Meatout Mondays - Kick the Meat Habit One Day at a Time!
December 31, 2007
Recipe
Algerian Chili

Happy New Year! Ring in 2008 in good health and resolve to improve your diet with flavorful plant-based foods. This Algerian Chili features nutritious, protein-rich navy beans. Low in fat, navy beans contain high quality soluble fiber, which helps the body eliminate cholesterol. Fill up on this chili for a hearty winter meal or serve with tortilla chips as an exciting dip at your New Year festivities. 

Ingredients:

2 cups navy beans, soaked
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large onion, finely diced
3 small dried red chilies, seeded
15 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbs. sweet paprika
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
4 tsp. ground cumin
6 oz. tomato paste
2 tomatoes, coarsely chopped
7 cups water or vegetable broth
2 bay leaves
2 1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp cayenne, or to taste
20 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
10 sprigs fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions:

  1. Rinse and pick over the beans and soak them overnight; drain and reserve.
  2. In a large soup pot over medium heat, heat the oil and cook the onion, stirring occasionally, until tender.
  3. Add chilies, garlic, paprika, pepper, and cumin. Cook, stirring for 2 to 3 minutes; add tomato paste and stir until mixture thickens (1 to 2 minutes); stir in tomatoes and 1 cup of water or broth and bring to a boil.
  4. Add the beans and remaining 6 cups water or broth.
  5. With a thread or cotton string, tie together bay leaves, cayenne, and half parsley sprigs, and add them to the pot.
  6. Lower heat to medium-low, cover, and cook beans until tender (1-2 hours).
  7. Before serving, discard the chilies, bay leaves, and tied parsley; mince remaining parsley and add to pot along with cilantro.

For great veggie recipes, visit www.vegan-food.net!

product
VegDining.com

Get the scoop on the best veg dining options around! Purchase an account at VegDining.com! Since 1999, VegDining has been an invaluable resource to veggie lovers around the world. The website offers tons of interesting and useful veg info, such as restaurant profiles, nutrition columns, discount cards, travel tips, and user reviews. Join now and get a full year's access for only $4.95. It makes a great gift for friends and family too.

Submit a review and help support Meatout 2008! By submitting mini-reviews of your favorite vegetarian or veg-friendly restaurants and food stores, you might win a prize in the VegDining new prize draw! Entry deadline is Meatout Day - March 20.

To find out more, visit www.VegDining.com!

health
Zinc Helps Quell Pneumonia

A little zinc every day may stave off pneumonia or lessen its severity and duration, according to nutrition researchers. The observational study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined nearly 600 residents of 33 Boston nursing homes. Researchers found that residents with normal serum zinc concentrations had lower occurrence rates of pneumonia, fewer new prescriptions for antibiotics, a shorter duration of pneumonia, and fewer days of antibiotic use compared with patients who had low zinc levels. Patients with normal zinc levels also had a 39% lower mortality rate than patients with low levels.

Zinc is a mineral found in a variety of plant foods, including brown rice, spinach, beans, oatmeal, lentils, and baked potatoes.

To read the full article, click here!

Inspiration
2008 - No Meat on My Plate!

Start fresh for the New Year and be an inspiration to yourself and others. Make your New Year’s resolution one that will benefit your health, the environment, and the animals! If you haven’t yet “kicked the meat habit,” gradually work to replace meat in your diet with wholesome fruits, beans, vegetables, grains, nuts, and meat-alternatives. If you’re already vegetarian, resolve to transition to a completely plant-based diet by choosing healthy alternatives to eggs and dairy.


Here are some tips on how you can further explore a plant-based diet:

Order a Free Vegetarian Starter Kit for you or a friend at www.VegKit.org!

Pass it on!

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