Category Archives: Plant-Based

“Bean Me Up!”

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Rice is a grain I have loved and never tired from.

Of course, there are times when I take a break from eating rice though I am one who can constantly eat this grain on a routine schedule.

I am a lover of beans too and incorporate these plant-based gems into my diet quite frequently.

I like to mix things up a bit.

For a long time now, I have purchased Bob’s Red Mill 13 Bean Soup mixture of fresh dried beans.

I buy the 13 bean Jack Rabbit brand of beans regularly also.

There are rich, hearty servings of navy beans, black beans, red beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, great northern beans, kidney beans, baby lima beans, large lima beans; black-eyed peas, yellow split peas, green split peas; and brown and red lentil beans.

Altogether they are extremely high sources of fiber and protein in a daily, or weekly meal.

I crave my rice and beans and they satisfy my hunger pains.

 

 

 

Soymilk And Cookies

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I have been drinking vanilla soymilk as well as cooking plain soymilk with my oat bran when I get into the mood.

What I love about the vanilla soymilk is that it tastes like a health shake. Delicious, clean, and refreshing.

A lady I work with thought about me and brought me back a box of vegan coconut/oatmeal cookies the other day.

I had mentioned the item to her- how I had not had any of the cookies in a while- and when she returned from shopping at the grocery, she handed me the box of Steve and Andy’s organic coconut oatmeal cookies!

In The Mood For Oat Bran

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I had recently gotten back into the habit of eating hot oat bran cereal after getting tired of it a while back.

The cereal tastes so good boiled with plain organic soymilk.

My bowl of oat bran comes out creamy and filling.

It is nice when what we eat can both be satisfying to the taste buds and beneficial to the health.

Oat bran is whole grain and high in fiber, a very wholesome and nutritious meal to enjoy regularly.

 

My Tidbits

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This past Saturday morning I had some cold, tasty, nutritious apple juice without any added sugar.

In the afternoon, I drank three cups of hot delicious tea back-to-back.

Later, during the evening, I made quite a few pieces of toast from whole wheat bread.

I lightly covered my toast with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Vegan spread that I had not purchased in almost two years.

And that is all I ate and drank for that entire day.

A Lack Of Vitamin D

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I had a routine visit to my doctor a week ago.

Everything was good, all the bloodwork came back normal as usual. I am just getting over my cough from my bronchitis acting up.

The only problem the doctor informed me about is that my vitamin D levels are low.

This is nothing new for me and many others. Most of us have vitamin D deficiency.

Years ago, one of my other primary care doctors prescribed vitamin D for me but I did not take it because it was animal derived.

There was a time when I did take Vitamin D2, which is the vegan kind, ergocalciferol.
I used to buy Country Life brand.

It was hard for me to find Vitamin D2 with ingredients that I preferred. Country Life have made changes to quite a few of their supplements, so I do not use them anymore.

I have seen Vitamin D3 advertised on the market in vegan form. However, I will stick with D2 because I know for sure it is plant-form and not animal derived.

Since us vegans do not consume dairy, we may not get enough calcium and vitamin D.

I do not take calcium supplements as some can be dangerous and lead to atherosclerosis due to the calcium not properly being absorbed, etc….

I love spinach and other leafy-green vegetables.

In fact, I gobbled down on some kale, collard greens, chopped spinach, and broccoli a week and a half ago as I ate a helping of each for dinner, evening after evening.

Certain vegetables do contain sufficient amounts of calcium, although it may not be enough if not eaten on a regular basis, or not adequate due to other factors in regard to an individual.

 

Lean And Green: Active And Refreshed

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I would not in general imagine any green liquid to have a pleasant taste.

I remember in the early 90’s when I tried fresh Wheatgrass juice for the very first time at a health food store.

A member of staff had juiced the grass within its raw state right in front of me.

Wheatgrass juice has to be drunk within a certain time frame or else the highly nutritious plant (grass) will lose some of its full potency.

Three or four years ago I tried a green colored smoothie at a fancy high-class restaurant that was located inside of a high-rise building in Manhattan, New York.

 

 

I had ordered fruit along with some food to take home with me.

When I took the first sip of the fresh smoothie that contained raw spinach, celery, apples, carrots, ginger, lemon and other vegetables- I was surprised by how good the beverage tasted.

I was expecting a strong, nasty, sickening flavor.

I was wrong.

The juice of the smoothie was sweet from the apples, and refreshing with all of the spices, vegetables and fruits that were liquefied to perfection.

Smoothies smoothed out right are a great way to incorporate more of the leafy-greens into our diets more often.

 

 

 

 

Mushrooms: A Fantastic Fungi!

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Back in the day, when I was around fourteen, my mother used to buy me this great-tasting yellow-colored vegetable rice from a diner she would frequent.

This vegan dish had tiny cut mushrooms prepared within the variety of vegetables that were intertwined.

Prior to eating this rice, I had only had foods with a mushroom flavor that I enjoyed without the actual particles of mushrooms themselves.

