tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post6327459149209045716..comments2024-03-21T06:38:13.673-04:00Comments on Vegan Epicurean: Making the Transition to a Healthy Plant-Based DietVegan Epicureanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203676819322299569noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-90656668270417568132011-09-03T11:28:39.676-04:002011-09-03T11:28:39.676-04:00Barbara,
We were both thrilled to have our fur ch...Barbara,<br /><br />We were both thrilled to have our fur children return to their old selves. They were running through the house chasing each other this morning and are all sleeping now....just like normal. LOL<br /><br />Ian whips that wrap together for me and it is different each time but always delicious. He always uses a little hummus (for food glue), both fresh and roasted veggies. He heats the entire thing (in the oven I believe). It is a delicious sandwich. I hope you try it and like it as much as we do.<br /><br />We were fine in the hurricane other than losing part of one tree in our yard. Some of our friends (just up the street) were without power until Friday. Clearly the hurricane wasn't that bad for us. :-)<br /><br />AliVegan Epicureanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08203676819322299569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-6920977527895546992011-09-03T11:22:42.875-04:002011-09-03T11:22:42.875-04:00Coco,
Thank you so much for your concern. We we...Coco, <br /><br />Thank you so much for your concern. We were all fine. In fact the cats weren't phased in the least. Sometimes I think they are too mellow. LOL<br /><br />AliVegan Epicureanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08203676819322299569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-79115386804694874302011-09-03T11:21:53.422-04:002011-09-03T11:21:53.422-04:00Laura,
Which bread did you mean the pita or the s...Laura,<br /><br />Which bread did you mean the pita or the semolina flatbread that looks like a cracker?<br /><br />The balsamic glaze is very simple you simple pour balsamic vinegar in a pan and cook it slowly until it reduces by half. Be sure to stir it often so it doesn't stick. That is all there is to it.<br /><br />I may get around to making the pepper and chili garlic sauce this weekend. When I do I will post it.<br /><br />AliVegan Epicureanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08203676819322299569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-91060114882630244692011-09-03T11:19:21.690-04:002011-09-03T11:19:21.690-04:00Susan,
Congratulations on making healthy changes ...Susan,<br /><br />Congratulations on making healthy changes to your diet to avoid the heart disease that runs in your family. Good for you!<br /><br />I use collard leaves to make wraps and find that to be the easiest answer. I have heard people say that they use applesauce (in equal amounts) in place of oil in bread recipes works though I haven't tried it because we have been trying to only eat bread when we are out. Bread was always my "comfort food" so the more distance I have from it the better it is for me. ;-)<br /><br />AliVegan Epicureanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08203676819322299569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-32750221713509387132011-09-03T11:15:40.519-04:002011-09-03T11:15:40.519-04:00Becky,
I think you were wise to change in stages....Becky,<br /><br />I think you were wise to change in stages. We literally when from omni to vegan overnight and that probably wasn't the best plan for many reasons.<br /><br />Have you tried making almond milk at home? It is very easy to do and much cheaper than store bought. Also I prefer the taste of it. There are also a number of vegan cheeze recipes on my blog when you want to try you hand at those.<br /><br />I imagine kids are difficult to deal with in this situation. But they are very lucky to have a mom that is welling to deal with the fall out if the end result is better health. Congratulations!<br /><br />AliVegan Epicureanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08203676819322299569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-31811040067719180932011-09-03T11:11:05.636-04:002011-09-03T11:11:05.636-04:00Health, art and the girl gamer,
Thanks for lettin...Health, art and the girl gamer,<br /><br />Thanks for letting me know that you enjoyed the photos and the food. :-) We are very fortunate to be friends with a talented chef (also nearby) who will make us vegan food (though it isn't his speciality) whenever we stop in.<br /><br />AliVegan Epicureanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08203676819322299569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-4707454152291395312011-09-03T10:35:00.577-04:002011-09-03T10:35:00.577-04:00Brigid,
You are fortunate that your significant o...Brigid,<br /><br />You are fortunate that your significant other will eat anything that you cook. Many ladies are not the lucky.<br /><br />I agree that dietary choices have to come from the person otherwise they won't stick. I have found that once they understand the reason behind the choices they are easier to embrace. Some people are motivated by compassion and others by health. Whatever works is fine with me, the end result is what is most important and better for everyone (humans and animals).<br /><br />I may make the sauce again this weekend. When I do I will measure this time. :-)<br /><br />AliVegan Epicureanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08203676819322299569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-72162982396008988262011-09-03T10:30:36.674-04:002011-09-03T10:30:36.674-04:00Lori,
Thank you for letting me know that you enjo...Lori,<br /><br />Thank you for letting me know that you enjoy my photos. They really do depend mostly on appropriate lighting. :-)<br /><br />Great idea to make healthier version of the foods your family already enjoys. I did a lot of that when we were fairly new to veganism. Now we will eat anything. ;-)<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your suggestions,<br />AliVegan Epicureanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08203676819322299569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-77446265702747722632011-09-03T10:17:11.519-04:002011-09-03T10:17:11.519-04:00Imperfections,
