If you go vegan, do you need to give up popcorn? What's in that yummy and addictive theater popcorn? We know it's a guilty pleasure, but is it vegan?
I am a rabid movie fan and hadn't yet seen The King's Speech, so I ventured to my local Harkin's theater for a showing last week. I had a free coupon for popcorn and wanted to use it, but hesitated. Why is the popcorn yellow even without the topping?
I contacted Harkins to find out, and their Guest Services Coordinator called me back quickly. Turns out they pop their corn in canola oil that has beta carotene, and that's what gives it the yellow color. They also include salt, of course. The buttery topping is also animal product-free. It's made from soybean oil with beta carotene for color.
I love popcorn and was thrilled to know that I could occasionally indulge. I will also be a fan of Harkins from now on for their wonderful customer service. I suggest you contact your local theater chain if you'd like to know what's in your popcorn.
Happy viewing!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Black bean soup with avocado, orange and cucumber
I thought you might appreciate this delicious recipe for a cold, rainy day, like it is here in Phoenix. This recipe was from Sunset magazine's February issue and I've already made it 3 times. It's a favorite of my husband (he says it tastes like chili) and my son doesn't hate it, so that's progress!
Serves 4, 30 minutes
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups vegetable broth
2 cans (15 oz. each) black beans, rinsed
2 jars (4 oz. each) pimientos, drained
1 tsp. each ground cumin and dried oregano
1/2 tsp. kosher salt (I use sea salt)
2 tsp. hot sauce, sach as Tapatio
1 avocado, cubed
Juice of 1 lime
1 orange, peeled and chopped
1/2 English cucumber, chopped
1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese (note: I substitute Daiya non-dairy cheese)
1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add broth, beans, pimientos, seasonings, and hot sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes.
2. Mix avocado, lime juice, orange, and cucumber in a medium bowl. Divide soup among bowls; top with avocado mixture and a sprinkle of cheese.
Per 2-cup serving: 336 calories, 45% from fat; 9.7g protein; 17g fat (3.4g sat); 37g carbo (12g fiber); 1350 mg sodium; 7.5mg chol.
Enjoy!
Serves 4, 30 minutes
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups vegetable broth
2 cans (15 oz. each) black beans, rinsed
2 jars (4 oz. each) pimientos, drained
1 tsp. each ground cumin and dried oregano
1/2 tsp. kosher salt (I use sea salt)
2 tsp. hot sauce, sach as Tapatio
1 avocado, cubed
Juice of 1 lime
1 orange, peeled and chopped
1/2 English cucumber, chopped
1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese (note: I substitute Daiya non-dairy cheese)
1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add broth, beans, pimientos, seasonings, and hot sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes.
2. Mix avocado, lime juice, orange, and cucumber in a medium bowl. Divide soup among bowls; top with avocado mixture and a sprinkle of cheese.
Per 2-cup serving: 336 calories, 45% from fat; 9.7g protein; 17g fat (3.4g sat); 37g carbo (12g fiber); 1350 mg sodium; 7.5mg chol.
Enjoy!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
The genesis of Vegan Flash
I love eggs. I love cheese. And I especially love milk chocolate. I never thought there would be anything that would ever make me give these things up. Yet there are things that I actually love more. Animals. The environment. My health and ability to be the best I can be for myself and my family.
By nature, I am not preachy and am a big believer in "live and let live", so this blog will never be a long-winded diatribe but rather a learning process as I try to make vegan eating choices whenever I can. I've been trying for the last 3 weeks, and I've realized that I have so many questions that others must have too. I know I won't be a pure vegan - I'm certainly not perfect and neither is my knowledge of what's vegan and what's not, but like any change in eating habits, it's a constant evolution.
3 years ago, I gave up meat with the exception of fish. It wasn't hard for me since I've never really liked meat but always believed that it was a necessary evil to stay healthy. When I learned I didn't need to eat it, I was all too glad to give it up. I've had no problems with that. One month ago, I happened to catch an episode of Oprah where her staff was going vegan for 1 week. I bought the book, "The Veganist" by Kathy Freston, and it literally changed my life. For me, it was clear that I needed to pursue a vegan lifestyle in order for me to be consistent with my own animal welfare and environmental beliefs. I spent hours at Whole Foods trying to understand my vegan options, and I'm just at the beginning of the learning curve. I've found some things that are just so easy, and others that are harder for me. But mostly, I've found questions.
As this blog develops a life of its own, I'll share my experiences and those of my husband (a meat lover) and 7 year old son (he says, "Mom if you don't have to eat meat, I don't have to eat vegetables"), as we try to pursue varying levels of a vegan lifestyle. My husband and son are not vegans. But when I cook, they at least sample and I'll share their feedback.
The "flash" part of Vegan Flash supports the idea that as more people start to think about what they are eating and learn about it, the more we can change our health and our planet. Hopefully elements of this blog will flash something in you and maybe you'll share what you've learned with others.
Thank you for following this blog!
Bonnie
By nature, I am not preachy and am a big believer in "live and let live", so this blog will never be a long-winded diatribe but rather a learning process as I try to make vegan eating choices whenever I can. I've been trying for the last 3 weeks, and I've realized that I have so many questions that others must have too. I know I won't be a pure vegan - I'm certainly not perfect and neither is my knowledge of what's vegan and what's not, but like any change in eating habits, it's a constant evolution.
3 years ago, I gave up meat with the exception of fish. It wasn't hard for me since I've never really liked meat but always believed that it was a necessary evil to stay healthy. When I learned I didn't need to eat it, I was all too glad to give it up. I've had no problems with that. One month ago, I happened to catch an episode of Oprah where her staff was going vegan for 1 week. I bought the book, "The Veganist" by Kathy Freston, and it literally changed my life. For me, it was clear that I needed to pursue a vegan lifestyle in order for me to be consistent with my own animal welfare and environmental beliefs. I spent hours at Whole Foods trying to understand my vegan options, and I'm just at the beginning of the learning curve. I've found some things that are just so easy, and others that are harder for me. But mostly, I've found questions.
As this blog develops a life of its own, I'll share my experiences and those of my husband (a meat lover) and 7 year old son (he says, "Mom if you don't have to eat meat, I don't have to eat vegetables"), as we try to pursue varying levels of a vegan lifestyle. My husband and son are not vegans. But when I cook, they at least sample and I'll share their feedback.
The "flash" part of Vegan Flash supports the idea that as more people start to think about what they are eating and learn about it, the more we can change our health and our planet. Hopefully elements of this blog will flash something in you and maybe you'll share what you've learned with others.
Thank you for following this blog!
Bonnie
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