Making the Connection~Dog Food and Finding Better

Making the Connection~Dog Food and Finding Better

While reading Obligate Carnivore: Cats, Dogs, and What it Really Means to be Vegan by Jed Gillen, I learned about how most dog and cat food is ground up euthanized shelter cats and dogs. One will say "this doesn't really happen..." or "how can we allow this...". The truth is that as consumers, we don't ask questions and the corporations have a low bar set, and with an abundance of by-product we get this. We must start calling companies and asking questions. Use google as a tool and look up the ingredients as a starting point.



I already had my dogs on a vegan dog food, still buying out of convenience. After moving back to Texas and being short on funds, but not wanting to go back to buying a crap "animal based" dog food, I started cooking for my dogs. There is a reason why mother nature doesn't allow cannibalism. My dogs had never been that interested in their food, until I started cooking for them. Now they can't seem to get enough.

Starting off with grains:
Brown Rice
Quinoa
Pearl Barley
Steel Cut Oats
Oatmeal

Vegetables:
Cabbage
Spinach
Brussels Sprouts
Green Beans
Carrots
Eggplant
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Zucchini
Yellow Squash
Butternut Squash
Pumpkin
Bell Peppers
Kale
Peas
Tomatoes (NO LEAVES)
Sweet Potatoes
Red Potatoes


Fruit:
Blueberries
Peaches
Apples
Pears
Strawberries
Bananas

Added:
Coconut Yogurt
Peanut Butter
Tahini
Apple Sauce
Lentils

Lau Lau~ With a Twist

Lau Lau~ With a Twist
Vegan; 30 minutes; Gluten Free

The majority of time these rolls are filled with pork and fish, here I used a filling with split peas and sweet potato. A filling and tasty way to get more collard greens in your diet (which are a super green), hope you enjoy these rolls...


8 large whole collard leaves
1 medium sweet potato, unpeeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
1 cup of green and yellow split peas, soaked for 8 hours **Note: Soak the split peas before going to work or early in the day
1/2 cup of pearl barley or quinoa
1/2 cup of coconut milk
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika, or a few drops of liquid smoke

1. I used a rice maker filled with 2 cups water to cook the split peas, pearl barely and steam the sweet potatoes. If not using a rice maker fill a pot with water and bring to a boil. Add the soaked split peas, pearl barley and cook till tender. Steam the sweet potatoes for 8 minutes.

2. Fill a large pot with 1/4 cup water and bring to a boil. Drop collard leaves in water one leaf at a time, and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until slightly soft.

3. In a medium skillet over medium heat, saute the onion and garlic till fragrant. Add sweet potatoes, cooked split peas and pearl barley or quinoa, coconut milk, crushed red pepper, and paprika or liquid smoke. Simmer, letting all of the flavors come together for 5 minutes or until liquid is gone.

4. Lay 1 collard leaf on work surface, with steam pointing away from you. Spoon 1/4 cup of filling 2 inches from bottom of collard leaf. Fold bottom edge of collard leaf over filling, fold in sides, and roll away from you; rolling as tight as you can. Serve with Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce for an extra kick....

Quinoa Loaf with Mushrooms and Peas

Quinoa Loaf with Mushrooms and Peas
Vegan; Soy Free; Gluten Free

Last night was my cooking demo (which I got sick-sad face).... So, while I was trying to hold down water; my friends made this recipe. Hope you all enjoy this healthy, easy, tasty recipe! Hopefully next months cooking demo will be better!

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for the pan
8 ounces button mushrooms, sliced
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 (15 ounce) can no-salt-added garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
3/4 cup rolled oats (use gluten free)
2 cups cooked quinoa
1 cup frozen green peas
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley and/or 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
10 sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped
1 cup chopped red onion

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8-inch loaf pan with oil; set aside. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, put beans, oats and 1/2 cup water into a food processor and pulse until almost smooth. In a large bowl, combine mushrooms, bean mixture, quinoa, peas, parsley, tomatoes, onion, salt and pepper. Transfer mixture to prepared loaf pan, gently pressing down and mounding it in the middle. Bake until firm and golden brown, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Set aside to let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Found: Whole Foods

Rejuvelac

Rejuvelac
Makes about 5 cups

This is what you will use as the culturing agent for the recipes that follow. Keeps for about 4 weeks covered and stored in the fridge. The process took me about 3 days in total but can take as up to 6 days.

