Being a vegetarian doesn't just mean that I don’t eat meat, I also focus on avoiding products that are tested on animals or have animal byproducts.  I find it difficult to maintain a cruelty free lifestyle because many companies are continually changing their product protocols. I constantly check to make sure that my favorite brands are still PETA approved.


I don’t believe that animals should have to suffer for the vanity of human beings.  Animals should not be locked up in small cages and have different chemicals rubbed into their eyes or put in their throats.  There is no need to harm innocent animals for the sake of “safe cosmetics.”  I think animal testing is horrific and don’t stand for it.



PETA maintains a list of companies that do test on animals and ones that do not.  You can find the list here.  PETA also adds a “V” to companies that are cruelty-free and vegan, if you are concerned about that too.  Here is a brief list of common beauty companies that DO NOT test on animals and ones that DO.

Do Not Test on Animals-

• Aveda (Estee Lauder)
• Bare Escentuals
• CO Bigelow
• E.L.F. Cosmetics
• FACE Atelier
• LUSH
• M.A.C.
• Paul Mitchell
• Physicians Formula
• Sonia Kashuk
• Tarte Cosmetics
• The Body Shop
• Too Faced
• Victoria Secret
• Wet n Wild
• Urban Decay
• Yes to Carrots

Do Test on Animals-

• Almay (Revlon)
• Aquafresh
• Aussie
• Aveeno
• Avon Products
• Chapstick
• Clairol
• Clearasil
• Dove
• Herbal Essence
• L’Oreal
• Olay
• Redken

DISCLAIMER- Like I said before, companies are constantly changing their protocols and ways of production, this is the information may change with time.



I think that knowing which companies are cruelty free is very important in living a life of kindness.  If you are thinking about going cruelty-free, I challenge you to start today.

Go Green and Stay Keen,
Julie

There is just something about a good soup that warms your body.  I consider myself somewhat of a soup-a-holic, if I had to survive off of one food it would be soup.  There are so many possibilities when cooking it, it can be savory, spicy, light, cold, warm, and the list goes on.  I decided to make my favorite Chunky Pepper Potato soup for dinner tonight so I am going to share a few of my favorite vegetarian soup recipes.

Chunky Pepper Potato Soup

Ingredients-

• ½ cup chopped onion
• 4 medium potatoes, cubed
• 1 medium green pepper, chopped
• 1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
• 1 medium sweet yellow pepper chopped
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 3 cups almond milk
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. pepper
• 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

Instructions-

• In a sauce pan cook onion until it is tender and stir in potatoes, peppers, and broth and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and let simmer for 10-15 minutes.
• Stir in milk and cornstarch and stir until smooth.  Bring to boil and stir for 2 minutes until thickened.  Add the salt, pepper, and cayenne.
• Enjoy!



Vegetarian Tortilla Soup

Ingredients-

• 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 (1 lbs.) package of frozen pepper and onion stir fry mix
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp. ground cumin
• 1 (28oz.) can crushed tomatoes
• 3 (4 oz.) cans chopped green Chile peppers, drained
• 4 (14 oz.) cans vegetable broth
• 1 (11 oz.) can whole kernel corn
• 12 oz. tortilla chips
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 avocado, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions-

• In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil and stir in the pepper and onion stir fry mix, garlic, and cumin.  Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are tender.  Mix in the tomatoes and Chile peppers then pour in broth and season with salt and pepper
• Bring to boil then reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Add corn into the soup and continue cooking for about 5 minutes.  Serve with tortilla chips and top with cheese and avocado.
• Enjoy!



Cool Fresh Tomato and Avocado Soup- so yummy can you can get almost all the ingredients at the farmers market! :)

Ingredients-

• 4 large tomatoes, chopped
• 2 avocados, diced
• ¼ cup red onion, chopped
• ¼ cup cucumber, chopped
• ¼ cup red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
• ¾ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. cumin
• 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
• Handful of sliced romaine lettuce

Instructions-

• Combine all the ingredients together, except the avocado, in a large bowl.  Lightly mash with a potato masher and stir in 1 cup of water.
• Cover and let chill for at least an hour and then stir in the avocado and romaine lettuce.
• Enjoy!


