Beet Mango Smoothie

Day 7: Focus on a nutrient

Gotta be honest and say I'm too lazy to learn about the nutrients in a beet. I know for a fact that they are packed with all the good vitamins and minerals and fiber that we're supposed to be eating every day. I figure, if you're eating a variety of foods, and every color of food, and lots of water and carbs and protein, you're good for the day.

"Where do you get your protein?" is the question that vegans all deal with. The first time I was asked this, I was sitting in a room full of people I had not seen since college - a reunion of sorts. They found is odd (or interesting? ) that I eat a vegan diet. When they questioned my protein intake, I admit that I stumbled in responding. I vaguely said, "Oh, beans and tofu." Lame. The room was completely silent, everyone was nodding as if now they totally understood a vegan diet, and I felt that I did no service to my new way of eating.

What I should have said is that the Standard American Diet is so chocked full of protein that many people actually suffer from protein related diseases! Have you actually ever heard of a vegetarian or vegan suffering from protein deficiency? No, I didn't think so. There is plenty of protein in a vegan diet, including beets! Yes, a beet has protein. Plus, plant protein is easier to digest and because it comes in a handy vegetable, you also get the bonus of all that glorious fiber. No fiber in animal products - not an ounce. Plenty of protein in plants.

Next time someone asks me where I get my protein, of course I'll say beans and tofu. I'll also state the there's great sources of protein in all kinds of plants. Hey, did you guys know, for example, that a gorilla eats only plants. They seem to get plenty of protein! :) 

And don't forget about all those beautiful professional football players that are vegan. I bet they eat beets. 

Asian Salad with Coconut Curry Noodles - Vegan Month of Food

A path near my house. 

The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Quintessentially American.
     Rugged New England.
         Mended fences and good neighbors.
                Little calves standing by their mamas.
 Horses that shake their harness bells on a snowy night.
       John Kennedy’s inauguration.
                 Robert Frost.

I think this might be my favorite poem: I love it for its simplicity. I love that it speaks truth to my heart. I love how it challenges me to live my life as I believe I ought, even in the face of pressure to conform. As I write these words I realize that one of my favorite Bible verses, really my life verse, is from the second chapter of Romans the 12^th verse. “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

“Way leads on to way,” and we can’t turn back time to re-live our lives. Make the most of every day….and serve your loved ones delicious and healthy food.

This salad is delicious. We ate it for dinner two nights in a row – the second time adding some teriyaki tofu.  And yes, the dressing has 16 ingredients. A simple poem. A complex recipe.

Here’s what you need: (adapted from Chris Scheuer at thecafesucrefarine.com)

For the coconut curry noodles:

1 can light coconut milk

2 T green curry paste

10 ounces long pasta noodles

2 t olive oil

For the salad:
6-8 C Bib or butter lettuce or Romaine

Cubes or slices of teriyaki baked tofu or other similar protein

1-2 ripe avocados, peeled and sliced

1 -2 ripe mangos, peeled and sliced

½ C salted peanuts

For the dressing: Simple combine all the ingredients and mix well.

2 Cloves garlic – minced

1 T fresh, grated ginger

1 T red onion, minced

¼ C rice vinegar

1 t Dijon

1 1/2 T brown sugar

1 1/2 T honey

1 T soy

1 t sesame oil

1 t Sriracha sauce

2 T sesame seeds

2 T poppy seeds

1/3 C olive oil

¼ C Canola Oil

1 t salt

½ t pepper

Here’s what you do:

Combine the coconut milk and green curry paste in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil, lower heat, simmer for about 10 minutes. In the meantime, cook the pasta according to the package. Drain the pasta and place in a large bowl. Drizzle olive oil over pasta and toss with two forks. Pour the coconut curry sauce over the pasta and set aside.

Prepare the salad by arranging the avocados, mangos and peanuts on a bed of lettuces. Serve the pasta in the same serving dish for a fabulous presentation. Drizzle the dressing over the lettuce part of the salad. 

(printable recipe) 

Simple Mango Salsa

Two mangos

One English cucumber

Some minced red onion.

Some cilantro

One minced jalapeno pepper, seeds and veins removed

Season with fresh lime zest, lime juice and salt

This recipe wraps up my Cuban Christmas menu. I hope you enjoyed looking at the photos and recipes and I really encourage you to step away from the turkey and ham and 'Go Cuban' at your next holiday meal! 

One last departing look at my beautiful Cuban Christmas. 

For the rest of the recipes, simply click below:

Ropa Vieja,    Cardamom Coconut Rice,    Pineapple Layer Cake with Pineapple Curd.