• Kitchen Table
  • Treatmo Shopping App
  • Blog
  • Find the Cookbooks
  • Free Vegan Recipes
  • Ingredient Box
Make Simple Vegan Meals

Recent Study on Health Risks of Processed Meat

3/8/2013

0 Comments

 
     A recent study done in Europe found that consuming processed meat contributed to ill health, especially an increase in instances of cardiovascular disease.  The study tracked close to 500,000 people.  While it was hard to isolate the exact effects of consuming processed meat when all other lifestyle activities were taken into account, the research contend that the large sample size allowed them to make some statistically significant findings.
     Processed foods of any kind, especially meat products, tend to have more sodium and saturated fats than fresh food.  Even non-meat processed food can be harmful if eaten regularly.  By eating freshly cooked food with nutritious ingredients, the health risks from processed meals can be avoided.
0 Comments

Red Bell Peppers and Beta Carotene

3/4/2013

0 Comments

 
     When shopping for bell peppers, many stores will carry a variety of colors including green, red, yellow and orange.  I've even seen purple bell peppers.  Red bell peppers are a more mature version of the other colors and has some nice nutritional characteristics.  Green bell peppers have 340 mcg of beta-carotene per cup while red bell peppers have 840 mcg.  Also, green bell peppers have 12% of the daily value of Vitamin A while red bell peppers have 105%.  Red bell peppers also have more Vitamin C than green bell peppers [Source].  Beta-carotene is an anti-oxidant described here:
Beta-carotene is one of a group of red, orange, and yellow pigments called carotenoids. Beta-carotene and other carotenoids provide approximately 50% of the vitamin A needed in the American diet. Beta-carotene can be found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It can also be made in a laboratory.

Beta-carotene is used to decrease asthma symptoms caused by exercise; to prevent certain cancers, heart disease, cataracts, and age related macular degeneration (AMD); and to treat AIDS, alcoholism, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, epilepsy, headache, heartburn, high blood pressure, infertility, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, schizophrenia, and skin disorders including psoriasis and vitiligo. [Source: NIH]

     So if you haven't tried cooking with bell peppers before, try adding them to your stir-fries, salads, soups, or roasted vegetable recipes.  If you're used to using green bell peppers, try mixing in red bell peppers and check out the flavor.  They provide nice color and taste and deliver a good dose vitamins and anti-oxidants.
0 Comments

Tears in the Rainforest - Fast Paced Thriller - eBook Published!

3/3/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Click cover to visit book website.
Praise for Tears in the Rainforest:

"Tears in the Rainforest is a fast-paced, compelling thriller exposing the grand scale of exotic animal poaching in Southeast Asia." 


"Tightly written and suspenseful!  I couldn't put the book down. It was an eyeopener and must-read for anyone who cares about the tragedy of animal smuggling."

eBook now available!

Link To eBook on Amazon

Tears in the Rainforest Book Trailer

Publisher: Koehler Books - Imprint of Morgan James
Genres: Fiction, Action / Adventure, Romance
Order Options: Amazon,  Barnes & Noble,  Powell's Books,  Indie Bound

Synopsis:

     Chris Johnson, U.S. Customs Agent based in Seattle is given a demanding assignment in Malaysia. The country needs assistance in slowing the fast growing trade in illegal smuggling of exotic animals and protection of endangered species that are rapidly being wiped out.

     With the assistance of Suhaimi Wahab, Malaysia’s Wildlife Crime Unit, and a defiant undercover agent named May Ling Kang, Chris becomes embroiled in the smuggling activities of ruthless gangs who use murder, kidnapping and corruption to enforce their business and to keep money and trade flowing.

     Can Johnson save exotic species from extinction and stop the smuggling? Will the rainforests survive the slaughter? Read this exciting novel for insight into the dark world of endangered animal smuggling.

0 Comments

Ginger and Turmeric - Spices of Life

3/3/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Raw Turmeric and Ginger
     If you haven't tried raw ginger or turmeric in your cooking, it's something to consider. They are easy to prepare and add flavor.  Turmeric is bright orange and ginger is a pale yellow or cream color.  Turmeric and ginger make a nice combination in curries.  Ginger goes well in stir-fries, soups, and even smoothies. Even better, they provide many valuable health benefits!

Turmeric Benefits
  • anti-inflammatory
  • anti-bacterial
  • contains curcumin: anti-cancer, anti-arthritic
  • large amounts of iron
  • source of potassium, vitamin c, manganese, and zinc
  • lowers bad cholesterol
  • may help cure cystic fibrosis (Source) 

Ginger Benefits
  • anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial
  • contains essential oils such as gingerol, shogaol, zingerone which have many health benefits (Source)
  • benefits intestinal tracts
  • source of anti-oxidants
0 Comments

Lowering Risk of Cataracts through Diet

3/3/2013

0 Comments

 
      A study of 27,000 British participants 40 years or older found that diet was linked to risk of cataracts.  The study concluded that vegetarians and vegans had the lowest risk of developing cataracts compared to those who ate meat, fish, or poultry. [NIH Abstract]  The NIH defines cataracts as follows: 
A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. Most cataracts are related to aging. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.

A cataract can occur in either or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other.


