Raw Food and Vegan Recipes

By Gary Pearson

Nutritionist and fitness experts say that going on vegan diet can be a healthy choice. Others would say it's an exaggerated version of a nutritional diet and risky to embrace because the human body scientifically requires not just fiber and good carbohydrates but also high protein which vegetables have a little amount of. Not all can tolerate eating raw food and vegan recipes in every single meal. But those who can manage such diet plan are expectedly lean and fat-free. Certain dishes that fuse veggies and root crops together can be costly at times, which is why all-veggie diet isn't a preferred diet among majority of individuals.
Good nutrition always comes with raw food and vegan recipes, balanced protein and carbohydrates. Yoga followers are on vegetable diet, which is why most of those who practice it appear to be skinny or slim. Organic food may be good source of fiber that our body highly requires but it doesn't accelerate the development of muscles. If you are muscle builder, vegetables are not good to eat alone. You have to integrate some considerable amount of protein that contains all the amino acids you need for muscle building. Vegans usually go for foods like apples, beets, carrots, raw grains, oats, rye, sesame seeds, almonds, oranges, pumpkins, tomatoes, asparagus, broccoli, red peppers, spinach, buckwheat, pomegranate, cabbages, etc. Eating green salads without any meat content is strictly vegan but if you put in some chicken breasts or bacon strips in it, that's deemed to be semi-vegan.
Fruits and vegetables are recognized to be good sources of vitamins and minerals, aside from fiber, good carbohydrates and antioxidants. Raw food and vegan recipes are usually broiled or boiled, not fried or mixed preservatives or additives. Raw whole grain muesli, oat yogurt, green salads, tomato salad, vegetable soup are among the vegan recipes that are considered healthy and effective for those who want to lose weight. Preparing raw food is ideal for those people whose schedule is too hectic in that they don't have time to cook anymore. Vegetable dishes are fitting to those with high blood cholesterol and health-threatening issues. You can never go wrong with vegetable diet, as per vegans.
If you find yourself being overweight or obese, maybe it's high time that you shift to a healthier diet plan. Perhaps you can consider eating raw food and vegan recipes. You can give it a week and discover the results yourself in order to gauge the efficacy of embracing an all-veggie diet and eating raw food. If you are too dedicated to lose weight and manage yourself healthily, you can make it in a longer period of time. But if you are too weak to tolerate such stiff diet that deprives you of other healthy foods found in lean meat, then you won't survive in dwelling on a vegan diet for a longer time.
Gary Pearson is an accomplished niche website developer and author.
To learn more about vegan recipes visit Health and Cooking Today for current articles and discussions.
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Vegan Cooking Leads To Healthy Eating

By Rex Magnum

There are many reasons to give vegan cooking a try. It is a good way to quickly and simply reduce your effect on the environment, as meat production is a major issue. It can also have great health benefits.
The difference between veganism and vegetarianism is an important one to distinguish before beginning vegan cooking. Vegetarians do not eat animal flesh, but will eat animal products, such as honey and dairy.
Veganism is in many senses a stricter form of vegetarianism. In veganism, you cannot eat meat, nor can you eat any animal products, which can include honey, milk, eggs and cheese. In addition, no animal products can be used or worn.
It may sound difficult to begin vegan cooking, because there are so many restrictions to follow. But there are many easy to use recipes online that explain simple substitutions which are also healthy for you.

Many Egg Substitution Solutions

If you enjoy cooking baked goods, or love rich pasta sauces, a great and health egg substitute is silken tofu. A fourth of a cup of silken tofu, blended until smooth, will equal one egg in any recipe.
If you are looking for an egg substitute that is less rich, give flax seeds a try. They can either be ground at home, or bought pre ground. Using two and a half table spoons will be the equivalent of one egg.
If you are interested in vegan cooking, there are many online guides to simple vegan dairy substitutions. There are also many simple recipes that are fun to use, and are a great way to be healthy in your cooking.
If you enjoyed this quality content about Vegan Cooking, then you may also want to learn more about Veganism You can always visit VEGETARIANCELEBRATION.COM where some high quality articles are being featured.
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Fantastic Vegan Cookies

By Rex Magnum

If you think that all vegan baked goods are dry and tasteless, think again. Vegan cookies can be satisfying treats that are moist and delicious, and come in a variety of flavors and textures that are sure to please.
Baking vegan cookies is just as easy and satisfying as your regular baking, and they are much healthier for you to eat. All you need to do is to make simple substitutions so that your dough contains no dairy products.
It is quick and easy to find the right vegan cookie recipe for you online. All you need to do is decide which type of cookie you're interested in making, and search for its vegan recipe. It will turn up many results, and you can pick what is right for you.

