It's All About August!
Replies
-
Spark...ALMOND MILK: I do soak the almonds over night and then drain and rinse them really well. I do think it gives you a creamier end product. I have never used the pulp to make anything. I know, a waste. One of these days I will be ambitious and make something. I love Detoxinista and her directions for making milk. She has methods and recipes for making ice cream, which I plan on using as well.
Yogurt: I use a 64 ounce carton of Westsoy...soybeans and water only. I get it from Walmart, order online and pick up.
I use CULTURES FOR HEALTH FOR VEGAN YOGURT as the stuff to make it into yogurt. I get that from Thrive market but they sell it on Amazon. Store STARTER in fridge. I made the mistake of not doing so and it ruined the starter. Did not find out until I made yogurt and it ended up looking like science experiment.
64 ounces of plain, unsweetened Westsoy and one packet (it comes four packets to a package)...shake shake shake to combine...use 16 ounce mason jars in Instant Pot for 14 hours. Then 6 hours or in fridge to set. It you wish it thicker, use two sheet of bounty paper towels in a colander in the fridge for a few hour.
Complete directions by VEGAN BLUEBERRY ON HER BLOG.
0 -
Spark, they have bottles that tell you to drink! Some play music or flash lights, etc. Crazy isn't it? Good luck with your rice.
Nanc you are so ambitious with cooking!
I got home later than hoped so stir-fry is put off until tomorrow. I threw some potatoes (both russet and sweet) in the oven to bake, along with a sheet pan of broccoli to roast. Easy no fuss. I have the back to back exercise classes in the morning then home to clean and cook and get work done. Office Sunday. Hopelessly behind.
B - usual oats with cherries and a few walnut halves
L - Dr. McD soup, an apple
D - potato and broccoli, some frozen grapes
0 -
Magic, thanks for the instructions. I'm going to try this one day soon. I don't have an instapot, but the Vegan Blueberry site has instructions for using a crock pot, which I do have, so I'm going to try that. I also never use the pulp although I end up freezing some anyway. I've seen recipes that use it for baked stuff, I think cookies or muffins, so I might try that one day also.
Mihani, I can't believe they actually make water bottle like that, so funny! I usually get all my water in each day, it's just when I'm away from home for hours that I tend to fall behind. You always seem so busy at work, has your job hired a helper for you yet?0 -
Yay it is Friday!
My good friends picked the pups up for their weekend stay. We are going to Dallas for the weekend. Brooks found this hotel called Cooper Hotel and Spa. It has 2 pools for lap swimming, exercise area and trails. Plus a healthy restaurant with good reviews.
Mihani - congratulations on the weight loss this week. Good for you. I like that saying: to focus on effort and results will follow. Plus, I don't know if you are taking measurements but I am sure you have really toned up lifting weights. Add a little mushroom powder to water sauce stir fry. My chai mushroom
Carla - congratulations reaching onederland! Enjoy. How are you celebrating this achievement ?
Spring - that is the problem with housing prices...our house has appreciated as we bought before the boon but even more so ever where else. Our friends just told us horror stories about Orlando, Fl (somewhere we don't want to move) but people were offering $200,000 above the asking price.
Marilyn - I hope that stone has passed and you have a pain free weekend.
Magic - Where do you find vegan sour cream?
Have a great weekend everyone.
0 -
Spring, I am generally good about drinking water at the office but slide at home so I thnk for now I'm going to keep the water bottle here. We don't have a new person at the office yet because we have to do some configuring of office space, get a new computer, etc. I hope these things move along quickly.
Have fun on your mini-trip, Bisky! I forgot to take measurements when I first started these classes, but I did take some a couple weeks ago and will go from there.
Tough classes this morning. I got through them though! Came home and had a smoothie and started laundry. Going to eat a potato and some broccoli in a bit then get busy on work. Also need to vacuum, do some cooking, change sheets. Way too much to do today!
