The China Study Survival Guide

Although most people I talk to about no longer eating meat think I'm crazy, I have a few friends who have jumped on the bandwagon with me! My husband's best friend (the one who brought him an envelope full of meat to their weekly basketball night to express his condolences for my new way of thinking) happens to be married to one of my best friends. His wife happened to read my library copy of The China Study, promptly went out and bought herself a copy, along with another copy to give to her mom, and is just as convinced as I am that meat, eggs, and dairy consumption really aren't good for us. Sorry, Colby :)

So, in attempt to change the nutritional habits of our families for the better (and to stop boring you with constant talk about my new mostly-vegan-but-we're-calling-it-flexitarian lifestyle), we've started a new blog. (http://chinastudysurvivalguide.blogspot.com/)

We'll post recipes we've tried, we'll let you in on how we modified the original recipes, what we would do differently next time (if there is a next time), and most importantly, what grade our husbands give the dish.

If there's something I really think you should try (whether or not you're living in the raw), I'll still post it here.

This weekend, I tried a dish called Israeli Moroccan Quinoa. My husband gave it a B! You can check it out here.

Kandis posted her version of black bean burgers (which did better than the ones I made that my husband called poop on toast) and a yummy strawberry-pear cobbler.

My sister-in-law is hoping to also post some experimental vegan recipes (hooray for another friend who doesn't think I'm crazy)! So check out The Great Vegan Experiment as we learn how the heck to live without meat!

Kid-Friendly Vegan Food: Hummus!

When it comes to feeding my kids, there are certain foods I've played around with quite a bit. They'll eat almost anything if it's in smoothie form, pancake form, dip form, or burger form (last week I made "black bean burgers" my husband lovingly compared to "poop on toast." They really weren't very good, but my kids unknowingly--and happily--gobbled up the pureed mixture of black beans, red peppers, onions, and whatever else I threw in those nasty nuggets). If my kids can dip a chip (or occasionally some raw veggies) in it, they'll probably eat it. I've been a long-time fan of hummus, but have never attempted making my own. Until this week. Maybe it's the fact that I'm in the stage of pregnancy where everything tastes amazing, but this hummus was good! And chock-full of FIBER and protein, hummus fills you up with nothing-but-goodness. I was feeling ambitious, so I photo-documented my first attempt at making this Middle-Eastern staple.

First, I rinsed and drained a (15 oz) can of chickpeas. I dumped them into my second true love: my Blendtec blender.Next, I peeled a few cloves of garlic, and threw them right in with the chickpeas.Before the first round of blending, I added 1/3 cup of lemon juice, and 1/3 cup of tahini. (I actually had no idea what this was...it's a paste made from sesame seeds...it looks a lot like peanut butter. I found it in the health food section at Harmons, for all of you local FitMePeeps.)I gave the blender a whirl, sort of (don't tell my husband) wished my blender had a tamper like the VitaMix so I could push the stuff down, but eventually had a nice, smooth paste to which I added 1/2 cup roasted red peppers,and 1/4 teaspoon of dried basil. I blended away until I got this:with which I promptly did this: (I obviously didn't document the actual first bite...sorry...no one likes "see-food").And I wondered why my house was so quiet until I saw this:What a nice surprise. Whether it was the quiet cooking time, the pregnancy-induced love of all things edible, or my determination to find non-meat-or-dairy items my entire family will consume, the hummus was a success. And yes--my kids and husband loved it!

We've been eating it with chips, raw veggies, as a spread on sandwiches (put some in a pita pocket with cucumbers and tomatoes--yum!), with rice crackers, etc. So versatile, so good, and SO EASY to make! (And so great that my funny husband didn't call it poop-on-a-cracker!)

Have a happy (and healthy) weekend!

The SIXTH Day of Fitness...More Natural Remedies

On the SIXTH Day of Fitness, FitMePink Blog gave to me...MORE NATURAL REMEDIES!

