Tuesday, April 27, 2010

First Blog Anniversary: 870 posts and 139 followers later

What a great year!

How did this happen? When I started this blog a year ago I had no idea what to write or if anyone would care to read it. The first three months of blogging were rough. I frequently felt as though I was talking to myself and considered shutting down the blog. Now I am very happy that I stuck it out and kept writing. I have “met” so many wonderful people through blogging. I appreciate every email and comment you send. Thank you all for your kindness and concern. It means more than you know.

Over the past year I have struggled to find my voice. As time has gone on I have moved to writing more like I speak. Early on my friends would tell me that I should write as I would talk to them so things weren’t so impersonal. Since my writing experience until the blog was confined to financial reports about monthly performance you can imagine that warm and fuzzy wasn’t exactly my writing style. Even after a year I still feel as though I am changing how and what I write and expect that will continue.

The reason I started this blog was two-fold. First, I knew that most vegan blogs weren’t healthy as I had tried to find healthy recipes to make and there weren’t many to be found. I started the blog because I assumed we couldn’t be the only family that wanted healthy vegan food. Second, I wanted to be able to share links to articles about health. When we were first faced with cancer I spent hundreds of hours looking for information and went to many different places for research. Even now that I have logged thousands of hours on the topic I still find the information to be in many disparate places and also be contradictory (that is so comforting, NOT). I thought others would find it useful to read about the current health studies as they are published which is why I write those quick health posts from time to time.

My husband and I decided to make our diet as healthy as we could tolerate. We have given up almost everything, meat, dairy, sugar, oil, and most flour in the hope of eating the most healthful diet that still tastes good. You will see many nutritionists and/or doctors that tell you that whole grain pasta and olive oil are healthy. If you aren’t currently staring cancer in the face they may not be a big deal. But I have read enough books and articles written by oncologists that I feel they are best eliminated or at a minimum very severely limited. Additionally, I worked in health care for many years as a hospital controller so I have had the opportunity to discuss nutrition with clinicians. When I ask them questions about diet and nutrition their responses were almost always the same. They acknowledge that consuming a healthy vegan diet is a good thing but in the next breath would tell me that most patients aren’t going to do it because they themselves could not eat that way for life. I have always thought that they shouldn’t be so quick to assume people can’t do something because it is difficult. They should give their patients all the information and let them decide what changes they can make. I try to do that same thing with my blog. I know that most Americans will find my cooking to be too restrictive, but for those that want to eat the healthiest diet possible (that still tastes good) I wanted to share what we eat. I think that the traffic that my blog has proven that there are many people that want to eat an extremely healthy diet. At least I choose to believe that and really hope that I am right.

On a very bright note the last appointment with our internist a few weeks had something almost miraculous occur. The doc knows that we eat a vegan diet and mentioned that his PSA was high and that he was trying to reduce his meat consumption and add more soy to his diet. I assume this came up since he knew we would be supportive and have suggestions. We chatted about nutrition and food for a while during the visit. It was very encouraging to us that a doctor would show interest in nutrition. Maybe there is reason to hope that the medical profession is making a connection between diet and health. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing?

There is one thing that we have not completely given up yet, but we may one day. Both my husband and I love good Italian red wine. Those of you that know us know this is no exaggeration. Our wine cellar is stocked with good Brunello and Super Tuscans just begging to be opened. We both love the taste of red wine so I use a little in my cooking every now and then (maybe five or six times a year). Red wine has both good and bad aspects. The resveratrol it contains is good, but the alcohol is not. Since I don’t use it much, or often, I don’t get hung up on the small amount of alcohol in my dishes. This is one place where we are going to allow a little of something in our diet that I acknowledge would be better to eliminate. After all we could get the resveratrol from eating grapes but that isn't the same. Good wine adds such depth of flavor to food it will be difficult for me to completely eliminate it. Maybe one day this occasional luxury will also go, but not now.

On the topic of nutrition as many of you know I have started the plant based nutrition certification at Cornell since starting the blog. I hope that it fills in the gaps in my nutrition knowledge. I am excited to learn if there is any way to tweak our diet and take it to the next level. My other half is convinced there is little I will learn, but I am hopeful. Even if everything is a rehash it is always helpful to hear things from different people and in a different way. I will definitely let you all know if it is something you should consider as soon as it has finished in about a month.

