After my husband and I had finished our 3 day cleanse we wanted to keep up our healthy habits up before we started our bad eating habits again. So we (I) decided to go vegan for a week. We saw it as a challenge - especially my husband who grew up in Northeastern Nebraska (beef much?!)! Plus, I mean, Beyonce and Jay-z did it. hahaha. Really, that's not why we did it, we just wanted to keep up some healthy habits and challenge ourselves.
For those of you who don't know what the difference between Vegan and Vegetarian is, Vegans, in addition to not eating meat, also eliminate all animal products from their diet including dairy (CHEESEEEE!!!!) and eggs. Since I could 100% do an all bread and cheese diet I knew this would be a big challenge for me.
Below are the wide spread vegan recipes I decided to make for our week as vegans. I challenged myself to cook something new every day and to blog my reviews and photos. Check back in the coming weeks for my reviews and... WISH US LUCK!
For those of you who don't know what the difference between Vegan and Vegetarian is, Vegans, in addition to not eating meat, also eliminate all animal products from their diet including dairy (CHEESEEEE!!!!) and eggs. Since I could 100% do an all bread and cheese diet I knew this would be a big challenge for me.
Below are the wide spread vegan recipes I decided to make for our week as vegans. I challenged myself to cook something new every day and to blog my reviews and photos. Check back in the coming weeks for my reviews and... WISH US LUCK!
So off to find some good recipes I went. We thought this challenge might be a great way to expose us to some new ingredients and I did not want to just eat salads for a week - isn't that what everyone thinks when they think of vegan? So I do what I always do - google image searched vegan recipes until I found some that looked good. Before heading to the grocery store I did a little research on what brands are vegan for things like bread, granola bars, etc. I found this great resource from PETA called 'Accidently Vegan' of brands who have products, whether they meant to or not, that are vegan friendly.
Below are the links to the wide spread vegan recipes I decided to make for our week as vegans. I challenged myself to cook something new every day and to blog my reviews and photos.
Click on the links below for the delicious recipes and reviews!
Day 1: Vegan 'burgers'!
Day 2: The Best Vegan Chili (I'd say it's the best meat or no meat I've ever had!)
Day 3: Soyrizo Pasta Dinner
Day 4: Black Beans and Quinoa
Day 5: Vegan Pasta
Day 6: Spicy Peanut Noodle Salad with Cucumbers, Red Peppers, and Basil
Day 7: Vegan Frito Pie
Below are the links to the wide spread vegan recipes I decided to make for our week as vegans. I challenged myself to cook something new every day and to blog my reviews and photos.
Click on the links below for the delicious recipes and reviews!
Day 1: Vegan 'burgers'!
Day 2: The Best Vegan Chili (I'd say it's the best meat or no meat I've ever had!)
Day 3: Soyrizo Pasta Dinner
Day 4: Black Beans and Quinoa
Day 5: Vegan Pasta
Day 6: Spicy Peanut Noodle Salad with Cucumbers, Red Peppers, and Basil
Day 7: Vegan Frito Pie
Day 1: Vegan Burgers!
Photo and Recipe Credit: Vegan Sandra
For day 1 I decided to make these awesome looking vegan burgers (left). I found this recipe (and picture) on Vegan Sandra (she has some great recipes - check it out!). I was really craving something 'meaty' so I thought this would do the trick. The delicious looking sauce is vegan mayo and ketchup - YUM. Here's my review and changes to the recipe.
Photo and Recipe Credit: Vegan Sandra
For day 1 I decided to make these awesome looking vegan burgers (left). I found this recipe (and picture) on Vegan Sandra (she has some great recipes - check it out!). I was really craving something 'meaty' so I thought this would do the trick. The delicious looking sauce is vegan mayo and ketchup - YUM. Here's my review and changes to the recipe.
Day 2: Best Vegan Chili
Photo and Recipe Credit: Vegan Yum Yum
It's freeeeezing in PA so I decided to change my menu around and make some chili tonight to warm my bones! Our usual chili has hamburger, steak, cheese, and a whole bunch of non-vegan friendly alternatives. So I was excited when I saw this really great looking Vegan Chili on Serious Eats. THIS IS THE BEST CHILI (MEAT OR NO MEAT) I'VE EVER HAD! Here's my changes to the recipe.
