Hoppin John Vegan Style
- 1 lb dried black eyed peas
- 2 large fresh carrots chopped into 1/4 inch dice
- 1/2 onion chopped into 1/4 inch dice
- 2-3 dried bay leaves
- 1/4-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive
- Cooked collard or any greens
- cooked brown rice
- Hot sauce to taste
- Place the dried black eyed peas in a large sauce pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and let boil 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and let them sit for an hour, drain. In a large pot on medium heat heat the olive oil. Add the carrots, onion, bay leaves and red pepper flakes if using. Saute 3-4 minutes. Add the drained black eyed peas, veggie broth, salt and pepper to taste and water to cover the peas, approximately 3 cups. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Test for seasoning after 30 minutes. If you like a very firm pea, check at 45 minutes and remove from the heat, there will be some liquid in the pot. I cook them 1 hour exactly and you get a mushier black eyed pea with very little liquid left in the pot. Taste for salt and pepper. Add the cooked brown rice, greens and hot sauce if you like! Enjoy! Serves 4
The Happy Vegetarian
Hello and welcome to my blog, The Happy Vegetarian! I love all things vegetable, fruit, whole grain and yes some dairy! I started my journey in April of 2015 here I am today, vegetarian, happy and loving it!
Here’s a quick definition of the three most common types of vegetarians
- Lacto-ovo-vegetarians eat both dairy products and eggs; this is the most common type of vegetarian diet.
- Lacto-vegetarians eat dairy products but avoid eggs.
- Ovo-vegetarian eats eggs but not dairy products. https://www.vegsoc.org/definition
So that’s my story. Feel free to post your story at the end of this blog or any questions!
Let’s talk this weeks’s hot vegetarian subject: The pumpkin! That gorgeous globe of orange delight! It’s the perfect time of year, fall, to enjoy this fabulous squash for my than just a Halloween Jack-O-Lantern (which is still cool). 🙂
A pumpkin is part of the squash family and can be cooked the same as acorn, banana or any of your favorites. It’s typically orange with some variation in color. It’s got a bonus too-the seeds which can be roasted separately with their own healthy value.
The pumpkin is actually a fruit. It’s nutrient dense with vitamin A and Zea-xanthin which is a natural anti-oxidant and may help with filtering the UV rays and offer protection from age related macular disease in older adults; vitamin B6 and folate, and calcium, potassium and copper!
I like to roast sugar pumpkins and make my own pumpkin puree. It can be used in sweet and savory applications. I also make a mean pumpkin chili with chunks of partially cooked pumpkin. My roasting technique is easy: heat the oven to 400 degrees, cut the pumpkin in half, remove seeds-see below- , and roast uncovered for an hour. This is my procedure for any squash. It caramels slightly and brings out the sweetness. To make the puree, remove all from the pumpkin skin, place in a food processor or high speed blender and add water slowly until you get a nice smooth puree. Could be half a cup or so. Will keep in the fridge like this about four days, but check daily for freshness.
Pumpkin seeds have some nutrients on their own such as protein, vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids. Roast the last 20 minutes in the 400 degree oven. Toss in olive oil, salt and pepper or your favorite spices till brown. Eat as a snack or use in salads etc! https://www.nutrition-and-you.com/pumpkin.html
Okay, thanks for stopping by latest blog. As a certified health and wellness coach, I try to stay on top of all the healthiest ways to choose the healthiest foods. Why not start with my Pantry Makeover session? Hit the Contact Me button for more info. See you next time! 🙂
*Disclaimer:
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Kim Gerhardt, Certified Health Coach, does not take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.
Let’s Get Cookin….Fruits in salads 8-7-18
With summer in full swing, fruits are coming in from our gardens, trees, farms stores and farmer’s markets. Many of us like a nice fruit salad, but what about in a savory salad?
Let’s think about that one. Using a sweet, ripe berry, watermelon, blueberry, orange, grape or even pineapple in a savory salad might seem odd but it’s a great option for a snack or meal! By adding a sweet component to your favorite greens you add a flavor pop and nutrients to boost. Add a bit of cheese and or nuts and you’ve got a new way to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner!
I like to add a splash of balsamic vinegar to any fruit in a salad. I think it brings out the flavor and contrasts the greens On a hot summer night, the last thing many of us want to do is cook a hot meal so fruit, greens and whatever you wish can make it fun and heat free!