One thing to keep in mind as you go back to my earlier recipes is that my cooking style has continued to change and evolve as I learn more about nutrition. My early recipes used a little oil, which is now off the table. If you find a recipe in my archives that you would like me to make an oil free version of let me know. I would be happy to modify the recipe to make it healthier for all of us.

I have a few questions for all of you that I hope you will have time to answer. Your answers will help me to write more posts that you may find useful or interesting. Here goes:

1) What medical conditions are you concerned about? Is is cancer, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, weight loss, or something else? Is this something that you would like to see the current science when it turns up?


2) Do you have a favorite cuisine? It is Italian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, Irish, Spanish or something else.


3) Do you have any favorite recipes that need a healthy make over? If you do go to my profile page, where you will find a link to my email, and send it to me. I would love to try to make it something that you can enjoy again.


4) Are there any other topics you would like to see me cover? If so, please let me know. If I know something about the topic I will be happy to share. It may take me a while to research but I will try to come up with a well researched answer.  BTW, I still have a few more difficult questions that I need to finish researching so I can post the answers.  You guys ask the best questions. I love your difficult questions that make me stretch to research and develop answers.

As always, thank you so much for reading. I am looking forward to reading your responses.

It is a beautiful sunny day here, finally. I am going to head outside to enjoy the sun and get some exercise. Talk to you all again later today.

56 comments:

  1. Happy Blog Anniversary! So glad you stuck with it so we could "meet." I really enjoyed reading a recap of the whys for your choices and your blogging period. Who wouldn't appreciate great recipes that just so happen to be healthy???!!

    I appreciate all the time and effort you put into this blog: the research, the recipes, and your recaps on the recipes themselves.

    My only suggestion - keep doing what you're doing! Oh, and maybe a picture or 2 of you once in a while. I know your feelings on that, but I'd love to see you and Dan. :-)

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  2. Heather,

    Thank you so much! I am very happy that we could "meet" too. You are very sweet, and always inspired me to exercise more. ;-)

    I will take the picture idea under consideration. As I get older I dislike pictures of myself more and more. I see every wrinkle and gray hair like they were magnified. But I may be able to post a few pics now and then. For you I will try.

    talk to you soon,
    Alicia

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  3. Alicia, Congrats on turning one year! So, I'm guessing by what you wrote that you didn't have much feedback in those first few months. Well, I'm glad you were persistent - you know it was your seitan that drew me in! Also, I agree with your assessment of the medical community and their understanding of diet. The food pyramid by our government is a bit on the unhealthy side. It will be great when you can eat out or mention to people that you are vegan, and it's actually mainstream! You're doing an awesome job and having an effect on my family, believe it or not. Glad you're here. Now, go over to my place and check my response to your comment. :-)

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  4. Blessed Mama,

    Thanks! You are right I didn't get much feedback in the beginning. It was tough to keep writing for quite a while.

    It makes me very happy that I am influencing how you cook. I wish you could see the big smile on my face. My husband thinks I am trying to save the world with nutrition (and maybe that is only a slight exaggeration). I do believe that good nutrition can make a huge difference in health.

    thanks again,
    Alicia

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  5. A big congrats to you, and also a big thanks for your amazing contributions to the blog world! Your posts are always so thoughtful, and so are you--always so willing to offer help, suggestions, and to even conduct a kitchen experiment upon request! Your blog is a wonderful place for contemplation and an open-discussion of what we all love, FOOD! I can't wait to see what you cook up this year.

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  6. Happy Blogiversary, Alicia! I, too, am glad that you kept going...I can't believe you've only been blogging two months longer than I have--you're such a wonderfully prolific writer!

    I love that the internist is becoming interested in nutrition--I'm sure that is partly from your influence. It's sad how not knowledgeable so many western docs are about nutrition, but one at a time, I suppose (your internist, my dad), is the way to educate them. ;)

    I'm so glad you're doing that certification. I agree with Dan, that there probably won't be a lot new for you to learn, but it will be nice to reinforce and supplement what you already know.

