At least I’ve gotten it down to this list because, God know, there are a lot of sweeteners out there.

But which one do I use? I thought I knew. I’ve been using USDA Certified Organic Raw Agave Syrup, but recently I stumbled upon web articles stating that even agave syrup has high fructose levels – and most of us know by now how the addicting qualities of high fructose can lead to obesity and diabetes. Not to mention that the articles also state that most agave is manufactured in Mexico where lax standards have led to accusations of corn syrup additives.  In addition, it is written that agave syrup possess other chemical properties that pose varying health risks.

And so, until agave syrup is vetted to my satisfaction I am switching to good ‘ol American (or Canadian if the price is right) organic pure Maple Syrup. I already added it to my morning cup of coffee and it was wonderful. I am also going to try using powdered organic whole leaf powder Stevia.

{ stuff you’ll need }

1 Gardein Scallopini
Honeycup brand Uniquely Sharp Sweet Mustard
aioli dressing
sandwich bread
celtic sea salt

{ how to make it }

defrost the scallopini half-way, either letting it set out or use the micro-wave … brush it lightly with olive oil and grill or saute it for a few minutes on each side on medium heat  until lightly browned … salt to taste … lightly toast your bread of choice …  assemble your sandwich and top with mustard sauce made from combining the mustard and aioli dressing 2:1

{ about this recipe }

Are you ready for some comfort food? This is the creamy cheddar cheese version of my recipe that features parmesean cheese and garlic as the featured taste. And, yes, it’s 100% vegan – yet another recipe that dispels the myth that vegan food cannot be absolutely, satisfyingly delicious without sacrificing the spectrum of sensations we so treasure in our food experiences – taste, texture, depth of flavor, richness, delicacy, heat, spice, sweet, savory …

Like many meals,  I initially made this one based on “What’s in the fridge/pantry that we can use so we don’t have to go out to the store?”  Well, this time I noticed that the expiration date on the sausage was drawing near so, given that parameter to start with,  my attention was drawn to doing something with pasta, cheese and fresh spinach.

And, of course, it had to be easy and quick to prepare.

BRUNCH OPTION >>> substitute cooked diced Yukon Gold potatoes for the pasta

{ stuff you’ll need }

12 oz or one medium package of elbow or penne noodles, cooked, drained,rinsed and lightly coated with olive oil so it does not stick … I used Tinkyada’s Organic Brown Rice Pasta (what I had on hand); it’s wheat/gluten-free and cooks up al dente unlike most wheat-free and rice pasta brands

1 pkg Field Roast Smoked Apple Sage Sausages, roughly crumbled

¾ pkg Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds

½ cup Wildwood Soy Milk Creamer

½ cup Soy Dream Organic Enriched Milk

2 tbsp Wildwood Aioli

4 handfuls of fresh organically grown spinach leaves, thinly sliced while bunched

powdered smoked paprika to taste

powdered cayenne pepper to taste

Celtic sea salt and ground pepper to taste

{ how to make it }

… while the pasta is cooking saute the roughly crumbled sausages in a fry pan (preferably cast iron skillet) in a bit of canola oil, turning to brown evenly, being sure to scrape up any bits that are sticking to the bottom of the pan – the sausage browns up quickly so pay close attention to them it …  set aside when finished

… in a saucepan, heat on medium high flame the creamer/milk mixture making sure you do not bring it to a boil … instead, when the creamer/milk is very hot start adding the cheese to it, stirring constantly to incorporate the cheese into the creamer/milk

… when the cheese is melted stir in the cayenne, paprika, salt and pepper … set aside

… once the pasta is drained, rinsed and lightly oiled move it to a medium size bowl and fold in the uncooked sliced spinach leaves, being careful not to harm the noodles

… blend the Aioli into the cheese sauce, then pour the sauce into the noodles, stirring and continuing to be careful of harming the noodles, but being sure to mix thoroughly so the cheese is coating all the noodles

… spoon the noodle mixture into a medium size casserole, similar in capacity to an 8x8x3 baking pan

… sprinkle the sausage mixture on top, distributing it evenly and being sure that all the crunchy bits make it on as well

… bake at 350° for about half an hour

{ about this recipe }

It’s been a long time in coming but after a lot of online research and working on various recipes I’ve finally come up with a vegan tuna salad that I can be happy to share with you.

Besides really tasting like tuna salad this vegan tuna salad is even healthier.  It is super rich in protein (10g!), Iron, Potassium, Iodine, Vitamin A,  fiber – and more!

