Moroccan Chickpea Stew

I grabbed this recipe from last weeks Metro and man, what a good call that was. It is delicious and amazingly filling.

I chose to use crushed tomatoes instead of diced and am very happy with the results. It’s a thicker, more substantial stew and really sticks to your ribs.

Served over rice it makes a good 6-8 servings and freezes very well.

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MOROCCAN CHICKPEA STEW

1 tbsp olive oil
2 small onions, chopped
½ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp each salt and pepper
¼ each turmeric, cinnamon and chilli powder
1 can crushed tomatoes
2 cups vegetable broth
2 yams, peeled and chopped
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 zucchinis, chopped

In a Dutch Oven or large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat.

Add onions, ginger, salt, pepper, turmeric, cinnamon and chilli powder. Cook until onions are soft, about 7-10 minutes.

Add broth and tomatoes and yams, scraping bottom of pan to loosen up any bits on the bottom of the pan.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover.

Let simmer covered for 10 minutes.

Add zucchini and chickpeas and cook another 7-10 minutes or until zucchini is tender.

Enjoy!

The Soy Debate

I get so much flack for soy.

People (who are mostly uneducated on the subject) are constantly telling me that soy is bad for me, that if I include it in my diet I will harm myself, develop cancer and all sorts of other crap.

Watch out!!! Its killer tofu.

Ugh.

Where these people get their info I don’t know, but it is beyond irritating to have to keep hearing this garbage.

So when I read articles like this: Settling The Soy Controversy, it take an incredible amount of willpower not to email it off to each and every one of those people with a giant I TOLD YOU SO tacked to the end!

I’m sorry, what was that?:

Studies show that “women who include soy products in their routines are less likely to develop breast cancer, compared with other women”

Or was it that the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2009 stated that women diagnosed with breast cancer can reduce the risk of recurrence by adding soy products to their diet.

Or was it that “soy products may reduce the risk of fibroids, knots of muscle tissue that form within the thin muscle layer that lies beneath the uterine lining”
Maybe it was “Clinical studies show that soy products do not cause hypothyroidism”

Ok, deep breathes ….

I understand that as I vegan I challenge people (intentionally or not) to look at and evaluate their own personal lifestyle choices.

I understand that the most common and immediate reaction to veganism is one of defence and argument, mainly out of ignorance and fear.

But I don’t go around standing on a soapbox, preaching and ramming my vegan ideals down people throats. If I am asked for information or to comment on something then I will, however until then I keep my comments and feelings in check (while inside I may scream), presenting a calm and composed front.

I’m not out to lead any sort of vegan war. Sure, it would be lovely to go on a rampage, telling everyone that I encounter about the dangers and disgusting facts about meat and dairy, about animal cruelty and the environmental impacts of the aforementioned.

I would be lying it I didn’t admit that I would love it if every single person chose to adopt the vegan lifestyle.

But let’s get real. I have no delusions of this happening anytime soon.

Maybe, in my lifetime I will see more people convert to a plant-based, cruelty free lifestyle, but that’s a maybe.

So in closing, let me just say this one more time

IF I WANT YOUR OPINION I WILL ASK FOR IT

That is all.

Run, Run, Run .... and Detox

This week has seen the start of a few new developments in the land of Moi.

One of them was planned; the other has been more surprising.

The planned event was the start of my first ever detox/cleanse. Oh what a sterotypical Vancouverite I have become.

So far it’s been pretty chill. Nothing more exciting than 45 drops of Chelidonium Plex which is: a “combination of specific homeopathics synergistically formulated to promote hepatic, renal, lymphatic and intestinal detoxification and drainage. Liver function can be impaired by stress, environmental pollutants, narcotic and alcohol abuse, and chemotherapy treatment, leading to hormonal imbalances, headaches and immune suppression. Clinical studies show detoxification to be effective in helping individuals who suffer from allergies, arthritis, headaches, fatigue as well as environmental and chemical sensitivities. Chelidonium Plex is indicated for all conditions that associated with liver dysfunction, including fatty degeneration, high cholesterol, and constipation; for heavy metal toxicity and skin disorders; and for all conditions that require detoxification and lymphatic drainage such as from the overindulgence of food and alcohol” in 1.5 litres of water each day for 14 days to ‘open the doors of my detoxification organs: liver, digestive track, skin and kidneys” in prep for my bigger, more involved cleansing - that party starts on the 18th.

I am going about this cleanse with the help and direction of my naturopath after inquiring about doing the Wild Rose Detox that a few of my friends are doing right now. His suggestion was to avoid the health store cleanse kits, and rather start off a little gentler since this would be my first cleanse, working my way up to the big guns.

But nothing to note happening yet, just peeing a lot.

The second development has been the more suprising one. And it has been that of a new relationship. Well, more like the return of an old relationship, one that I actually broke off a few years ago and thought that I would never return to.

But something happened over the last few weeks and it seems that I've had a change of heart.

But may not be what you think.

I have rekindled my relationship with running.

Over the last month or so I have had a very strong desire to run. I can't really pin point why, but its been almost overwhelming.

Could it be that in 2 months I will again be participating the annual Vancouver Sun Run?

Oh right, that!

Yup, again I will be running 10 km though the beautiful Van City with a gazillion strangers, all just for fun. Ok, not a gazillion, but a good 60,000 people take part in the run.

So here I find myself, back in the saddle and LOVING it. I forgot how Zen running can be, how calming and relaxing it really is.