    I have no requests or suggestions...just keep doing what you're doing! ;)

    xoxo,
    LJ

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  7. Sarah,

    Oh, thank you so much. You are too sweet! I wish you could see my smile. Thank you so much for being you.

    Alicia

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  8. LJ,

    Thank you for your kind words. I think I am so prolific because I write as I speak. Anyone that knows me will tell you that I am very chatty. My husband would say it is hard to make me stop. He claims I am trying to save the world one person at a time. ;-)

    I think what got the internist was Dan's drop in cholesterol. For a long time it was bouncing between 240 and 280. Entirely too high to make me happy. When we went vegan it dropped to 150 and has stayed there ever since. He is always amazed by that and it comes up each visit. We discuss our vegan diet with him every six months and he seems to get more and more interested as he watches the blood work remain good. I know you are having a similar impact on your dad. Keep it up! One doc at a time we can make a difference.

    Dan thinks I should get a masters in nutrition now. I don't know if I am ready to commit three years to it. But he is fairly persuasive so we will see if it happens.

    Thanks again and if you ever have any suggestions please let me know,
    Alicia

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  9. First of all, happy anniversary and congratulations for what you are doing!
    This is my first comment, but I have been regularly following your blog for the past couple of months.

    When I started reading it, I was on a vegetarian diet, beginning to transition to a vegan one, but not exactly sure whether I really wanted to or not, or if I would find the mental strength to do it completely.

    Today, I am still not 100% vegan, but I am certainly going towards it, and this is (almost) entirely thanks to you.
    Even though all the vegan bloggers mention the great things that can still be eaten, you are the one who truely convinced me that it is possible to really enjoy every meal of a vegan diet. I discovered all these endless possibilities to play around with food a make great dishes without too much effort.

    Not only are you helping me to go vegan, but your posts also made me want to cook more... Thinking that 3 months ago, the only thought of cutting tomatoes to make a salad was annoying me... Now I spend much more time cooking and I am having so much fun!

    And, last but not least, you made me aware of how it is both important and easy to prepare much healthier food. For example, sautéeing veggies in water had never occured to the mediterranean girl that I am (believing in one and only God: the Olive Oil.) before, and now I wouldn't even think about going back to oil!

    Enumerating all the things you made me realize and understand would be WAAAAY too long to enumerate here, but to summarize, thank you so much for what you're doing, you are literally changing my life!

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  10. Happy bloggoversary! I've really enjoyed reading your blog over the last several months. Thanks for sharing all the info and recipes!

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  11. Congratulations on your one year anniversary. That's an astounding number of posts you've produced! I think there's room and need in the vegan blog world for a whole continuum of recipes from raw food to "comfort food analogs," but I'm glad you've chosen to focus on the particular foods that work for you. Your honest presentation will help others find a healthier lifestyle.

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  12. Happy Blogiversary Alicia! I am so glad to have connected with you through the blogosphere, you are such a kind, giving person. I believe you are affecting more lives than you'll know. I love coming here to see what you are discussing and doing, keep up the wonderful and inspiring work!!

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  13. Pauline,

    What a wonderful comment. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I can't tell you how much that meant to me. It is so nice to know I have helped. :-)

    Giving up olive oil was VERY difficult for this Italian girl. But now that I have, I won't go back either.

    Yay on enjoying cooking. I think that is a huge step toward better health. Congratulations and keep up the good work!

    I hope to hear from you again soon,
    Alicia

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  14. Rose,

    You are the biggest reason that I kept blogging. Having you comment regularly gave me the desire to keep going. It was nice to know that others shared my desire to be a healthy vegan. Thank you for being there, almost from the begining.

    hugs,
    Alicia

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  15. Andrea,

    Thank you! I hope I can inspire others to make more healthy meals. I agree that the comfort food blogs have a place. Without those I would not have been able to transition from omni to vegan myself. I think nutrition is a series of steps and we all stop at different points on that spectrum.

