Eat Cactus Fruit and Live Forever

Okay, maybe not forever, but longer than if you don’t consume this delicious and nutritious fruit.

What exactly is cactus fruit?

POP QUIZ!

Cactus fruit is:

a)      a member of the opuntia family

b)      tuna

c)       prickly pear

d)      nopales

e)      all of the above

If you guessed “e,” then you are correct.  Cactus fruit goes by lots of different names and can look daunting when first encountered.  But it is really quite simple to eat and the benefits far outweigh those prickly pear-like features.

Here are some excellent reasons to eat Cactus fruit:

• Low in calories
• Low sodium
• Excellent source of vitamin C
• High in fiber
• Good source of calcium
• An antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
• High in potassium
• Helps control blood sugar
• Assists in weight loss
• Great vegan and vegetarian food
• Tastes great

I discovered cactus fruit while vacationing on Maui—the same island oasis where I found these other delightful tropical foods:

• Papaya
• Dragon fruit
• Guava
• Passion fruit
• Star fruit
• Pineapple guava

Check out your local grocery and you may be surprised to find this healthy fruits, along with many of the others I mentioned.

Why?

Okay, you may not live forever by adding all these delicious and nutritious fruits to your daily diet, but you may just live a longer, happier, healthier, and fulfilling life.

Think about it.

Until next time…

peace,

Mike

livelife365

What Makes You Happy?

Happiness, as defined by dictionary.com:

— adj  , -pier , -piest
1.	feeling, showing, or expressing joy; pleased
2.	willing: I'd be happy to show you around
3.	causing joy or gladness
4.	fortunate; lucky: the happy position of not having to work
5.	aptly expressed; appropriate: a happy turn of phrase
6.	informal  ( postpositive ) slightly intoxicated
— interj
7.	( in combination ): happy birthday ; happy Christmas

There are so many things that make us happy; I am often amazed at how unhappy some people appear.  Hey, I’m not thrilled with life all the time, but I do strive daily to attain as much of all those nice descriptions above this paragraph.

So, what makes YOU happy?

For some, happiness is a dog licking your face and snuggling beside you in your bed.  While that same dog on someone else’s bed, lapping away at your face, may evoke the exact opposite of happiness.

To each his own.

For me, happiness begins with self.  If I am not happy with myself as a person, I have difficulty enjoying my existence.

That’s why I work hard on improving all of my flaws.  Through this effort, even when I am not always successful, I attain my happiness…and maybe lose a few pounds, gain some introspection, and improve as a human being along the way.

But it’s not all work and no play for me, either.  I love spending time with my wife and family, strumming my guitar, creating videos, or dining on some of my favorite foods.  Like these:

There are many things that bring us happiness inside this sometimes challenging world in which we live.  The key, as with life, is to know where to look and embrace it is often as possible.

Think about it…

Until next time.

peace,

Mike

Livelife365

What Is Daikon?

Did you know that this is one of the most popular vegetables in Japan?

Did you know that daikon literally means “big root”?

Did you know that this veggie has a sweet and tangy taste?

Did you know that you can use shredded daikon as a replacement to rice for sushi?

Wow!

You bet “WOW!” 

As a vegetarian, I am constantly in search of new and delicious vegetables.  I first discovered daikon while volunteering on vacation.  My lovely wife and I worked at an organic farm for a day and besides being great fun and fulfilling, we were rewarded with a delicious lunch made from several of the vegetables grown there.  One of those veggies was daikon.

Yeah, but how do you eat it?

Like this:

Daikon can be eaten cooked or raw.  Add it to stir-fry, boil it and mash it up, toss it on the grill and serve as a side dish, or bake it with the protein of your choice.

Eat it raw in a salad, pickled as a side dish, or shred it and use it as a great way to reduce your carbohydrate intake when enjoying sushi.  I love sushi, but the rice is loaded with carbs and difficult to digest—daikon is my savior!

Besides being a delicious root veggie, daikon also offers these benefits:

·        Low in Calories

·        High in Dietary Fiber

·        Excellent Source of Vitamin C, Potassium, and Magnesium

·        Low in Carbohydrates

·        May increase Immune System

·        Heart Healthy

·        Slow the Aging Process (count me in!)

·        Has Cancer-fighting Agents

Next time you’re cruising the produce aisle of your local grocery and see a white rooty vegetable about the size of a baseball bat, stop and grab some daikon.  You’ll be glad you did.

