Protein questions and the Magic Bullet

Have been wondering about the questions I am always asked about my intake of protein and calcium.  Did find out that if one consumes more protein than is needed by the body, it turns to ??
You guessed it, fat.  One source recommended that the healthy range is as follows:
Kids 4-8 years 19g to 38g.   / 9-13 years 34g to 64g / males  56g to 120 / females. 46g to 110

On my previous eating plan or non-plan, I had no clue as to how much protein  I was eating and thought that the only place to get protein was from beef.  Now I do not eat anything with a face or a mother and am on the pursuit of a touch more knowledge.

Great free, online check as to all the food counts of things like protein, calories, etc. is The Calorie King.  Awhile back before changing to the Dr. Esselstyn's eating plan, I was shocked when I started recording what I ate and what it added up to on the Calorie King counter.  Some foods are super and others are empty waste of space except on the hips.

Article : This article talks about the good and bad Omegas. 3 is good and 6 is bad. I do not eat nuts but do get the rest of the Omega 3 into the eating plan. There is more to the article so I put the website contact below.
EXCERPT: Let's talk about Omega-3
When we eat the right amount of Omega-3...our bodies produces DHA.  Our body manufactures sufficient amounts if adequate omega-3 fats are consumed (flax, walnuts, soybeans, leafy green vegetables).
We all hear about DHA and how wonderful it is for our bodies.  Without enoughDHA- we are at risk for Heart Disease, Stroke, Diabetes, Autoimmune diseases, and CANCER.
Because DHA is so good for us...we need to make eating OMEGA-3 FATS a priority.  We should all try to eat 1 - 2 grams of omega-3 daily!

Flaxseed.      1 TBS.              1.7 grams
Tofu.              1 1/2 cup.         2 grams
Soybeans.     1 1/2 cup.         2 grams

Most of the time when you hear information about consuming DHA- you also hear FISH OIL.  In short, one problem with fish oil is that much of the fat has already turned rancid.  If you do take a FISH OIL supplement, try cutting open the capsule and tasting it.  There is a good chance it will taste rancid (I have tried this and it was gross!).  It is very hard to keep FISH oil fresh after it has been processed.  Also- Fish these days are full of toxins like mercury.  I prefer to use a Vegan-DHA supplement a couple times a week for me and my family.  It is made from microalgae and it provides a pure form of DHA without rancidity, mercury or other toxins. It actually tastes pretty good.  I also like that you don't need very much (100 mg a day) when most FISH OIL supplements provide 1000 mg a day.  (Check our www.Dr.Fuhrman.com for his DHA product).

http://www.wholefoodmommies.com/Home/BlogByID?cuk=LBLF7IH4rXP1rlCMkW4dOQ==&bid=c6902d0e-572d-47fc-96b3-1bd6b9dd9223

Kitchen appliances.   We bought a Magic Bullet which comes with the motor, two sizes of "bullets" and lots of other items.   We use the small size and grind flax and sunflower seeds. And to make Anne Esselstyn's banana ice cream. Yummy (will add the recipe below)

Coffee grinders work for seeds too but is harder to clean.

Seed Recipe:  Put pumpkin seeds in a frypan with sugar heat until sugar melts and coats the seeds. Option: Add cayenne for a little hear. Caution: seeds can burn if too hot or cooked too long. Then pour the mixture on parchment paper.  Delicious treat even though I would like to make it a main course.

SUPER FIND:  this is a site for those on Dr. Esselstyn's plan.  The page I am on is Ann, his wife and recipe maker's, list of safe products.   I also noticed that there is a group to join as well as one to start.  Will read it after I get this off.

http://www.meetup.com/Dr-Es-Vegan-No-Oil-Diet-Cleveland-Akron-Ohio/pages/SAFE_FOOD_List_by_Ann_Crile_Esselstyn/

Ice Cream: Ann's magic banana ice cream.  1 ripe Banana.  The riper the sweeter ice cream. Peel and slice banana up into pieces, place on a baking sheet and put into the freezer. ( The sheet takes too much room in the freezer -I use a piece of  aluminum)
Remove and let thaw slightly ( enough so that the pieces will come off the baking sheet. )
Put in a Magic Bullet, if you have one, or let the pieces thaw a little more if using a blender to avoid overtaxing the motor.

Choices sprinkle with ground nutmeg or cinnamon. Add a little vanilla extract, a few Grape-nuts, berries (best if they are frozen, too. Love peaches) maple syrup.... Or all of the above, why not?.........

Chocolate Syrup Sauce makes about 1/2 cup
3 tablespoons maple syrup, honey, agar nectar or sugar
2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder.  (I buy the best I can find.. Bulk in the local health food markers.)
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon cornstarch or arrowroot
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a sauce pan, combine sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and vanilla. Mix well and cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring constantly.  Use for dipping fruit. Delicious over broiled bananas. (Ann's comment)

Product: Ener-G is an egg replacement for baking.  It will not make an omelette .... Drats!!!

So, take care and happy eating.

Best to all of you.   Elin

Wisdom from a 3 year old.

A dear friend and fellow vegetarian sent this link about explaining the food chain to a child. It is in Portuguese with English subtitles but the message and the child's expressions are priceless. Enjoy.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/06/01/187801178/the-case-for-vegetarianism-delivered-by-a-toddler?ft=3&f=111787346&sc=nl&cc=es-20130602

Scalloped potatoes.

These were my Dad's favorite potatoes with scalded milk and a bit of cheese, salt and pepper and put together it made a memory.  I fixed a vegan version and it was satisfying.

I used Yukon Gold potatoes with skin on, slicing them very thin on the mandolin. I layered them, covering the bottom of the pan then poured a mixture of Gray Poupon mustard, plain soy milk, salt and pepper and a generous amount of nutritional yeast. Then another layer and another pour of the sauce.  Put them in a 400 degree oven covered. The time depends on the thickness of the potatoes and the layering. Mine was 30 minutes with the foil and 10 without.  I layered them in a glass pan,  I served them with a sprinkling of chives.  The Nutritional yeast gives the potatoes a taste similar to cheese.   The mixture is to your taste.  Happy eating.  

The  email comments don't seem to be working so if you have comments or recipies please send them to me at parisiantour@gmail.com.   Elin.