Trumpet mushrooms, when cooked, have a texture similar to raw fish, which makes them perfect for sushi rolls. The filling options are endless, and while making them takes a little preparation, they are well worth it, as an alternative to rice and steamed veggies, or as an impressive potluck or party contribution.
Nothing says comfort food like a hearty bowl of soup. Curling up on the couch with a great book or movie and a steaming bowl of this twist on minestrone is heaven on any night of the week. Full of healthy veggies and lots of flavor, this soup eats like a meal!
My family eats mashed potatoes at every holiday meal, and as a kid I never liked them, except as a bowl for gravy, which I adored. Imagine my surprise when I learned that you could add other things to mashed potatoes to make them good—such as roasted garlic, leeks, and, as in this dish, parsnips.
I created this recipe from basic ingredients (cabbage, potatoes, carrots) and seasonings (parsley, thyme, rosemary) that can be found in the simple, hearty dishes of Irish home cooking. With barley and white beans, too, it’s a healthy, filling meal all on its own.
The City of Dublin, Ohio is serious about health. City leaders have implemented programs to educate both its 40,000 residents and 370 employees on the benefits of plant-based eating. The community-based program, Healthy Dublin, has featured speakers, including Caldwell Esselstyn, Jr., M.D., Julieanna Hever, R.D., and Chef AJ to educate citizens about a whole-food, plant-based diet. But it was a screening of Forks Over Knives that was instrumental in taking the wellness program for city employees to an advanced level.
I was flipping through Netflix one night and came across an interesting movie titled Forks Over Knives. At this point in my life, I was overweight and out of shape, going like a yo-yo from one “diet” to another. At my heaviest point, I tipped the scales at nearly 360 pounds. Even at 6’2″ tall, that weight was way too much for my body to handle. I’m a former college football player who was done playing, but still eating like a defensive lineman. My weight and unhealthy living was affecting every aspect of my life. After watching the film, I decided that “diets” weren’t going to cut it. What I needed was an overhaul, a complete change. So I adopted the plant-based lifestyle. I gave up alcohol, quit smoking and got my rear end off the couch to exercise.
No sugar, no flour, no oil, no salt. No problem!
Make these in a silicone muffin pan so you never have to buy paper liners again.
In March of 2012, I returned home from a Caribbean cruise to find myself at the heaviest weight I have been in my life. I was dismayed. I have been active most of my life and exercised regularly. Despite the effort, I still struggled with not only with my weight, but with high cholesterol and blood pressure. So, when I peaked out at just less than 300 pounds, I knew I could not continue on my current path and became determined to do something different. I was going to revamp my exercise regimen and eat healthier.
Asparagus and peas, with the lightness of lemons and parsley, create a beautiful dish, perfect for lunch and dinner.
I had been at the top of women’s canoe. I was undefeated in the U.S. since 2000 and ranked with the world’s best. However, in 2004, I was 36 and burned out. I was suffering from debilitating health issues and dealing with several life stresses, all of which left me with little desire to ever race again.