Using Vegan Ingredients
If you are interested in turning one of your recipes into a vegan recipe, it's very simple. To make vegan cookies, you need only to replace any dairy ingredients with a vegan substitute, such as using powdered non-dairy eggs in place of regular eggs.
There are many options for replacing eggs. Mashed tofu can work, as can mashed banana or apple sauce. What is best for your recipe is something to experiment with, or look for tips online.
For replacing milk in a vegan cookie, there are many different options. You can use soy, rice or almond milk with little change in taste. Or try experimenting with fruit juice and coconut milk for new flavors.
Butter is another very easy to replace element in vegan cookies. Dairy free margarine, available at any grocery store, will easily work in any vegan cookie. Vegetable oil also makes a good substitute in many cases.
Thanks for surfing by and reading about Vegan Cookies, more specifically Vegan. Real good information on this subject is often hard to come by, so hopefully you got what you needed out of this article. Of course if you would like to see what else is out there about Vegan Cookies then browse on over our website, VEGETARIANCELEBRATION.COM. Of course, providing the absolute best info about Vegan is always our goal, feel free to tell us what else you would like to see.
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Vegan Cake Recipe Made Simple
By Wendy Pan


Vegan is defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary as "a strict vegetarian who consumes no animal food or dairy product." Specifically vegans do not consume any animal by products. This includes eggs, cheese, butter or animal fats as well as honey and any other food item originally derived from an animal product. But being a vegan does not necessarily mean that you do not have a craving for the occasional sweet. Make your own vegan cake recipe by substituting animal products and using some creative ingenuity.
In most cake recipes the egg acts as a leavening agent. This means that the egg causes a foaming action that allows bubbles to form within the batter. Ultimately this will lighten and soften the cake. In other dishes which call for eggs the egg may serve another purpose. Such as cookies use eggs as a binding element. For cakes there are a variety of egg substitutes sold at health food stores. For a vegan cake recipe check to be sure that the substitute you choose is animal product free.
Commercial substitutes are not the only option. Bananas and applesauce are used in a variety of sweets as an egg substitute. Both add moisture and will work as a binding agent but since they do not trap air bubbles in a vegan cake batter they will not make the end product light and fluffy. If using applesauce or bananas as an egg substitute try a recipe that incorporates baking soda. The soda will act as the leavening agent while the fruit sauce adds moisture and heft.

Other common ingredients that have to be substituted for a vegan cake recipe include milk and butter. Milk is an easy element to substitute because of the many available options including soy, almond and rice milk. Soy is a great alternative to milk. It is low in fat and cholesterol free. Almond milk is also a perfect alternative. It has a creamy consistency and a slightly nutty taste that compliments vanilla and amaretto flavors. Rice milk is not as thick as almond or soy so it is an excellent addition to any recipe that is already extremely thick and tacky.
The last non-vegan ingredient that is often associated with cake recipes is butter. There are several varieties of vegan margarine on the market. However, vegetable or canola oil can also be used. Banana and applesauce can also be substituted for a fat free alternative.
Here is a simple vegan cake recipe that can be used with a variety of flavors and icings:

Ingredients

• ½ cup softened vegan margarine
• 1 cup sugar
• egg substitute for four eggs
• 1 3/8 cup flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• soy or almond milk to moisten batter

Preheat oven to 325 degrees and have a greased eight inch pan ready. Cream vegan margarine and gradually add sugar and egg substitute. Add dry ingredients and soy milk to moisten. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes.
Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author.
To learn more about vegan cake recipes, please visit Your Vegan Meal Store for current articles and discussions.
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Vegan Diet