    Alicia

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  16. Janet,

    Thank you for the sweet comment! It has been wonderful to "meet" so many health minded people. It makes me feel less alone in my quest for health. I am sorry we share the cancer connection, but is nice to have someone that understands where I am coming from.

    thank you again,
    Alicia

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  17. Congratulations! I really love reading your blog, not only for the fabulous recipes, great nutrition advice but especially the personal side. I think it's so nice that you respond to bloggers comments and questions so willingly and yes your writing style does feel like your taling to me! I'm learning a lot from you to hopefully set me up for a long and healthy life:]
    Thank you,
    Emma
    P.S my fave cuisine is probably all things asian (japanese, chinese, thai) and I'll definitely come to you for healthy makeovers of recipes I think of.

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  18. Emma,

    Thank you so much. I wish you could see my smile. I also hope you live a very long, happy and healthy life. You were so smart to get started with good nutrition early. If only all of us were as quick to make the change the world would be a much healthier place.

    Asian food is something we love too. I particularly enjoy that it is naturally healthy. I should get more recipe ideas from my Japanese friend Reiko. Thanks for putting that thought in my head. ;-)

    If you ever have any questions please feel free to ask. I hope you know I am happy to share anything I have learned.

    Alicia

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  19. Congratulations, Ali!!!!

    I do not remember how we met, whether you came to my blog or vise versa, but I know that it was a wonderful day!! I am so happy to have you in my life, even if it is just my blog life!
    You can tell you are passionate about what you put on your blog and you are commited to a healthy lifestyle. I know that you have touched each and every follower you have with your willingness to put yourself out there!

    Well you know about my health issues and what foods I like, but I really like what you do on a daily basis, so I would just like more of the same from you. Coming to your blog is like watching the Food Network and getting a lesson all in one!! I really like your informative pieces you write!!! They are my favorites!
    Keep it up girl!

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  20. Happy Bloggiversary!!

    I just discovered your blog last week and I love it for the friendly tone, the lead in to the recipes, the nutritional information, the cats, the weather . . .

    My favorite food is Indian but Mexican is a close second. I love that you post recipes that are so healthy.

    Keep up the good work!!

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  21. Congratulations, Alicia! I apologize for not commenting lately. I have been reading all of your posts, though. I gave my dad my copy of Eat to Live a while ago and he's been integrating the ideas into his diet. Ever since I can remember he's been about 20-30 pounds above his ideal weight, so when he told me that his pants are too loose now, I was very happy.

    I can't say I have one favorite type of cuisine, I just wish I could do a better job in my attempts to capture their flavors in my recipes. Most of what I cook is improvised, and poorly at that. One thing that I could benefit from would be some basic rules for each type. For an Indian cuisine, use X; for Mexican, use Y.

    Anyway, keep up the great work!

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  22. Hello Alicia --

    Like a few others I'm delurking just to tell you thanks and please keep the blog up (as well as your family's health). Thank you so much for your hard work and personally I mostly eat vegan Thai food (takeout) and at home salads and wraps and veggie sushi. Plus lots of Amy's organics. I'm trying to make more stuff myself which is why I love your blog so very much.

    I myself have turned towards veggie/vegan food in the last few years for a myriad of reasons. For one I didn't seem to be digesting food so well and I lost a tremendous amount of hair (at least 50%) in a period of a few years. But since changing my ways I've been able to grow most of it back :)

    Also I'm completely disgusted with the factory farm system as well as horrified by the crap contained in about 99% of processed foods.

    But per your desire to "step it up" with your health I have one suggestion that has been as profoundly helpful to me as it is cheap and easy (great combo).

    When I was losing my hair I suspected (and labs later proved) I was deficient in B vitamins among other nutrients. But even the sublingual tablets I was taking didn't seem to help much -- plus they were expensive if you wanted to take them daily. (I had the most success with the source naturals coenzymated.) But I've become cynical enough about the corporate food world to suspect there is probably a better & cheaper way than a pill to get my full compliment of B's.

    So I did a lot of research and realized it was so friggin' simple to make your own highly bio-absorbable B-Complex for practically nothing.