Remember when I tried going shampoo-free? I still wash my hair with baking soda and rinse with apple cider vinegar, but I realized that doing it every day doesn't work for me. So most days, I still use shampoo and conditioner. But once or twice a week, I do the baking soda and vinegar wash. For now, this works for me.

For a lot of people, it seems they're either green, or they're not. I'm sort of in-between. I'm slowly adopting more and more green habits, but old habits die hard. In theory, I would love to be all green. But for me, most "green" habits are experimental. I learn about some, I try some, I keep some, I throw some out.

If I care so much about not letting harsh chemicals enter my body through my scalp, then shouldn't I also worry about what I'm putting on my face, body, and teeth? The following natural remedies are those I've read about, but haven't actually tried yet. I will definitely try them (sometime in January when there's nothing more exciting to do than make my own deodorant), and we'll see which ones stick. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking, and possibly experimenting with me:

CLEAN YOUR FACE NATURALLY via The Oil-Cleansing Method! Yes...it sounds a little strange to consider cleaning your face WITH oil, especially if your skin is already oily. But OIL isn't actually the culprit of oily skin! According to acne.org, oil actually dissolves oil, and when done properly, the Oil Cleansing Method can clear the skin of issues like oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, blackheads, whiteheads, and other problems caused by mild to moderate acne. Your skin will be properly balanced, moisturized, and healthy. The most popular blend of oils for this method is castor oil and extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO).

• If you have normal skin, use a one-to-one ratio of castor oil and EVOO.
• If you are acne prone, or have oily skin, use less EVOO. Try three parts castor oil to one part EVOO.
• If your skin is dry, try using one part castor oil to three parts EVOO.
• Apply a small amount to DRY skin (don't splash with water first). Gently rub it in for about a minute.
• Wet a washcloth with hot (not scalding) water, and apply it to your face for about a minute as it steams out your pores, removes dead skin cells, and other impurities.
• Rinse the washcloth, and wipe your face off.

MAKE YOUR OWN TOOTHPASTE! Simplemom uses this recipe:

• 2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
• 2 to 3 Tablespoons Baking Soda
• 1/4 teaspoon of Stevia Powder
• A few drops of pure peppermint extract

Mix it all together until it's just like toothpaste!

MAKE YOUR OWN DEODORANT! (As found on eHow.com)

• Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup cornstarch in a small bowl.
• Add coconut oil, a Tablespoon at a time until all the dry ingredients have been mixed in (about 4-6 Tbsp.)
• If you want more scent, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
• Make sure your coconut oil is in it's solid form. It has a melting point of 76 degrees F. You may need to refrigerate it at first.
• The easiest way to apply the deodorant is to pack it into an old, empty deodorant/anti-perspirant container. Shape into a curve with a spoon, and apply as usual!

What natural remedies have you tried? Which of these are you going to try next? Or do you think it's all ridiculous given the modern conveniences of our day?

The FIFTH Day of Fitness...TRAVELING SNACKS

On the FIFTH Day of Fitness, the FitMePink Blog gave to me...HEALTHY SNACKS FOR TRAVELING!

Today and tomorrow, I am traveling. Yes, driving. Across the country. With TWO small children. For 27-ish hours. Sound fun? I'm hoping we survive. Strangely, I'm actually really looking forward to this road trip. I love seeing new parts of the country. It brings my little bubble of a world into perspective.

I grew up on road trips. The drive from Southern California to Utah used to feel so long, but now I would love to have my parents only 10 hours away instead of 27! Before becoming a parent, I didn't realize how much planning and preparation a long road trip could require. Twenty-seven hours worth of snacks and entertainment is no small task. If I could only just let them eat gas station junk, my life would be easier. But I can't. And actually, that much sugar in their systems for two days really wouldn't make my life easier in the long run. So I've shopped, and I've baked, and I've packed things that I'm okay with feeding my kids for the next few days on the road. (Not to mention 27-hours worth of movies for them to watch...how did our parents survive without DVD players in the car growing up?)

I'm going to let you in on a few of the goodies packed in the car. (That I'm choosing to share with you because I love them...not because any company has given me any incentives to share their products!)