The raw veggie ingredients are optional. All the ingredient amounts are approximate and can be adjusted according to your personal taste and textural preference. I happen to like my tuna on the crunchy side so I heavy-up on the celery and carrot. I also like the play of salt v. sweet by using onion and garlic with sweet pickles.

There are three elements that make this recipe really taste like traditional tuna fish salad:  the sea vegetable flakes which give it that authentic tuna fish salad taste without tasting ‘fishy’ ( sea veggie flakes are an awesome dietary source for iodine as well as providing the essential ingredient responsible for the production of thyroid hormone and all other hormones of the body); the Aioli dressing which is just so much better tasting than any other ‘mayo’;  and the use of the press to release the maximum amount of moisture from the ‘tuna’ before processing into flakes.

Ingredient Options: roasted slivered almonds and grapes instead of celery/carrot/pickle/garlic/onion

Makes about 2½ cups of vegan tuna salad.

{ stuff you’ll need }

Tofu XPress

Half a pkg. of Dixie Carb Counters Tuna (Not) Salad Mix (made with Certified NGMO Soy Beans)

1/3  cup minced celery

1/3  cup minced carrots

1 tbsp minced red onion

1 tsp Maine Coast Sea Vegetable Cert. Org. Triple Blend Flakes (Dulce-Laver-Sea Lettuce)

½ cup minced Bread and Butter pickle slices

a couple of pinches (or shakes) of garlic powder

s + p to taste

Wildwood Aioli

{ how to make it }

Prepare the tuna according to the directions on the package by simmering it for about 8 minutes or until the tuna is softened to tuna ‘texture’ by testing with a fork … pour into a colander to drain/cool to room temperature

Place the tuna into the tofu press (for at least an hour) until as much moisture as possible is pressed out

Place half the amount of the pressed tuna chunks into in a small food processor and pulse blend until the tuna presents the consistency of tiny, uniform flakes; remove to  a medium size mixing bowl and pulse blend the other half and add to the bowl

Mix the rest of the ingredients into the tuna until evenly blended

Blend in Aioli dressing to desired consistency

Chill and enjoy

{ about this recipe }

This dish is one of those super easy to make comfort foods that is a real crowd pleaser. It was one of the first dishes I ‘veganized’ after I went vegan. You can choose to make it non-spicy by substituting plain diced for the canned tomatoes with chipotle peppers, as well as toning down on the powdered spices. The crumbles are optional – they are the ‘meaty’ part of the dish – making for a ‘heartier’ meal option, and also good for serving to a ‘mixed’ (vegan and meat-eaters) crowd of guests. Served along with a freshly tossed veg/fruit salad and your good to go!

I usually get the idea to make Spanish Rice when I have a lot of fresh garden tomatoes on hand (dear son-in-law just arrived with the most amazing pile of plum tomatoes!), and green peppers are in season (now!) when at the peak of their flavor and low price. However, that does not keep me from making this dish in the dead of winter (comfort food!) when it’s a perfect for social get togethers. And, like most casserole-style meals, it is even yummier the next day, and the next …

{ stuff you’ll need }

I’ll leave the exact quantities up to you but if you have any questions feel free to ask and I’ll be happy to reply.

. 4 cups cooked (2 dry) organic Basmati style rice – white, light brown or brown
. 3 med-large sweet onions, diced and sauteed until caramelized
. 2 jumbo or 4 med/small green peppers, diced and sauteed until caramelized
. 3-4 15 oz cans of Muir Glen Organic Fire Roasted Petite Diced Tomatoes with Chipotle Peppers, undrained
. 1 bag of frozen non-gmo crumbles, Boca or other, nearly thawed
. fresh tomatoes, diced
. smoked paprika
. cayenne pepper
. salt and pepper

{ how to make it }

while the rice is cooking saute in separate batches (a cast iron skillet is ideal) the onion and green pepper, gently folding them into the rice when they are done … then, saute the crumbles for 10-12 minutes and gently fold into the rice mixture … add the canned tomatoes and fresh diced tomatoes … season to taste … bake or microwave to warm and serve

{ about this recipe }

This is a sandwich that is delicious unto itself but that I must confess I came up with initially because I was still craving tuna sandwiches (which, thankfully, I no longer do). This sandwich gave me that creamy/crunchy texture I missed with my tuna sandwiches.

