NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

Another year, another year for resolutions. Last year health wise wasn't good for me. I did come to the realization that if I wanted to be around another 40 or so years I better start eating healthy, that's one of the reasons I became a vegetarian. I also thought becoming a vegetarian I would lose weight. Well, one out of two isn't bad. I do feel healthier, I really haven't lost any weight. If you are a reader of my blog (and I thank you), you know I've been wanting to lose 10 lbs. I tried, but I guess I like too many good and tasty things. Okay, now hear this....THIS IS THE YEAR!!!......10LBS or bust!
A couple of years ago I came across a really good website from "everyday health.com" it was a calorie tracker. I would track my calories for breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner. It would also track the amount of calories burned when I worked out. I was always surprised by the number of calories I was actually eating. They recently sent me a email that they revised their site, so I've decided to give it another try. The website is:www.my-calorie-counter.com. The new website is a lot easier to use than the previous site. I thought about joining "weight watchers" they're advertising free membership, but it still costs $17.95 per month for basically the same information the "everyday health" website is offering for free!
Give it a try! I'll keep you motivated if you help me too! Let's do it! Let's make our hearts happy and our waist lines small! Okay, you don't have to start today. Let's start January 2. Go for it!
Good luck!

Another Vegetarian Chili Recipe

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Lots of cooking for me, which I enjoy. I ate way too many cookies and candy. Last night for dinner I picked....., cheese sandwich, then a cookie, jello with fruit and marshmallows, then a cookie, peanuts, then a candy peanut cluster, followed by a cupcake! At this rate I'll never lose that 'frigging' 10lbs I want to lose. I decided I better start eating healthy again today! My step-daughter Ashley bought me a couple of really nice cookbooks for Christmas. One of the books is "Joy of Cooking All about Vegetarian Cooking" A really interesting book filled with useful information and great recipes. I decided to give their version of Vegetarian Chili a try.
Vegetarian Chili
Serves 8
Heat in a large saucepan over medium heat:
2 tablespoons olive oil
Add:
1 cup chopped peeled carrots
1 cup chopped red bell peppers
1 cups chopped green bell peppers
1 cup chopped onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
Cook, stirring until the onions are golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Add:
1 to 2 fresh green chili peppers, seeded and finely chopped, or 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
1 tablespoon ground ancho chili pepper
1 tablespoon ground cumin
Cook, stirring for 2 minutes. Stir in:
One 28-oz can plum tomatoes, with juice, coarsely chopped
One 16-oz can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
One 16-oz can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
One 16-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup tomato juice
Salt to taste
Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the flavors are blended, adding more tomato juice or water as needed, about 45 minutes. Season and serve with:
Sour cream
Chopped fresh cilantro
Enjoy!

YIPPEE!!!!

I went to my cardiologist today. I am very happy to report my cholesterol level was 143 and my LDL level was 80! Okay, you may think "what's the big deal". Well in various studies, any person whose cholesterol level is 150 or less with an LDL level of 80 or less will NOT HAVE HEART DISEASE! According to Rip Esselstyn his father is Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn a famous cardiologist from the Cleveland Clinic whose book "Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease"
is a very interesting and eye opening book. I quote from Rip's book "The Engine 2 Diet"

"The average American has a total cholesterol above 200 mg/dl. The average American will also die of cardiovascular disease." Kind of scary! He goes on to say "I'd like to see you aim to get yours below 150" (so do I) "even though your doctor may tell you that below 200mg/dl is good enough". He goes on to say "The average American has the LDL cholesterol level well above 100 mg/dl." You shouldn't accept average! He continues "The magic number we're shooting for is below 80. Get your LDL below 80 mg/dl and you are essentially heart attack proof." So, you can see why I was so happy today.
I believe preventing heart disease is a way of life. You CAN control it. I volunteered today in the cardiac surgery center. All patients I saw today where recovering from either having a stent put into their arteries or had open heart surgery. Most of the people I saw today where overweight, obese.
Its that time of year that we all start making our "New Year's Resolutions", make eating WELL one of them. Sure I'd love to lose 10lbs, but what about you? Just take one day a week and become a vegetarian. Try one of my recipes. Try one month of non- meat eating, then maybe if you think "hey this isn't bad" the next month try for 2 days a week. You might be surprised.....you might realize you don't miss meat. Give it a try, your heart will thank you for it. HAPPY VEGETARIAN NEY YEAR!

Root Vegetables

Yesterday I told you about my wonderful (yes...I said wonderful) English mother-in-law. I should say that she is a proud American citizen! Another "English" tradition I learned from her was root vegetables. Yes I know they are grown right here in the USA but I never had a root vegetable growing up. In the picture are parsnips, rutabagas and turnips. Parsnips are a good source of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Rutabagas are a good source of Vitamin C, folate and fiber. Turnips contain Vitamin C, fiber and large amounts of Vitamin A and lutein which has been shown to help prevent cataracts and cardiovascular disease.
They are easy to fix. I like to cut them into small cubes (peel first of course!)
put on a baking dish, add a little olive oil and season. Mix together, bake in 375 degree oven for about 30 minutes. Make sure you "stir" in oven from time to time so they turn brown on all sides. You'll love it...
Enjoy!

English Breakfast - almost

I love having baked beans for breakfast. This is something I learned from my English mother-in-law. When I went to Amsterdam with my sister in August, the hotel had a lovely breakfast buffet. On the buffet where my favorites....baked beans! I think the Americans thought this was weird, but what better way to start your day than with protein! So, the next time you think your craving bacon...try baked beans! They go especially well with scrambled eggs.
Enjoy!

Three-Bean Chili with Vegetables

It looks like the cold days of winter have finally arrived. Since we have to deal with the cold weather how about some great vegetarian chili? I've tried several different versions of chili, this one was really good.
Three-Bean Chili with Vegetables
Yield: 8 servings (1 1/4 cups chili, 1 tablespoon cilantro, 1 tablespoon cheese and 1 tablespoon sour cream) 211 calories
3/4 tablespoons canola oil
1 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped carrots
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups water
1 cup frozen whole-kernel corn
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped zucchini
1 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 16 oz can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 16 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 16 oz can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 6 oz can tomato paste
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon finely chopped chipotle chili, canned in adobe sauce
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream

Heat oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot and garlic; saute 5 minutes. Stir in 2 cups water and next 12 ingredients (through tomato paste); bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 25 minutes or until carrot is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in vinegar and chipotle. Top with fresh cilantro, cheese and sour cream.
ENJOY!