Vegan Galla Pinto, Black Beans and Rice Recipe

8 oz dried organic black beans
10 cups water
1 Tbsp Salsa Lizano or Worcestershire - you can find vegan brands if you'd like
1 Tbsp organic cold pressed coconut oil
1 small white onion diced
1 small green pepper
1 small red pepper
1/2 cup white rice
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1 tsp Salsa Lizano or Worcestershire
1/2 cup reserved cooking liquid from beans

Star by sorting through the black beans, picking out any deformed ones and then rinse.

Add the beans to a pot and cover with 2 inches of water. Soak them overnight.

Drain and rinse beans, then add 10 cups of water, 1 Tbsp Salsa Lizano or Worcestershire (vegan or otherwise).

Bring beans to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cover loosely. Let simmer for 2.5 hours stirring occasionally.

Drain beans, but reserve 1/2 cup of the black bean cooking liquid.

Dice the onion and peppers (I pulse mine in the food processor, while they are not as pretty it certainly is faster and it still tastes the same).

Heat the coconut oil in a deep skillet or pot, add the half cup of rice, and stir for 2 minutes.

Next add the diced onion and peppers and stir for another two minutes.

Add salt, pepper, 1 tsp Salsa Lizano, and the reserved cooking liquid. Bring all this to a boil then reduce to a low simmer and cover and cook for 15 minutes.

After 15 minutes the rice should be cooked, add drained beans and cook for another couple of minutes on medium high heat. I say only a couple of minutes, but keep checking anyway. Adjust seasonings to your liking.

Serve plain or with diced tomatoes for the vegan version or for the not so vegan version, with a fried egg on top (my favorite), cheese, and sour cream if you like. Either way, Gallo Pinto tastes amazing.

This dish is full of protein, from the beans, while having Vitamins A, B, C, E and K from the onion and green and red pepper. Other minerals include: manganese, folate, potassium and copper. Gallo Pinto will fill you up and give you strength for the rest of your day. This dish will also make about six to eight servings and it will stay fresh in the fridge for about 5 days. This recipe may seem intimidating to make, but the first time is always the hardest. Each time I make this recipe, it gets easier.

Find all organic recipes on FoodaSaurusRex! Gluten-free and vegan recipes too. Really whatever I have in my fridge and looks good to make, but always healthy. Some gluten-free beer and sulfite-free organic wine reviews.

Original article

Healthy Vegetarian Meals For the Holidays: No Problem!

One of reasons people start getting serious about their health come January 1st is not only to have a New Year's resolution but to start setting goals to change their diet, get in shape or lose some weight. Usually people tend to eat more than normal during the holidays in the months of November and December. And if you are like most people....maybe some of the food choices are less than healthy - after all, how can you resist your mom's baking? Between the feasting and drinking, it takes a toll on our bodies. And so goes the resolution.

Don't feel as though you have to continue down this path. You can start a vegetarian lifestyle right now. Healthy vegetarian meals can help with this change and it is a perfect idea to help yourself or those you love. Finding ways to enjoy the holidays AND include vegetarian dinner recipes to your menu does not need to be stressful. The traditional holiday menus that we all love can be sprinkled with healthy choices.

Most people wait all year for enriching holiday moments and special celebrations with their families and friends. Don't let diet strain relationships and ruin holiday cheer. Here are some tips to become a master at creating familiar dishes that are sure to fit within your family's culture and traditions and will appeal to all taste buds.
It is very easy to find vegetarian recipes for Thanksgiving for example - as vegetables are mainstays in many parts of this meal.Instead of your traditional turkey, you can enhance your guests with a herb roasted soy vegan chicken, served with your traditional vegetable side dishesFor those that normally serve "beef" at your turkey dinner, try something like a Vegan Beef Wellington with a traditional salad to entice their taste budsWant to be warm and cozy, serve something like a Vegan Chicken Pot Pie, warm cranberry sauce and some mashed potatoes with a vegan gravy (yummy)A traditional chef prepared Meatloaf, ala vegan style, that would food the Queen of England

People want to be healthy, but they don't want to give up the taste of traditional fare of meat at their holiday meals. Once you realize how easy it is to find vegetarian dinner recipes, you will feel joy in making and eating such healthy fare. You can show people they don't have to give up anything; You will bring delight to the table and health to those you care for.

You can give the gift of health in the next few weeks and months to people who otherwise are engaging in un-healthy diets by sharing your healthy vegetarian meals with everyone at your next holiday! If you do not feel comfortable preparing vegetarian dinners or making vegan meal plans; no worries, you can order them online!

Veggie Brothers Founder, Michael Balducci, suffered from numerous illnesses, experienced fatigue and pain daily, and needed a solution. He recognized the need to change his diet and improve his health to create a permanent lifestyle change that would serve him well. However, he was frustrated with the taste of meatless prepared foods found in supermarkets and resorted to learning to cook dishes that were bland, boring and not enjoyed by others he knew.

Original article

Just In Time For Your Holidays - Vegan Friendly Pumpkin Spice Bread Recipe

The sound of relatives and company chattering and laughing as the aroma of dairy-free spice pumpkin bread tickles your guests' noses and Vince Guaraldi's "A Charlie Brown Christmas" plays in the background, are some of my favorite memories of the holiday festivities and being surrounded by the people who are significant in my life. Food is the centerpiece of family functions and holiday parties, so naturally you want to make sure you put your best "dishes" forward and have a wide assortment of tantalizing treats on display. This vegan spiced pumpkin bread is an easy addition to complement your meat-free or vegan holiday feast. If your celebration menu is already maxed out with your traditional favorites, give your guests a piece of the evening to enjoy once they get home, by wrapping (in a cute and decorative cellophane wrap) these egg-free and dairy-free loaves of sumptuousness and giving them to your friends to take home with them. Who could resist the present of food? Even better, you could share this vegan recipe with your other vegetarian and vegan friends so that they can bake this bread whenever the mood sets in.