B - half a sweet potato, small handful of raisins, about a tablespoon of chopped pecans
S - after workout smoothie
L - baked russet potato, broccoli, watermelon
D - big ol' salad with pinto beans added
0 -
Well 5 days down from having surgery - removal of kidney stones. Am glad that they were able to lazer the large stone as it would never have come out - and the lazered up to 10 I believe and it could be 15 which I will get confirmed this week when I see the specialist But with them having to put a camera inside me and into the kidney and the lazer the stones till they were like very small gravel - well it will take time for it all to come out - and that it what is making me tired and sore - each time one of the lazered stones moves further down the path to coming out it hurts and when I say hurts think about having a baby, only rather than one coming out, 3 are trying to push out at the same time, then x that pain by 10 and you will get a little idea of what kidney stone pain feels like. And one kidney stone can take 31 days to come out - and I have over 10 - think about that - not nice at all. But am generally feeling a bit better just the pain coming at awkward moments is not nice- and I would really like to go and visit a few people or to church tomorrow but honestly just don't have the strength and am feeling that I might have the uncontrol pain at an awkward moment so guess I am home for some time
2 -
Oh goodness, Marilyn...sorry you are dealing with such a painful ordeal. Hoping you feel better soon.
Rest and following the doctor's orders is probably best for you right now.0 -
Bisky the sour cream is from Trader Joe's. But I just tossed it. I made a batch of yogurt and will use a jar to make sour cream by adding lemon or apple cider vinegar. Much better for us.
Today's Menu
coffee BLACK. Carla, you are my role model. I really prefer it with the original Nutpod creamer...almond with coconut. But my labs came back and one of my numbers is not that great...so time to really clean up my act.
raw oats with blueberries and banana, almond milk, cinnamon and flax meal
refried bean tostada (will use some yogurt turned into sour cream here), LTO, hatch green chili
roasted veggies and rice OR sheet pan tofu
fruit
On the agenda today: sauna at the gym, treadmill and make a batch of green juice...and clean up the joint.
Do make your day delicious everyone.
0 -
Marilyn, sure hope the stones pass quickly so you can get feeling better!
Nanc, I think I've heard that nutpods brand is pretty good as far as ingredients. I have always enjoyed coffee black although in my younger days I liked it with Bailey's.
I didn't end up getting much work done yesterday because I took a nap, then got some cleaning and cooking done. Heading to the office around 9:00 and will stay all day. Easier not to get sidetracked when I'm there.
Wasn't in the mood for stir-fry last night but I made a few things. Roasted asparagus: sheet pan lined with parchment paper, sprinkle with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, roll around to coat the spears, oven at 425 until done. Since we've been talking about banza lately I cooked a box of shells. In the last couple minutes of cooking I added a huge handful of finely chopped kale. Drained then tossed with chopped green onions and sweet peppers, grape tomatoes, shane & simple vinaigrette, fresh ground black pepper. It turned out really tasty, but next time I'll use a different dressing. I love the S&S vinaigrette but it's a little on the sweet side for pasta salad.
0 -
Banza people...QUESTION: I love pasta cold...how does Banza end up as left overs to eat cold? Rice pasta does not work that well. TIA!
@Mihani, thanks for that info on Nutpods. But I threw it away last night...and it was pretty new...so I am done for awhile. I had my coffee this morning... not great but ok. I really use it to get "things" moving to start the day...sparing YOU guys TMI here. So, the black coffee did its job.
I just did my 20 min on the treadmill. That will have to do. 2.0 mph and 4 incline. Not too much pain on my right knee. But once this sweet thing is replaced next January and I am healed, there will be no stopping me.
If anyone needs motivation to stick with a plan...get your LABS DONE! I got a swift kick in the butt...my overall cholesterol was 202. Now that number alone is definitely not great. But I did get some kinda good news with my HDL...that number combined with LDL brought my risk factor to a 3.2
STILL, not fab.
Cholesterol: 202 mg/dl. HIGH!
Triglycerides 142...not flagged but HIGH in my opinion
HDL 64
LDL 109
cholesterol/HDL risk calculated
3.2
I am fat...and my blood fat (triglycerides) says so. Time to buckle down.
