A lovely summers day. What better way for two foodies, than to have it outside and eating! That was the plan. Both Rhiannon and I headed to the Taste of Dublin Festival in Iveagh Gardens. One was the notion of all yummy food to eat and the other was that I never been to Iveagh Gardens before. What better way than to explore the very city you grew up in. Tickets to the even cost anywhere from €17.50 to €64.50 and at these prices you may fall under the notion that it’s small platters of food that you can eat without paying or even dishes with reasonably prices that you’d find anywhere else in Dublin. Sadly, no. Inside the gate you need to cough up more money without even touching a stand, €1 = 1 Florin. This is understandable, people buy a booklet of Florins and they can’t leave the gardens with them as they’ll become completely useless. Handy. So, it doesn't seem so bad does it? If you’re any like the two of us, we went into it naively thinking we spent €20 on Florins we should be fed and watered before leaving. Well… only if the prices of the food and drink inside the park were at reasonable standards. 7 florins, the equivalent of €7 could get you a small glass of drink or a pint. You need to search around the gardens to get the most out of your Florins with either a tiny skinny champagne glass with barely three mouthfuls of drink or you can get a standard-size cup filled with the most refreshing, limey drink that will send you to heaven on a warm summer's day. And you’re probably wondering why I haven’t mentioned the food, right? Well... The Taste of Dublin would’ve been better off being named The Drink of Dublin. Throughout the gardens whole sections were made up of stations solely for one type of beverage...and mostly alcoholic. Whiskey? They got it. Wine? Bottoms up! Sparkling Wine, let’s party! Pints...They got you covered! And it continues to fail spectacularly at the the food. Maybe I had high hopes. I did complete my sole mission of finally tasting an oyster for the first time ever and let’s just say...they’re sooooo tasty, I shouldn’t have listened to everyone telling me not to try them. One moment that puts my whole day into perspective is a chinese stand. There’s nothing spectacular about the particular stand. There was just something that grabbed my attention. For one soul-lifting second, my hopes soared through the roof when I saw stacks of chinese containers - you know, the ones’ that you eat your noodles out off and can close the top back over. They were there! Staring at me! I got super excited! FINALLY! I can spend 7 of my florins [€7 in real money] and GET A MEAL!!! And a chinese meal at that! MY FAVOURITE!!! But my little foodie was destroyed when two people in front of my turned around with... a plate? Where did that comes from?? And on these plates was a tiny mountain of rice and tiny section of toppings. I filled my pit of sadness with a cup of melted chocolate and strawberries. A tiny stupid meal wasn’t getting my money but lovely creamy heavenly chocolate and a big cup of strawberries was. Wine flew, drinks were drunk and let’s just say the hangover the next day wasn’t worth the money spent. Wished we had gone off to enjoy our day elsewhere and not spent the good part of €100 between us on the Taste of Dublin. It just didn’t live up to the hype...maybe it was us, but it was a let down.
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Reducing meat brings many benefits for health and for the planet.
BBC research indicates that if vegetarians were adopted globally by 2050, we would have 7 million fewer deaths per year. They also saw the impact on climate change. Food production represents between 25% and 30% of all man-made emissions of greenhouse gases worldwide and the bulk of it comes from livestock farming. An American family with four people emits more greenhouse gases by eating meat than driving two cars. Of the nearly 5 billion hectares of land currently used in the world for food production, 68% are used for livestock. If all of us became vegetarians, 80% of these lands would become lands for the reforestation, which would increase carbon uptake and would improve climate change. However, reforestation or conversion of land to planting would require planning and investment. People involved in the meat industry would also need help to change careers and if we could not create professional alternatives it would be possible to imagine a high unemployment rate. With this scenario we get an idea about the impacts that eating or not eating meat could cause in the world. Hey guys, so today it’s my turn to contribute to The 3 Vegeteers and my offering today is the best meat substitutes that will make your veggie transition extremely simple.
