Meatless Monday

In a turn of events for today’s Meatless Monday post I am not distributing information, but seeking it. I have heard so much about Kale Chips I want to know if they’re really as good as the internet makes them out to be. I like Kale in smoothies and sautéed/boiled, but I don’t know that any preparation would make Kale taste like a potato chips.

Yes, the reviews on the internet claim that spraying Kale with oil and baking it will make them as crispy and as tasty potato chips. I have a hard time believing this so…..for those of you that have tried Kale chips please let me know what you think. Did the internet get this right or is this a case of “believe none of what you hear and half of what you read?”

 

Photo: Nomnompaleo.com

Meatless Monday

According to a United Nations report the livestock industry creates almost 1/5 of all greenhouse gases and takes up 30% of the earth’s usable land .  By eliminating 1½ pounds of meat (about what a family of four eats for dinner) once a week, Gidon Eshel, a professor of physics at Bard College, says, “ you’ll get almost the same benefits as trading in a standard sedan for an ultra-efficient Prius hybrid.”

Source: Fox News 

Meatless Monday

There is a lot of talk about steel-cut oats and how they’re healthier than rolled oats. I wanted to find out if this was true. Do you prefer oatmeal made from steel-cut oats? If so, why?

 

 1. What is a Rolled Oat?

Rolled oats originate from something called groats, which are the hulled cores of the grains. The oats are then formed into flakes via a rolling mechanism. You can easily recognize rolled oats by their flat, flake-like shapes.

2. Study Steel-Cut Oats

Upon a quick glance at a bag of steel-cut oats, you’ll see that they are noticeably smaller than rolled oats and are similar in appearance to cut-up pieces of rice. A whole-grain oat, the steel-cut variety, is made of the inner kernel (groat) and has been split in two to three sections. Other names you might encounter for such oats include coarse cut, Irish and pinhead.

One primary difference between the two foods is that it takes longer to cook the steel-cut oats than the thinner, rolled flakes. Understand that cooking such oats will take at least 50 percent more time than it would with the flakes. Still, this does depend on the cut of the oat and the recipe you are following.

3. Understand the Uses for Both Oats

You can make oatmeal with both rolled and steel-cut oats. Some people prefer steel-cut oats in their recipes because they have a more substantial texture or a bit of a crunch. Additionally, steel-cut oats have a nuttier flavor over rolled or regular oats. This can lend a toasted quality to an otherwise ordinary bowl of oatmeal.

As far as the nutritional content of rolled and steel-cut oats is concerned, you’ll find that they are both healthy. Oats possess vitamin E, iron and a wonder antioxidant known as avenanthramide. As published in “The Journal of Nutrition,” this unique oat compound helps to prevent damage to LDL cholesterol, making it a very heart-healthy choice.

As of late, it’s been the popular opinion that steel-cut oats have more health benefits than rolled oats. However, experts say that these grains have equal amounts of fiber and nutrients. In a nutshell, both add to a healthier diet and can help lower your cholesterol. Simply put, the primary difference between these two oats rests more in what you use them for and what taste you prefer.

Source: Livestrong.com

Another Reason To Eat Your Veggies

According to a new scientific study from the University of Oxford, vegetarians have new ammunition in their anti-meat crusade. The study claims that the risk of hospitalization or death from heart disease is 32 percent lower for vegetarians than for people who eat meat and fish.

The Oxford researchers examined 45,000 volunteers from England and Scotland, an enormous sample size. Of this group, 34 percent were vegetarian. This high proportion of vegetarians is rare, making this particular study unique in reaching its conclusion.

Other factors which contribute to heart disease such as age, smoking, alcohol, physical activity, socioeconomic background, and education level were taken into account. Afterwards, the researchers arrived at the figure of 32 percent, the amount of reduced risk of heart disease for vegetarians.

In the study, vegetarians had lower blood pressures and cholesterol levels, as well as a lower body mass index (BMI) and fewer cases of diabetes.

 

Source: Environmental News Network

Meatless Monday

Food for thought……

If you aren’t ready to commit to a vegetarian or vegan diet full time, consider opting for a meat-free meal once each week, which can save 84,000 gallons of water per year.