As an adult, I tried certain mushrooms that I just could not tolerate. I didn’t like the taste nor the texture.

 

I don’t know what type of mushrooms that were in the rice years ago or how it was cooked I just know I was able to eat them and chew on them satisfactorily.

Mushrooms are extremely beneficial to one’s health.

They are excellent for brain health, digestive and immune health, heart health, cancer and all-around longevity in general.

I began to take Mushroom supplements years ago. They are wonderful and safe (unless one has a particular allergy)!

If one chooses to incorporate a mushroom supplement into their diet just know to purchase those with the fruiting body extracts instead of mycelium.

 

 

Mushrooms are inherently comprised of mycelium, but supplements made from mushrooms are not equivalent to ones made from mycelium.

The fruiting body of the mushroom contains high concentrations of beta-glucans, triterpenes, and other particular compounds such as cordycepin.

Mycelium is the vegetative bit of the mushroom.

The fruiting body is the bit that grows from the ground. It is able to be harvested.

 

Sweet Indulgence

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I try not to make a habit out of this, however:

About three weeks ago my favorite non-dairy tasting ice cream was on sale for $2.50 each.

I scooped up two half (now it’s a 1.5 quarts) a gallon.

Last week they were on sale again. I purchased two more.

They are all finished now. I ate them all without guilt!

I had not had any of the vanilla peanut butter swirl in a while and I just could not resist the urge.

I used to constantly make the most delicious milkshakes with this Breyers nondairy delight two years ago!

The product is sourced with Non Gmo ingredients, Gluten free, RFA certified vanilla, and it’s completely dairy free- made with real Almond Milk.

I always read the labels!

A Fruit And Vegetable A Day

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I know that everyone who may want to eat healthy cannot always afford to.

Prices for everything is sky high these days. It is hard to just get by sometimes.

There are fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts that are priced reasonably when sales aren’t being advertised.

It is beneficial, necessary and even vital in some circumstances for one to eat at least one or more fruits and vegetables a day every day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrots And Carrot Juice

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I love fresh carrots! I always have, they are just so darn tasty and a great snack to crunch and chew on. Not only are they delicious, but highly nutritious!

I keep carrots in the house. Every time I go grocery shopping, I purchase this healthy vegetable and I eat them practically every day.

I remember during my teens when I juiced carrots for the very first time. The taste of the beverage was unbelievable. My mother and I gulped down our carrot juice with such pleasure.

Be sure to incorporate a generous serving of carrots or carrot juice into your diet or daily routine and get plenty of that vital beta carotene along with a heap of other vitamins and minerals to fill up your body with.

If one can afford to, buy and eat organic carrots and other vegetables and fruits as well!

Relief In The Bathroom

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You do not have to spend an eternity or eventually die on the toilet from a strenuous or relentless effort to relieve yourself of fecal elimination.

Bowel movements can be very difficult at times with constipation and bowels that sometimes feel confined within the intestines, refusing to come out. It often makes one feel bloated or uncomfortable.

I cured my occasional constipation issues a long time ago with Turmeric.

When I was in my twenties, I pooped three times a day with no problem. If I would eat too much starch here and there, I had to deal with the strain of emptying my bowels. From time to time or once in a while I would get a high level of constraint or restriction with a pronounced lack of ease or no ease at all. It is then that I had to take serious action. I was in my thirties when this circumstance had taken place.

Constipation is usually associated with hardened feces or large ones with softness in texture unable to thoroughly pass through the rectum completely.

When I had my severe constipation years ago where I had to literally take my finger and hand to dig out the doo-doo, I put an end to the condition by fortunately coming across Turmeric. Even after I had stopped consuming the curcuma longa supplements, I didn’t have a problem with excretion until once more years following.

Aside from Turmeric, the second most simple solution is to just consume more high fiber foods into your diet. At least that was and is the other remedy for me.
A lot of my favorite foods happen to be fiber-rich and I go to the bathroom very frequently and with total ease and relaxation.

The fact that I have been a vegan/vegetarian for thirty-three years may contribute to my healthy digestive system, although fiber and/or Tumeric can and will do great wonders for anyone who properly balances them within their daily lifestyle.

So, gulp down copiously on healthy fruits, vegetables, seeds, beans/legumes and grains that are heavily loaded with beneficial fiber. Your body not only will be producing comfort in the bathroom, but satisfactory within overall health as well.

Fiber and Turmeric both do a body well.

You can safely and naturally choose one or the other, or both, according to one’s own different personal need, preference, and/or bodily toleration.

Breakfast Cereals And The Two Healthiest Cold Cereals

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As a child my favorite cold breakfast cereal were rice krispies and corn flakes. Cheerios was good too.

In addition, I experimented with plenty of other cereals specifically geared toward children- Frosted Flakes, Captain Crunch and etc….

In my adult years, I rarely ate cold cereal, and if occasionally I had a taste for some, I searched for a healthy vegan alternative compared to the traditional junk on the market nowadays.