By Eddie Tobey

A person on a vegan diet does not use any item produced out of the parts of animals like furs, leather etc. A vegan diet has a lot of variety. It includes the intake of lots of fruits and vegetables, especially green vegetables, nuts, whole grains, seeds and legumes.
Vegan diets are very good sources of proteins, as they have a variety of food types that can be eaten. Protein levels can be maintained with the intake of good, balanced calorie levels. A vegan diet also assists you in keeping fat levels in total control. Vegan food is basically cholesterol and fat free. This helps to resist disease and keeps you away from chronic ailments like heart attacks and cancer. Such diets are store wells of calcium and zinc that are found in green vegetables and legumes.
Vegan diets are preferred around the world. Some of the many reasons include the health benefits, animal right's issues and it is universally available in large quantities and varieties.
A vegan diet is especially recommended for infants and children. It works as an excellent diet from birth through adolescent. This diet also builds the immunity system of children and adds to their psychological well being. It is also noticed that the growth of children is more gradual in those who follow a vegan diet.
An individual can avail of a vegan diet online or can consult a dietician or health advisor.
There are also many recipes available on the net for an individual who wants a vegan diet.
Diets provides detailed information on Diet, Diet Pills, Diet Programs, Diet Plans and more. Diets is affiliated with Herbal Diet Products.
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Types of Fasting - Which Way is Best For You

By Cameron Jakes

There are many different types of fasting. To begin we have:

1. Juice Fasting
2. Spiritual Fasting
3. Fasting To Lose Weight
4. Colon Cleansing Fasting
5. Liver Cleansing Fasting
6. Detoxification Fasting
7. Water Fasting

And the list goes on...

I have not actually done all of the various types of fasting. However, reading about the many benefits of various types of fasting to the body (and spirit) and how it is actually a cornerstone of healing (the natural way), has opened my mind to it. No wonder even some of the world's great spiritual leaders have taken to the different types of fasting.
Whatever types of fasting or frequency you choose to engage in, those who have journeyed down that path recommend starting slowly, and building up as you progress. Extra care is important because you would not want to jeopardize your health, even for the sake of rapid weight loss. Even if there are studies pointing out that human beings can live up to two-and-a-half months without food, most health care professionals do not recommend fasting that long. Fasting, as distinct from dieting, means that while the body subsists without food, it will systematically cleanse itself of everything except vital tissue.
When we talk about types of fasting, there is what is known as a total fast and partial fast. The different types of fasting may also be categorized by the type of food or liquids involved. There is the intense water fast, and the popular juice fast. Another type, which limits food intake to raw vegetables, fruits and salads also lead to less calorie consumption. Whatever types of fasting you set your heart and mind to, what is important is that it is not imposed on the body or forced just to adhere to external custom.
Want to discover the secrets that will make fasting more successful? Check out my site at http://www.fasting-to-lose-weight.com/. Click here to see the many Benefits of Fasting.
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Juice Fasting Recipes To Detox Your Body
By James A. Penn

Juice fasting is becoming increasingly popular amongst health conscious individuals around the world. Juice fasting has been proven to eliminate harmful and poisonous toxins from out of the body and to leave the juice faster feeling, revitalised, rejuvenated and reinvigorated.

There are many fruits and vegetables that could be included in a juice fasting detoxification program. Some are more effective than others at clearing harmful toxins from your body, but some fruits and vegetables are more effective at achieving rapid weight loss. You need to decide what your main goal is for your juice fast before you begin to develop your own juice fasting recipes.

Here are a few juice fasting recipes that I consider to be some of the most effective (and some of the best tasting) recipes:

I call this one the ‘Brain Exciter’ as it really gets the brain pumping and fresh.

• 1 orange

• 1 pear

• 1 yam

• 1 grapefruit

• 1 apple

Peel the orange, the yam and the grapefruit. Cut everything into sections, juice and stimulate your brain with this juice!

I call this one ‘Energy Enhancer’ because it pumps your energy levels sky high immediately after drinking the juice.

• 2 yams

• 1 beet

• 1 slice onion

• 2 lemons

• 1 celery stalk

• 1 slice of ginger

Peel the yams and lemons, cut everything into sections to fit your juicer. Juice everything and enjoy.
Those are two juice fasting recipes you can begin to make now for your juice fasting detoxification program. Try them out and see if you feel revitalised, reinvigorated and rejuvenated and experience rapid weight loss.

Download your free report entitled & Juice Fasting & Detoxification & and discover how to achieve rapid weight loss, cleanse harmful toxins and feel reinvigorated, rejuventaed and revitalised. Download your copy now - http://www.secretnaturalremedies.com/juice-fasting-detoxification/

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The Master Cleanse Secrets Review

Master Cleanse Secrets Reviewed
By Monique M. Sharp

After an extensive review which involved the purchase of The Master Cleanse diet, I found that the Master Cleanse diet lived up to it's promise for the most part.

