A Note from Mimi: Seitan and Silk

The other day, I was at the health food store talking to my friend Scott,the owner. I asked him why he doesn't carry Silk soy milk anymore. He said, Silk has gone from using non-gmo organic soybeans (US grown), to non-gmo soybeans(US grown), to now conventionally grown soybeans from China. The worst part is that there is no mention of the change on the packaging but you can see by the ingredients. Anyway. I love Silk soymilk but will now change over to another brand.

On a better note, I used to use Silk creamer for my coffee but now use So Delicious Coconut milk creamer. It really is soooo Delicious. They also make a really yummy coconut milk Kefir. Great for those of you who are missing yogurt. Soy yogurt really is kind of gross!

Lastly, I have been inspired to start making my own Seitan by my friends Garth and Diana. It is really pretty easy and versatile. I will try to include a recipe from Garth or Diana soon!
xoxo mimi

Famous Vegetarians and Vegans!

this video is great. It is just a montage of famous vegan/vegetarians but it is cool to watch and know that there are so many out there.

Farm Sanctuary Walk for Animals a Rainy Success!!!

Us Hearty O2'ers had a Soggy good time at this years Farm Sanctuary Walk for Animals!!!

The O2 team raised over $1,000.00 for Farm Sanctuary in one of 68 nationwide walks. Granted, we were a smaller group due to the pouring rain (6 bipeds and 2 quadrupeds), but we had a Blast!!!

Thanks to all that donated, and we hope you join us next year!!!!

xoxo

Mimi, Ian, and the Soggy Walkers!

Farm Sanctuary Walk for Animals

Farm Sanctuary Walk for Animals
Saturday, October 3, 2 p.m. (starts at the Boston Common)

I will be walking and would love to get an O2 Yoga team together. Please contact Mimi@o2yoga.com to join the O2 Yoga team to raise money and awareness for Farm Sanctuary. If you can't walk but would like to sponsor the team just let me know! http://walkforfarmanimals.org/ Team members that raise $50 or more will get free O2 Yoga t-shirt or tank top!

xo mimi

Mimi's Vegan American Chop Suey

Vegan American Chop Suey

There is something about junky comfort food that I still crave every once in a while. I so remember eating American Chop Suey as a kid in the school cafeteria. It was made with all the stuff the USDA likes to dump on schools, nursing homes and hospitals' ground beef, american cheese and elbow macaroni. Don't even get me started on all the horrible "food" the US goverment gives to kids and old and sick people! Anyway, I made a vegan version the other night. This is great for you students to. Easy to make and quick and satisfying.
Ingredients

1 pound elbow macaroni
1 medium onion
1 medium green pepper
1 28 oz can organic diced tomatoes
1/2 small can tomato paste
1 package Fantastic Foods Taco mix
3/4 cup shredded vegan cheese

Cook macaroni according to package.
Sautee chopped diced onion and green pepper until soft. Add to pan taco mix and water (follow directions on box) and cook until liquid is absorbed. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, pasta and cheese. That's it!
I think you could also then bake it with the cheese on top if you like it drier.

xo mimi

Kim Freeman's Spinach and Zucchini Soup

This is a good soup for all of the spring spinach:

Spinach and Zucchini Soup

3 Tbs. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed/chopped
2 med. onions, chopped (as an onion-phobe, I tend to half the amount, sometimes quarter it--how much you like onions is up to you)
2 1/2 med potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 1/2 cups zucchini, loosely chopped
4 cups vegetable broth/stock
4 cups fresh spinach
1 cup cilantro (I've used parsley too and it's also good here)
one lemon (I love lemon so I sometimes use two)
salt

1. Heat oil on medium-high heat, add garlic and onions in pinch of salt. Saute until onions become translucent.
2. Add stock, potatoes, and zucchini. Bring to a boil, then simmer until potatoes are soft, about 10-15 minutes.
3. Stir in spinach and let wilt, about 10 seconds.
4. Stir in cilantro.
5. Turn off heat and puree. And hand blender works well here. Otherwise puree in a blender in small batches, letting it cool a bit first. If you pureed in a blender, return all of the soup to pot.
6. Add juice of one (or two) lemons.

Serve--it's lovely to drizzle a little olive oil on the top, though not necessary. And this soup is good hot or cold (on hot days).

I love it with some crusty bread and a baked sweet potato.

Thanks Kim!

Mimi's recommended Website of the month

http://www.333natural.com/home.html

An interesting website by a Vegan chef who was laid off and is feeding her family for $3.33 a day.

Enjoy!