can get their recommended protein easily in one or 2 meals, no problem.Not just a 2 year old, anyone can do it sans animal products but this particular post is about 2 year olds.

Veggie Protein Trick-Brownies made with a can of black beans instead  of milk,eggs and oil is a good trick.

Add Nutritional Yeast flakes to any  steamed veggie for a cheesy flavor and 3 extra grams of protein per 1 tablespoon. My tiny one will eat peas,broccoli and carrots with this trick.No problem!!!

You want to give your 2 year old as many veggies and fruits as possible. Here is how they come out and I know it would be a trick to get a 2 year old to eat a cup of broccoli but a little in 2 meals a day ups nutrients and protein. I put spinach in her mac and cheese,peas or spinach in her tofu scrambles,black beans in her brownies and anytime I think I can get anything extra good in any dish I do it. oatmeal and yogurt are a good place to up the fruits for example,just cut small.

broccoli has 4.6 grams per cup

spinach 5.3 grams per cup

Corn- 5 grams per cup

Potato with skin- 5 grams per cup

artichoke- 5 grams per cup

Fruits have less protein than veggies and beans but don’t count them out. For instance golden berries have 4 grams of protein for about 1/4 cup and bananas,cantaloupe and strawberries are 6-7 % protein.

So please relax about the protein. Chances are you are eating twice what you need and so is your child. Making sure our children get more of a variety and more actual nutrients is very important. Chicken nuggets, french fries and hamburgers is not  a healthy diet for kids or adults.Up the veggies. Up the fruit. You’ll never go wrong there.

I’m having a lot of fun with cooking.Mainly because I am always discovering new products and ways to do different dishes and that speaks  to my creativity.One of the things people say to me often is ” I bet it’s so hard to be vegan.” I’ve never felt that way. I have had to learn to cook differently with some dishes but it has also pushed me to introduce more variety into my meals. Going to farmers market or the store is more fun because I am exploring. I also have my own garden which I highly recommend even on a small scale.

Being vegan requires an open mind because it is going a different direction with food and nutrition. Since the mass production of animals for food began people started eating more meat and lower quality meat for more affordable prices. This has horribly affected human’s health and is beyond cruel to imprison and kill animals with machines in such a cold way. They suffer greatly for long periods of time. I feel a weight has lifted in my life  because I take no part in the torture and killing of animals. I truly have love for them and believe they deserve to be with one another in peace.

I often ponder why some humans feel they have this right. It is a mentality of superiority and control. Many who buy and eat animals seem to be very apathetic to the suffering these animals endure for a fleeting meal. That is equally difficult to understand. For me personally I love food and never feel deprived. I can satisfy my particular taste buds and have incredible meals without hurting them.

I am encouraged weekly by the changes I see happening. More and more products are hitting the market place and the number of vegans keeps growing rapidly. I do have sad moments when people in my own life fight so hard against it. I can’t imagine fighting for my right to objectify and hurt animals for a sandwich.

The big changes for me have been more juicing and eating more greens. I feel an increased interest in nutrition since becoming a mother. The one area I never skimp on is food. I buy the best I can get. Beyond love and education it is one of the most benefical things I can do for my child. It is a challenge to get her to eat greens lately but I still put them in so many dishes  and on almost every plate I offer her.If she eats one or two bites it’s worth it.

The vegan life is a good one. I’ve learned a lot and I continue to grow in knowledge about food and nutrition. I’m all about it and it’s one of the best decisions I have made in life.

 Saute mushrooms,red peppers,onions and garlic in sunflower oil and ponzu sauce. Add veggie ground round. Place all on collard green leaves and I topped with hot chili sauce. Wrap the Collard Greens like a taco and enjoy

Crossroads Kitchen is Tal Ronnen’s creation and he is working with chef Scott Jones formerly of Vegeterranean in Ohio which I have also been to many times. It closed unfortunately for Ohio but now we have these culinary aces here in LA .