Photo and Recipe Credit: Vegan Yum Yum
It's freeeeezing in PA so I decided to change my menu around and make some chili tonight to warm my bones! Our usual chili has hamburger, steak, cheese, and a whole bunch of non-vegan friendly alternatives. So I was excited when I saw this really great looking Vegan Chili on Serious Eats. THIS IS THE BEST CHILI (MEAT OR NO MEAT) I'VE EVER HAD! Here's my changes to the recipe.
Day 3: Soyrizo Pasta Dinner
Photo and Recipe Credit: Meet the Shannons.
I like pasta. I love chorizo. So, I thought - why not try 'soyrizo pasta'! I've never had any 'fake' meat product so I was a bit skeptical - This was AWESOME! I seriously can't give it enough of a raving review - days 2 and 3 have been a bit it!. Here's my changes to the recipe and info on day 3 of my Veganism!
Photo and Recipe Credit: Meet the Shannons.
I like pasta. I love chorizo. So, I thought - why not try 'soyrizo pasta'! I've never had any 'fake' meat product so I was a bit skeptical - This was AWESOME! I seriously can't give it enough of a raving review - days 2 and 3 have been a bit it!. Here's my changes to the recipe and info on day 3 of my Veganism!
Day 4: Black Beans and Quinoa
Photo and Recipe Credit: All Recipes
A staple in our household is red beans and rice... with Andoille sausage. We basically eat this once a week so I knew we needed a substitute for our week of Veganism. So, I went to All Recipes and found this highly rated, very popular recipe!
My review: TBA
Photo and Recipe Credit: All Recipes
A staple in our household is red beans and rice... with Andoille sausage. We basically eat this once a week so I knew we needed a substitute for our week of Veganism. So, I went to All Recipes and found this highly rated, very popular recipe!
My review: TBA
Day 5: Vegan Pasta
Photo and Recipe Credit: Vegan Yum Yum
OK, so I was really excited about this one because I wasn't going to be eating dairy or cheese or eggs and this looks like it has it all in it! This recipe comes from Vegan Yum Yum - and they also have a cook book!
I have a very interesting/ insightful review of this recipe here!
Photo and Recipe Credit: Vegan Yum Yum
OK, so I was really excited about this one because I wasn't going to be eating dairy or cheese or eggs and this looks like it has it all in it! This recipe comes from Vegan Yum Yum - and they also have a cook book!
I have a very interesting/ insightful review of this recipe here!
Day 6: Spicy Peanut Noodle Salad with Cucumbers, Red Peppers, and Basil
Photo and Recipe Credit: Serious Eats
Who wouldn't want to eat this - it looks delicious. I thought I'd try something with a little Asian flair and I saw this baby on Serious Eats. Can't wait to try it - seems easy!
My review: TBA
Photo and Recipe Credit: Serious Eats
Who wouldn't want to eat this - it looks delicious. I thought I'd try something with a little Asian flair and I saw this baby on Serious Eats. Can't wait to try it - seems easy!
My review: TBA
Day 7: Vegan Frito Pie
Photo and Recipe Credit: Serious Eats
I used to have frito pies during my ball games - who knew that I could have them WHEN EATING VEGAN?! This was a great way to eat our leftover chili from Day 3 without it getting too boring from eating the same thing twice. This recipe comes from Serious Eats.
My review: Holy cow - it's ridiculously good.
Photo and Recipe Credit: Serious Eats
I used to have frito pies during my ball games - who knew that I could have them WHEN EATING VEGAN?! This was a great way to eat our leftover chili from Day 3 without it getting too boring from eating the same thing twice. This recipe comes from Serious Eats.
My review: Holy cow - it's ridiculously good.
Our 7 days of veganism has begun, 2 down, 5 to go! I'll update this post as we finish up our week of veganism!
*Knowgirl Scarlett
*Knowgirl Scarlett