Ingredients:

Bread

1 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon all spice

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

¼ teaspoon baking powder

1 cup of sugar

1/3 cup of brown sugar

½ cup of softened vegan margarine

1 cup canned purée pumpkin

½ cup of plain soy yogurt

1 teaspoon rum extract

2 teaspoons chopped ginger

2 teaspoons grated orange peel

1 cup of raisins

Glaze

1 ¼ cup of powdered sugar

1 tablespoon of vanilla or plain soy milk

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9x5 inch loaf pan with vegetable oil spray. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, all spice, nutmeg, cloves, and baking powder.

2. In a mixer or food processor, mix the sugar, pumpkin, soy yogurt, rum extract, ginger, and orange peel. Mix until the batter is well-blended and smooth. Slowly pour in the flour mixture, a little bit at a time, until fully blended. Next, add the raisins and pulse for about 1 minute. Pour batter into loaf pan.

3. Bake the bread batter for 60 minute or until the edges pull away slightly from the sides of the pan and the center of the bread springs back when lightly touched.

4. Cool bread for 15 minutes. Once bread has cooled, remove bread from pan and allow to cool completely (about 30 more minutes)

5. While bread is cooling, in a small bowl, add the powdered sugar, soy milk, and vanilla extract and whisk together until smooth. With a spoon, drizzle the glaze over the bread. Let glaze set before serving (about 10 minutes)

This bread can very easily replace a piece of pie or cake as a dessert. The vegan pumpkin spiced bread is also a great sweet appetizer that can be sliced and smothered, with the vanilla glaze, and served on a platter. If you're cooking for a large group, and you need to save time with cooking and food preparation, you can easily prepare the bread ahead of time and freeze the baked bread for as long as 2 weeks and just thaw the bread at room temperature for at least six hours just before serving. What are some of your favorite holiday memories and recipes? Do you have a specialty vegetarian or vegan dish that all your guests rave about each year? Enjoy this recipe and more importantly, enjoy the company of your family members during this holiday season.

Are you a vegetarian like Ebony Johnson? Ebony has been living a meatless lifestyle since the age of 12 and she has created "Vegetarian Like Me," designed to help fellow vegetarians become healthier and more informed. Visit http://www.vegetarianlikeme.com/ today to receive access to vegetarian and vegan video recipes, cooking tips, vegetarian advice, and news. So what exactly are you waiting for? Become a healthier and more informed vegetarian and start enhancing your meat-free life right now.

Original article

Family Food Chart - Stay Healthy In Winters By Opting For Seasonal Foods

Winters are here and despite global warming, the temperatures are dropping. The nature has its way to deal with both the change in the environment and human body. Seasonal foods provided in bounty are a way to keep the body fit in every season. What are seasonal foods? The foods that are grown fresh in the fields or farms during the current fresh season are known as seasonal food. For example, in summers peaches, plums, avocados, apples are available while in winters, you can relish on beans, potatoes, cabbage, snow peas, cauliflower and zucchinis.

Seasonal foods in or out

It is matter of great debate to seek the relevancy of seasonal foods to the health. Not withstanding what are the results, some of the age-old beliefs stand true to the test of the time. This includes different eating food habits for different seasons such as spring, summer, autumn and winter. Since all the seasons have their associated characteristics which makes the special such as temperature and humidity.

Why warm food in winters?

Winters perhaps, have the lowest temperature and high humidity in the air. One could safeguard against the declining temperature by wearing good quality of warm clothes. It is however, suggested that warm foods are good for intake. You still have to talk, breathe and see through sense organs which cannot be protected by any other means. Warm foods such as root vegetables which are also fresh produce of the market are very popular. Carrots, spinach, sweet potato, fenugreek leaves, garlic, turnips, ginger and nuts such as peanut, almonds, kishmish are some of the most popular winter seasonal foods.

The benefits of warm food

The good thing is that most of the warm foods are fresh produce that puts them in the category of seasonal foods. They are not required to be imported from another place and their nutritional value is high. The produce is less expensive. It is more beneficial if they are organic in nature. Most of the food departmental stores are now specifically dealing with wide variety of organic foods. Organic seasonal foods are produced without the use of fertilizers using some of the best framing techniques and natural methods to improve soil nutrient level. This prevents adulteration of food cycle which does not only comprise of humans but also plants and animals. The seasonal food is rich in all sources of nutrients. You could find rich sources of Vitamin A in carrot, Iron in spinach, mustard leaves and fenugreek leaves, dietary fibre in turnip, Vitamin C in oranges, potassium in radishes. This makes a balanced diet. Our body is constantly rejuvenating while we can easily insulate it from the outside cold temperature with help of various mineral rich and flavonoids-based winter foods.

Therapeutic reasons for seasonal food

Many of the diseases such as cold, sore throat, scurvy (a type of skin disease) can be checked with proper intake of Vitamin C with use of orange as mid-day treat and eating methi (fenugreek leaves ) is good for people having high cholesterol as well as helps the diabetic person to check one's insulin levels. Milk and milk products based dishes are good for people with bone diseases.

These winter seasonal foods can be enjoyed in many ways such as soups, salads, appetizers, main course menus, desserts, hot beverages and snacks. Relish on the hot steaming sweet potatoes or drink kanji made up of red carrots in the coming cool winters with benefits of good health.

I am an avid blogger and IT tech news critic. Self-employed as web designer works with open source technologies such as PHP, Java, MySQL to build up websites using Dreamweaver as platform. In spare time, I like to write about the topics of my interest which includes food, lifestyle, recreation and tech. Weekends are spend creating something meaningful and beautiful craft and life is fun.

Original article

Vegetarian Eating

The Shepherd's Pie is a brilliant, healthy alternative to the original, meat based version of the pie. Vegetarian dishes are becoming an increasingly popular option to the traditional meat oriented meals. This is due to the health, and other benefits of these meals. It is becoming increasingly apparent that obesity is becoming a big problem worldwide. A vegetarian diet could be one of the ways that an individual can control their weight.

There is more to the vegetarian diet than simply eating vegetables. There are many different types of vegetarian diets. The following are the most common:

1. Vegans, who avoid all foods of animal origin, including poultry, beef, fish, eggs and dairy products
2. Pescatarians avoid eating all animal flesh with the exception of fish. They eat eggs and dairy products. This diet is often adopted for health reasons
3. Lacto-vegetarians include dairy products in their diet, which would also include dairy products and eggs.
4. Raw Vegans, eats unprocessed vegan foods that have not been heated above a certain temperature (115 degrees F or 36 Degrees C). this is due to the belief that food cooked above this temperature has lost most of its nutritional value and could be harmful to the body

There are various reasons why someone may follow a vegetarian diet. There is the aforementioned health benefit. The diet could also be due to ethical, religious, environmental, economical, labour condition or demographical reasons.