The Biggest problem for me was drinking the salt water and maintaining your perfect weight after completion of the cleanse. I finally managed to suck it up and drink the salt water. Drinking the salt water really cleanses your colon, so it is very important to not skip this step. After 10 days, I lost 10-15lbs naturally. The hardest part is to maintain your weight loss after the diet. If you go back to eating the foods that caused the weight gain, then your right back to square one.

The purpose of the Master Cleanse is to clean the inside of your body in order to be at optimum health. In order to maintain your weight loss, you have to eliminate something that caused the weight gain, such as, white flour, dairy, breads, sugar, etc. Then implement a nutritious healthy way of eating diet plan and exercise. I recommend picking up a healthy transitional recipe book that will get you started, such as, Quick & Easy Recipes To Heal Your Body- ecookbook. This ebook will give you great delicious healthy recipes and the nutritional value for each recipe.

Alot of the bonuses that Raylen Sterling provides with his program are for your long-term results in maintaining your weight loss. So my advice is to stick with the core program for quick results and use the bonuses to help you maintain your perfect weight and health.

To go directly to the Mastercleansesecrets.com website Click Here.

Low Calorie Vegetarian Recipes

By Guido Nussbaum

The shops these days are full of all sorts of goodies suitable for the vegetarian. So no longer do you have to satisfy yourself with an omelet or salad. And because there is such choice you can choose low calorie options. Also there are now a number of meat substitutes if you wan to go that way. Vegetarian bacon - yes really - look in the frozen food cabinet - adds that something to lots of dishes and I frequently use it, even when cooking for omnivores.
Rice Salad
This has quite a long list of ingredients, but is still quick and easy.
I haven't given amounts as you can alter them to suit what you have available and how many diners there are.
Cold cooked rice - a large cupful per personPineapple chunksVegetarian bacon, 3 rashers per personA deseeded, finely sliced chilliSome coriander or basilA few salted cashews or dry roasted peanuts ( too many puts the calorie count up of course.)Juice of lime or lemonCrisply fried onion
Cooked vegetables such as sweet corn, peas, asparagus pieces and snowpeas.
Mix together the rice, chili and pineapple. Fry the vegetarian bacon rashers in a non stick pan. They take only seconds so keep an eye on them. Either fry your onions, sliced thinly or reheat previously fried ones. Add the cooked vegetables and the nuts to the rice mixture. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice. Crumble the bacon rashers and mix in. Arrange on a plate. Decorate with the chopped herbs and the crispy onion pieces. Non vegetarians might want some prawns or cooked flaked fish in place of the bacon pieces.
No Oil Lemon and Parsley Salad Dressing
There isn't much point in having a salad if you cover it in high fat dressing, but it does taste good. Well so does this and there is absolutely no guilt attached.
3/4 cup water2 Tablespoons o arrowroot powderJuice of one lemon3/4 cup finely chopped parsley ( You may want to substitute cilantro or add a little tarragon)pinch of salt
Either a deseeded chopped chili (You could use dried flakes) or two teaspoons of finely chopped sweet/bell pepper.
Mix the water and arrowroot well and then cook until thickened. Allow to cool and then place all ingredients in a screw top jar. Replace lid tightly. Shake well. Will keep for a few days in the fridge.
Stuffed Squash
Butternut or acorn squash is what I generally have available, but the recipe can be used to stuff other vegetables such as bell peppers and eggplants ( aubergines). Serves 8 as stuffing.
You need for each person 1/2 a squash or eggplant or a whole sweet bell pepper.1/2 cup raisins , sultanas or chopped dried apricotsI cup vegetable stock2 finely chopped onions
1 Garlic clove, crushed
2 Apples, peeled, cored & diced, about 1 1/2 Cup I stick of celery diced
1 1/2 Cups crumbs from 7-grain bread or other whole grain bread, toasted slightly in ungreased fry pan
2 teaspoons of salt
1 - 2 teaspoon of herbs - a mix of herbes de Provence is good
Grated peel of one lemon
If using squash halve and remove seeds. For peppers cut off and retain a cap and deseed. For egg plants remove stem piece and halve, making a slight hollow.
You may need to cut a small piece off the squashes and egg plants so that they will sit level in dish.
Bake the vegetables cut side down in a medium oven for 50 minutes on a lightly oiled baking tray. While this is going on heat up the stock and then use this to soak your dried fruit.
Sautee the onion and celery for about 5 minutes and then add the apple pieces and the garlic for a further 3 or 4 minutes. Now place this mixture in a large bowl and combine with all the other stuffing ingredients. It should be quite moist. Use to stuff your vegetables. Return them to the oven and bake fro a further 15 minutes.
Fore more tips on cooking please visit our cooking recipes website. For dessert lovers we have easy chocolate dessert recipes
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Tips for Easy Healthy Vegetarian Recipes