One of my favorite new ideas is cubed watermelon, basil leaves and little pieces of feta or goat cheese to taste. Splash with some good balsamic and it’s heaven. A sprinkle of pink Himalayan salt takes it over the top. Strawberries love to hang with balsamic vinegar and work well with most greens. I like a fresh spinach, rasberry, pear salad with little chunks of Brie cheese tossed in there topped with a walnut vinegarette. Use your imagination with fruits and your salads might just sing!
Adding a flavor boost, nutrient pop and beautiful colors make our summer salads fabulous!
If you’d like more info on how you can make healthier food choices, sign up for my pantry makeover, smart shopping sessions event! Contact me for more info! In summer, fresh is best! 🙂
*Disclaimer:
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Kim Gerhardt, Certified Health Coach, does not take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.
Read MoreLet’s get cooking – Cold Summer Soups 7-19-18
As they say, the dog days of summer heat is here upon us! July is typically the month our home grown and farmer’s markets start producing that beautiful fresh produce.
Now what do we do with all this delicious, fresh produce and still keep our cool? We make chilled soup! The varieties are endless with chilled avocado, potato, tomato soups and my summer favorite gazpacheo! More like a fresh, spicy salad in a cup! I love it’s summer freshness and chill.
I’ve included a link below with a bunch of cold soup recipes. Try a new one and let me know what you think! Cold soups are great because they don’t heat up your kitchen and you keep a lot of the nutrients in place without cooking them.
So let’s break down a gazpacheo. We start with tomatoes, tomato juice, cucumbers, peppers-spicy or not, a bit of olive oil and white vinegar and of course salt and pepper to taste. You pretty much chop and blend up to a beautiful smooth cold soup. The tomatoes contain vitamin A, C, B complex, potassium, antioxidants that may help with cancer prevention, and lycopene which has been shown to ward off free radicals and have some UV protection and may help with some skin cancer prevention. Cucumbers contain potassium, are antioxidant against those free radicals, are an slight natural diuretic, and vitamin K which may help with bone strength. Bell peppers contain a very high concentration of vitamin C, who knew? Also some iron, potassium, manganese, and B complex which help with our natural enzyme balance.
The next time you’re sweltering in the heat but hungry, try a cold soup. Not sure if you’ve got the right ingredients? Why not do a pantry makeover/smart shopping session program? Visit my events page here : https://kimgerhardt.com/event/pantry-makeover-smart-shopping-sessions/ and contact me to set up your sessions! Stay cool!
*Disclaimer:
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Kim Gerhardt, Certified Health Coach, does not take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.
https://www.saveur.com/cold-soup-recipes
Read MoreLet’s Get Cookin…Peppers-eat the rainbow!…6-28-18
Summer is here and so are the farmer’s markets and soon to be bountiful home gardens! Peppers are a great summer treat not only in taste but also in nutrients. The bell pepper is a tasty treat but it also may help you fight quite a few ailments from a common cold to certain types of cancers.
Bell peppers come in the rainbow of colors. The most popular are green, red and orange. But you will find yellow, white and even lavender peppers. Did you know bell peppers are called sweet peppers because they don’t have the heat index of their chili cousins? Another fun fact is a dried and powdered bell pepper is called paprika! Who knew?! Bell peppers are a great source of Vitamin C. “A medium bell pepper contains 169% of the RDA’s Vitamin C “! Higher than citrus! They also contain potassium, folate and vitamins E, A & B6. They are loaded with antioxidants!
A bell pepper is a tasty, healthy treat whether eaten raw in salad or crudite. Saute with onions and add to a whole wheat roll atop a fresh tomato or your favorite whole grain pasta or brown rice.
Here’s a quick recipe I like with bell peppers.
- 3 medium bell peppers choose your favorites
- 1 medium red onion thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh basil chopped substitute your favorite herb
Slice the tops and bottoms off the the peppers. Cut into quarters and remove all seeds and membranes. Slice into 1/4 inch strips. Place all pepper slices into a bowl and add sliced red onion.
Make the dressing. In a small mason jar, add the extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil or other herbs and shake well. Pour over the peppers, add the salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!
Serves 2
Now is the perfect time to start eating fresher, foods as summer is upon us. I’ve included a link from Dr. Axe below on the benefits of bell peppers. A great read.
If you’d like to start making healthy food choices but need a little help, contact me today. We can set up a free consultation and put your best coaching program together. Whether pantry makeover, smart shopping, recipe redo or a cooking lesson, we can put your best program together for your needs and healthy goals!
http://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/bell-peppers
https://draxe.com/bell-pepper-nutrition/
https://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/
*Disclaimer:
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Kim Gerhardt, Certified Health Coach, does not take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.
Read More
Connect with Me!