1. Ok, so in the beginning if your struggling to go meat free I would suggest relying heavily on the vegetarian freezer section of your supermarket. My favourite is Quorn, you can buy Quorn mince, chicken style pieces and chicken style fillets. You can create simple meat free dishes such as mince free Shepard’s pie, chickenless broccoli bake. These substitutes definitely help with the transition in the beginning. 2. Tofu is a great meat substitute with a bad reputation among meat eaters but when its flavoured it transforms into a tasty chicken substitute which I just know you'll love. Living in China, I ate a lot of tofu and they are great at serving it in multiple forms. 3. Portobello mushrooms, ohh my mouth is watering just thinking about how tasty these lil'beauties are. Fry 'em, sauté 'em, bake 'em stuff 'em ... they’re versatility is part of their charm. Not to mention their meaty texture and rich and earthy flavour which makes these fungii's a scrumptious substitute. My go-to is to stuff & bake them at 180°C for 15/20 min. So, simple - grab a few slices of bread (mine is gluten free) throw them in the food processor. Chop an onion finely add some seasoning and what I live to add to my stuffing is toasted nuts and seeds, a trick I learned from my mama. Mix it all up with a little melted butter. Helps it stick together. You can add whatever takes your fancy. Swap out the breadcrumbs for rice or couscous. The possibilities are endless. 4. Beans and Legumes. These are a great pantry basic and these such a huge range out there and they are cheap cheap cheap! You can buy them tinned or dried. Tinned are super convenient - make up a tomato base with tinned tomatoes and pasta, add some chilies and seasoning throw in some pinto beans, butter beans, kidney beans, chickpeas. Whatever you like leave it on a low heat for a while, or if you have a crock pot - even better! When serving add some fresh coriander and chopped avocado and viola - a hearty healthy meal. Make a big pot to share or freeze in portions. 5. Lentils are my newest discovery as I love Indian food and what to learn to make daal. All recipes welcome! Like beans and Legumes, they are inexpensive can be bought dried or tinned and make filling and healthy meals. They can be mixed into salads, soups, made into stews. There is a variety of colours to choose from; green, red, brown and black. There you have it folks, 5 great substitutes for a meat free diet; that are easy to use and on the whole a lot cheaper then meat, so not only will you feel the benefits to your health. You'll feel them in your pocket as well. Don't worry you can thank me later! 😉 For those of you who are looking for a reason to motivate you to become a vegetarian, here are 8 good reasons for practicing vegetarianism. Check out!
1 - It is scientifically proven that vegetarians have less risk of cardiovascular disease. 2 - It is scientifically proven that vegetarians have a decreased risk of developing cancer. 3 - It has been proven that vegetarians have less chance of diabetes. 4 - Cholesterol levels in people who eat a vegetarian diet are 20% lower than those who eat a lot of meat. 5 – Vegetarians typically go to hospitals 22% less than meat eaters. 6 - Meat contains substances such as hormones, pesticides and antibiotics that are given to the animals for meat production. These substances are up to 15 times more concentrated in meat than in plant foods. 7 – If you maintain a balanced vegetarian diet you will receive all the vitamins, proteins and minerals needed for optimal health. Therefore, meat is not essential. 8 – Deforestation has become a huge global issue. 90% of deforestation is due the agricultural Industry and since it has become an issue approx. 1,000 species are no longer in existence, thanks to deforestation. Since my last post I’ve been at a family wedding, I love wedding they are the best opportunity to catch up with all your family in one joyous occasion especially if you have a big family like mine. Here’s a picture of the McCann Clan and this isn’t even all of us The wedding was held in Kilronan Castle, In County Rosscommon and my gosh what an amazing location. It was a humanist ceremony, which I have to saw was one of the most personal and touching ceremonies I have ever been to. Anyway, I digress, the reason I am telling you all this is because I failed in my veggie endeavour this weekend. I caved and I ate meat, and yes, I do feel bad but it is ok, for those of you out there struggling, it’s ok not to be 100% successful in the beginning. Just keep going. Being a veggie for 5 years, means that I know that I can do it, and I know that you guys can as well. One of the hardest things for me as a veggie was the smell of my mother’s roast lamb …. I missed it so much. It was the only thing I ever missed back then but each time it was served I was triumphant and I will be again. So if you’re transitioning or even thinking about becoming a veggie and think you won’t make it. So what if you fall off the wagon a few times in the beginning, you’re doing this for you, you are only accountable to yourself and you just gotta believe and you will succeed. Wow, I think I should become a motivational speaker what you think? That’s all from me folks for the moment. Peace. CategoriesThere are many sources of protein available to vegetarians, different plants can provide you with a good source protein in sufficient quantity. According to nutritionists an adult woman needs 46 grams of protein a day, and men need about 56g. With this information you will be able to decide what to eat without fear of suffering protein shortages, then here are some good protein-rich food tips: Green beans or peas - There are many different varieties of beans with high