Veganizing, Lemony Red Quinoa Salad, and Making the Move to Glass

Whether you have a child that can't tolerate dairy, or just the desire to have your family consume less dairy and meat, here are some helpful suggestions for substitutions running the gamete from milk to beef.

Cow milk substitutes: Eden or Trader Joes Soymilk (both highly rated by the Cornucopia Institute), Rice milk, Almond milk, Tempt Hemp Milk

Cheese substitutes: Dr. Cow (nut cheese with complex flavors), Daiya cheese (best for melting, i.e. pizza)

Yogurt substitutes: WholeSoy, SO Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurt

Butter substitute: Earth Balance

Egg substitutes (1 egg portions): 1 Tbs. flax seed meal + 3 Tbs. water, 2 Tbs. potato starch, 1/4 cup mashed potatoes,1/4 cup canned pumpkin or squash, 1/4 cup pureed prunes

Taco meat substitutes: Upton's Naturals Chorizo Seitan, Yves Meatless Ground Round

Breakfast sausage substitute: Morningstar Sausage

Sausage substitutes: Field Roast Sausages, Tofurky Sweet Italian with Tomato and Basil

Corndog substitute: Morning Star Corn Dogs

Sandwich meat substitute: Tofurky Deli Slices

Chicken/steak substitute: Westsoy Seitan strips or chunks, Upton's Naturals Seitan

General protein substitute: Wildwood Tofu

Dairy ice cream substitutes: Tempt Coffee Biscotti, Luna & Larry's Coconut Bliss, SO Delicious Coconut and Soy options


Recipe:

Lemony Red Quinoa Salad with Pistachios

If you haven't tried red quinoa you should. It has all the protein of the original white, and offers the added bonus of a nuttier flavor and crunchier texture. This recipe was perfected by an old co-worker of mine to which I added the tomatoes and avocado to make it a satisfying meal for lunch or dinner.

Serves 4
  
Ingredients
½ cup shelled and roasted pistachios
1 cup red quinoa, rinsed
½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
1 ½ cup water
1/2 cup finely chopped parsley
¼ - ½ cup finely chopped mint
4 Tbs. olive oil
3 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
grated peel of one organic lemon
2 cups sliced or halved cherry or grape tomatoes
1 large avocado
 
1) Toast quinoa in medium saucepan over medium heat for 3 minutes or until fragrant. Add water and salt, scraping up any grains stuck to bottom of pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Transfer quinoa to serving bowl and let cool to room temp.

2) Stir in pistachios, parsley, mint, oil, lemon juice, and peel. Season to taste with black pepper. Fold in tomatoes and avocado, and let stand 20 minutes to blend flavors before serving.


Project:

Trading in Your Plastic Storage Containers for Glass Ones

What You Will Need:

Recycling bin for your old plastic containers or if they are in good condition a bag to collect them for donation
A good source to buy glass storage containers

Before you go out and buy try to estimate how many storage containers you typically need so that you don't have to make extra trips to the store. I suggest buying Pyrex because they are well made and will last a long time. Check out Target, who has good priced sets.

"Happiness is excitement that has found a settling down place. But there is always a little corner that keeps flapping around." -E.L. Konigsburg