1 cup whole grains (I used quinoa. Brown rice, Kamut berries, millet, oat groats, rye berries, wheat berries or a combination will also work.)

6 cups filtered water

1. Soak and sprout the grains. Put the grains in a 1 quart and add water to cover. Place a double layer of cheesecloth over the mouth and secure with a rubber band. Let the grains soak for 8-12 hours. Drain, then add just enough water to moisten the grains but not so much that they immersed in water. Put the jar in a warm place out of direct sunlight for 1 to 3 days and rinse the grains once or twice a, each time draining well and then adding just enough fresh water to moisten them. Continue the process until the grains begin to sprout.

2. Culture the rejuvelac. Divide sprouted grains equally between two 1 quart glass jars. Pour 3 cups of the filtered water into each jar. Cover each jar with fresh cheesecloth and secure with rubber bands. Put the jars in a warm place out of direct sunlight for 1 to 3 days. The water turn cloudy and white, and the liquid will have a slightly tart flavor, somewhat like lemon juice. Strain the liquid into clean glass jars and discard the grains.

Green Chile Stew

Green Chile Stew
Vegan; 45 minutes or longer

Bruce and I served this over baked butternut squash. We had gone out shopping earlier in the day and bought some fresh fire roasted green chilies. Since most of my ingredients were already sliced, this is a super great recipe for left overs.

5 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, divided
1/4 diced onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1 diced potato (I used half a sweet potato and 1/2 a blue potato-left overs from a prior dish)
1 can no-salt diced tomatoes (I used a can that had green chilies)
1 can no-salt pinto beans, rinsed
8-10 fresh chilies or 2 cans green chile
1 Tablespoon cumin
1 Tablespoon thyme (I added a little of rubbed sage to the thyme)
2 cups cooked quinoa (I spiced mine with cumin and curry-left over from a prior dish)
1/2 zucchini, sliced (also left over from a prior dish)

1. Sauté 1 cup of veggie broth, onion and garlic for about 10 minutes.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer over medium heat for 45 minutes to an hour (depending on how big/thick you cut your potatoes) until potatoes are tender.

Quinoa-Stuffed Peppers

Quinoa-Stuffed Peppers
Serves 8; Vegan

1 medium onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 Tbs. ground cumin
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 10-oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry (I used fresh)
2 15-oz. cans diced tomatoes, drained, liquid reserved
1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
3/4 cup quinoa (for a kick cook it with some curry powder- 2 Tbs.)
1 large or 2 small Patty Pan Squash
1 1/2 cups Daiya pepper jack cheese, divided
4 large red bell peppers, halved lengthwise, ribs removed (I used Polbalmo Peppers)

Directions

1. Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and celery, and cook 5 minutes, or until soft. Add cumin and garlic, and sauté 1 minute. Stir in spinach and drained tomatoes. Cook 5 minutes, or until most of liquid has evaporated.

2. Stir in black beans, quinoa, carrots, and 2 cups water. Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 minutes, or until quinoa is tender. Stir in 1 cup cheese. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Pour liquid from tomatoes in bottom of baking dish.

4. Fill each bell pepper half with heaping 3/4-cup quinoa mixture, and place in baking dish. Cover with foil, and bake 1 hour. Uncover, and sprinkle each pepper with 1 Tbs. remaining cheese. Bake 15 minutes more, or until tops of stuffed peppers are browned. Let stand 5 minutes. Transfer stuffed peppers to serving plates, and drizzle each with pan juices before serving.