Until next time…

peace,

Mike

Livelife365

 

Are you saying I’m a cheeseburger if I visit that greasy fast food place and devour a Big Mac? 

Yup.

That I have a bun for a head, lettuce for a face, and cheese and ground beef as a body?

Yup.

Are you crazy?

Yup.  But that’s beside the point.

Corny attempt at humor aside, you can also look at someone who opts for a healthier diet than the one above, and consider the same logic with what I am getting at here.  If you eat a lot of veggies and fruits, cut back on the carbs and fats, you may not look like a broccoli or apple, but you still carry the healthy results of those food choices with you.

You are what you eat means that if you eat a lot of carbohydrates, sugary desserts and bags of potato chips, then you are going to gain weight.

Conversely, if you keep the carbs down and the fiber up, try to consume 5 – 8 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, add some fish or poultry, then you may not sprout fins and feathers, but there’s a good chance you will become more fit.  And happy!

Here’s a simple formula to consider:

PIZZA + SIT ON COUCH + SODA = OBESITY

While you digest that, watch this:

You Are What You Eat 

Eating the right foods and the right amounts go a long way to leading a healthier, happier, LONGER life.  But if it was easy, we all would look like Brad and Angelina.

Here’s another video that can help:

A Day of Fiber

Recently, I wrote a very popular post about diabetes, how it is the new silent killer.  That even if you HAVE a body like Bradgelina, you may still be a walking time bomb.  That underscores the importance of eating the RIGHT foods, as well as staying active and counting those calories.

You may be slender, but if you eat too many carbs, even when they are in the form of potatoes, bananas, or whole wheat bread, you could be susceptible to diabetes.

Book Review: Sugar Nation

Remember, eating well is one of the keys to living life to its fullest.  Take a gander of yourself in the mirror and if you see a pork chop and mashed potatoes staring back at you, then change your ways.

Opt for your reflection to be a bowl of almonds, a side of spinach, and some grilled salmon.

You ARE what you eat.

Think about it.

Until next time…

peace,

Mike

How to...Lose Ten Pounds in One Month

 

Mike's Daily Thoughts

First off, many of you are probably thinking: "Mike actually has daily thoughts?"

Ahem...funny.

But believe it or not, I tend to have a lot on my mind, a lot of which seems destined to be shared via blogs, pics, vids, and Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or one of my many websites.

The wonderful thing is that we have all of this technology at our fingertips, the ability to transmit those thoughts across cyberspace, literally reaching billions of folks.  Okay, that's only if your SEO is strong.  Otherwise, said thoughts and pics and vids, etc., may only reach a handful of interested people.  No matter, I got things to share and if you are reading this, I am very pleased to share them with you.

I created this blog several years ago, as a way to promote my video website, livelife365.  I have been overwhelmed and thrilled at the response and feedback I have gotten from both this blog and my website, so much so that I wrote a book to expand my base, so to speak.

I have further expanded my ability to share the healthy, inspirational, motivational, and entertaining word of livelife365 with the creation of another blog, called:

Mike's Daily Thoughts, Pics, Videos, and More...

This blog is a less formal way to communicate and share many of my videos and photos, insights and just whatever is on my mind that day.  The intent is to write a post everyday, but sometimes life gets in the way of all those plans...you know what I mean.  I would be pleased to at least get five to six posts out each week...any more than that and we will all be sick of me (if you aren't already)...

So, when you have a few spare minutes in your hectic and busy day, please take a stroll over to my new blog and check it out, leave a comment, and enjoy.

Here is my latest video, by the way, about a very sweet and tasty fruit I recently discovered while vacationing on Maui, called Chico Fruit, or Sapodilla:

What is Chico Fruit (Sapodilla)?

 

Until next time...

peace,

Mike

Mike's Daily...
Buy the book
livelife365

What is Malabar?

 Good question.

Is Malabar a:

a)     castle in Ireland?

b)    Middle Eastern city?

c)     Name for a famous cartoon dog?

d)    Delicious, nutritious leafy vegetable?

Those of you who are familiar with me and my healthy lifestyle choices here at livelife365 no doubt opted for D.  Yup, Malabar is a spinach-like, leafy veggie that not only tastes delicious (and a bit like asparagus), but is loaded with vitamins and minerals that will help change your life for the better.

A member of the Basellaceae family, Malabar looks and tastes a bit like spinach, but is not—even though it is often referred to as vine spinach, given that it grows vine-like, up to dozens of feet in warm weather climes (like right here in Northern California, where I call home). 