This deliciously simple hummus sandwich exemplifies the healthful benefits of “food combining”. In addition to being excellent sources for fiber and heart-healthy iron and manganese, the combination of bread and hummus (chick-peas/garbanzo beans)  provides a high ‘complete’ protein source. Also, by combining fresh carrots with  hummus, digestion speeds up thus avoiding excessive gas buildup.

And, as always, feel free to change up the minced veggie ingredients. For instance, the addition of minced radishes and/or celery wonderfully expands the crunch, texture and taste factor. And if I have it on hand I add a layer of spicy/sweet kale salad and layer it in a wrap – delicious!

{ stuff you’ll need }

I’ll leave the ingredient quantities up to you but if you have any questions feel free to ask and I’ll be happy to reply.

. Creamy style spicy or garlic flavor hummus
. Shredded sweet carrots
. Kale salad (optional)
. Flavorful whole grain bread

{ how to make it }

spread a layer of hummus, not too thick, on the inside of each slice of the bread …  by spreading  hummus on each slice of bread it serves to hold the shredded carrot in place … sprinkle one slice generously with the shredded carrots … place the other slice of bread on top

This excerpted article is the closest description of my experience at last Saturday’s Restoring Honor rally at the Lincoln Memorial in our nation’s capital, Washington DC. I would only add that Glenn Beck, together with Sarah Palin, Dr. Alveda King and others, wanted us to also take away an affirmation on how important it is that we as Americans value Unity, Faith, Hope and Charity.

And Glenn Beck wanted us to take away another lesson about the reflecting pool – that not only is it situated on the Mall to physically reflect the majesty of the monuments that surround it, but that the pool is there to remind us to ‘reflect’ on the meaning of each those monuments.

“Pundits will debate whether the crowd at Glenn Beck’s Saturday rally in Washington was the largest in recent political history, but it was certainly among the most impressive.

One would not be able to find a more polite crowd at a political convention, certainly not at a professional sporting event, probably not even at an opera. In fact, judging by the behavior of the attendees following the event, you’d have a tough time finding churches in which people display more patience as others make their way to the exits.

This army of well-mannered folks that marched into Washington seemed comprised mainly of people who had once marched in the U.S. Army or other military branch, or at least had a family member who had. Perhaps that’s not surprising, given that the event was a fund-raiser for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, which provides scholarships to the children of elite troops killed in the performance of their duty. The day was largely devoted to expressions of gratitude for the sacrifices of U.S. soldiers, for great men of American history like the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and for God.

But it didn’t end there. Dave Roever, a Vietnam veteran, offered a closing prayer in which he thanked the Lord for the president and for the Congress. Despite the unpopularity of the latter two, no booing or catcalls could be heard. Relaxed young parents felt comfortable enough to push toddlers in strollers through the crowded areas along the memorial’s reflecting pool.

Not only was the rally akin to a “huge church picnic” (in one Journal reporter’s description), but one had to wonder if the over-achievers in this crowd actually left the area in better shape than they found it.

After the event, walking from the Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool through Constitution Gardens, this reporter scanned 360 degrees and could not see a scrap of trash anywhere. Participants and volunteers had collected all their refuse and left it piled neatly in bags around the public garbage cans. Near Constitution Avenue, I did encounter one stray piece of paper — but too old and faded to have been left that day.

Given the huge representation of military families at the event, maybe it’s not surprising the grounds were left ship-shape. A principal theme of the day was that attendees should restore the country by making improvements in their own lives—be the change you wish to see in the world, as Gandhi once put it.

Most of the participants were strictly amateurs in the business of activism. For many, it was their first appearance at a public demonstration. Their strikingly mild-mannered nature might inspire even Mr. Beck to acknowledge that in a crowd estimated at 300,000 [actually, there were at least 500,000 attendees], the craziest person at the event might have been the one with the microphone. While he admits that he’s part entertainer and prone to over-the-top comments, his followers appear to be sincerely responding to his message that Americans need to cling to their best traditions.”

excerpted from:

Glenn Beck’s Happy Warriors

You probably couldn’t have found a more polite crowd at the opera.

by James Freeman
August 31 2010

Article in its entirety at online.wsj.com

{ about this recipe }

Aka ‘Sloppy Lentils‘ or ‘Vegan Bar-B-Q‘. This super fast and easy-to-prepare dish is a satisfying and munchy meal for a crowd or a midnight refrigerator raid. I like it either served hot on a toasted bun or cold in a bowl. It is a rich source of protein fiber, iron, and  lycopene anti-oxidants.