Nutritional Information
Per 1/2 stuffed pepper: Calories: 279, Protein: 14g, Total fat: 10g, Saturated fat: 3g, Carbs: 36g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 518mg, Fiber: 10g, Sugars: 9g

Apple-Almond Quinoa

Apple-Almond Quinoa

Since apples are in abundance during the fall season, why not take advantage of this versatile fruit?

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa
1 3/4 cup water
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup carrots, peeled and shredded
1 Granny Smith apple or apple of choice, unpeeled and cubed
1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
4 tablespoons sliced almonds, lightly toasted
1 teaspoon palm sugar or your favorite sweetener
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Dash of pepper

Directions:

1. Rinse quinoa well and add to pot along with water. Heat to boiling and reduce to a very low simmer. Cook until liquid evaporates, about 15 to 20 minutes. Don’t stir while cooking.

2. Sauté onions and carrots in pan with olive oil on medium heat, stirring occasionally. After about 5 minutes, add apples and more oil if needed. Cook until tender. Stir in cinnamon, almonds and palm sugar.

3. Mix quinoa with apple mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 4 to 6. Cooking time 30 minutes.


Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving

Quinoa and Sweet Potato Salad

Quinoa and Sweet Potato Salad
Serves 4; Vegan

1 cup dry quinoa
2 cups vegetable stock
1 large sweet potato, diced
2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
Black pepper and sea salt, to taste
Dash of cayenne pepper
2 tsp. organic lemon juice

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Place the quinoa and vegetable stock in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the stock is absorbed. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.

3. Coat the diced sweet potatoes with 1 Tbsp. of the olive oil and the pepper, salt, and cayenne. Transfer to a sheet pan and roast until crisp. Remove from the oven and let cool.

4. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the lemon juice and the remaining 1 Tbsp. of olive oil. Season with the salt and pepper. Stir in the diced sweet potatoes and the quinoa and serve.

Found on PETA's website

Pear-Almond Quinoa

Pear-Almond Quinoa
Vegan; 30 minutes or fewer

This vegetarian quinoa dish is full of pears, cinnamon and almonds and adds a fun twist to your quinoa. It makes for a nice gluten-free breakfast cereal or for a savory side dish that goes well with a salad. Very comforting and delicious!

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa
1 cup water
3/4 cup ginger juice
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup of dried fruit (I used a combination of dates, currents and raisins)
2 pears, unpeeled and cubed
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 tablespoons sliced almonds, lightly toasted
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Rinse quinoa well and add to pot along with water. Heat to boiling and reduce to a very low simmer. Cook until liquid evaporates, about 15 to 20 minutes. Don’t stir while cooking.

2. Sauté onions and dried fruit in pan with olive oil on medium heat, stirring occasionally. After about 5 minutes, add pears and more oil if needed. Cook until tender. Stir in cinnamon, and almonds.

3. Mix quinoa with pear mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 4 to 6.

Quinoa and Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash

Quinoa and Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash
6 Servings; Vegan

So, I've been wanting the flavors of fall. Between the move to Colorado and a lack of time, this needed little "hands on time". Use a little less sage {about 1/2 tsp. so it's not so powerful; also you can double the dried fruit and quinoa and skip the rice.} This can be modified to fit EVERY taste, enjoy and happy eating!

•6 small acorn squash, halved and seeds removed
•6 cups water
•1 cup uncooked wild rice (genuine Ojibwa if possible), rinsed
•1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
•2 tsp. vegetable oil
•4 green onions (white and pale green parts), chopped
•1/2 cup chopped celery
•1 tsp. dried sage
•1/2 cup dried cranberries
•1/3 cup dried apricots, chopped
•1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
•1/2 to 3/4 cup fresh orange juice
•Salt to taste

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange squash halves cut side down in baking dish or roasting pan. Bake until tender, 25 to 30 minutes.

2.Meanwhile, make filling. In large saucepan, bring 4 cups water to boil. Add wild rice and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until rice is tender, about 40 minutes. Drain if necessary.

3.In another large saucepan, bring remaining 2 cups of water to boil. Add quinoa. Reduce heat and simmer until water is absorbed and quinoa is tender, about 12 minutes.