I hope these yummy soup recipes ignite the “soup-a-holic” in you!  I know we are going to be eating good at home tonight.

Go Green and Stay Keen,

Julie

I was so excited when the phone rang this morning and heard a familiar voice on the other end.  My beloved “cookbook” cook that moved to Chicago called to check in and see how things have been going.  We talk over Facebook every once in a while but it was so great to hear his voice again.  It had been so long since I had a good chat with him.

From the sounds of his voice and all his crazy antics, it seems as though he is doing great in Chicago.  He told me that the restaurant he is working at is doing very well and since he became the head chef their business has continued to grow; no surprise there.  He is one of the most brilliant chef’s I have ever met.  He explained how since starting at the restaurant, he has created a couple new seasonal dishes that have been very successful amongst patrons.

Chicago is treating his family well too.  They are all settled in and transforming to become more “Midwestern”…his exact words. :D  His kids love having so many parks and a zoo (in the summer) in their backyard.  It makes me so happy for him that everything is good and that his family is loving it there.



He said that the only hard adjustment has been the extremely brutal Chicago winter.  Obviously, living in California for years did not prepare him for the snow, cold temperatures, and ice that winter brings.  Seeing all the snowfall and cold temperatures in Chicago on the news, makes me feel a little bad for them.  (To keep him thinking about us in sunny CA, I send him pictures of the sun and blue skies; maybe it will convince him to come back…just kidding I am happy for him)  It was funny listening to how he has to bundle up just to go to the grocery store and get his kids ready for school.
His kids are loving the snow, besides all the layers they have to put on.  He has sent me a few pictures of them playing in the snow and making snowmen in the park.  He says they also have been ice skating in Millennium Park quite a bit…I am jealous of that.  California doesn't really have outdoor ice skating in the snow.  :)



I am so happy I got to talk to him for a while today and that him and his family are doing great.  After chatting with him, I think I need to plan a trip to the Windy City to visit him and the restaurant he works at.  I think I can make that a business trip right?

GO VEGGIES...inside joke between me and Mr. Cookbook. :)

Go Green and Staying Keen,
Julie

Many people become vegetarian for religious, moral or ethical reasons.  I chose to become vegetarian for the moral and ethical reasons regarding the treatment of animals.  When first deciding to transform my lifestyle, learning how long vegetarianism has been around blew my mind.  Vegetarianism began long before recorded history and has withstood the test of time. 



I think it is important to understand the lifestyle from the various points through history and see how it has benefited human kind.

Going way back to cave men, many anthropologist believe that most early humans ate mainly plant foods and were more gatherers than hunters.  This concept makes the most sense to me.  Knowing how to gather and grow sustainable food is a more reliable source of nutrition than hunting.

Vegetarian ideology is said to have been practiced among religious groups in Egypt around 3,200BCE.  The karmic beliefs of reincarnation were a main factor in vegetarianism for these people. 

In many eastern religions a meat-free diet is fundamental in religious philosophies.  Many religions have doctrines of non-violence and respect for all life forms, including animals.  Vegetarianism has always been one of the main aspects of Buddhism.  The religion focuses on compassion to all living creatures and the respect for all.




Looking at the research, it is clear to me that many of the early vegetarians, besides early humans, practice this lifestyle because of religious and philosophical reasons.  I find this very interesting because those religions are not as common in the United States. 

Vegetarianism was not very common in the US until 1971.  Author, Frances Moore Lappe, wrote a bestseller book titled Diet for a Small Planet that was published in 1971 encouraging people to practice a meatless diet.  His book described that it takes 14 times as much grain to feed an animal than what you get out in meat.  He recognized this as an enormous waste of resources and supported a vegetarian lifestyle to stop wasting the world’s food.





In the 1990’s the American Dietetic Association officially endorsed vegetarianism after overwhelming medical evidence supporting the superiority of vegetarian diets.  Many of my vegetarian friends became vegetarian in the 90’s because of the research and the support of a healthy lifestyle. 

