It has occurred to me that often I make up reasons for people that may or may not be real -- such as not inviting someone to do something because I think she lives too far away and wouldn't come anyway. By not offering the invitation, "being reasonable" was the source of the action, or in this case, the lack of action to extend an invitation.
When people find out that I eat a plant-based diet, that is for the most part "raw" and "vegan", often they seem quizzical and ask me why. The short answer is: I envision a world of health and well-being for myself and the entire planet. And, I think having a plant-based diet and lifestyle is one way to create this. The next thing they say is, "But isn't it hard? What do you eat?" And, if we are at a restaurant, "What are you going to order?"
For me, being mostly raw and mostly vegan, is totally unreasonable, especially when I look around at what is readily available to people when it comes to fulfilling the need for food. There are times when I feel challenged by my diet and lifestyle. And, I also know that I have never gone hungry for lack of availability of food that fits into my diet. Yes, I have carried an avocado in my purse to a restaurant to put on a salad. No, living as an herbivore is not hard, and I eat a variety of foods that color the rainbow. I choose restaurants that are likely to cater to vegetarians and vegans or a preview a menu ahead of time and make special requests. Yes, I support my local vegetarian restaurants and I have helped fund campaigns for people who are setting out to open vegetarian restaurants. Yes, I make a lot of food at home from scratch and frequently dine in. When it comes to a plant-based diet and lifestyle, the key is that the source of choices and actions is being unreasonable -- that is acting from a place of responsibility, possibility, passion, joy, gratitude, love, authenticity, freedom.
My invitation to those who have been thinking about transforming their diet by transitioning to plant-based eating and living is this: Be unreasonable. Take action from a place of responsibility, possibility, passion, joy, gratitude, love, authenticity, freedom. Start with "meatless Mondays" or a weekly pot-luck "meet-up group". Start with the recipe featured here.
Recipe for Unreasonable - Mint Pea Soup
Equipment: blender (I use a Vita-Mix)
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 TB sweet white miso (for vegetarians, make sure there is no bonito/fish paste)
- 1/4 cup hemp seeds (or 1/2 cup hemp seed milk, especially if using a normal kitchen blender)
- 2 cups fresh English peas - divided (I get mine from Trader Joe's fresh produce section)
- several springs of fresh mint - reserve a few for garnish
- 3-4 cups water, depending on desired thickness
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Process:
- In the blender, combine the avocado, miso, hemp seeds, 1 cup of fresh English peas, springs of mint, and water on high. Blend well.
- Stir in the remaining cup of peas.
- If the soup is too thick, add extra water or hemp seed milk.
- Refrigerate and serve chilled.
- Or, gently heat on the stove top and serve warm.
- Garnish with a few mint leaves and freshly ground black pepper.
Eat gratefully and enjoy.
Recipe notes:
This recipe makes 2 large servings or 4 smaller servings.
If raw vegan, be sure to use fresh peas. Also, use whole hemp seeds so that you are essentially creating your own hemp milk. Serve chilled or warm in a dehydrator or heat gently with a thermometer up to about 115 degrees on the stove top, stirring often.
This recipe can be made using frozen English peas but use of canned peas is discouraged.
If hemp seed milk is unavailable, any other plant-based milk may be substituted - almond, soy, oat, flax.
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