protein level. Two cups of beans, for example, contains about 26 protein grams. Chickpeas contains 7.3 grams of protein per half a glass. It is also high in fiber and low in calories. Green leaves are rich in proteins, antioxidants and fibers, good for a healthy heart and the body in general. Vegetable Milk are a good source of protein, vegetable milks, such as soy milk, almond milk and rice milk are important alternatives for anyone who is lactose intolerant or who do not eat animal products. Chia seeds are rich in protein, there are 4.7 grams in two tablespoons of chia seeds. Nuts are a healthy snack and you can get 6g of protein per handful, so go grab yourself a bag of mixed nuts and get munching at snack time. Not only do they help you build up towards your daily protein intake but a handful of nuts will help you keep you full between meals, which means less snacking on things are body doesn't need. Nut butter - Well this goes without saying, you can get 8g of protein from two tablespoons of nut butter. one of my favorite snacks is to cut up a delicious and crunchy green apple and eat it with peanut butter or almond butter. Yummy! oh and of course there is nutella, on a bit of toast in the morning and you're out the door ready for your day. Oatmeal is another great option for breakfast, or if you need a midnight snack. its packed full of the slow releasing carbs that help keep your blood sugar down and energy up. and you get 6g of protein per cup of oatmeal. We’re onto a winner here. my favorite way of having my oatmeal in the mornings is to cut up some apple and through in a good heaped teaspoon of cinnamon and mix it with either Goats milk, Almond milk or Soy milk and if none of these are available you can always use water. I always have some stevia or honey to add a little sweetness. there are plenty of other ways to have oatmeal, I would to love to hear how you guys eat your oatmeal, I'm always up for trying something new. Greek Yogurt another great snack or can be used instead of cream in recipes or desert. Greek yogurt has 10g of protein per 100g. so grab a snack pot and add some fresh fruit and you're sorted! Or like I suggested anytime cream is mentioned in your recipe use Greek yogurt as a substitution. Eggs - One of my favorites as they are so versatile. Fried, scrambled, boiled, poached, in an omelette; there are just so many options. there is 6g of protein per egg so get cooking. Broccoli - 5g of protein per 180g serving and very light on calories so start using more broccoli in you meals. Seeds - Another great snack or great on top of a salad with 5g per 180g serving, where could you go wrong by adding a few more seeds into your diet. Remember! Protein is a very important part of your diet and if your are thinking of becoming a veggie or you already are a veggie then you have to make sure that you are getting enough protein in your every day. Good luck packing in the protein. Why I want to be vegetarian? Today I want to tell you a bit of history about myself and where the idea to become vegetarian comes from. My desire to become a vegetarian started many years ago and has intensified recently with the introduction of practicing meditation. I have always been a very passionate about animals, nature and spirituality, since I was a child. I’ve always had pets and a love of nature. Preserving lives, preserving the environment and increasing my energy has helped my connection to the universe- one of my biggest life goals. I tried to stop eating meat a few times but failed as I did not know what to supplement meat with and found it hard to find replacements. I constantly felt weak and lethargic and I didn’t know anyone who was a vegetarian to talk with for advice and ideas. This was when I decided to go see a vegetarian nutritionist. The advice I received was to first cut out the red meat, then the chicken and finally the fish. However, I am still eating fish. After that I began to valorise life and my spirit. I feel much lighter, healthier and more humanized. To be sincere- it’s not difficult to become vegetarian and I do not miss the taste of meat. I began adapting my routine to this new lifestyle and began researching about vegetarianism and found some amazing things. I’m learning new vegetarian recipes and have discovered that there are thousands of recipes and different ways of making a particular dish, we just need to adapt to a new lifestyle. I did it not just because of the animal cause or for the consumption of plant foods, which certainly makes life healthier, but vegetarianism is ecologically more profitable and more ethically correct. If I could give just one tip to people wanting to stop eating meat- the first step is to consult a professional to establish a balanced diet, so that you don’t lose nutrients. Being a vegetarian is knowing what you can eat and cook without meat. So, let’s get going!! Welcome guys to my first ever blog post! This is very exciting! I’m looking forward to this endeavour as it will help me stay accountable to myself as I make my way down the veggie path again. My plan is to start introducing more veggie based meals into my diet as well as incorporating more fish and shellfish. I found out the term for someone who eats only fish and veggies the other day and I’ve already forgotten- hold on a tic “I’mma Google it” - ok I’m back, It’s pescetarian. You guys probably knew that, right? Anyhoo, that’d be me. I might try the old veganism thing for a week or two see what the whole malarkey is about and whether I have the stomach for it. But that’s a wee bit down the line. So let me walk you through my experience so far with being a veggie to date. My first experience of vegetarianism was at 16; when my sister, Aoife - 12 at the time - decided