VEGETARIAN INFORMATION, RECIPIES

Vegetarianism is the practice of not consuming the flesh of any animal (including sea animals) with or without also eschewing other animal derivatives, such as dairy products or eggs. Some vegetarians choose to also refrain from wearing clothing that has involved the death of animals, such as leather, silk and fur. Veganism excludes all animal products from diet and attire, whether or not their production has involved the actual death of an animal (dairy, eggs, honey, wool, silk, down feathers, etc.). Vegetarians have varied motivations including religious, cultural, ethical, environmental, social, economic, and health concerns.

There are many different practices of vegetarianism:
Foods allowed in the main vegetarian diets Diet Name Meat (includes fish) Eggs Dairy Honey
Lacto-ovo vegetarianism
Lacto vegetarianism
Ovo vegetarianism
Veganism
Fruitarianism is a diet of only fruit, nuts, seeds, and other plant matter that can be gathered without harming the plant.
Macrobiotic diet is a diet of mostly whole grains and beans. Not all macrobiotics are vegetarians as some consume fish.
Natural hygiene in its classic form recommends a diet principally of raw vegan foods.
Raw veganism is a diet of fresh and uncooked fruit, nuts, seeds, and vegetables.
Freeganism argues all commodities produced under capitalism, not only those from animal sources, contribute to exploitation and avoid buying anything, including food. Freegans thus focus on acquiring foods and other commodities by means other than purchasing, including foraging for wild plants and gardening with intent to cause as little violence and ecological destruction as possible through their consumption.
Pescetarianism : A diet in which the only animals consumed are fish or other seafood.
Pollotarianism : A diet in which the only animals consumed are fowl.
Flexitarianism : A diet that consists primarily of vegetarian food, but that allows occasional exceptions........



For lacto-ovo vegetarians, this generally means food that excludes ingredients derived directly from the death of animals, such as meat (including fish), meat broth, cheeses that use animal rennet, gelatin (from animal skin, bones, and connective tissue), and for the strictest, even some sugars that are whitened with bone char (e.g. cane sugar, but not beet sugar) and alcohol clarified with gelatin or crushed shellfish and sturgeon.

The majority of the world's vegetarians are Hindu. Hinduism and Jainism teach vegetarianism as moral conduct while Christianity and Islam generally do not. Buddhism in general does not prohibit meat eating while Chinese Mahayana Buddhism encourages vegetarianism. Minor denominations that advocate a fully vegetarian diet include the Seventh-day Adventists, the Rastafari movement and the Hare Krishnas.

Most major paths of Hinduism hold vegetarianism as the ideal, this is for a variety of reasons based on different beliefs. For many Hindus, it is a textually-advocated belief in ahimsa (nonviolence), to avoid indulgences (as meat was considered an indulgence), and to reduce bad karmic influences. For others (especially within Vaishnavism and the bhakti movements), it is because their chosen deity does not accept offerings of non-vegetarian foods, which the follower then accepts as prasad.

In the Jewish religion people are permitted to consume meat, with some restrictions. Jewish law, or halakha, forbids the eating of meat and dairy products together. It also restricts which animals can be eaten to mammals with split hooves and that chew their cud, fish with fins and scales, and certain bird species. Animals are also required to be slaughtered in a manner that minimizes their suffering. There are some in the Jewish community that believe it to be a religious obligation to eat meat on the Sabbath and on Jewish holidays based on a statement in the Talmud; however, it is generally accepted that it is okay not to eat meat on those days, if one does not enjoy it. Jewish law technically requires everyone to eat meat once a year for the Passover offering, but it only applied when the Temple stood in Jerusalem. Today, some Jews choose not to eat meat simply due to the difficulty of finding kosher meat or poultry in areas far from established Jewish communities.

Followers of Jainism hold vegetarianism as the ideal diet in a similar fashion to the Hindu traditions but with a greater emphasis on the principle of all-round non-violence (ahimsa).

Chinese Mahayana Buddhists oppose meat eating for their followers but not necessarily for those who do not practice Chinese Buddhism. The Mahayana schools of Tibetan and Japanese Buddhism do not consider a vegetarian diet to be essential, nor do Theravadin Buddhists, although Theravadin Buddhists will refuse meat if the animal has been killed specifically for them.

While vegetarianism is not common in Christian thought, the concept appears periodically.