I use too much sugar...some of my bottled sauces are filled with sugar. I will totally CUT BACK THERE! NO more rye bread...vegan but so processed that it turns quickly to sugar. NO more vegan cheeses. DARN!
Really checking out ADDED sugar in the ingredients of anything that is not WHOLE FOODS.
My goal is five pounds a month. 25 pounds off by my surgery in mid January.0 -
Currently watching:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXiQgTZZqPg 1 -
Thanks for the tostada recipe, @magic71755. I went to my fridge to check, but I don't have any cooked pasta left to try. I actually made the Barilla brand of 'banza' / garbanzo bean pasta because it was available and less money. I cooked it for 1 minute less than lowest time on package directions. I do think it would be good cold, because to me it is the closest thing to just regular ol' pasta. I'm with you on cutting out the sugar. We have a noodle stir fry with we make using a sugary sauce. No more! I'll put new recipe for stir fry sauce below. Still sweet but at least less and from whole food source.
@Marilynsretired, that sounds so painful! I know I've passed one a time or two over the years, but just one. I hope you pass them as quickly and painlessly as possible. Did you also mention that you have gal stones? I had some large gal stones that they tried to break up and couldn't because of the size. They wanted to remove my gal bladder. I was in incredible pain any time I had any fat. That was more than 10 years ago. I cut out all fat that I possibly could for a while. Very slowly over time I started adding little bits of fat via nuts or seeds. I haven't had pain, so they haven't looked at my gal bladder since. I have no idea if the stones worked themselves out or what. I've since had some fatty meals of course, but it is no longer an issue. Sorry for the novel. But if you have that problem too it might save you surgery
@SparkSpringtime69, did you reduce or stop adding salt to rice when cooking? Aside from pre-washing the rice well, the salt in the water also helps remove the starch.
Mihani, how many classes at the gym are you going to each week? Don't forget to book yourself a vacation self care. I have socks that say badass on the calves that I used to wear when I was jogging.
After having my labs done, I'm tightening things up around here. I don't have most of the results in yet, but just having my blood drawn is motivating. For the next while, I'll be cycling through the meals listed below, and starting lunches dinners with a salad.
garbanzo bean curry with baked Indian inspired tofu
red lentil cauliflower curry
mushroom and veggie red sauce over banza pasta
veggie stir fry with homemade stir fry sauce all over quinoa
bean chili
fajita bowl
We make most of the above anyway, but if we cycle through we don't get stuck favoring one over the others. also we don't do quinoa enough so now its in the rotation.
Today's plan
coffee
blueberry oatmeal
strawberry spinach smoothie
leftover stir fry & quinoa
apple or bowl of strawberries
Here's the stir fry sauce I made. We used half of it for a very large stir fry and next time I think I'll cut the recipe in half. Here's the original:
1/4 cup low sodium soy or tamari
1.5 cups low sodium veggie broth
1/4 cup pitted Medjool dates
1.5 tsp garlic powder
1.5 tsp ginger powder
1 tsp red chili flakes (opt)
1 Tbsp arrowroot powder (can sub tapioca starch)
Place all ingredients in blender and blend well. If dates are tougher or mix isn't blending well, let sit in blender to soak. Try again
You can now store this in the fridge for a up to a week or so. This needs to be added to the pan in a stir fry so that it gets cooked and the starch can thicken up the sauce. Add to taste.
0 -
Bisky, hope your weekend was great! Housing 200,000 above asking, yikes!!
Mihani, seems like cleaning is never-ending, doesn't it? As soon as we get one end of the house dusted and vacuumed, the other end, done just days ago, needs it again.
Marilyn, Sorry to hear you're facing so much pain. I hope all the stones leave quickly so you can get back to a your regular life.
Magic, I had labs done a few years ago and the numbers weren't ideal. That was when I decided to go more vegan than vegetarian (way too much cheese and bread in my vegetarian diet).
Carla, I never added salt to the rice before, just rice and water. I'll try adding some in the next batch, hopefully it'll make a difference. Thanks for the suggestion.
0 -
0 -
@SparkSpringtime69 I don't actually add salt myself anymore, since I'm trying to cut back, but I think it does help.0
-
Just to claify
Spark, I’ve been vegan since 2019 but had been using some, not a lot, vegan cheese.
