Forums: March 2010 Kickstart Forum Archive: You vegan staples
Created on: 03/02/10 02:16 PM Views: 5591 Replies: 23
Vegann Joined: 03/02/10 Posts: 35	Your 'cannot-live-without' vegan staples Posted Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 2:16 PM I am making my next shopping list! The first trip I made to the store were things from the 21-day shopping list. But, I am interested in your favorites. What is the one vegan thing you cannot go without? I am looking to expand my horizons. Thanks! --Ann
	Edited 03/02/10 2:17 PM Quote | Send PM | Link | Top | Bottom
Susan Levin Joined: 12/26/09 Posts: 1190	RE: You vegan staples Posted Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 2:20 PM If you are going to a health food store, get nutritional yeast flakes. They taste good on EVERYthing. It's my can't live without food. Susan Levin, MS, RD PCRM Director of Nutrition Education
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fiji51904 Joined: 01/12/10 Location: Ontario, CA Posts: 98	RE: You vegan staples Posted Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 2:21 PM Ditto! Heidi
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TexGal Joined: 02/25/10 Location: Texas Posts: 111	RE: You vegan staples Posted Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 2:23 PM I used to hate hummus, but decided to give it a try again. I bought a big container and now I use it on everything ... great for a quick lunch or snack, spread on toast, a dip for veggies, etc etc.
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lenlin Joined: 12/31/09 Location: Oregon Posts: 43	RE: You vegan staples Posted Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 3:01 PM Edamame. Best snack in the world. I haven't tried any main dishes with it yet but have a few recipes eyeballed. Linda Linda
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Vegann Joined: 03/02/10 Posts: 35	RE: You vegan staples Posted Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 3:03 PM lenlin wrote: Edamame. Best snack in the world. I haven't tried any main dishes with it yet but have a few recipes eyeballed. Linda Do you eat them plain? I have a recipe for roasted, but I am wondering if that is even required.
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lenlin Joined: 12/31/09 Location: Oregon Posts: 43	RE: You vegan staples Posted Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 3:18 PM I boil frozen unshelled in a small amount of water and then eat them out of the pod, not eating the pod. Cook for approximately 3 minutes, then put lid on pan and leave in water for 2-3 more. I do add a little salt knowing this is not the best for me but that's the thing I really do miss in all the recipes. I've tried the shelled frozen ones but really like the unshelled frozen ones the best. Kind of like cracking sunflower seed shells only soft. A little tactile sensation! Linda Linda
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smday Joined: 12/31/09 Location: Kansas City Posts: 52	RE: You vegan staples Posted Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 4:59 PM I would have to say spices. Since you will now be preparing foods yourself instead of eating fast-food, or buying takeout or packaged or frozen prepared dishes, you will find yourself in the kitchen much more than in the past. You will also find a whole new world of flavors are available in spices and spice blends. For tutorials on how to use various Indian spices and spice mixtures, see the free podcasts of Dino Sarma at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/AlternativeVegan or pick up his book at http://www.amazon.com/Alternative-Vegan-International-Straight-Produce/dp/0977080420/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-4697185-0883132?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180977967&sr=8-1
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mommyof2nc Joined: 12/31/09 Location: North Carolina Posts: 172	RE: You vegan staples Posted Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 7:36 PM These are the things I always try to keep in my kitchen: canned (and dried) beans - all types, frozen stir fry veggies, brown rice, quinoa (buy it in bulk at the health food store - it's WAY cheaper that way), 2-3 different types of fruits, frozen spinach (again, way cheaper, especially if you're just going to cook it anyway), tofu, tempeh, almond milk, natural peanut butter and then whatever fresh veggies are on sale that week. We also always have hummus around but instead of buying it pre-made, I just make it myself. My kids love it and so do I, so we tend to go through a ton of it and it's just a lot cheaper to make it myself. Oh, and as far as spices, I always have cumin, coriander, curry powder, red pepper flakes, various "Italian/Mediterranean" spices/herbs, and chili powder. I have a pretty big spice cabinet, though, so I'm sure I have anything I might need for almost every type of cuisine. The ones I listed are just the ones we tend to use the most.