The body's necessary nutrients can be sourced from other sources. Research has shown that the vegetarian tends to have beneficial health attributes such as lower cholesterol, lower risk of hypertension, heart disease, osteoporosis, renal disease, type 2 diabetes amongst other disorders.

The ethics surrounding the consumption of meat are usually based on the premises of the interests of the animal being eaten. The ethical opposition towards the consumption is more often than not divided into schools of thought, the act of killing in general, and the practices surrounding the production of meat.

Certain religions advocate vegetarianism. These include Seventh Day Adventists, Rastafaris, major sects of Hinduism and the Hare Krishnas. Most of these religions do not all out ban the consumption of meat, but in general hold up vegetarianism as an ideal.

Environmental proposition of vegetarianism stems from the concern that the rearing of animals for consumption is unsustainable. The concern is that the livestock industry is a major contributor to environmental degradation.

The author seeks to promote the niche idea of Vegetarian Shepherds Pies. Healthy living is an important achievable step for everyone. Visit him at http://vegetarianshepherdspie.net/

Original article

Steps to Hosting a Vegan Holiday Feast

Holiday feasts usually present the best reasons for people to enjoy and spend wonderful moments together. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve are among the most popular times for enjoying festivities with family and friends. Of course, holiday celebrations also give us excuses to splurge on rich foods and stray from our usual more healthful diets.

Not everyone may associate the concept of "meatless" with "celebration." However, because of the growing awareness of the healthful properties of a vegetarian diet, there are more meat substitutes that are available on the market today, such as Tofu Turkey (a.k.a. "Tofurky") that help people prepare a hearty holiday feast that both vegetarians, vegans, and meat-eaters alike will enjoy.

Here are both simple and unusual ways to present a sumptuous vegan holiday feast:

· Take advantage of cuisines that highlight vegetarian foods as part of a traditional diet. There are many choices to choose from like Greek, Italian, and Lebanese dishes that are naturally vegetarian or vegan. For a spicy variation, try a traditional Indian or Sri Lankan meal for the holidays-with the rich combination of great flavors, you'll definitely never miss the meat.

· There are many great protein options on the market these days that you can use to create wonderful celebration food. Soyfoods like tofu or TVP (textured soy protein) can easily replace pork and chicken in some of your favorite dishes. Tofu is a popular vegan ingredient because with the right seasoning and flavors, none of your guests will think anything is missing. For special occasions, tofu and gluten can even be used for vegan or vegetarian turkey dishes. "Tofurkey" is ready made-all you have to do is heat and serve. And with vegan meat substitutes, you can indulge a little and enjoy flavorful dishes without necessarily sabotaging your diet.

· With vegetarian meals, you don't have to feel like you're missing out on the delightful foods you usually enjoy. There are lots of ways to prepare a vegetarian dish. With a little creativity (and the many terrific vegan cookbooks you can find these days) it is easy to satisfy even the most discriminating guest.

There's no reason to feel deprived over the delight that holiday feasts usually offer even if you're a vegetarian or vegan. With these basic tips to follow, you can create a vegan holiday celebration that will provide the best memories of the celebration you hosted for years to come.

Make party hosting simple and exciting by using various meat substitutes like textured soy and discover the best way to celebrate while promoting good health.

Original article

Vegetable Juice Recipes

People want to be healthy but because of their busy lifestyles it becomes hard to prepare meals that the body can benefit from. Humans need at least 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day but this is not often met resulting to vitamin deficiencies, illnesses and weakening of the immune system. Vegetable juice recipes make it possible to take in all the necessary vitamins and minerals in just one drink. They are proven to be safer and more effective than taking expensive dietary supplements.

Taking in the vegetables in the form of juice makes you sure that you are taking the right ingredients. Many herbal supplements nowadays contain more chemicals than actual nutritive values in every pill.

What are the benefits of learning vegetable juice recipes?

1. They help you save money in the long run. Cancer and other illnesses can cost you thousands of dollars and even your life, by simply choosing to learn more vegetable fruit juice recipes you spice up your options and you add years to your life and your loved ones.

2. Vegetable juice recipes can actually help you lose weight, choose drinking and serving it to your family instead of soda and other sweet drinks.

3. They help you practice your creativity and knowledge on the effects of vegetables in the body. It helps you understand how you can prevent and cure certain illnesses and might even inspire you to live a healthier life. Drinking vegetable juice can empower and motivation a person to do more for their health and well-being.

Easy to do vegetable fruit juice recipes:

Recipe #1

Carrot, cucumber, celery and apple juice

Prepare:

3 carrots
1 apple
1 celery stick
¼ a cucumber
½ a lemon

Be sure to wash the ingredients in order to remove pesticides and fertilizers that have been used to produce the vegetables. Cut the ends of the carrots as well as the celery and the core of the apple. Cut them into tiny pieces, mix they well, place them on a blender.

Recipe #2

Carrots, tomatoes and apple juice

Prepare:

6 carrots
2 apples
2 plum tomatoes
A pinch of ginger

Wash the carrots and apples and remove the parts that you don't need, use a juicer, mix the carrots and the apples and then afterwards add a pinch of ginger, this juice is best served chilled.

Recipe #3

Broccoli, carrot, apples and beetroot juice

Prepare:

(225 g) of broccoli
(170 g) of carrots
(55 g) of beetroot
(55 g) apples
You can add honey for sweet taste

Be sure to wash the broccoli and carrots as well as the beetroot and the apples. It would be best to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before preparation in order to remove pesticides. After that, remove the hard ends from the carrots and make separate the broccoli into florets. Slice the beetroots, use the juicer and mix all of the ingredients.

The cool green juice mix

9oz of green apples
4½ oz of broccoli
3 oz of celery
1 oz) of parsley
6 oz of cucumber

Wash all the ingredients properly to avoid ingesting pesticides. Cut them into small pieces and remove the hard parts. Use a juicer and use a tall glass. Serve chilled.

