Hello there!
As my week long veg venture has come to an end I told you that I would be making a visit to a veg friendly place, and I chose the Hodge Podge on Dupont Street--so here's my review. The place was very cute, but smaller than most people's bedrooms. I selected the adzuki wrap, which I prefer to call my beanwhich mainly because it was made of beans. As I sit here and type I am finding it hard to bring myself to eating meat! That's not because I don't like it anymore but I do not remember what it tastes like! I think I'm going to have to eat a falafel tonight and keep the veg theme going.
What I found was that there are a lot of vegetarian places on Bloor Street and that surrounding area. There are also a lot of organic places, so if that is of interest you now have a new area to try.
If you prefer to cook I found the Canadian Living website to be helpful, as well as recipe zaar. My personal fav was the vegetarian chili, I found it to be better than the meat filled one! Now, don't be afraid to try something new, even if the word "meatless" is in the title. There are so many meat substitutes that you won't even know what is missing.
As I followed up on my restaurant of choice this will be my last official blog, and with that I say so long, and far well!
Ashley!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
It's The Final Countdown!
Today makes it day seven of my vegetarian regime. Can you believe we've been at this for a week! It was one week ago that I decide that I'd remove meat products from my diet (red, fish, and poultry). I believe the seventh day is suppose to be the day of rest, and with that being said I have searched for a restaurant to end my vegetarian lifestyle on.
In the past few days the Toronto Star has published articles about vegetarian cuisine and places in Toronto. The article today was more so on education, showing how a George Brown post-grad program in entrepreneurial studies has worked for one young lady who has opened up her own restaurant in Toronto's Annex. The restaurant is called HodgePodge and although it is not exclusively vegetarian it is veg/vegan friendly! As I will be down in that area tomorrow and have been looking for a veg place to dine, I think I made my choice!
Now, as it is the last day the question that I have been asked most this week is how is it going, and will you remain vegetarian? I cannot say that I will 100% remain/continue to live a vegetarian lifestyle. Sometimes it is easier to eat meat at family gatherings or restaurants, but as I have mentioned in an earlier blog, I will be vegetarian (or should I say partially-vegetarian) for at least one say a week. I have learned a lot about different cuisines and through the emails I have received from the veggiechallenge.com they have showed me other ways to get your protein and nutrients in without consuming meat.
I will say I have enjoyed this past week. I have cooked many meals, even though my family has been on board with the eating they didn't really want to cook vegetarian (ODD)! BUT, I have learned that being a vegetarian is not as restricting as I once thought, and you don't have to just eat pasta/pizza/carbs. Many people have switched to a vegetarian lifestyle to stay healthy not just for the sake of the animals--this shows a change in consumer beahviour too!
I thank you all for joining me on my journey and I will let you all know how the HodgePodge went!
Until next time my veggie friends,
Ashley
In the past few days the Toronto Star has published articles about vegetarian cuisine and places in Toronto. The article today was more so on education, showing how a George Brown post-grad program in entrepreneurial studies has worked for one young lady who has opened up her own restaurant in Toronto's Annex. The restaurant is called HodgePodge and although it is not exclusively vegetarian it is veg/vegan friendly! As I will be down in that area tomorrow and have been looking for a veg place to dine, I think I made my choice!
Now, as it is the last day the question that I have been asked most this week is how is it going, and will you remain vegetarian? I cannot say that I will 100% remain/continue to live a vegetarian lifestyle. Sometimes it is easier to eat meat at family gatherings or restaurants, but as I have mentioned in an earlier blog, I will be vegetarian (or should I say partially-vegetarian) for at least one say a week. I have learned a lot about different cuisines and through the emails I have received from the veggiechallenge.com they have showed me other ways to get your protein and nutrients in without consuming meat.
I will say I have enjoyed this past week. I have cooked many meals, even though my family has been on board with the eating they didn't really want to cook vegetarian (ODD)! BUT, I have learned that being a vegetarian is not as restricting as I once thought, and you don't have to just eat pasta/pizza/carbs. Many people have switched to a vegetarian lifestyle to stay healthy not just for the sake of the animals--this shows a change in consumer beahviour too!
I thank you all for joining me on my journey and I will let you all know how the HodgePodge went!
Until next time my veggie friends,
Ashley
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
We all live in a yellow submarine, inside it's really green, with a vegetarian theme!
Hello there!
Today marks my fifth day on my vegetarian venture! I must say, I am enjoying it! There are only two days left of me being veg, but I feel like it will not end here. To me meat is accessible, for example if you go out to a restaurant many salads come with meat on it, even a quick sandwich is often topped with meat. Now, if I included fish into my diet we would be having a different conversation all together now! As I am not a fish eater maybe this limits my selection when it comes to eating just anywhere. Although, this would really be the best time for me to start as I plan on living in Asia for a year I cannot just live on chicken and rice!
