Welcome!

Why the title?  Why call a blog "Food, Farts and Fun"?  Well, I wanted to write a blog about my views and experiences with healthy eating and living, about all the fun and challenges I've encountered following the Eat to Live Diet.  I realized that it wasn't just about cooking and eating, but also about lifestyle.  So that's where the "food" and "fun" parts come in.  As for the "farts", well, you can't embrace veganism without also embracing flatulence!  We all fart.  It's a natural bodily function.  So, join with me in letting the gas out of the closet!

Here's a recipe I'd like to share with you.  Marvelous Minestrone.  It's fat-free and completely vegan.  We love it!

1 large onion, diced

2 large carrots, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 - 798 ml can plum tomatoes

1 1/2 cups cooked kidney beans (398 ml can)

2 cups veg stock

1 1/2 cups water

4 cups kale

1/2 cup whole wheat rotini

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Saute the onion in a bit of water in a large soup pot for about 5 minutes, then add carrots and garlic and saute for 3 more minutes.  (Add a bit of water to prevent sticking and burning).  Add tomatoes, beans and vegetable stock and bring to a boil.  Chop the kale* and add to the boiling pot with rotini, pepper, red pepper flakes.  Bring back to boil, then lower heat and simmer 10 to 12 minutes.

* Kale is a wonderful, wholesome nutritious super food.  When you eat this stuff you can definitely feel good about yourself!  To prepare it, wash carefully, unfurling all the ends to wash out grit and stuff, especially if you pick it out of your own garden (watch out for little bugs and slugs too).  Cut out the main stalk and discard (into your compost or Green Box).  Chop the leaves.

Here's another recipe you might like to try:

Edamame Bean Hummous

(from La Dolce Vegan! by Sarah Kramer)

3/4 cup edamame beans (shelled and steamed)

2 cups spinach

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup tahini

juice of one whole lemon

1 tbsp tamari sauce

1-2 tsp Asian chili garlic sauce (or other hot sauce)

salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth.  Serve with rice chips or crackers or with vegetable sticks.  Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

TTYL