Wash, core the apples and cut into small pieces. Separate the broccoli into florets. Cut the ends from the celery. Juice all of the ingredients and serve with ice.

Original article

Three Minute Raw Organic Vegan Pie Crust

The opportunities to make healthy food choices are here now! Never before has it been so easy to create an alternative desert for lasting energy and whole food nutrition. You will be absolutely amazed at how delicious and filling a raw, organic, and vegan pie crust is. This recipe will surprise you because it is the healthiest pie ever, and is so quick it takes only three minutes to make! The benefits to choosing a raw organic vegan pie crust instead of the conventional baked pie crust are many. First, you are choosing all living foods which provide nutrients our bodies need to be healthy by providing vitamin and mineral content. Second, because it is fruit sweetened, your body will have sustained energy to power you throughout your day. Third, you won't have to worry about eating refined sugars and carbohydrates since every ingredient in this recipe is organic, raw, full of living enzymes, and life force energy from the sun! Finally there is an alternative desert that has so many positive aspects, you'll wonder why you had not heard of this sooner. Ready to have more energy and feel great while enjoying the sweeter side of life, then take action and follow this simple three minute recipe and share some delicious organic raw vegan pie with your friends!

The first thing is to gather all your ingredients. Here is a list of everything you will need.

1 cup of raw organic nuts or seeds of your choice.

½ cup of dried fruits, such as dates, bananas, raisins, figs or prunes.

1 teaspoon of vanilla

¼ teaspoon of sea salt

1 pinch of lemon zest

Now that you have your ingredients ready, it is time to have fun! Place all ingredients into a food processor and process until mixture is firm enough to mold into pie dish. Put mixture right into pie plate and form with your hands and fingers inside of the pie dish evenly. There you have it! A whole foods nutrition pie crust just waiting to be filled with whatever your heart desires! I really enjoy cutting up several types of fruits and placing inside. From strawberries and kiwis to bananas and blueberries. The sky is the limit when creating your very own raw organic vegan pie! Making healthy choices is so much fun when you discover how easy it is to prepare live foods at home. Your friends and family will be amazed when they taste how delicious your hand made pies are. This recipe is sure to please everyone who partakes on any occasion. Whether you have a birthday, or a holiday meal, this pie crust will create a unique dining experience for all! Start a new family tradition with a healthy alternative to pass down through the generations, and spread health and happiness to the people in your life who really matter to you by sharing a nutrient rich and satisfyingly sweet organic raw vegan pie crust.

Original article

Organic Raw Kale Salad

Organic raw kale is a cruciferous vegetable, belonging to the mustard family. It is high in calcium and contains forty three percent of the daily recommended servings of protein at dry weight. Organic raw kale provides long lasting energy to sustain you throughout the day. We are living in a time where many food items are based off nothing short of convenience. The underlying problem existing with this is that all those readily available and highly processed foods are lifeless, and lack the vitamin and nutrient content found in whole foods.

In the United States today, the number one killer in human beings is heart disease. Diet is a contributing factor of heart disease. It's unhealthy for our hearts when we eat highly processed foods that have large amounts of refined sugar, carbohydrates, and no living enzymes, vitamins or minerals. The choices of foods you eat ultimately impacts the level of your current state of health. Organic raw fruits and vegetables are full of life force energy that ensures you are receiving all the important nutrients the mind and body need to be healthy and thrive. It is very important to focus your attention on your daily food choices. One thing I have noticed over the past ten years is, when I make a healthy food choice it will make it easier to repeat that action in the future.

So, in other words, one healthy choice will lead to another healthy choice! The opposite is also true as well; one unhealthy choice will often lead to, unfortunately, another unhealthy food choice. Ready to make a fresh start on your road to health and well being? Well now is the perfect moment to begin paving the road to your future state of health by learning the simple preparation of this fantastic kale salad recipe! I am going to show you how simple it is to prepare a delicious organic raw kale salad that you can enjoy with your friends and family. Here is a list of all the ingredients needed.

One bunch organic kale, chopped.

One organic red bell pepper, chopped.

Two tablespoons of fresh squeezed organic lemon juice.

Two tablespoons of organic extra virgin olive oil.

One half teaspoon of sea salt.

Let's have fun now making this healthy organic salad! Place all ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Now with clean hands begin to gently massage the mixture together for close to one minute. The reason for massaging the fresh squeezed lemon juice and olive oil into the kale leaves is because this process will actually begin to break down the cell walls of the kale, making it tender and easier to eat. After massaging the mixture you may like to add some chopped tomato and avocado to top it off. Now you have a complete meal!

I cannot even begin to explain how amazing you will feel after eating this organic raw kale salad for the first time, you'll just have to prepare it and find out for yourself! The first time I ate this salad I recognized the value of making healthy food choices, and was so happy to have discovered a food option that would give me so much energy and vitality. Whenever I need a burst of energy I remember how nutritious and energizing this recipe is, as well as how quick and easy it is to prepare! Take advantage of this recipe and the amazing benefits you will receive by making a healthy choice for your life! I wish you abundant health and longevity!

Visit http://rawesomeway.com/ for more information on organic raw vegan foods and raw kitchen product reviews!

Original article

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

A couple of times this week I made this fabulous cauliflower pizza crust. What is so great about this vegetable pizza is that it's a gluten free pizza crust and it can also easily be made as a delicious vegan pizza recipe.

I first heard of cauliflower pizza crust last week while at a class learning how to make regular pizza crust. I had my doubts but after making it and there not being a crumb left I knew this was a winner, and so easy to make!

Ingredients for this gluten free pizza crust:

About 1/2 lb of cauliflower

1 egg - to make it a vegan pizza recipe use 1/4 cup egg substitute

1 teaspoon of oregano

1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese (For the vegans, I used Daiya cheddar cheese in my crust and then the mozzarella cheese for the topping.)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cook the cauliflower until firm but not too soft. Let cool and then either grate it, blend it or place the cauliflower in a Cuisinart to finely chop it (also known as cauliflower rice). Should come out to 1 cup of cauliflower rice.

