Here’s an easy, great-tasting soup with nutritious ingredients. Cumin helps with digestion, while spinach is packed with vital nutrients and is a good source of fiber. Red lentils have more protein and less fat than animal-based products, so they're a wonderful alternative. This recipe was created by the folks at Leilani Farm Sanctuary (see inspiration section) who comment that they hate to brag, but this soup is delicious. Try it – you’ll agree!

Ingredients:

7 cups vegetable broth
1 lb. (2 cups) dried red lentils
3 cloves garlic, chopped or minced
2 tsp. ground cumin
½ tsp. cayenne pepper
1 link of Tofurky Faux Sausage, crumbled (optional)
4 cups fresh baby spinach (or 10 oz frozen spinach)

Directions:

1. In a large soup pot, bring to a boil broth, lentils, garlic, cumin, cayenne pepper, and optional Tofurky sausage.
2. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 25 minutes.
3. Add spinach and cook 3-4 minutes longer until spinach is wilted. Makes 4-6 servings.

For more amazing vegan recipes, visit www.ChooseVeg.com!

What is the sound of one hand cooking? It’s “One Hand Cooking: Vegetarian,” a blend of yin and yang in perfect harmony with vegan recipes, easy ideas, and nutrition information for the busy new vegetarian as well as the seasoned vegan. Author Claudia Johnsen is a Licensed Nutritionist and pediatric nutrition specialist. Her first love has always been veganism in all its forms - nutrition, cooking, animal rights, nonviolence, spirituality, environmentalism, and health to name a few. Her cookbook guides you from breakfast to dessert, so you can create delicious meals effortlessly. Loaded with nutrition tips and tasty treats, this creative and practical work is like the Tai Chi of creative cooking.

To purchase this book, click here!

A study recently published in the Archives of Internal Medicine reveals that folic acid, B-6, and B-12 reduce the risks of age-related macular degeneration (vision loss). More than 5,200 women over the age of 40 participated in the 7-year study. Participants consuming a daily combination of folic acid, B-6, and B-12 had a 41% lower risk of age-related macular degeneration than the placebo group.

The study’s author is William Christen, associate professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. He estimates that 1.75 million people have advanced age-related macular degeneration, with 7.3 million more in early stages of the disease. "These findings are the first to suggest a possible early prevention measure," Christen says.

Vegans can obtain B-12 in their diet from fortified plant-based foods. Food sources of folate, B-6, and B-12 include lentils and other legumes, nuts, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fortified products, such as veggie burger and sausage mixes, yeast extracts, vegetable stock, margarine, breakfast cereal, and soy milk.

To read the whole article, click here!

Laurelee Blanchard has dedicated her life to rescuing animals and fostering the compassionate treatment of all living beings. She began her efforts in 1989 rescuing homeless cats and has since worked for several animal advocacy organizations. For many years, she served as Director of Communications for FARM, helping raise awareness about the Great American Meatout (check out the Meatout 2009 Report - just posted!).

Laurelee currently works as a professional real estate agent and donates 20% of her commissions to animal protection organizations. She is also the Founder and President of Leilani Farm Sanctuary. Located on a lush 7.5-acre farm in Haiku, Maui, the sanctuary is home to more than 41 chickens, 15 cats, 4 goats, and 2 donkeys. Named in honor of Leilani, the farm's first resident donkey, it is an all volunteer, non-profit organization created to provide shelter and care for abused animals, and humane education to the public. The sanctuary is truly a paradise for animals who have been rescued from a life of anguish and now have an opportunity to enjoy a bit of heaven right here on earth!

Visit the sanctuary's website at www.LeilaniFarmSanctuary.org!

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10101 Ashburton Ln Bethesda, MD 20817
info@meatoutmondays.org

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