Going Vegan in Alabama

Over on Veganatic blog, the writer first talks about DERBY day -- which I am guessing put her in the mood for Vegan pizza?

Anyway, she gives a good review of Daiya Vegan Cheese, which she explains can be found in the dairy section of Whole Foods store. She explains that pre-packaged Daiya is $4.39 for 8 ounces.

Even though it is expensive, it is worth it (in her opinion), especially for Vegan Pizza since it melts well and even tastes like real cheese.

She also gives a picture of the Vegan Pizza Where she used mushrooms, onions, red and green peppers, vegan pepperoni, vegan sausage, and Muir Glen Organic Pizza Sauce and used pre-made organic whole wheat crusts, also available at Whole Foods.

Another Vegan Food she discusses is Field Roast Italian Sausages in which she used with the Vegan Pizza. She explains they have pretty good vegan products (Field Roast), yet their Sausages are Really good.

The writer gives us a good Cabbage and White Beans with Italian Sausage Recipe -- which looks like it is easy to do and sounds delicious.

But it is oh so good!

Hubby & I were recently checking out a new produce store setup to be like an old country store and they had shelves and shelves of Amish jelly and jams.

My, we were surprised at the price. A tiny jar was $4.99! While buying a few fresh veggies, we also splurged on a small jar of blackberry jam. It is delicious!

Things are getting tough for small produce stores and stands. This winter was a doozy for the entire world. Everything has gotten so expensive -- especially fruits and vegetables.

What is a shame is for people to try to eat naturally and healthily, it costs so very, very much. I was watching a show that explained that if you gave a person a $1.00 to spend in a grocery store, they can buy a junk food product that is three times the calories as opposed to the calories they can buy in the produce section.

And, it is wondered why so many people are overweight ... It is cheaper!

WoW! I can not believe it has been a month since I last posted. Time is flying by this year. I guess that is what happens when you get old -- or having fun. Can you guess which applies to me?

Anyway, Vegan food, people becoming vegan, Vegan Restaurants, Vegan Stars, Vegan Menus have really been hitting the news lately.

One that I thought particularly interesting and helpful was an article from OregonLive.com -- Going Vegan Dining Out Advice

She discusses what it was like to be Vegan back in 1994 in Portland where there were not many Vegan friendly restaurants. What she would do is call ahead to the restaurant and speak with the owner or chef.

Although there are many more restaurants in the Portland area that offer vegan fare -- there still the problem of when friends wish to go to regular restaurants, so she still calls ahead.

So, the tip of the day, is if you know where you will be dining out, give a call prior. Talk to the chef or owner and ask if they have any vegan items and / or can accomodate you by preparing a non-vegan dish to vegan specifications (like removing the cheese, etc).

Do you have any tips on vegan dining out -- at non-vegan restaurants?

I was just reading an article about Vegetarian Fast Food available in regular fast food joints like Burger King, McDonalds, Taco Bell, etc.

Unfortunately, the list of vegetarian meals also include dairy (cheese, sour cream). Yet if you are a little creative, you can still find a few "vegan" meals at these fast food restaurants.

For example:

Burger King tops the list because it does offer a "Veggie" burger. It is a Morningstar Garden Burger. Get it without cheese or mayo, yet add lettuce, tomato, onion and mustard and you have a nice Vegan fast food burger. Burger King's french fries and onion rings are vegan, yet fattening. You can also order a salad and ask for an oil & vinegar dressing to keep your meal vegan.

Taco Bell gives vegans a choice too. Since their Fresco items are made without cheese, you can order a Fresco Bean Burrito.

McDonald's doesn't give the vegan many choices at all. You could order a salad with the Paul Newman's Basalmic Vinegarette dressing. There are the french fries too. (McDonald's stopped using beef tallow for frying).

Wendy's like McDonald's does not have very many vegan items either. Again, there is the french fries, side salad and the baked potato -- nix the sour cream, cheese & brocolli toppings though.

Maybe sometime in the near future the fast food industry will start adding more vegan choices. What do you think?

Most vegans usually do not have to worry too much about having too much fat in their diet. Yet, it can very easily sneak up on ya, if you're not paying attention.

With a good vegan diet filled with fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, beans, the problem of too much fat could crop up in how you prepare them. Just make sure you do not use too much oil.

Yet, some people's bodies do seem to produce too much cholesterol regardless of their diet. We had a friend whose cholesterol count was at almost 300 even though he had cut out all fats and was on the prescription drug lipitor.

There are natural ways to lower your cholesterol -- or I should say, herbs and supplements that can help lower it. One is red yeast rice supplements -- really red rice yeast.

It has been used for thousands of years in china and has gained popularity in the last 10 years or so in the US.

I'm writing about this because of the new year -- and my hubby's been using red rice yeast to lower cholesterol with good results and wanted to pass the info along.

What do you think about the drugs and / or supplements to lower cholesterol?

Can you believe it? It's 2010 already! May everyone have wonderous health, happiness and prosperity.

I know it will be a great VEGAN year too. More and more people are exploring this healthy lifestyle. More foods and recipes are becoming available. More restaurants are offering vegan meals. Sigh ...

A new year -- an end to 10 years in the 2000's! Remember when 1999 was turning into 2000 -- everyone was so afraid of Y2K?

We watched the ball dropped & I actually got a little tearie eyed -- putting things behind us, so much to look forward to.

I was just looking back on last year's "New Year's Post" 3 day's late.

Black-eyed peas, cornbread, greens -- YUM!

Best wishes to everyone this brand NEW YEAR!

My very best Vegan Happy Holidays wish to YOU and Yours!

Whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or even Festivus, I hope it will be the best ever!

I just wanted to do a really quick wishes post for the holidays. I have been SO busy these past few weeks that I haven't been able to post as often as I would like.

New Years - 2010 is FAST approaching. It is time to take account of the past year and put it behind us and look and plan at what we wish to accomplish this coming new year!

So EVERYONE, one and all, Have a wonderful Holiday Season!