Place cauliflower rice in a bowl and mix it with the egg or egg substitute, oregano and 1 cup of cheese or cheese substitute. Note, I also chopped up some fresh spinach into the mixture to get a little extra vegetables! Mix ingredients well and then spoon it onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

You want to pat down the mixture on the baking sheet so that it is about the same depth of a regular pizza crust and form your cauliflower pizza crust dough into a round pie shape.

Bake your gluten free pizza crust in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes. You want the top of the crust brown with the sides crispy. Start watching the crust after about 15 minutes to be sure it gets brown and crunchy without burning.

Let the crust cool and then remove the parchment paper by sliding the cauliflower pizza crust onto the cookie sheet. Note, if the middle of the crust is a bit soft, you will need to use a large spatula to help transfer the crust off of the parchment paper.

To finish your pizza, add your favorite pizza sauce and toppings. (I used fresh chopped mushrooms, spinach and Daiya cheese to make this a vegan pizza recipe.)

Place the pizza back in the oven until cheese is melted and bubbling. Take out, plate and serve.

What I loved about this gluten free pizza crust is that it's light and healthy plus you are getting your vegetables!

Until next time, remember the Budget Bash mantra: make it simple, stylish, fun and economical for all!

Andrea Wyn is owner of A Wynning Event http://www.awynningevent.com/, a Los Angeles wedding and special event management company. She is a marketing & special event planner with over 15 years of experience and for the past ten years, she has been the event planner for the Screen Actors Guild Awards(R). She has taken her knowledge and special event experience and written an easy-to-read book called Budget Bash http://www.budgetbashbook.com/ where you can find more ideas and helpful tips on event planning including menus, decor, budgets, timelines, florals and more.

Original article

Vegetarian Health Benefits

Have you ever thought about becoming a vegetarian? Did you wonder about the benefits of being vegetarian? If you have been giving this some thought lately, you are not alone. As we age, our bodies change. We understand the importance of knowing about what we put in our bodies. So much information is available to us via multiple Medias that sometimes it is difficult to decipher the facts. Have you also noticed that health food stores are everywhere - from the small local stores to the large food chain? So wondering about the benefits of being a vegetarian is a natural progression for most people.

Becoming a Vegetarian

Becoming a vegetarian / vegan is a choice. Depending on what you choose to include and exclude from your diet, there are 5 main categories of vegetarianism

1. Ovovegetarian- this includes the consumption of eggs but not dairy products.

2. Lactovegetarian- this includes dairy products but not eggs.

3. Ovo-lactovegetarian(or lacto-ovo vegetarian) - this is a combination and includes animal/dairy products such as eggs, milk, and honey.

4. Vegan- this excludes all animal flesh and animal products, including milk, honey, and eggs, and may also exclude any products tested on animals, or any clothing from animals.

5. Raw vegan - this includes only eating fresh and uncooked fruit, nuts, seeds, and vegetables. Also, vegetables can only be cooked up to a certain temperature.

What are the Vegetarian Heath Benefits?

After you learn about the different types of Vegetarianism, you should consider the health benefits. This diet tends to lead you to consume higher levels of certain types of fiber than traditional diets as well as magnesium, folate, vitamins C and E, carotenoids and phytochemicals. Also studies have shown a positive link between eating a vegetarian diet and a reduced risk for multiple chronic diseases. In fact, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) affirms that, "appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases."

If you decide on becoming a vegetarian, now what do you do about the food? You might feel the preparation of food for vegetarianism daunting, especially when you begin. There are great online companies that have delicious high quality prepared vegetarian meals which can be delivered right to your door! You can actually order all your meals this way from breakfast to dinner.

If you feel the benefits of being a vegetarian is the right choice for you, consider purchasing from an online vegetarian meal company to learn what you like and don't like. Then you can start using different ingredients and making your own vegan food at home. Its time to get healthier today!

Veggie Brothers Founder, Michael Balducci, suffered from numerous illnesses, experienced fatigue and pain daily, and needed a solution. He recognized the need to change his diet and improve his health to create a permanent lifestyle change that would serve him well. However, he was frustrated with the taste of meatless prepared foods found in supermarkets and resorted to learning to cook dishes that were bland, boring and not enjoyed by others he knew.

Original article

How to Include More Greens in Your Diet

For those of us who have been brought up eating lots of red meat at almost every meal, the thought of a meatless dish is unfathomable. But it can be done. There are many health benefits of eating more greens and less meat.

Here's how you can do this.

1. Once a week vegetarian

Pick one day of the week where you go vegetarian. It doesn't have to be bland. Look up recipes on the internet or create your own with whatever vegetables are in season. Use lots of mushrooms which have a chunky meaty texture to cheat your taste buds.

2. Eat a green salad everyday

Make this a habit and once you're used to it, you won't feel good if you haven't eaten your salad.There are lots of salads you can make with for example red and green cabbage, lettuce, rocket, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, cucumber, avocados, peppers, beetroot and so on.

The more color the salad has, the better.

3. Juice them up

Get yourself a juicer and make yourself delicious vegetable juices. That way you get nature's goodness straight into your system. The only work you do is buy and clean the vegetables. No cutting is involved. Imagine some cool carrot juice first thing in the morning. Your health will certainly improve by doing this.

4. Buy them frozen

If prepping vegetables puts you off eating the, the just get them frozen and ready to steam. There are a huge variety to choose from so stock up. Just make sure to not overcook them as you don't want to lose the goodness.

5. Grow them in your backyard

Why not consider vegetable gardening as a hobby. There's nothing as satisfying as planting seeds into the ground and watching them grow into plump fresh vegetables. You'll have no choice but to eat them. Honestly,what beats getting vegetables from your garden to cook. Anyone can learn how to do this. Search the internet or visit a garden center near you for tips.

6. Add frozen vegetables to meat dishes

When you cook a meat dish, just throw in some frozen vegetables just a few minutes before the dish is cooked. For example, when cooking a chicken stew, add some broccoli, with scrambled eggs add some carrots, with mashed potatoes add some peas and cabbage. You can also add frozen vegetables to your rice. Just be creative with this, as long as with each meal there are vegetables.