    I don't remember the websites I used for my initial research but below is an EXCELLENT all around explanation of how yeast works and how to make your own at home. This is the exact method I use and even my B-12 went way up. Though: when I take too much of this complex my urine is scary bright yellow, like neon yellow (sorry if this is TMI but it's the easiest way to tell when you might be overdoing it -- I think it's the B2 that does it.)

    Here's the link: http://www.naturalnews.com/028516_vitamin_B_supplements.html

    But my subsequent lab tests and massive, vital regrowth of hair are also proof of vastly improved nutrition.

    If you have any questions about the method let me know. Also I learned so much about regrowing hair as I've been able to help so many of my male and female friends.

    Anyway, again best wishes :)

    --claude

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  23. Brandi,

    Thank you for being so sweet and kind. I am happy to have you in my life too.

    I also appreciate your willingness to be so open and share so much about your struggles. You inspire me to do more and be better. :-)

    It is good to know you like my informative posts. Those are some of my favorites too. I am bit of an information junkie. I think we share that trait. ;-)

    ditto,
    Alicia

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  24. Matt,

    What wonderful news about your dad. I am thrilled to hear that. Thank you so much for letting me know. :-)

    As always your comments are great. I love your idea about including information about different cuisines. I will write one of those tomorrow. Thank you so much for the suggestion!

    Alicia

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  25. Claudine,

    Nice to meet you. Thanks for delurking. LOL. ;-)

    I am very interested in hair. My hair is one of my prized possessions. It is very long and I would like to keep it healthy. I will definitely check out the link you included. I would love to hear all the details is you don't mind sending me an email. My address is on my profile page.

    thanks for commenting, and I hope to talk to you soon,
    Alicia

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  26. Oh I'll be happy to send you a longer email soon when I have a little more time. That link got cut off, here it is again:

    http://www.naturalnews.com/028516_vitamin_B_supplements.html

    If that doesn't work go to naturalnews.com and type in b complex and the the link turns up right away. :)

    ps i go by "claude" only my mom when she's annoyed with me calls me claudine :) This just used to confuse people on female hair loss sites which is why I clarified it.

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  27. Claude,

    Thanks for resending the link. I can see where the name would confuse people on hair loss sites. ;-)

    BTW, my friends call me Ali or Al, so I can relate to your nickname. I must say I prefer Ali to Al but answer to either.

    hope to hear from you again soon,
    Ali

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  28. Happy anniversary! I am so glad you stuck with it, despite your frustrations. I enjoy so many of your recipes, you are so inventive and relevant.

    I've always tried to eat vegan when possible, or at the very least vegetarian. I enjoy vegetables and whole grains, and am fascinated by the creative ways you can cook with them. About 2 months ago I was horrified to realize that I've gained about 80 lbs since high school. My health was deteriorating quickly. It was one thing after another; migraines, acid reflux, knee and foot pain, etc. My self esteem was trashed, and I was always exhausted. Since this discovery, I have all but given up the meat I do eat (chicken, seafood), only saving it for special occasions. I have either cut out or severely limited my intake of dairy, refined carbs, fat, sugar, caffeine, and all processed and fast foods. At first, I felt like I was starving to death, but after a bit I started to notice how good I felt. I began to crave these clean, whole foods.

    Your blog has been a huge inspiration to me during this time. It was so hard to give up all of my comfort foods, as eating is by far my favorite vice. Thank you for giving us these wonderful, tasty, and filling recipes that are so nourishing. I wish the best for you and your husband, and I look forward to more of your delicious dishes!

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  29. Happy One-Year Blogaversary (and congratulations on your posts and followers milestones too), Ali! Thanks for all the wonderful recipes you share! It's time-consuming and can be hard work keeping up a blog (and it can be lonely work, too, as you used to experience!), but I'm glad you stuck with it and it's paid off. Lots of people (not to mention animals!) have and will continue to benefit from all that you generously share.

