cheesy_blasters Member

YES. I make a mix of True Lemon (when I don't have lemon wedges), mint leaves, and raspberries. SO GOOD. I also love making ice tea ice cubes like others suggested.

While I agree with *what* you're saying, I think it's a HUGE problem to tell people with mental illnesses that it's their problem that society has a major stigma against mental illnesses and that they need to get over feeling ignored or alienated or diminished because people treat mental illness like a joke. I understand…

Some really interesting responses in this thread. From my perspective, I think both are right. I do agree that certain terms are used so lightly today. I've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It basically destroyed a decade of my life. I will never get to experience the fun other people got to have in their 20s or…

Nice list- definitely some things I want to try. I can vouch for popcorn and nutritional yeast! Really good and nutritional yeast has a decent amount of B12 so it's great for anyone who doesn't eat a lot of meat in their diet.

I find eating a large dinner helpful for me since I'm a night snacker, which is when I'm tempted to big out on chips/crackers/popcorn etc. If I eat a big dinner, I'm much less likely to snack, since I'm so full. Breakfast I find I eat a lot too since I'm home and have time to make something good. Lunch is my terrible meal.…

Here you go http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/cubegoodies/ea0c/?srp=4

I always tell people to use it instead of sour cream too! It's so much better!

I have drastically cut back my diet pop obsession. I might it a small glass every couple of days now. I find when I drink it, it makes me want to eat other bad stuff-chips, nachos, etc. Not really "more" food just stuff I'm trying to avoid. I think because that's always what I'd eat together at restaurants or my snacks. I…

Udo's oil is good to add to smoothies or use in recipes. One thing I also did was find a really high quality olive oil (I got mine from a specialty olive oil shop http://www.allthingsolive.ca) that was flavoured with lime. It taste good drizzled on tomatoes with herbs (lazy bruschetta), I've tried it on popcorn, on regular…

The mexican place here does 'make your own' fajitas and tacos. You could go with any option that let's you control how much you put in it (more veggies, less sour cream).

Sounds good! I've used eggplant before but a mushroom would be yummm!

Never tried them but I heard they're good in asian inspired dishes. I heard you can get some that are made with seaweed too, which would be a good way to get more iodine if you don't eat sea vegetables otherwise.

I'd get your blood tested if you can to see if you're deficient. I was iron deficient in college and NEVER got it checked- not for years. I was a lazy vegan and I got incredibly ill and ended up in the hospital because I fainted going down the stairs once, to get my mail. AWFUL. If you are deficient, they'll put you on a…

How do you cook them? I find a lot of times people (my dad for example) overcook their veggies A LOT so they're soggy and sour and taste awful. I like to steam mine for a couple minutes or sautee them with herbs. MUCH BETTER. I love crispy veggies so all the time I thought I hated them, I actually just hated the way they…

kale and spinach are good options. I get a lot of iron from my tofu as well. I use Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts (although I'm sure most brands would be similar) and there's quite a bit of iron in 1tablespoon. I use sprinkle on veggies or in a smoothie or whatever I'm eating at each meal. I eat a lot of legumes as well and…

There's a thread in the herbivore group with cookbook suggestions. Definitely check it out. I really like Appetite for Reduction, Big Vegan and Veganomicon. All really informative with tips and the recipes I've tried are all awesome.

It does sound good! I'm going to have to try that!

I would classify avocados as a 'great' source of protein if we can assume 'great' is another way of saying 'delicious'.

I just started weighing mine and I found the same thing! Sometimes I had been guessing too much, other times too little. It's a good way to figure out portion size (and how much I need to eat to feel full).

Good for you! It's so nice when you find examples of your progress like that :)

I track everything so I know when I eat my biggest meals, when I tend to snack, what I eat most of (this is good for grocery lists) and to have a record in case I need to get certain types of food in (if I need more fat/protein/calories in general). I find it useful.

Me! All the time. I try to remind myself of how *gross* a lot of that stuff is in reality and make better versions of it. Sometimes I will let myself have something bad and just work it into the day somehow though. I find if I do eat something bad (like chips, which I use to be able to eat a whole *big* bag of) I just get…

Is it just meat you're having issues with or *all* animal based products? Because there's a lot more freedom in vegetarian diets, which might be worth considering until you get familiar with alternative products and feel more comfortable making vegan meal. I'd suggest rice, legumes, lots of veggies. Adding things like hemp…

Have you gotten them checked my a doctor or just finding what you're tracking isn't meeting your goals?

One thing I've learned is no matter how much you think you know, people aren't responsive to it at all when you talk down to them. Offering suggestions can help influence them, offering judgement will not.

I use lettuce leaves when I make tacos but have a lot of filling inside. You could do an open-face sandwich with a piece of eggplant or make a healthy version of a KFC Double Down (lean chicken for the "bun" veggies on the inside). A big stir fry could work- lots of veggies/protein

I think experimenting and finding out what works for you is good. I couldn't do it that way without eating fast food or junk food but that's just me. If it helps you get through your plateau, and you're eating good food and getting enough nutrients etc. what's the harm in trying? If you're eating that way though because…

I am struggling with that too. I eat big meals but can't quite get there. I've been trying to add more avocados, legumes, even doing larger portions but since most of my food is plant based it's hard to eat a lot more. I'm trying more smoothies with fruits and veggies and protein powder. Looking forward to seeing other…

I'd say fine in a pinch but I think learning about healthy foods will be (overall) more beneficial to you. Maybe setting a goal like adding one home made dinner each week and slowly increasing that. You can find good recipes online- you don't even need to buy cookbooks to start. Check out grocery store flyers and track…

I think it depends on the Ice Tea. For me, there's not a huge difference because I don't add sweetener or anything to mine. Just the flowers/plants/fruit whatever. I use loose tea. Now for Nestea and stuff like that, I would say there's a big difference since it's sweetened and sometimes has artificial flavours.