Quotes by famous vegetarians

Our Superfood Spotlight Series is concluding for the time being; I hope everyone enjoyed learning more about some awesome foods: olive oil, edamame, beans, tea, and blueberries. Certainly there are numerous foods out there that have merit in both the health and taste field; try out some new foods and see how you can incorporate them into your life! 

 Today’s post, which relates to the popular feature here on famous vegetarians, offers “a word from the wise” about vegetarianism. There are many great quote sites out there that have some really interesting stuff; however, in this post, just ten of the most thought-provoking and interesting ones will be found — and ones that are light and easy to read, as well.

Thank you to KrishnaLand.com here for these awesome quotations!

 

1 • “Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” — Albert Einstein

2 • “I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men such as I look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men.” — Leonardo da Vinci

3 • “While we ourselves are the living graves of murdered beasts, how can we ever expect ideal conditions on earth.” — George Bernard Shaw

4 • “Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child, as it is to the caterpillar.” — Bradley Miller

5 • “How can you eat anything with eyes?” — Will Kellogg

6 • “If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegetarian. We feel better about ourselves and better about the animals, knowing we’re not contributing to their pain.” — Paul and Linda McCartney

7 • “To become vegetarian is to step into the stream which leads to nirvana.” — Buddha

8 • “I’m stopped. I’ll never eat another burger.” — Oprah Winfrey

9 • “He is a heavy eater of beef. Me thinks it doth harm to his wit.” — Shakespeare in “Twelfth Night”

10 • “A righteous man takes care of his beast, but the heart of the wicked is merciless.” — Proverbs 12:10

 

Pretty cool, eh? We had some quotations from some very influential and important people — Einstein, Da Vinci, Oprah, Buddha… Hopefully these made ya’ think a little and were an interesting view on vegetarianism and its affect on history and the minds of many great individuals. 

Let me know what you think and send some to your friends if you think they’re interesting. Enjoy!

Be well,

Brian

 

Thank you again to this source:

Vegetarian Quotes by famous people – KrishnaLand.com –link–

Superfood of Significance Spotlight: Blueberries

VegLiving will be continuing the Superfoods of Significance Spotlights today with the third post on blueberries. These feature excellent, healthy and tasty choices for foods: what they’re about, why they’re healthy and how to incorporate them into your life. Read more about this series here. 

Note: this post focuses on blueberries; however, it should be noted that many other berries: blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, lingonberries, cranberries, and more should not be forgotten or overlooked for their wonderful healthful qualities!

 

A. “What are blueberries?”

Blueberries are a member of the berry family native to the United States that are at the peak of their season in the summer between May and June. They have been revered by the health community and are no doubt a superfood with their many cancer-preventing polyphenols, vitamins (C, E and more) and fiber. Not to mention a wonderful, complex taste with a perfect mix of sweetness and tartness. For a more thorough investigation on blueberries and all about them, check out Wikipedia here.

 

B. “What is healthy about blueberries?”

Blueberries are a powerhouse of vitamins, fiber and phytochemicals — powerful flavonoids and polyphenols — that fight off free radicals. I’m sure many have heard so much about antioxidants and their free-radical-fighting qualities. For those who are still unsure about them, having antioxidants in a food basically means they are great for fighting off toxins in the body that contribute to disease like cancer and heart conditions. In addition to all of these great things, according to this article at About.com, it is mentioned that laboratory research shows including blueberries in one’s diet specifically helps “decrease abdominal fat, triglycerides and cholesterol.” And in this article here on a Natural Medicine forum, it is mentioned that blueberries are great in enhancing memory and preventing memory loss. Awesome!

 

C. “Where can blueberries be purchased and what is the price range?”

Blueberries can certainly be found in most supermarkets and farmers’ markets at a reasonable price. The range of price can differ with organic vs. conventional blueberries as with most foods.

 

D. “How can Blueberries be incorporated into my lifestyle?”

Some simple and delightful ways to incorporate these gifts from nature into one’s diet include in cereal, waffles, salads, smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal or just eaten by themselves. Suite101, an excellent and reliable website with articles of all topics, has a feature on blueberries and their superfood powers here with a great collection of healthy blueberry recipes as well. Blueberries can be included in many desserts and there are many great recipes for indulgent dishes; however, for those looking for a healthier collection of recipes, the link mentioned is great.

Check out recipes with other types of great berries too; what way to include fruits into your diet using the vegetarian or vegan food pyramid as a guide!

 

Enjoy and try out new ways to relish in the wonderful taste and healthful properties of this superfood! Let me know what you think and drop a comment. 

Be well,

Brian

 

Thank you to these sources:

Blueberries are Superfoods – About.com Nutrition –link–

Blueberries – Superfoods for your Brain and More – Natural Medicine Talk –link–

Blueberry Recipes – Suite101.com –link–

Blueberry – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia –link–

Superfood of Significance Spotlight: Tea

Continuing our Superfood Spotlight Series here at VegLiving, today’s topic is a quick post featuring tea and its many health benefits. Sorry for the late posting time today.