    "How good it is to be well-fed, healthy, and kind all at the same time."
    ~Henry J. Heimlich, MD

    Right on! :-)

    Hope you and Dan enjoy a special blog anniversary celebration dinner tonight! Wish we could all come join you. (You wouldn't have any trouble whipping something up for 139 of your closest friends, would you?) ;-)

    May you, Dan, your cats, your blog, and the Area 51 kitchen all live long and prosper! xoxo

    P.S. I learned a new term from reading this post's comments... "de-lurking." LOL

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  30. Kristi,

    I completely understand weight gain. Cancer anxiety has caused a few issues in that area for me too. But things are much better in that department now. I am happy that I can help inspire some healthy food at your house.

    I love really good food. And I do mean LOVE. Giving up our comfort foods was very difficult. But like you, we feel so much better now that going back is not an option. Although our chef friend Ian does make it difficult to stay on the straight and narrow.

    If you ever have questions let me know. I am only an email away.

    Alicia

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  31. La,

    I am so glad your computer is not acting up today. It wouldn't feel right to have this post go by without a comment from you. I appreciate all the tips and tricks you have shared, and most importantly the friendship.

    Today has been very long one. I will write about it in the post tonight. But I had to run out and haven't been home that long. I still need to figure out what I am making for dinner. Nothing like planning, once again. Will I never learn? Don't answer that as we all know it is no. LOL.

    thanks for everything,
    Ali

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  32. LOL - who said my computer hasn't acted up today? Bugger nearly ate my comment before I could publish it! Grrr... but no way was I going to let techno-gremlins deter me from commenting on your big accomplishment and special day! :-)

    Likewise to you, Ali... thanks for everything!

    Maybe Ian needs to do the cooking tonight! Tell him we all said so. ;-)

    xoxo

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  33. La,

    What a great idea to have Ian cook. But he is frequently off on Tuesday so I threw something together. It is simmering away now. I am making a dish from our sailing days. It is quite good but can be made from things in the pantry (good when you are doing the Annapolis to Bermuda race and run out of fresh food). It is Indian spiced so I know you will like it. ;-)

    Sorry I sent bad computer karma your way. It wasn't my intention. =(

    talk to you soon, give Punky my love,
    Ali

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  34. Ahoy and avast, matey! Your dinner sounds great and I don't even know what it is. (You had me at "Indian spices," as you knew you would!) ;-)

    My computer's been a turd every time I've gotten on it to work on my own blog today (or do anything else on any given day, for that matter), so it's not you sending me bad computer karma. The technicians came out last week and did some stuff that helped but didn't fix it. BW thinks we need a new modem, I think we need a new ISP!

    I'm afraid your Punky (and his fam) have grown a bit fickle lately, as there is plenty to eat around here now, so they're ranging further afield. But he does stop by from time to time, and when I see him next I'll give him your love!

    Enjoy your dinner and your evening! xo

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  35. I love your blog. It's that simple. I've tried to find your email address to thank you for your many wonderful well-written posts, but was unable to find it. (That was a couple of months ago - maybe it's there today!)

    Anyway, I save most of your recipes to OneNote, as almost all of them appeal to me. I am looking out for my "golden years"...that means I also have to eliminate about the same things as you did. No health problems so far, but I know what damage can be done in short order.

    Thank you again for all you do.

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  36. La,

    Tuck this next one away for when BW finally wears you down on getting a boat. It was life saver for us more than once.

    I hope little Punky is okay and that he doesn't change so much you don't recognize him when he comes back.

    Good luck with the computer problems. I am lost when mine acts up.

    Ali

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  37. BJ,

    Thank you so much. I think I remember you are the one that liked the mushroom walnut gravy, right?

    My email address is:
    veganepicurean@gmail.com

    Please feel free to drop me a note anytime.

    Getting old is a double edged sword isnt' it? We are now wise enough to understand the damage we are doing. Wasn't ignorance bliss?

    I am glad I can help give you recipe ideas.

    thanks again,
    Alicia

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  38. Congrats on your first blog anniversary! I love reading your abundant posts. I had a silly thought that you should have a
    subscription-type service for new postings, but then realized how many notification emails I would get! So I just leave you open in a tab, and check on you every day. As an RN who has been very interested in nutrition for decades, as well as someone who has lost loved ones to cancer, and tries to eat a low-fat vegan diet, I really look forward to your blog posts. I love your recipes as well as reading about your research. Keep doing what you're doing!