Original article

Meat-Free and Vegan Friendly Kale Salad Recipe - A Tasty and Uncooked Way To Consume Your Greens

Meatless and vegan holiday recipes are probably the most yummiest dishes on the table during the holiday seasons and special events. In fact, consider how some of your favorite holiday dishes. It's not fairly often that I hear people "raving" about how delicious the Turkey, (bless its soul) was. Instead, I usually hear things like, "wow - that mac & cheese was absolutely wonderful," or "I have to get that potato salad recipe." Who would've thought that all of the stars of holiday gatherings are usually side dishes and desserts and are also meat-free?

During the holiday's, my mother would always cook Kale with Turkey Necks (I know...). As I become a vegetarian, I would always have to pass on the "greens" until my dad started making this meat-free and tasty vegetarian kale salad. This meatless recipe is also vegan friendly, which is always a plus, and it is really simple to make and absolutely delicious. Since this kale recipe is not cooked, you will be able to consume the many essential vitamins and nutrients that our green and leafy friends provide the body.

Kale Salad Recipe & Video

Ingredients:

·1 Bunch of Clean Fresh Kale

Dressing Ingredients:

·1/4 cup of Tamari (you can use soy sauce or liquid aminos)

·1/2 cup of water

·3 tablespoons of olive oil

·Juice from a 1/2 lemon

·1 clove garlic

·1/2 cup of sunflower seeds (optional)

Directions:

1. Chop the kale in to small pieces and place in a large bowl (if you have a bowl with a lid so that you can toss the kale salad later) and set aside.

2. In a blender, pour the Tamari, water, olive oil, lemon juice, and clove and blend for about 1 minute. Taste the dressing to make sure it is not too salty. If the dressing is too salty, then add some more water and blend for another 30 seconds.

3. Pour the dressing on the kale and sprinkle the sunflower seeds on the kale.

4. Toss the salad, cover, and place in the fridge and let it marinade for at least 4 hours.

The more time you allow the Kale to soak in the dressing, the better. I would highly recommend making this salad the night before you plan to eat it as this allows plenty of time for all of the flavors of the dressing to mesh together with the Kale (or your green of choice). Also, fellow vegetarians, let me know if you try this recipe with a different type of green (i.e. turnip or collard). I have just prepared this salad recipe with kale and would be interested to find out how the substitute of greens worked out to suit your needs and taste buds. I am sure it will be just as fulfilling...but of course, inquiring vegetarian minds want to know!

You can also spruce this salad up by adding some a variety of flavors and textures by simply sprinkling a handful of sunflower seed kernels on top of the salad and even adding some sliced cherry tomatoes. Enjoy!

Want to watch as EJ prepares this Kale Salad Recipe? You can watch the video by visiting http://vegetarianlikeme.com/vegetarian-recipes/holiday-recipe-vegetarian-vegan-kale-salad/ Enjoy cooking and eating vegetarian and vegan foods? Grab your totally free vegan and vegetarian cookbook with over 100 meat and dairy free recipes plus 5 Free Vegetarian Instructional Video Recipes. Join hundreds of other vegetarians that have already experienced the easy but delicious means of making and eating vegetarian and vegan food.

Original article

Why Is The Hamilton Beach 67650 Such a Popular Juice Extractor?

The Hamilton Beach: Powerful, Fast and Efficient.

The Hamilton Beach 67650 Juice Extractor is a Powerful, Fast and Efficient Juice Extractor that is a joy to use.

It is powerful, fast and efficient

Powerful

The BigMouth has a powerful 1.1-hp motor and is very fast. It is also very stable on the counter top and the only precaution is against drips. Just put a cloth or kitchen towel under the spout to catch drips when the container is removed.

Fast and Efficient

This appliance has a very wide feeding opening, which is why it is called BigMouth. Whole fruit can be pushed down this opening.

The process of juice extraction is fast and efficient as outlined in the following three steps.

1. From the opening the food is pushed onto a fast-moving spinning blade where it is pulped.

2. The juice is then extracted through centrifugal action, strained and poured into a container.

3. The leftover pulp is ejected into a removable pulp bin.

The process is fast and the appliance is capable of processing a large amount of produce in a short time during which the pulp bin is emptied from time to time.

Successes and failures

This extractor does a great job of making vegetable juice, as vegetables are generally hard and fibrous.

More fibrous fruit like pears and apples that are firmer, more fibrous and less mushy make the best juice leaving very little pulp behind.

Juicing soft fruit like bananas or soft, thin-skinned fruit such as peaches or berries might give better results in a blender.

It seems that one has to be sensible about what one uses in this juice maker, taking into consideration what it can and cannot do

It is easy to clean. .

The BigMouth juice maker is provided with a cleaning brush to thoroughly remove all pieces of fiber from the blade and straining surfaces. All its removable parts are dishwasher safe.

It is well made and a joy to use

This juice extractor is solidly built and has a couple of features worthy of note.

The blade and mesh strainer is made of stainless steel for durability.

There are two locking lid catches and these are die-cast and strong and not easy-to-break plastic.

The person operating.the Hamilton Beach 67650 enjoys using it, because it is so easy, fast and efficient to use. It is not a messy and makes good juice.

It is very rewarding to produce homemade juices that add nutritional value it the family diet.

Fresh juices last in the fridge in sealed containers for up to three days.

Amy M Ling

http://www.blogger.com/profile/08712414500858974676

Amy M. Ling is a retired internet enthusiast who loves finding good deals and sharing them with people. Amazon.com has a good deal on the Hamilton Beach 67650 Juice Extractor that includes Free shipping.

Press the link to find out more about this: hamilton beach 67650

Original article

Vegetable Dishes That Are Perfect for All, Including Diabetics!

We should all eat more vegetables and this is especially true for those of us diabetics. The recipes in this article are great for diabetics but they are not 'diabetic' recipes. They are regular recipes that are perfect for diabetics, too. If you just love vegetables or you are trying to get more veggies into your diet, give these recipes a try!

CHUNKY BLACK BEAN-SWEET POTATO CHILI
2 tsp canola oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp chili powder
1 can (14-oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, do not drain
1 tbsp minced chipotle chiles
1 small (approx. 8 oz) sweet potato, peeled and chunked
1 can (15-oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup chopped cilantro, optional

In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat te canola oil. Add the onion and cook, stirring, for 5 minute. Add bell peppers, garlic, and chili powder; cook while stirring for about 2 minutes.

