Vegetarian Times articles from February 2005

Vegetarian Times archives from February 2005

Ups and down.(problems of cholestrol patients)(Editorial)
February 1, 2005... Just before I started to write this, I spent half a day putting up holiday decorations. I figure it's a good bet that just before you started to read it--thanks to magazine lag time--a number of you spent half the day taking them down. Up,...

Question of the month: what's your biggest obstacle to being a vegetarian?(staples: COMMUNITY)
February 1, 2005... The ignorance of some people. I don't usually have a problem in restaurants unless I'm with someone who really doesn't understand vegetarianism. Then I get a million questions and comments about being "difficult." Well, I'd rather be difficult...

Share: reader recipe.(staples: COMMUNITY)(eggplant with tofu)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
February 1, 2005... SPICY ROASTED EGGPLANT WITH TOFU 4 servings Chitra Sharma, a resident of Alexandria, VA, lived in Thailand for 10 years before moving to the United States. While overseas, she learned how to convert many Thai dishes into...

Mega bite.(this just in: Need-to-know news about your health, diet, mind, body and the world you live in)(Pioneer/Technologies Group Inc.'s optical disk made of cornstarch resin )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Japanese electronics company Pioneer Corp. has developed an optical disk made of cornstarch resin that almost totally biodegrades when buried underground. Ten disks can be made from a single ear of corn, and each disk has a storage capacity...

Risky jobs for working moms.(this just in: Need-to-know news about your health, diet, mind, body and the world you live in)(children born to mothers who inhale workplace solvents likely to get attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Children born to mothers who work in nail salons, dry cleaners and medical labs tend to score poorly on tests of brain function, language and behavior. That's the disturbing conclusion of research into the effect of workplace solvents by the...

To your good health.(this just in: Need-to-know news about your health, diet, mind, body and the world you live in)(red wine protects against prostate cancer)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Want yet another reason to drink red wine? Resveratrol, the heart-healthy antioxidant in red grape skins, also protects against prostate cancer. The January 2005 issue of the International Journal of Cancer reports that a glass of red wine a...

Hit the road.(aged runners look more stronger than younger ones)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Older competitors in the annual New York City Marathon are gaining on their younger rivals, the August 2004 issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine reports. Runners aged 50 and over pick up speed while younger marathoners have reached a...

So far, so good.(this just in: Need-to-know news about your health, diet, mind, body and the world you live in)(soyfood can inhibit the growth of existing breast cancer cells)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... It's not news that a soy-rich diet may help prevent breast cancer. But researchers from Northern Ireland's University of Ulster have discovered that such a diet can also inhibit the growth of existing breast cancer cells. The key again is...

Smog = death.(this just in: Need-to-know news about your health, diet, mind, body and the world you live in)(smog levels in air can lead to death)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... As smog levels go up, so do death rates, says a study of 95 major urban areas where 40 percent of the US population lives. It's been known for years that hospital admissions increase when ground-level ozone spikes, but research by Yale...

Promising poppy.(this just in: Need-to-know news about your health, diet, mind, body and the world you live in)(morphine-free poppy)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Scientists in Australia have developed a morphine-free poppy that they hope will lead to new painkillers. For centuries, people have relied on morphine for pain relief, but other chemicals in poppies can also be used for similar purposes--with...

Baby teeth.(this just in: Need-to-know news about your health, diet, mind, body and the world you live in)(Bottle-fed babies are twice as likely to develop crooked teeth as breast-fed babies)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Bottle-fed babies are twice as likely to develop crooked teeth as breast-fed babies, researchers at Italy's University of Milan have found. That's because the act of sucking differs with the source, so the muscles of the mouth and palate...

Solar spinach.(this just in: Need-to-know news about your health, diet, mind, body and the world you live in)(research for creating renewable energy)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Spinach may one day help save the planet, but not the way its most famous champion could have imagined. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have figured out how to use the leafy green muscle-builder to harness...

