So.... I used to be a pretty strict vegan. For almost 3 years not a single animal product touched my lips. Honestly I LOVED being a vegan - a whole creative cooking world of possibilities was opened up to me and I loved the challenge. Animal rights is an issue pretty close to my heart - so becoming a vegan was a no-brainer for me.
Unfortunately, my health started to suffer somewhat.... I caught every bug going, felt heavily fatigued and my emotional well being was nose-diving. I did SO much research into the topic - what supplements I needed, what I could try to combat my symptoms without turning to animal products. I tried it all.
Another thing was I began to CRAVE eggs.... and the thought of a kangaroo steak my my mouth water. I also noticed that I felt tired and lack lustre during yoga, and I felt as if I was not gaining the strength I should have been. Sometimes your body gives you signals... but my mind is rather stubborn when it comes to my ideals.
Anyway, to cut a long story short.... I started eating a few eggs (from over the fence from happy, loved chooks) and then I added a little bit of kangaroo (my FAVOURITE and in my opinion, the most underrated meat out there!) and do you know what? I felt a difference immediately. Energy to burn! I haven't been sick at all since I began to eat a few animal products, plus I feel a lot better in an emotional sense. There is a big BUT though.... my awareness for the treatment of animals has not been swept under the carpet, and no I am not just eating animal products from anywhere. To feel OK about eating eggs or meat - it has to be the good stuff - either I know exactly where it has come from OR it is certified organic.... no ifs or buts. I still eat a plant based diet - the majority of my sustenance comes from veggies, fruit, nuts and seeds - I just supplement every now and then with a few eggs and a small amount of quality meat.
The thing with eating organic - it's expensive.... but it won't cost me my ethics! Feeding a (hungry) family on a budget, I have developed a few little tricks to being able to provide quality animal products without the guilt. My first 3 tips (don't worry I am working on a series of posts here about Eating Ethically On a Pittance.... are:
Cheap as.... Crockpot Chicken Curry
Spice Mix
I served mine with brown rice & quinoa.... but grain options are endless.... couc cous, basmati rice, barley etc. Or go for wrap or naan bread to dunk. You could flag grains/bread and just amp up the veggies. - totally up to what is on hand in your cupboard! Some raw veggies and heaps of fresh herbs seal the deal.... don't forget the mango chutney.
Unfortunately, my health started to suffer somewhat.... I caught every bug going, felt heavily fatigued and my emotional well being was nose-diving. I did SO much research into the topic - what supplements I needed, what I could try to combat my symptoms without turning to animal products. I tried it all.
Another thing was I began to CRAVE eggs.... and the thought of a kangaroo steak my my mouth water. I also noticed that I felt tired and lack lustre during yoga, and I felt as if I was not gaining the strength I should have been. Sometimes your body gives you signals... but my mind is rather stubborn when it comes to my ideals.
Anyway, to cut a long story short.... I started eating a few eggs (from over the fence from happy, loved chooks) and then I added a little bit of kangaroo (my FAVOURITE and in my opinion, the most underrated meat out there!) and do you know what? I felt a difference immediately. Energy to burn! I haven't been sick at all since I began to eat a few animal products, plus I feel a lot better in an emotional sense. There is a big BUT though.... my awareness for the treatment of animals has not been swept under the carpet, and no I am not just eating animal products from anywhere. To feel OK about eating eggs or meat - it has to be the good stuff - either I know exactly where it has come from OR it is certified organic.... no ifs or buts. I still eat a plant based diet - the majority of my sustenance comes from veggies, fruit, nuts and seeds - I just supplement every now and then with a few eggs and a small amount of quality meat.
The thing with eating organic - it's expensive.... but it won't cost me my ethics! Feeding a (hungry) family on a budget, I have developed a few little tricks to being able to provide quality animal products without the guilt. My first 3 tips (don't worry I am working on a series of posts here about Eating Ethically On a Pittance.... are:
- Get a slow cooker/crock pot, whatever. It turns cheaper cuts of meat into glorious melt-in-your-mouth one pot meals - less hassles, less coin. Winning.
- Embrace chicken drums. Seriously. For $3.31 I get 4 big fat organic chicken legs which I turn into a chicken curry that lasts at least 2 meals. Believe it.
- If you shop at the same supermarket every week get sneaky and work out when the butchery department are going to put out the "reduced for quick sale" meats. More often than not there is a LOT of the organic meat is reduced (as not everyone can afford to buy it full price!) Get it home and either cook straight away or freeze.
Cheap as.... Crockpot Chicken Curry
Spice Mix
- 1/8t cayenne pepper
- 1/4t ground cloves
- 1/4t allspice
- 1 & 1/2T ground cumin
- 1T coriander seeds
- 2t ground ginger
- 3 large chicken legs (skin on or off - up to you)
- 1T ghee/butter/coconut oil
- 1C Basic Roast Tomato Sauce
- 1C coconut milk (light or full fat, doesn't really matter)
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2t onion powder
- 1T lime juice
- 1/2t sea salt
- 3T peanut butter (I like crunchy)
- 2C diced (raw) pumpkin
I served mine with brown rice & quinoa.... but grain options are endless.... couc cous, basmati rice, barley etc. Or go for wrap or naan bread to dunk. You could flag grains/bread and just amp up the veggies. - totally up to what is on hand in your cupboard! Some raw veggies and heaps of fresh herbs seal the deal.... don't forget the mango chutney.
Good hearty fare for the cooler nights.... even Misty my 3 year old ate a bowl-full which is a massive WIN in our household. Getting him to eat something other than pasta or sandwiches is a bit of a mission - but that's a story for another day.