Eating Out For A Modified Vegan Can Be So Discouraging!

Honestly, I can live without hitting a restaurant. Really, I can.

 

But the hard part comes in when I'm with others, traveling long distance and/or celebrating an occasion. It seems almost impossible to find a place that is able to alter something to make it Vegan friendly, or even offer a Vegan dish.

 

No, I am not someone who demands special treatment - please, I am much more civilized and classy than that. But one would assume (yes, I said assume) that it would be fairly easy to just steam up a side of veggies WITHOUT butter and sauces and throw them on a plate. Yes! I would pay for that, extra even, if I had to eat out...I would be so relieved!

 

But everywhere I have gone lately that has not been a "Vegan" place has gotten me discouraged (and I have to be extra careful even in vegan restaurants because of the amounts of oils they use to cook with - to answer why, refer back to my first post on this blog about being a Modified Vegan and what that means for me...).

 

Case in Point:

 

I recently went to Olive Garden, and within minutes found that there was nothing on the menu I could have unless I wanted the garden salad with no dressing at all. That would be fine, I love salads! Except when we ordered it (without dressing), there was dressing in the bottom - again, not something I can have because it is oil-based.

 

So we had to send it back - and this time I again emphasized (very nicely, no need to be rude!) that I cannot have extra oils, it's a medical necessity. They were great about it, and I asked for lemon wedges - so as soon as we got an oil-free salad I squeezed lemons all over it - it was really good, I much prefer lemon juice over dressings anyway!

 

One would think that the Minestrone soup and Marinara sauces are actually vegan - and many people have stated they are - but they are not. ALL the noodles at Olive Garden are egg-based noodles, and their Marinara and Minestrone have a mushroom base that uses unsalted butter and dairy milk in the mixture - which are no-no animal proteins.

*sigh*, oh well. Two of my former favorites there...but no more.

 

I was there with family, so of course it's always awkward when I am the only one not able to eat with everyone during the main course. They always tell me, "Come on, once is not going to hurt you," or "Don't you think this is a little extreme?", "How can you live like this?"

 

Well, yes it will...and no, it's doctor's orders...and just fine, I do very well on my own.

It's with others, or going out, or traveling that I run into issues and frowns. Because I cannot cook the food myself, I find that it's a struggle. One that is sometimes embarrassing and very awkward.

 

I have heard others tell me that this is my problem, I can't change mainstream restaurants, and don't bother...just don't go out. That's a little unrealistic since I travel, and my family and friends go out to places to celebrate events and accomplishments.

And I would NEVER demand that they or restaurants accommodate me over and above everyone else - that is just ridiculous. But simple things like steamed veggies are generally on a menu somewhere. It's just a matter of steaming them and not adding extras like butter and milk sauces to it.

 

But on the upside to all this, one thing I have started doing (if I am local and not traveling) is eating before I leave the house, or bringing a cooler of food with me during the day so I can eat just before I go into the restaurant for a lunch date or that evening when meeting people. It has helped greatly. But  again, it does not combat every situation I run into, believe me.

On another positive note: I do really enjoy going to someone's home for a get-together or celebration, I always offer to bring a dish so that way no one has to cater to my special needs. This way we can all enjoy the festivities with no awkwardness.

I just wish going to restaurants was as simple!

One place that one would not think of right away is actually SUBWAY - they have a Veggie Delight that if ordered with the Italian Bread is a VEGAN option! I load it with all the veggies possible and a little regular mustard and it is a great filler - and healthy! So there is always that option - thankfully! (My husband and I are getting used to hitting a SUBWAY if we cannot find anything else while we are out)

   ;-)

As a side note:

The one thing I do really miss is having dessert though, being diabetic AND Vegan can be pretty tough sometimes!

And I now realize and understand what other people with specific diet concerns and constraints have to go through. It's really tough out there with our current Western societal view on eating norms and foods. I can see now after much research, and changes that I have made to my own diet, just how much our Western Diet is a true killer.

 

UPDATE: 9/28/2012

I recently received a reply from Olive Garden on whether they can alter some existing recipes or offer some new ones as Vegan options:

Dear Heather,

Thank you for your interest in Olive Garden.

We consider your feedback extremely valuable to the success of our business.

Decisions about our menu are based on guest feedback and demand, along with an effort to keep our menu fresh and interesting. We have documented your suggestion to offer some Vegan options on our menu.

While we cannot meet all requests, we want you to know that annually we compile all guest suggestions and recommendations for review. The most frequently suggested items are presented to our culinary team for consideration.

We appreciate the time you took to write to us. If Guest Relations can be of further assistance, please reply to this email or write us again through our website at www.olivegarden.com.
 

Sincerely,

Lidia
Olive Garden Guest Relations

 

 

VEGAN Blueberry Pancakes

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups whole grain flour OR white flour, preferably unbleached (or a gluten free flour mix) 3 Tbsp. sugar, preferably Sucanat or Stevia 3 Tbsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 2 cups vanilla soy milk 3 Tbsp. canola oil (or 3TBSP unsweetened Applesauce) 1/2 cup frozen blueberries 1/2 cup fresh blueberries

Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix together. Add the soy milk and oil and mix until the batter is smooth.

Ladle the batter onto the hot pancake griddle. Add frozen blueberries. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side.

Serve with fresh blueberries.

You can also switch it up and replace blueberries with any berries you want OR even dairy-free chocolate chips! YUM!!

Healthy Tacos

(Adapted from Dr. Neal Barnhard's recipe, with a few changes for those who choose NO oils and do not want to use tofu.)

