KarmaFree Cooking

I started the other day bringing you a list of my favorite junk foods…  

But I want to make a HUGE clarification here – These are snacks to be enjoyed SPARINGLY.  In no way I want to promote the reckless consumption of any of these snack foods.  This is just to let people know that we vegetarians have the junk food craving once in a while and that thanks to thoughtful companies out there we can enjoy them without the addition of trans fat, hydrogenated oils, eggs, artificial colorants or preservatives…

Just wanted to make that clear…

Now that we’re in summertime, how can we leave behind America’s favorite grilling food?

Veggie Burgers and Veggie Dogs

I love a good Veggie Burger and a Veggie Hot Dog once in a while… and it does not need to be summer.  I personally enjoy eating Boca Burgers and Gardenburgers.  To me, they have the best texture and flavor.  I also like that most Boca Burgers are made without eggs and for extra assurance, they have a Vegan version.

I like to buy Smart Dogs or Tofu Pups – these two brands do not include eggs in their ingredient list.  There are other Veggie Dog products from the same brand that do include them, so be aware and always read the labels.  The Tofu Pups are great for people who are avoiding gluten or wheat.

And there’s no need to believe that if you want to eat only whole grains you’ll need to eat your burger or dog on a regular whole wheat sandwich slice… our friends at Alvarado St. Bakery make Burger Buns and Hot Dog buns made from sprouted wheat.  They’re super good and can be found in the refrigerated section of most health food stores.

Beer

Ok – I already told you about natural soft drinks in my last installment… but what if you’re the beer guy type.  And most people would argue – “Beer is vegetarian.  No meat is used to make it.”  And they’re right, however, the vegetarians I know, including me, we avoid alcohol because we consider it like a drug.  It’s something that intoxicates your system.  I know there are arguments on the contrary, but I am not trying to convert anyone, I am just stating the facts why some people to not consume alcohol.

Most beers labeled non-alcoholic still have some alcohol in them – little in proportion to regular beers, but not really non-alcoholic.  But I found one… Bavaria, it’s available on the Internet and maybe in large cities in the US.  I have not seen it here in Puerto Rico.  But this beer claims to have 0.0% alcohol – totally alcohol-free.  I would like to try it someday – maybe make a michelada with it…  mmmm.

Celebratory Drinks

And what if you like to celebrate, but are not into the beer taste?  Martinelli’s has a Sparkling Cider that tastes incredibly like any other apple cider, without the alcohol.   I drink this by itself, but I also use it to make Sangrias and Party Punches.  It’s awesome!!!  I always have a chilled bottle in the fridge.

And if you’re more the grape person than an apple person, Welch’s also has a White Grape and Red Grape Sparkling Juices.  They’re really good.  Kids love it when you offer then a glass of wine…  my niece laughs hysterically every time I give her a glass.  She feels like such a grown-up.

And what’s best, is that all of these are readily available in the bottled juice aisle of your supermarket.

Please share your favorite junk foods with us… we love to learn all that is out there.

When people decide to become vegetarian, most of the time they focus on what they’re deciding to NEVER eat again, instead of focusing on the possibilities of what’s ahead…  I believe it is human nature to mourn the past instead of looking towards the future with joy and anticipation.

Last weekend, at the Yoga Center I attend, I was asked to give out a presentation on how we don’t need to inhibit ourselves from having a goodie once in a while…  even though we must always strive to eat as healthily as possible,  in the life of every good vegetarian , a little junk food must always fall in.  Always!

So I want to share with you a list of those goodies that people might believe will never be able to enjoy, but now, enjoy them the veggie karma-free way!!  Brace yourself because this is an exercise on Vegetarian Junk food to the MAX!

Salty Snacks

Regular salty snacks are full of chemical preservatives, artificial colorants and MSG.  What’s a conscious vegetarian to do when there’s a party and we’re hungry for some chips???    My favorite salty snacks are Barbara’s Bakery Cheese Puffs and Cheese Puffs Bakes.  I love that they come in the traditional cheddar crunchy variety, just like a certain cheetah brand and it also comes in white cheddar.  I sneak these into the movie theater as often as I can.

I also enjoy a loy the new Frito Lay’s Natural variety – they have Lay’s potato chips and Cheetos too.  And best of all, no additional trip to the health food store – these are available in your regular grocery store.

I like also Terra Chips…  I love all their varieties, and they even have a BBQ chip version, which rock!!!

If you live in a tropical area,  I personally like Chifles plantain chips.  These are widely available in Puerto Rico and in Miami.  These are delicious with any sandwich instead of potato chips.  My aunt in Miami even makes them to eat as a side dish.  In Miami they make a garlic mojito to dip them in or to pour over them.  Not to be confused with the drink… OK?

Ice Cream and Frozen Treats

Most premium ice creams out there include eggs or egg yolks in their ingredient list, which bummed me incredibly because I really used to enjoy a really creamy cup of Häagen-Dazs Swiss Chocolate Almond once in a while.  But now that I am off eggs and off chocolate what’s a karma-free girl to do???

I give you Häagen-Dazs Fruit Sorbets – I personally prefer strawberry and mango flavors.  The mango variety was my first and it’s truly like eating a frozen mango.  I believe this is the brand they serve at the Delano Hotel in Miami…  hush hush.

But if you’re more the Dulce de Leche type of vegetarian…  Häagen-Dazs also has a Dulce de Leche Frozen Yogurt, which to our knowledge does not include eggs in the recipe.

OK – I know I can’t leave my vegan or lactose-intolerant friends hanging…  so there’s for you Rice Dream and Soy Dream.  Both are pretty good and creamy and the nice thing is that they have Carob varieties so you can enjoy that chocolate-like experience without the caffeine of the chocolate.

Soft Drinks

I don’t know about you…  but eating a pizza with an orange juice or with a bottle of water just does not entice me too much.  Pizzas were made to be eaten together with a soft drink.  But what to do if you have shun away from your like all Cokes and Pepsis???

I give you Ginseng Ups – I learned to live again the day I learned about Ginseng Ups.  I was always the biggest Coke fan and when my doctors ordered me off caffeine immediately I had to say goodbye to my long-time friend – so I started drinking 7-Ups .  When I decided to make some natural changes in my life, I said good-bye now to my 7-Ups.  Then one day a friend from the yoga center bought a Cola Ginseng-Up at a health food store.  When I asked her how that tasted she simply said, “Like Coke”.  I was incredulous.  She gave me a taste and ALELUYA!!!! (can you hear the angels sing too!?!?!?!?)  My world was alive again.  I was a convert right then and there.  Ginseng Ups is the soft drink that anyone who visits me drinks…    It comes in several varieties – I personally like Cola, Lime, Ginger and the Original.  Kola Champagne is a very popular flavor for Puerto Ricans, but the last time I checked it had some weirs colorant so I no longer buy it.

I also like a lot Izze Sodas.  They’re natural and super refreshing.  They have a lot of effervescence.  I like they’re Clementine flavor a lot.

I am going to stop here so this post is not super long…  I promise to bring you a few more of my favorite vegetarian junk food so you don’t have to ever feel deprived when deciding to try the vegetarian lifestyle…

Feel free to share your favorite vegetarian junk foods too… because I am certain that  Vegetarian Junk Food RULES!!!