Islam allows consumption of meat, if the meat is "halal," which is meat slaughtered by the Islamic standards, and disallowed meat is haram, which is non-permitted meat or meat not slaughtered according to Islamic standards. Some Muslim groups accept the ritualistic animal slaughter done by Jews, known as shechita (Hebrew). Islam also forbids the consumption of pork. Muslim vegetarians are very rare as the consumption of meat is intertwined with religious sacrificing of animals (namely caprids, bovines and camels) in Eid ul-Adha. Moreover, according to Islamic jurisprudence it is wrong to forbid that which is not forbidden. When travelling to locations where it is difficult to get halal meat, Muslims might eat fish or vegetables but they must be sure that the vegetarian food does not contain wine or other alcoholic taste enhancers. However, meat-eating is not compulsory and one may abstain from it if they do not like the taste or need to abstain for health reasons.

Many who practice a faith that falls under the Neopagan umbrella also practice vegetarianism. Since Neopaganism generally emphasizes the sanctity of Earth and Nature, a vegetarian diet is sometimes adopted out of concern for the environment and/or animal welfare. Conversely, many Neopagans view the consumption of meat as natural and a part of the cycles of life. The only qualms they may have is with the way in which animals are treated prior to being killed and the method in which they are killed.

Many people who choose a vegetarian diet do so as a way of improving their health. The possible benefits include improved health for nutrition reasons and improved food safety.

Pumpkin Bread

1 2/3 cups of all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
3/4 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon of cloves
1 cup of pumpkin
1/2 cup of applesauce
2 eggs or egg replacer in equivalent amount
1/2 cup of water
1 1/2 cups of sugar
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts (optional)

Mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Add after having mixed separated the pumpkin, applesauce, eggs or egg replacer, water and sugar and beat well. Add the and pour into a non-stick or lightly greased 9" x 5" loaf pan.

Bake for approximately 65 to 70 minutes, @ 375 til done. Cool before removing from pan

Carrot Cake

1 c Oil 1 c Sugar
1c Sugar, brown
1 tsp Vanilla
4 Eggs
2 c Flour, whole wheat
1/3 c Milk, dry skim
1 tsp Baking soda
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking powder
2 tsp Cinnamon, ground
3 c Carrots; shredded
1 c Walnuts; chopped

Blend the oil, sugars and vanilla till well mixed. Beat in the eggs, singly. Stir together dry ingredients and add to egg mixture until well blended. Next carefully add the walnuts and carrots, mix and pour into a well greased and floured 10" tube or fluted pan. Bake at 350F for 50-60 minutes.

NO-BAKE PUMPKIN "CHEESECAKE"
Yield: 10 Servings

2 tb Almond butter
2 tb Water
6 oz Graham crackers
2 c Pumpkin, cooked & pureed
1 pk Silken tofu, firm
2/3 c Maple syrup
1/4 c Almond butter
1 tb Pumpkin pie spice
1 c Water
1 1/2 tb Agar powder

Lightly oil a 12" springform pan and set aside.

Mix together almond butter and water. Set aside. In a food processor, grind graham crackers into fine crumbs. Transfer to a large bowl & mix in the prepared almond butter-water mixture until coarse crumbs are formed. Press firmly into bottom of prepared pan and set aside.

Puree pumpkin, tofu, maple syrup, almond butter and spice. Set aside. Meanwhile, simmer water & agar in a small saucepan for 3 to 5 minutes, whisking constantly. Immediately add to pumpkin mixture & blend until smooth.

Pour this mixture into the waiting crust & smooth the top. Chill overnight.

Submitted by Kevin.

MINT CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Yield: 4- 6 Servings

1/2 c Brown rice syrup
2 ts Mint extract (or to taste)
1 lb Firm or extra firm silken - tofu, cut into chunks 1/4 c Unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 ts Vanilla
Water as needed

Place rice syrup, mint extract and vanilla in a food processor. Process, adding the tofu a few chunks at a time, until smooth and creamy. Add cocoa, continuing to process until well blended. If mousse is too thick, add water to thin as needed. Pour into serving dishes and chill.

Variation: to make orange chocolate mousse use 2 ts vanilla and about 1/2 to 1 ts orange extract (or to taste). Grated organic orange zest may be used instead of orange extract.

Submitted by Liz.

