Plant-Based & Vegan - support & recipes

keepmovin

Thanks to all for the support and helpful suggestions. I became a bc patient and Vegan about 90 days ago. I have learned a lot about both. This board is a lot of help! Port install on Monday and 1st Chemo is Friday. My healthy diet is really helping me to stay positive about these next steps. Onward

moth

Happy Meatless Monday!

What's for dinner today at your place?

I'm thinking of these baked falafels. https://www.forksoverknives.com/recipes/baked-fala...

GoKale4320

That falafel recipe looks great, Moth. Lately, I have enjoyed a simple Quinoa, black bean and salsa mix that I wrap up in a tortilla. Last night I experimented with mushrooms and sauerkraut on bread (my new version of a rueben - "hold pretty much everything"). I don't recommend it.

I love sauerkraut, though. Today for lunch I had steamed kale, red onion, brussel sprouts, and sauerkraut with ground flax seed on top, spiced with tummeric, black pepper and garlic powder. Tomorrow I might have the same thing but also add some canned beets with vinegar. I love those bowls you can get a restaurant with lots of different things in it.

NVDobie

Made this last night, yummy. I added cauliflower on top of broccoli, removed tomato because acid reflux, just love whie bean soup.

http://www.veggiejam.com/english/veggie-loaded-white-bean-soup/

PatsyKB

We had these Middle Eastern Chickpea Burgers from Rebecca Katz’s cookbook “The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen. There’s a definite resemblance to the falafels you were planning, moth! Very tasty, served with a salad. Husband had his on a bun.
https://www.rebeccakatz.com/recipe-box/middle-eastern-chickpea-burgers

I made a big batch awhile back and froze most of them for later use (individually wrapped). We just flew home from Seattle today so I needed something quick and easy

Note: They are VERY fragile and prone to falling apart so if you do this, don’t try reheating them in a skillet. Mine crumbled but I just put it on top of my salad. Better to wrap them individually in foil, or in packs of 2 or 3 and reheat in the oven.

Egads007

Stepping into pant based territory from the paleo village posting something I think you gals might be interested in.

Found a great sale on cauliflower, so I bought 6 big heads of it. We dragged out the food processors and pulverized it all down to cauli-rice. Now, cauliflower up here in Canada can get really expensive (once saw it for 7.99 a head…ugggg) so when I saw it at 1.29 I jumped all over it.....had to fight off two old ladies, thank god for the gym ))

The wonderful thing about cauliflower is that it can be riced and frozen flat pack for future use. Six heads gave me 5 extra large and two large ziplock bags o' the stuff. Flat packed takes up less room in the freezer. Simply defrost, steam, mash, fry, add to baking or casseroles, whatever...just darned convenient and freezes beautifully raw. I made a delish cilantro lime cauli-rice a few days ago, very easy having a freezer stash to latch onto.

The only problem....well, it makes a helluva mess when processing. We find bits of it in our hair right out onto the front lawn )) Worth the clean up for the convenience!

Here's my haul:

This works with broccoli, but would advise to use stalks only (which I save for this purpose).....the florets tend to mush with freezing. The stalks make a nice low carb nutritious alternative as does the cauliflower.

wrenn

As a recovering sugar addict and diabetic "in remission" according to my internist I still crave sweet. I am not sure where I got this recipe for a frozen dessert but if you slice bananas and freeze them and then with a food processor and any other frozen fruit (mixed berries is good) blend into a kind of soft swirl fake sherbet. To make it more like ice cream you can add a bit of almond milk.

My latest one was frozen bananas, frozen pineapple and coconut milk. I put some crushed walnuts on top and it is a great treat. Next I am going to try the bananas, frozen cherries and cocoa powder.

So grateful for this thread for all these ideas. I get overwhelmed searching recipe books or sites so this is ideal.

moth

wrenn, I posted some vegan ice cream recipes somewhere...but I don't think they were in this thread. This board is too large sometimes lol.

If you haven't tried it yet, you might like the Dole Whip recipe : http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2015/05/copycat-dol...

wrenn

Now that you mention it Moth I probably did get my treat thing from here. Every time I post I wonder if I or someone else has already said it. At first I would go through an entire thread to see if I am repeating myself but got lazy and will just say you can expect me to repeat myself or others and will remain lazy. :-)

Although I still worry about recurrence almost daily my bigger bummer right now is this memory thing. Eesh. Luckily people here are more patient than my kid. Her eye rolls tell me when I am repeating myself. :-)

exercise_guru

I read Dr. Gregard about neuropathy and a complete vegan whole based based diet. I also have over the roof liver enzymes from chemo and hormone issues from the oophrectomy so I hope to use who foods to help with that.

