This is a light pasta dish that has a bit of a kick. If you like things really spicy, add a little more red pepper flakes. Although Angel Hair is the recommended pasta, this will work for any type of pasta. You can add veggies like shredded carrots, sauteed mushrooms or shredded zucchini. The original is great, but play around with it and make it your own.

Vegan Pasta Pascal

Ingredients:

• 5 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomoatoes, drained
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 pound angel hair pasta

Directions:

1. In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, saute onion in oil 1 to 2 minutes.
2. Stir in garlic, crush red pepper flakes in your hand and add then cook 2 minutes more.
3. Stir in tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer.
4. Bring a large pot of to a boil. Once boiling, salt the water.
5. Add pasta and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until al dente; drain.
6. Toss hot pasta with tomato mixture and enjoy.

[Recipe courtesy of Allrecipes.com]

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and this recipe will get your day off to a yummy and fulfilling start. Full of fruit and whole grains, your body will thank you for eating it.

Vegan Strawberry Apple Breakfast Burrito

Ingredients:

• 1 large whole wheat tortilla
• 1/2 royal gala apple or granny smith
• 3-4 strawberries
• 1/2 tablespoon peanut butter (or more)
• sugar and pumpkin pie spice to taste
• margarine

Directions:

1. Core and halve the apple.
2. Cut the apple and strawberries into thin slices.
3. In the middle of the tortilla, layer half the apples and add a little sugar/spice.
4. Add a layer of strawberries, and top with more sugar/spice.
5. Top with the remaining apples, and again top with the sugar/spice.
6. Spread a very thin layer of PB around the edge of the tortilla.
7. Fold two sides in and then fold the other two sides (to get a square).
8. Spread some margarine on the folded side.
9. Heat frying pan over medium-low heat.
10. Press burrito down in frying pan.Spread margarine on the other side before you flip it over.
11. Cook until both sides are nicely browned, about 5-7mins on each side.

[Recipe courtesy of Vegweb.com]

New research indicates that eating a diet containing animal proteins increase the risk of heart disease, cholesterol, cancer, and obesity and researchers are encouraging people to eat vegetarian protein sources instead of animal protein sources. Although the high-protein diets like the Atkins diet have been fading away to obscurity, most popular diets include meat an other animal by-products as an essential part of the diet. It seems that for years we’ve been told the trick to loosing weight is to cut down on carbs and increase our animal proteins. If these diets are no longer healthy, how are we going to lose weight? A vegan diet is the answer.

Unlike diets, veganism is a lifestyle change. You don’t just change the way you eat for a few months; you change the way you live. By making a lifestyle change the weight will come off easier and it will stay off.

When you are on a vegan diet you will skip the refined foods. The vegan diet includes a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. A variety of fresh fruits and vegetables are essential to any healthy diet. They are low in calories and fat and high in nutrition. The government recommends you eat 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Eat a vegan diet and you’ll reach that number in no time.

The vegan diet also includes whole grains, beans and legumes which are also essential for a healthy, well-balanced diet. These foods make the diet high in fiber, which means that you will feel fuller for longer. Feeling fuller longer will help tremendously when trying to avoid snacking.

Following a vegan diet not only offers many health benefits, it can aide you in your quest to lose and maintain a healthy weight. If you’re ready to try a vegan diet, check out Starting a Vegan Diet for tips.

Sloppy joes have been a staple in American cooking for years. Here is the vegan answer to an old favorite. Lentils take the place of ground meat and tamari gives this sandwich a new zing. Kids and adults will love this messy and healthy meal. After a long day at work and school, you will love coming home to the wonderful smells of Sloppy Lentils cooking, and dinner will be on the table in a snap.

Vegan Sloppy Lentils Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 medium-size yellow onion, chopped
• 1 small red or green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 1/2 cups dried brown lentils, picked over and rinsed
• One 14.5-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 3 cups water
• 2 tablespoons tamari or other soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar or a natural sweetener
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 4 to 6 buns/rolls

Directions:

1. Heat a medium-sized non-stick skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and bell pepper, cover, and cook until softened, stirring often, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the chili powder, stirring to coat.
4. Transfer the onion mixture to a 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker.
5. Add the lentils, tomatoes, water, tamari, mustard, brown sugar, salt, and pepper to taste and stir to combine.
6. Cover and cook on Low for 8 hours.
7. When you get home, preheat broiler on oven.
8. Slice buns/rolls and place on broiler safe baking sheet, inside facing up.
9. Place buns/rolls in oven for 2-3 minutes or until they are toasted. Keep an eye on them as they can burn easily.
10. Serve sloppy lentils on the toated buns/rolls with your favorite condiments, sides and lots of napkins.

Serves: 4 to 6

[Recipe Courtesy of Fatfreevegan.com]

Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook by Isa Moskowitz and Terry Romero

For those of you just beginning a vegan diet and those who have been vegan for years, Veganomicon is a must have cookbook. The beginning of the book outlines the best way to cut and cook every fruit and vegetable you can think of and how to prepare grains of all shapes and sizes. The recipes are fresh and delicious. You won’t find fake meat or substitutes in this book. The authors have really tapped into the joy of eating a vegan diet. As an added bonus, each recipe has icons (prep time, if there’s soy in it, where to find what you need) which will allow to find recipes to try a glance.

Veganomicon will spice up your vegan diet and will satisfy the non-vegans in your life as well.

Get Your Copy Today