IINspired in Long Beach, teaser

I need to keep this brief but couldn't wait to tell you that I'll be sharing information over the next few days that you won't want to miss.

I just returned from an inspiring weekend in Long Beach with thousands of present, future and graduate students from the Institute For Integrative Nutrition (IIN). The weekend conference was called MegaIIN and it was a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded people while listening to industry experts like John Robbins, David Wolfe, Geneen Roth and Joshua Rosenthal and reflect on topics such as emotional eating, Sexy Soul Wellness, empowering girls and women in a society that objectifies them, and the significance of living with authenticity and love. The tears, laughter, bonding and massive growth that occurred in only a few short days were nothing short of empowering. While I’ve connected online with students from the around the globe, there’s nothing like seeing the light in someone’s eyes and feeling the energy that exudes with passion from every pore of their being. I left the conference with a renewed sense of community and feeling of support, encouraging me to stretch beyond my self-imposed boundaries and step into my power…

Please stay tuned for a series of key learnings gleaned from this powerful event, some of the vegan food that filled me with pleasure while I was there and the fabulous people I can't want to share with you.

Love and veggies,

Susan

PS: If you’re passionate about nutrition and integrative wellness, I highly recommend taking a good look at IIN. You can get their nutrition book for free and take a few minutes to read through the awesome training I received by visiting my website http://theveggiecoach.com. I'm happy to share my experience with you and answer any questions about discounts on school fees.

I get excited when I find a great quick and healthy recipe to share because I know what it's like to hate dinner time. It can be stressful to find a meal that everyone in the family will eat. I mean, the last thing we want to do is play short order cook at the end of a long work day, right? Well, here's a quick way to get something warm and healthy on the table in 30 minutes. Check out other recipes from The 21-Day Vegan Kickstart menu for more simple ways to get tasty food on the table quickly and without complaints from picky eaters.

Cream of Broccoli Soup
Also available in The Cancer Survivor’s Guide: Foods that Help You Fight Back!

Makes about 6 cups (6 servings)

4 cups water or vegetable broth
1 large potato (preferably russet), unpeeled and scrubbed, cut into chunks
1 onion, diced
3 whole garlic cloves, peeled
1 teaspoon whole celery seeds
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups cooked or canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup bean cooking liquid, vegetable broth, or water
4 cups broccoli florets
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, as needed

Combine the water, potato, onion, garlic, celery seeds, thyme, marjoram, turmeric, and pepper in a large pot. Place over medium heat, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.

Stir in the chickpeas and the bean cooking liquid or broth. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Transfer to a blender and process in several batches, filling the blender container no more than half full for each batch. Hold the lid on tightly and start the blender on the lowest speed. Process for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the mixture is completely smooth.

Return the blended soup to the pot and stir in the broccoli and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Cover and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the broccoli is fork-tender. Taste and add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt, if desired.

Stored in a covered container in the refrigerator, leftover Cream of Broccoli Soup will keep for up to 3 days.

This is what it looks like (yummmm)

Here's to your health and sanity!

Great translation resource for vegans!

I just came across a fabulous resource for vegan travelers called "V-Cards" by Maxlearning.net.
V-Cards are printable translation cards and offer vegans an easy and convenient way to communicate dietary needs to servers, cooks and waiters in just about any language.

Simply select and print the V-Card in the language you need, and VOILA!

Vegan Translation Cards

What a great way to help ensure your dining experience is filled with cruelty-free meals! Why not consider helping other vegan patrons by printing several cards and leaving them behind as a resource for restaurants, too?

Eat well, feel well, travel well!


Susan