Ok so I MUST talk about a documentary that the whole world seems to be talking about and that I just watched for myself.

What The Health is a documentary that puts a focus on the damage that the U.S. government is causing our health by making BIG bucks off of the food and farming industries. The scariest part to me is how dangerous a lot of the foods are that we are being told are 'healthy' and 'vital' to our diets.

Back in my junior year of high school I watched a ton of documentaries (which I will list at the end of this post) on the same subject as What The Health, and actually ended up going vegan for about 5 months. I remember being looked at weirdly by my family and friends, and eventually decided that it would be easier if I just went back to eating a more flexible diet.

Ever since I was young, there have always been foods I avoid for both ethical and health reasons such as red meat, pork, and any cow products. However, I currently eat mostly plant-based in addition to eating chicken, eggs, and fish.

The documentary really got me thinking about why I went vegan all these years ago in the first place, and had me asking myself if I'd ever do it again. For now, I am still intuitively eating and continuing my flexitarian lifestyle.

So at the end of the day...

Has What The Health impacted me? YES.

Do I think there need to be major changes made in our country? YES.

Am I going to do anything impulsive right now to my diet? No. 

If you watch this documentary and feel strongly about going vegan, I totally praise you and think it is a great lifestyle. For me, I am healthy and (knock on wood) don't struggle with any weight or cholesterol issues. If I did, I would strongly consider a vegan diet, but I just do what works for me! 

If anyone else has watched this documentary or any other ones like this, I would love to know your opinion.

SO now that my little rant is over, in honor of talking about veganism, I am sharing one of my favorite vegan recipes below.

Vegan Buddha Bowl (makes two bowls)

Ingredients
Bag of instant microwavable quinoa or instant quinoa brown rice mix
2 cups Kale
2 petite sweet potatoes
2 3 oz blocks of extra firm tofu
4 beet slices
1 tsp olive oil
Turmeric
Garlic powder
Sea salt
Pepper

Recipe
Follow ingredients on quinoa/rice to cook it
After quinoa/rice is done cooking, add a sprinkle of turmeric, garlic powder, sea salt, and pepper

Place both sweet potatoes on microwave-safe plate
Poke holes with fork all over potatoes and wrap them in a damp paper towel
Place in microwave for 5 minutes then take out, flip, and cook for another 2-3 minutes
When sweet potatoes are ready, cut into pieces and remove skin

In large round pan, add 1 tsp olive oil and spread around evenly
Add in the kale, tofu, and beet slices
Stir around in pan until tofu is golden and the kale and beets are soft
Add sprinkle of sea salt and pepper

Place half of the rice/quinoa in each bowl
Add half of the kale, beers, tofu, and sweet potato on top of each bowl of rice/quinoa & enjoy!

For 1 serving, cut recipe in half, or store other half of ingredients in container & refrigerate

Nutrition Facts (1 bowl)

360 calories // 51g carb // 7g fat // 16g protein

My Favorite Vegan & Health-Related Documentaries
Forks Over Knives
Fat Sick and Nearly Dead
Earthlings
Vegucated
Cowspiracy