Nearly 18 months into the vegan lifestyle, I find myself distracted from some of the commitments I was so passionate about at first: maintaining this blog, watching documentaries like they were the only genre that existed, and signing up for every animal save demonstration and veggie fest within a day's drive. In some aspects I feel I have failed the cause, but there is one thing that hasn't changed: my commitment to eat only plant-based foods, use cruelty-free products whenever possible, and engage in conversation about the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Every now and then I dream that I have fallen off the wagon and eaten a hamburger or chicken breast, or at least been tempted to. In those dreams I find myself reasoning that "what Joy doesn't know won't hurt her." You see, Joy is my accountability partner in this journey, and she too remains committed to a life of meatless eating. But I find that even in my dreams I remain true to my conviction and either decline to cheat, or feel remorseful if I do.
My reasons for remaining vegan are the same as the day I first began this journey. I love animals and find it unnecessary to kill them to feed or clothe my body. I want to be a part of the solution for climate change, not a contributor to it. And most importantly, I want to be the best me I can be -- healthy, strong, energetic, and filled with compassion toward all creatures great and small.
My dream is that others would dare to imagine that they really can beat their addiction to meat and cheese and give up animal-based products in favor of meatless alternatives, because I know that in so doing they would experience the freedom and joy of eating without guilt and the health benefits of a plant-based diet.
Copyright 2017 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
Showing posts with label plant-based. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plant-based. Show all posts
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Friday, August 11, 2017
Soy Curls: Who Knew?
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| Soy Curls with Cashew Milk |
First, a word about soy curls for those who don't know what they are. Soy curls are a natural meat alternative made from soy beans. The particular brand we used, Butler's, are made from non-GMO whole soybeans grown without pesticides. Click HERE to read more about this delicious product and how soy curls are made.
Soy curls are easy to use and a versatile substitute for meat in many dishes. To prepare them for recipes, merely soak in hot water for 10 minutes, rinse, and squeeze out the excess liquid. Then season as desired or use in place of meat in your favorite dish. It's that simple. Extra soy curls not needed for your recipe can be stored in the fridge for future use. For more information on preparing them, click HERE.
Now that we've used them to make the dish above -- a sort of vegan chicken Alfredo -- we are eager to try them in stir-fry dishes and to make barbecue sandwiches! Click HERE for recipes from ButlerFoods.com.
The recipe for Soy Curls with Cashew Milk, pictured above, was adapted from the Give Them Something Better Cookbook, which we purchased at the cooking class, conducted by the director of the Hartland Lifestyle Center and students of Hartland Institute. We have provided that recipe for you and encourage you to order soy curls and try this for yourself! We served the sauce over whole wheat linguine and enjoyed every bite!
Soy Curls with Cashew Milk
Ingredients:
3 cups Soy curls
1 large onion, minced
4-6 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
1/2 red bell pepper
1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes
2 tsp. salt
Blend:
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup cashews
Directions:
1. Soak soy curls in hot water for 10 minutes or until soft. Drain, wash and squeeze water out of the soy curls.
2. Saute soy curls with garlic, onion, bell pepper, and salt in a little water for about 30 minutes or until onions and bell pepper are soft.
3. Blend cashews and water until smooth. (NOTE: If you are not using a high-speed blender, such as a Vitamix, soak the cashews for at least an hour.)
4. Then add the blended cashews and remove from the heat.
If you are new to plant-based eating, or if you are a seasoned pro and have never tried soy curls, you need to order a bag (or several) and give them a try!
Copyright 2017 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
Thursday, May 18, 2017
One Year Vegananniversary!
On May 18th, 2016, I began a 30-Day Vegan Challenge and haven't looked back. I cannot even begin to describe what finding veganism has meant to me.
For the short period of time I have lived, I now no longer feel unaware of what's going on in the world. The blinders that society, and greedy corporations and people, had placed on me are now forever gone. It's so liberating and I feel FREE! I can only improve from here.
In a year, I haven't lost a ton of weight, my skin isn't 100% clear, I haven't made a lot of smoothies like I intended to do, and I don't eat a super clean whole food plant-based diet 100% of the time (I do eat plant-based 100% of the time, however.). But at the end of the day, I feel more aware and in charge of my health. I feel healthier, and probably look a little lighter too. My conscience feels more clear and I'm happier.