As you may have surmised, Malabar thrives in heat, growing mostly in tropical regions of Asia, India, and Indonesia, as well as right here in some North American hot spots.

Besides being a good source of fiber and low in calories, Malabar is also high in antioxidants, vitamins C and A, iron and calcium.

Eat it raw in salads, stir fry it with your favorite Asian wok recipe, or steam or boil the leaves and stems for a tasty side dish.  No matter how you serve it up, Malabar is a wonderful addition to your summer vegetable harvest.  Just this season I discovered Malabar and love this healthy and delectable vegetable.  I think you will too.

Until next time…

peace,

Mike

How to...Eat

Come on, who doesn’t know how to eat, right?  But there are certain foods that we eat all the time that are not that simple to prepare.  Take, for example, my latest video:

If you’re like me, you love asparagus, but may not know the best way to eat it.  The above video should help.

Some of my most popular videos are those where I demonstrate how to prepare and eat many of my favorite foods.  Like this one:

 

Simple, right?  I know, we all have been chowing down on watermelon most of our lives.  Okay, how about a more challenging food?

There are few veggies I love more than the thistle-laded artichoke, but, man, those guys are a chore to prepare…but well worth the effort.

And these tasty fruit:

That’s right, avocado are a fruit, not a vegetable, but amazingly delicious and good for you just the same.

Another one of my favorite fruits is mango.  What’s the best way to eat one?  Thought you’d never ask:

Every time I visit my favorite vacation destination, I always try to add a few more local delicacies to my palate.  Like papaya and passion fruit.  Here are the best ways to ingest them:

And don’t forget:

We all know how to eat, but some foods need more assistance than others.  My websites and my channel at YouTube have helped hundreds of thousands of people around the world discover and eat myriad fruits and veggies, all of them quite healthy for you.  Like these guys:

And some just for fun:

Until next time…

peace,

Mike

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Most of you, I assume, know what this date is all about—lots of delicious Mexican food, right?!  Actually, Cinco de Mayo, besides literally meaning May 5^th, represents Mexico’s army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, not to be confused with Mexico’s Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16^th.

But for many of us, Cinco de Mayo is all about celebrating the amazing culinary wonder of Mexican cuisine.  Hey, I’m all for cheering about who won what battle for whatever, but, more importantly it's really about how to make excellent salsa, right?  Check this out…

Actually, salsa is only one of the many reasons why I indulge in and love Mexican food.  Guacamole is another…

Okay, seriously, why else should you embrace this cool day?  How about healthy, tasty, easy to make enchiladas? 

I never heard of Cinco de Mayo until I migrated from New England out to Southern California in the eighties, but now this tasty holiday appears to be growing in popularity.  Whatever the reason, take today off and dive into some Mexican history, with some guac and salsa on the side.  Oh, and don’t forget the jalapenos…

Until next time…

peace,

Mike

Start The New Year Off Right!

Happy new year, hope your holiday season was good to you and yours.  Now it’s time to get back into it, start fresh, get those resolutions and goals in order, right?

Well, one would think that this would be one of those beginning of the new year posts resolving to lose weight, eat better and smarter, be kinder, show more compassion, and vow to help those less fortunate than oneself throughout the coming year.  And while I feel all of the above are worthy notions that we all need to strive toward (me included!!), this post is about food.   Good, hearty, healthy food to start the new year off right.

But let me touch back on those resolutions and goals for a second.  I have lots, including all of the aforementioned ones I touched on previously.  I am very close to re-launching my video site, along with publishing my latest music video.  I am putting the finishing touches on my self-help book that I am going to package with a CD and DVD for distribution in the first quarter of this new year.  I also have lots of other personal and professional goals that I am constantly challenging myself with, but for now, let’s eat.

As a vegetarian and vegan-wannabe, I am always looking for tasty protein choices and this three bean chili with red quinoa is perfect - it is loaded with fiber and protein, while tasting amazing.  The quinoa not  only adds delicious flavor and texture, but important amino acids missing in most vegetarian proteins.  Enough talk, watch:

It’s easy to make, here’s how:

Sauté six chopped cloves of garlic and one chopped onion in olive oil
Mix two parts water to one part red quinoa and boil
Open and drain one 16 oz. can of low sodium organic black beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans
Add 32 ounces of no sodium organic diced tomatoes to onions and garlic

Add spices:

1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp coriander
1 tbsp garlic powder
2 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp crushed red pepper
1 tbsp chili powder
Salt and pepper

Add the beans, bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 minutes
When all the water is removed from the quinoa, add that to the mix, simmer another 15 minutes.