{ stuff you’ll need }

I’ll leave the exact ingredient quantities up to you but if you have any questions feel free to ask and I’ll be happy to reply.

. one 16 oz. pkg of organic green lentils, cooked, drained and rinsed
. 3 med or 2 large sweet onions, chopped small and sauteed until they                        caramelize
. organic ketchup, approx 18-20 oz – or most of a 24 oz bottle
. half a bottle of Amy’s Sweet and Spicy B-B-Q sauce
. vegan Worcestershire sauce
. 3 to 4 tbsp of dark brown sugar
. salt to taste

{ how to make it }

combine all the ingredients and adjust the moisture content with watery ketchup if necessary. … you can serve immediately or simmer for a bit to further ‘set’ the flavors

{ about this recipe }

Lentils are a major source of protein and iron for vegans. Lentils are super easy to prepare, including a fast cook time, which means this recipe is easy and fast – not to mention munchy and delicious!

For my vinaigrette I use Udo’s Oil because it is high in Omega Fatty Acids, along with Seasoned Brown Rice Vinegar for a light and slightly sweet taste, and a bit of agave to balance. If I am out of the Udo’s Oil I use a good olive oil.

And feel free to change up the veggie or fruit ingredients to your liking. This salad is really all about adding what you like to the basic lentil and orzo pasta mixture. For instance, I used strawberries because they were in season (not to mention I love fresh, in season, strawberries and use them whenever possible).  If I had no strawberries and had happened to have a mango on hand the day I made this salad I would have chopped that right in – the soft, smooth meat and sweet, slightly tangy flavor of a ripe mango would have added another interesting layer of texture and taste.

{ stuff you’ll need }

I’ll leave the ingredient quantities up to you but if you have any questions feel free to ask and I’ll be happy to reply.

. cooked green lentils, rinsed and cooled
. cooked Orzo style pasta, rinsed and cooled
. yellow pepper, minced
. radish, julienned
. carrots, minced or julienned
. red onion, minced
. your favorite vinaigrette
. diced fresh strawberries

{ how to make it }

assemble and mix all the ingredients in a large glass or stainless steel bowl … add the vinaigrette and stir to thoroughly to coat all the ingredients … serve and/or refrigerate … after about 24 hours the salad may appear drier … that’s a good thing – it means the lentils and orzo slurped up the dressing which makes them more flavorful … however, feel free to splash on a bit more dressing to wet the salad

“We [Muslims] smile in the face of some people even though our hearts curse them.” – Abu Darda (companion of Muhammad)

Like me, are you often made uncomfortable by that Riddler-like sneer that president Obama too readily flashes? In the context of a current poll showing that a surprising and growing number of Americans (42% !!) believe that Obama is a Muslim, can anyone dispute the correlation between Obama’s creepy, almost diabolical, grin and the fact that the Koran instructs its followers to present a disarming demeanor toward non-Muslims through the artful use of lies and overtures of warm friendship (even marriage!) to attain Jihad, the total elimination of all infidels (non-Muslims). Islam even has a centuries-old term for this false front – Taqiyya

“…believers [Muslims] are allowed to show friendship outwardly, but never inwardly.” – Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Islam sanctioned commentary of the Koran)

The word “Taqiyya” (pronounced ‘tock-ee-yah”) literally means: “Concealing, precaution, guarding.” It is employed in disguising one’s beliefs, intentions, convictions, ideas, feelings, opinions or strategies. In practical terms it is manifested as dissimulation, lying, deceiving, vexing and confounding with the intention of deflecting attention, foiling or pre-emptive blocking. It is currently employed in fending off and neutralising any criticism of Islam or Muslims.

Falsehoods told to prevent the denigration of Islam, to protect oneself, or to promote the cause of Islam are sanctioned in the Qur’an and Sunna, including lying under oath in testimony before a court, deceiving by making distorted statements to the media such as the claim that Islam is a “religion of peace”. A Muslim is even permitted to deny or denounce his faith if, in so doing, he protects or furthers the interests of Islam, so long as he remains faithful to Islam in his heart.

Like many Islamic practices, Taqiyya was formed within the context of the culture of Arab tribalism, expansionary warfare, Bedouin raiding and inter-tribal conflict. Taqiyya has been used by Muslims since the 7th century to confuse, confound and divide ‘the enemy’.