Add the tomatoes with juice, chipotle chiles and the sweet potato; bring to a boil. Cover the saucepan and simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes. Stir in the black beans; cover and simmer another 8 to 10 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender. (Mixture will be thick. If you want, you can gradually stir in water to thin to your preferred consistency.)

To serve, sprinkle with chopped cilantro, if desired.

Yield: 4 to 5 servings

NOTE:By scrubbing the sweet potato well instead of peeling, you will retain more nutrients.

TOSSED VEGETABLE DISH
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1 bunch broccoli, cut into small florets
1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets
1 bottle (8-oz) low-sugar or sugar-free Italian Salad dressing

Put the tomatoes, broccoli, and cauliflower into a bowl with a sealable lid. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to coat well. Refrigerate 12 to 24 hours before serving.

TANGY GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE
2 lb fresh green beans, ends removed and broke into bite-size pieces
2 tbsp finely chopped onion
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 tbsp Panko bread crumbs
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp butter, melted

Cook the beans in a small amount of water until crisp tender; drain. Add the onion, olive oil, vinegar, minced garlic, salt and pepper; toss to coat the beans. Place the beans in an ungreased 1-quart baking dish. Toss the Panko crumbs with the cheese and butter; sprinkle over top of the beans. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until topping is golden brown.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Enjoy!

For more of Linda's recipes and diabetic information visit http://diabeticenjoyingfood.blogspot.com/
For her old fashion recipe collection visit her at http://grandmasvintagerecipes.blogspot.com/

Original article

Why Become A Vegetarian?

You've probably asked yourself that one at one point in your life. As someone who's been a vegetarian for several years, as well as learned from world-class chefs and dietitians, there are several of valid reasons to make a fresh start and begin a plant-based diet.

A lot of people concerned about their well-being are searching for ways to get rid of unhealthy eating habits. By taking meat out of your diet, you are getting rid of a major source of saturated fat, cholesterol, and various other harmful elements. This doesn't include the chemicals that you take in by having meat in your diet. The animal processing industry uses various growth hormones, antibiotics, and other unnatural chemicals that you will wind up eating and processing through your body.

You can also take into account the environmental aspects. Research has proven that the level of harmful gases given off from the daily excrement of millions of factory-raised livestock is more harmful to the world than every car put together. Additionally, the dizzying amounts of feed necessary to feed the millions of head of livestock requires additional millions of pounds of pesticide and other chemicals, which can run off into drinking water.

One more element of the discussion over going vegetarian has to do with the less-than-humane ways animals are processed for eating. We like to think that chickens, pigs, cows, etc. that are raised for consumption lead pleasant lives, similar to how we treat our dogs and cats.

But the hard fact is that the majority of livestock are looked at as commodities and are treated as nothing more than a product; not sentient creatures. Realize that most livestock live in small boxes, often not allowed room to stand. They suffer from awful diseases and are kept viable so that they can make it to the slaughterhouse, where they are shocked, hit with electric bolt guns, have their throats slit, and some are even dumped into scalding water while still conscious.

The good news is that you can lead a healthy, ethical life by eating a meatless diet. Vegetarians often have lower incidences of disease, and several report feeling a higher level of focus and concentration all through the day.

And for the folks who are worried that all they will be eating is lettuce and soybeans, think again. You might be surprised to find out just how great a plant-based diet can taste. With a slate of delicious, simple, and quick cooking techniques, not to mention modern meat analogs and replacements, you will be more satisfied than ever before. This includes the once-in-awhile treats that will make you believe you're eating steak, grilled chicken, pepperoni pizza, and more.

Think about just how much change you could bring to the world and your own life by taking animals off your plate. You will most likely look great and feel even better, in addition to making a significant impact for the rest of the planet. Thanks for reading.

For more info on how to easily adopt a plant-based diet, visit Benjy Portnoy's WhyBecomeAVegetarian.com for articles, recipes, forums, restaurant guides, cookbook recommendations, and even a free email series on making the transition.

Feel free to reproduce this article online as long as this info and its links are included.

Original article

Three Vegetarian Dinner Recipes

Vegetarian dinner recipes are getting easier and easier to find now that many people are more focused on their available healthy choices. Vegetarians and meat eaters alike will love to add these three recipes into their general dinner recipes box. The following three recipes are tasty and quick to make. The three recipes are going to be a pizza, a curry, and a stroganoff, to show what kind of variety you can have when cooking vegetarian.

The first one is an Arugula and Goat Cheese Pizza. Many people have problems with the red sauce that comes standard on most pizza so this one has a pesto sauce instead, and this pizza is so so tasty with the fresh goat cheese and flavorful arugula.

ARUGULA AND GOAT CHEESE PIZZA

INGREDIENTS:

1 medium to large unbaked pizza crust

6 tablespoons pesto sauce

3 fresh roma tomatoes, thinly sliced

1 (8 oz) package seasoned goat cheese

2 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced

1 cup fresh arugula

1 teaspoon olive oil

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven according to pizza crust instructions.
Dab pesto onto the center of the crust and spread toward the outer edges. Cut goat cheese into thin coins, and crumble across the pizza. Arrange tomato slices over goat cheese. Sprinkle with garlic. Brush the edges of the crust lightly with the olive oil.
Place your pizza directly on preheated oven rack. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes but check frequently and take out when the crust edges are golden.
After removing pizza from the oven, allow to cool for a few minutes so that the feta has time to set, then cover the pizza with a few handfuls of arugula. Cut generous slices and serve.

This second recipe is an easy vegetarian curry. Once done, serve over rice or quinoa with a generous side of salad. This one is especially good if you have no garden or fresh produce nearby, as these ingredients are easily found at your local grocer.

AN EASY VEGETARIAN CURRY

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves crushed garlic

2 1/2 tablespoons curry powder

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 cube vegetable bouillon

1 (10 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables

1 1/2 cups water

salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

DIRECTIONS:
Using a large saucepan over medium-high, heat oil and saute onion and garlic until golden.Stir in the curry powder and tomato paste, cook for 2 to 3 minutes.Stir in your tomatoes, the vegetable bouillon, frozen mixed vegetables, water, salt and pepper to taste.Cook for about 30 minutes until vegetables are well done (not crunchy).Sprinkle with the fresh cilantro prior to serving with rice or quinoa.

