{Meatless Monday} Fantastic Falafel Recipe & more…

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Hello dear readers!

Hope you had a great weekend. Mine was somewhat uneventful but I did manage to get some things done around the home. It seems like I’ve been decluttering a lot lately. Getting out what doesn’t fit in to my lifestyle or even my well being! I live in a small home so I declutter often.

In a sense I’ve also decluttered my eating habits. For 2010, as mentioned previously I plan to eat more raw foods and lean towards a vegan diet. I’m not going to set myself up for failure and plan to be quite flexible. I was a veggie for many years but had no idea what I know now. I definitely wasn’t getting the proper nutrition my body deserved nor was I getting the right amount of protein. Yikes!

My husband is open to the idea of becoming vegan or at least eating less dairy and meat more regularly per say. When I was a veggie he did not complain, whine or moan about missing meat. We both realized we were much better off. We’d been feeling better but had our diets consisted of more fresh greens & green smoothies I think I might of stuck it out.

I don’t mind variety but I’m beginning to realize that if I DO eat meat… I need to know it’s source and I’d like to make sure it’s organic, and perhaps even local. From here on out; fast food dining will be vegetarian. In fact, eating out less is definitely part of our 2010 resolutions (we don’t eat out much but our goal is to be fast food free someday). We just haven’t been able to knock it out completely.

For now, I’m leaning toward a veggie, vegan, macrobiotic, raw menu… soooo many labels- I know!! As I said, I’m not going to beat myself up and be snobby about it either. Let’s face it, I’ve grown up on meat and the Standard American Diet. I like chicken burritos, sun chips, & CANDY (huge weakness but so much better than I was a couple years ago!) and most of the other things that fit in SAD like fast food. But, in my heart of all hearts; I like the back to basics feel and obviously know that fresh fruits, veggies & plenty of fresh greens is the key to optimal health. It just seems Americans are getting further away from fresh produce and are eating of boxes; AKA processed/fortified foods. It’s saddening especially when you think about how important it is for our children to eat nutritious foods.

Going veggie again is going to be somewhat difficult but fortunately I have a lot of backing (blogosphere mainly) and willpower. After watching the full documentary of Food Inc. I’ve basically made my decision final. The documentary is proof to me (once again) that our health and well being is being rolled over by big companies with nothing but dollar signs in their eyes. Not only are humans being disrespected in more ways than one but so are animals. UGH!

Honestly, after viewing the documentary I’m going to have a hard time buying packaged meat or eating any sort of animal for a long while. It’s not the fact that I didn’t know this kind of behavior from big companies was going on… it’s the fact that it’s going on and it’s not going to stop unless something is done about it. I refuse to support any company (with my money= purchasing their products) who is not willing to be honest and set the consumer above the dollar sign! Bottom line.  If I can have control of what goes into my body I’m going to take my health by the reins and steer it away from GMO’S, pesticides, herbicides, hormones and any other toxic chemicals. Sheesh!

The hub and I discussed signing up for our local CSA again and were finally ready to get signed up.  We had planned to do it last year as a new year’s resolution but never had the chance to commit. We will not go another year. It makes sense to us to find produce that’s organic and within 100 miles (our backyard would be the most ideal and will be someday!). The CSA provides this for us as well as many add on’s such as raw milk, wheat berries, herbs, nuts, honey, grassfed meats etc. Besides, all the great perks… it’s all about supporting organic farming & honest farmers!

Enough about me and my silly meat or non meat eating ways…

I promised you a recipe that will knock your socks off!

I love falafels so we when I came across Gena’s raw vegan version I had to try them!

The recipe does require a juicer to make the carrot pulp but you can get by without using a dehydrator and use your oven, like we did. This recipe fits the bill if you’re looking for European flare without all the frying and extra calories. The dressing is really yummy, so yummy I used it as a dip to serve alongside a plate of crudite (veggies) the next day for lunch. It was GOOD.  The hubs gave this recipe two thumbs up as well. He liked the all the flavors- they mingled well. I’m a huge fan of cumin and coriander so it was a definite hit with me! They’re really delish when eaten with a huge green salad.

Super good! Super healthy.

My entire menu for the week is planned around Gena’s best of 09′ recipes.

{squeal} I LOVE her site; LOTS of great recipes and insight on vegan/raw foods living.

Raw food living isn’t fun until you’ve downed a few desserts!! At least in my opinion.

I’ve been frequently visiting the Pure2Raw Twins site and saw their Holiday Macaroon recipe during the holiday hustle and bustle but did not have the opportunity to try them out until last week.

I love peppermint so these are definitely going to made again next year for the holidays! Yum, yum, yum!!

BTW- Baby C is totally lovin’ green smoothies!! I’ve got some golden flax soaking as I type this to make him some crackers to nibble on. Yesterday, I picked up some go raw pizza snax at the Whole Foods market… I gave a couple to Baby C and he wouldn’t stop babblin’  at me over them. I’m mean seriously fussin’ if he didn’t get one! LOL! I can’t wait to try some of their other products because these little snack rounds are a hit. I think next week’s Meatless Monday is going to revolve around Baby C’s diet… the future  raw/vegan baby!

What’s on your menu? Meatless or Not!!!