by Diana Pells

There is no truth to the rumor that vegetarians have difficult recipes to follow and that not following complicated recipes will result in bland food. The truth is that there are so many options for easy healthy vegetarian recipes. The wealth of choices actually makes vegetarianism an exciting journey into healthy food. Here are some things you need to remember when preparing easy healthy vegetarian recipes.
Check the Label
The most convenient way to create healthy recipes is to stock ahead on sauces and ingredients. This way you just have to open packs and cans when you need to whip up something fast. This is generally a good idea especially if you're thinking of canned beans, salsa sauce, dried peas, canned mushrooms and tomato sauce.
You should however always make it a point to read labels before adding unfamiliar ingredients to easy healthy vegetarian recipes. Some products may seem vegetarian but may contain animal based ingredients like gelatin and animal oil. Pure vegans might also want to find out if instant foods contain cheese, milk and other dairy products.
Cook the Same Way
Easy healthy vegetarian recipes are basically similar to regular meat containing recipes. The only thing lacking is meat. This means that you just have to cook like you always do. Just have a little knowledge to supplement your nutrients and a little creativity to make easy healthy vegetarian recipes as tasty as meat dishes.
Protein substitute are found in beans, nuts and legumes. Calcium can be obtained from milk and green leafy vegetables. To make your easy healthy vegetarian recipes especially tasty you can experiment with herbs and spices like chilies, oregano, thyme, rosemary and basil.
Don't Overdo Plain Dishes
There is absolutely nothing wrong with serving steamed vegetables, corn and peas. They are also obviously easy healthy vegetarian recipes. Sometimes though, you might want to cut back on these basic dishes so that your family doesn't get too bored with the same taste. Serve the same dishes but maybe you can sauté these food items first with some tasty onions, garlic and some pepper.
Serve Healthy Snacks
Sometimes all you need to prepare and serve easy healthy vegetarian recipes is just a little bit more time. To make sure that your family members don't come home hungry and ready for a big meal at six, serve them healthy snacks to delay their craving for dinner. Pack some nuts, dried fruits, fruit mixes, crackers and cheese for them to take to school or work.
Serve Raw and Simple
Raw vegetarianism is still considered a controversial issue but those who stand by it maintain that it is the healthiest way of life and is the greatest source of easy healthy vegetarian recipes. You might want to try one night in seven as a raw night. Raw foods are considered healthy because they lose none of their nutrients through heat in the cooking process. More rigid raw eaters simply blend fruits and vegetables. You may however just want to settle for simple salads with delicious dips and sauces.
Being a vegetarian is nothing more than making fresh and easy healthy vegetarian recipes everyday. Discover more about easy vegetarian recipes!
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Canava Cafe's
Vegan Baked Ziti - serves 5-8
Preheat oven at 350 degrees.

Ingredients:

1 box organic ziti/penne pasta
1 canned tomato puree
1 canned tomato paste
2-3 garlic cloves, chopped
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoon dried oregano
2 tablespoon granulated garlic
2 tablespoon onion flakes
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2-3 tablespoon turbinado/organic sugar
1-2 tablespoon canola oil
2-4 tablespoon Veggie Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

In a large pot, boil 6 cups of water
and add canola oil and pasta. Boil for
20-30 minutes or until pasta is tender.
In a medium sauce pan, on medium to
low temperature, add 1 -2 tablespoon
of olive oil & chopped garlic, saute
until garlic is soft. Add oregano,
granulated garlic, onion flakes &
cayenne. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add
tomato sauce, paste & sugar. Simmer
for 15 -20 minutes. Drain pasta.
Mix sauce & pasta together in a
Casserole dish. Sprinkle Veggie Parmesan
all over pasta. Bake for 15- 20 minutes.