I was unaware of the devastating impacts animal agriculture has on our planet, but I know now that I have the power to help eliminate some of that impact every time I sit down to eat. I was unaware of how horribly animals are treated in the meat and dairy industries, but now I am proud to say that I love animals and I don't want to eat them. I was unaware of the severe implications animals and their products have on our health, but now I choose to ignore the false advertising of industries who only care about money, and not the well being and health of people in our society.
One year later, I see the World through different eyes. While I may not do a lot, I think a lot more nowadays. I've told my mom before, it scares me to think of how I would be living and thinking if I didn't know what I know now. That sounds like an exaggeration but it's not. We live in a society full of greedy people and corporations who only care about money. And because they have a lot of money, they're able to sell you lies.
I don't miss meat or dairy anymore. Everything that I used to eat, I can get in a plant-based form. I know a plant-based diet and vegan lifestyle are best for me, the planet, and the animals. As far as I'm concerned, I will never turn back.
For everything,
-Joy
Copyright 2016-2017 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
For the short period of time I have lived, I now no longer feel unaware of what's going on in the world. The blinders that society, and greedy corporations and people, had placed on me are now forever gone. It's so liberating and I feel FREE! I can only improve from here.
In a year, I haven't lost a ton of weight, my skin isn't 100% clear, I haven't made a lot of smoothies like I intended to do, and I don't eat a super clean whole food plant-based diet 100% of the time (I do eat plant-based 100% of the time, however.). But at the end of the day, I feel more aware and in charge of my health. I feel healthier, and probably look a little lighter too. My conscience feels more clear and I'm happier.
I was unaware of the devastating impacts animal agriculture has on our planet, but I know now that I have the power to help eliminate some of that impact every time I sit down to eat. I was unaware of how horribly animals are treated in the meat and dairy industries, but now I am proud to say that I love animals and I don't want to eat them. I was unaware of the severe implications animals and their products have on our health, but now I choose to ignore the false advertising of industries who only care about money, and not the well being and health of people in our society.
One year later, I see the World through different eyes. While I may not do a lot, I think a lot more nowadays. I've told my mom before, it scares me to think of how I would be living and thinking if I didn't know what I know now. That sounds like an exaggeration but it's not. We live in a society full of greedy people and corporations who only care about money. And because they have a lot of money, they're able to sell you lies.
I don't miss meat or dairy anymore. Everything that I used to eat, I can get in a plant-based form. I know a plant-based diet and vegan lifestyle are best for me, the planet, and the animals. As far as I'm concerned, I will never turn back.
For everything,
-Joy
Copyright 2016-2017 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Vegan Veggie Chili
(#FeelingVeggieGoodFriday -- Recipe #2)
This is a recipe that you can easily customize to fit your tastes and preferences. I'll show you what I used, but you can use any vegetables or beans that you like.
- Two peeled zucchini
- Half a red bell pepper
- One whole, peeled carrot
- About half of a sweet onion, maybe a little more
- A few cloves of fresh garlic (3-4)
I then drained and rinsed...
- A can of chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans
- A can of black beans
- A can of tri-blend beans (kidney beans, black beans, & pinto beans)
- A cup of frozen corn
Rest of the ingredients...
- Two cans of V8 juice (I used low-sodium)
- Water, as needed
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper (1 teaspoon)
- Cumin (1 1/2 teaspoon, or to taste)
- Chili powder mix or regular chili powder (1 1/2 -2 teaspoons, or to taste)
The recipe is super easy to prepare!
- Just start by sauteing the onion and garlic until their softened on medium-low heat.
- Next, add a cup of frozen corn and let cook for a few minutes.
- Following that, add the rest of the vegetables and water as needed. Let the vegetables cook for a few minutes.
- Lastly add the beans, two cans of V8 juice, and spices. Add water if needed.
That's it! Just let the chili simmer on reduced heat for 20 - 30 minutes. Enjoy!
Prep Suggestions: You could easily meal prep this meal by chopping up the veggies the night before and placing them in a container in the fridge to just throw into a pot. You could also drain and rinse the beans, throw them in a container, put them in the fridge, and just throw them straight into the pot the next day.
Serving Suggestions: Bake some potatoes and load them up with the chili. Serve with a side salad and whole wheat bread. Be creative and have fun!
If you recreate this, post a photo and tag us so we can see!
Happy and healthy eating,
Joy
Copyright 2016-2017 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
Friday, December 30, 2016
The Best is Yet to Come
2016 was a year like no other. Although life was fairly normal in terms of work, family, and our activities, in an unexpected twist Joy and I became vegans, launched our website, and began advocating for animal rights. We met Ziggy the Traveling Piggy, volunteered at the animal sanctuary that bears his name, and made new friends who share our interest in better health, a cleaner environment, and ending animal abuse and suffering.
