Hi everyone, I'm Liz. And I'm so happy to join this group.

I've recently decided (after years of pondering and complaining incessantly about feeling icky) to overhaul my diet but am a bit overwhelmed about where to start.... and cooking is not so easy in my apt.

I'm desperately hoping that someone has advice (in addition to cutting meat/dairy)....

Like, what grains/beans/veggies are great and can last for (hopefully) a week after preparation? Does anyone have any fairly easy, yummy recipies?

Are there types of cooking equipment that are easiest for city apartment living (an electric wok? stirfry stuff?)?

Any and all tips and advice would be GREATLY appreciated!! I'm sorry for being the high-maintence new member for now. :-)

Thanks,

L

You are doing the right thing, kudos to you! It has been pretty tough for me transitioning into this new lifestyle, but it is so worth it. I've been using a lot of black beans in my dishes, they last a while and they are very easy to incorporate into many meals. Casseroles are great at lasting a while and you can add lots of yummy stuff in them. Check out goveg.com for some great recipies and also the ones in the Kind Life are amazing! Good luck to you on your journey!

I made a very easy recipe tonight of kale and root veggies. I took a bunch of kale chopped it up and steamed it along with one turnip, one parsnip and two potatoes, and a carrot. Steamed it and then added some sauteed onions and garlic and threw some balsamic vinaigrette on top. It was amazing :) 

hiya liz!

good on ya for wanting to take care of yer body!

i'm a fan of quinoa myself - can whip up a batch, then use it as a porridge for breakfast (mixed with nuts/seeds/dried fruit and a dash of nutmeg) as well as throw some beans/veggies and some flax oil for a lunch salad or a dinner side.

super quick too - i just pop one cup grain to 2 cups of water. bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for  about 15 min. done and done!

good luck with this new transition!

HI Liz,
I'm new to this too and I like to make my lunches for the week at the weekend to make life easier. I was making 5 stuffed peppers at the weekend and then taking one each day. Before I started on this new direction I was using ground turkey with vegetables, now I've eliminated the turkey. Last week I used bulgar wheat instead and this week I used brown rice - any grain would work. I usually put in onion, mushrooms, carrots - you can put in pretty much anything. I include a 15oz can of diced tomatoes - the ones with jalepeno peppers so it gives it a bit more flavor. Hope that helps... good luck.

Oh, almost forgot - I've started adding beans too, kidney beans so far but black beans etc. anything would work.

Hi Liz!  I don't know how many vegan convenience foods you would like to rely on, but some of my favorites are Gardein "chicken" cutlets and fieldroast apple smoked "sausage."  You can cook these up easily in a small frying pan and stick the "chicken" in a wrap with sprouts, mayo, mustard and avocado.  I eat the field roast sausage like a hot dog.  You might want to keep some Edamame in your freezer.  It cooks up in minutes, is packed with protein, and tastes great on its own with a little salt.  A great quick snack is popcorn with olive oil, nutritional yeast, and sea salt.  I would also suggest making or buying some good veggie burgers so all you have to do is heat one up and throw it between two slices of bread with some veggies :).  I'm not sure what your cooking situation is exactly, but if you have no stove, perhaps a hot plate with a sauce pan and a frying pan would serve you well.  And, cook a big batch of grains and beans on the day of the week you have more time.  My cooked beans keep for about a week, but I rinse them occasionally and then put them back in the fridge.  Grains...about 5 days.  A blender or food processor would be a great investment, so that you can make smoothies, nut milks, hummus, dips and spreads.  Things to do with grains and beans: make soups, tacos, burritos, refried beans on toast with nutritional yeast and seasonings, make a hot rice cereal in the morning, etc.  Maybe make a list of your favorite foods and then look up the vegan versions! This helped me a lot :).  And, lastly, here's a cookie recipe that tastes soooo good and is extremely easy:  It's my favorite!  http://www.gethealthywithcarol.com/jam%20dot%20cookies.htm 

I am a newbie and wanted to do something with brown rice, does anyone have a "wow" recipe for brown rice?