Cooking Vegetarian Family Meals
By Lisa Paterson


Every family can benefit from increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables in their diet. Even if you are not vegetarians, consider cooking a couple of "meat free" meals each week. People who follow a vegetarian diet tend to have lower cholesterol, stronger immune systems and are more likely to maintain a healthy body weight.

Here are some tips to help you make the switch:


* Start with a "family favourite" recipe, such as lasagna or bolognese, and modify the recipe for a meat free version. Remember, you don´t have to make the meal solely from vegetables. Use one of the many soya-based meat equivalents.
* If you find the thought of cooking a vegetarian meal from scratch a little daunting, buy a couple of supermarket ready meals first. Most stores offer a great choice of dishes and it should be easy to find one that appeals to the family´s taste.
* Buy a cheap vegetarian cookbook or download recipe ideas from the internet. There is a wealth of information out there, so there are no excuses for serving limp salads!
* When eating out, try to switch to a vegetarian option. Even the fast food chains offer vegeburgers and bean burritos, so making the switch is easy. Just make sure that you go easy on the side orders. French Fries might be made of potato but they are still loaded with fat!
* If you find the taste of some vegetarian meals a little bland, use herbs, spices and seasoning to add taste and flavor.
* Think of all the recipes that your family enjoys and eats anyway. Chances are that there are quite a few vegetarian meals in the list! Tomato soup, bean salad, coleslaw, macaroni cheese..it should be easy to put together a vegetarian menu a couple of times a week.
* Go easy on the higher fat foods such as cheese. It is still possible to gain weight on a vegetarian diet if you eat the wrong foods in large portion sizes. Remember to check that any cheese you buy is vegetarian, as some cheeses are made from animal rennet. Increase your consumption of beans and pulses in tasty stews and casseroles. Legumes are a good source of protein.
*If you don´t think you can miss meat out of your recipes altogether, try giving up red meat instead. Switch to chicken or turkey mince in pasta sauces and burgers, as the fat content is considerable lower.
* Most cooking styles will have a wealth of vegetarian options available, meaning you can have an extensive and varied repertoire of family meals. Italian pasta sauces, stir fry recipes, mexican food, curries.. the choice is endless.
* Many vegetarian dishes can be easily cooked in your slow cooker. Vegetable stew, Winter Vegetable Casseroles, soups and curries. Save time, effort AND calories with these healthy choices.

Try making the switch and see if your family can tell the difference. The first time I made lasagna to the usual recipe, but with soya mince, no-one around the table even noticed. And if your family enjoys the meals so much that you decide to make a lifestyle change, remember that you will have to start checking the ingredients on every food item that you buy. Read the nutritional labels of every product carefully, as animal products do turn up in the strangest places!

You can even adapt your favourite crock pot recipes to be vegetarian. Lisa has with these vegetarian crock pot recipes

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The Lentil Burger - A Great Low Calorie Vegetarian Recipe For Lovers Of Fast Food
By Molly Bickford

It was not long after I’d made the lifestyle change, when I found myself in the city one day in between appointments. I was hungry and had this idea of sitting somewhere quiet, having a nice meal and doing a bit of nothing before my next appointment.
I noticed a mild anxiety rising within me about where I would find such a place. I seriously did not expect to find a fast food outlet that served low-calorie vegetarian recipes. Then I believed that even if I did find one the prices would not be what I could afford.
I wanted low calorie vegetarian fast food on a budget vegetarian meals and whether it was going to cost me an arm and a leg. Vegetarian meals back then (about ten years ago) were noticeably more expensive then meat-based meals.
Anyway, as I walked along a tree-lined street that autumn day not terribly confident about my chances, I noticed a restaurant that I had passed many times previously. For some reason, I looked in and saw a large menu displayed on a stand by the door. I couldn’t help but peruse the menu not really expecting to find anything that would satisfy my needs, i.e. a low-calorie, low-cost, vegetarian lunch.
Well, blow me down! Was I in for a surprise! On the menu was a lentil burger for $6.99 and for an extra $2.00 you could have potato wedges served with sour cream. Naturally I passed on the wedges, but the burger screamed, “Eat me”.
A smiling waitress greeted me, offered me a selection of tables and proceeded to take my order.
To cut a long story short, it was a meal I thoroughly enjoyed, delighted at my find and especially delighted upon realizing that it was something I could easily make myself. And because good things are meant to be shared, here is the recipe! Enjoy!