.I also have a goal to eat broccoli sprouts daily (very easy and cheap,my kids love them) and 2 to 4 tablespoo of ground flaxseed to get 24 grams daily based on the hopkins study (trying to find the recipe they used) and mushrooms as they have a strong study for breast health.

Right now I am just working on menus and what to pack to take to work so I welcome recipes and suggestions.

I am also working on vegan menus that my kids can toss meat in like bowl night,tortilla night, noodle night ,buns potato bar., stir fry night,

I would welcome suggestions for both.

keepmovin

Hi exerciseguru- can you tell me more about Dr. Gregard? I haven’t heard of her/him. I am worried about neuropathy and looking for anything that can ward that off. I start chemo tomorrow.

You might want to check out a cookbook called Plant Powered Families by Dreena Burton. Lots of kid friendly recipes.

I hope this helps and that you are doing well

moth

keepmovin, I suggest you join the weekly taxol group to chat about your chemo. I don't think diet helped much with that - but icing helped me significantly. There are also some supplements that some MOs & centers recommend. Again, that thread has lots of details.

exercise_guru

There is an outstanding webinar on the homepage of this site that was just posted this week HERE. There is not a lot of good preventing measure but there is good information with regards to icing your hands and feet during Chemo. It isn't ASCO approved so you may or may not get help and support during infusions. I did ice my mouth during Chemo and it prevented mouth sores from developing.

Not to further burden you during treatment but I decided to go on a whole foods vegan diet because of neuropathy that has lasted over two years now. I came accross this link which has nothing to do with chemo induced nueropathy but I am quite desperate to find relief so I figure it can't hurt.

Here is the link to Greger Michael Greger, M.D. FACLM NutritionFacts.org

He has some awesome videos on nutrition that are short, well researched and very interesting based on a whole food diet. During Chemo I ate foods and consumed a lot of glutothionine I also followed Valter Longo and fasted for my chemo cycles. Here is the link and link to that if anyone is interested. They have actually developed a fasting mimicking kit called Prolon but it didn't exist during my chemo. If it had I would have done it for all of my chemo cycles even though it is $250 each time. I water fasted for 48 hours before and 24 hours after so a total of 4 days. He wrote a facinating book on longevity and fasting effects on the body but was careful not to go into the chemo research too much as the ASCO comunity gets very agitated about diet and chemo research. But the studies for both rat models and the 5 year study in humans was very good and you can google for more thorough information on fasting and Chemo with longo's words in the search. They are also doing a long term study with a mimicking fasting kit for chemo patients but its in process so no research has been published. One thing I did gather from the book is that the steriods are not ideal. They push the blood glucose up and that counteracts the chemo effects. My MO during treatment was rigid and unflexible about fasting and about steriods so I did the steroids but fasted without telling him.

The Longevity Diet: Discover the New Science Behind Stem Cell Activation and Regeneration to Slow Aging, Fight Disease, and Optimize Weight

I didn't eat a high antioxidant whole foods vegan diet during chemo so I can't speak to that ( I wish I had) but I developed longterm neuropathy so I am not sure any of my advice is useful. I also have pretty high liver markers that went up two years after Chemo . They did a catscan and believe it is fatty liver so I plan on eating whole food vegan because the science is pretty clear on improving that as well. From my post you would think I ate quite a crappy diet before this but didn't. Its difficult to predict how our bodies will respond to treatment and surgeries.

I have since learned from Greggers site that Brussel sprouts and beets and garlic support the liver but I am not sure I could have ate those during chemo. If I did I wouldn't eat them until 24 hours after. I did drink a ton of water to try to get the chemo out of my system.

Hopefully I didn't derail the thread to much. I wish I had known about the incredible benefits of a whole foods vegan diet and I would have started it much sooner. I was eating a paleo diet with a lot of vegetables prior to now.

wrenn

It was 5 years ago today that I had my BMX and then had one dose of chemo near the end of Nov that year. I still have neuropathy but am starting to think it could be related by cipro/flagyl I have taken a few times for diverticulitis. I think there are other antibiotics that have the same side effects so you might look into that as well. If you google "cipro and neuropathy and PubMed" there are reliable articles.

I also think a combination of taxotere, antibiotics and poor diet had an effect for me.

Off to read the links above. This thread continues to fill me up. :-)

moth

Hello lovely gentle people,

re the cauliflower currently in abundance in many markets now - thanks Egads for the ricing & freezing tip!