she would only eat vegetables, I thought she was bonkers and if my mother, Judi, was frustrated with the decision she never let on. In fact it ended up being a delicious decision because my mother is a fabulous cook, she would make amazing dinners for Aoife, which meant me too, Yum Yum! There was a scrumptious vegetable roulade, creamy and decadent veggie lasagne and my favourite hearty nut roast, later when I visited from college I would always get my mum to make an extra portion that I could take with me and it is my favourite part of her Christmas dinner. I guess she had some reprise because we went to boarding school from Monday to Friday, so it was only the weekends that she had to make the vegetarian dinners, although how my sister faired in boarding school I just don’t know, as the non-veggie dinners were nothing to write home about. Then, when I was 23, in 2010, after coming home from a six-month stint in Asia, 5 months teaching English in ZhuHai, Guanzhong, China and one month living like a pauper across the east coast islands in Thailand. Short on money I had to move home. I read somewhere that red meat can stay in your system for nearly 3 weeks (not fact checked, so I honestly don’t know) and at the time I had been low of energy, feeling lethargic all the time so I said, “why not give up meat altogether” and in fairness to my mother she just accepted my decision, like she did my sister’s, and would make me mouth-watering dinners. Let me take a second to explain my family situation, I am the eldest of eight. This February I turned 30 and my youngest brother turned 13. Me, my two sisters, Aisling (29) and Aoife (27) and my brother Daire (25), were born in Liverpool in the UK where we lived until I was 7. My parents, who are Irish, mum’s from Dublin and my dad is a Cavan man. Moved us to a small Island off the coast of West Cork, called Cape Clear, or as Capers like to say. Ireland is an island off the coast of Cape. If you have the time an inclination - go take a look at the place on Google maps. Its full time population ranges from 80 to 120 people. While living on the island my parents expanded our family by another four, first was Cian (20), my gentle giant of a lil’bro, then came Ruairí (18) the ladies’ man of the family. Next is my little mini-me, Neasa (16) (well not so much like me anymore) Nessy is a force to reckon with, quick on her feet and a mouth that drips sarcasm. You don’t mess with Nessy! Finally the baby of the family is too cool for school, Calum (13) who is never out of his Adidas, shit-stopping, tracksuits not my words, my mothers. There you have it, not your average modern family story but now you’re up to speed. So at 23, I’m back at home and I am vegetarian. I attribute my success as a veggie to my mother’s patience and her delicious cooking. I made it 5 years. From 2010 to 2015. However, my last year as a veggie was a little difficult. I spent 2015, the year of the lamb, in Harbin, China. I taught English in the cold north-east climate of Heliongjiang province and being a veggie in China was a challenge. The Chinese eat out a lot, food is a huge part of their culture and they love to share it with family and friends. Plus it’s super cheap and eateries are in abundance. I left for San Francisco to meet my long-term boyfriend, whose brother and sister lived in San Francisco We had Christmas dinner together and while it was delicious it was light on veggies and in a cloud of jet-lag and feeling homesick for my mum’s Christmas dinner. I gorged out on turkey and ham and from there I just gave up on my vegetarianism. Now, I wouldn’t consider myself a major meat eater. I prefer fish to meat and don’t eat a lot of red meat so I’m thinking that this transition won’t be too hard. I think my biggest issue will be sausages … I know it sounds crazy but I’m having a little love affair with sausages at the moment, Kerns and Clonakilty Ohh my belly is rumbling. But no! sausages are no more. I’ll be walking the path of a pescetarian, for the first while, sharing with you guys the yummy recipes I find and even some of my own creation. Are you ready? I’ve been a vegetarian for about 5 years. It started as a News Year’s resolution that just stuck. Now, let’s back-track a bit. Most people were shocked when I first came out that I was going vegetarian and some are still shocked to this day that I stuck it out. The reason? Even as a kid (about 11-12 years-old) I’d order steaks and spare ribs, and I was constantly eating some sort of well-done steak even before I should’ve been even ordering them. My childhood is filled with the memories of a dish known as the ‘Plank Steak’ that I totally had a love-affair with a kid. So, you’re probably thinking: why did you do it, right? I did it to test myself. I love animals, always have and always will, so - to me at least- it felt hypocritical to speak fondly of all these animals and then sit down and eat them without a second thought. So, I did it for my animal-lover side, I did it for all the souls that I could save for going meat free. Would I go back? Nope. I do have moments like everyone else where I would love a steak or I would love slow-cooked pulled pork. And yes, I miss the taste, I miss the yumminess of all the dishes I don’t eat, but I also think of the poor soul that’s been killed to put that single meal on the table and then the craving evaporates just as quick as it came. I also know too much now and I cannot mentally bring myself back to eating meat. I also know all about the health benefits of not eating meat too! The world is full of yummy food! You just need to open your mind, your recipes and your life to finding out a more healthier diet and life!! |
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