Southern Urban Farming

I found this great article and video about urban farming around the Atlanta area. Some folks think that during down times life is a pain, but out of the recession comes resourcefulness. Our thoughts determine our reality so make the best of yours! Check it out here.

"Urban farming is a way for African-Americans to connect with the earth," says Cashawn Myers of HABESHA

Check Southern Veg Chronicles out in the Rainbow Co-op Newsletter

I love, love, love, this place!  Nestled off of I-55 in Jackson, Missippi, it is my favorite rest stop while traveling.  With a great selection of all natural items and an awesome cafe, this place is a must see for my non-southern vegans and vegetarians who happen to be traveling through the south and a great stop for my southern folks traveling from Louisiana to places up north.   Check my article out here, Rainbow Co-op and click on newsletter.

Happy Healthy Friday Louisiana!

So for my folks here in "Da Boot", aka Louisiana what are you going to do today to improve your health?
Just one thing...
Many folks ask me, "Was it hard giving up meat?".  Well,  I took baby steps.  I gave up beef and pork first, then removed dairy, chicken products, turkey, and fish later. Remember, it just takes time and commitment.  The culture here is so rich with food and festivals so some people think it's too hard to change.  I still enjoy going out without having a large seafood platter or a fried turkey leg.  Definitely want to be around to enjoy the fun things about living in the South and not complain about my "sugar" or many other ailments that I hear folks lament about here.  Check this article (Louisiana Obesity) and lets begin to think about what we put into our bodies.  Start small with maybe drinking more water or getting a side salad with your burger and pass some of those new habits on to the young people around you.  Just start with small changes that eventually become a part of your routine and begin to change how you look an most importantly how you feel.

Have a great weekend!

Getting "Tasty" in August!

Wow, it's August already!  Time sure does fly when you're cooking good food.  It's been about two weeks since I've posted something tasty but I've been looking for a Southern Veg compound to grow my food and teach classes on how to make these tasty meals you see here on the video.  I've seen two places already and they have awesome kitchens and yards.  Before the end of the year you will be seeing a new space for Southern Vegetarian Living along with products and cooking classes, so look out.  Now, for this weeks video and recipe.  I have used products from a company called Tasty Bite, which sells prepackaged vegetarian and vegan Indian food that taste really great.  They found me on twitter and wondered could I make something "Southern" from their products.  Here is what I came up with.  Hope ya'll enjoy!  

P.S.  If there are any other food companies that are interested in me "Southernizing" their vegetarian/vegan products hit me up at any of the links to your right or e-mail me at germaine@southernvegchronicles.com

“Good Korma” Vegan Jambalaya

An Indian twist to a Southern classic

Ingredients:

Tasty Bite- Good Korma sauce

Tasty Bite- Basmati Rice

Small onion chopped

Small bell pepper chopped

2 to 3 cloves of garlic

2 green onions chopped

Mock chicken strips

2 Mock sausage links sliced

Salt to taste

Method:

Fix basmati rice according to directions and leave in packet.  Sauté in olive oil, onion, bell pepper, green onion, and add garlic last.   Add a little more oil to pan with veggies to sauté mock chicken strips and sausage.  Once strips and sausage are sautéed add Good Korma sauce according to directions.  Salt to taste.   Add rice to sauce mixture and stir making sure everything is evenly incorporated.  Let simmer low for 8-10 minutes.   Once finished stir one last time, serve, and enjoy!