Most cold breakfast cereals are loaded with unnecessary amounts of added sugars along with a host of other rotten ingredients not beneficial to the health.

When looking for a quality cereal it should be one that is high in fiber, minimally processed, very low in added sugar (no added sugar if possible), non-gmo and whole grain.

I use to like Nature’s Path Heritage Flakes the last time I had a box I was turned off by the flavor and texture of the flakes. Prior to that I had already decided not to purchase them anymore due to the sugar content.

The Heritage Flakes don’t have a sweet taste but I prefer cereals now without added sugars (Nature’s Path Crunchy Vanilla Sunrise is far too sweet for me. I don’t know how I occasionally ate them to begin with).

It’s very hard to find a legitimate healthy cold breakfast cereal. There are quite a few out there advertised as being nutritious when in reality they’re genuinely not.

I was shocked when I found one that I could actually trust and like. Yes, I found Uncle Sam Raisin Bran Toasted Whole Wheat Berry Flakes & Raisins cereal.

This cereal has only four ingredients: whole grain wheat, raisins, barley malt and salt.

In my opinion, this cereal is delicious. I truly love and enjoy eating Uncle Sam raisin bran.

The other genuinely healthy cereal out there I forgot to mention is the original Grape Nuts (which I use to be hooked on during my teenage years).

Grape nuts also only consist of four ingredients without any added sugars. The contents of healthy Grape Nuts are: whole grain wheat flour, malted barley flour, salt and dried yeast.

Grape Nuts are also fortified with acceptable vitamins: reduced iron, niacinamide, zinc oxide (source of zinc), vitamin b6, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin b1) and folic acid.

These two cold breakfast cereals are two of the healthiest on the market and the only ones that I eat when I have a taste for some.

I’ve even changed my brand of soymilk.

Silk use to be my only vegan choice of milk and I still consider Silk to be top rate. I would continue to drink the milk if they took out all the extra added ingredients such as the vitamin a palmitate, calcium carbonate and other particular additives.

I like that Silk has a delicious organic unsweetened vanilla with no added sugar,  but it is still fortified and contained with other undesirable additives that I do not want to consume.

I fortunately came across unsweetened WestSoy Soymilk months back. I prefer the plain-tasting version over the vanilla. The plain has only filtered water and whole organic soybeans.

Morning Start

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We should wake up each day giving our thanks and praise to the Lord. Then, we should continue to speak to him all throughout the day as often as possible.

We need his comfort and guidance. He is always with us his children, ready to hear and to instruct us within our daily walk with him. -latoya lawrence

 

After my initial morning talk/prayer to God, the first thing I did when I got up this morning was take my vitamins then I fixed me some breakfast.

I peeled and ate five tangerines along with two bananas, and then a while later, I made myself a full small pot of oatmeal.

By the grace of God I’ve been eating even healthier meals. Mostly fruits, vegetables and legumes.

It’s important for us to watch the things we eat and to prepare our own nutritious meals instead of buying heavily processed foods that aren’t beneficial to a good well-being.

 

 

Vegetable, Pasta, And Grain Meal Preparations

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I had white rice and corn last night for dinner. I love rice and corn!

I sautéed the corn in a lovely sweet and tangy dressing before covering it over the rice. Corn tastes so good mixed in with rice; peas, beans, and broccoli also go delectably well with all types of rice.

Vegetables bring out the best in rice and I don’t normally eat my rice cooked with salt either. The vegetables themselves usually give my rice its own nice complimentary flavor.

Vegetables bring out the best in many other dishes too.

Vegan/vegetarian lasagna is also an inviting meal that could include broccoli and whatever other vegetables of choice that may add to a fabulous dinner. Lasagna pasta crafted and baked with broccoli, shrimp, and vegan cheese is another great idea for the ever-tempting appetite!

Some individuals even like spinach or numerous other types and blends of vegetables and/or tidbits in their vegan or vegetarian lasagnas.

Grains, pastas and vegetables are such great combination foods when designed together effectively.

Pickles Delicious!

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I never liked pickle chips in any type of burger or sandwich or alone for that matter, but I always loved kosher dill pickle spears by themselves.

They were also so good to eat on the side while eating a hero sandwich; crispy potato chips always went well with a sandwich too.

Anyhow, over the weekend, my mother opened up a jar of pickles that I had bought from my local stop & shop a few weeks ago. They’d been inside the refrigerator all of this time nice and cold.

I found these particular pickles in the vegan/organic aisle of the supermarket and I could tell by the packaging and by the look of the pickles that they were of good quality. I wanted to pick up a jar for my mother also, yet there was only one jar of spears left. The others on the shelf were the pickle chips and my mother liked pickle chips but not to eat alone as a snack, so I was only able to purchase one jar of this specific brand. I just decided that my mother and I would share them.

This was my very first time ever buying these organic Woodstock brand and I must say that these kosher dill pickle spears were extremely delicious. I couldn’t stop eating them. I love them! These pickles are on the expensive side $6.99; however, they were well worth the money!

