Recipe post for you...

I had my first attempt at a fully vegan meal, and it was delicious!!!!!  It's a vegan lasagna.  I adapted a Pinterest recipe, and used soy meat and vegan cheese.  These are the main ingredients I used, besides the tube polenta, which I got in the organic aisle at Kroger.

The sauce is delicious, too.  I got it at Whole Foods in my attempt to find a LOW SUGAR marinara.  Most have around 6 grams of sugar, this has only one!  It's great, and Pat loves it, too!

All you do is layer the ingredients as you would with any lasagna.  I sauteed some onions and garlic for a few minutes, then threw in the soy meat (strange consistency in the package, but just like meat in the pan).  Instead of noodles, you slice your polenta and use the slices in the noodles' place.

The recipe called for an 8x8 pan, which I do not have, so I used an 8x11.  I would suggest getting two tubes of polenta for anything other than an 8x8.  I didn't feel like I had enough.  Also, I used only a clove of garlic, but would suggest more.

Of course, I cannot locate the exact recipe I adapted, so here's what I did:

Polenta Lasagna

One tube polenta (organic)
One jar pasta sauce
1 lb soy meat or other meat substitute
1 pkg soy cheese or other cheese substitute
1-2 cloves garlic minced
half onion minced
salt/pepper to taste

Pour a small amount of sauce into the bottom of the pan and top with the first layer of polenta.  Then layer meat/onion/garlic mixture, cheese and more sauce.  Top with another layer of sauce and then repeat.  Finish with a layer of cheese.

Bake at 350 covered for 20 minutes, uncover and bake until cheese is melted on top.

The next time I'd make it, I think I would layer some spinach leaves in there, too.

When I find the original recipe (not vegan), I will post!  Sorry about that.

This is the perfect picture for me, today....

Last night I went back to my past life- sorta.  I went to see such a fun band in one of my favorite outdoor venues, with my family.  Because it was a park, we brought a picnic (our tradition- we see this show every year).  Usually that is not the healthiest fare.  We throw chips, dips, sandwiches, pop and beer in the cooler and roll out.  Usually we will grab a box of cookies from the store, too.  Cheap, easy, good enough.  Not now.  Instead I packed edamame salsa (w/black beans, chickpeas, red onions cilantro, red peppers and a vinegar dressing), organic blue corn chips, a shredded rotisserie chicken, a soy/ginger vegan vinaigrette, and blueberries/raspberries for dessert.  We did bring some beer, but for the kids we brought organic apple cider and water.  That was NOT cheap, but was so yummy!  I brought almonds, too, for later when we needed to munch on something.  It wasn't easy to pass on the iced sugar cookies and Kettle Corn sold hot from the vendor!  We did though! 

I guess my point is that eating well isn't the norm.  For most it's a part-time gig.  I can safely say that I put in a good 40+ hours a week, but I don't profess to be an amazingly healthy eater 100% of the time.  I bet my chicken never got a cold because of the antibiotics it took growing up.  I know that my beer was not the best beverage choice.  I'm learning though.  The more I know, the easier it's becoming.

I am going to try a full vegan meal this week.  I'm making polenta lasagna.  I have my meal schedule made and I will post recipes (well, the good ones).  I will try to post pics, too. 

Here's the deal... I know they won't all turn out good.  I know I will crash sometimes and eat something bad for me.  I know I will have the hardest time eliminating beer and wine from my diet.  I know that everyday is a new step on this journey to wellness.  I know that I'm healthier today, fitter today, happier today, than I have been ever.  That makes it all worth it.