Some of you may be asking, What is quinoa?  It is a seed, loaded with fiber and protein, but a more complete protein than other veggie proteins.  Watch this  for more about quinoa:

And quinoa is simple to make:

Setting goals and resolving to be a better person are good things, but don’t just focus on the start or end of each year, do it throughout the year.  Just like this delicious veggie chili; it is just the ticket to get you through a cold winter’s day, but also great to eat throughout the year.

Here’s to an incredible 2011.  May all your resolutions and dreams come true.

Until next time…

peace,

Mike

In Search of Vegetable Protein

I wasn’t always a vegetarian. Back in the day, I used to be seated right beside some of you, gnawing away on that rib bone, masticating that filet mignon, devouring a double double from my (former) favorite burger place, In-n-Out. I was an animal-eating carnivore most of my life—just like over 90% of the population. Then I had some blood work done and got a glimpse of my cholesterol levels. Yikes!

Here’s the thing: I was never what you would call a BIG meat eater. More often than not, I was just as interested in the vegetable and salad portion of my meal as the animal protein part. And once I’d done further research about the contributing factors of high cholesterol (mine, by the way, was closing in on 300) and unhealthy weight gain—namely: saturated fats—it made perfect sense to gradually cut down on the meats. Years before I became a full-time vegetarian, I often would go days without consuming any animal protein. My palette, as well as some deeper region of my subconscious, was changing, sounding an alarm: Reduce your saturated fats or die!

Okay, Mike, you can stop with the dramatics. But it was a wake-up call, and my unhealthy cholesterol and weight gain (I was up over 200 pounds—far too heavy for my barely 5’ 11’’ frame) forced me to do something else—discover healthier eating options. More to the point: I needed to reduced saturated fats, which meant limit the consumption of animal proteins. The answer:

VEGETABLE PROTEIN!

Here are some of the best sources of vegetable protein that I incorporate into my daily eating routine. Eat as much of this stuff as you can and you will not only get the necessary amount of protein into your diet, but tons of fiber (a good thing!). All without those harmful saturated fats; instead filling up with the good fats: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

NUTS
I eat nuts every day—mostly almonds, but all nuts have a decent amount of vegetable protein. In addition to almonds, eat walnuts, Brazil nuts, pistachios, even peanuts. They have anywhere from 6-8 grams of protein and 3.0 grams of fiber. I also suggest trying some of the butters. Almond butter is delicious and has 8.0 gms of protein per serving.

BEANS
I love Mexican food, and eat it at least twice a week. I’ve found that you can replace just about any of the meat dishes with healthy black beans (7.0 gms protein/7.0 gms fiber) or refried beans (be sure to check if they are made with lard, in they are, opt out). There are dozens of varieties of beans (see one of my previous blog posts, You Don’t Know Beans…or Do You?); pinto, navy, garbanzo—add them to salads or eat as a side dish. Most have around 6-8 gms of protein and about the same amounts of fiber.

And don’t forget lentils. These tasty tidbits are loaded with vegetable protein—10.0 gms. And 9.0 gms of fiber.

WHOLE GRAINS
I eat a high-protein, whole grain cereal every other day. Kashi makes excellent products. Try their Go Lean. It has 13.0 gms of protein per serving, also 10.0 gms fiber. I mix mine with their Good Friends (5.0 gms protein/12.0 gms fiber) for a vegetarian protein and fiber blast (pun intended!) The days I don’t eat whole grain cereals, I have some toasted whole grain bread (4-6 gms protein; shop around and read labels, some have more protein than others. I recommend Milton's) with almond butter. You can see how the vegetable protein is adding up, huh?

Pastas, especially whole grain pastas, are another great source of vegetable protein. Most have at least 6-8 gms, while some go as high as 12-15 gms. Again, read labels, and you will be pleasantly surprised by all of the healthy vegetable protein options available to you.

I also eat oatmeal (8.0 gms protein/ 6.0 gms fiber) every day. And wild rice will get you around 5.0 gms of vegetable protein per serving.