Since I was a child, I had always loved raw cucumbers. I use to go and pick our own home grown ripe cumbers from our backyard that my grandmother had planted, peel them, and sprinkle a little salt on them. Cucumbers/pickles are such a naturally healthy treat.

Here are the list of contents within the Woodstock brand:

Ingredients: Organic cucumbers, water, organic distilled vinegar, salt, calcium chloride, organic garlic chips, organic dill weed oil, organic gum arabic, organic natural spice flavors, xanthan gum.

 

 

Tea And Milk

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I love tea with milk, I use to drink the beverage this way frequently in my younger days.

I don’t drink tea too often right now, currently, lately I haven’t ingested any of those beneficial brewed leaves.

I don’t remember the last time I had a hot cup, although, I do have unopened boxes of herbal teas lingering around my home waiting to be consumed.

It’s been months back I think since I’ve had tea and It has definitely been a few years since I’ve actually had black tea. I avoid caffeine as much as possible so if I drink any regular tea it is very sparingly.

Herbal tea is, of course, naturally caffeine free, and even though black tea comes decaffeinated there is still a little remainder of caffeine left behind in the manufacturing.

However, tea with milk will always be a great favorite of mine, whether with a plant-based milk or with a plant-based cream.

There was a So Delicious brand french vanilla (my favorite flavor) creamer that I first tried last year. I drank the beverage straight out from the container with a straw. It was nice, cold, and tasty, so I know how good the drink would taste poured in a hot cup of tea. It was made with coconut milk.

 

Yellow Rice With Herbs And Spices

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I cooked and ate three plates of yellow rice that I prepared earlier this afternoon.

I colored white rice naturally with turmeric spice. I added oregano, cumin, thyme, parsley, garlic, onion and plant butter to boil along with the rice to give it a flavor.

I didn’t put in any salt as some may prefer.

The yellow rice came out nice to my liking I love all kinds of rice anyway, even plain white rice. Brown rice tastes good too if seasoned and crafted well.

Next time I am going to mix some vegetables along with the dish. Green peas, corn, and broccoli taste great mixed with yellow rice and rice pilaf.

Country Crock Plant Butter

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I went to the supermarket yesterday to purchase my favorite plant butter made with olive oil and there was only one left on the shelf.

No one had touched any of the Country Crock Butter And original Country Crock Vegetable Spread, only the Non Dairy Plant Butter.

I had got to the store just in time. Last week the shelf was full of the plant butter when I picked up a tub.

Everybody is into Plant-Based food now I remember many years ago when it wasn’t such a widespread interest among certain folk.

I didn’t have to worry about going short on my favorite vegan foods.

Well that’s how it goes. When there’s something good or appealing to the taste buds everybody wants to jump on it.

 

Appetizers

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It’s exciting to have more options to choose from and that cater to our lifestyle, health, and special diets, nowadays, whether we are vegan/vegetarian/pollo pescetarian or just plain gluten free, and so on.

I love plant milk, preferably soy and cashew, the vanilla flavors suit me best. I don’t like almond milk at all.

I also love cashew cheese and olive oil crafted buttery spreads.

I tend to come up with ideas and tasty plans to create then to put into effort within my foods.

I’m just glad I can experiment with a variety of plant sources without sacrificing great flavor.

So go and get that plant-based milk, cheese, and butter if it’s befitting to a preference or way of living.

 

Nature’s Path Cereal

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The early part of last year I had tried Nature’s Path cereals for the very first time and I was not disappointed.

I tried the Sunrise Crunchy Maple and I loved the taste. I knew if I liked the maple I’d love the vanilla.

What attracted me to the product was that is was organic, vegan/vegetarian, non gmo, and made with an array of wholesome ingredients.

I’ll be buying more of these two flavor cereals within the future.

Sunrise Maple Crunch:

INGREDIENTS:

Brown rice flour*, whole grain corn meal*, cane sugar*, corn meal*, yellow corn flour*, inulin*, maple syrup*, quinoa*, natural maple flavor, flax seeds*, sea salt, buckwheat flour*, amaranth*, molasses*, tocopherols (vitamin E). *Organic. Produced in a facility that uses tree nuts, peanuts and soy.

Sunrise Crunchy Vanilla:

INGREDIENTS:

Whole grain corn meal*, brown rice flour*, cane sugar*, corn meal*, yellow corn flour*, inulin*, quinoa*, natural vanilla flavor, flax seeds*, sea salt, amaranth*, buckwheat flour*, molasses*, tocopherols (vitamin E). *Organic. Produced in a facility that uses tree nuts, peanuts and soy.

Vitamin Supplements

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I highly recommend supplements that are vegan/vegetarian suitable, non gmo, without fillers, and that are labeled with legitimate seals and certifications of high quality, assuring the product consists of laboratory testing to confirm accuracy of contents as well as safety of consumption.

I was started on vitamins at a very early age.

When I got older and became extremely health conscious, I began my own independent voyage further and deeper into the benefits of supplements and their advantages.

