Wednesday, July 21, 2010

"NoriGami" will get your kids to eat Seaweed!



My kids are always coming up with crazy creative stuff to do with food.  Here my 8 year old daughter has taken a sheet of Nori used for making Sushi and folded it into an Origami Cat! 

Seriously, how cool is this?  What kid wouldn't eat this sheet of seaweed? 

We'll have more designs up later.  Obviously this idea is limited to simple Origami designs because the more folds you have to do the more breaking occurs with the Nori.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

The Perfect Sprouts

Don't these Mung Bean Sprouts look beautiful?  That's because I sprouted them at home!  Sprouting is so easy to do and so much more affordable and safer than store bought.   You can sprout any dry seed or bean from the bulk bins or bags from the store.  You can buy affordable organic beans and seeds from Whole Foods and Hoover's Essential Health Market in the Central Florida Area.  
Here's what you do when you bring them home:
1. Pour one to two cups into a large glass bowl.
2. Sort through the beens or seeds to make sure there are no bad ones or rocks.
3. Rinse them well and then pour enough cold water over the top so they are covered at least 3 inches deep.
4. Let them sit over night or at least 8 hours.
5. Rinse the beans or seeds well and strain as much water as possible.  You may have to use a fine seive for small seeds.  Let the seeds/beans lay flat on a tray for the day.  Repeat step 3, 4 and 5 until the beans/seeds become sprouted and the hulls start to fall off.
6. Dry your sprouts thoroughly before you put them in the refrigerator for storage in an airtight container that is cracked open to allow air flow.
7. Enjoy!

Dr. Fuhrman's Books have arrived at Whole Foods

I was in Whole Foods over the weekend and noticed the bookcase in the Whole Body section has been completely restocked with mostly Dr. Fuhrman's Eat for Health book set and DVDs!  This welcomed change is due to the company's new "Health Starts Here" program.

Other books on the shelf include vegan diet plans by Neal Barnard, John McDougall, Caldwell Esselstyn, and Rip Esselstyn. 

I also noticed the "Food Revolution" by John Robbins which was one of the books I first read that jump started my own journey to Veganism.

I'm ecstatic that Whole Foods is taking a stand on what they believe is the right nutrition for optimal health and the health of our planet...now if they'd just get rid of that organic meat section!  I mean really, if they're going to put the message out there that we don't need animal protein, then don't sell it!!

Saturday, July 3, 2010

4th of July Picnic with Animal Rights Foundation of Florida

Today we went to the annual 4th of July Picnic with the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida.  My kids fell in love with the Pot Bellied pigs that were rescued animals from the Kindred Spirits Animal Shelter in Ocala. 

The pigs were just loveable.  The one in this picture was following Anika and poking his nose at her for attention.  The girls had no interest in being at the picnic until the pigs arrived...and then they didn't want to leave.

Kindred Spirits is on my list of places to visit this year.  Hopefully I don't get talked into bringing home a pig....I really could see myself owning one, but I don't think I have the right backyard.

Healthy Vegan Recipes for 4th of July

If you are still putting together your menu for 4th of July, please take a look at the Fat Free Vegan blog!  There are lots of quick and easy meals and desserts you can put together for a cook out.

I really love these red, white and blue parfaits!

She has a full line up of dishes from 2007 including an "International Quinoa Salad" and "Red Bean Chipotle Burgers".