I'm in love with this recipe: Whole Roasted "cheezy" cauliflower http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/cheesy-...

though the last few times we made it we make florets instead of roasting whole - more surface area to get topping on, easier to dredge in the topping and it roasts faster. But for presentation, the whole one does look very nice....

bonus - it calls for turmeric & garam masala so you get a bit of your healthy spice (spices are part of Dr Greger's daily dozen)

PatsyKB

Last night’s dinner: Company Rice and Beans (from Jane Brody's "Good Food Book") - https://www.google.com/amp/s/recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail-amp.asp%3frecipe=332040 Thi is a longtime family-favorite and a particular favorite is my husband’s. (We've been eating this since the 1980s!). A couple of notes: 1. I always use 2 kinds of beans because it’s more fun. Last night before I used canellini and black beans. But kidney, black eyed peas, garbanzos, pintos, adzukis are all great. 2. Most of the time I serve it with brown rice but I also love it with kamut. 3. I either skip or use a very small amount of cheese, if any. 4. Some diced avocado on top is excellent.

We had it with an outstanding salad of baby arugula, spinach, butter lettuce, peppers, pea sprouts and finely chopped cauliflower. Heaven!

Jons_girl

Lots of great links here on this thread! Love that! Brenda Davis wrote "Becoming Vegan". She is a RD registered dietician. We are watching this video and thought some of you might be interested in this. She really explains paleo vs plant based diets. Really super interesting. Thought I would pass this on:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qap62-_nhaQ

Also I am wondering if any of you might have good recipes that have NO OIL, NO REFINED SUGAR picnic recipes. We are going on a picnic next week and I have made a couple salads which I didn't really think turned out the best. So am trying to find some great ones and thought you all might have some ideas. Thank you in advance for any links you might share.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

moth

Jons_girl - maybe check out the Forks Over Knives recipes. They don't do oil & most picnic foods would not have sugar, refined or otherwise. They have lots of no cook salads with beans & legumes.

Or how about these wraps: https://www.forksoverknives.com/recipes/avocado-wh...

Also, falafels are good cold & you could just bring pita pockets, hummus, a quick tomato+ cuke+pepper+onion drizzled with simple lime juice & herbs to serve with them.

Jons_girl

Yum Moth!! Thank you so much for this link! Yummy!! Great ideas! Thank you!

BTW, you and I turned 50 in 2017! So we were dx around the same time. You were dx after me...I was in June/July. But same year. I hope all goes well for you and treatment. Appreciate all your help with this thread. I was vegan for quite a while prior to dx. I have cut alot of junk I was eating out of my diet though. A person can be vegan and not be eating healthy.....or that was my experience. Lots of processed fake meats are not healthy I am finding. So I really am more plant based vs vegan now. Feeling good eating this way!

Thanks again! I will try to submit recipes in the future.

Jons_girl

I will post this recipe, it is my fav refried bean recipe. Super easy. I make in instant pot. After pressure is naturally released I use my hand blender and instant refried beans! YUM!

What I DO ADD to the recipe is: 1-3 T Chili Powder, 1/1-1 T Smoked Paprika, 1 t. Cumin, two pieces of Kumbu (helps take gas out of beans)

Love these beans! Enjoy!

https://passtheplants.com/instant-pot-mexican-pinto-beans-vegan/

moth

Stocking up the freezer for fall - here's a yummy and simple lentil soup recipe. It is fast to make so can be made even on a weeknight but I find it's better the next day...

I usually quadruple this recipe & am way more liberal with garlic than the recipe calls for.

Simple & delicious lentil soup

• 1 tablespoon oil (can skip and sautee in water instead)
• 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1 carrot chopped
• 3/4 cup French green lentils, or regular brown lentils
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 whole canned tomatoes, drained, seeded, and coarsely chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 5 cups water

Sautee onion, garlic and carrots until softened. Meanwhile pick over & rinse your lentils. Add rest of ingredients to pot, bring to boil, them simmer for about 40 min.

If you don't have canned tomatoes, use fresh seeded tomatoes, or a bit of tomato paste or a bit of pasta sauce from a jar. In a pinch, I've even used ketchup - just splash a bit of something tomato in there until the broth takes on a reddish hue. I tend to pour a bit of the broth from the canned tomatoes in there. If you like tomatoes, add lots of tomato/sauce

Ready when lentils are soft. If you like lots of broth, add more water while cooking. If you like a stewy soup, let it boil off more. Remove bay leaves before serving or storing/freezing.