VEGETABLES
Not all veggies are created equal. Some have more protein than others. Here are the ones you should look for when looking to increase your vegetable protein consumption:

SOY
I eat edamame, or soybeans, (11.0 gms protein/ 6.0 gms fiber) several times a week. I like to mix in another vegetable, usually broccoli (5.0 gms protein/ 4.0 gms fiber), add a little olive oil, salt, pepper. How’s that for veggie protein? Also, soy chips are a wonderful source of protein: 6.0 gms--I like Glenny's  and Gen soy. And Dr Soy makes a tasty soy bar (11 gms protein) that I devour most days.

ALSO:
Avocado: (4.0 gms protein/8.0 gms fiber)
Peas: (5.0 gms protein/ 4.0 gms fiber)
Corn: (4.5 gms protein/3.0 gms fiber)
Lima beans: (6.0 gms protein/4.0 gms fiber)
Brussels sprouts: (4.0 gms protein/3.0 gms fiber)
Artichoke hearts: (4.0 gms protein/4.0 gms fiber)
Asparagus: (4.0 gms protein/3.0 gms fiber)

This is by no means a complete list, and a lot of it is personal preference. But, as you can see, the variety of vegetable proteins available to you are endless. And the best part—they are low in saturated fats, high in good fats, loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that contribute to a longer, happier, skinnier, healthier life.

As always, you can watch me talk about all of these healthy topics at my video website, livelife365.com

peace,

Mike

How to Make a Vegan Reuben Sandwich

One of the things I miss the most about being a vegetarian is deli sandwiches. And as I continue to work toward becoming a vegan, thus removing dairy from my diet, my ability to quench my desire for a hoagie, grinder, hero, Dagwood, good old-fashioned, meat- and cheese-stacked mountain of a sandwich will become increasingly more challenging. Now don’t get me wrong, I do not regret my decision to remove animal products from my diet several years ago—I love being a veg head…it’s just that sometimes the salivary glands take over where logic attempts to rule.

To all of the above I say: TGFT!

Huh?

THANK GOD FOR TEMPEH!

What is tempeh?



So, what are the keys to a good sandwich, a Reuben in particular?

· excellent bread
· tasty dressing
· fresh produce

· good cheese
· and, the key ingredient: deli meat!

In the case of the Reuben, that meat consists of either corned beef or pastrami. Leading one to ask:

HOW CAN ANYTHING VEGAN TASTE ANYTHING AS GOOD AS A REAL REUBEN!

Good question. Here’s how:



The best part, besides the taste, of my Veg Out with Mike Vegan Reuben is the nutritional value versus a real, meat/cheese/mayo/butter laden one. The saturated fats in my vegan version are only 2 grams. That’s all! For a real Reuben? Anywhere from 12-20 grams, depending on how much meat/cheese/mayo/butter you use. My sandwich is also lower in sodium, calories, and cholesterol. In fact, there is virtually no cholesterol in the vegan Reuben versus over 100 mgs in a traditional one.

The desire to lower my cholesterol, lose weight, and live a happier, healthier, more fit, and, hopefully, longer life was my main reason for becoming a vegetarian. I hope my Veg Out with Mike Vegan Reuben propels you on your own path to better nutrition and fitness.  Oh, and taste!

How do you make my vegan Reuben? Here are the ingredients:

6 oz. tempeh (marinated)
2 slices vegan Swiss cheese
4 oz. organic sauerkraut
2 slices whole grain rye
Two tbs. thousand island/Russian dressing
1 tsp. olive oil

Tempeh Marinade:

2 tbs lemon juice
2 tbs soy sauce
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (vegan)
1 tbs olive oil
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp celery seed
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cloves
salt and pepper to taste

Thousand Island/Russian dressing:

2 tbs nayonaise (vegan mayo)
2 tbs organic ketchup
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp celery seed
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (vegan)
1 tsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Remember: Just because you choose a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle doesn't mean you have to skimp on taste...or give up all those great comfort foods you love.

Until next time...

peace,

Mike
livelife365.com

What Is Tempeh?

A city in Arizona, is the first thing that comes to mind whenever I think of this tasty and nutritious protein-loaded staple of vegetarian cooking. But what is tempeh? This video may shed some light on the subject:

WHAT IS TEMPEH?



TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TEMPEH:

1. made from whole soybeans that are soaked, dehulled, and partially cooked
2. it’s the only major soy-based food that did not originate in China or Japan
3. is created through fermentation
4. loaded with vegetable protein (20 grams per serving)
5. easy to digest
6. often used as a meat substitute in vegan and vegetarian cuisine
7. a staple food in Indonesia for over 2000 years
8. very good source of manganese
9. great source of fiber
10. tastes great!

