This contest is now closed and the lucky winner is… Shannon, who is already vegan and has started cutting out processed foods and making her own granola… way to go! Nancy! She recently switched from vegetarian to vegan (yay!) and saw a huge difference. Way to go Nancy! FYI- the original winner never responded to my email, so I ran the random number generator a second time.
I’m a huge fan of Happy Herbivore and all of Lindsay’s cookbooks, but I have to say this is my favorite by far. All of her recipes are simple, easy, delicious and HEALTHY! I’m not always a low-fat or oil-free vegan but I definitely try to eat like that sometimes, and her cookbooks are my go-to when I want a yummy-yet-healthy meal.
One of the cool things about this cookbook is how it’s separated into different regions of the world so you can always find something that appeals to you, no matter what kind of mood you’re in. A great example is her Gazpacho, recipe below:
Gazpacho, reprinted with permission
Here are a couple of my favorites:
No-meat “meatballs” over whole wheat spaghetti (page 181)
These little balls held together really well and were very flavorful. They’d also be wonderful in a “meatball” sub or on pizza! (Note to self: Make a “meatball” pizza…)
Lentil taco “meat” (page 43)
I’m quite in love with this lentil taco meat. It’s super quick and easy to make in the food processor and has so many potential uses. It’s the perfect (healthier) alternative to those “hamburger crumble” type mock meats.
I’ve tried a few other recipes that I didn’t photograph, including Thai noodle soup and Pineapple rice and loved them all. Bottom line, this recipe is full of recipes that will appeal to all types of eaters, both vegan and omnivore (and everyone in between!).
Here’s the recipe I promised, scroll down for the giveaway deets!
(reprinted with permission from Happy Herbivore Abroad)
Gazpacho
Gazpacho originates from Andalusia, my favorite part of Spain, and it’s traditionally vegan. The first time I ever had gazpacho was actually in Andalusia, back in 2007. Scott and I had just arrived in Seville (pronounced like “sa-vee-ya”) and dipped into the first cafe we saw hoping to find a quick bite to eat. It was fairly late in the afternoon, just after siesta, and the restaurant wasn’t yet serving its dinner menu (Spaniards eat dinner rather late at night by American standards — after 9:00 p.m.), but the waiter offered to bring us two bowls of gazpacho leftover from lunch.
The idea of a cold soup initially sounded strange to me, but I was so hungry and melting under the fierce Andalusian sun that I was willing to try anything that was cold and nourishing. After a few spoonfuls, I felt shameful for being so pessimistic—gazpacho is deliciously light and refreshing! Now I look forward to having a bowl every time I visit Spain, and it’s one of my favorite recipes to make in the summer when tomatoes are in season and overflowing in my garden.
Serves 2
- 1 slice stale or toasted bread
- 3 plum tomatoes
- 6” cucumber
- 1-2 garlic cloves
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded
- 2-3 green onions
- hot sauce (optional)
- red wine vinegar (optional)
- water
Chef’s Note: For a cool and refreshing soup, store your veggies in the fridge before use. You can also add an ice cube to the mix, if necessary.
Chef’s Note: The heel of the bread is best in this recipe. Finally a use for the heel!
Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulverize into a soup, adding ice cold water as necessary to achieve the right smoothness and soup consistency. If you do not have a strong blender, you may need to chop your vegetables up beforehand. Taste, adding hot sauce or red wine vinegar to taste, if desired. In Spain, gazpacho is topped with chunks of raw vegetables like Spanish onions, green bell peppers, and celery.
Per serving: Calories 118, Total Fat 1.2g, Carbohydrates 24.1g, Dietary Fiber 5.3g, Sugars 12.5g, Protein 5.7g
The Giveaway:
One lucky reader will receive a copy of Happy Herbivore Abroad!
The contest is open until Midnight (Mountain time), Monday 6/3. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced the following day. To Enter: All you gotta do is leave a comment below telling us what changes you’ve made to your diet to make it healthier. Did you give up oil? Cut back on nut butters? We want to hear!
Contest is limited to US and Canada only. Good luck!!
