Happy Herbivore - Blog

Evernote App

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 14:00:00 -0500

After my last post on ingredient apps for the phone, Scott had to share about using Evernote. While it is not an ingredient app, nor is it just an app for your phone. It is an app for your phone and computer. He uses it daily and thought it would be a good app share.

Firstly, Evernote is more than just one app. Unlike the ingredient apps I mentioned before, Evernote has several versions depending on how you want to use it. And it's available anywhere. There's the regular Evernote, Evernote Sketch, Evernote Hello, and even an Evernote Food. And they interact with each other. It is billed as "Remember Everything."

The origonal app lets you write yourself notes or copy webpages for refernce later. You can store screen images and pictures. The best part is that it is a cloud based system, meaning if I am at the store and want to write a quick note to do something when I get home, I no longer have to email myself. I can jot it into Evernote, and then look at it on the computer when I get home.

Another version is Evernote Hello, which lets you take a picture of someone new and then also enter where you met, who else was there. This helps you remember them in the future. Accoriding to their site, people don't remember others in alpetbetcial order, but rather in a few different ways, like chronologically or by where they were or who else was there when you met. This is how Evernote Hello stores people too, to help you remember them better and find them sooner.

Evernote Food is like a food journal, letting you take pictures and notes about your meals, and even who was there. You can share these witgh other friends or keep them private. I've tried many diets over the years, and keeping a food journal was a part of almost all of them. I was not very good at writing down everything I ate, but this app just lets you take a picture & remembers it for you! Below is a day from Scott's phone. You can also list reviews and reminders for yourself for future visits (or a reason not to) to a restaurant.

Like I mentioned earlier, it is a cloud based system, and you can access it when travelling, even when using a friends computer. It is almost like a portable hard drive in that you can access all your information from anyway. There is even an option to share some of it with friends. There is no emailing or faxing multiple copies back and forth.

[image source]

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Plant-Based (Vegan) Chili Recipe

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0500

A friend of mine was in a Chili Cookoff last week and came in 2nd place. I told him he should have asked me for a recipe and maybe he would have won first!

A nice bowl of warm chili can ease the winter blues and bring people together. There are doznes of chili societies that host cookoffs throught the world, with some being solely vegetarian or vegan cookoffs!

While most vegetarian chili focuses on black, kideny, or pinto beans, chickpeas are the star in this one. They add that special something to the chili.

Cornbread is often a stable with chili. You can eat a slice on the side or break it into pieces and add it to the chili as well. The Bayou Cornbread (EHH, pg 66) is an excellent cornbread that compliments chili without trying to steal the spotlight.

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Plant-Based (Vegan) Restaurants

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 14:00:00 -0500

More and more plant-based (vegan) or veg-friendly restaurants are opening their doors, and more established restaurants have at least a vegetarian item notated on the menu. You can even use online sites to help you find them, like happycow - who lists vegan and veg-friendly restaurants with customer reviews.

Even at these restaurants, oil-free meals can be a bit challenging, but usually a restaurant can accommodate us when we ask for it. Sometimes I will have to pick a different dish than the one I originally wanted; even at restaurants without specific vegan dishes on the menu, I have found that there are plenty of options to choose.

As I have said before, restaurants and servers are in the business of making you happy; they want your money and if you ask for a reasonable request they usually can cater to you. So, don't hesitate to ask!

Mine and my sisters experiences are similar yet quite different at the same time. While we both are plant-based and oil-free, her options at the same restaurant are far more limited. Just because a restaurant is plant-based, doesn't mean it is allergen-free.

We recently went to a vegan restaurant, and she had picked out 5 meals that were appealing to her (if it were me, I would still be trying to choose between them all), but there was only 1 that could be made without black pepper.

Usually before we even order, she is already asking the server about spices used in dishes, sauces, and sides. One might not think about sides much, but almost everything at restaurants are seasoned, even steamed veggies.

Some servers (usually not at plant-based restaurants) will say that they've never heard of a black pepper allergy in a tone that seems unbelievable. With Courtney's allergy, a reaction is not always immediate - it can appear a several hours later. There have been a few places where we realized after the fact, they did not accommodate her request, and we have not gone back.

