Whether you’ve decided to take the jump or if you’re still on the fence about being vegan, maybe trying it a few nights at home will help you make your choice. It’s a serious life change and it doesn’t have to be a burden if you come into it with an open mind and, more importantly, a hungry tummy. Think fresh ingredients, prepared simply and with outstanding results. Get ready to get your socks knocked off!
The Ingredients
When it comes to eating vegan, you’ll need to find new and inventive ways to enjoy meals you have long consumed. Ingredients including beans, grains, nuts and dried fruits will be your go-to with a few additional items. These items will include soy-based products, tofu, and tempeh. As for liquids, your go-to will be plant milks. Almond, cashew, and oat milk are all easy to prepare from home or you can purchase your favorite from your local market. Fresh veggies are a vital source of nutrition when it comes to being vegan and you have plenty of options available. Simply pick up your favorites, research some recipes or try your hand at your own and taste the results.
Stock Goes a Long Way
While being vegan is all about cutting out animal products, it’s not about losing flavor because of it. A great way to bolster the flavor in your homemade dishes is by using herbs to pack in more flavor per square bite than you thought possible. One way to do this is with stock–veggie stock to be precise. Here you can truly experiment with ingredient combinations. If you’re looking for a quick and easy solution without all the trial and error, here is a vegetable stock that is rich in flavor. Having a few handy stock recipes under your belt will give you the freedom to cook as you like without limitations. You can use your favorite combo to bring life to an old lentil or minestrone soup and to enhance the flavor of your rice dishes.
Meal Ideas in a Pinch
Feeding your family a hearty meal in a hurry is a primary concern for many families. Vegan families are no different and it’s always good to have a few aces up your sleeve when the time comes. A great option that can be made in a pinch and is packed with flavor, is…drum roll, please… Chili. Yes, good old chili can be made quickly in a big cast iron dutch oven in about 15 to 20 minutes. But the base for chili is meat, you say? If you look deeper, the dish is heavily focused on tomatoes. Chopped, diced and/or crushed tomatoes in a tomato sauce fills the pot. Then your favorite veggies, herbs, and seasonings are added. It’s cooked for a short time and chili is born. Don’t believe it, try this vegan chili recipe and just taste the results.
The same can be said for tacos and many pasta dishes. Just take a moment and remove the meat from the equation and look for an alternative to your dairy situation and new meals can be formed in a matter of minutes. Plus, don’t forget about pizza right? There are many vegan cheese options on the market to suit your needs so you can create wonderful homemade pizza everyone will surely enjoy.
Being able to feed your family and yourself great tasting food with a healthy base is a great feeling. Providing for your children and keeping them safe is paramount. With food comes inspiration and with inspiration you can exceed any expectations put in front of you. Having a family inspires you to be better and to grow as a person.
Quick Note: The steps you take to becoming vegan can go hand in hand with not only caring for the planet but others as well. So, if not only for your children but also the children around the world, take your new-found love and inspiration and focus part of that energy toward making the world a safer place for kids with child abuse prevention awareness. As you look to improve your personal health and life, be sure to lend a hand when possible for those that need it most and are unable to help themselves, the children.
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