Source: Earth911

Meatless Monday

Since I started researching Meatless Monday’s for A Sustainable LIFE I have enjoyed reading stories about vegetarians and their challenges. I read this story and thought it was worth sharing. Of all the stories I read kid themed stories are the best, as kids say the “darndest things!”

My 4 year old nephew is a really good eater…broccoli is his favorite food. The other day while we were eating lunch, I said, “You know, I think you might be a vegetarian when you grow up.” And he said, “No, I told you…I’m gonna be a TEACHER!”

Meatless Monday (Sort of)

This is not my typical Meatless Monday post but I think it’s worth sharing. I am against energy drinks (for my own personal reasons) but I have often wondered about the likes of sports drinks. Especially when comparing the price of Pedialyte and Gatorade…….what’s the big difference? When I came across this article I thought it was a great read for parents.

The major difference between energy drinks and sports drinks is Caffeine content! Both have tons of sugar but because of caffeine levels, energy drinks can be dangerous for teens and younger children. The amount of caffeine in energy drinks can be 3 to 4 times as much as a large can of soda.

Sports drinks don’t contain caffeine but do contain electrolytes. Electrolytes are used by our cells to maintain electrical impulses. When electrolytes are lost during vigorous exercise they can be replaced by those in sports drinks, thereby restoring balance to your body’s systems.

However, sports drinks weren’t intended for teens after an hour of basketball practice, but for athletes doing intense exercise for an hour or more. According to the article, children and teens should rehydrate with water. And in the case of a sick child, with less sugar and more electrolytes, Pedialyte is still the best option.

So the take home message is that energy drinks are no-no for kids, sports drinks should be limited and water is always the best bet.

Source: MNN

Photo: Shape.com

Monday Morning Quarterback

I had no idea that NFL superstar Arian Foster was exploring veganism. Earlier this year the  Houston Texan running back adopted a plant-based, “mostly” animal free diet. In an interview Foster stated that he’s “dabbling back and forth.” If he wants something (i.e. meat) he eats it, but he prefers healthier plant-based foods. I hate to quote American Idol but I love when people take something and “make it their own.” Although some would argue that there is no grey area when it comes to veganism, I say do what works for you. I’m sure having a 95% plant-based diet is better than nothing! Best of Luck Arian….on the field and in the kitchen.

Source: EcoRazzi

Photo: Wikipedia

Meatless Monday

Last year, reporters from The New York Times conducted a test to see how cheaply a family of four could eat. They paid $28 for dinner for four at McDonald’s, $14 for a dinner of chicken, potatoes and a salad and just $9 for a mostly vegetarian dinner of pinto beans, rice, bacon and various seasonings. And that $9 meal also had the fewest calories of the three. This would have been cheaper had they made this a truly meatless meal and eliminated the bacon.

Source: MNN.com

Meatless Monday

Here are some fun facts about our Meatless Monday veggie of the day, Broccoli. Broccoli is one of the healthiest green vegetables. It’s versatile, inexpensive and tastes great.

Broccoli has been cultivated for more than 2000 years. Cultivation is believed to have originated in Calabria, Italian. This is the origin of the Italian name “Calabrese.”

Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Brussel Sprouts, and Kale are all of the exact same species of plant! Many folks don’t believe this as they look so different…. but how does a Poodle compare to a Great Dane?

The name “broccoli” comes for the Latin word brachium, which means “branch,” or “arm.” Broccoli has only been grown in America for about 200 years and for much of that time it was considered exotic. Until the 1920′s, broccoli was virtually unknown by most Americans. Broccoli production in the U.S. increased 700% between 1971 and 1991 and is continuing today.

Broccoli is a “cool weather” crop and does poorly in hot weather. Because it is tolerant to cold, it is available year ’round in the U.S.

The American film producer, Albert R. Broccoli, (April 5, 1909 – June 27, 1996) famous for producing the James Bond movies, claimed his family invented Broccoli. This has been judged a highly dubious claim by most experts.

Broccoli comes in a variety of colors, ranging from deep sage all the way to dark green and purplish-green.

Tom “Broccoli” Landers  holds the current world record for eating 1 pound of broccoli in 92 seconds.

Source: Swampy Acres Farm
Photo: Electric Tree House