As a vegetarian, I am always in search of vegetable protein sources, and tempeh is an excellent addition to the legumes, lentils, beans and whole grain products I consume daily. And because of its texture, it can be prepared in many ways:

· stir-fried
· sliced
· diced
· grated
· shredded
· baked
· pan-fried
· grilled
· stewed

And, the best part, it tastes delicious.

Tempeh has inspired me to get back in the kitchen and create a few new veg out with mike vids—stay tuned.

Also, a soy-base, meat-substitute food like tempeh, that is low in calories, high in fiber, and loaded with healthy protein, will help you lose weight. How much weight is up to you, as this video will help explain:

HOW TO...LOSE TEN POUNDS IN ONE MONTH



If you’re looking for a meat substitute, or just a delicious addition to your vegetarian diet, look no further than tempeh.


Until next time,


peace,

Mike

Veg Out, Maui Style!

Aloha!

Er…I mean, greetings from the mainland. I am back from my wonderful trip across the Pacific, where my lovely wife and I enjoyed several laid back days of doing all those things we wish we could do during the “real” moments of our lives. Not that lounging on the beach, catching the sun’s rays, reading for pleasure and enjoyment, gazing meditatively at the ocean as if it held all the answers in the world, with nary a thought inside one’s head except where should we dine that evening are not “real” moments. It’s just that the reality of returning from mid-80’s weather to overnights in the 40’s, as well as awakening to the sound of the alarm clock and the angst of facing that day job are a tad bit lower on my “things I love to do” list than hanging out in Maui.

But life goes on, and I am thankful and lucky that I love my life here at home almost as much as the fantasy one I just left. Not that my vacation was all play and no work. While away I was focused, as I constantly am, on balance, especially managing my triad of balance: the harmonious union between the Mind, Body, and Spirit.

I was able to write daily, along with reading tons of articles and other interesting data that I am unable to catch up on during my hectic “regular” life. While somewhat limited physically (due to a troublesome right shoulder--yes, the left one used to be the bad one, but, eh, what can I say, they're a match pair), I still walked daily, often several miles along the convenient beach paths. My wife and I also experienced an incredible day volunteering at an organic farm in the quaint upcountry town of Kula; as soon as I edit all of the video footage I shot, I will share this experience right here and at my video site.

We also ate well, often, and, surprisingly, mostly healthy. One of the things I love best while on the island is the variety of fresh fruits and veggies available at farmer’s markets and grocery stores. Plus, most of the local restaurants prepare their meals with Maui-grown fruits and vegetables, like those my wife and I helped plant on that organic farm in Kula. I shot tons of videos showcasing the unique produce found in Hawaii (lots of new vids coming very soon!), and prepared my latest veg out dish using many of those fresh ingredients.

VEG OUT WITH MIKE: MAUI VEGGIE SCRAMBLE



Replace the butter with olive oil (or another vegetable oil) and the cheese with a vegetable-based cheese, and vegans can also enjoy this tasty dish.

One ingredient I forgot to add were fresh herbs. That scramble, while delicious as it was, could have been enhanced by adding some fresh basil or parsley…or the favorite herb of your choice. Before I left for the islands, I shot this video, which may explain why I had herbs, as well as aloha, on my mind:

GROW YOUR OWN HERBS



I may be back in the “real” world, the timely rhythm of the ocean a faint memory battling with dozens of other thoughts in my head, but all I need to do is close my eyes and I’m back on the island, the smell of Maui onions sautéing on the stove and the aloha spirit permeating my being like a breath of sultry air.

I hope all of your days are filled with everything that you desire them to be.

Until next time…

peace,

Mike

What Is Quinoa?

A better question may be, What is one of the most complete (vegetable) proteins in the world? The answer is quinoa (pronounced: “keen-wah’).

Last year when I was researching my Super Foods video, I inadvertently forget a few foods that several people pointed out to me were quite super in their own right. And I agree that there are dozens of foods that are just as super or more super than the foods I lauded in my video: ARE YOUR FOODS SUPER? One of those omitted super foods is quinoa. What exactly is quinoa? Whenever I’m confronted with questions like this I tend to do two things: I put my researcher hat on and study up on the topic in question. And then I produce a video, like this one:

WHAT IS QUINOA?