As a quick spotlight I want to feature a previous article as an overview of tea and its many ways to be enjoyed. I wrote an article on tea here, entitled “Tea Time”, and I think it serves as a nice Superfood Spotlight. 

Just to note, too, tea has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases while also relaxing and detoxifying the body. A cool feature here a Yahoo! Health mentions Black tea and its specific benefits and how to incorporate it into your lifestyle.

Let me know what you think and be on the lookout for some more upcoming spotlights!

Be well,

Brian

Superfood of Significance Spotlight: Beans

VegLiving will be continuing the Superfoods of Significance Spotlights today with the third post on beans. These feature excellent, healthy and tasty choices for foods: what they’re about, why they’re healthy and how to incorporate them into your life. Read more about this series here. 

 

A. “What are beans?”

Beans are a member of the legume family, a high-protein, high-fiber food group that also  includes peas, lentils, peanuts, carob, and more. Beans have supplied excellent nutrition for hundreds of years and are rightfully revered in the nutrition field for their beneficial protein, fiber (meat with none), folate, iron, calcium, potassium and numerous others. Their delightful taste and versatility in cooking should not be overlooked as well.

 

B. “What is healthy about beans?” 

Though many of the nutrients beans feature have been mentioned, it’s good to reiterate that beans are one of the best, most usable (and tasty) form of protein for vegetarians and vegans that in addition packs in tons of nutrients that your body needs. With all these wonderful health properties, it’s no wonder that including beans in your diet can reduce the risk of diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease, states the article here at WebMD.com.The fiber and protein that’s abundant in beans will help you feel satisfied and avoid unhealthy temptations that can lead to obesity and weight gain, main risky conditions to have in these diseases.

 

C. “Where can beans be purchased and what is the price range?”

Not trying to insult your intelligence here ;), just sticking to the format. Beans have been a longtime favorite and there’s no doubt that they can be found at any supermarket. However, a good tip for finding them at a good price with a large selection is to look in the Mexican or Spanish (Latino-based) food section, for brands like Goya that are very tasty and affordable.

Beans are sold at a very reasonable price, especially when compared to meat products and other proteins (For less than one dollar, 10 servings of dried beans can be purchased, according to this article at Examiner.com). The best way to buy them, as with many things, is in bulk, often then with reduced price. 

 

D. “How can Beans be incorporated into my lifestyle?”

This seemingly (and rightfully so) perfectly nutritious food is too, the perfect ingredient to any recipe, as a staple like in many vegetarian and vegan dishes, or as a side dish — whatever suits you. One of my favorite Veg Sites, SavvyVegetarian.com, featured here, has an entire collection of recipes here devoted just to beans. Check them out here — tasty soups, stews, salads, dips, and more. 

If you’re just looking for a quick way, maybe not the most culinary or gourmet voyage (I understand), try just throwing some in a salad or sandwich or eaten plain. 

 

Hopefully, if you’re not yet acquainted with beans, you’ll become great friends with this true superfood that shines both in taste, nutrition and wallet-impact. Be as creative as you like with this versatile food and let us know what you think! 

Be well,

Brian

 

Thank you to these sources:

Beans – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia –link–

Health Benefits of Beans – YourBestBodyNow.com –link–

Beans: Protein-Rich Superfoods – WebMD –link–

Superfood #1: Beans – Examiner.com –link–

Vegetarian Bean Recipes: Bean Soup, Bean Salad, Bean Dips, Bean Burgers – SavvyVegetarian –link–

Superfood of Significance Spotlight: Edamame

Today’s post is the second feature of VegLiving’s Superfoods of Significance Spotlights. These posts feature excellent, healthy and tasty choices for foods: what they’re about, why they’re healthy and how to incorporate them into your life. Read more about this series here. Turns out there’s Internet anyway!

 

A. “What is/are edamame?”

Edamame (pronounced as it’s spelled: Eh-Da-Ma-Mey, same sing. and pl. as from Japanese) are a type of baby green soybeans, originating from Japanese and Chinese cuisine, that are boiled together and eaten plain or often with garnishes like salt, soy sauce or spices. Although they might sound unappealing to some, once they’re tasted, the surprisingly scrumptious and the satisfying flavor might change your mind. And if it doesn’t, the nutrition facts might. 

 

B. “What is healthy about edamame?”

Besides having an appealing taste, these quick snacks are high in protein, fiber, vitamins, and isoflavones (found only in soy); and, are low in fat, calories and without cholesterol or, depending on preparation, sodium. To put it in perspective, according to this article here at MedicineNet.com, small serving of edamame really does give “a bunch of fiber: 9 grams, about the same amount you’ll find in 4 slices of whole-wheat bread or 4 cups of steamed zucchini”.

And what makes edamame a superfood for vegetarians? This tasty food has as much protein as it does carbohydrate. And, another thing for us vegetarians and vegans: “for a plant food, it’s quite high in iron; it has about as much as a 4-ounce roasted chicken breast”. 