My teenage years was spent evolving and gaining knowledge about spiritual and physical maintenance.

I consume both vitamin and herbal supplements and over my life long journey of indulging within the assistance of these fantastic tools in which consist of medicinal properties, and remedy,  I can genuinely attest to the optimal satisfaction and wellbeing these lifesavers indeed provide.

Olive Oil

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Real olive oil will leave a specific recognizable tingle within the back of the throat I’ve experienced this numerous times. It is a sign of the purity and pungency of the oil.

I continuously prepare and use olive oil in a lot of my foods. I first began using olive oil during my teenage years. I had got it in the tin can it use to come in.

I don’t just buy any olive oil displayed on the shelves of the supermarket because I know for a fact all oils labeled as 100% pure olive oil are actually not legitimate.

There are many popular well known brands who claim to sell authentic olive oil yet their statements are false and have been proven so.

There are only two olive oil companies I have trusted and bought from for over a long period of time now and they are California Olive Ranch, and Lucini. I had researched them prior to purchasing their oils. They both have the harvest dates as well as expiration dates located on their glass bottles.

Of course, there are other legitimate brands out there who do sell authentic olive oils these are just the particular two I frequently buy.

I also look out for the seals and certifications such as Non Gmo, Certified Extra Virgin Olive Oil Associations, USDA and so on.

Potatoes

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One can do so many things with potatoes.

They can be baked, fried, boiled, mashed and turned into a variety of scrumptious dishes to enjoy.

I just made some potatoes yesterday. I cut eight whole potatoes in half and placed them into a pot of water seasoned with onion, garlic, cumin, thyme, pepper, salt, oregano and parsley.

When they were done and the majority of water had boiled out of the pot I scooped them onto a plate and spread a plant-based butter made with olive oil over them and they came out fantastic. They were the texture of luscious baked potatoes, they had boiled perfectly.

My favorite of all potato dishes have and will always be French fries.

There is nothing like homemade fries cooked in sunflower oil. I peeled, cut up, and fried so many potatoes when I was younger that I knew which type of oil brought out the best taste within them above all the others.

I even fried and ate so many homemade French fries one night that my body had absorbed too much grease and my stomach felt like it was split in half. I’m so glad my mother knew exactly to give me an alka seltzer back then it had cured the problem almost immediately.

Dole Organic Bananas

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I went and did a little grocery shopping this past week and purchased two bags of bananas by Dole and they were organic.

The bananas tasted so good and fresh. They were a little bit more expensive than the non organic bananas. I was aware Dole sold organic bananas yet I had never came across them within any of my local grocery stores.

As now the circumstance has changed and the bananas are available at one of my particular neighborhood supermarkets I’ll continue to buy and eat them.

Cheesy Delight (Cheesylicious!)

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As a youngster, during my very early years, I grew up eating cheese loving and enjoying the delicious meals which are made with the ingredient.

Some of my favorites were macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, pizza, parmesan cheese sprinkled over my spaghetti, baked ziti, lasagna and cheesecake.

Once I came to know and was aware of how cheese was actually processed it was a complete turnoff  to me aside from becoming a vegan/vegetarian at the age of fourteen.

For those vegetarians who do eat dairy cheese they are able to, of course, purchase the brands that are made with vegetable rennet. I know Cabot, Boar’s Head, and Land O’ Lakes wasn’t using animal rennet (the stomach lining of calves and goats) I had phoned up these companies years ago inquiring about the matter.

Nevertheless, I only eat non dairy plant based cheese.

I love cashew mozzarella style vegan cheese.

We can still delight within our favorite dishes if we choose or prefer not to eat old fashion traditionally manufactured cheeses.

 

Homemade Popsicles

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When I was about fifteen or sixteen a family associate and I was at her home and she came up with the idea to make some ices on a stick.

So we made kool aid and filled up the ice trays with the flavored juice mix we had fixed and placed popsicle sticks within the center of each ice cube as they began to freeze to a icy texture.

When the Ice cubes froze solid we released them from the tray and delightfully sucked all the juiciness out as we held them by their sticks.

It was so cute and the dessert came out pretty good.

These days I have advanced, of course, only to use natural pure fruit juice, and the proper equipment for a richer, fuller, and more flavorful delicious experience to enjoy.

 

 

Mouth-Watering Watermelon

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Oh, the melon family. I like the honeydew and the cantaloupe, however, nothing compares to the watermelon, to me.

Watermelon is such an appropriate summer fruit, but all fruit is appropriate for the summer, and all year around too, when certain one’s are within their seasons.

I haven’t had any watermelon since earlier in the spring and it was so icy cold, tasty, and ripe.

Watermelon is also nutritious and is a natural diuretic.

I remember when my family use to buy whole fresh quality watermelons straight from the trucks in travel from down south. They use to be the best. Nowadays, anything could be low-grade off those particular trucks.

I never get tired of eating good watermelon I’m going to get me some real soon.

The local grocery where I go keeps the watermelon stacked on ice and I bring the melon home to store in the refrigerator to get further chilled to my likeness.