Quinoa is often mistaken for a whole grain, but it is actually a seed from the goosefoot family. Today, it is mostly grown in South America, but it has been around for over 5,000 years. The Inca and Aztec civilizations were so fond of this super food they considered quinoa the “mother grain.” Why is quinoa so highly regarded? One word:

PROTEIN!

Actually, two words: COMPLETE PROTEIN!

Why is this important? Amino acids. Most of you meat-eaters get plenty of amino acids as you gnaw away on your protein-rich meats; that’s one of the major benefits one derives from animal protein consumption. It is also one of the main challenges for someone like myself, and hundreds of millions of others around the world, who has chosen a vegetarian lifestyle. Sure there are lots of wonderful vegetable protein choices, from nuts to beans to soy to whole grains, but few, if any, are considered complete, offering all nine essential amino acids. Quinoa is especially rich in lysine, which is helpful for tissue growth and repair.

Okay, sounds great, right? But what does quinoa taste like? And how does one cook it?

Quinoa is delicious served on the side with veggies, or in salads or soups. It also is excellent added to cereals, and I use it to add complete vegetable protein to my Italian and Vegetable main dishes.

You didn’t answer my questions: How does it taste and how does one cook it?

A: Amazingly delicious. And:

HOW TO…COOK QUINOA



Why else should you add quinoa to your daily diet?

* excellent source of manganese (which helps with migraines)
* high in magnesium (good for cardiovascular health)
* fiber
* good source of iron & riboflavin
* low fat, low calorie food
* gluten free

Just because a food is considered super and good for you doesn’t mean it tastes good. I mean, I love broccoli and Brussels sprouts, but my wife tells me I’m stinking up the kitchen every time I prepare them. Quinoa is one of those special super foods that not only will help you live a healthier, happier, longer life, but will also add gastronomic pleasure along the way.

Until next time…

peace,

Mike

For the funny bone: QUINOA OUTTAKES

That's Amore!

There are few things in this world I love to eat more than Italian food. Okay, in the past I have admitted to a mild Mexican food addiction, and you know while on my frequent walks a handful of almonds are never far from reach. But when in comes to down-home comfort foods, my mouth salivates to the savory aroma of garlic and onions sautéing in olive oil, soon to be joined by crushed tomatoes, maybe some black olives or eggplant, all served over my favorite pasta. Makes me want to break out into song:

“When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore!”

Hey, Dean Martin couldn’t have put it any better himself. Amore means “love” in Italian, and who doesn’t love pizza? Spaghetti? Ravioli? Meatballs? (I’ll take mine veggie-style, thank you). And, of course, that all-time classic: lasagna! I was raised on tomato sauce and pasta, enjoyed one variation or another of it every week, but for special occasions there was nothing like my mom's lasagna. Whenever I visit my family Back East, the first question out of my mother’s mouth is:

Mom: Michael, do you want me to make you anything special?
Mike: What do you think, Ma?
Mom: Huh?
Mike: You know.
Mom: Oh, yes…what?
Mike: Ma! Your lasagna! What else?
Mom: Oh, you like my lasagna, do you?
Mike: Come on, Ma, of course!
Mom: You sure?
Mike: Ma…
Mom: Huh?
Mike: Never mind…
Mom: I’ll make two.

And she does. My mouth is watering at the thought. What do you have to say about that, huh, Dean?

“When the stars make you drool just like pasta fagioli, that’s amore!”

Everything’s amore with this guy. The real question you may be asking yourself is: What is pasta fagioli? This video may help:

VEG OUT WITH MIKE: MIKE'S PASTA FAGIOLI



You may have noticed after viewing that video that Italian food, besides tasting delicious, can also be healthy for you. My pasta fagioli recipe is loaded with vegetable protein (24g) and is high in fiber (20g). And when you use low-sodium beans and tomatoes, olive oil and garlic, along with whole grain pasta, it can be a healthy meal option. Especially when you make your own marinara sauce. What’s that? Don’t know how to make marinara sauce? Here’s another video that will help:

VEG OUT WITH MIKE: SIMPLE MARINARA SAUCE



Looks like all that’s left to do is add some fresh grated Parmesan cheese and dig in. What’s that? Dean has one last thing to say?

“Scuzza me, but you see, back in old Napoli, that’s amore!”

No matter what language you say it in, I love Italian food! And when prepared right, it is not only one of the tastiest foods on earth, but also one of the healthiest.


Until next time…


peace,

Mike