This post is inspired by the Environmental dimension of wellness.
Environmental wellness is about preserving. It inspires us to be respectful to nature and our surroundings. It encourages us to live in harmony with Earth by taking action to protect it. This also includes your personal environment as it's important to care for your personal things.
“The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.” - Ann Wigmore
A few weeks ago, I invited a friend over for breakfast knowing that she is on a vegan diet. Although I practically eat vegetarian (much easier), I struggled with what to make for her. So, I scoured the internet and found thousands of recipes that were easy and looked delicious. It got me thinking - perhaps I should be eating vegan a bit more often!
If you are unfamiliar with the term, veganism, it is defined as a lifestyle dedicated to excluding the use of animals in food, clothing, and entertainment while also abstaining from the use of products tested on animals. Veganism is an ideology that is against the cruelty, exploitation, and suffering of animals.
My friend and I discussed how she and her husband were put on a vegan diet for health concerns. Miraculously, they came to find out their health concerns disappeared from eating vegan! After our discussion, I did a bit of research. While there are a plethora of other reasons to go vegan, the following two reasons astonished me the most.
Not only is a vegan diet good for the environment, but it's also good for your heart. Hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and several studies have shown that there is a high correlation between eating red meat and high blood pressure. Processed animal products, such as cheese, sausage, and prepared meals, are often very rich in salt, fat, and cholesterol which can all lead to hypertension. Thus, vegetarians and vegans are less likely to suffer from high blood pressure.
Here is another exciting tidbit for the ladies! Women in particular can easily gain weight due to hormone imbalances. This happens from the inflammation created from certain foods such as meat and animal byproducts. Additionaly, you tend to consume less calories on plant-based diets if you stick to whole, natural foods, so be sure to fill your plate with fruits, nuts, vegetables, legumes and seeds!
“You have two homes: Earth and your body. Take care of them.” - unknown
Recipe of the Day: Vegan Breakfast Casserole
INGREDIENTS
2 cups Garbanzo bean flour
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
½ tsp baking powder
2 Tbs coconut oil
2 ½ cups warm water
1 pkg meatless breakfast sausage
1 green pepper
1 red pepper
1 red onion
1 bag of vegan shredded cheese
Optional: veggies of your choice!
2 pkg crescent rolls (one for bottom and one for the top)
INSTRUCTIONS
Fry the sausage while breaking up in small pieces, add the diced peppers and onion and sautee until veggies and sausage are cooked through, add the cheese and set mixture aside.
For the filling. In a large bowl add the flour, salt, pepper, baking powder, oil and warm water . mix thoroughly. Add your sausage mixture.
In a 13x9 lightly greased pan, lay down an entire package of crescent rolls (yes, Pillsbury crescent rolls are vegan) on the bottom of the pan. Pour the mixture on top and add another package on of crescent rolls on the top.
Bake at 375 for 40 minutes. So delicious!!
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