4.In large, deep skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add green onions, celery and sage, and cook, stirring often, until vegetables begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add dried fruits and nuts and cook, stirring often, until heated through. Using a fork, fluff quinoa and wild rice, then add both to skillet. Add orange juice and mix until heated through. Season with salt.

5.To serve, remove squash from oven and arrange on serving platter. Spoon filling into each squash cavity and serve.

Per serving: Calories: 454, Protein: 12g, Total fat: 6g, Saturated fat: 1g, Carbs: 95g, Cholesterol: mg, Sodium: 31mg, Fiber: 6g

Found: Vegetarian Times October 1998

Summer Veggies and Chickpeas with Purple Carrot Juice

Summer Veggies and Chickpeas with Purple Carrot Juice
Vegan; 30 minutes or fewer; Serves 4

On Saturday, some friends and I gave a presentation for VegSurvival 101. For the dish, I prepared this to show that you use what you have on hand and to think outside the box. Food is an art and that it doesn't have to be a chore to make dinner for your family. The presentation was a success, with the attendees feeling better about how easy it is to stick to a vegetarian/vegan/plant-based diet. Enjoy the jewel tones of this dish and add what you have on hand. I wanted to use quinoa, but had to substitute pearl barley-just getting back from the store-and realizing I was out...

1 cup quinoa
1 cup purple carrot juice
1 cup water
2 tablespoons olive oil (use vegetable broth if your watching your oil intake)
4 mini sweet peppers, sliced in half moon (I used yellow, orange and red)
1 tomato
5 cremini mushroom, sliced
1 small yellow squash, sliced
1 small zucchini, sliced
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced-I zested mine (if going with ground ginger, use 2 teaspoons)
**2-3 teaspoons of dried thyme
**2-3 teaspoons of dried lemon peel
**Add crushed red peppers for added heat or try dried Thai peppers

**With the purple carrot juice being so tasty, you may need to add more spice to the dish for added flavor.

1. In pan add quiona, purple carrot juice and water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender and liquid is absorbed.

2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil (enough to coat the pan). Add garlic and ginger, sauté for 30 seconds. Next, add the peppers and mushrooms, continue to sauté for 3 minutes or until mushrooms are brown and peppers are tender. Add squash, zucchini and chickpeas and sauté for 5 minutes or until heated through, adding the lemon peel and thyme until fragrant.

3. Combine the quiona mixture with veggies and serve. Enjoy with some crusty bread, toasted with some earth balance, sprinkle some garlic powder and rosemary.

Quiona Mixed Veggie Salad

Quinoa Mixed Veggie Salad
Vegan; 30 minutes or fewer

I'm an advocate for using what you have on hand when it comes to cooking, especially when you're at a loss for ideas regarding a fabulous (simple) dinner.... So, when Bruce let's in that he wants something light, it at least steers me in the right direction.
1 cup quinoa
6 spears of asparagus cut, about 1 inch pieces
3 sweet red and yellow peppers, cut and seeded (I cut them in half moon)
2 baby portabella mushrooms, sliced
2 Tbs. onion, chopped finely
1 tsp. garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups of vegetable broth
1/2 cup carrot juice
thyme, to taste
roasted bell pepper and garlic spice, to taste
crushed red pepper, to taste

1. In pot add the quiona with 1 cup vegetable broth and 1/2 cup carrot juice. (Living in Colorado, I've noticed that I've had to add extra liquid to everything, so this is a good measurement for a lower altitude.) Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer till liquid is absorbed.
2. In a pan, over medium heat, add 1/2 cup vegetable broth, garlic and onion. Sauté till onion is translucent, about 2 minutes, add mushrooms, and sauté for about 3-4 minutes. Add asparagus, peppers, thyme, garlic spice and crushed red pepper, cooking for about 2-3 minutes more, or until tender.
3. Mix quiona with vegetable mixture and save warm with some crusty bread. (I served it with rosemary sourdough with earth balance and garlic powder toasted.)