HEALTH BENEFITS OF A PLANT-BASED DIET

The benefits of eating less dairy and little to no meat/dairy are becoming clearer and clearer.  An excellent article in this morning's Wall Street Journal summarizes that well. I refer to the section:"YES" in the article by T. Colin Campbell, professor Emeritus of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University and co-author of " The China Syndrome".  You can find the article in its entirety at reports@wsj.com
  The philosophy of the article is not new, just more emphasis on what we are beginning to understand.  Here are two of the graphs I find helpful, especially the plant-based requirements.

According to Prof. Campbell (and other medical sources) a sustained plant -based diet 

can prevent or even reverse 70-80% of existing symptomatic disease with rapid response in many cases.

This is true with lowering blood pressure and cardiovascular disease and pain relief from

arthritis for a few examples.
Several well known figures, after cardiac events
have turned to a vegetarian diet.  Bill Clinton is one that comes to mind.

I find the second graph very helpful in determining our own nutrient needs

as vegetarians and will be posting it on my fridge as I plan our meals.

Getting the veggies I need is helpful with the juicer, too.

THE ALL ROUNDER- JUICER RECIPE

Try this- very simple.  Recipe is per person so take note.

2- carrots, peeled

1-apple peeled and cored

1-stalk celery

-a large fistful of spinach (I used purple kale and liked it a lot)

-4 strawberries.

Juice in your juicer.  Refreshing and super healthy.

KEEPING TRACK.....

     

Starting out on the vegetarian journey requires a sense of challenge and organization.  When I first

began I would find new recipes and not make notes of where I found them.  New cookbooks, multiple websites and my own collection of recipes meant looking for them a frustrating task.

Now, I keep a notebook of the week's menu.  This is good for planning grocery lists and keeping notations of the source of each recipe .  In it I keep notes on our reviews or hints.  I am constantly returning to this notebook to quickly find what I want and where.  After some weeks and months you will have a collection of menus which are very handy indeed.  Also, one in which you can scratch what did not work.

Some years ago I started a looseleaf of favorite recipes. Each is in a plastic sleeve which allows me to remove them and place them near my cooking prep site.Also to use both sides.  Recently, I discarded all the non-vegetarian recipes and it has gone totally green.  Recipes from family and friends
are in here too.

Another new start - the arrival of the new Breville compact juicer which we will use for the first time today.  Thanks to Mariellen and Ryan for their experiences and a new recipe.

Since I am an artist, I am using some of my own bookmarks in my cookbooks which is fun.  A way to create in all kinds of ways.  Perhaps you will see some still life kitchen abstracts soon on the blog!
Another artist is seen here, too, a kitchen keepsake.  Years ago our mother made these
beautiful shiny bookmarks which are so helpful keeping cookbook pages open.
Each of her daughters treasures this memento of her talent and love.
Do you keep such memories in your kitchen?  

try this egg separating technique

http://youtu.be/o50TPjIDCQ0

Have not tried it yet, but soon...

GOING DIGITAL

For the vegetarian, the iPad and iPhone is a best friend !  Here are some of the digital goodies I have found recently in the Wall Street Journal.

Free app- Epicurious..  From Conde Naste and other sources, thousands of recipes in categories

Free app - Big Oven.  Acess to more than 250,000 recipes from Home Cooks.

Free app - Gilt Taste.  Recipes with hands free technology.  One apparently waves at the screen
                  Check out details.

Gormaya app- substitutions including gluten free and vegan.

Have some of your own to share???