You may have read my earlier post… telling you I was reading the book. Well, I’ve read it. And, basically… the author does an amazing job connecting TONS of research … showing a direct link between animal products (meat, milk, dairy, eggs)… and cancers of all kinds, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and so much more.

It’s an eye opener of the largest sort.

From their website: “Respected nutrition and health researcher, Dr. T. Colin Campbell reveals the truth behind special interest groups, government entities and scientists that have taken Americans down a deadly path”

It’s worth a read… and a re-read.

Here’s a link to their site: http://www.thechinastudy.com

Quick and easy fare… Portabello Mushrooms (yum)… Hummus… and more.

Okay… every kitchen needs great knives, a variety of bowls, a Blend-Tec, a KitchenAid Professional Mixer, and All-Clad Cookware.

But there’s something else. And it’s a LOT cheaper.

It looks like this (this one is from Williams Sonoma.. a FAVORITE store of mine):

It’s about 30 bucks.. and it turns DICING ANYTHING into the easiest thing ever. Get consistent, perfect sized diced whatever… even measures it for you!

You can see it on their site – by clicking here

Check it out… and pick one up. You’ll be glad you did.

I’ve always loved to cook. I’ve been told I’m pretty good at it. And when you love something you’re good at, you should do it, right? And – you should share it.

I stopped eating beef and pork in 1996… for a number of reasons. Top on the list was animal cruelty and personal health choice. I thought I had to eat some protein – like chicken and fish. I carried that belief until 2007… when I decided to drop poultry and fish from my diet.

I gave it up for a week – as a test. And found that it was really easy for me to do. It’s a BIT tricky on the road… I’ve found myself ordering the kid’s grilled cheese more than once. But most of the time, I can find great food that works. Vegas is the toughest place I’ve found… especially if you’re on the strip without a car. There are some cool vegetarian restaurants… but they’re a hike.

I’ve not gone vegan yet, but it’s on my mind a lot.

In the meantime, I’m careful to buy vegetarian, free range eggs, use vegan cheese and “mayo” as often as possible, and switched to Soy Milk over a year ago. (I still haven’t “figured out” how to cook tofu just how I want – but I will, and we’ll feature it on the show.)

But last year… I made a major switch (even more major than dropping beef and pork, and then dropping poultry and fish). For years… many years… we went out to eat 6 nights a week and ate at home 1 night. We did it because it was social, it was fun, it was EASY, and it was fast.

I started training for the Disney World half Marathon in May of 2008… and decided that as part of my training, I would cook at home at least 5 nights a week.

Started out that way – and now it’s MORE than that. I cook at home 6 to 7 nights a week – and the family loves it. I’ve searched and searched for the very best recipes. I’ve bought dozens of books, spent countless weekends surfing the web looking for really great options for our meals.

I’ve found quite a few really great things… and constantly search for more.

A couple of months ago… I came up with the idea. Why not start a vegetarian cooking show and stream it live on the web? I’ve been in television production for a long time, having worked on camera and behind the scenes. And I’ve got one of the funniest co-hosts on the planet, Shana. If you tune in… you’ll see that she’s amazing. And funny. And irreverent. She’s my step-ex-wife.

Shana puts the POP in PopVegOnline. She’s a pop culture crazy… who knows more hollywood trivia – about people working (and not working) today… than anyone I know. You’ll love her.

Todd helps out behind the scenes… doing audience analysis and feedback. I might even get him to help out with production one day. Cameron helps, too… when he’s not crazy busy with homework (man he has a LOT!).

So here we are. We’ve got a couple of shows in the can, and the feedback (and viewership) has been great. We’re committed to doing a new show every Sunday at 7 east (new time based on viewer feedback) when we’re in town (which is most of the time) for at least 8 shows. From there – we’ll see where we go.

In the meantime, I’ve started this blog… and archive of shows, and recipes.

We’d love your feedback on the shows, the recipes, and anything else you’d like to contribute.

Oh – and tell your friends!

Use the COMMENTS feature to share YOUR favorite Vegan or Vegetarian recipes! We might use it on the show!

So… if you have decided to be vegetarian or Vegan… it can be tough to know where the animal products are hidden.

It’s easy to avoid a burger or a steak or a fish sandwich – but did you know

Jiffy Corn Meal is made with… BEEF?

McDonald’s French Fries and Hasbrowns contain BEEF?

Some Beer and Wine is aged with stomach lining from fish?

50 percent of the Cane Sugar in the US is cured using BONE char – cooked animal bones

Marshmallow, Pudding, Sour Cream – CAN contain Gelatin (and we sure don’t want to eat that)

Worcester Sauce often contains Anchovies – check the bottle.

If you’ve made the choice to not eat animals… better keep your reading glasses handy. It’s important to read the labels.

This is an amazing, FAST dish that is sure to satisfy. It’s not really a recipe… more of a variation on a box.

Can be made vegetarian or Vegan.

Start with the Old El Paso Enchilada “kit” (but I’d have at least 2 extra corn tortillas on hand, this makes a lot!)

Follow the directions, but instead of using BEEF… use 1/4 cup ONION and 1 bag Morningstar Farms Crumbles… the “fake meat” meal starter. Available at your grocery store.

If you want vegetarian – use cheese as directed.

Make it Vegan by using Vegan Cheddar cheese.

Takes 20 minutes… and MMMMMMMgooooood.

Of course… you should have LOTS of Chips and Guacamole – and salsa!

Kthxbai

So… good news is, the recipes are up.

Bad news is… the recording didn’t save.

We’re going to get it 100 percent one of these days… but it’s fun, easy, lightweight (and low budget)… so please tune in!