I have been enjoying the new meals I have tried cooking up, and have friends who are willing to go to vegetarian restaurants. What I will be implementing is Meatless Monday and perhaps Wild Veggie Wednesday. If I could draw an early conclusion in my search to see if the vegetarian diet does reduce the risk of cancer I would say it definitely plays a major role, and once again I will point out to the fibre-factor. Especially when it comes to colon cancer, fibre is the best nutrient for defence.
Clearly I am now in the research stage of my assignment, and the title of this blog does not really relate to what has been written but I thought it was a witty one :)
Ashley
Today marks my fifth day on my vegetarian venture! I must say, I am enjoying it! There are only two days left of me being veg, but I feel like it will not end here. To me meat is accessible, for example if you go out to a restaurant many salads come with meat on it, even a quick sandwich is often topped with meat. Now, if I included fish into my diet we would be having a different conversation all together now! As I am not a fish eater maybe this limits my selection when it comes to eating just anywhere. Although, this would really be the best time for me to start as I plan on living in Asia for a year I cannot just live on chicken and rice!
I have been enjoying the new meals I have tried cooking up, and have friends who are willing to go to vegetarian restaurants. What I will be implementing is Meatless Monday and perhaps Wild Veggie Wednesday. If I could draw an early conclusion in my search to see if the vegetarian diet does reduce the risk of cancer I would say it definitely plays a major role, and once again I will point out to the fibre-factor. Especially when it comes to colon cancer, fibre is the best nutrient for defence.
Clearly I am now in the research stage of my assignment, and the title of this blog does not really relate to what has been written but I thought it was a witty one :)
Ashley
Monday, March 22, 2010
Ashley vs. Bobby Flay
As I have started my journey I have decided to start cooking. I have found numerous recipes online and today created a bean and salsa noodle soup. I must say it reminds me of a southern dish, and as I am a big fan of Iron Chef America I feel that I should write to the producers and propose a vegetarian challenge. In all seriousness, I am no chef but I have been enjoying my time in the kitchen. Check out my latest creation...take that Bobby Flay!!
Meatless Monday!
A friend of mine gave me an article from the most recent issue of Maclean's magazine titled Save the Planet. Stop Eating Meat by Katie Engelhart and Nicholas Kohler. This article showed schools that have embraced the theme of meatless Monday/eating vegetarian for a day a week. This campaign was led by Sir Paul McCartney, and has even been embraced in Toronto's private girls school Branksome Hall which placed them on PETA's "top five most vegetarian-friendly high schools in Canada".
An other interesting point from this article was the harm meat does to the planet, which was the main goal of this article. What they deem to be the livestock shadow that was released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations proved that livestock accounts for 18% of worldwide greenhouse gases. If we stop eating meat we would decrease the slaughter and production of meat, therefore save the environment.
There was also a photo of young women wearing outfits that appeared to be made out of lettuce, making the theme of vegetarianism 'sexy'. Yet when I first saw this ad I though they were actually promoting St.Patrick's Day, but I was wrong!
As I am still on my veg venture I too am participating in Meatless Monday and now I know I have reduced my ecological footprint.
An other interesting point from this article was the harm meat does to the planet, which was the main goal of this article. What they deem to be the livestock shadow that was released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations proved that livestock accounts for 18% of worldwide greenhouse gases. If we stop eating meat we would decrease the slaughter and production of meat, therefore save the environment.
There was also a photo of young women wearing outfits that appeared to be made out of lettuce, making the theme of vegetarianism 'sexy'. Yet when I first saw this ad I though they were actually promoting St.Patrick's Day, but I was wrong!
As I am still on my veg venture I too am participating in Meatless Monday and now I know I have reduced my ecological footprint.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Miso, So-So
So I decided to try the miso soup that I bought as the people from the veggiechallenge.com recommend eating a variation of foods. Gillian McKeith, a holistic nutritionist on a mission to shrink the size of peoples waists in the UK is a proud supporter of miso soup. On the hit TV show You Are What You Eat she puts people through an 8-week long boot camp which is veggie filled, and the main source of protein besides legumes is fish. Several times the targets of her regime do not seem to enjoy miso soup. For myself I found it to be so-so and by that I pretty much stuck to the noodles in it, avoided the tofu chucks, and drank down minimal broth--I TRIED!
Miso, So-So, So-long for now!
Ashley!
Day Three: The Hump!
For some reason, whenever someone is quitting something or removing a 'bad' habit from their life the term three day hump comes to mind. Many say that if you can get past the first three days the rest will be a breeze.
Today is day three of Ashley's Vegetarian Venture and so far so good. It's not that I hear the meat asking me to eat them but the issue seems to be preparation. I found a recipe that involves cauliflower and sweet potato, we'll see how that goes!