Now, ZERO. It’s the coconut oil and cream I am staying away from.
BREAD…I will go back to Ezekiel when i have to have bread.
💚🌱💚0 -
Today I took one of my mason jars of yogurt and turned it into sour cream.
I did that by straining the yogurt in a double fold of bounty and a colander and it came out very thick because all the water was drained from it.
And then I added a tiny bit of what is that vinegar called I can’t remember what it’s called it’s called the Apple cider vinegar added a tiny bit of apple cider vinegar and it turned out great I used that on my tostadas.
0 -
Carla, I've actually never added salt to water for anything, rice, pasta, veggies, etc. I think that was the old school way of cooking; my Mom, and everyone else I know from her generation, did it. I remember the first time I made pasta for my MIL (100% Italian) and she said "don't you add salt?" in a rather shocked tone? Then she said something about it giving the pasta it's taste. Silly me thought it was the sauce (or in their words "gravy") that gave it it's flavor, but, of course, I didn't say that out loud
. But, she was a sweetheart and didn't make a fuss about it. Anyway, I'm going to try adding a little just to get through what rice is left in the jar.
Magic, I hear ya about the vegan cheese - I've been using it here and there, but every time I look at the label I cringe: calories and fat, but no protein, B12, calcium, nothing. If a company is going to make a product that's processed anyway, at least add some nutrients to it! Glad to hear your sour cream turned out so well.0 -
Hi everyone... long day in the office then a short visit at a gathering. Stuck to water and still holding to my resolution of NO alcohol for 90 days. It's really easy now. I don't think about having a drink.
This is a quick post because I got home late and need to get ready for bed. I did read through all the posts and Nanc, wanted to mention that the pasta salad today was excellent. Didn't get mushy at all.
I may be a bit scarce this week. PT tomorrow after work and Tuesday strength class, plus one person out for vacation this week and work is going to suck more than usual.
0 -
Thanks for the info on the banza, @Mihani I was really wondering if it got hard once refrigerated. My rice Tinkyada does...unless you overcook it and then chill. Then when eaten cold, it's perfect. Weird stuff.
Today's menu
BLACK COFFEE
HOMEmade yogurt with grapenuts, banana and blueberries
Daring plain chic'n, frozen veggies from TJs, steamed
watermelon
air fried corn tortillas and homemade yogurt turned into sour cream, mixed with 505 Hatch green chili salsa...soooooooooooooo good.
nectarines
12 hour day today...so lunch bag is fully stocked
Do make your delicious, naturally!0 -
Yesterday, I experimented with my refried bean/tostada meal. I almost have it perfected so I can have it at work. I eat at my desk, and I am the receptionist, so I have to figure a way of not making a mess while eating.
I will use my Mini Hot Logic to heat the beans and salsa...bring the toppings and then layer on top of the beans and use the tortillas (air fried of course) as dippers. Probably eat at around 6 when it is really not that busy. I leave at 7. I do better with sleep when I do not eat after 7.
I really think having beans daily is going to help in lowering my cholesterol. At least I hope so.0 -
2 -
0
-
We had a fun two days in Dallas. Did not really see much because we went to an Aquarium Convention where there are lectures, exhibits, coral, fish and equipment for fresh & salt water aquariums. (we are nerds). We got into aquascaping (water plants, fish, rocks and wood) in Japan. We stayed at this "heart healthy resort" owned by a Cardiologist, Dr. Cooper. The hotel was $120.0/night and included use of the lap pool, exercise room and spa. Plus the grounds were beautiful for walking around.
So while we were gone, Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Dr. Esselstyn arrived. So inspired. I can live on Brooks' black beans he makes in the Instant Pot and having occasional pea protein drinks ....I am thinking I can do this. He makes the best black beans (bag of black beans, can of hominy and chipotle pepper). They are so much better than canned beans and cheaper.