You are lucky that your husband ma...Imperfections,<br /><br />You are lucky that your husband made the transition with. Mine did as well and I feel for the ladies who struggle with this every day.<br /><br />Great advice to be patient and understanding with kids. They are picky and have peer pressure to content with that is far in our rear view mirrors. <br /><br />Good luck with your dietary transition. It sounds like you have made a lot of progress to me. :-)<br /><br />AliVegan Epicureanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08203676819322299569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-29099958832923218022011-09-03T10:07:12.593-04:002011-09-03T10:07:12.593-04:00Get Skinny Go Vegan,
I am guessing you are a fan ...Get Skinny Go Vegan,<br /><br />I am guessing you are a fan of Dr. Barnard too. He is great isn't he?<br /><br />Thanks for the photo compliment.<br /><br />I worry about the soy protein isolates that are in a lot of processed vegan cheeses. However it is very easy to make your own non-dairy cheese at home. I find that when people try them they realize that it isn't as difficult to give up dairy-based cheese as they imagine. Change always starts with a single step. Right?<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your ideas. :-)<br /><br />AliVegan Epicureanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08203676819322299569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-91719181748188864732011-08-27T13:12:10.323-04:002011-08-27T13:12:10.323-04:00Sounds like you've had a great week. And glad ...Sounds like you've had a great week. And glad the kitties are back to normal. That hummus wrap looks fabulous - I really have to make one (some!). Hope you're all safe and sound during the hurricane.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07769051642180104391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-38203258830683241622011-08-26T23:00:53.229-04:002011-08-26T23:00:53.229-04:00Hoping you and fur babies will all be ok when hurr...Hoping you and fur babies will all be ok when hurricane comes by...Cocococohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02419822022655031926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-43596389853413086032011-08-25T23:02:12.564-04:002011-08-25T23:02:12.564-04:00Nice post, the food sure looks fantastic. Please p...Nice post, the food sure looks fantastic. Please post your flatbread recipe!!! Also the chili garlic sauce for the roasted veggies and the balsamic glaze for your fruity salad. Thanks!Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12379691796502650236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-87906370281259993142011-08-23T22:23:21.596-04:002011-08-23T22:23:21.596-04:00Hey there! I have a question you might be able to...Hey there! I have a question you might be able to answer...<br /><br />I am using Dr. Esselstyn's book as my diet guide as my whole reason for changing my diet is prevention/reversal of heart disease, which runs rampant in my family. What would make this easier is if I could incorporate my deep love for sandwiches into this process, and that entails having good no-dairy, no oil whole grain bread. I've tried the Ezekial breads and frankly, they just aren't cutting it. <br /><br />I don't mind making bread, it's finding a recipe that doesn't result in cardboard disguised as bread. Making bread is work, and it gets really frustrating when you put all this effort into it and the result is unpalatable. <br /><br />Since you read lots of cookbooks and attend lectures on the topic, I was wondering if you could recommend a recipe or two that has either turned out well for you (or someone you know), or looks like it may work.<br /><br />I really appreciate your time.<br /><br />Kindest regards,<br /><br />SooSusanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07435100034972926686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-31545972890500057332011-08-23T12:49:29.779-04:002011-08-23T12:49:29.779-04:00It has definitely been a process. Since there was...It has definitely been a process. Since there was sooo much in our diets to change, it's being done in stages.<br /><br />Initially I made vegan meals and also meat, separately, for hubby and kids - like pasta/veggies and sauce, bean burritos, baked potato night, home made pizza's - all things hubby could easily eat with meat and/or cheese. <br /><br />My kids have been really picky - and so one battle that was great to stop was the "finish your meat" fight.<br /><br />Then I started introducing new whole grains and beans on a regular basis. Some hits, lots of misses, but I would adjust and reintroduce every few weeks.<br /><br />Next phase was making smaller amounts of side dish meats (kids had stopped eating it) to be used as a garnish, but cheese has still been a prevalent add in for the kids.<br /><br />I stopped cooking meat, but have some in the freezer. If hubby now wants meat, he is welcome to defrost it, and cook it on nights that he is on dinner duty (very seldom), and I've asked him not to push meat on the kids if they don't want it. He mostly just gets his fill of meat when we're out for dinner.<br /><br />Next step is moving to vegan cheeses (already got rid of cream cheese!) and completely phase out the dairy milk (still buy small amounts for hubby and one of our kids).<br /><br />It hasn't been easy. And it's not perfect, but such an improvement. Received lots of complaints and resistance, but they are coming along :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03343563083421363164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-38111926794176102102011-08-23T08:54:53.100-04:002011-08-23T08:54:53.100-04:00My God the photos...the wrap and antipasti platter...My God the photos...the wrap and antipasti platter are the ones doing it for me right now. And the pizza.Elizabeth Kelsey Bradleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00503002844966618849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-82790439047279822542011-08-22T12:14:25.202-04:002011-08-22T12:14:25.202-04:00I'm super lucky in that my significant other w...I'm super lucky in that my significant other will eat whatever I cook. There's very little food he doesn't like. I also consider it a personal mission to convince him he does like certain things (such as Brussels sprouts -- he said he hated them until I showed him otherwise). I have to say, in my experience, it really has to be their choice. You can't force someone to see the light, but you can make delicious options available to them. I do all the cooking, but I always ask if there's anything in particular he wants, and recipes he loves, we repeat. His favorite is vegan chili with mushrooms and beans.