Tofu (or not) Tacos
Makes 6 tacos

These tacos may be made with fresh or frozen tofu. Freezing tofu gives it a chewy texture somewhat like ground beef. To freeze tofu, place it in its package in the freezer. To thaw, place the package in the refrigerator. Once thawed, remove the tofu from its package and squeeze out the excess water.

Using Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) also works just as well, if not better for those who do not like tofu. (Bags of TVP can be found in the healthy foods sections of most grocery stores and is inexpensive) Simply follow the directions on the bag to rehydrate the granules, but reduce about two tablespoons of water out of the water amount when doing so. Then add in the TVP instead of the tofu

INGREDIENTS:
 
Cooking Spray OR 2 tbsp oil

1 small onion, chopped

1/2 small bell pepper, seeded and diced (optional)

1/2 pound firm tofu, crumbled (about 1 cup) OR rehydrate 1 cup TVP granules

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon nutritional yeast (optional)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1/4 cup tomato sauce

6 corn tortillas

1–2 cups shredded lettuce

2 green onions, chopped

1/2 cup chopped tomato

1/3 cup salsa

Daiya Non-Dairy Cheese  (your choice of what type. So far, Daiya is the only company who produces a store-bought cheese that does not add casein and whey to their cheeses - both of which are no-no's in eating Vegan)


Heat liberal amount of cooking spray OR 2 tbsp oil in a non-stick skillet. Add onion and bell pepper, if using, and cook over high heat, stirring often, 2 to 3 minutes.

Add tofu or rehydrated TVP, chili powder, nutritional yeast (if using), garlic powder, cumin, oregano, and soy sauce. Reduce heat to medium and cook 3 minutes, stirring often. (less time for using TVP - about a minute to two minutes)

Add tomato sauce and cook over low heat until mixture is fairly dry.

Heat a tortilla in a heavy dry skillet, turning it from side to side until soft and pliable. Place a small amount of tofu/TVP mixture in the center, then fold tortilla in half and remove from heat. Garnish with lettuce, green onions, tomato, salsa, and Daiya cheese. Repeat with remaining tortillas.

From Everyday Jane To Type 2 Diabetic To (hopefully) Everyday Jane Again!

First, an overview:

 

I was recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. I had steadily gained weight after the birth of my daughter in 2005, and my weight crept up from pre-pregnancy 165/170 to an unhealthy 242 pounds as of 7/15/2012. Very scary. I felt tired all the time, sick, numerous aches and pains struck on a daily basis and my feet and knee joints have taken the worst hit.

 

But...My doctor, Jonathan Fish MD, and well-known doctor Neal Barnhard MD have both profoundly changed - and saved - my life.

 

In July, Dr. Fish had me give up animal proteins (meat, seafood, milk, eggs, cheese...ALL dairy, meats and related animal-based products) and cut out ALL cooking oils and extra oils in my foods, all whole nuts and nut butters, and all refined sugars and processed foods   (hence, the term: Modified Vegan - as Vegans use oils to cook with and can consume nuts and refined sugars, but I can not.) ... Since then, my numbers have dropped, and continue to do so slowly and healthfully - and the best part in addition to this: my weight is also disappearing slowly and steadily - the healthy way to lose weight.

 

Instead of pills and shots, Dr. Fish gave me a title on a prescription paper for "Program for Reversing Diabetes" by Dr. Neal Barnhard,  and told me to read it cover to cover and adopt its principles and guidelines before my next appointment a month later. This is a book that has changed my life and all preconceived notions of health and diet. It has scientifically-backed research and valid points and examples of what the Western Diet, and it's huge consumption of meats, dairy and other unhealthy additions (processed foods, refined sugars, etc...) has done to this country and it's residents.

 

Since consuming all the knowledge this book had to offer, I have bought his cookbook and other related books by supporting authors and physicians and other informative materials that support this way of living. This IS NOT a "diet", this is a way of life!

 

I feel great, I'm losing weight slowly and steadily WITHOUT insanely crazy workouts, AND...many aches, pains and discomforts are quickly DISAPPEARING. My hair, nails and skin have all improved and I would swear my eyesight is changing a tiny amount as well. I have always worn contacts and in the last week those and my glasses are a little fuzzy. When I went to have my eyes rechecked today, my optometrist suprisingly said that my vision had improved a tiny bit since last April.

 

I was shocked....since a child, my eyesight has worsened every few years...until now. "Wow", as all I could say to her.

 

As of September 18th, 2012 I have being doing this for 8 weeks now. I go in on October 19th for another check on my A1C, blood glucose levels, cholesterol, blood pressure and heart disease issues. I have been monitoring my blood pressure and it has gone down and hovered around 118-135 over 65-75...much better than the constant 160-190 over 90-110!

 

And I have done this WITHOUT prescribed medications, insulin injections and daily glucose checks. Once my doctor and I have determined that this is effectively combating and reversing my condition, there will be no medications, injections, or daily glucose checks because my body is repairing itself naturally, the way it was meant to, partly because I made the change immediately before it was too late.

 

It is important to note: when shifting to this lifestyle, you have to fully commit. The first week is the hardest - cravings, mood changes and withdrawal symptoms that rival a drug addict coming off drugs abound, but these don't last forever - and the result is profound and eye-opening, as well as absolutely exciting.

 

My energy level had risen greatly, as has my self-esteem! I HIGHLY recommend to everyone to read this book! It is so much more than a program for diabetics, it's for EVERYONE who wants to live a healthier life!

 

I'm also including images of other items of interest that are both eye-opening AND highly informative!

 

Another item that references our Western Diet and all our diseases, and uses Barnhard's views and research, as well as two other doctor's research, is "Forks Over Knives", a documentary NOT to miss!