Hot for chocolate.(goods: VEG-FRIENDLY, PLANET-CONSCIOUS)
February 1, 2005... Serve your sweetheart a dessert for two with this fun fondue set. Perfect for Valentine's Day or any romantic occasion. Available in this matte pink-and-chocolate color combo (made for dipping strawberries in chocolate!) as well as in glossy...

Toasty warm.(goods: VEG-FRIENDLY, PLANET-CONSCIOUS)
February 1, 2005... Meet Blonde Bear from the Toasty Bear family. Besides being adorably huggable, he's a portable heating pad. Just pop him in the microwave for 90 seconds, and he'll hold his warmth for several hours, He's filled with flaxseeds and a soothing...

Achieve facial equilibrium.(INDULGE)
February 1, 2005... your skin takes a beating adjusting to the cold outdoors and the heat inside. Counter the effects with this gentle soap-free, non-drying cleanser. Obsessively Organic Start Up from Kiss My Face, $12/4 oz. 800.262.5477; www.kissmyface.com

A taste of the islands.(INDULGE)
February 1, 2005... So you can't get to the Carribean this winter? Never fear, these rum cakes will transport you there in a bite. Made with a dash of golden rum, the cakes are a gourmet gift or a sinful treat. From Tortuga, $16/ 16 oz. or $29/33 oz. 877.486.7884;...

Sample a spoonful.(INDULGE)
February 1, 2005... You'd never guess that these organic fruit conserves are made with less sugar than traditional jams. Our testers went bonkers for the Sour Cherry. From High Dessert, $9/7 oz. 866.248.6584; www.highdessertfoods

Mushrooming success.(INDULGE)
February 1, 2005... Even staffers who aren't big mushroom fans loved these gluten-free dried soups. The Moroccan Porcini & Green Lentil and the Spicy Shiitake & Vegetable are vegan. From FungusAmongUs, $4.80. 360.568.3403; www.fungusamongus.com

Edible Nirvana.(goods: VEG-FRIENDLY, PLANET-CONSCIOUS)
February 1, 2005... Our tester couldn't believe it when she tried this cheese--it's a soy cheese that tastes gourmet and melts well. Her hands-down favorite: soy gouda from SoyMoon, $4/8 oz. 877.282.5400; www.bluemoonbrands.com. Pair the cheese with our new fave...

A mighty brewhaha.
February 1, 2005... The fresh-from-India Darjeeling smells divine. The Sublime Needle from China tastes, well, sublime. They're just two from Adagios collection of 140 teas from around the world. $4/sample tin; $10/2 oz.; $24/4 oz. Brew your leaves of choice in...

Liquid gold.
February 1, 2005... A velvety, heart-healthy extra virgin olive oil that tastes luxuriously thick and smooth but doesn't cost the moon? Believe it. From Divina, $9/500 ml. And for decadent olives that don't have a briny flavor, try its Kalamatas. $5.49/6 oz....

'Nother butter.
February 1, 2005... Introducing... goat butter! Didn't know we needed it? People who are sensitive to cows' milk often tolerate goats' milk products well. This butter has a creamy, rich flavor, and it's suitable for baking too. From Meyenberg, whose goats are...

Savor this.
February 1, 2005... One of our favorite recipe testers raves about this diabetic-safe, sugar-free dark chocolate---and its antioxidants. Made by the artisan chocolatiers at Chuao (pronounced chew-ow) in Coffee & Anise and Spicy Maya flavors. $6/2.8-oz. bar....

Swan song.
February 1, 2005... The Trumpeter Swan Society helps protect and provide habitats for these majestic birds. The advocacy organization also fights lead poisoning, which is lethal to swans. Membership, $15 and up. For more info: 763.694.7851;...

How to combat winter weight gain.
February 1, 2005... Q: Every winter, I gain weight. I can't figure out the reason because I don't seem to do things much differently. Why does this happen? A: You're not the only one who suffers from winter weight gain. There are several possible...

