Vegtutor’s Weblog

   Recently I have been browsing through some other vegetarian blogs, and I must say that my vegetarian philosophy (and cooking philosophy, in general) differs quite a bit from some of the sites I have seen. When I see a vegan blog full of recipes for fat and sugar laden desserts I just have to ask “WHY?”

   First of all, I am  vegetarian for health reasons. I believe that everything we put into our mouths should contribute to our overall health in some way. I try to eat as naturally as possible. If I question an ingredient I ask myself, “Did Adam and Eve have this available in the garden?” “Is it of animal origin?” “Is it healthy?” When I ponder these points I can usually come up with a suitable replacement for any ingredient in a recipe.

   Secondly, I believe that a recipe should be easy to prepare, easy to duplicate, reliable, and need only a minimal list of ingredients. Some of the recipes I’ve seen look enticing, but realistically, how many of us have an entire afternoon to devote to preparing supper? A good recipe should be ready to eat in an hour or less. The goal here is to EAT, right? — not just to putz around in the kitchen. I am not against using pesto or roasted red peppers that come in a jar or from the farmers market. Don’t labor over the little things .

   I also believe that if you have a favorite traditional family recipe then you SHOULD try to duplicate it in a healthy way. Your family will thank you for making the effort, and they will more easily transition into the vegetarian lifestyle you are trying to promote. What I am saying here is, “Don’t let tofu be the first vegetarian dish you serve to your carnivore relatives.”

   In other words: Keep it simple, keep it easy, serve whatever you make with love and genuine concern for the health of those who will eat what you make.

   Humankind is spirit, mind, and body. In order to be totally healthy we must be balanced in each area. I have found that the Bible has a lot to say about healthy living. In fact when I began my search for physical health this is where I found the most help. With this in mind, I will occasionally share what I have learned from the Word of God concerning the health of the total man.

   Let me just say that I have been a Christian for 43 years, and in that time I have read every book in the Bible multiple times, participated in many Bible Studies, read hundreds of edifying books and articles, and sat under many excellent spiritual leaders. However, when God answered my heart’s cry and began showing me the words of health and healing that had been hidden in plain sight all those years I began a spiritual journey that continues today.

   Psalm 36:9 - For with You is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.