    Colleen

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  39. Colleen,

    Thank you for the congratulations and kind words. LOL, I love your comment about email notifications. You know me well. ;-)

    I am sorry to hear about the loved ones you have lost. =( We are determined to beat cancer. If nutrition can do it, we will.

    thanks again,
    Alicia

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  40. Happy Blog-aversary!!!
    You are awesome!

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  41. Congratulations! The quantity of *quality* posts you make it truly incredible. And I love having you deliver me all the most pertinent nutritional studies.

    I also love your recipes, especially the more simple ones, although I bookmark many, knowing that one day I'll be back in the U.S. with access to all these great ingredients.

    I think it'd be fun to see a top 10 list of your favorite recipes from the last year. Or maybe your top 10 basics, since you seem to rarely repeat entire dishes.

    Finally, I'd enjoy reading more healthy living news outside the world of nutrition. I definitely believe in a holistic approach to health!

    Congrats and thank you for persevering through the beginning. Here's to another year (or 10)!

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  42. Happy First Blog Anniversary! I know I am a little late to comment, but I have been swamped all day. I first discovered your blog when I was searching for healthy vegan recipes that did not involve processed vegan products. Now, I check your blog everyday and have tried many recipes with great results for both my vegan husband and I's stomachs and healths. My husband and I are young, but on a continuum of vegan and raw food eating as we are incorporating more raw food in our diets, so your blog has been great!
    I really appreciate your dedication to your blog and how you post good instructions, as well as the nutritional data. I also love your commentary on various health and nutrition studies, please continue! Many well wishes for the next year!

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  43. happy blog anniversary!!!!one whole year! lol i love how you wrote that it felt like you were talking to yourself for awhile, and...im glad you ARE NOT doing that,lol. when i cam across your blog i felt like i came home, it has really changed my life actually, and i love every single recipe here,and your writing style is wonderful not to much info like you were asking in your next post, if people dont want to read they dont have to:)

    on a sad note...

    "It was very encouraging to us that a doctor would show interest in nutrition"
    ouch...shouldnt they ALL?

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  44. Aimee,

    Thanks! I love your blog and what you write too! Please keep writing and people will find you.

    Alicia

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  45. Jenn,

    Thanks for the very nice compliments.

    I love your idea of my top 10 recipes. That is a great idea for a post. I will get my husband to think of the things he enjoyed and we can do a his and hers list.

    I also like your idea about holistic health. This is something I have begun to dabble in more and more. I will put those things out there after I have done my research. You know how I am. ;-)

    thanks again,
    Alicia

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  46. Vegan Possum,

    Thank you for your nice comment. It is so good to know that you have tried many of the recipes and enjoyed them. That always makes me happy. I am happy to hear my instructions are clear. I always wonder about that.

    I wish I had gotten interested in nutrition much earlier in life like you. But better late than never. Right?

    have a great evening,
    Alicia

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  47. Michelle,

    Thanks! :-) You and Rose kept me going in the beginning. If it weren't for the two of you I would have been talking me myself at the beginning. LOL.

    You always make me smile. I am happy to hear I have had a positive impact in your life.

    Doctors aren't typically too concerned about nutrition. It used to bother me in the beginning. But after working with so many of them I just accept it now. But that in itself is sad.

    have a great evening,
    Alicia

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  48. Alicia, I am so glad I discovered your blog. Happy anniversary! I am interested in your certificate program. I hope you'll share more about it as you go along.

    To answer your questions:

    1) I eat the way I do for four reasons: to maintain a healthy weight, to fend off migraines, to control my GERD, and to prepare for having babies in the near future. I guess I'm young and healthy enough that I don't worry too much about cancer and other such diseases, but I'm glad to eat a mostly vegan diet to prevent them all the same.

    2) My favorite cuisines to eat are Indian and Asian in general. I tend to cook more Mexican and Italian, though, because they're quicker and easier.

    3) I've been trying to figure out how to make healthy, vegan spaghetti carbonara without processed fake meat. I also can't use seitan. I think I have a slight gluten intolerance, because I feel sick every time I eat anything I make at home with vital wheat gluten.