*The publishers provided me with free product to review, but the opinions are 100% mine!
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I cut out high fructose corn syrup (it’s in EVERYTHING!)
I gave up oil in the last month and lost 7 lbs so far, woo-hoo!
My husband and I decided together last summer to eat a more vegetarian lifestyle. We also switched to all organic, all natural foods and cut out 90% of processed foods. I try to go mostly vegan, but haven’t given up my greek yogurt or cottage cheese yet! I don’t use much oil anymore either. I try to saute using water or veggie broth. We love how we feel and knowing that our bodies are healthier adds to the wonderful feelings!
I’ve cut back on processed foods and am eating more fruits and vegetables. In the past, whenever I tried to cut out animal products, I would replace them with pasta, pasta, and more pasta. Now I’m adding at least one fruit/veggie to eat meal and trying to find recipes that focus on vegetables. I’ve also stopped buying the vegan meat and cheese products and am focusing on whole foods to use instead. I’ve felt so much better!
I just love gazpacho and this recipe sounds quick and delicious. I can’t wait to make it since tomatoes are in season here in Florida and the temperatures are rising. Thanks!
I chose to go vegan cold turkey last month! Easier than I expected and one of the best decisions I’ve made in a while!
I’ve been vegetarian for quite a while but have not been able to kick that cheese habit! I love the idea behind “No Meat Mondays” so I’ve been doing that for my cheese obsession, i.e. “No Cheese Mondays” 🙂 It’s actually working and I’ve found other foods (like avocado!!) that are terrific substitutes!
I have cut back almost completely on meat and dairy. I’m 50 percent raw food now. My ultimate goal is become vegan–I have cut my diabetes medication in half and my cholestrol is in the normal range now. I’ve lost weight (have more to go), but feel so much better!
I decided to go vegan for Lent this year and I loved how I felt so I have kinda stuck to it…I’m sorry, I’m having a hard time giving up the sushi and seafood but I’m definitely 6 days a week vegan. I don’t use the meat substitutes I like whole fresh foods. I do use the cheese substitutes cause lets face it a girl has gotta have her cheese:-)
I recently invested (finally) in my own Vitamix, and now I want to drink all my meals 🙂 But since I’m a food blogger, I’m not sure my readers would appreciate the switch! In any case, I’m definitely getting my RDA of veggies and fruits now, and I LOVE it.
I’ve cut down and am trying to eliminate the use of oils, “butters,” and spreads. Also, I’m eating more unprocessed whole grains.
I listened to my belly and am avoiding gluten!
The first thing we did to eat more healthily was give up meat and dairy and all animal products to become vegan. Since becoming began, we’ve continued to make changes, and are now cutting out processed foods and working on making our own granola bars, popcorn, side dishes, and more.
Looks like an awesome cookbook!
I’ve been eating less bad carbs like breads and crackers. I’ve been Eating more of the good ones like fruit.
limiting oil and processed foods. Switching slowly to all organic foods. 🙂
We eat mostly plan-based diet!
Eat local and organic. You won’t poison yourself.
I’ve tried living a mostly vegetarian diet… I still eat seafood though.
I’m another who has cut down on bread and have cut sweets to a bare minimum.
Can’t do without pineapples in our sweet and sour though.
Great giveaway and good luck to all.
Peace.
I have recently changed from vegetarian to vegan. The elimination of dairy products has made a huge difference. Additionally, I have stopped using oil.
Well, I started following this blog :o) And, I cut out all meat and nearly all animal products so far in my cooking at home. I’ll still eat that stuff when I go out if there isn’t anything available (and “dinner salads” don’t count) – but for the homecooked stuff, its all veggies and whatnot!
I’m a no oil, no sugar kind of person
I try to cut back on oils and stick to a more plant based diet.
Limiting sugar and just eating as clean as I can has made a big difference!
Just when I had myself convinced I didn’t need another Vegan Cookbook! My daughter and I went Vegan just over a year ago. My current challenge is to eat less processed food and reduce sodium.
The tacos are great! I’d enter, but I already have the book ;-)!