I believe that the vegetarian community has grown rapidly in the past couple years because of the shocking truth behind the meat industry.  There is no denying that our county allows the mistreatment of animals to produce meat quicker at more quantities.  Recent documentaries and research has brought this industry in the limelight.



Vegetarianism has been around since before recorded history and has withstood the test of time.   It has been recorded through many decades in cultures all over the world.  A plant-based diet has sustained humanity for thousands of years, why not join in on this healthy lifestyle?

Go Green and Stay Keen,

Julie

I believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  It fuels the body for the day and kick starts your metabolism.  I make sure that I have a hearty breakfast to sustain my body throughout the morning until lunch.  My good friend recently asked for my Citrus Granola recipe so instead of just sharing it with her, I decided to share that recipe and a few more of my favorite vegetarian breakfast recipes.

Hope you enjoy them!

Citrus Granola Parfait

Ingredients-
• 1 lemon, peal shredded for zest
• 1 lime, peal shredded for zest
• 1 orange, peal shredded for zest
• 3 tbsp. grape seed oil
• 4 tbsp. orange juice
• 4 tbsp. lemon juice
• 2 tbsp. lime juice
• 3 tbsp. maple syrup
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 cup rolled oats
• ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
• ¼ cup sunflower seeds
• ¼ cup almonds, chopped
• ¼ cup dried coconut
• 1/8 cup flax seed
• ¼ cup chopped dried apricots
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• Vanilla Yogurt

Directions-
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
• Combine all the ingredients except the yogurt into a large bowl and stir until combined
• Spread the mixture on a pan or cookie sheet, bake for 15 minutes, stir, and bake for another 15 minutes.
• Remove from oven and allow the granola to cool to room temperature and serve with yogurt.  Enjoy!

Blueberry Oatmeal Waffles

Ingredients-
• 1 Cup white whole wheat flour
• 1 tbsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. ground allspice
• 1 cup quick oats
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk
• 3 tbsp. pure maple syrup
• 2 tbsp. canola oil
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups frozen blueberries

Directions-
• Mix the flour, baking powder, salt, allspice, and oats in a large mixing bowl.
• Add applesauce, milk, maple syrup, oil, and vanilla into mixing bowl, stir until combined and let rest for 5 minutes.
• Fold in the blueberries and cook in waffle iron for directed iron time. Enjoy!

Apple Pie Oatmeal

Ingredients-
• 1/3 cup regular oats
• 1 tbsp. chia seeds
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp. ground ginger
• 1 ¼ cups Almond Milk
• 1 Granny Smith Apple, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 tbsp. pure maple syrup
• ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce
• ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp. chopped walnuts for sprinkling on top
Directions-
• In a medium pot on medium heat, add the oats, apple, chia seeds, applesauce, almond milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger and whisk well and heat for about 8 minutes stirring frequently.
• When the mixture has thickened and the liquid is absorbed stir in vanilla extract and pour into dish and sprinkle with walnuts, cinnamon and maple syrup is desired.  Enjoy!

For those days when you are running late and need something quick:

Easy Apple Yogurt Salad

Ingredients-
• 4 green apples, cored and chopped
• ¼ cup toasted almonds
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup chopped dried cherries
• 1 8 ounce container of vanilla yogurt
Directions-
• In a medium bowl mix all the ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with yogurt.  Enjoy!


Easy Warm Cinnamon Apple and Banana 

Ingredients-
• 1 Banana- sliced into small pieces
• 1 Apple- sliced into small pieces
• 1 tbsp. cinnamon
Directions-
• Place banana, apple, and cinnamon into medium bowl or pot, mix until cinnamon is dispersed on banana and apple.
• Warm mixture in microwave or stove top until banana and apple are warm and soft.  Let cool, and enjoy!
Disclaimer: It tastes so much better than it looks! :)

With these yummy recipes, you shouldn’t be hungry in the mornings anymore.  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day…at least it is to me! :)

Go Green and Stay Keen,

Julie

When looking for new recipes or more information on a topic I often turn to fellow bloggers.  By reading a blog about a product or a recipe I know that it is a personal opinion and am able to connect with it on a deeper level.  There are so many blogs out there with great content for vegetarians.  Here are my twelve favorite vegetarian and vegan blogs.