	Edited 03/02/10 7:40 PM Quote | Send PM | Link | Top | Bottom
Wild4Stars Joined: 12/27/09 Location: Florida Posts: 832	RE: You vegan staples Posted Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 6:38 AM ALL good suggestions! ~Beans, canned and dried, lots of varieties. I especially love garbanzos, they seem so versatile, I love them on salads, mashed on sandwiches, or used to make a dip. I'm never without garbanzos, canned and dried. ~Lentils, same as above and they cook quick, can be added to almost any soup or stew, cooked alone, with rice. Very versatile. ~Flavored vinegars make quick and easy dressings, spice up veggies or soups. ~Lots of spices, like someone already said. Be creative about combining them. ~I'm never without onions and garlic ~Salsa, I even add it to some soups, it's good in some dips, with pitas and hummus. Sometimes when I'm in a rush I'll open a can of garbanzo beans, semi mash them with some salsa, add some onions and garlic, warm in the micro and I have a great, filling snack in just a couple minutes. Throw it in a whole wheat pita and make it a meal. ~Parma - it's a vegan parmesan cheese. I never cared much for parmesan cheese but I really like this stuff. It's made with nutritional yeast, it's good for you and yummy. Good on veggies, pasta, rice, popcorn - really anything that can use a little flavor boost. ~Kashi 7 Grain Pilaf, it is a versatie pilaf. I cook it with veggie broth or plain and add tomatoes or other veggies. I'll cook a big batch and have it in the fridge to add to soups, stews, eat plain or with veggies added. Sometimes I cook it with added barley or quinoa. I've even thrown it chilled on a salad. ~Tomatoes- I always have some kind of stewed or canned tomatoes on hand to spice up soups or throw on rice, quinoa, pilaf or beans. I like Muir Glen Fire Roasted the best. ~Whole wheat couscous - I like it just plain, cooked in a little veggie broth, added to the above mentioned pilaf. It's also handy if you make soup and it's a little too soupy. Throw in a little couscous, it only takes five minutes to cook and it will thicken it right up. Be sure to buy whole wheat, otherwise it's just white pasta. A little goes a long way, seems it just about triples, at least doubles. There's probably more, but those are a few of the things I'm never without. Gotta go, I'm hungry now !! Vikki ~ Wild4Stars@gmail.com
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veveveveggie Joined: 12/28/09 Posts: 114	RE: You vegan staples Posted Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 8:18 AM In addition to the above, I always have sweet potatoes. I really enjoy making veggie hash for breakfast with a chopped up sweet potato as the base. I use to waste a lot of fresh veggies I would buy because I knew I should. Now I don't waste my fruits and veggies, I eat them! I keep a good variety of pasta on hand. Orzo is very handy because it cooks quickly and can be added directly to the dish. I guess it works like couscous. I don't like the red or black varieties of quinoa. I found them to be way too gritty. Jean
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LisaW45 Joined: 02/25/10 Posts: 42	RE: You vegan staples Posted Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 8:40 AM This is a great thread. I wish I had been able to log in in January when I tried to start this plan, cause this is so helpful.
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Jill Eckart Joined: 12/26/09 Posts: 79	RE: You vegan staples Posted Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 10:03 AM Bananas, frozen fruit and rice milk - I make my own smoothies as often as possible and I add cinnamon and vanilla extract for added flavor! Jill Eckart PCRM
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Bluesgyrl Joined: 01/06/10 Posts: 159	RE: You vegan staples Posted Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 1:01 PM MAPLE SYRUP!!!!!!!! Be careful...it is extremely sweet. The first time I made pancakes on the Kickstart plan I added maple sugar and wowwwwwwwwwww was I surprised at how sweet it was. Made we consider what in the world was in the syrup I had been putting on pancakes. Now when I make pancakes and use maple sugar in them they are plenty sweet. No need to add syrup on top. Enjoy!
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LisaW45 Joined: 02/25/10 Posts: 42	RE: You vegan staples Posted Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 1:53 PM I was wondering, is bulk yeast the same thing as nutritional yeast? I was asking at a health food store and they showed me the bulk yeast. I finally found the nutritional yeast flakes, so that is what I wound up getting, but just out of curiosity was wondering about the other. Thanks.
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txgirl Joined: 01/04/10 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 82	RE: You vegan staples Posted Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 2:02 PM Lisa - The bulk yeast at WF in Houston is...at least that's what the store employee told me. You should probably ask an employee or the store manager next time you stock up. Tina
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LisaW45 Joined: 02/25/10 Posts: 42	RE: You vegan staples Posted Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 2:13 PM txgirl wrote: Lisa - The bulk yeast at WF in Houston is...at least that's what the store employee told me. You should probably ask an employee or the store manager next time you stock up. Tina LOL. Well, I figured if they didnt even know they had it, they probably didnt know the difference, if there is any. i figure someone in this forum will know better than they did.
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JamieR Joined: 01/01/10 Location: Mendocino Coast, Northern California Posts: 116	RE: You vegan staples Posted Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 4:03 AM Susan Levin wrote: If you are going to a health food store, get nutritional yeast flakes. They taste good on EVERYthing. It's my can't live without food. How do you (and others) use nutritional yeast? I've just bought some, and am not quite sure what to do with it! September Kickstart Goals: Walk/bike daily, keep up with forum, 100% low-fat vegan experimenting with maximizing FLAVOR! www
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Wild4Stars Joined: 12/27/09 Location: Florida Posts: 832	RE: You vegan staples Posted Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 6:06 AM Nutritional yeast can just be sprinkled on anything. Veggies, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, salad. I've been told it's good on popcorn though I haven't tried it yet. I'm new to it also and those are the things I have sprinkled it on. Vikki ~ Wild4Stars@gmail.com
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mray Joined: 01/04/10 Posts: 15	RE: You vegan staples Posted Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 8:31 AM Gomasio - brightens up absolutely everything
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