And I am shocked with how fit I actually am. When I first did the run a few years back, it was painful. I could barely run 10 minutes without feeling gross amounts of pain and total exhaustion. I was so out of shape. This time however in my first run in years I was able to bang out 30 minute no problem, at a good and steady pace without any pain or fatigue, just a good sweat and a solid heart rate.

This bodes well for my 2010 goal. The goal this time is to finish the run in less than 60 minutes. That will be 10 minutes faster than my previous time.

I am confident I can do it.

Wish me luck!

OK beef, now its personal

This article caught my interest today: Alberta's high bowel disease rates studied

Why you may ask?

Because my little brother suffers from ulcerative colitis, which is an inflammatory bowel disease and more specifically, chronic inflammation of the large intestine.

Since his diagnoses about 5 years ago I have watched him relapse and then go into remission, go in and out of the hospital, meet with numerous doctors and specialist, and go on and off massive amounts of serious and hard drugs, all in an attempt to treat and manage his condition.

Recently he has started seeking out alternative methods of treatment, has been very diligent about his diet and has quit smoking and drinking (these are MASSIVE steps for him, I must point out).

When he first got sick, we didn't know what on earth was happening. Here was a healthy young guy in his 20's suddenly losing 20 lbs in a week, skin turning grey and ashen, with no appetite and massive, debilitating abdominal pains. The first thing the doctors told us was that it may be cancer ...

Thank god that was not the case, however it took over TWO YEARS to properly diagnose him and in that time I watched him go through hell. The drugs he was put on and then taken off had an unreal effect on him not only physically (bone density loss due to course after course of Predinosone treatments, along with massive weight gain followed by rapid loss, crazy and painful full body acne ... it was horrible), there were also constant bouts of emotional distress, anger and depression.

My heart broke to see him in such pain and discomfort, to see him shuffle back and forth to doctors offices, not knowing what was wrong or how to make it better.

And even now that we know what we are dealing with and he has started a new treatment that seems to be helping (Remicade, which again is not a life long treatment and has some very serious side effects and possible risks, but is something that is working for the time being), I still get very emotional thinking about it all.

I dread those emails from my Mother when I hear that he is having a bad day or is falling back into relapse. I want to hop on a plane, fly home and just hug the shit out of him and somehow make it all better.

I am and always be his big sister, and I will always worry about him. No matter how old we are.

So clearly, I have a vested interest in all things Crohn's and Colitis related. I am constantly seeking out more information on the disease, its causes and its treatments.

And it all get even more emotional and personal when I read things like this:

Researchers also want to look at whether there are lifestyle or environmental triggers. They will spend the next five years comparing 600 people with the diseases to 600 healthy patients to look for clues.

Panaccione wants to examine whether there is any link with a similar disease in cattle. He said no one has ever proven such a link, but in areas of India where they don't eat beef, the rates of bowel disease are very low.

My brain starts to go a mile a minute ... the fire in my belly confirms to me that my feelings that meat and animal products are BAD BAD BAD for us and in time, will hurt, if not kill us.

And its not the first time I have read this. Time and again I come across statements in regards to IBS, advising to reduce sulfur-containing foods in the diet, especially red meat.

Numerous studies link dairy consumption to increased IBS relapses.

This is taken from IBDUK.com website

Here is a list of typical foods to eliminate from an Ulcerative Colitis diet:

Milk products. Saturated fats as found in animal products and dairy foods. Inflammatory foods such as alcohol, caffeine and refined sugars. Intestinal irritants like cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower and broccoli. Corn products. Foods containing gluten, which include foods produced from wheat, barley, triticale and oats. The usual allergenic suspects such as eggs, peanuts and soy. High-sugar fruits like watermelon, pineapple and grapes.

So basically, what I am saying is that when I read an article that states that instances of bowel disease are rare in those areas where local diets don't include the consumption of beef, it makes me think more and more about my lifestyle choices and what I can do, without being offensive or preachy to get others to think seriusley about theirs.

OH-SO-YUMMY-VEGAN LASAGNA

I love lasagan. Hot and bubbly noodley goodness with whatever selection of delicious veggies tickle your fancy .. what’s not to love?!

This recipe is a combo of a few that I have used over the years, with of course my own personal tweaks.

It’s divine … I hope you enjoy!

OH-SO-YUMMY-VEGAN LASAGNA

9 whole wheat lasagna noodles
1 pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
5 large Portobello mushrooms, sliced
2 small zucchinis, sliced into rounds
1 tbsp safflower oil
1 pkg soft organic tofu
1 pkg pressed organic tofu
1/4 cup organic soymilk
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 1/2 tbsp dried basil
2 tsp salt
1 jar of organic tomato sauce
2 cups Vegan Gourmet Mozzarella Cheese Alternative, shredded


Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare the lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain carefully and set aside on a towel.

Heat ½ tbsp oil in a large pan over medium heat, Sauté mushrooms until soft and dark. Remove from heat and set aside

In the same pan, heat remaining oil over medium heat. Add zucchini rounds and sauté until soft and lightly browned. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a blender, combine tofu, soymilk, garlic powder, lemon juice, basil and salt and blend until smooth.

In a large bowl, mix tofu blend and spinach until well combined

Cover the bottom of baking pan with a layer of tomato sauce, followed by a layer of noodles.

Add layer of tofu spinach mix and then another layer of noodles.

Evenly layer mushrooms & zucchini, then tomato sauce, followed by another layer of noodles

Use remaining tofu spinach mixture as final layer, ending with the remaining noodles covered by the remaining tomato sauce.

Top with shredded “mozzarella”

Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until tomato sauce bubbles.