I have found that the Vegetarian Society has been a helpful tool. As well, I mentioned signing up for the veggie challenge. If you too have done so you will receive daily e-mails with information about becoming a vegetarian and sample meal plans. There are also resources that can be borrowed to get one started!
My first e-mail suggested stocking up on the basics: whole grain pasta and couscous, quick-cooking lentils and split peas, whole grain bread, canned chickpeas, tofu, brown rice, soy, almond and rice milks, and seasonal fruit and vegetables. They also recommend trying different cuisines as variety. I think that this challenge is made easier for those finding it difficult to vegetarianize their ways but I suppose one could look at it as the 'patch' for smokers. Although meat is not flowing through my bloodstream I am receiving information that will help me succeed!
Tomorrow will be day four, and if what they say is true about the three day hump well I might be fixed on the vegetarian idea!
So long!
Ashley
Today is day three of Ashley's Vegetarian Venture and so far so good. It's not that I hear the meat asking me to eat them but the issue seems to be preparation. I found a recipe that involves cauliflower and sweet potato, we'll see how that goes!
I have found that the Vegetarian Society has been a helpful tool. As well, I mentioned signing up for the veggie challenge. If you too have done so you will receive daily e-mails with information about becoming a vegetarian and sample meal plans. There are also resources that can be borrowed to get one started!
My first e-mail suggested stocking up on the basics: whole grain pasta and couscous, quick-cooking lentils and split peas, whole grain bread, canned chickpeas, tofu, brown rice, soy, almond and rice milks, and seasonal fruit and vegetables. They also recommend trying different cuisines as variety. I think that this challenge is made easier for those finding it difficult to vegetarianize their ways but I suppose one could look at it as the 'patch' for smokers. Although meat is not flowing through my bloodstream I am receiving information that will help me succeed!
Tomorrow will be day four, and if what they say is true about the three day hump well I might be fixed on the vegetarian idea!
So long!
Ashley
Saturday, March 20, 2010
"So that's five miso soups, Four seaweed salads, Three soy burger dinners, Two tofu dog platters, And one pasta with meatless balls"
That title was for all you RENT fans out there!
Yes I had some meatless balls tonight, and "it tastes the same, if you close your eyes", and even with your eyes open. I guess one could compare it to a falafel!
I'm trying to keep an open mind here!
I hope you enjoyed that photo as much as I enjoyed my dinner! Tomorrow I will be trying some more new things, and have some recipes planned out for the next few days! I'm noticed a lot of cheese and beans present in recipes...this should be interesting!!
That's all for now veggies!
Ashley!
Giving You Info!
As this is part of an assignment, it is only right that I provide some facts as to why a vegetarian diet is a healthier one. in the February issue of Prevention magazine in 1995, Lisa Delaney focused on resistance. She stated that a diet that focuses on plant material, with an assortment of vegetable, fruits, beans, and grains, which are naturally low in fat and high in fibre are linked to lowering one's chance of cancer. In addition to this there was the 'fish factor'. Just like N.E. Allen mentions in her paper, fish especially rich in omega-3s can lower the incidence of tumors. Delaney continues on to say breast cancer, colorectal, prostate, pancreatic, and endometrial cancers have all been linked to dietary fat! The sat. fat found in meats and dairy products seem to be the worst.
Dr. William Harris also writes about cancer and the vegetarian diet. he includes how DNA is also a factor in developing cancer, but throughout his article that was found on the vegsource.com it was clear that calories from animal sources were contributors to various types of cancer. he then quotes the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) saying that "diets high in a variety of vegetables and fruit, and the microconstituents they contain, may prevent 20-33% of cases of lung cancer in both smokers and non-smokers". The WCRF also suggests reducing the calories from red meat to 10% of one's energy consumption. As well, in his research prostate cancer showed the highest correlation with animal food products.
In a study found in Diet and the prevention of cancer by Bingham and Cummings in 1998, they concluded by stating "up to 80% of bowel and breast cancer may be preventable by dietary change".
Those are just some facts that I found in my research. It seems that a lot of scientists and professors have concluded that a diet lower in animal fat, and higher in fruits and vegetables could reduce the risks of one getting cancer. Harris does bring up the DNA/hereditary fact but if we can monitor our consumption we could have better results!
Here's my option, a lot of vegetarians and recipes for vegetarians include a lot of beans and different legumes, all of which are high in fibre. A diet high in fibre can also decrease ones risk of colon cancer--just a little extra for you!
Dr. William Harris also writes about cancer and the vegetarian diet. he includes how DNA is also a factor in developing cancer, but throughout his article that was found on the vegsource.com it was clear that calories from animal sources were contributors to various types of cancer. he then quotes the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) saying that "diets high in a variety of vegetables and fruit, and the microconstituents they contain, may prevent 20-33% of cases of lung cancer in both smokers and non-smokers". The WCRF also suggests reducing the calories from red meat to 10% of one's energy consumption. As well, in his research prostate cancer showed the highest correlation with animal food products.
