I first heard of this fantastic organization about a year ago. I was smack dab in the end-of-the-year craziness in the slow cooking challenge, and instead of jumping in to help, I merely bookmarked the website.

This year is different. This year I look forward to making a bunch of plain cookies, and working with our Girl Scout Troop to decorate them for a good cause. I used to run a child care center that served homeless families, and Im looking forward to bundling our cookies up to bring to some very deserving children and families.

There are very few rules, which is why I really, really like this project. You dont need to bake (unless you want to). You dont need to make your own icing (unless you want to). All you need is a few of your favorite friends, and an open and giving heart.

My friend, Lydia, started Drop in and Decorate in 2007. It has grown phenomenally. Heres a bit of background on this not-for-profit organization:
My girls are quite excited to participate in this event. While I type this, theyre looking over my shoulder and would like to do it twice---once with the girl scouts, and again with friends and family.

Thank you to Lydia for this fantastic way to give back to the local community, and for providing a beautiful opportunity to make a difference while creating family memories.

PS. Today (November 15) at 5pm pacific, the $200 Best Buy Gift Card give-away over on my review blog will finally end. Its your last chance to throw your name in the pot.

xoxo steph

Day 195!

One hundred and ninety-five. Holy cow.

I made the easiest vegetables yesterday in my four quart crockpot. We had a busy day planned, and I wasnt able to get to the grocery store. We also have SO many leftovers from last week, that we needed to desperately clean out the refrigerator.

The Ingredients.

--5 cups of fresh vegetables. I had broccoli, two different bell peppers, and tomatoes in the house, so thats what I used. I think carrots would have been a nice addition, and squash, if I had any.

--1 packet dry ranch dressing mix (please read label carefully if you have allergies. I used Hidden Valley Original mix.

--1/4 cup water


The Directions.

--wash and trim all the veggies
--dump them into the crock. 5-6 cups of fresh vegetables will fit in a 3.5 qt or larger crockpot.
--sprinkle in the ranch dressing mix, toss gingerly with a large spoon to coat vegetables a bit
--add 1/4 cup of water

Cover and cook on low for 2-4 hours. The vegetables are done when they reach desired tenderness for your family. I like vegetables to have a crisp to them, and took ours out of the crock at 2.5 hours.


The Verdict.

This is a simple way to have steamed, flavorful vegetables as an accompaniment to your main meal. My kids both really like broccoli, and they like ranch dressing.

The flavor is mild, it isnt dripping in flavor; which is okay with me---we like vegetables to taste like vegetables. If you are trying to mask the vegetables completely, you might want 2 packets of seasoning.

I was surprised at how much liquid formed in the crockpot. There wasnt tons, but I think you could get away with 2-3 tablespoons of water instead of a whole 1/4 cup.

Vegetarian and vegan diets are they exposed to deficiencies?

Why and how to fix it?



Vegetarian and vegan diet: whats the difference?
The vegetarian diet is to eat mainly of plant foods. Certain animal products are allowed, usually dairy and eggs, but excluding strictly meat.

But when strictly no animal foods are tolerated (meat, milk, eggs), the term vegan or vegan diet.

Are vegetarians exposed to deficiencies? How about it?
Without meat, one might fear a risk of protein deficiency.

Remember that protein intakes depend on those amino acids (basic protein components), some of which are considered essential that is to say, the body can not synthesize and must therefore be made mandatory in sufficient quantities by the diet.

But plants contain, too, of the essential amino acids. Thus, they provide good quality protein. However, beware, all food categories do not provide the same types of proteins. Thus, legumes and grains do not contain the same essential amino acids.
And unless there are animal products authorized in the diet, the more this association is crucial. Thus it must be systematic in vegans. This association is also found in many traditional dishes and chick peas in semolina couscous, chickpea soup and bread, curry rice and legumes (beans, lentils), etc.

Vegetarian attention to iron deficiency ...
This risk of iron deficiency is most feared among women due to their menstrual bleeding, and children whose needs have increased.

Among other vegetarians, the risk is low because even if the iron of animal origin is better absorbed than that from plants, it represents more than 85% of dietary iron. Moreover, absorption of iron increases when there is a deficit.

And finally, the high consumption of fruits and vegetables vegetarian makes a significant amount of vitamin C, vitamin known to enhance the absorption of iron by the body.

Regarding the two at-risk populations (children and menstruating women), iron supplementation may be necessary. Ideally, it should be considered in consultation with her doctor.

What are the best sources of vegetable protein?
Legumes: white beans, red beans, kidney beans, lentils, soy (tofu, soy milk), peas, peanuts.
Cereals: wheat, semolina, rice, corn, quinoa, millet, barley, oats, bulgur.