Lentil Burger

Low-fat pan bread, toasted
Yellow/red lentils (pre-cooked with garlic, onion, ginger and some coconut milk)
Fresh spinach or lettuce
Tomato slices
Sesame seeds
Olive oil
Eggplant slices (optional) (Precooked in olive oil and some vinegar)
Salt and pepper to taste

Spread some olive oil over the bread. Layer with the greens, followed by the eggplant and tomato slices. Spread the cooked lentils over. (Use as much as you like as long as you can cover and hold your burger!). Sprinkle the sesame seeds over and add salt and pepper as required.
Discover all the other great low calorie and vegetarian recipes just waiting for you at my low calorie and vegetarian recipes website or at http://www.low-calorie-and-vegetarian-recipes.org/
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How to Prepare Delicious Vegetarian Recipes

You can learn to fix delicious vegetarian meals for even the most discriminative folks. Being a vegetarian can sometimes have it's drawbacks. Trying to find new recipes to fill the meals you eat everyday, with out fixing the same 'ole boring ones can sometimes become a challenge. People who are vegetarians need to make sure that they are getting the right amount of proteins to support their muscle mass as well as keeping a healthy bone density. So make sure and check with your physician to discuss both your vegetarian diet and your health.
Do you find yourself struggling to keep up with finding new recipes so that you don't get bored eating the same old thing day in and day out? When you want to try something new you will have to spend more of your time to find vegetarian recipes. There are some great vegetarian recipe cookbooks out there.
Say you are having a few of your vegetarian friends over and you want to surprise them with a great tasting meal. Then you can take the guess work of what to fix out of the equation. Just take a look through your vegetarian cookbook, get the ingredients to make the meal and follow the simple cooking instructions, it's that easy. You wont have to make the same meal twice unless you want to. You will have all the great variety that you want and have fun while you learn to make great tasting meals for you and your family.
Some times in today's world it's hard to find information for vegetarians but that's why we are here to help you along the way, and give you fun recipes to make your life easier for more info about vegetarian recipes http://www.sunnyjames.com/vegetarian.html
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Meal Planning: Your Ticket to Freedom
By Linda Dessau


It's 5:30 p.m. and you're heading home after a long, full day. All of a sudden your mind turns to the daily question, "What's for dinner?"
Whether it's just you or whether you're preparing a meal for a whole gang, it's not an energizing prospect to imagine planning, shopping for or cooking a meal from scratch at the end of a long day.
That's probably why the fast food businesses are booming and why our health is suffering from the effects of these "easy" foods.
If you think meal planning is an unnecessary step, or that it would create a strict regimen that you'd be trapped by, read on about how meal planning can free you from worry and improve your health and well being.
REASONS FOR MEAL PLANNING
Less time and money spent at the grocery store
When you plan your meals out a week at a time, your trips to the grocery store become much more manageable. You know exactly what you'll need and you'll be less susceptible to "impulse" buying. Sometimes, when I'm feeling REALLY efficient, I even write my list in order of where I'll find it in the grocery store. Plus, buying the ingredients to cook a meal from scratch usually costs much less than the ready-made version.
Healthier meals = healthier you and your loved ones
When you're planning ahead, you'll have much more control over what you eat, and you can consciously choose to improve the health of your meals.
Better-timed meals
If you BEGIN planning and cooking dinner when you get home, it could be quite late before you're sitting down to eat it. The closer to bedtime it is when you finish dinner, the less likely you'll have time to properly digest and for your body to absorb what you've eaten. For breakfast and lunch, having the meals planned out can help remind you to STOP and EAT them.
Variety
When we choose our meals in the moment, based on what's fast, easy and enjoyable, we tend to stick to a few standby's and don't branch out very much. Nutritionally, this leaves us lacking. We also risk getting bored with our food and looking to fast food or unhealthier options for "excitement".
HOW TO PLAN YOUR MEALS FOR THE WEEK
1. Keep some spontaneity. You could just plan one part of the meal. For instance, if you know that you always have plenty of fresh of frozen vegetables that you can choose from, then simply plan "chicken, potatoes and vegetables". Then you can still have some spontaneity in your meal.
2. When you have time, make "frozen dinners". Make a double or triple recipe; package the leftovers in single (or family-size) servings and freeze.
3. Factor in schedule changes. Maybe the night after the big meeting or the night of the soccer tournament aren't the best nights to cook a meal from scratch. Plan a quick meal, take-out or your own "frozen dinner" for those nights.
4. Aim for balance. With the week spread out before you, look for balance between heavy and light meals, vegetarian and meat-based meals, and a variety of different-coloured fruits and vegetables.
5. Plan while you're in the kitchen. That way you can easily check for the ingredients of the dishes you're planning. If they're not there, add them to your grocery list immediately.
6. Keep an active grocery list through the week. That way, when staples run out you can add them to list.
7. Grow your recipe collection. Use the Internet, the cookbooks of your friends and family, magazines, etc. and find new things to try. One new recipe a week will keep things exciting!
8. Get some expert advice. Consult a trusted source such as Canada's Food Guide, or better still get individualized meal and nutrition suggestions from a registered dietician or a holistic nutritionist.
9. Make it a team effort. If you're feeding others as well as yourself, make the planning a team effort so that everyone gets some of their favourites through the week.
10. Always follow your plan, except when you don't. There are going to be things that come up, days that you just don't feel like eating what you've planned, or days when you've forgotten to do your nightly prep. Create a list of healthy stand-by's that you can throw together with the staples in your own kitchen. If you're on the go, be prepared by having a list of healthy choices at your favourite restaurants.
A meal plan is not a rigid "diet" or set of orders. The meal plan serves you, not the other way around.
Start now with tomorrow's meals. What can you defrost or partly prepare tonight to make tomorrow's meals easier and healthier?
(c) Copyright Linda Dessau, 2005.
Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, is the author of "The Everyday Self-Care Workbook". For free resources, including your own Meal Planning Worksheet, visit http://www.genuinecoaching.com/resources.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Dessau