SUN-RYPE fruitsource Mini Bites I HATE fruit snacks! The name is deceiving...they (for the most part) are NOT made of fruit! They are pure sugar! But these little fruit snacks are AWESOME! They are made of nothing BUT fruit! (And I buy them at Costco!)

This is another FAVORITE that my kids like even more than the Sun-Rype Mini Bites: Stretch Island Fruit Leathers. I buy a box of 48 from Costco for about $10. The flavors are awesome, and there's nothin' but fruit in them! They're a bit sticky, but I'm always prepared with lots of wet wipes! (Especially on road trips)!

With this pregnancy, I've actually had a major salt tooth. While these Sensible Portions "Veggie" Chips probably aren't the healthiest snack option out there, they are a great choice when you just need some chips! Yes...they are made with some veggies, a little salt, and they're baked. So less fat than regular potato chips! Yum!

I've also packed an assortment of trail mix, Chex mix, dried mangoes & berries, string cheese, apples, oranges, fresh pineapple slices, carrot sticks, and homemade goodies and muffins. Here are a few muffin recipes we'll be eating...enjoy!

Pear Muffins (From The Best Life Diet)

Nonstick cooking spray

1 1/4 cups nonfat milk

1/3 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup canola oil

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 cups All-Bran cereal (Original, not Extra Fiber)

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 large unpeeled pear, shredded (about 1 cup)

1/2 cup chopped prunes (dried plums) with orange essence

2 tablespoons toasted wheat germ

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and place the rack in the center of the oven. Lightly coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, mix the milk, maple syrup, oil, and egg. Stir in the All-Bran and let stand 5 minutes.

In another bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the bran mixture. Stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened. Fold in the pear and dried plums.

Divide the batter equally among the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of wheat germ over each muffin. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tops of the muffins feel springy when pressed gently. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the muffins to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing them from the pan. Serve warm or cool.

Pumpkin Muffins
(made in my blender!)

2 large eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup pumpkin cooked
1/4 cup milk
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/4 cups flour (I use 1/2 cup whole wheat flour and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place all the ingredients in the blender in the order listed, or mix all together in a bowl. Pour into muffin cups, 1/3 full.

Bake for 20-25 minutes.

How do you survive long road trips? Wish me luck!

2 Healthy Recipes for Cinco de Mayo

Feliz Cinco de Mayo! Today has to be one of my favorite holidays of the year. Why? I love fiestas, and I love Mexican food!

Here are a few recipes for two appetizer dips you can feel good about: guacamole and salsa!

Chunky Guacamole

• 2 large ripe avocados
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  2 tbsp (30 mL) lime juice
• 1 medium tomato, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 tsp (5 mL) ground cumin
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) chopped cilantro
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt

Instructions:

• Pit, peel, and dice the avocados. Eat a chunk or two, then dump the avocado flesh into a bowl.e off easily. Dice the avocado flesh, and dump into a bowl. Add the remaining ingredients, and toss to combine. I like mine chunky, so I don't mash the ingredients. If you prefer a smoother texture, mash away!
• Serve with tortilla chips for dipping, or as a yummy any kind of Mexi-food topping!

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Eleisha's Yummy Fresh Salsa

• red, yellow, green, and orange bell peppers (1 of each)
• 2 whole tomatoes
• 2 cans whole tomatoes (or diced--whatever you have)
• 1 bunch cilantro
• 1 bunch green onions
• 1-2 limes
• 1 tsp cumin
• 3 tsp garlic salt
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

• Cut peppers and tomatoes into chunks. Blend or process in a food processor the tomatoes, peppers, cilantro and green onions. (You may have to do it in batches depending on how much your blender/food processor will hold. I like it chunky, but blend it as much as you want). Mix it all in a bowl and add the seasonings to taste. Stir well and squeeze lime juice to taste.
• Great way to get lots of healthy veggies into your wee ones!

Enjoy! What are your favorite cinco de mayo tradiciones? Share a recipe!