This last recipe is a stroganoff and has a rich sauce with the portobello mushrooms served over egg noodles.

PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM STROGANOFF

INGREDIENTS:

3 tablespoons butter

1 large onion, chopped

3/4 pound portobello mushrooms, sliced

1 1/2 cups vegetable broth

1 1/2 cups sour cream

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

8 ounces dried egg noodles

DIRECTIONS:
Bring large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Add the egg noodles and cook until al dente, about 7 minutes or follow the package instructions. Remove from heat, drain, and set aside.
While noodes are cooking, melt the butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook, stirring until softened. Turn heat up to medium-high and add sliced portobello mushrooms. Cook until mushrooms are limp and browned, then remove to a bowl and set aside.
In the same large skillet, stir in vegetable broth, being sure to get all browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil and cook until the mixture has reduced by 1/3. Reduce heat to low, and return the mushrooms and onion mixture to the skillet.
Remove the pan from the heat, stir together the sour cream and flour; then blend into the mushroom sauce. Return the skillet to the burner, and continue cooking over low heat just until the sauce thickens. Stir in the parsle, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve over cooked egg noodles.

These three vegetarian dinner recipes are sure to be enjoyed by all your family, and just check out the website as I will be adding these and other recipes to there on a further basis.

Tracy is a semi-vegetarian but has 4 other vegetarian family members that have to be cooked for daily. That is why I am always looking for vegetarian dinner recipes to test and share with others.

http://www.evegetarianrecipes.org/

Original article

Become a Vegetarian

Parents often tell children to finish their vegetables because it is good for them. The truth is that vegetables are good for everyone. In fact, some people live on them alone. Becoming a vegetarian can help you become healthier, help with weight loss, keep animals and the environment safe and so much more. Although it may take some effort, becoming a vegetarian is not really very difficult.

The first step to becoming a vegetarian is finding a good reason to do so. This is something that shouldn't be taken too lightly. Changing your eating habits can really have a big effect, so you need to consider why you are doing it. Wanting to become healthier, caring for animals and others are often good reasons. Those with good reasons are often able to stick to this change better than those without solid intentions.

The next thing to do is read up and do some research. There are different levels of being a vegetarian and it takes different amounts of effort. Find out what it is all about and what you need to know about it. By learning these things you can brace yourself for what you are about to take on. It will also help you clear any questions that you might have and offer a good amount of guidance for you as well. During this time it will be good to look for forums or support groups which you can turn to during the process of becoming a vegetarian.

Once you've been able to find reasons and gather the information you need, goal setting is up next. While some people go cold turkey and just switch to vegetables suddenly it may be better to go for a gradual change. Set your goals for each week and cut back on your meat consumption slowly. You can start by eliminating one type of meat a week. This will help you get a feel of things without jumping into it too quickly. At the same time, meeting each goal will give you a drive to go further and do more.

Lastly, don't forget to try out new vegetarian recipes. This will help you expand your menu and let you discover new dishes. By finding new things to eat you do not feel deprived and will not be tempted to switch back to old eating habits. This can also be incorporated with your goals.

If you set your goals publicly it can help to keep your goals on track. Our goal setting website, Solid Goals, is ideal for this.

Original article

Quick Cheesy Casseroles For Vegetarian Dinners

The holiday season is here and that means busy days and nights. If you're looking for quick and easy dinners, stop right here. Three entrees that depend on cheese, fill the bill to fill your family's tummy. The first is cheesy broccoli and rice. Even children who don't like broccoli like this dish. The second is a spicy enchilada casserole and the third a gourmet take on mac and cheese. All three dishes are vegetarian which means they save you money.

Start off with a preparing a silky cheese sauce.

Combine 1 cup of whole milk with 1 tablespoon of flour until smooth. Heat in the saucepan until the sauce bubbles and thickens. Add 1/2 cup of your favorite shredded cheese. You'll need one cup of this sauce for every two servings. Since the ingredients below make dishes that serve four, make 2 cups.

Cheesy Broccoli

Cook 2 cups of broccoli in the microwave until it's softened but still crisp. The broccoli will finish cooking in the oven. Combine with 2 cups of cooked rice. Or use instant rice with water as the directions specify. Add 2 cups of the cheese sauce. Stir well.

Top with an additional 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. Either freeze this in an air tight container for a dinner you only have to bake later or bake in a 350 F oven for 30 minutes until the dish is bubbly and the cheese melted.

Enchilada Casserole

If you can layer you can make this dish. You won't be using the cheese sauce for this dish. Add 1 teaspoon of cumin and 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to two 15 ounce cans of tomato sauce. Add more cayenne pepper for a hotter kick or add several chopped jalapeno peppers.

Spread 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Layer in five or six corn tortillas. Add another 1/2 cup of sauce and spread over the tortillas.

Slice one medium onion and layer over the tortillas. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of shredded cheese over the onions. Finish with 1/2 cup of sauce and another layer of tortillas. Spread the remaining sauce over the tortillas and sprinkle with another 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. Bake 45 minutes in a 350 F oven.

Gourmet Mac and Cheese

Butter the bottom of a casserole dish. Combine 4 cups of cooked macaroni with 2 cups of cheese sauce and 2 cups of frozen defrosted peas. You don't have to cook the peas. Place in the casserole dish. Cover with a layer of breadcrumbs -- about 1 to 1/2 cups and an additional 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. Heat at 350 F until the breadcrumbs are brown and the cheese topping melted. This is oh so much better than the boxed stuff.

If going vegetarian isn't your thing. Add 1 cup of chopped chicken to the rice and broccoli, 1 cup of chopped turkey, cooked ground beef or cooked diced pork to the enchilada casserole and 1 cup of cubed ham to the mac and cheese.

Dee Power is the author of several nonfiction books. Her hobbies include gardening and cooking healthy dinner recipes, and sharing her grilling tips. She lives with an Irish Setter and an English Springer Spaniel.

Original article