Tofutti Cuties

These cute vegan bite size frozen sandwiches are a perfect sweet treat! Unlike ice cream sandwiches, Tofutti Cuties are completely dairy-free, without butterfat or cholesterol, yet with the same great taste that makes ice cream sandwiches one of the best selling novelties in the freezer case. You can find a flavor that just right for you no matter what kind of mood you're in with flavors like Vanilla, Cookies and Cream, Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Mint Chocolate Chip, Wild Berry, and Coffee. For those individuals who can’t have chocolate, Totally Vanilla is a Cutie with vanilla Tofutti between two Vanilla Wafers and is totally tasty! Next time you're craving some sweet goodness, try a Tofutti Cutie! Yum!

For nutrition facts or info about more Tofutti products, visit the website!

Stuffed Zucchini

Summer's season of plenty is here, bringing with it zillions of zucchini. A form of summer squash, zucchini is a good source of magnesium, vitamin A and C, and other beneficial nutrients. This simple yet tasty combination of vegetables and spices offers a fun way to enjoy zucchini! For more variety try adding vegan cheese into the vegetables before stuffing your boats or grated on top at the last few minutes of baking. You can also add chopped tofu or tofu crumbles into the saute. These are easy to make and are a beautiful presentation for either a side or main dish.

Ingredients:

6 medium zucchini
2 medium or 4 to 6 plum tomatoes
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms
1 fresh red pepper
1 medium to large sweet onion
3 large garlic cloves
olive oil for sauteing
salt and pepper to taste
1 bunch fresh basil
1/2 cup bread crumbs, matzoh meal or farfel


Directions:

Trim the stem on the zucchini, then carefully cut the zucchini in half lengthwise, making two boats. Use a paring knife and hollow them out, leaving about 1/4 inch all around sides and bottom. Save the parts you remove. Place the boats in an oiled baking pan or cookie sheet.

Chop all the vegetables. Heat olive oil in large pot or Dutch oven. Add red pepper, a few minutes later onion, a few minutes later garlic. Simmer slowly so they get soft and onions become translucent.

Add mushrooms, chopped zucchini innards, a few minutes later tomatoes, chopped basil, salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered about 15 minutes. Taste for seasonings.

If there is a lot of liquid, strain veggies in a colander, but save the liquid. Mix in some bread crumbs just to help hold it all together.

Fill all the zucchini boats slightly mounded. Baste with the saved liquid.

Bake at 350F for 1/2 hour to 45 minutes, until boats are tender but still holding their shape. Serves 12.

For more vegan recipes visit Niki's Recipes!

American Diet Too Heavy on Meat, Study Finds

Despite warnings from the government, health groups, and doctors, more than 70 percent of Americans still eat too much meat and fat and too few vegetables, cancer, researchers said. This leaves little room for the vegetables that prevent not only cancer but heart disease and a range of other diseases.

The American Institute for Cancer Research, which funds research aimed at showing links between nutrition and cancer, commissioned a survey of 1,000 adults. The survey found that only 27 percent were eating the enough of plant food.

"This survey shows that Americans... are cutting themselves off from the protection afforded by the vitamins, minerals and cancer-fighting phytochemicals found in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans," Melanie Polk of the AICR told a news conference.

The AICR also released a study of nearly 30,000 women that showed those who ate a diet closest to the group's guidelines - rich in vegetables, with moderate alcohol intake - had the lowest risk of cancer.

For more details read the full article!

At this year's Animal Rights conference several awards were presented at the closing Awards Banquet, and veteran St. Louis activist Janet Enoch received the Animal Grassroots Activist of the Year Award.

Currently the Vice President of Kinship Circle, Janet is an experienced and committed animal rights activist and has been involved with several other organizations such as The Animal Trust of America, and the St. Louis Animal Rights Team (START). Janet and START volunteers spearheaded efforts to protect the rights, privileges and interests of area animals.

Most recently Janet's passion and dedication shows up in her work with the nonprofit organization Kinship Circle. Earlier this year, dedicated activists, led by Janet protested the Petland in St. Louis each week "rain, shine, or snow" to raise awareness about Petland's support of puppy mills and the need for adopters at shelters. After 75 weeks of continuous Saturday protests, the Petland closed! This was their second success in closing a Petland store. The last one that opened in this area closed in just six months!

When asked about Janet, Brenda Shoss, her colleague and President of Kinship Circle, said, "I couldn't do Kinship Circle without her."

To find out more about Janet's Petland protest check out the article!