I usually slice the large fruit in half and eat it with a spoon, it’s less messy to eat it that way, and it is also a convenient approach or method.

Oh, I can’t wait to get my hands on some great mouth-watering watermelon!

 

I Dream And Scream For Ice Cream Alternatives

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When I went to one of my local supermarkets months back to buy a few pints of vanilla Almond Dream non dairy frozen dessert I found out the store had discontinued the item.

I liked the product yet maybe the item didn’t sell very well there.

The other non dairy frozen desserts I also like is made by So Delicious brand. Their cashew milk vanilla and soy vanilla ice cream alternatives taste very nice and refreshing.

They’re all non GMO vegan products.

I wish there was a non dairy and non GMO vegan toasted almond frozen dessert bar out there on the market if there isn’t one out there already that I’m unaware about. I’d like to eat one made from natural ingredients and top quality preparation.

 

Juicy Fruit

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The weather has finally begun to mimic summer temperatures lately here in Queens, New York and usually when it gets hot and humid I like to eat light.

The fruit I had bought came in handy during the weeks. I picked up these big and beautiful bag of oranges from my local Stop And Shop they were worth the $7.99 that I paid as they were flawless, sweet, and juicy. I ate the oranges ice cold. I left them in the refrigerator a few days before I began to consume them.

Along with them I had purchased some Granny Smith green apples which I also let get ice cold before eating.

Everything taste so good cold especially in the heat of the environment. When I was thirsting for something other than water I drank ice cold apple juice. All soothing and healthy to the body.

 

Snack Attack Tip

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&Follow my blog with Bloglovin;

I love potato chips and cookies and cake once in a while yet I’ll only eat those within vegan and non gmo form.

The sweets have to be made on the healthy side and a homemade preparation is usually the best suitable route on desserts when it comes to optimal nutrition since one is inserting their own actual ingredients.

Nevertheless, everything within moderation and within personal tolerance is the way to go.

What I mostly enjoy snacking on above all else is fresh fruits, I love all kinds from green apples to grapes, watermelon, oranges, bananas, pineapples, honeydew melons and plenty more.

Fruit tastes delicious and is so good and beneficial to the body and I constantly incorporate these foods into my meal plan as well as a healthy snack tip to myself when I get hungry for a quick bite.

 

 

Dole

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I loved Dole products, to me, they were one of the best brands out there on the market when it came to quality I had been buying their items for years.

I just bought a few containers of Dole Pina Colada juice drink the other day and I loved the taste of the beverage where there was actual strong real coconut flavor with no added sugar to the natural mix the fruits were a perfect blend.

I had tried a few other juice variety by Dole but this was my first time trying the Pina Colada. I haven’t drank Pina Colada in years as certain other brands tasted too watered down for me within the past.

Within additional categories of food I preferred to eat Dole bananas over any other type of brand, I also loved their raisins, fresh bags of salads and etc… I love their fresh pine apples that I use to buy constantly back in the early nineties.

Del Monte sold good fresh pineapples too.

I have purchased Dole and Del Monte products that were labeled Non GMO yet I have indeed read about how Dole and Del Monte were listed as one of the many companies that are geared toward anti GMO labeling and hiding GMO ingredients by intentionally misleading consumers with, of course, the “natural flavors” disguise .

In fact, companies that may surprise many of us are alleged to also be a part of the campaign in an effort not to lose money as a lot of us don’t really want any genetically modified foods within our diets.

It’s like we cannot trust nothing or too much of anything in what we eat from these companies these days even while they may falsely profess otherwise.

Hesitant it seems to just take a chance once in a while.

I’ll Pass On The Gas

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I love granola bars yet it was hard for me to find ones acceptable to the ingredients that I’m finicky about eating and that was vegan.

Those in which I had come across within the past were either too sugary or not good enough within taste.

I use to love Nature’s Valley’s peanut butter, maple, and oat granola bars but they weren’t labeled as vegan even though the ingredients showed no visible indication that they weren’t, however, I wasn’t so sure about how the sugar was processed so I had stopped eating them.

Not to mention how some products are prepared with hidden content.

I not too long ago discovered a box of Kashi peanut butter vegan granola bars and was satisfied with the ingredient label.

I had read online reviews though about how nasty Kashi peanut butter granola bars had gotten upon the new recipe change and how people no longer desired the product.

I had never tasted the original recipe as I took notice of the product at a later time so I went further online to come up with what was first listed within the ingredients when the granola bars had first hit the market.

Once I found a listing of the old contents I was disappointed in the recipe and would not have chosen to buy Kashi as I didn’t prefer those other ingredients.

When I ate into the new and improved version of Kashi peanut butter granola bars I loved them!

I didn’t agree with the majority of online reviewers opinions of the now changed product.

I don’t know what they tasted like before but they weren’t hard in texture or nasty within flavor to me. They were soft and good, and delivered a satisfying peanut taste.