Cheese Enchiladas

Enchilada filling: 2 cups Monterey Jack, shredded
1 cup Cheddar, shredded
1 medium Onion, minced
1/2 cup Sour Cream
2 tablespoons Cilantro or Parsley
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Pepper

Enchilada sauce: 15 oz. Tomato Sauce
2/3 cup Water
1/3 cup Green Peppers, chopped
1 tablespoon Chili Powder
1/2 teaspoon Oregano
1/4 teaspoon Cumin
1-2 Garlic cloves, minced

about 10-12 small Corn Tortillas 1/4 cup Cheddar, shredded

Set oven to 350. In medium bowl mix filling ingredients and set aside. In small saucepan combine sauce ingredients, itr and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat, simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour sauce into shallow bowl with at least the circumferance of your tortillas. Dip each tortilla into sauce, covering completely, turning over and covering completely again (this will soak the tortilla and warm it, makeing it more pliable in addition to flavorful). Spoon about 2-3 heaping Tablespoons of filling into the middle of tortilla, and then roll up. Repeat. Arrange in 8x11.5 inch baking dish (or slightly larger or slightly smaller). Pour remaining sauce (yes, all of it) over enchiladas, sprinkle with the 1/4 cup Cheddar. Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes, or until bubbling.

It's an absolute must to garnish these with sliced black olives (don't be stingy) and a little sour cream. Scallions also go nicely with it, and can substitue for the onion in the filling, just make sure to chop finely if used in the filling.

Serve with a little spanish rice and some refried beans and you've got a great meal, if not an everyday meal because of the fat.

Submiited by Alice.

Vegetarian Lasagna

Tomato sauce
1 Onion
2 Tbs. Oil
2 Tbs. Butter
2-3 cups Vegetables (sliced and diced)
2-3 Tbs. Tomato paste
1 can Peeled tomatoes, Chopped
¾ cup Red wine
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Oregano
1Tbs. Garlic Minced
1 tsp. Sugar
salt to taste

Cheese Sauce 40 gr. Butter

4 cups of Milk ½ Cup plain flour
1-cup tasty cheese (grated)
½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
2 eggs
Bread crumbs

Pasta 350 gr. Lasagna sheets

Method: Tomato sauce In a large pot add oil and butter, Melt. Add onions; cook over low heat until transparent. Add vegetables; cook on low heat approximately 10 minutes. Add wine, tomato paste, peeled tomatoes, cinnamon, garlic, oregano, sugar and salt to taste. Cook over medium heat until half the liquids have evaporated. Set aside.

Cheese Sauce Add butter to pan, Melt. Remove from heat; add flour and nutmeg, mix to combine. Return to heat for ½ minute - 1 minute, remove from heat. Add enough milk to make a paste. Return to heat; add remaining milk, stirring constantly. Once starting to bubble remove from heat. Add cheeses; return to heat stirring until the cheeses have melted. Remove from heat, cool slightly, mix through 2 beaten eggs.

Assemble In a deep ovenproof dish, sprinkle the bottom with bread crumbs, add a thin layer of tomato sauce, add a layer of lasagna sheets not overlapping, add a thin layer of cheese sauce, add a layer of lasagna sheets, continue to the last layer of lasagna sheets. Layer the top of the lasagna sheets with remaining cheese sauce. Sprinkle with tasty cheese, cove with foil, cook on 200 c for 1 hour. Remove foil, cook for further 1 hour or until golden brown, (when the foil has been removed if it looks dry add a small amount of water). Serve with Salad and crusty bread.
Serves 6 - 8

Sweet Potato Pie

1-2 Medium sweet potatos 1 9" pie shell or pastry crust
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
2 eggs
12 oz. evaporated milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cardamom
1/2 tsp. corriander
grated rind of 1 orange

1. Cut the sweet potatos in half and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for 30 minutes or until tender.

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

3. Mash potatoes or process them in food processor, or with an electric mixer. In another bown mix together the sugars and eggs. Whisk in the evaporated milk, melted butter, spices and orange rind. Add the sweet potaoes and pour into pie shell. (Sometimes, for a different texture, I separate the eggs, whip the whites into stiff peaks, and fold them into the FINAL mixture).

4. Bake for 45 minutes or until is has set. Let cool for 10 minutes, then serve, or cool completely and served with whipped cream. (I would add a little cardamom or orange rind to the whipped cream.)

Submitted by Andrea.

Foods That Cause You to Lose Weight:: The Negative Calorie Effect

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