I love stir fry. It's fresh, simple, quick, and lends itself so well to a vegetarian lifestyle. The fact that I love stir fry made the fact that I wasn't very good at making it kind of sad. I, like many other aspiring stir fry chefs, labored under several common misconceptions about this type of […]

The post VZ 060: How to Make Amazing Vegetarian Stir Fry appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.

I love stir fry.  It’s fresh, simple, quick, and lends itself so well to a vegetarian lifestyle.  The fact that I love stir fry made the fact that I wasn’t very good at making it kind of sad.  I, like many other aspiring stir fry chefs, labored under several common misconceptions about this type of cooking.

For one, I suffered from “kitchen sink syndrome”, otherwise known as “let’s throw ALL of the leftover veggies, rice and noodles in the fridge into tonight’s stir fry”.  And I would usually end up with a mushy, rather tasteless mess.  So really, for me, the research for this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast could not have come too soon!!

Listen in as we discuss the basics of creating wonderful stir fry dishes, from equipment to the essential elements of a good stir fry to tips to make your meal a success.  Do you have tried-and-true stir fry methods of your own?  We’d love to hear them!

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast! If you find value in our podcast and listen on iTunes, please consider leaving us a rating and review.

Please note that some of the links on this page may be affiliate links and, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through to the product using the link we have provided. We never recommend or provide affiliate links to products or services we do not use ourselves, and our ultimate goal is to provide helpful products and advice to you, our readers and listeners.

Here’s what we mention in this episode:

Joyce Chen 21-9972, Classic Series 4-Piece Carbon-Steel Wok Set

Addy Saucedo - Modern Vintage Radio

-- Wolfgang Puck

Vegetable Chow Mein

 Resources:

Wok Skills 101: Stir-frying Basics

Thanks for listening!

Peace and Veggies,

The post VZ 060: How to Make Amazing Vegetarian Stir Fry appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.

It is a widely-held misconception that the terms "vegetarian" or "vegan" and "athlete" don't belong together. Isn't it true that athletes need a lot more protein than other people, and that animal protein is the best (or only) viable source? And what about calories? How can a person possibly consume enough calories to support a […]

The post VZ 059: Nutrition Secrets of Plant-Based Athletes appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.

It is a widely-held misconception that the terms "vegetarian" or "vegan" and "athlete" don't belong together.  Isn't it true that athletes need a lot more protein than other people, and that animal protein is the best (or only) viable source?  And what about calories?  How can a person possibly consume enough calories to support a highly active body if they eat only plants?

Quite easily, actually!  A diet free of animal products can provide plenty of protein, and without the added fat and cholesterol found in meat (and it's cruelty-free!).  Eating a range of healthy plant-based fats, such as those found in avocados and nuts, will help ensure athletes are consuming enough calories.

In this episode of the podcast, we discuss various aspects of being a plant-based athlete.  We offer an overview of what a balanced vegan diet really is, and talk about protein, calories and carbohydrates.  We also review some of the challenges vegetarian and vegan athletes face, and offer tips to overcome them.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast! If you find value in our podcast and listen on iTunes, please consider leaving us a rating and review.

Please note that some of the links on this page may be affiliate links and, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through to the product using the link we have provided. We never recommend or provide affiliate links to products or services we do not use ourselves, and our ultimate goal is to provide helpful products and advice to you, our readers and listeners.

Here’s what we mention in this episode:

LiveStrong

Matt Frazier

Brendan Brazier

Book:Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life

Vegan Athletes:

Scott Jurek

-- article on livestrong.com

Recipe of the Week

Nana's Molasses Cookies

Resources

 The High-Performance Vegan Athlete: It Is Possible!

Thanks for listening!

Peace and Veggies,

The post VZ 059: Nutrition Secrets of Plant-Based Athletes appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.

As a vegetarian or vegan, attending social events can present a challenge. What if you're invited to a birthday party…at a steakhouse? How about a Fourth of July cookout with burgers, hot dogs, ribs, and baked beans full of pork bits? It really can be enough to make you just want to stay home! Fortunately, […]

The post VZ 058: How to Handle Social Events as a Vegetarian – Listener Feedback appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.

