Top Veg Foods!

2008-07-26T02:21:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year the veg club was polled on what their top 5 to 10 staple foods. Each list was different and overall there was a lot of variety, but there were 5 main foods that stood out. Here they are:

Quinoa
Pronounced kEEn-Wa, it comes from Spanish speaking South America. This pseudo-cereal, super-food was on EVERY LIST. The special thing about quinoa is that it is a complete protein by itself. Also, it is a great source of iron.

It is very versatile, and can be incorporated into almost anything from sweet dishes to savory dishes or is great by itself if you want something simple.

It is light and fluffy, with a nice crunch when cooked correctly.

It can be sprouted for raw foodists, or cooked up in less than ten minutes if you want it fast. (In case you aren’t familiar with it, use 1 part quinoa to two parts water, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 10 minutes).

Try adding a fruit like strawberries with a little cinnamon for breakfast
Add broccoli and mushrooms with a little garlic for a simple but delicious entrée. Photo

Flaxseed
This seed can be found whole, as an oil or ground. Like quinoa, it is a complete protein, and has a variety of uses.

It tastes a bit nutty and can be sprinkled over oatmeal, grits, spaghetti sauce, salads…the list is limitless.

Be careful though, if you buy it ground, or grind it yourself, it can go bad fast, so keep it refrigerated!

Try using as an egg replacer because it has binding qualities (about 1 tbsp per egg).
If you are a bread baker (like the webmistress) the milled flax can be incorporated into the dough along with the flour.
The whole seeds can be sprouted and apparently have a spicy flavor (correct me if I am wrong, I haven’t tried this myself).
Photo

Spinach
This dark leafy green has a soft bite. It is one of the best sources of iron a vegetarian or vegan can find(or a meat eater, because it has 3 times as the amount of iron as a steak). One serving contains more than half of your daily value for iron.

Also, it is a great source of calcium. The phrase, “dark leafy green” usually implies high calcium content. Spinach also supplies some protein for those of you worried about getting enough!

Try making a spinach salad, with walnuts and mandarin oranges, and a vinaigrette, or making meatless spinach lasagna.
Try blending with artichoke hearts for a creamy dip. Photo

Broccoli
This is one of the most fun vegetables on the planet. They look like little trees or a vegetable man if you imagine a face on it.

It is full of antioxidants, and has numerous vitamins and minerals. It is a source of calcium, vitamin C, Zinc, selenium, pantothenic acid, and folate.

Be careful with boiling (any vegetable), because it loses many of these vitamins.

Try it raw, steamed, or in a stirfry with other vegetables.
Try making an avocado and broccoli salad, or over rice with a spicy peanut sauce (trust me, its good if you do it right!) Photo

Fruits

There were many different fruits on people’s lists, but no real outstanding favorite. Fruits contain so many good attributes that they had to be on this list. They can be sweet without the refined sugar, are a great source of fiber, and many of them (the citruses) are full of vitamin C.

Blueberries, pineapple, cherries, strawberries, grapefruit, oranges, bananas, guavas, apples, pears plums, passion fruit, star fruit, apricots, raspberries, blackberries, grapes, tangerines, (avocados)… the list goes on. Photo

They make a great breakfast,

Put some on top of cereal, or oatmeal
Grab one on the go

They make fantastic desserts. several make a sweet treat,

Try freezing sliced strawberries
Try freezing whole bananas (chocolate covered frozen are even more delicious!)
Cook down into a compote
Try slicing an apple and dipping in hummus!
Bake into a fruit pie

One of my favorite ways to eat an apple is baking it.

Core it (leaving the bottom in tact, and keeping the top as a lid)
Fill with cinnamon, brown sugar and a little Natures Way margarine and
Put the top back on and wrap in foil.
Bake it for about 30 min, or until it is soft all the way through.

Broccoli

2008-06-07T01:46:00.000-07:00

So I (the webmistress of this blog) just read an article that was titled "Cancer Blasting Broccoli," which has a huge head of broccoli as the main picture and for a second I thought I saw a huge cartoon picture of a broccoli sheriff holding up the cancer criminal. Maybe I will actually draw a picture like that over the summer and post it because it would be really veg funny!

Shopping Veg in Davis!

2008-06-01T20:29:00.000-07:00

Where can you go to find veg-friendly food? Your options are limitless. These are the places that the Davis Veg Society has found the most veg-friendly here in Davis!

Farmer’s Market
Located conveniently downtown in central park (3rd and B St.). Farmer’s Markets happen every Wednesday night and Saturday morning.

East Quad Farmer’s Market
Only available during the Fall and Spring quarters. This is the most conveniently located place to find fresh produce, oils, nuts, rice, and so much more! Located in the East Quad of the UC Davis campus.

Davis Food CoOp
When it comes to groceries, this it the place to shop! Check out the bulk section for an amazing assortment of beans, grains, nuts, spices and more! Get your quinoa in bulk too! Tofu from local producers, seasonal and local produce, soy products, and more! Located on G St. and 6th.