I try to cook most of my food and eat little processed foods. I meal plan and grocery shop weekly. I also make my own juices. I try to cut down on added oil, but I think it’s all good to eat whole foods that are high in fat (nuts, avocado, etc).
I am vegan in a non-vegan family, which can be extremely difficult. This is especially true since I’m relatively knew to this and I do most of the cooking. Th most sustainable change I have committed to is starting my day with a green smoothie. It has 1 cup almond milk, 2 generous cups greens, 1 cup blueberries and 1tsp cinnamon. It is delicious!
started eating less sugar and baked goods. but, you know, sometimes splurges still happen.
I have started eating a big salad every day for lunch (at least during the weekdays). Helps me stay on track with eating my veggies!
I eat as clean as possible, very little oil, sugar and gluten. I love to steam my vegetables and dehydrate my buckwheat groats!!
Thank you for the recipe recommendations. Can’t wait to try them out, too. I am working towards no-oil!
I make sure that I eat when I am hydrated. Often when dehydrate it is harder to gauge just how full one is until it is too late…ouch
In January, I started making a green smoothie every day. I mix them up with various greens, fruits, and superfoods. Yum!
I would never cut back on nut butter! I’m trying to vary my diet as much as possible. For example, one week bake a loaf and bread and the next instead of bread eat only quinoa, millet or brown rice.
I’m still working on being a full time vegan. I’m usually “VB6” and I have many completely vegan days. I’m also working on increasing how many veggies I eat per day.
Thanks so much for the giveaway! Great review.
When I went vegan, about four years ago, I hated salads and veggies in general, and therefore relied a lot on convenience/processed foods (hello, vegan grilled cheese with boxed cream of tomato soup!). Fortunately, I’m craving whole foods more and more, and now eat very little processed foods. My increased energy levels are telling me this is the way to go!
I eat more frequently throughout the day rather than HUGE meals
I stopped eating dairy and it feels AWESOME.
Went vegetarian at the age of 14, vegan when 17 and here I am, 20 yrs old raw vegan, but I keep reading cooked recipes to help my parents to pick up this wonderful lifestyle! Your blog is a perfect source 😉
Also plenty of water and exercise, specially running.
xx
I have been vegetarian for many years and have been working my way up to vegan full time. New recipes are always helpful
I’m trying to get more protein especially with an active summer ahead. Lots of tofu and edamame. 🙂
I just recently went vegan (just over 1 month ago) and to make sure I don’t fall into the junk food trap I am making sure to eat at least two servings from each color of fruits and veggies every day. Skittles got nothing on my rainbow! 😉
I’ve been trying to be more mindful about my late night toast eating habit!
I have been vegetarian for the last 15 years, but after seeing Knives over Forks I’ve been wanting to give up my one holdout to becoming vegan: cheese. (I hate vegan cheese.) I just finished reading The China Study and I am ready to take the plunge! 🙂
Although I have always ate fairly healthy, one thing I have been doing lately is watching my portion sizes. I’m a healthy eater but tend to over eat and not stopping when satisfied so I have been working on that. Have also been trying to use less oil and drink less coffee!
Two years ago, because of arthritis issues I became vegan. Happiness! No more pain!
I have been a plant based eater for two years. I just recently cut way back on added oils. Trying to be oil free. Next on my list is decreasing my salt.
Since seeing an acupuncturist for my seasonal allergies, she suggested I cut out dairy to help with my sinuses. I was very surprised how well it has worked. I’ve been living on an almost strictly vegan diet and I love it!
I decided this year to cut out all diary products. I am so glad I did, I haven’t been sick to my stomach for a very very long time…it’s pretty awesome. I’m also trying to make sure I drink more water throughout the day. So far it’s going great.
I’m trying to eat more high raw foods; easier in the summer, though!
We haven’t totally cut out oil, but I now steam saute my veggies for dishes most of the time and to eat less processed vegan foods and more fresh foods.
thanks for the opportunity to win a HH cookbook!!!
I have been vegetarian 20 plus years and switched to veganism about a year ago. I cook more food now as a result, which gets tiring sometimes but does mean I’m eating less processed food.