The higher one is placed in the social order (or rather, on how important the individual perceives himself to be), the more imperative it becomes to strenuously avoid “loss of face”. The male’s perceived loss of honour and status, must be redressed and his face “whitened”, i.e. his honour regained and restored, at any cost; even to the extent of (as in the honour killing of daughters) murdering the person “responsible” for causing the initial humiliation. When Taqiyya is used to avoid making an admission or concession it is simply an essential means of ensuring that ones honour and standing remain intact and untarnished.

Islamic spokesmen commonly use Taqiyya as a form of ‘outwitting’. The skilled Taqiyya-tactician doesn’t want the matter at hand to be debated or discussed; so his opponent must be outwitted or preemptively outflanked by the use of Taqiyya. The objective is to divert attention away from the subject through duplicity and obfuscation.

When placed under scrutiny or criminal investigation, (even when there is overwhelming, irrefutable evidence of guilt or complicity), the Taqiyya-tactician will quickly attempt to counter the allegation by resorting to the claim that it is, in fact, the accused who are the ‘the victims’. Victims of Islamophobia, racism, religious discrimination and intolerance. Currently, this is the most commonly encountered form of distraction and ‘outwitting’….. Defence by offence. Warner McKenzie ~ Understanding Taqiyya ― Islamic Principle of Lying for the Sake of Allah

“By Allah, and Allah willing, if I take an oath and later find something else better than that, then I do what is better and expiate my oath.’ “  – Prophet Muhammad, the Koran, Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 67, Number 427

Taqiyya and Kitman, or ‘holy hypocrisy’,  has been diffused throughout Arabic culture for over fourteen hundred years since it was developed by Shiites as a means of defense and concealment of beliefs against Sunni unbelievers. As the Prophet said:  ‘he who keeps secrets shall soon attain his objectives.’

The skillful use of Taqiyya and Kitman [Kitman, a more subtle version of Taqiyya, whereby the Koran teaches a believer to tell infidels only a part of the truth, with “mental reservation”,  justifying the omission of the rest of the truth] was often a matter of life and death against enemies; it is also a matter of life and death to many contemporary Islamic terrorists. As so often in the history of Islam, a theological doctrine became operational.

During the Spanish inquisition, Sunni Moriscos attended mass and returned home to wash their hands of the ‘holy water’. In operational terms, Taqiyya and Kitman allowed the ‘mujahadeen ‘ to assume whatever identity was necessary to fulfill their mission; they had doctrinal and theological and later jurisprudential sanction to pretend to be Jews or Christians to gain access to Christian and Jewish targets: ‘the mujahadeen can take the shape of the enemy’. According to Christian ethics lying is a sin; In Islamic jurisprudence and theology, the use of Taqiyya against the unbelievers is regarded as a virtue and a religious duty.

Like many Islamic concepts Taqiyya and Kitman were formed within the context of the Arab-Islamic matrix of tribalism, expansionary warfare and conflict. Taqiyya has been used by Muslims since the 7th century to confuse and split ‘the enemy’. A favored tactic was ‘deceptive triangulation’; to persuade the enemy that jihad was not aimed at them but at another enemy. Another tactic was to deny that there was jihad at all. The fate for such faulty assessments by the target was death. Donald Hudson ~ danielpipes.org

Muslims are harsh against the unbelievers, merciful only to one another. – Koran 48:25

“They [the Jews] are the heirs of Hell…. They will spare no pains to corrupt you. They desire nothing but your ruin. Their hatred is clear from what they say … When evil befalls you they rejoice.” Ibid. - Koran: Surah 111, v. 117-120

In truth the disbelievers [non-Muslims] are an open enemy to you. -  Koran: Surah IV, v. 101

Lying and cheating in the Arab world is not really a moral matter but a method of safeguarding honor and status, avoiding shame, and at all times exploiting possibilities, for those with the wits for it, deftly and expeditiously to convert shame into honor on their own account and vice versa for their opponents. If honor so demands, lies and cheating may become absolute imperatives.” David Pryce-Jones, “The Closed Circle” An interpretation of the Arabs, p4

Muhammad is Allah’s apostle. Those who follow him are ruthless to the unbelievers but merciful to one another. Through them, Allah seeks to enrage the unbelievers*. – Koran 48:29

He who keeps secrets shall soon attain his objectives. - Koran 20:8

Think  about it. We really know so little about the real Barrack Obama and his intentions. Would those secrets be hiding behind all those smiles?