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Vegetable Juice Fasting And Recipe Ideas
By Sandra Kim Leong

One of your options for a detox diet program is juice fasting. Other than fruits, you can also consider including vegetables in your juice fast. Contrary to what many think, there are various vegetable drink recipes that can also taste good. Vegetable juices are very beneficial in helping your body detoxify and cleanse toxic waste material. Vegetables also contain one of the most abundant sources of vitamins and minerals. If your daily diet lacks sufficient vegetables, then consuming vegetable drinks is another way of making sure that you do not forgo phytochemicals for nutrition.
Vegetable juice fasting allows your body to absorb what you consume quickly without activating your digestive system too much and thus improves your body's detoxification process. Taking vegetable drinks for a juice fast should not be an ongoing practice, but should only be practiced in a short period of time, say for about a week. Fasting on a vegetable juice diet would not be able to give you all the nutrients you need if you extend such a diet for more than it should.
If you need some ideas, here are some vegetable juice diet recipes that are easy to make:

1. You can mix carrots, kale and wheat grass. Carrots are wonderful sources of beta-carotene and vitamin C.

2. Another variety of the vegetable drink above is to add spinach instead of wheat grass. Spinach is very good for your juicing diet because it is rich in folate, iron and Vitamin B.

3. Blend tomato, celery, parsley, broccoli and cucumber. Be sure that you get only the freshest tomato that is ripe by the time they are picked from the plant. If they are taken at this state, they contain twice the amount of Vitamin C.

4. Season your carrot vegetable juice with some garlic, ginger and onion. This mix is something different for your taste buds but is still healthy and nutritious.

5. Add cucumber and celery in your carrot vegetable mix. Cucumber is another good source of Vitamin C that aids your body's detoxification process.

It is best to choose vegetables that are organic and free of pesticides. Before juicing, wash and rinse the vegetables in filtered water. You can also consider mixing vegetables and fruits together to make delicious juice combinations.
It is important that you drink your vegetable juices fresh at all times. You can juice just before consuming your drink. Alternatively, you can buy canning jars with perfect sealing lids for keeping in your refrigerator. Do not keep your juices beyond three days however. Also, always keep your lid jars tightly closed because air exposure can kill the beneficial enzymes in your vegetable drink.
Vegetables are very nutritious and you can take advantage of its health benefits when they are fresh and raw. Making vegetable drinks are the best way you can take them in their raw state. All you need to do is be a little creative in combining vegetables and how you can make them tasty and enticing.
Got constipation, bad breath and weight that you need to lose? Reap benefits from juice fasting by adopting a detox diet. Get free here at http://www.detox-cleansing-diet.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_Kim_Leong

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