So many things have weighed heavy on my heart this year...the ignorance most of us have regarding the abuse animals are subjected to in order that our appetites can be satisfied, the realization that we are destroying our planet and our health because of our food choices, and the desire to see my loved ones embrace a healthier lifestyle and experience the sense of well-being and happiness that a whole food plant-based diet provides. So many of my friends and family suffer from chronic conditions or serious illnesses that could be helped simply by changing the way they eat, yet they remain unconvinced that such a change would be possible or beneficial, even though I am living proof that a plant-based diet works.
In 2016, God gave me a new purpose and set my feet on a journey I never thought I would take. He opened my eyes to injustice and the need for greater compassion toward all His creatures, human and non-human alike. I find myself praying for open doors to fulfill the purpose of educating others and sharing my experience as a new vegan and opportunities each day to positively impact and make a difference in the lives of the people and animals He has placed in my life. Perhaps for the first time in my life, I feel driven to live for a cause much larger than myself and to take as many people with me as will come.
2017 is just around the corner. I believe that God is working and has exciting things in store for those of us who will heed His call and step into the great unknown with Him. My plan for the New Year is to do what I have done for the past several years -- wake up each morning, spend time in His Word and in prayer, and give Him permission to have His way in my life, knowing that each day will be an adventure as I do what I can to fulfill His purpose.
What will you do with the clean slate God is handing you? Will you continue living in your comfort zone or will you take a leap of faith and embrace the journey He has prepared for you?
I pray that 2017 will be a year of new beginnings, better health, and great adventure as you fulfill the purpose for which you were created.
Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year,
Dee Dee
Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
So many things have weighed heavy on my heart this year...the ignorance most of us have regarding the abuse animals are subjected to in order that our appetites can be satisfied, the realization that we are destroying our planet and our health because of our food choices, and the desire to see my loved ones embrace a healthier lifestyle and experience the sense of well-being and happiness that a whole food plant-based diet provides. So many of my friends and family suffer from chronic conditions or serious illnesses that could be helped simply by changing the way they eat, yet they remain unconvinced that such a change would be possible or beneficial, even though I am living proof that a plant-based diet works.
In 2016, God gave me a new purpose and set my feet on a journey I never thought I would take. He opened my eyes to injustice and the need for greater compassion toward all His creatures, human and non-human alike. I find myself praying for open doors to fulfill the purpose of educating others and sharing my experience as a new vegan and opportunities each day to positively impact and make a difference in the lives of the people and animals He has placed in my life. Perhaps for the first time in my life, I feel driven to live for a cause much larger than myself and to take as many people with me as will come.
2017 is just around the corner. I believe that God is working and has exciting things in store for those of us who will heed His call and step into the great unknown with Him. My plan for the New Year is to do what I have done for the past several years -- wake up each morning, spend time in His Word and in prayer, and give Him permission to have His way in my life, knowing that each day will be an adventure as I do what I can to fulfill His purpose.
What will you do with the clean slate God is handing you? Will you continue living in your comfort zone or will you take a leap of faith and embrace the journey He has prepared for you?
I pray that 2017 will be a year of new beginnings, better health, and great adventure as you fulfill the purpose for which you were created.
Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year,
Dee Dee
Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
Thursday, December 29, 2016
I Have a Confession to Make
Before you gasp and exclaim, "OMG, she ate meat or dairy or eggs!" let me stop you right there. I have not eaten any meat, dairy, or eggs and I don't plan to for the rest of my life. This blog is about how I've been eating the past few months as a vegan. So I apologize if the title is misleading, but I do feel like I need to get something off my chest.
As some people may know I was vegetarian for about a month and a half before I went vegan late last spring. During the months of spring and summer I had access to a variety of fresh fruits. It was fantastic. But as summer turned into fall, and now winter, I haven't been consuming as much fruit and I've been consuming too many vegan sweets and meats. I love fruit and I'm a firm believer that the more you eat an abundance of fruit the less you will crave processed sweets and sugar. I've really missed eating a lot of fruit these last few months because fruits are so good! I look at all the different varieties there are and I'm in awe. I think to myself, "Wow. God created all these delicious and nutritious foods for us!"
