01ReluctantVegan.Blogspot.com

Monday, September 14, 2015

Edamame Spaghetti with Meatless Meatballs!

Me 3 years ago
Six pounds to go and I will have lost 100 lbs.  No more cholesterol lowering pills. I don't need them with a total cholesterol of 137. No more blood pressure pills. They aren't necessary when, without them, my blood pressure is 105/74. No more worries about developing adult onset diabetes. No more being out of breath when climbing stairs. I can run a mile and my pulse and respiration return to normal in less than 2 minutes. (I really don't enjoy running. My dog runs with me and gives me dirty looks the whole time.)

Me 9/7/2015
Best of all, no more worrying about not being around to celebrate the milestones in our family. I found out that for 50% of people who develop heart disease, the first sign is sudden death.
Changing my lifestyle and adopting a whole foods plant based diet has given me such a feeling of well being, supported by measurable improvements in vital signs and body mass index.
I'm still learning about all the great food I get to eat within the parameters of this lifestyle.

For example, yesterday I made my veggie pattie recipe but shaped them into meat balls instead of patties. I added them to my marinara sauce and mixed it all together with some edamame noodles. That, with a side of steamed broccoli made a protein packed meal full of antioxidants and vitamins with no oil.

Marinara Sauce
2 cans of tomato sauce 28 oz can size
1 can of tomato paste 12 oz can size
1 large sweet onion chopped
4 cloves of garlic chopped
2 TBSP of McCormick Italian Seasoning
1 TBSP of Sweet Basil

     In a large pot bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Add the onion and garlic. Let it boil until the onions become clear. Add the Basil and Italian Seasoning. Add the tomato sauce and paste. Bring it to a simmer, cover and reduce the heat for 30 minutes.  
     You can add salt and pepper to taste.

Cook your edamame noodles per package directions. Drain them. Put them back in the pot and stir in some marinara sauce. Gently stir until any excess water is gone. Put it on your plate and add some meatless meatballs. Easy enough to make round balls instead of patties.

It's fun to be creative with food! Put it together however you want, as long as you minimize or eliminate oil and keep it plant based. The benefits are remarkable! Give it a try and see what happens!