And I also like how they butchered the unnecessary non vegan contents that were in there prior.

I purchased and ate quite a few boxes of Kashi peanut butter granola until one day I passed a little gas after consumption and an odor shot out with the smell of a rotten hard-boiled egg.

The same thing happened with my favorite Late July brand multi-grain vegan tortilla chips. I use to eat a lot of them too until they also had me fart out a rotten egg smell.

I knew something was wrong after that and left both products alone because I don’t usually pass gas with a reek as such.

I haven’t let out a stench like that since then either.

 

Wow! For WowButter!

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I recently wrote a post that mentioned wowbutter, a peanut butter substitute that is plant-based and how the product was good but a little runny within the consistency and that I wished the butter made from soy was thicker and stiffer.

Well I just purchased another jar of wowbutter yesterday and just opened it up today and noticed how thick and stiff the texture was and I was thrilled.

So either the product was improved or I just happened to buy a particularly oily batch last time around. It could have also been the temperature during shipping or within the supermarket that had made it runny and drippy.

Nevertheless, I spread the wowbutter on lightly toasted thin vegan slices of Dave’s Killer Organic multi-grain bread and enjoyed every bite.

I like the wowbutter better than peanut butter I love how it’s not sweet or sugary tasting. The product has its own unique similar taste, and like I said before, the soy within wowbutter has more protein than actual peanut butter making it an even healthier choice of preference.

Natural Pain And Discomfort Relief For Menstruation And Constipation

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Taking a plant-derived turmeric capsule supplement is how I stopped my severe constipation years ago.

I tried Nature’s Way brand at first before using Solgars brand they both worked and were very good in aiding my bowel movement out unrestricted and with ease.

Those turmeric supplements would push me to poop just as if one would get pushed with the urgency to urinate and that had never happened to me before starting the turmeric capsules. So I knew that I was onto a correct natural method.

Aside from Turmeric helping to prevent me the burden of being constipated I had noticed the herb/spice prevented menstrual cramps and pains during my monthly period cycle.

I had already discovered MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) as a source of natural pain relief from the discomfort of menstruation but then I had Tumeric along with another prior discovery of pain relief from the probiotic strains of good bacteria within a supplement that I also took on occasions.

By taking all three for their own specific beneficial purposes within the body they each became helpful to me within other ways making them a valuable asset in my collection of vitamin selection.

I know that every individual is different and that what might work for one may not result in the same for another, however, I’ve never experienced any more of the bad period discomfort of the menstrual cramps and shooting and aching pains since taking MSM.

And it was good to know that I had natural alternative choices as back up just in case I was in need or ever ran out with the ever so wonderfully useful benefits of Turmeric, Probiotics, and MSM supplements.

 

 

Peanut, Nut Allergy, And Vegan Protein

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I love peanuts I just ate a bag last night the Hampton Farms roasted in the shell brand that I’ve been eating for years. They’re a vegan, gluten-free, and non gmo product.

I also love cashews, pecans, and walnuts but I know what it’s like to love food that you can’t eat because it could result in an allergic reaction. I had to limit my intake of walnuts due to the fact of eating too many gave me a terrible back pain and nausea. I had even vomited. That happened back when I was a teenager I haven’t eaten any walnuts since.

There are those whose allergic reaction to specific foods would result in much worse of a consequence sometimes even serious enough to cause death and they have to take extra special care in watching what they eat.

For those allergic to peanuts there is a substitute all natural Wow Butter spread made from plant based ingredients. I’ve actually tried the product myself which contains absolutely no hydrogenated oils. It even has more protein than peanut butter. The only thing is I wish the consistency was a little thicker and stiffer because when I packed the butter on my toast and bread it would drip over, it’s a little bit on the runny side which makes it a little messy if not careful otherwise it is a real neat product.

I’ve listed below a notice from the company website:

 

WOWBUTTER Ingredients are NON-GMO Verified (https://wowbutter.com/ingredients)

From our family to yours…we are proud to produce our WOWBUTTER using only ALL NATURAL ingredients that are all derived from Non-Genetically Modified plants.

Whole Toasted Soy: The soybeans used to produce the Toasted Soy in WOWBUTTER are from identity preserved NON-Genetically Modified soybeans grown exclusively in Canada and/or the United States and are planted, harvested, transported, stored, conditioned and packaged in such a manner so as to minimize the risk of contamination from other soybean varieties. Our soybean supplier is certified with Identity Preserved Recognition Plus HACCP that ensures identity and NON-Genetically Modified preservation. In addition, all raw soybeans are tested for the presence of Genetic Modification prior to unloading at our facility using the EnviroLogix™ QuickStix™ Kit for Roundup Ready® Bulk Soybeans, which has a sensitivity of 0.1%. Any soybeans that fail the Genetic Modification strip test are rejected.

Pressed Soy Oil: The oil used in WOWBUTTER is a fully refined naturally pressed soy oil derived from Soybeans that have NOT been Genetically Modified from USA origin. We retain documentation and confirmation from our oil supplier confirming that the soy oil we purchase is NOT Genetically Modified. The supplier is certified by The NON-GMO Project that ensures identity and NON-Genetically Modified preservation.

