It’s time to treat yourself to an Italian summer delight. This delicious panini features season fresh tomatoes and soy cheese for a low-fat meat that’s packed with flavor. Grilled to achieve a light outer crisp, this sandwich is sure to hit the spot in satisfying your afternoon hunger.

Ingredients:

1/8 cup + 1/2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
salt & pepper (to taste)
4 Vegan Slices, Mozzarella flavor (see below)
6 tomato slices
6 large basil leaves, fresh
1/3 cup spinach leaves, fresh (optional)
4 slices ciabatta, or other rustic Italian bread

Directions:

1. Make the vinaigrette dressing by whisking together 1/8 cup olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl to blend; season to taste with salt and pepper.
   
2. Arrange bread slices on a flat work surface and use a brush to spread an equal amount of vinaigrette on one side of each slice; top four of the slices with one slice of Vegan Mozzarella, three slices of tomato; layer the four slices with the remaining Vegan Mozzarella slices and then top with three basil leaves.
   
3. Place remaining four slices of bread on top; brush the outside of each sandwich with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
   
4. Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium heat; grill sandwiches until bread is golden brown and Vegan Slices are melted, pressing occasionally to compact with large spatula, about 5 minutes per side.

For this and other gourmet recipes, visit www.VeganCulinaryExperience.com!

Galaxy Nutritional Foods is dedicated to making products with high quality ingredients to help you make nutritious and delicious choices on your journey to a healthier lifestyle. Vegan Slices are a practical alternative to dairy cheese… finally, something you can snack on that will make you feel proud! Available as slices, blocks, and grated parmesan topping, these soy-based products are excellent sources of calcium and satisfy cheese cravings without unhealthy saturated fat or cholesterol. Look for the complete line of products at your local natural foods store.

Galaxy Nutritional Foods supports good causes and will provide snacks as a sponsor at the Animal Rights 2008 National Conference.

For more information about their products, visit www.GalaxyFoods.com!

Children with higher vitamin K levels have better bone health, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology. Findings reveal that higher levels of vitamin K benefit healthy children, as well as sufferers of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). JIA is the most prevalent rheumatic disease in children, and affects one in every 250 children in the US.

The study correlated vitamin K status to bone mineral content (BMC) and markers of bone metabolism. Osteocalcin is a vitamin K-dependent protein and is essential for the body to utilize calcium in bone tissue. Without adequate vitamin K, the osteocalcin remains inactive, and thus ineffective.

Rich sources of vitamin K include broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, spinach and soybeans. Cooked dark green vegetables, such as spinach, kale and broccoli, can provide more than the recommended daily intake of vitamin K in a single serving.

To read the full article, click here!

Heather Mills is proud to speak out for good causes and promote compassionate living. As an activist charity campaigner, she is the United Nations Association Goodwill Ambassador. Over the years, Heather has used her voice to speak out for those who don’t have one… the animals! In addition to protesting cruelty through her vegan diet, Heather demonstrates compassion through action.

In 2005, Heather became involved with Viva! (Vegetarians International Voice for Animals), voicing outrage about the fur trade. She played a key role in the ban of import, export and trade of dog and cat fur from China into the European Union by helping to gather 250,000 petition signatures in order to get the new law introduced. In 2006, she traveled to Canada to bring attention to the country’s seal hunt.

Fighting for farmed animals is now at the forefront of Heather’s campaigning. Heather recently joined their covert investigation at a pig breeding unit to film the cruelty that breeding sows endure, generating massive publicity and raising awareness. Last year, she appeared on the hit TV show “Dancing with the Stars,” donating all of her proceeds from the show to Viva! to further support their important work for the animals.

Heather Mills will be accepting the Celebrity Animal Advocate Award at the upcoming Animal Rights 2008 National Conference.

Find out more about her work for the animals, visit www.HeatherMills.org!

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