    More research is needed to determine how it reduces the risk of this condition, but diet affects so many parts of the body that it's not surprising that eye health is related to it as well.  As more Americans adopt vegan or vegetarian diets, it will be interesting to observe if the prevalence of the condition decreases. 
0 Comments

On Trend with Vegan Fashion

3/2/2013

0 Comments

 
    New fashion line Vaute Couture put its collection on the runway at New York's Fashion Week in February and was well received as discussed in this article from US News. The fabric for the line didn't include any leather, lamb skin, wool, or fur and was made from "organic, recycled, and high-tech fabrics."
     As vegan fashion gains popularity on the runways of NY, it will most likely influence many other designers and retailers to consider vegan fabrics and clothing.  Stella McCartney, for example, designs cruelty free fashion and retailers such as Target and Payless now sell vegan shoes.
     It nice to see vegan fashion along with vegan diets hitting the mainstream.  With more clothing options available to suit all budgets, those wishing to extend the vegan philosophy from diet to clothing  and accessories can look good doing so and be on trend!
0 Comments

Influence of Diet on Positive Behavior

3/1/2013

0 Comments

 
The experimental...methodology has demonstrated that supplementing prisoners' diets with physiological dosages of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids caused a reduction in antisocial behavior to a remarkable degree.
     This conclusion from a British nutrition study on inmates was the result of comparing two groups, one which ate standard prison meals which typically didn't provide proper nutrition and the other which had food supplemented with vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids, found a reduction in anti-social instances.
     Several research studies to date, including this one from 2002, support the powerful role diet has on behavior, especially its ability to influence good behavior and transform damaging conduct.  The study also notes that poor diet can be easily "identified and remedied".  One remedy is to eat enough vegetables, fruits, grains, and seeds, all elements of a vegan diet, to provide the nutrition everyone needs to feel great and act with good intentions!
0 Comments

Sustaining the Environment with Vegan Meals

2/28/2013

0 Comments

 
     Producing a sustainable environment can be a positive outcome of the vegan diet due to the more efficient use of water and land when compared to meat production.  Greenhouse gasses also appear to be lessened.  This graphic from CulinarySchools.org lays out the numbers and comparisons in a useful way! 

Veganism by the numbers.

Infographic by CulinarySchools.org

0 Comments

Vegan Menus Filling Restaurants to Capacity

2/21/2013

0 Comments

 
     Many top chefs around the world predicted that the next few years would see vegetables becoming the main attraction at restaurants and that the eateries that could do it well would benefit from eager customers wanting to try plant-based cuisine.  The prediction seems to becoming true.
     A top restaurant in the city where I live did an all veg menu for one night last month and it was impossible to get a reservation.  In Cleveland, a meat and potatoes city according to this article, the vegan trend is on the up-tick.  The Cleveland Vegan Society organized a fundraiser to raise money for a VegFest, and it sold out with over 400 people attending!  A local vegan chef commented:
"I was totally shocked that it wasn't just a bunch of my Trekkie friends that usually hang out in their moms' basement," jokes Harouvis. "These were normal, professional, amazing people that were there. There were no secret handshakes. I was so excited. Whenever you find your people, you're just so happy."
     The vegan society there also held a Vegan 101 workshop and sold out all 150 seats.  These are just a few examples, but it's clear that the demand for healthier food options is growing and the interest in the vegan diet and lifestyle is expanding across the U.S.! 
0 Comments

Harnessing the Wind in Spain

2/5/2013

0 Comments

 
     For the last three months (Nov, Dec, and Jan), wind farms in Spain produced the largest portion of its electricity requirement for the first time (more than 25%).  According to this article from the Guardian, wind energy output was higher than that from coal or nuclear generators.  Spain has a goal of deriving 40% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020.  It appears to be well on its way, setting a nice example for the rest of the world!
0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    Make Simple Vegan Meals
    Cookbook and Blog

    Welcome to Make Simple Vegan Meals!  My blog is about eating healthy and enjoying it!  I also wrote four mini eCookbooks with my favorite vegan recipes. Thanks for visiting!
    Picture
    Picture
         Local Food Ordering App!
    Order from amazing food makers across the U.S. with Treatmo! 

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Follow my blog
    If you'd like my blog posts delivered by email, please send your email address below. Your email will be kept confidential.
    Send
    Picture
    I live in the Southwest and enjoy cooking, writing, and traveling and.....now have a certificate in plant-based nutrition!

    Topics

    All
    Books
    College
    Cooking
    Environment
    Health
    Hold The Meat Blog Series
    Ingredients
    Introduction
    Lifestyles
    Notable People
    Nutrition
    Philosophy
    Principles Of Health
    Recipes
    Recipes Soup
    Recipes Southwest
    Restaurants
    Sodium Reduction
    Sugar Reduction
    Technology
    Travel
    Treatmo
    Urban Farms
    Urban Farms
    Vegan Products
    Vegan Products
    Vegetables
    Video Recipes

    Visit Healy's profile on Pinterest.
    Subscribe to me on YouTube
    Healy Youngton, EzineArticles.com Platinum Author
    Books
    The China Study
    Becoming Vegetarian
    Being Vegan

    The Vegan Diet as Chronic     Disease Prevention
    Eating in the Light
    Story of My Experiments with Truth (Gandhi)
    Tears in the Rainforest
    Blogs
    Treatmo Blog
    HappyCow
    Rainforest Blog
    Center for Nutrition Studies
    Merchants
    Treehouse Bakery - Phoenix
    Veganz - Germany
    Beard Brothers Energy Bars
    Old Kentucky Barbeque Sauce
    b Naked Chocolates
    Not Milk NYC
    Restaurants
    Green - Phoenix, AZ
    Merit Vegetarian - Sunnyvale, CA

    Native Foods - Costa Mesa, CA
    Red Curry - Flagstaff, AZ
    Flore Vegan - Silverlake, CA
    Nature's Health Food & Cafe - Palm Springs, CA
    The Origin - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Macy's - Flagstaff, AZ
    ​
    Sage Vegan Bistro - Los Angeles
    ​Quintessence - NYC (East Village)
    ​House of Juice - Brooklyn, NY
    Education
    Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate

    Archives

    March 2018
    December 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011

    RSS Feed

Powered by
✕