Have a real zeal for zucchini? This low-cal summer squash is loaded with folic acid, potassium, and vitamin A. Easy to grow, zucchini is a garden favorite and easy to find and buy in the summer. Get creative with your stash of home-grown squash and try these zesty Garden Zucchini Boats!

Ingredients:

4 large zucchinis
1 cup couscous
1 16 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cup water
1 Tbs. olive oil
4-5 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 medium onion, diced
1 medium green pepper
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper

Directions:

1. Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise and use a spoon or melon baller to scoop out the interior to make a hollow shell.
2. Bake in a large casserole dish for 10 minutes at 425 F, uncovered.
3. In a large skillet, cook the onions, green pepper and garlic in the olive oil until tender; add the salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes and stir; add the tomatoes and water and bring to a simmer.
4. Stir in the couscous until thoroughly incorporated; cover tightly and remove from heat; let it sit for 5 minutes (the couscous will cook during this time).
5. Fill zucchini shells with couscous stuffing; cover dish tightly with foil and return to oven for an additional 10 minutes or until zucchini is tender.

This recipe was created by Lisa Riley.
For more of Lisa's great vegan recipes, visit www.Meatout.org!

VegNews Magazine is the smart way to stay informed about the latest happenings in the veg world. Learn new recipes, get tips on traveling, find out about the best products, and much more. The upcoming September+October food issue is a foodie’s paradise, replete with rockin’ recipes for just about any occasion: raw food, incredibly decadent baked goods, irresistible appetizers, mouth-watering main courses and supreme side dishes! Should you manage the Herculean feat of forcing your hand to turn the page past the drool-inducing cover, you'll find inside winners of first reader recipe showdown, restaurant reviews, the ultimate autumn cake, inside the Argentine kitchen… plus much more, including the latest vegetarian news, book reviews, new products, health advice, hard-hitting features, and celebrity buzz. It's all in VegNews. Haven't subscribed? What are you waiting for?!?

For more information about the magazine, visit www.VegNews.com!

Nutrition expert and author of the highly acclaimed book, Quantum Wellness, Kathy Freston recently published an extensive article addressing problems with high protein diet studies. Her knowledge about a healthier diet is educating the public and changing minds, including celebrities like Oprah Winfrey.

A comparison study of high protein vs. “low fat” diets concluded that high protein diets can help people shed more weight and reduce cholesterol. However, Freston points out that the “low fat” diet in the study consisted of 30% calories from fat, which is not low-fat as defined by top nutritionists and scientists advocating low-fat diets to help people lose weight and keep it off. Additionally, study organizers encouraged participants to eat vegetarian protein sources, not the animal products emphasized by Atkins (Atkins Nutritionals filed for bankruptcy three years ago).

Freston states that the best diet is truly low-fat (10-15% of calories from fat) based primarily on whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Mounting evidence confirms that vegans are less likely to be overweight or obese than meat eaters--because it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle transition. Plant foods contain zero cholesterol, are less calorie dense and lower in fat than animal products, allowing one to shed weight in a sustainable way.

If food industry statistics, celebrity interest, and the success of books like Skinny Bitch and Freston’s own Quantum Wellness are any indication, there's a growing shift toward healthy, plant-based diets, especially among people looking to both improve health and keep off weight.

To read the full article, click here!

Heather Mills provided inspiration to animal advocates around the country last week by speaking at the Animal Rights 2008 National Conference. Heather accepted the Celebrity Animal Activist Award for her leadership, extraordinary advocacy, campaigning, and passionate commitment to the animal liberation movement. The attendees at the Awards Ceremony gave an overwhelming warm reception to Heather when she received the award, spoke about her various campaigns, and encouraged activists to understand the magnitude of their work and “the power one person can have to make a difference” when acting on and following their convictions!

Heather encouraged fellow activists to continue their commitment to the animals and follow their hearts. Heather commented that she in was truly touched by the standing ovation of the audience at the AR2008 National Conference and the interest in her work.

To read more about Heather's work for the animals, visit www.HeatherMills.org!

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