I am usually able to find something to eat at any restaurant, although I may have to ask for substitutions - like extra peppers in place of steak for fajitas. Even if nothing appears to be vegan-friendly, don't be afraid to ask the server. For a list of dishes at ethnic specific restaurants, check out my earlier post here.

We do realize it is an inconvenience for a restaurant to make special accommodations for one table or person, and we always thank the restaurant for doing so.

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EHH Corrections

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0500

As with any book, there are some corrections that are found after printing. I try to catch them beforehand, but there are a few that slip through.

Thankfully they are being corrected, or have already been corrected. Below are the corrections for Everyday Happy Herbivore.

copyright page - "Back cover photo by Ben Strothmann"

Masala Burgers, pg. 83 - step 4 correction, step should read: "Add spices, ketchup, and instant oats, stirring to combine."

Kidney Quinoa Burgers, pg. 85 - step 5 correction, step should read: "Preheat oven to 450°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or use a greased cookie sheet."

Everything Minestrone, pg. 103 - step 2 correction, step should read: "Add Italian seasoning and continue to cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add all remaining ingredients, including choice vegetables, except beans, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine."

Cajun Cornbread Casserole, pg. 155 - step 6 correction, step should read: "In a small mixing bowl, whisk cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and additional Cajun Seasoning if desired (several dashes so the cornmeal looks speckled when stirred). You can also add 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar for a sweet cornbread topping. Then stir in nondairy milk and applesauce. It should be thick, but spreadable like hummus, and not dry."

Tex-Mex Shepherd's Pie, pg. 157 - step 5 correction, step should read: "Add corn, black beans, and tomatoes and stir to combine everything."

Veggie Biscuit Pot Pie, pg. 159 - correction to ingredient list, 2nd ingredient should read "1 c vegetable or no-Chicken Broth (pg. 299)"

Spicy Orange Greens, pg. 228 - correction on calorie info, should read: "79 Calories, 1g Fat, 17.1g Carbohydrates, 4g Fiber, 6.5g Sugars, 3.5g Protein"

Soft Molasses Cookies, pg. 245 - correction to Chef's Note, should read: "Chef’s Note: For a less puffy and denser cookie, use only 1⁄2 teaspoon of baking soda. Use the full teaspoon for very soft and pillow-like cookies."

Tortuga Rum Cake, pg. 251 - step 2 correction, step should read: "Grease an 8- or 9- inch square pan, or bundt pan, and set aside."

Acknowledgments, pg. 325 - paragraph added - "A special thank you to Jeremy Cox, who took my cover photo, as well as Haley Pierson-Cox and Jane Brunk, who assisted during the shoot. Also, thanks to Ana and Keith who graciously allowed us to use their kitchen. Additionally, Ben Strothmann, for giving me a great author picture!"

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What is Candida?

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:00:00 -0500

I've gotten a few questions from Herbies about candida and ways to treat it. Having not had candidiasis myself, I found out a few things that were interesting and wanted to share.

I have candida, and so do you. We all do. Candida is a type of yeast that lives in our body, normally the digestive system and mouth. It is normal and beneficial.

Candida itself is not a problem but can become so (like candidiasis or thrush) when there is too much of it. Candida is normally regulated so that it doesn't get out of control, but sometimes the natural balance of yeast and bacteria in the body is disrupted.

This can happen many different ways, but usually is caused by a weakened immune system. This can be from stress, poor diet, illness or even antibiotics.

When left uncontrolled, candida can multiply (it is a yeast after all) and spread through the body causing infections. Symptoms vary from person to person, but often included a rash of some sort.

Candidiasis can happen to anyone, man, woman or child.

Candidiasis is often controlled with anti-fungal medicine. There are several online companies that claim a Candida Cleanse is benefical and sell products (probiotics and diet plans) to help you control a candida outbreak. Most of these cleanses involve lessening sugar intake and eating more fresh foods.

According to the Mayo Clinic, there have not been any trials that show these cleanses to be effective for controlling an outbreak of candida, but that an improved diet (a part of the cleanses) does help people feel better.

Although that is not to say that changing your diet won't help with candidiasis. A healthy diet can booster the immune system.

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