[Firebird Rising]

Okay, so we're going to mix it up a bit. I've not been neglecting this, just not had time to get pictures up and recipes posted. I'm also in a challenge to lose weight right now so I know that I need to get more diligent about stuff. I'm going to start posting pictures of EVERYTHING I eat and some recipes for the stuff that looks interesting, but not all the recipes. If you see a picture of something and want a recipe, LET ME KNOW. I'll share ALL recipes I have as most are tweaked by me for consumption. I'm also making everything clickable thumbnails so that the pictures aren't so overwhelming.

I'm dropping ALL added fats off the foods I'm eating except for the vegan mayonnaise (it's the only one I can tolerate on sandwiches). So my fats will be coming from completely natural sources in the food itself and I will not be adding oil (liquid fat) to things. I'm also hoping to go organic soon, we'll see if it happens. If you're curious about this type of eating, please go to www.drmcdougall.com I've lost a lot of weight this way before and was extremely healthy. I need to get down to 200 or less to start running because of my knee problems so as soon as I get to that point, I'll be running again.

Sorry, this is getting out of the vegan recipe forum line of discussion so I'll just go ahead with some pictures of stuff I've eaten recently and then start the blog for today.



Beautiful Salad with gourmet beets


Black Beans with polenta and pretty salad


Sloppy Joes with Salad (recipe below picture)

One onion, chopped (I used dehydrated onions )
1 bell pepper (I did a red one, but green is just as good)
1/3 c water
1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
1/4 c quick-cooking oatmeal (I had only regular oatmeal so I zipped it in the food processor for just a bit)
1 TB soy sauce
1/2 TB prepared mustard
1 tsp honey
1 tsp chili powder
whole wheat buns to go under the sloppy joes

Throw the onion and bell pepper in a large frying pan or saucepan with the water (if you use dehydrated onions, you might have to add more water). Cook, stirring frequently, until the veggies soften.

Mash the beans with a bean or potato masher (do not use a processor). Add the beans and remaining ingredients (except the buns), and cook over low heat until heated through, about 5 minutes.

Serve on the buns with toppings of onions, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, mustard and ketchup, if desired.

Recipe adapted from the Quick and Easy Cookbook by Dr. John A. McDougall

Berry/Fruit Smoothie


Tofu/Kombu Japanese Veggie Burger


Now what sounds interesting for recipes? Let me know.

Jen D.