So let's just get right to it ... after many years of flexitarian dabbling, I have committed to a vegan diet. People prat on about bacon being the vegan-breaker, but I always thought I would not be able to live without dairy products - although I switched to soy milk about 12 years ago, I still clung to good old butter and cream... until a few weeks ago, that is, when I finally made the transition. For so many years I was living astride veggie life and omnivore choices - I just thought I couldn't be fully vegetarian; let alone vegan!
What about a balanced diet? Would I feel tired? The only way I had been able to manage my weight was to stick to an Atkins style eating plan with all my carbs coming from veg, but heavy on the animal protein. But slowly, insistently, and persistently, life gently nudged me in the direction of people whom successfully countered all of my fears and objections! Happily, I have discovered that you CAN have a healthy nutritional balance on a vegan diet - and vegan options are so much more accessible than they were even 3-4 years ago! (Yes, easy peasy - heavy on the peas... *wink*!)
So without further preamble, let me introduce you to Pami - I hope you will try and enjoy xo!
The Pami
Ingredients:Four slices pumpernickel rye bread*
One avocado, mashed
3 Tbsp. plain vegan creamy spread**
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 cup alfalfa sprouts
6" piece of English cucumber, sliced paper thin
1/2 large yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
2/3 cup finely grated carrot
4 Tbsp. 40 spice hummus***
Sea salt and black pepper to taste
NOTE: makes two LARGE sandwiches!
Lay out the four bread slices to make two sandwiches. Spread one bread slice of each sandwich with the mustard, and spread the other slice of each sandwich with the hummus. Next, spread the creamy vegan spread on top of the mustard side, and top the vegan spread with the mashed avocado. Top the avocado with the cucumber, followed by the bell pepper pieces and grated carrot. Finally, press the sprouts onto the surface of the hummus covered slices, and sandwich both halves of each sandwich together. Slice in half and serve.
*I use Natural Bakery's vegan friendly bread - if you are in Winnipeg, make sure you try this fabulous, healthy bread - it's a treat!
**Made by Galaxy Nutritional Foods - I buy this at Safeway
***Brand is Tribe and OMG, is it ever delicious - comes in a great family-size tub!
