What are my qualifications? I'm just like you and Rachael Ray...self taught! I've spent years poring over cookbooks, health books, how-to books, magazines and blogs, watch my fair share of the food network, take some local cooking classes, and experiment on my own. Although I consider myself knowledgeable, I'm still learning, and I'll always be learning. One thing I know for sure: eating and sharing great food with you makes me happy (see picture above for how happy).
Why vegan? Because it's awesome, duh. I'm not going to preach to you on how awesome it is, or how veggies will eventually bring world peace, but I will say that food is extremely powerful. It can make us strong and healthy, or weak and sick. It's production can cause tons of people and animals great suffering, or allow them to thrive and prosper. Vegan food doesn't equal tofu and lettuce - gross! It's a choice - and a vote - for health, environment, and compassion. I know better now, so I want to do better (roughly quoted from Oprah). At Greenbeane, I hope to tantalize your taste-buds, entice you with my stunning photography, and charm your pants off so you'll feel empowered and want to do better too. At the very least you'll try the Pad Thai and think, "maybe she's not so crazy after all."
Enjoy!
Hey Rachael!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your blog!!! I must have stumbled upon it through facebook…and I try to check back weekly for all the great recipes you have. I’ve made a few and they have been delicious….my boyfriend was so surprised that vegan could actually taste good! My food tends to lack flavor so it’s awesome to learn from someone who’s already tested and tweaked the recipes. I started on the veggie kick a 1.5 years ago and have been trying out mostly vegan means since reading The Kind Diet. It’s really not that hard and I feel GREAT!! Just wanted to share and support your blogging!!
Thanks…and keep ‘em coming ☺
~Justine H. (from HS…remember me!?)
Justine!!! So great to hear from you!! And glad you found some recipes you like here! I LOVE the Kind Diet - an awesome book with amazing recipes. You should also check out Crazy Sexy Diet - I think you'd love it. If you haven't tried the fried rice yet, you must! You'll be in shock from flavor overload haha.
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely keep em' coming! Thanks for commenting :)
Rachael,
ReplyDeleteI've always thought it was neat how you've brought about your blog. I have a few questions:
1.) I have a boyfriend who does NOT like salads or veggies. But I *am* the one who does all the cooking and preparing. Is there anyway I could kind of "trick" him, per se, into eating healthier by means of your recipes (perhaps by disguise)?
2.) How do you manage to keep your recipes fresh? I know you've mentioned freezing your fruit for smoothies, but what do you do with your veggies? My lettuce turns brown after about 36 hours in the fridge.
3.) I definitely want to try some of your recipes, but I'd prefer to stay away from tofu, and anything that smells funky (my nose is the way to my stomach)... so, any ideas?
I'd like to attempt to sway into your form of thinking in order to eat healthier, be healthier, and live healthier.. A good example for my kids, perhaps.. so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Kelli Jamieson (I'm from hs, too!) Lol
Kelli!!! great to hear from you! I messaged you on fb - the answer was a long one, but the jist of it (for anyone else in the same situation) would be to add healthier options instead of completely replacing what your bf, gf, bff, dh, dw, etc, really loves. Start with baby steps: if they love pizza with meatballs, half the amount of meatballs and add pineapple or green bell pepper for example. And make sure they get an extra piece so they don't feel deprived. Any "diet" that makes you feel deprived is not going to last - and we're in this for the long haul! Instead of "tricking," try treating! Make the veggies an extra special addition. Smother them in his favorite sauce, or salad dressing. Or introduce a new veggie along side his favorite dish. The idea is to keep it a positive experience. When people feel their favorite foods are being taken away from them forever, it's extremely emotional and the tendency is to get defensive (I would be extremely upset if someone told me I couldn't have my Coconut Bliss ever again). But if you start slow and keep it light and fun and let him know it's out of love, hopefully he'll be receptive to the changes.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! Just discovered it via CSL and your killer fig bar recipes - YUM!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading more delicious sounding recipes.
Peace and Veggies!
Rachel! Your blog is terrific, and I am a bona-fide Meat Eater!! I heart your recipes and cannot wait to try the glutten free cinnamon pancakes! I'm telling all my friends about this, it will be so appreciated!
ReplyDeleteyayay to greens :)
Lorene
Kicka, Thanks so much! I was so excited that CSL posted my recipe! Kris is my hero! Welcome!
ReplyDeleteLorene! Score one for the vegans! I love having a bona-fide meat eater loving my blog!
Hi Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI stumbled on this blog while Googling vegan recipes and have really enjoyed it! I was a vegan for 1 whole month but fell off the wagon when I got pregnant and the only thing that made the morning sickness go away was chicken fingers, yikes!:( I hope to use your blog as inspiration to start cooking and get back on the vegan wagon! I'm doing a little spring cleaning for my body as opposed to my home.
I also hope that you'll post some kid friendly vegan recipes now that you are a mom. I could use some help getting my daughter to eat anything green!
Thanks again,
Erin