Check out complete information at the dependable, friendly Wikipedia here.

 

C. “Where can edamame be purchased and what is the price the range?”

Contrary to what might be believed, edamame has become a fairly mainstream snack that has been expanded its horizons from its origins in East Asian cuisine. Find it frozen or fresh, in-the-pod or “podded”, in the supermarket or your favorite store. It’s definitely an affordable buy; no more than a few dollars for a large frozen pack or a package of fresh. 

 

D. “How can Edamame be incorporated into my lifestyle?

This easy-to-prepare snack can be a great accompaniment as an appetizer or to a meal or just eaten by itself. To prepare (frozen), just immerse the beans in boiling water for a couple minutes and enjoy by scraping the teeth along the pod to release the beans — just eat the beans. Don’t worry; you’ll get quick at this. Garnishes usually include salt, soy sauce or spices and other seasonings. However, my personal favorite is just by themselves; the distinct, soft flavor of the edamame can be tasted best this way, and there is not a lot of sodium added to the dish. 

Besides self-standing, these wonderful beans can be included in salad dishes, spreads, dips, pasta and more. Check out some cool recipes here at RecipeTips.com, including some tempting pilafs, appetizers and salads. 

 

It is my hope that sharing this wonderful snack will help introduce readers to an excellent, tasty, easy-to-make, affordable and health snack — a true “superfood”. If you aren’t already familiar with edamame, try them out and you might be surprised. 

Let us know what you think; spread the word, drop a comment below, e-mail me, follow me on Twitter, subscribe with the blog feed — whatever you like!

Be well,

Brian

 

Thank you to these sources:

Soy snack is yummy – and healthy – MedicineNet.com –link–

Edamame – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia –link–

Edamame Recipes – Recipe Collections – RecipeTips.com –link–

Superfood of Significance Spotlight: Olive Oil

Welcome to the first feature of VegLiving’s Superfoods of Significance Spotlights. These posts feature excellent, healthy and tasty choices for foods: what they’re about, why they’re healthy and how to incorporate them into your life. Read more about this series here.

 

A. “What is olive oil?”

Olive Oil, the revered Mediterranean delight, is a member of the lipids category (fats) obtained from, well… olives. It can processed in many ways but a featured method is called “cold pressing”, a process of “cold” extraction of the olives. A complex and delectable taste, this wonderful oil is used in cuisine all around the world but originated from the Mediterranean region (Italy, Greece, Turkey, N. Africa).

 

B. “What is healthy about olive oil?”

 Olive oil has notable health benefits including the sustainment of: healthy skin, hair, nails and other organs (healthy Vitamin E level); healthy metabolism, development and growth; immune system to prevent disease and sickness; a regular digestive system; and more. An article here on MediterraneanDiet.org explains how “reducing the animal fats and increasing olive oil in our diet [obtains] a perfect combination for the prevention of fatal diseases like [artery clogs] and heart disease“. Sounds good, vegetarians and vegans, no?

 

C. “Where can olive oil be purchased and what’s the price range?”

Olive oil can be found at just about any supermarket, market or store, and I’m sure we’ve all seen it on the shelves. The price range varies for quality of the olive oil.

Basic olive oil can be as low as a couple dollars for a standard size; while, fine olive oils can reach more than twenty to thirty dollars and even more. A happy medium for this wide range of selections can be found with the very tasty and quality oils priced just under about $10 that are labeled as “Extra Virgin”. This type is great for salads, bread-dipping, garnishes, etc.; while, the simpler olive oils suit well for cooking or using in large quantities. See more in-depth information at Wikipedia here.

 

D. “How can Olive Oil be incorporated into my lifestyle?”

Olive oil is a great garnish for salads, bread, or any cooking dish. It is featured in many Italian, Greek, Tunisian, Spanish and French dishes. This fragrant, distinct oil is also an excellent replacement to margarine (or butter), or for vegetable oil in cooking. OliveOilSource.com has some really tasty-looking recipes here as well as some cool information and facts about olive oil. Also, Wikipedia has a cool page on olive oil that I just found — covers a lot of similar stuff but also has some mouthwatering recipes as well here.

But, the wonderful qualities of olive oil aren’t just for eating! This product can be used to enhance skin, hair and even in religious practices, too. Keetsa Green Blog, a great resource for eco-news and even vegetarian life, has a cool post here on some creative ideas for use of olive oil. Skin care, shampoo, pet-care and dusting are just some of the ways to harness the nutritious and beneficial qualities of this delectable oil.

 

Hopefully this gives a nice overview of this Superfood, olive oil. Explore and see what new recipes and uses you can find. Let me know or drop a comment; it’d be great to hear from readers!

Be well,

Brian

 

Thank you to these sources:

Olive oil and health. The benefits of olive oil. – MediterraneanDiet.org –link–

Olive oil – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia –link–

Cookbook: Olive Oil – Wikibooks, collection of open-content textbooks –link–

Olive recipes – The Olive Oil Source –link–