Magic - I use the Banza past for about 3 days. After I make a hot dish I put the pasta in the fridge and use the next couple of days with cut up vegetables for a pasta veggie salad. I add olive oil or Gazebo Greek salad dressing that has ZERO sugar. I always boil Banza for 1-2 minutes less than it says on package or else it can overcook and fall apart. Also when boiling have a wooden spoon and bowl to skim the white bubbly stuff or else it can boil over the pan.
I think overall your numbers are good. The HDL is greater than 60 which is considered excellent. Your calculated risk is 3.2 and less than 5% is considered good. 5-7% Borderline. I think you are on the right track to hunt down the hidden unneeded sugar calories. On that note, the chickpea cook book was very disappointing because there was added sugar in all the recipes. Boo.
Marilyn - Oh how painful, 15 stones and laser surgery to break them apart. Your poor kidneys.
Sparks - I love my rice cooker, my husband loves the rice cooker. We down sized from a 5 cup to a 3 cup when my last one of 20 years died. I had a Chinese friend years ago recommend a rice cooker.
Mihani - Good job with your hard class and getting through it.
Carla - that stir fry sauce looks delicious.
Brooks is going to make Vegetarian/gluten free Bipimbop this week! Love it.
https://www.lazycatkitchen.com/vegan-bibimbap/
Swam 500 Meters today. Still have to stop and catch my breath between 25M laps...so out of shape. 2 mile walk...fastest I have done all year). Going to bed early.
0 -
Mornin' all! I am down exactly 8 pounds as of this morning. So right around a pound a week since starting this fitness/wellness program. Of course several weeks where nothing happened at all on the scale. I have resigned myself to the fact my body is not going to release pounds quickly like when I was younger and I'm going to have to be patient and stay the course. I just hope I really learn my lesson this time and maintain the good habits. I don't ever want to have to lose the same weight over again and I am enjoying feeling more healthy and strong.
PT was good. Somewhat uncomfortable but I feel like there has been some improvement already. I have a couple exercises to do every day that won't take long.
Going to the office a little late because I have to drop the boy off at the vet for some tests.
Finished off the pasta salad yesterday. Still have baked potatoes, broccoli and asparagus to eat, plus salad and smoothies of course. I haven't got into the junky salty snacks at the office in well over a week!
0 -
Quick flyby to post menu...I will be back.
black coffee
1/2 c dry oatmeal, almond milk, blueberries, banana, 1/4 c grapenuts
TUN NO in corn torillas
tostadas
watermelon
air fried green beans
later, dollies... I will be back.
LOVE the idea of putting recipes in a place we can later search and find. Super job, girls.
0 -
Magic, the air-fried tortillas sound good, do they get really crispy? I haven't had refried beans in a long time, I think I might have to whip some up next week.
Bisky, sounds like you had a great time in Dallas. Thanks for suggestion of the rice cooker, but I don't think that (or any other new appliance) is in our future. We barely have room for what we have now, and are planning to downsize things over the next 5 to 10 years, LOL.
Mihani, you're really crushing it with the dropped pounds and workout sessions. It sounds like you're in the right frame of mind to stick with the routine you've got going. I hope the trainer(s) you're working with at the gym will give you a bunch of exercises you can do at home in case you can't continue with the membership indefinitely.
0 -
1 -
I posted my garbanzo bean curry recipe to our forum finally. Joe and I are having the last of it tonight, along with Indian Baked Tofu.
Although we had to cancel our plans to go away for a few days, we still took the time off and had a nice stay-cation. We went to some nearby trails with the doggos and it was a nice change of pace for all of us.
We are about to have a boatload of zucchini and the beans and corn are looking good in our garden. Farmers grow corn in this area but I don't usually see the plants up close. It has been interesting to watch the corn form on the stalk. It looks like it is going to be a good year for us for tomatoes, too.0 -
UGH....so going to make a smoothie this a.m....pour in Silk chocolate almond milk as a friend said this was good. Checked the label...17 grams of sugar! So I go to unscrew the cup on this little electric shaker and I hit the on button....with the lid off. It went everywhere but inside of me. Sigh...I was so upset I threw the rest down the sink. Maybe time to make my own almond milk.0
