Veggie Tales

Happy Wednesday! The week half over, folks!

Ok, so some fun things to tell you all about: I have decided to run a half marathon in 5 WEEKS!

My hometown, Wenatchee WA, is having their annual full, half, 10K and 5K on April 17th and I bit the bullet and signed up for it! I am currently training for a half marathon in June, but as soon as I saw this one I knew I had to do it. It’s my hometown, you know?!

I’m not looking to set a record or to finish first, but just to have fun! I haven’t been home in a while and I have been feeling a bit homesick; I thought this would help my blues go away. =)

AND this morning I bought a Garmin – man, who knew that simple running could have so many gadgets!

I have never been a runner until this past year. My first step was fitted shoes and I was hooked. I love to run now and I hope to continue for many years to come!

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I recently had a question concerning my dinner a few nights back. I thought it was a great question and wanted to share with all of you.

Kim asked if I thought Morningstar Veggie Burgers were really “clean”.

I do have a small correction on that post – that veggie burger was Gardenburger brand. Never the less, I still feel it’s an important topic to write about.

It is so simple for anyone to look in the freezer section and start buying non-meat products thinking they are a “healthy” alternative. But when you start looking at the actual ingredients in these products, they are filled with preservatives and ingredients the average person still cannot pronounce.

Here is an example from  Morningstar Farms® Grillers Prime® Veggie Burgers:

TEXTURED VEGETABLE PROTEIN (WHEAT GLUTEN, SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, WATER FOR HYDRATION), CORN OIL, SUNFLOWER OIL, EGG WHITES, CONTAINS TWO PERCENT OR LESS OF CORNSTARCH, NATURAL FLAVORS FROM NON-MEAT SOURCES, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, SALT, CARAMEL COLOR, ONION POWDER, SPICES, HYDROLYZED VEGETABLE PROTEIN (CORN, WHEAT, AND SOY), GARLIC POWDER, POTATO STARCH, MALTODEXTRIN, DISODIUM GUANYLATE, DISODIUM INOSINATE, SUCCINIC ACID, SUGAR, NONFAT DRY MILK, SOYBEAN OIL, WHEAT FIBER.

There are plenty of ingredients that are not “clean” nor are they natural.

Please do not think I am bashing Morningstar, or any other company that makes frozen, meatless food. In a pinch, I buy them. Jordan LOVES meatless chicken nuggets, too. And if I am at a restaurant that has veggie burgers, I order it with a smile.

The actual product that I was eating was Gardenburger GardenVegan.

BULGUR WHEAT WITH WATER FOR HYDRATION, WATER, TEXTURED WHEAT PROTEIN (WHEAT GLUTEN, WHEAT FLOUR), COOKED BROWN RICE (BROWN RICE, WATER), ONIONS, MUSHROOMS, CONTAINS TWO PERCENT OR LESS OF MODIFIED VEGETABLE GUM, WHEAT GLUTEN, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, GARLIC POWDER, SALT, NATURAL FLAVOR, SPICES, ANNATTO FOR COLOR, OLIVE OIL, CARAMEL COLOR, SOY LECITHIN.

Not horrible, in my opinion, and a lot “cleaner” than some.

Although this is one of my favorite pre-mad veggie burgers that I have eaten: Chez Gourmet.

You can read my review here – I love them!

However, 99% of the time I make my own veggie burgers. This is the simplest and most effective way to eat wholesome food – make it yourself! You know exactly what goes into your food and it ALWAYS tastes fresher and better than store bought!

Here is my go-to veggie burger recipe:

Spelt Veggie Patties

• 1 cup or one can cooked beans of your choice
• 1 carrot, chopped in large pieces
• 1 cup chopped onion in large pieces
• 1/2 bell pepper, chopped in in large pieces
• 1/4 cup raw spinach
• 1/2 teaspoon dill
• 2-3 fresh basil leaves or 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 2-3 sprigs of fresh cilantro (optional)
• tablespoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder, or 1 clove fresh garlic
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
• 1 cup of spelt flour
• salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with cooking oil.

Place all of the ingredients in a food processor, MINUS the seeds and flour. Blend until mixture is creamy and dense, scraping the sides when needed. Remove the mixture and place in a large mixing bowl. Add seeds and stir until incorporated. Add flour a little at a time, stirring after each time. Salt and pepper the mixture to your liking.

Shape patties and bake for 15 minutes, flip and bake for another 10 minutes. Allow to cool 5-10 minutes before serving.

Serve them on your favorite bun, flat bread or wrap them in lettuce.

Makes 10 patties

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We are all busy and eating healthy takes time, I know this first hand. What is one thing that I say over and over in my posts?

BE AWARE OF WHAT YOU ARE EATING! Know the ingredients, know the product and stay away from chemicals and preservatives.

Healthy Eating!