<br /><br />I can't wait to get the recipe for that sauce. It sounds like a winner!Brigidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15621891389131097604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-21898077817950534972011-08-21T22:56:09.689-04:002011-08-21T22:56:09.689-04:00That antipasti salad looks wonderful, but I think ...That antipasti salad looks wonderful, but I think all of the food pictures you post look tantalizing!<br /><br />My sons do not share my vegan diet. They eat much healthier than they used to because I have healthier choices in the house. I don't push them as that would have the opposite effect. I do, however, sneak in vegan dishes (stuffed shells made with roasted butternut squash and tofu) and they never suspect they are eating a much healthier version of a favorite dish.Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14550795101401249738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-19996189255616619452011-08-21T09:04:18.503-04:002011-08-21T09:04:18.503-04:00I'm one of the lucky ones, my husband did make...I'm one of the lucky ones, my husband did make the choice to go vegan with me. However my children not so much. There have actually been tears shed at the dinner table.My daughter told me she didn't feel like she belonged in this family because she doesn't like beans. Because of the gravity of the situation I had to back slide and allow the children to choose a few things that they missed the most. I do allow them cheese but only once a week. They will eat chicken but not in my home. If we eat out and they choose to order a meat I say nothing. I buy them as many affordable non dairy frozen treats as I can find so that they don't ask for ice cream. Unfortunately budget is a huge concern so I can't afford the fancy substitutes. <br />It's been a year and a half of transition and it is getting easier but it's a long way off from where I want to be. My kids are ages 9 and 6. As it is kids of that age or already terribly picky. I can only hope that my children will decide to follow in my lead but for now I gently guide them as best I can without too much drama. <br />I find it nearly impossible to force anyone to eat something they don't' want too but if you do not want to eat something you cant' be forced either. Don't' let your family be an excuse not to eat they way you see best.Vagabonds Mercantilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03810766586409920216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-66948097397630680282011-08-20T13:31:00.041-04:002011-08-20T13:31:00.041-04:00Beautiful Photos!! Gosh, there are SO many raw an...Beautiful Photos!! Gosh, there are SO many raw and regular vegan cheezes out there now. One for every purpose!! Even though Daiya is processed, it has not cholesterol and really doesn't have much junk in it. I would say transition any way you can. Eat the veggie burgers. There are actually veggie burgers without a bunch of crap in them!! Eat baked fries. Just start with plant based and then improve from that. It's getting much easier now!! Make sure you have food ready to eat, so you don't get hungry and binge on cow pus!Get Skinny, Go Vegan.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06973914105867913930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-55836305486909198782011-08-20T10:29:45.842-04:002011-08-20T10:29:45.842-04:00Carol,
I remember how frustrated I was when we we...Carol,<br /><br />I remember how frustrated I was when we were transitioning to a vegan diet and I had the benefit of 20+ years of cooking and a husband who would eat anything that I cooked. I can only imagine how much more difficult the transition is if your family isn't on board with the change. However I did know that most of you also had this same situation as this lady and would have great suggestions and you did. :-) Thank you very much for sharing! It is wonderful when we can all help each other.<br /><br />AliVegan Epicureanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08203676819322299569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790414766945352054.post-83517932232889266772011-08-20T05:34:14.986-04:002011-08-20T05:34:14.986-04:00Sounds like you had a lovely day! And as usual the...Sounds like you had a lovely day! And as usual the food looks absolutely amazing. Salut!<br /><br />I can totally sympathise with the lady who emailed you. That's where I am. <br /><br />All I can say is go slowly. Start with a handful of plant based recipes that you know your whole family will eat and enjoy and make them more often. <br /><br />Cut back on the meat and dairy by offering slightly smaller portion sizes. They probably won't even notice but will be eating healthier. <br /><br />Their tastes will hopefully change slowly over time the less meat/dairy they eat and the more plants they eat and you can then slowly incorporate more healthy meals into your diet. <br /><br />They may never be completely vegan (I know mine won't) but they will be eating healthier. And you will feel a lot better.<br /><br />It's not logical or sensible to expect anybody to cook separate meals every day for family members. <br /><br />If you want to be totally vegan I would suggest on the days you do cook plant friendly food for your family cook huge portions and freeze some. Then on the days they're eating meat you can always pull something out of the freezer for yourself. <br /><br />Ideas for plant based family friendly meals:<br /><br />Wholemeal pasta with roasted veg tomato sauce.<br /><br />Curry!!!<br /><br />Veggie fajitas<br /><br />Soups: minestrone, butternut squash etc.<br /><br />Sorry, I've gone on a bit there.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06103010156987011924noreply@blogger.com