It’s been a crazy month–weekends away, work trips, and little time at the house. But that hasn’t stopped me from cooking, which is a great way to decompress, relax, and find creativity when you feel bland. It’s also a good way to stay healthy and keep a reasonable budget. This week it’s all about light, vegan foods that get you ready for summer.
Photo: cstrom
I’ve never been one who cares in the least bit about accumulating wealth. Ok, I guess there was that purse phase right out of college. But other than that, I’ve always been one to spend the majority of my income on good food and travel. I learned it from my parents who have never wanted anything more in life than educated children, travel, tasty meals, and security. But budgeting your life gives you a chance at freedom when life becomes monotonous. It gives you the opportunity to avoid being tied to your job and instead, follow your passions. Debt on the other hand, takes away from your freedom.
A few months ago I was sent a copy of Eat Vegan on $4 A Day. The book is filled with ideas on budgeting as a conscious cook. It’s an appealing idea for a freelance writer that loves nothing more than living close to the beach and globetrotting from continent to continent. Sweet Potato Skins is one of the book’s yummy looking recipes, though I adapted it to my needs.
Cooking is my creative avenue. To some, creativity and the kitchen may not go hand and hand but that doesn’t have to be the case. Veganomicon boasts tons of tasty animal-free options for those times when you just can’t come up with any new ideas in the kitchen. The book is also helpful in your quest to learn how to prepare foods in a meatless way that may not be familiar.
Photo: iandeth
The happiest and healthiest people are those that learn to live in the moment rather than stressing about what has happened in the past and what will happen in the future. By embracing the moment, good or bad, you learn to combat your own suffering.
This is a cute idea for both a side item or an appetizer. I like to call it a hearty finger food, if that makes sense. It harkens back to my use of the tofu ricotta in my Yam, Walnut, and Ricotta Rigatoni. You can make the tofu ricotta ahead of time and then use it for a variety of recipes throughout the week.
Lentils are one of the more under used legumes in my repertoire. It’s not that I don’t like them, it’s just that I constantly forget about their existence and that’s a shame considering that this simple legume packs a mighty health punch.
Photo: Brett Jordon
When it comes to a Serene diet, it’s crucial to be able to read labels. After all, your diet has a lot to do with the way you feel and your overall happiness. If there’s one simple change to make this year, start reading and understanding labels.
Photo: fabola
I’ve taken quite a bit of Ayurveda training because I find the science fascinating and it just makes sense. And while I have only just scratched the surface, I have already learned so much. Ayurveda is a science that focuses on balancing the body’s life energies (vata, pitta, and kapha) rather than focusing on individual symptoms. Because of this, Ayurveda helps your body to arrive at its natural weight. It makes you feel calm, relaxed, and most of all, balanced. Your diet is one of the main components of Ayurveda.
I’m having a few friends over for wine on the porch this afternoon. The weather is stunning and there’s just no point in meeting at a restaurant and paying top dollar for foods that for the most part, aren’t vegan and make controlling your intake difficult at best. This simple, low cost, and healthful appetizer is a people pleaser and tasty accompaniment to a good glass of organic wine.
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