Daily Archives: August 20, 2019

VEGAN SPLIT PEA

I’m vegan now, but I was vegetarian for years. My Mother at first resisted, then she went to work creating recipes for me. It was the mid 90’s and vegetarian options weren’t a plenty like today. This is one of the many simple yet fantastic recipes she came up with. It happens to be vegan. I never liked split pea soup until she made it for me back in the day.  There are many more recipes I want to try, one being her vegetable stew with dumplings. This recipe is a lot less complicated, and oh so hearty and healthy. We like to eat it with a big salad and crusty whole grain bread. You can sauté the veggies in water if you choose to omit the olive oil. Manga like my Mama!! 

Ingredients for Split Pea Soup
1 bag dried green split peas
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
I used to containers of mirepoix mix, or a generous 2 cups of celery, carrots, and onion
7 cloves of garlic chopped
2 cartons of low sodium or regular vegetable broth
salt, pepper, basil
This is so easy
In a large pot warm 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
add mixture of celery, carrots, and onions
cook until translucent
add chopped garlic
season with a generous amount of pepper and basil, and a couple shakes of salt
add bag of green split peas
half bag of chopped carrots
2 cartons of vegetable broth
Bring to a boil on high uncovered, and then lower temperature to simmer, and cook for one hour covered, stirring frequently. Enjoy and try to save extra for the next day. Sometimes I cook it just a bit longer, but I never purée it. 
Such a simple soup yet a soup that truly warms your soul.
It’s a meal we eat again and again. 
Enjoy!! 
Rose 

Rose Bruno Bailey Vegetarian Split Pea Soup

 

WHAT I EAT ( weight loss and vegan)

Happy Tuesday to all. Here I am, day three of posting each and every day. This week I stayed the same, but I think I’m killing it in the weight loss game. I use the WW app to track what I eat, and as a vegan I try to be careful how much starchy foods I eat. I don’t limit them all together, I just keep all of my portions in check. It’s all about good nutrition and portion control for me. 

Food, it’s something we have to learn to have a healthy relationship with, and I’m definitely starting to achieve balance. Monday’s are my vegan cheat day, on that day I eat vegan comfort foods like pasta or a veggie burger. Tuesday’s through Sunday I eat Whole Foods/plant based; basically cleaner vegan. I do limit my oils, salt and sugar but I do not eliminate them completely. I have really cut down though, my olive oil bottle lasts a very long time now. I always drink 16 oz of water when I wake up, and about 6 oz of coconut water. I immediately eat a banana as I wait for my coffee to brew. Breakfast is usually something quick, overnight oats or a vegan protein bar and coffee with silk soy creamer and a bit of raw sugar or blackstrap molasses. I’m a zombie until after a drink my java. My eating plan is pretty much 80/20. Mostly clean with a little wiggle room. It keeps me from over obsessing about food. I try to get around 60 grams of protein daily through plant based options. 

Here are some photos of what I eat for breakfast and dinner. Vegan pancakes are a day off treat. I usually only eat twice a day on work days with my schedule. Lots of fresh fruits, greens, veggies, and some frozen as well. Pasta only on occasional Mondays. I make a lot of high protein bean soups, like split pea and lentil soups. I admit I eating vegan protein bars for breakfast when I feel rushed is not the healthiest but it works for me.  Ezekiel bread, hummus, baked tofu with veggies, legumes, so many delicious and healthy vegan options. Here’s pics of some of my go to get healthy meals. I will post recipes soon. What are your staples? Happy Eating and losing weight!

Vegan Split Pea Soup

Vegan Bean Chili

Vegan faux meat balls with homemade marinara and veggies

Pancakes with bananas, oat flour and soy milk. Dark Chocolate Chip version.

Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo

Soda alternative

Natures Candy

Staple main dish salad

Vegan tomato basil cream sauce fettuccine

Cheat day treat, I add vegan mayo

Vegan tomato bolognese with red wine

Baked tofu and kale or spinach with veggies. Italian seasoning with a bit of olive oil

Vegan tomato bolognese penne pasta.

Vegan banana pancakes with berries

Avocado chocolate mousse from Melissa Bender Fitness adapted by Chocolate Covered Katie

Meal prep berries with lemon juice

Trader Joe’s steamed lentil and veggie salad