Cane Sugar: A little cane sugar is added to compliment the natural sugar already found in Soy. The cane sugar used is derived from raw sugar cane sources and suppliers that do not grow Genetically Modified varieties. Documentation from the supplier is kept on file to indicate the NON-Genetic Modification status of the sugar.

Palm Oil: A tiny amount of Palm Oil is added to WOWBUTTER to help prevent oil separation. The origin of the palm oil that is used comes from sources that have NOT been Genetically Modified. Documentation from the supplier is kept on file to indicate the NON-Genetic Modification status of the Palm Oil. Furthermore, the palm oil is sourced sustainably from a supplier that is part of the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

Sea Salt: A pinch of Sea Salt is added. There is no Genetic Modification done on sea salt.

In Summary: We are committed to ensuring that all ingredients used in the production of WOWBUTTER are derived from ingredients of NON-GMO origin and that they will continue maintain the NON-GMO status. We further verify the NON-GMO status with 3rd party testing completed every 3 months for GMO’s at an accredited lab. Test results are available on our website or upon request.

Should you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.

Milk And Cereal

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I just got finished eating four cups of dairy- free Silk alternative vanilla yogurt a few hours ago earlier this morning after I got home.

The product is so delicious. The vanilla beans are visibly mixed in with a satisfying flavor that doesn’t get boring.

I love the consistency of the product such a perfect smooth thick texture when stirred.

I hadn’t  purchased any in a while had to pick some up today along with a container of Silk vanilla soy milk that I ran out of to go along with my creamy wheat Bob’s Red Mill Farina that I eat at any time of the day.

Sometimes I’ll mix it with a portion of the Bob’s Red Mill Oat Bran those two hot cereals taste good cooked together over the stove blended in with a little brown sugar and ginger.

 

 

 

 

Pure Fruit Juice

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There are quite a few good juices on the market to choose from.

What I look for in particular is all natural fruit/plant derived ingredients with no added sugars.

I’ve often purchased the Honest Kid’s Organic juices packs. The juice now comes in 59-ounce plastic bottles. I noticed that the ingredients to the larger size container differed a little compared to the pouches and small boxed juices.

I wanted to purchase the product but was concerned about the “natural flavors” listed on the label. So I called up the company while at the supermarket.

The representative put me on hold but was unable to give me an immediate response and I was too impatient at the time to wait to receive an email from customer service as I was ready to make a purchase.

So I went for the Apple and Eve Organics. I purchased four containers, two of the Apple and two of the orange pineapple flavors. I’ve already been purchasing their 100% apple juice for my mom.

Apple and Eve also are forthcoming and explain where their natural flavors are sourced from:

“Our Organics line of juices contains only certified organically grown fruits. The fruits in our other juices, while not organically grown, do not contain any detectable pesticide residues.

Pesticides are either not being used on the fruit we purchase or the vigorous washing and scrubbing process they receive leaves no detectable residue.

Natural flavors contain the natural essences, extractives, essential oils, distillates and proteins derived from the fruit. They do not contain MSG or any artificial ingredients”.

All of Apple and Eve’s juice are Non GMO:

“No.We do not use any ingredients that have been produced through biotechnology.”

So I felt more comfortable and confident in choosing the product and I was not at all disappointed. The juices were so delicious, especially when served icy cold.

I also love Dole brand products. Their pineapple juice is 100% natural and non gmo.

Alternative Plant Based Yogurt

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I was a kid when I first tasted yogurt back in the eighties. I wasn’t crazy about it back then and never became a fan of the product.

I also didn’t like strawberries as a child but sometimes as life goes on our taste buds change and as I got older I came to love what I now consider a delicious piece of fruit.

It was Dannon and Light and Lively yogurt that was popular when I was coming up and I didn’t like the particles of fruit mixed in with the dairy blend.

Last year, as I shopped at Target I saw a display of Silk dairy free vegan alternative yogurt all on sale. It was something new in their line of products.

I’ve already been hooked on their vanilla and organic vanilla soy milk for a while now so I was curious to try out these desserts.

I bought the vanilla, peach mango, and pineapple flavors and they were all delicious!

I don’t make a habit out of eating them but I take advantage of the fact that it is a tasty product made for vegans-and of course, non gmo that I can eat happily.

The item is always sold out at one of my neighborhood groceries, especially the vanilla. You have to grab it when you see it!

Luckily I don’t have to go too far to find it elsewhere.

I’ve also tried the Forager project vanilla cashew yogurt made with organic plant-based ingredients.

What attracted me to the product was their company’s stance on contributing to the betterment of our planet through promoting a more natural way of living to keep us healthier and more sustainable according to what I’ve read up on at their website.

However, their alternative yogurt was a bit on the watery side for me, just my opinion, but cheers to what they set out to accomplish and the options they have made available to us vegans, vegetarians and health fanatics.