About natural ways to lower cholesterol.
February 1, 2005... Q: I can't seem to get my cholesterol under 200, but I want to avoid taking medication. Does exercise really help? A: Exercise can indeed help, depending on what kind you do. Think aerobic: brisk walking, jogging, sing;es tennis,...

Heart-smart snacks: dig right in--these healthy bites will keep your ticker ticking.
February 1, 2005... Most Americans snack twice a day; to the Produce, for Better Health Foundation. That's good news, because--done right--snacking is a great way to give you a nutritional edge and fuel your energy. The flip side, of course, is that most...

30 minutes: speedy seasonal dishes to woo your sweetheart or feed the family.(quick: FAST FOOD)
February 1, 2005... In many parts of the country, February means winter at its worst--cold snaps and icy days that seem to go on and on. That means you need several cheering dishes to brighten the day--and night. Treat friends or family to a round of empanaditas...

Carrot & stick: who walks the walk, who's nothing but talk.(hemp)
February 1, 2005... CARROT TO The Hemp Industries Association (HIA) for defeating the federal government's effort to outlaw food products made from hemp. In September 2004, the US Department of Justice announced that it won't challenge a federal appeals court...

Sweet revenge: fair trade chocolate: gourmet-quality chocolate is bringing health and hope to cocoa farmers and their families.(life: NATURE)
February 1, 2005... The truth about how cocoa beans are grown, harvested and sold can make a box of Valentine's Day chocolates a guilty pleasure--regardless of calories: * 90 percent of the world's cocoa--the main ingredient in our favorite indulgence--comes...

Not so much new as foolproof.("New Vegetarian Cooking: 120 Fast, Fresh and Fabulous Recipes")(Book Review)
February 1, 2005... New Vegetarian Cooking: 120 Fast, Fresh and Fabulous Recipes By Rose Elliot (Simon & Schuster, 2004) British author Rose Elliot has written more than 40 vegetarian cookbooks on everything from healthy pregnancies to vegan feasts. That...

Diner food to die for.("The Chicago Diner Cookbook" )(Book Review)
February 1, 2005... The Chicago Diner Cookbook By Chef Jo A. Kaucher (Book Publishing Company, 2002) OUR READER REVIEWER Chicago resident Barren Buss converted to semi-vegetarianism three years ago when he first met his wife, who was a vegetarian. A tech...

Exotic but not too! Treat the family to a Persian meal based on a rich stew and rice.(cuisine: VEGAN GOURMET)
February 1, 2005... Both exotic and yet somehow familiar, cooking from Persia (now Iran) offers vegetarians a wealth of flavorful dishes. And most of the ingredients, are as handy as your local supermarket; if you can t find the slender Asian eggplant, simply use...

A cool thing to have on hand.(fridge NOTES)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
February 1, 2005... Fabric oven mitts are so yesterday, according to our in-the-know recipe testers. These days, cooks are staying safe with the ultra-hip Orka Silicone Oven Mitt. This sturdy, forearm-length blue or translucent glove is heat-resistant to 500F and...

Fresh, raw or hard-boiled?(quality check of eggs )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... If you're ever confused about what's what when it comes to eggs, remember these quick tricks: * To check if an egg has gone bad, place the egg in a glass of water. If it floats, toss it out. If it doesn't, it's fresh. * If you can't...

Repeat after me.(Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine's Neal Barnard's quote)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... "IF BEEF IS YOUR IDEA OF 'REAL FOOD FOR REAL PEOPLE,' YOU'D BETTER LIVE REAL CLOSE TO A REAL GOOD HOSPITAL," --NEAL BARNARD, MD, PRESIDENT OF PHYSICIANS COMMITTEE FOR RESPONSIBLE MEDICINE

How long will it last?(condiments' storage)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
February 1, 2005... How Long Will It Last? Forget that unreliable sniff test: Consult our list of when condiments lose their usefulness, and You'll never again be disappointed by pep-less spices or suspicious sauces. Shelf, ...