I tried many things last eve one being the oysters on artichoke leaves and in a word,amazing. I could come in and sit at the bar and just eat a dozen or two of these and be happy. I also loved the crab cakes. Don’t ask me what he uses to make these items vegan and so incredible because I have no idea but I have to learn to make these two things. The Lasagna was really tasty and with a traditional flavor. I grew up eating my Grandmother’s lasagna and it was reminiscent of hers and that is saying a lot. I had a salad with mixed greens and celery with a very light but flavorful dressing. There was also the cauliflower and leek soup that my husband and I devoured. I enjoyed my Chardonnay, the name escapes me. It’s the $15 one, maybe the only Chardonnay , really buttery,oaky like I enjoy.

The room is elegant,dimly lit and they play an array of music. I thought it was a sexy vibe and very romantic. My only complaint is that on one side by the bar the tables are too close together for my liking so I asked to be moved to the end. There are also more intimate and private tables up above along the second level and there is a private room to reserve or  request if it is available. This restaurant is new, one month I believe. The staff is so welcoming and charming. I hope it stays that way. This is one of the best restaurant experiences I have had lately. Love this place and I will be back. Highly recommend.

Crossroads kitchen

8284 Melrose Ave

LA,CA 90046

323 782-8245

Crossroads Kitchen “OYSTERS”

Vegans love cookies and cupcakes as much as the next person. For desserts and delicious cakes please seek out a vegan bakery in your area. You can also make desserts yourself using almond or coconut milk,non dairy butter, tofu and other vegan ingredients.

I am dedicated to No Udder Desserts in Woodland Hills ,CA, Noudderdesserts@aol.com

(818)340-4194

Chocolate and peanut butter truffles

Vegan cake

Today was my first day trying it. I put 1 tsp. the Vegg,1 tsp non gmo cornstarch,1/4 cup water and blended. You must use a blender. I fried it in a pan and voila!!! An egg yolk. I made breakfast sandwiches with Follow your heart vegan cheese and the yolks on toasted bread. It was quite delicious.

Excited. This looks,tastes and smells like an egg yolk. I am trying French toast tomorrow morning.

Every meal you make without animal products is helping your health,the animals and the planet.

The Gentle Barn

15825 Sierra Hwy

Santa Clarita,CA 91390

661 252-2440

Open to the public on Sundays only from 10-2

You can do birthday parties and gatherings here too

My family and I visited The Gentle Barn today and it is a place full of so much energy. The animals here came from abusive and impossible situations but by some miracle ended up in this safe place surrounded by incredible animal lovers. The love and attention bestowed upon them each day must be almost overwhelming considering where they came from.Some of them are still adjusting and learning to trust people. However a few I encountered were soaking up all the adoration with no complaints.

One cow named Faith was probably brushed and kissed 100 times per hour and she was loving it. I really liked this miniature horse who ate all my carrots but did not want to be touched and flinched big time when I tried. He was badly abused by his previous owner. The animals have very sad stories which is why this place is so magical.It’s a second chance for the cow who was meant to be veal. He would have been a meal long ago but instead he’s still alive and working with troubled and at risk children. These animals so abused and disrespected meeting children who have in some cases experienced the same is pretty amazing.

I was captivated by Duchess, one of the Llamas. I talked to her and she looked right at me and then started showing off when I asked her what she does with her days. It was cool.

I felt that I was in a very special place with my kind of people. The animals broke my heart and then touched my soul. We will support this sanctuary  in any way we can. It’s a gorgeous place helping animals and children who really need someone to know they matter.

The Pamphleteer Press kit 2013

www.thepampleteermovie.com

Check out our website. We are in the fundraising phase of this project because we want to produce it ourselves or with the right partners. This is a passion project for sure.

This film is a must see. Vegucated follows three very different people as they learn about food and nutrition, how factory farming is affecting animals, human’s health and our planet. They learn all about what the animals REALLY go through because even free range and the self proclaimed “Humane” smaller farms are hurting these innocent animals everyday. It was difficult to see the animals being hurt but I thought it was poignant to see how the three people were shocked and then humbled by what these poor animals go through for something we don’t need. The animal footage is only a few minutes but important to show.

They each learn about nutrition and what we need to be healthy and it’s not meat and dairy. They discover which veggie foods they like and don’t like.

They learn so much and seem lighter and happier. I loved watching them grow. It was inspiring,funny at times,sad, serious and informative and the whole veggie enchilada. This was super cool and I cannot wait to see a follow up film. Vegucated II needs to happen or a TV show with new people each week.

AWESOME!!!