Serve plain or with toasted bread cubes on top. Can also stir in chopped spinach or escarole just before serving. Lasts well in fridge for 2-3 days & freezes wonderfully.

exercise_guru

yum

Does anyone have a foolproof bean and veggie burger. Mine often crumble. I am curenrly using this link with lentils and black beans but I could use some tips. My plan is to have some on hand.

https://thecookful.com/veggie-burger-formula-make-...

I also want to premake some yummy vegan burritos and freeze them for after work heat and eat meals anyone have any tips?

Jons_girl

exercise guru:

We love these bean burgers!! https://monkeyandmekitchenadventures.com/spicy-bean-burger/

This website looks to have some great plant based recipes.

Jons_girl

I haven’t tried this one yet but it looks great too!!!

https://monkeyandmekitchenadventures.com/fiesta-sweet-potato-burger/

Heidihill

Moth, thanks for the lentil recipe. Looks yummy.

I'm on my fifth day of becoming 95% vegan. I would say it's relatively easy where I live as foods are labeled vegan in groceries and restaurants. I still like my coffee with milk, but have been diluting with soy milk. I had jackfruit curry the other day and it was so good. Last night I made mushroom, tofu, quinoa, and bean spouts in teriyaki sauce for company. Trying to spread the word. Dessert was whipped soft tofu with papaya and passion fruit. I'll keep veganing until DH gets home on Friday.  Then I will do a vegan week every month plus 3 vegan days a week the rest of the time, which will make me close to half vegan.

wrenn

I have been dieting for years and could not give up creamo/half and half in coffee. It was just one thing I refused to give up. Almost 6 months ago I started using almond milk and will never go back. I heat the almond milk because i use about a third of a cup and it would cool the coffee. I have never had sugar in coffee but don’t mind that the almond milk gives it a bit of a sweet taste.

I don’t miss meat or milk at all but would really love eggs sometimes. I used to spray EVOO on sald or baked veg and now just ise spices and the thought of oil seems ‘off’. I am still amazed at how easy the transirion was. This thread helps it stick

moth

Heidi - congratulations & I wish you well with your plans! Meal my meal, every mouthful makes a difference!

wrenn - there is a vegan egg product but I'm really ambivalent about recommending it because it's kind of weird.... Pomme/Whole Foods/Choices and Vegan Supply carry it in the Lower Mainland. It makes a scramble. Texture is just right though it takes a long time to cook. It's been many years since I tasted egg but I think the taste is not right - though I've gotten used to it. & usually have it once a week or so. The thing that bugs me is the smell. It has a weird smell since they reformulated and I don't think it's the kala namak because it was in their previous version & I liked that one more. But if you're wanting a scramble, with salt and pepper & chives on top it really feels like a scrambled egg & hits that spot. Takes way longer to cook than eggs though. https://vegansupply.ca/products/earth-island-vegan...

(in the USA the same product is available under the Follow Your Heart brand. Same company, different names in US and Cda)

wrenn

Thanks Moth, I go back and forth about keeping true to plant based philosophy and doing what is healthy but not restrictive. Depending on what I am reading I change several times a day sometimes. It is easier to follow if I just stick to the plan but my sister and brother are doing really well and occasionally have desserts that have dairy or other things at parties. They even have veggie pizza a few times a year with tons of cheese. I seem to be anal or all or nothing about it and I think their more casual attitude has them healthier. Then again they are very active and religiously follow the daily dozen.

In all the years of working on weight loss though this has definitely been the most satisfying and easy way to approach it. I think my brain having the "this is for health" attitude rather than "lose 50 lbs by spring" makes a difference.

I'm so glad this thread was started because it is really helpful to stop by in the morning to be reminded of just how amazing this way of approaching health and wellness is. So grateful to those contributing.

I am off to have a holter monitor put on and hoping for amazing results. :-)

Hope the smog isn't getting anyone down.

moth

Today it's vegan curry take-out but this is on the menu for tomorrow - Vegan Cauli-power Fettucine "Alfredo"

https://ohsheglows.com/2014/01/20/cauli-power-fett...

Love this dish. The sauce freezes well too.

JWoo

Hi all!

I just found this thread, as I was just rx'd Premarin cream for my tamoxifen side effects. I am looking for an alternative cream that works and doesn't contain animal products. Does one exist? I can't seem to find any alternative that is proven. I'm desperate and in pain, and have to find something that isn't a systemic treatment. Have you found an RX or other localized treatment?