In a study found in Diet and the prevention of cancer by Bingham and Cummings in 1998, they concluded by stating "up to 80% of bowel and breast cancer may be preventable by dietary change".
Those are just some facts that I found in my research. It seems that a lot of scientists and professors have concluded that a diet lower in animal fat, and higher in fruits and vegetables could reduce the risks of one getting cancer. Harris does bring up the DNA/hereditary fact but if we can monitor our consumption we could have better results!
Here's my option, a lot of vegetarians and recipes for vegetarians include a lot of beans and different legumes, all of which are high in fibre. A diet high in fibre can also decrease ones risk of colon cancer--just a little extra for you!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Let the Week Begin!
YOU ARE NOW ENTERING A NO MEAT ZONE!
Today marked day 1 of my vegetarian venture and what other way to get prepared then a trip to the grocery store! Not to mention, after coming home last night I decided to turn on the telly and what did Brandpower decide to promote? NEW MICROWAVABLE TOFU! I'm still trying to figure out how they knew about my meatless week!
As I browsed through the grocery store I noticed a vegetarian section. I attempted to be brave, and even picked up the veggieburgers, and placed them in my cart. It was about 10minutes later when I got scared and placed them back. BUT, I did buy meatless meatballs that I plan on having at some point this week! I even purchased a miso soup WITH tofu in it. This will be a challenged; I noticed most recipes called for miso so I'll suck it up, well in fact I'll slurp it up and try it!
And the trip seems to have come to an end! The cart is now full, and soon my stomach will be too! Tonight I will be making a lasagna style dish. yes I might be playing it safe but it's only day one, let me ease myself into it!
*I just wanted to add, at Noah's health store I picked up a pamphlet from the Toronto Vegetarian Association. In the pamphlet it lists restaurants all around the GTA, and on the back there is the "Veggie Challenge" in which you sign up at veggiechallenge.com and go meat-free for a week--AM I NOT DOING THIS ALREADY? Well I'm going to sign up, and I hope you do too! This way we can get more access to resources!
Thanks! That's all for now, until tomorrow my meatless friends!!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Hi!
My name is Ashley and I'm a forth year history major at York University. As part of my final project for my health course I will investigate the relationship between cancer and a vegetarian lifestyle. My target audience are young adults, primarily between the age range of 20-30 as these people will move into the downtown core where vegan and organic restaurants are readily available, so this can be seen as a push in the right direction!
In the British newspaper the Telegraph Richard Alleyne (science correspondent) mentions that researchers found that vegetarians were 12% less likely to contract cancer than their meat eating friends. Now, I am no scientist but if we look at high-fat, no carb diets that many followed just a few years back, it is easy to comprehend how a vegetarian lifestyle could be healthier as one's arteries will not be as clogged.
As someone who has cancer on one part of their family tree, I have decided that for the next week (Friday March 19th, 2010-Thursday March 25th, 2010 at 11:59pm) I will go vegetarian.
Tomorrow's blog will show my entry into a lifestyle that I would not personally choose to live as I am a meat lover!
To start, I have done research, read blogs and journals that all go in the direction of veg is better. I have looked up vegetarian restaurants in the GTA and recipes so that I'm not stuck with pasta for every meal. I guess it does not help that I am a picky eater, and will probably, most definitely, exclude tofu.
So I invite you to follow me on my journey and perhaps join me on my one week Vegetarian Venture!
Ashley!
My name is Ashley and I'm a forth year history major at York University. As part of my final project for my health course I will investigate the relationship between cancer and a vegetarian lifestyle. My target audience are young adults, primarily between the age range of 20-30 as these people will move into the downtown core where vegan and organic restaurants are readily available, so this can be seen as a push in the right direction!
In the British newspaper the Telegraph Richard Alleyne (science correspondent) mentions that researchers found that vegetarians were 12% less likely to contract cancer than their meat eating friends. Now, I am no scientist but if we look at high-fat, no carb diets that many followed just a few years back, it is easy to comprehend how a vegetarian lifestyle could be healthier as one's arteries will not be as clogged.
As someone who has cancer on one part of their family tree, I have decided that for the next week (Friday March 19th, 2010-Thursday March 25th, 2010 at 11:59pm) I will go vegetarian.
Tomorrow's blog will show my entry into a lifestyle that I would not personally choose to live as I am a meat lover!
To start, I have done research, read blogs and journals that all go in the direction of veg is better. I have looked up vegetarian restaurants in the GTA and recipes so that I'm not stuck with pasta for every meal. I guess it does not help that I am a picky eater, and will probably, most definitely, exclude tofu.
So I invite you to follow me on my journey and perhaps join me on my one week Vegetarian Venture!
Ashley!
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