Over the past few days I've started watching "what I eat in a day as a vegan" videos on YouTube. And as I've been watching these videos, I've realized that I am consuming vegan meats WAY too much. To be honest, I think I've know this for a little while now. But there's always that excuse that "they're plant-based," which is true, but that doesn't mean that they're healthier than whole plant foods.There is such a variety of plant foods, and endless combinations you can make with them, so there's really no need to consume vegan meats as much as I do. They should be more of a treat and less of a main course.
I think cutting out vegan sweets and treats will be fairly easy. The holidays are practically over and I can start fresh in the New Year, only consuming vegan sweets about once a month or so. Like I said before, if I'm eating an abundance of fruit there's no need to consume a lot of vegan sweets, especially ones that contain added sugars and oils. I love fruits, vegetables, and grains, and I've been missing out on them recently. I'm looking forward to indulging in more plant foods! I'm also excited to try new things this year, and healthier vegan recipes.
I'd be lying if I said I haven't been upset with myself for the way I've been eating the past few weeks. It isn't how I truly want to be eating. I know I can do better and I intend to. And I know that once I change the way I've been eating I'm going to feel so much better than I already do. I'm going to ditch the excess oils, limit my intake of vegan meats and sweets, and increase my intake of whole foods.
I encourage you all to join me. Jump on the vegan bandwagon in 2017! My mother and I will be posting healthy, weekly recipes for you all to try starting next week, January 6th, on our first ever #FeelingVeggieGoodFriday.
Wishing all of you better health in the new year,
Joy
P.S. If you're struggling to go vegan, but you really want to, don't be afraid to try all the different and delicious vegan meats and cheeses out there. The fact that you're vegan is what really matters. These products aren't unhealthy but they're not as healthy as pure plant foods. The first couple of months I was vegan these vegan meats were really nice. But now that I'm several months into this I do think I need to limit my consumption of them. It's just my personal choice and what I feel like will be best for me.
Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
As some people may know I was vegetarian for about a month and a half before I went vegan late last spring. During the months of spring and summer I had access to a variety of fresh fruits. It was fantastic. But as summer turned into fall, and now winter, I haven't been consuming as much fruit and I've been consuming too many vegan sweets and meats. I love fruit and I'm a firm believer that the more you eat an abundance of fruit the less you will crave processed sweets and sugar. I've really missed eating a lot of fruit these last few months because fruits are so good! I look at all the different varieties there are and I'm in awe. I think to myself, "Wow. God created all these delicious and nutritious foods for us!"
Over the past few days I've started watching "what I eat in a day as a vegan" videos on YouTube. And as I've been watching these videos, I've realized that I am consuming vegan meats WAY too much. To be honest, I think I've know this for a little while now. But there's always that excuse that "they're plant-based," which is true, but that doesn't mean that they're healthier than whole plant foods.There is such a variety of plant foods, and endless combinations you can make with them, so there's really no need to consume vegan meats as much as I do. They should be more of a treat and less of a main course.
I think cutting out vegan sweets and treats will be fairly easy. The holidays are practically over and I can start fresh in the New Year, only consuming vegan sweets about once a month or so. Like I said before, if I'm eating an abundance of fruit there's no need to consume a lot of vegan sweets, especially ones that contain added sugars and oils. I love fruits, vegetables, and grains, and I've been missing out on them recently. I'm looking forward to indulging in more plant foods! I'm also excited to try new things this year, and healthier vegan recipes.
I'd be lying if I said I haven't been upset with myself for the way I've been eating the past few weeks. It isn't how I truly want to be eating. I know I can do better and I intend to. And I know that once I change the way I've been eating I'm going to feel so much better than I already do. I'm going to ditch the excess oils, limit my intake of vegan meats and sweets, and increase my intake of whole foods.
I encourage you all to join me. Jump on the vegan bandwagon in 2017! My mother and I will be posting healthy, weekly recipes for you all to try starting next week, January 6th, on our first ever #FeelingVeggieGoodFriday.
Wishing all of you better health in the new year,
Joy
P.S. If you're struggling to go vegan, but you really want to, don't be afraid to try all the different and delicious vegan meats and cheeses out there. The fact that you're vegan is what really matters. These products aren't unhealthy but they're not as healthy as pure plant foods. The first couple of months I was vegan these vegan meats were really nice. But now that I'm several months into this I do think I need to limit my consumption of them. It's just my personal choice and what I feel like will be best for me.
Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
Sunday, August 21, 2016
It's Not That I Can't
Slowly but surely people are beginning to understand that we have embraced veganism, and to have some idea of what that means. Most of them understand our dietary choices in terms of what we can't have versus what we can have. (There are so many good choices!) I suppose that is partly my fault because I have often said, "I can't have that because I am a vegan," but nothing could be further from the truth!
It's not that Joy and I can't eat a hamburger or any other food made from animals because we are vegan, but rather it's that we choose not to eat them. Yes, that's right. Veganism is a lifestyle choice -- not a diet or a bunch of restrictions, but a choice. We often choose what outfit to wear based on the occasion, the season, or how we feel when we put it on. The same is true of what we eat. Joy and I choose to eat a plant-based, meat-free diet because of how it makes us feel -- healthy, peaceful, and aware of the good we are doing for our planet and the animals who share it with us.
You are free to choose as well. We may not agree with your choice any more than you agree with ours, but we will respect your freedom to choose. It is our prayer, however, that you will learn, as we have, that certain choices are worth whatever you feel you may have to sacrifice if you decide to become vegan. We pray that you will experience better health and the loss of unwanted pounds, as we have, and that you will find yourself craving plant-based food that is good, nutritious, and produced without causing harm to animals.
We continue to be amazed at the variety of foods we have discovered that have made this journey much easier -- and more fun -- than we ever thought it could be! That we could make from scratch an easy and delicious Alfredo sauce from cashews still surprises us! Yet here we are, three months into our vegan journey and loving it more than ever.
We are here to encourage you any way we can. We don't have all the answers -- not by a long stretch -- but we are eager to share what we are learning along the way and so excited to be part of a growing movement toward healthier, more compassionate living. If you have questions or just want to follow our journey, please visit our Facebook page or drop us an email.
Please don't arbitrarily decide that being a vegan is too difficult, too expensive, and not worth the sacrifice. Instead, dare to believe, like we did, that you -- and the animals -- are worth it and that you can make a big difference by choosing to make some positive changes. We encourage you to watch some of the documentaries linked on our Links & Resources page and to take the 30-Day Vegan Challenge to see if a vegan lifestyle is right for you. We think you'll find it can be.
Next to our faith in God, the Creator of all things and of all creatures great and small, our choice to embrace a vegan lifestyle is the most significant choice we have ever made. Please know that we are here to help in any way we can and that we will be praying for you every step of the way.
For God's glory, and for the animals --
Dee Dee and Joy
Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
It's not that Joy and I can't eat a hamburger or any other food made from animals because we are vegan, but rather it's that we choose not to eat them. Yes, that's right. Veganism is a lifestyle choice -- not a diet or a bunch of restrictions, but a choice. We often choose what outfit to wear based on the occasion, the season, or how we feel when we put it on. The same is true of what we eat. Joy and I choose to eat a plant-based, meat-free diet because of how it makes us feel -- healthy, peaceful, and aware of the good we are doing for our planet and the animals who share it with us.
You are free to choose as well. We may not agree with your choice any more than you agree with ours, but we will respect your freedom to choose. It is our prayer, however, that you will learn, as we have, that certain choices are worth whatever you feel you may have to sacrifice if you decide to become vegan. We pray that you will experience better health and the loss of unwanted pounds, as we have, and that you will find yourself craving plant-based food that is good, nutritious, and produced without causing harm to animals.
We continue to be amazed at the variety of foods we have discovered that have made this journey much easier -- and more fun -- than we ever thought it could be! That we could make from scratch an easy and delicious Alfredo sauce from cashews still surprises us! Yet here we are, three months into our vegan journey and loving it more than ever.
We are here to encourage you any way we can. We don't have all the answers -- not by a long stretch -- but we are eager to share what we are learning along the way and so excited to be part of a growing movement toward healthier, more compassionate living. If you have questions or just want to follow our journey, please visit our Facebook page or drop us an email.
Please don't arbitrarily decide that being a vegan is too difficult, too expensive, and not worth the sacrifice. Instead, dare to believe, like we did, that you -- and the animals -- are worth it and that you can make a big difference by choosing to make some positive changes. We encourage you to watch some of the documentaries linked on our Links & Resources page and to take the 30-Day Vegan Challenge to see if a vegan lifestyle is right for you. We think you'll find it can be.
Next to our faith in God, the Creator of all things and of all creatures great and small, our choice to embrace a vegan lifestyle is the most significant choice we have ever made. Please know that we are here to help in any way we can and that we will be praying for you every step of the way.
For God's glory, and for the animals --
Dee Dee and Joy
Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
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