1. Naturally Ella is my go to blog for seasonal recipes.  She has some of the most delicious recipes I have made.

2. My New Roots is written by a holistic nutritionist and vegetarian chef Sarah Britton.  There are wonderful recipes with ample information on nutrition.


3. Oh My Veggies is a blog from Kiersten who has been a vegetarian since she was twelve.  She has good recipes as well and reviews recipes she tries from other blogs.


4. Cookie and Kate has quite the archive of fresh vegetarian recipes and treats like margaritas, cakes, and popsicles.  She also talks about her canine companion, Cookie, who catches her crumbs.


5. Vegan Yum Yum shares vegan recipes that appeal to vegans, vegetarians, and carnivores alike.  She uses beautiful photography and has a great section called “how to” with great articles like “How to cut a pepper” and “How to peel mushrooms.”


6. 101 Cookbooks has every recipe you could possibly be looking for.  It is very useful because the recipes are categorized by season, recipe type, or ingredients.


7. The Veg Space has great recipes as well as a great writer, Kate Ford, who has been vegetarian for over 20 years.  She also reviews books and other products.


8. Green Kitchen Stories updates their blog very frequently with “must try” recipes.  They focus on cooking healthy, simple food with natural ingredients, whole grains, good fats, fruits and vegetables.


9. Happyolks is a great blog for recipe inspiration and for a good read.  Besides recipes and good writing this couple writes about finding a place in the world to feel truly like yourself.  It is a good inspirational blog.

10. VegKitchen is primarily a recipe site but it also features articles about what is good to eat and how to prepare and eat it.


11. VegNews is a great blog with product reviews, news, inspiration, and everything that has to do with living a vegetarian lifestyle.

12. Soul Veggie has a ton of information why having a vegetarian lifestyle is the healthiest option.  They also showcase news, recipes, and much more.

I hope you find these blogs as interesting as I do.  If you have other blogs that you love, I would love to check them out!  I have learned that blogging is such a great way to spread information and share feelings.  Go bloggers!

Go Green and Stay Keen,

Julie

Everyone knows how the holidays can wear you out and leave you exhausted.

This year was no exception for me and my family.  From traveling hours to spend time with my family and my husband’s, being referee to the kids on the car rides, and making so much food….it was really delicious, the whole family is exhausted.

Today while my kids are on their playdates and my husband is working at the office, I am dedicating today to myself and relaxing and distressing.



My husband got me a new book for Christmas so I plan on reading it all morning, sipping my tea, and indulging myself in a hot bath.  This afternoon I even scheduled a massage.  I haven’t had one in ages, I can’t even remember when the last time I had one was.

Even though Christmas was exhausting it was so worth it.  We had an incredible couple of days.  We went to the annual Christmas parade with a few of our family friends.  The kids had so much fun catching candy and seeing all the floats.  And we got to catch up with a few old friends while sipping hot chocolate.

On Christmas Eve we went to my husband’s family’s house for dinner.  It was great seeing everyone and watching the kids play with all of their cousins.  On Christmas day we went to my parents’ house for dinner.  I was so proud of my mom, she made an almost entirely vegetarian dinner.  It makes me so happy seeing my family embrace my lifestyle and incorporate it into their lives as well.  It was delicious, she even used some of my recipes.

Santa Claus came to our house on Christmas Eve and the kids had so much fun opening all their gifts on Christmas morning.  Hannah got EVERYTHING she wanted….her exact words. :)  Liam was so excited he got a new bike.  He wanted to ride it in the house when he first opened it…Santa wasn’t feeling that generous though.  He ended up spending all afternoon riding it up and down our street.



It was a great Christmas full of fun with our families and friends, so today is a much deserved day of relaxation for me.  Between the kid’s schedules, running around and spending as much time with them as I could, working at the restaurant, and keeping my house in order, I definitely deserve this.

Hope you had a great Christmas and take some time to relax.

Go Green and Stay Keen,


Julie