SparkPoints: (30,322)
Fitness Minutes: (12,895)
Posts: 713
10/5/12 9:38 A

Hello- My name is Kate, and I joined your team as a result of a coaching session in SPARKCOACH. I am looking for vegetarian slow cooker recipe ideas. I don't need the actual recipe, I can find it or make it up, but I need ideas. My family is bored with chili,and stew.

SparkPoints: (866)
Fitness Minutes: (1,185)
Posts: 7
10/3/12 1:37 A

If you already have a lot of cookbooks or find ones second hand, I suggest just modifying them. Replace the oil with vegetable broth and the meat with mushrooms, legumes or low fat tofu. Replace milk with low fat almond, soy or other non dairy milk.

I find it easiest to stick to a whole foods diet if I keep everything simple. I like roasted vegetables, braised greens and a whole grain for a basic meal. Or make a bowl with rice and beans and add veggies like corn, zucchini and peppers that you've browned in a non stick skillet. Then add a creamy low fat dressing and some salsa, fresh lime juice, and cilantro.

SparkPoints: (20,102)
Fitness Minutes: (37,582)
Posts: 127
9/28/12 1:05 A

I would recommend the Spark People cookbook. I've been cooking whole foods for quite some time and I've really enjoyed this book. Most of the recipes are fairly quick and easy, which I need w/ working and kids coming home from school with homework. There aren't a lot of esoteric ingredients and there is a wide variety of ethnic foods and comfort foods.

I also enjoy the Heidi Swanson "101 cookbooks" blog and books Here's where things can get a little fancy, but she talks a lot about different types of natural sweeteners, whole grains, flours, etc. My local library carries her books, and she has many recipes on her blog.

If you want a good basic vegetarian cookbook, Deborah Madison's "Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone." It's a real basic cookbook and it's my go-to cookbook if I have something on hand and not particularly sure what to make. It gives good instructions on various ways to cook every vegetable you can imagine.

Since you have kids, I'll also mention the "Simply in Season Cookbook for Kids." I have an 8yr old and 5 yr old and they like to help cook. This is a nice cookbook that introduces them to seasonal cooking. Plus, when they are involved in the preparation and meal planning, they tend to be better eaters at the table.

Good luck and hope that helps!

Pounds lost: 4.0

0 2.75 5.5 8.25

11

Posts: 2,224
8/31/12 10:42 A

There are lots and lots of recommendations in the forums of these three teams:
http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/groups_individual.asp
http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/groups_individual.asp
http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/groups_individual.asp
Good Luck!

Pounds lost: 3.6

0 3.5 7 10.5

14

SparkPoints: (61,265)
Fitness Minutes: (52,237)
Posts: 4,579
8/29/12 1:36 P

Yes, E2 and FOK are fantastic. Do you have the FOK companion book? Plus, there's another FOK cookbook on the way that you would probably enjoy.

Rheyn

Posts: 2,644
8/29/12 12:55 P

Have you looked at your local library?

SparkPoints: (1,084)
Fitness Minutes: (736)
Posts: 32
8/29/12 12:37 P

Those are fantastic sites, too. Thanks!

SparkPoints: (1,084)
Fitness Minutes: (736)
Posts: 32
8/29/12 12:34 P

Thanks for the feedback! I haven't gotten into any of McDougalls books yet. I shop thrift stores and used book stores regularly and have not been able to find them. Maybe I'll just have to give in and order from online.

Posts: 2,644
8/29/12 12:10 P

I like all of the recipes I have made on fatfreevegan.com and happyherbivore.com

Posts: 268
8/29/12 8:16 A

I highly recommend the book, The Starch Solution by Dr. John A. McDougall and his wife. There are 100 pages of recipes in the back of the book and my family has been systemically cooking all of the ones on the 7 day diet and we haven't had a single one we didn't like. Everyone is eating them and they are delicious! I also bought one of Dr. McDougall's cookbooks on Amazon, but it hasn't arrived yet. Happy Cooking!

SparkPoints: (1,084)
Fitness Minutes: (736)
Posts: 32
8/29/12 7:41 A

Good morning, all! I am Amber, a 27 year old mom to a two year old boy. I gained a significant amount of weight when I was pregnant and learned over the past couple of years that eating well is just as important, if not more, as exercising to maintain our bodies! I am looking for new recipes to prepare for my family, and am hoping to convert my very adamant carnivore boyfriend to a semi-vegetarian.

I have been reading and watching so much plant-based diet material lately that I am determined to turn my life around while I am still young! I strongly encourage everyone to read Rip Esselstyn's Engine 2 Diet and watch the documentary Forks Over Knives.
engine2diet.com/