    4) I just love reading your recipes. Keep 'em coming!

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  49. Brigid,

    Great reasons to eat healthy. If I come across anything on those specific topics I will post the links. Cancer isn't something I worried about when I younger either. The more I read about it the more I realize we should all be concerned. DNA mutation (which leads to cancer) is happening to each of us everyday. The only question is whether our immune system is strong enough to stop it before it can replicate.

    I love carbonara, but that is my Italian DNA talking. Making a healthy version has been on my list for a long time. Since someone else is interested besides me I will move that up the list. In the past I made an asparagus version (no meat) and that was great, even my parents liked it. Now I need to make a healthy sauce without egg and parm. I think that is doable. My hubby will be happy to see this request.

    thanks again for you input and congratulations,
    Alicia

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  50. Happy Jo,

    I am sorry it took me a while to post your comment. For some reason blogger didn't send me an email about it and I just checked the comments manually. Oops!

    Thank you for your kind words. If you every have any questions please feel free to ask.

    Alicia

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  51. Oh my goodness, Alicia! Congrats! That is a monster amount of posts :-) Sorry I am late to join the comments, but my schedule has been crazy busy and hectic lately, leaving me less time to read blogs. That being said, YOURS is one I always make a point to read, even if I am in a rush! I skim over and completely skip others, but I always make time to read your posts and delicious recipes :-)

    Clearly, your blog and your recipes and posts are appreciated! I cannot imagine doing what you do and taking the time to post about my meals and take photos of them...I hardly even have time to eat them, lol! I am a fairly new reader to your blog, I guess, but I was hooked from my glance--what a wonderful resource! Thank you again for all that you do!

    Courtney

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  52. Courtney,

    I am so happy you stopped by. Thank you for your kinds words.

    I hope you are busy in a good way!

    thank you again for making me smile,
    Alicia

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  53. Alicia,
    I'm even later than Courtney--and am so sorry I didn't have a chance to comment sooner! You deserve huge congratulations for an astounding accomplishment with so many blog posts and fantastic recipes!

    I love all your healthy twists on things and I have to agree, most people wouldn't follow a restrictive diet because it's just too hard. Having been on a very restricted diet myself for just over a year now, I really relate to what you're doing, and love your ability to create both healthy and delicious foods.

    And congrats on finding your "voice" (and I'm sure it will evolve!). Glad you didn't give up and kept going--I look forward to reading your blog for many more years! :D

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  54. Ricki,

    Late is absolutely no problem at all. I am just glad you had time to stop by. Thanks!

    I never expected to cook and eat like this, but it has become our new normal. Although most of my friends still think it is impossible. Like you, I have found it relatively easy to adapt and keep going. After all there really isn't a good alternative. Plus I feel so much better now I wouldn't go back even if I could.

    Thanks again for your kind words. Sorry I haven't been by your blog in a few days. I have had my hands full with Dan's sore throat. I hope to catch up on my blog reading tomorrow or Monday.

    Alicia

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  55. I just recently turned vegan, and your blog came to me via a friend who highly recommended that I read tour blog for recipes and nutrition information. I can't begin to express my gratitude for your blog and the beautiful pictures of food that make my mouth water and reinforce the idea that, yes, I can be vegan and enjoy food to the maximum.

    My reason for going vegan was primarily health-related: I have high cholesterol (I can thank genetics for that) and am willing to do pretty much whatever it takes to control my cholesterol without relying on drugs.

    Thank you for keeping up with the blog, and I can't wait to read what you post next!

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  56. Jessie,

    Please thank your friend for the recommendation. I am happy that I can help you make healthy meals that still taste good.

    As you may have gathered we became vegan for health reasons also. An additional benefit was that my husbands choleserol dropped from 280 to 165 in one month. His cholesterol had always been on the high side and the doctors said it was genetic. Since it is now rare that his is over 150 I guess the doctors were wrong. ;-) I hope you also experience a similar dramatic drop.

    If you ever have any questions please feel free to ask. I am happy to share anything I have learned.

    Alicia

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