As a vegetarian or vegan, attending social events can present a challenge.  What if you're invited to a birthday party...at a steakhouse?  How about a Fourth of July cookout with burgers, hot dogs, ribs, and baked beans full of pork bits?  It really can be enough to make you just want to stay home!

Fortunately, that doesn't have to be the case.  You don't have to become a hermit if you choose to forego animal products.  In this episode of the podcast, we share tips for navigating the social world of our omnivore friends and family...without going hungry or being rude!  And this is a "listener feedback" episode, which means we include some wonderful tips from our listeners as well.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast! If you find value in our podcast and listen on iTunes, please consider leaving us a rating and review.

Please note that some of the links on this page may be affiliate links and, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through to the product using the link we have provided. We never recommend or provide affiliate links to products or services we do not use ourselves, and our ultimate goal is to provide helpful products and advice to you, our readers and listeners.

Here’s what we mention in this episode:

What Juicers Eat: Vega Blueberry Chai Smoothie

-- Laurence Sterne,  Irish-born English novelist and Anglican clergyman (1713-1768)

Quinoa Bites

Thanks for listening!

Peace and Veggies,

The post VZ 058: How to Handle Social Events as a Vegetarian – Listener Feedback appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.

Summertime, and the grilling is easy…with the helpful vegetable-grilling tips you'll hear in this podcast episode. There are many vegetables, fruits and meat alternatives that do great on a charcoal or gas grill, but there are some tricks to getting them to turn out just right, with minimal sticking, burning, or falling through the grate. […]

The post VZ 057: How to Grill Like a Vegetarian appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.

Summertime, and the grilling is easy…with the helpful vegetable-grilling tips you’ll hear in this podcast episode.  There are many vegetables, fruits and meat alternatives that do great on a charcoal or gas grill, but there are some tricks to getting them to turn out just right, with minimal sticking, burning, or falling through the grate.

In this episode we review some grill prep techniques and offer suggestions for how to prepare and grill different vegetables, fruits, tofu, tempeh and even pizza.  Have a helpful tip that we didn’t mention?  Please leave a comment below and let us know!

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast! If you find value in our podcast and listen on iTunes, please consider leaving us a rating and review.

Please note that some of the links on this page may be affiliate links and, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through to the product using the link we have provided. We never recommend or provide affiliate links to products or services we do not use ourselves, and our ultimate goal is to provide helpful products and advice to you, our readers and listeners.

Here’s what we mention in this episode:

Tania Dakka - Badass'D Biz+Ink

Paul McCartney on the "Fine Art" of Vegetarian Grilling

-- Chef Barton Seaver

Red Wine Marinade for Vegetables and Tofu

Thanks for listening!

Peace and Veggies,

The post VZ 057: How to Grill Like a Vegetarian appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.

Becoming a vegetarian or vegan is a very personal choice. Some may have ethical reasons, some health, some environmental. If you follow a plant-based lifestyle, you may or may not choose to share your reasons with others. This episode of the podcast is based on listener responses to the question "How do you explain your […]

The post VZ 056: Explaining Vegetarian Choices appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.

Becoming a vegetarian or vegan is a very personal choice. Some may have ethical reasons, some health, some environmental. If you follow a plant-based lifestyle, you may or may not choose to share your reasons with others.

This episode of the podcast is based on listener responses to the question “How do you explain your vegetarian/vegan choices to family, friends and strangers?”.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast! If you find value in our podcast and listen on iTunes, please consider leaving us a rating and review.

Please note that some of the links on this page may be affiliate links and, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through to the product using the link we have provided. We never recommend or provide affiliate links to products or services we do not use ourselves, and our ultimate goal is to provide helpful products and advice to you, our readers and listeners.

Quote of the Week

-- J.K. Rowling

Taco Seasoning

Thanks for listening!

Peace and Veggies,

The post VZ 056: Explaining Vegetarian Choices appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.