“It is imperative to educate people that there is no moral difference between meat, and dairy. There is as much suffering in a glass of milk, than in a pound of steak. Indeed, given that animals exploited for dairy live longer, are treated worse, and end up in the same slaughterhouse as do “meat” animals; we can say with some confidence that there is probably more suffering involved in dairy products.”
~ Gary Lawrence Francione (American legal scholar)
Here are some of the healthiest foods you should incorporate into your diet.
1. Quinoa
I love this stuff. Quinoa is a gluten-free whole grain with a slightly nutty flavor. It’s high in protein and fiber, low in fat, and has a low glycemic index. It also contains folic acid, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, and copper.
How to prepare: Soak your quinoa by rinsing it and covering it with water overnight. This removes the phytic acid that inhibits mineral absorption. Rinse well, then make an easy recipe like Veggie-Turmeric Quinoa.
2. Chia
Chia has been around for millennia, but it’s recently been getting a lot of good press. Chia is high in omega-3 fats, protein, calcium, potassium, and iron. The seeds are also high in fiber and antioxidants. If you’re looking for a good brand, I love The Chia Co.
How to prepare: Try making the Power Protein Smoothie.
3. Pomegranate
High in antioxidants, vitamins A and C, and fiber, pomegranate is a healthy way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
How to prepare: Split open the fruit and spoon out the seeds.
4. Kale
This dark, leafy green is rich in vitamins, minerals, and enzymes including vitamins K, A, C, and E, as well as magnesium, fiber, calcium, and omega-3 fats.
How to prepare: Eat kale raw. Try my Dharma’s Kale Salad or roll it around some avocado.
5. Probiotic and Enzyme Salad
Protect your immunity and enhance your beauty with my fermented cabbage, which is teeming with probiotic and enzymes. It will improve your digestion and help you de-gunk your system.
How to prepare: You can find the recipe in here.
6. Glowing Green Smoothie
What are you waiting for? If you haven’t tried it, now is the time! The GGS not only starts your day with easily digestible vegetables, but it is loaded with fiber, vitamins, enzymes, and other nutrients.
How to prepare: Here’s the recipe!
7. Oat Groats
These whole grains make the perfect breakfast cereal after you’ve had your GGS. They are high in fibers, low in calories, and contain calcium and iron.
How to prepare: Buy whole oat groats and soak them overnight. Blend them in a food processor with a little avocado, stevia, and water, as well as a pinch of Himalayan sea salt and eat as cereal. You can find them in the health store, usually in the bins or the cereal section. If you can’t find them, get the next best thing, which is steel-cut oats.
8. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil used to get a bad rap, but studies have shown that it is one of the healthiest oils, especially for cooking. It’s high in lauric acid, which enhances immunity.
How to prepare: When you cook, try cooking with small amounts of coconut oil.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar
Raw, unpasteurized, unfiltered apple cider vinegar promotes digestion and is high in potassium, which promotes regularity and cellular cleansing. It is also a great digestive tract cleanser.
How to prepare: Try using it in your salad dressings instead of balsamic or other vinegars.
10. Acai
These berries contain omega-3 fats, protein, minerals, fiber, and vitamins. They are also extremely high in antioxidants and taste delicious!
How to prepare: Blend frozen berries with unsweetened almond milk, cacao, avocado, and stevia for a nutritious smoothie.
11. Almond milk
Ditch the dairy and instead use almond milk, which is a good source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and beneficial fats.
How to prepare: Purchase organic, unsweetened almond milk from the health food store or make your own!
12. Stevia
Stevia is an herb that also serves as a natural sweetener. It doesn’t raise blood sugar, and has been shown to prevent tooth decay and actually stabilize blood glucose.
How to prepare: I like NuNaturals Stevia, which has a clean, sweet taste for smoothies and other desserts.
…No, it’s really not.
Animals don’t want to die any more than people want to be raped. Just because this is radical, doesn’t mean there isn’t truth to it. Logic.
Newbie Question
I am into this Vegan lifestyle full tilt - and am moving forward with the knowledge that I have, but trying to get more informed along the way, so I can do this intelligently and informed. I am not yet at the point that I am totally cutting out all processed foods (but only eat the vegan ones) - but hope to get there in time.
My question is this - how do you handle products that say things like ” may contain milk or eggs”. So far if I have found this I have not purchased the product, I know that it is more for allegies that this is on the label, and it “may” be there due to product processing cross over.
Anyway I am wonder what others think about this and how you handle it.
Thanks for your input.
- 100 billion gallons of water, enough to supply all the homes in New England for almost 4 months;
- 1.5 billion pounds of crops otherwise fed to livestock, enough to feed the state of New Mexico for more than a year;
- 70 million gallons of gas — enough to fuel all the cars of…
Starting out Vegan
I have been a vegetarian for 26 years, so the transition in to becoming a Vegan has been rather seemless, other than always trying to keep myself informed about the products and merchandise that are Vegan. So, I am reading several books to help me along my journey and hope that each day I am a more informed and active Vegan.
As part of my journey, trying new recipes and foods is a big part of it. Yesterday I made a Vegan Bread and a Kale, Spinach and Lentil Stew. Both were delicious! Although the bread was a little more dense than I would have liked, but I supposed that is because I a accustomed to the airy garbage bread that is available in the Grocery Stores. But overall, I am happy with the results.
Tomorrow I head off to Vancouver and my first business trip as a Vegan. I have already requested a fridge in my room so I can buy things for my breakfasts & lunches, but it is going to be a challenge to find things that I can eat that are Vegan. Wish me luck.
