Ragin Cajun Rice

I just got finished putting on a pot of my Ragin Cajun Rice.
This is a quick & easy recipe that's a favorite of my family. The ingredients are probably in your cabinets already and if they aren't they will be after tasting this simply delicious meal! Here is what you need:

1 can black beans

1 cup rinsed brown rice

2 1/2 cups water

1 TB blackening seasoning or Cajun seasoning

Toss it all in the rice cooker and press the cook button. In about 45 minutes it should be done and the rice cooker will be on warm. Garnish with shredded soy cheese,a bit of salsa and a tad of soy sour cream if you like.

**********This is great the next day in a whole wheat tortilla with the above mentioned garnished and some fresh chopped spinach and/or diced fresh tomato's!***************

Just a Few Questions & Answers!

Just a few questions and answers !
In the months following my surgery I was asked many questions.Here are a few of the questions and answers that might be helpful to anyone with more than 50 pounds to lose. Again, nothing takes the place of advise from a doctor but this is what has been working for me

1.Did you have surgery toget weight off?"

Yes and No. I have NOT had any surgery involving gastric bypass etc. The surgery I did have was for skin after massive weight loss.
I asked Dr. Beckenstein to describe some of the issues involving cosmetic surgery and weight loss. His response was,"After significant weight loss, the skin that was expanded out due to the excess fat now hangs down. To make things worse, the skin elasticity is broken (why there are stretchmarks) which makes the skin more lax. Surgery can be performed which removes the extra skin and restores a more pleasing contour. If designed appropriately, the scars can be well concealed into normal body creases.The abdomen, breasts, arms, thighs, and back are the more common areas that can benefit from these procedures.These procedures should be performed only AFTER all the weight is lost, those are not to thought of as weight loss procedures! Of course, patients must be in good physical and emotional health to be considered candidates for any surgery!".
2. "Are you going to have anything else done?"
I need one more surgery on my thighs after I get a little more weight off. I can also have a lift on my rear but I haven't decided about that yet.
3." How long has all this taken?"
A little over 4 years now and I still have a tad more weight to go, This is not an overnight fix! It is a brief overview of what can be accomplished with the help of diet and exercise that's incorporated into a lifestyle change.
4, " I tasted a bite of my friend's soy burger once and it was not what I expected. I just don't think I can give up meat!How can you eat that stuff?"
I often laugh when someone asks me that question. There are now 100's of replacement soy products that are wonderful tasting, easy to use and affordable. Remember that a supersized burger with big fries and a large soda cost about 8 bucks and some change so buying a package of soy patties with whole wheat rolls is very affordable. Since I don't have permission from every company to mention their product by name I can't include product name but email me and I will be glad to give you a list of what I use.
5," Does your family eat that stuff?
My little one does eat what I eat most of the time, She loves vanilla soy milk in her cereal and begs for whole edamane as a snack. I will cook a bowl of edamame in the microwave, put a dash of sea salt & soy sauce in the bowl and that is one happy child. I usually make her lunches for school too so I can control the amount of processed food she eats.
6. " I get what you eat but what won't you eat?"
It does seem like I have eliminated many things from my diet but the trade off in pounds is well worth it to me. I eat lots of fresh fruit, veggies, whole grains products, brown rice, soy replacement products and natral sweetners like agave nectar or stevia. I don't eats red meat, chicken,fish or pork. I stay away from dairy products and eggs. I avoid artificial sweetners. I try not to eat overly processed food.
I hope I covered a few of the questions someone may have contemplating a lifestyle change involving soy. I surfed the net many hours and kept my nose in a book before deciding that this would work for me.
If the change seem overwhelming at first, cut out one "bad food" at a time. It may take a month or more to get totally onboard with the food but it can be done. I feel so much better now I made the switch to SOY Good cooking and I am sure you will too.

Is the food any good? YES IT IS!!!!!

The number one question is "Is this soy stuff any good?" and my answers is YES!

So many of your favorites comfort foods can be turned into healthy alternatives that you and your family will love!

I have told several of my friends who complain their husbands won't even try soy products to slowly sneak it in. If the creamer runs out, rinse the container out well using hot soapy water (rinse well)first then put the soy creamer in it. If you make spaghetti sauce for the family, try using a quarter then half etc of the soy "hamburger" replacement till the hometeam gets used to it.

Kids are easy especially if you start with smoothies and "ice cream" treats. Which gets me to some sample ideas to get started till the book comes out.

Amber Nic's Skinny Dip

1 12 oz package soy steak strips
1 12 oz package soy chicken strips
3 Tbs safflower oil
1 tsp each herb de provence
2 clove roasted garlic
1 1/2 cups soy sour cream
3 Tbs organic Dijon mustard
2 Tbs agave nectar
1 tsp cumin
1/8 cup fresh basil and oregano
1. Heat and iron skillet to med high heat with the safflower oil and herb de provence then cook the strips according to package directions. Arrange on a serving plate
2. Mix the rest of the ingredients in the food processor till smooth and serve in a flat bowl for dipping.Serve right away!
This makes a pretty platter for a pool party. Bathing suits are recommended but you won't have to hide behind a coverup for long if you snack the Soy Good Way!

Racin 8 Balls

1/3 cup Plano Whole Wheat Breadcrumbs
2 parts egg replacer
3 Tbbs. organic ketchup
3/4 soy parmesan cheese
2 Tsp C Ann's Seasoning mix
1 pound soy ground sausage1 3/4 cups veggie broth
1 Tbl Arrowroot blended well in 1/4 cup water

1. Mix the first 6 items together and form into about 50 small balls, Cook at 350 degrees for 20 minutes in a baking coated with canola nonstick spray.Transfer the finished balls to a serving dish with a slotted spoon.
2. On the stovetop bring the broth to boil and add the the arrowroot slowly while stirring till it thickens slightly. Serve on top of the mini balls.

This dish can be sprinkled with a little fresh basil or oregano or soy parmesan cheese.If you want to be fancy add those little decorated toothpicks. These go quick!

Dedicated to my best friend's favorite driver. Go # 88!

Julian's Jiven 5 Fruit Taco

2/3 cup strawberries sliced
2/3 cup mangos sliced
1 sliced kiwi
1/2 sliced banana dipped quickly in a 1/2 c lemon juice
1/2 pineapple diced
1/4 Tsp Stevia
3 TBS Agave nectar
8 inch whole wheat tortillas
2 TBS each cinnamon and turmino sugar
2 TBS soy butter melted

1. Combine first 8 ingredients in a separate bowl and set aside in a covered bowl.
2. Brush the tortillas with the soy butter and heat on both sides in a medium hot skillet.
Sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar and top with soy whipped cream if desired.

Each tortilla is a serving and this makes about 8 portions unless you really stuff it.

Middleburg Melon Smoothies

2 c diced and frozen watermelon
1 c vanilla soy yogurt
1 c crushed ice
1/2 vaniila soy milk
2 TBS agave nectar or 1/3 tsp stevia
1. Put all ingredients in a food processor and pulse till smooth. Serve right away or freeze in an ice tray with a cute decorated toothpick and a refreshing quick snack.

This will quickly become a summertime favorite!

WELCOME TO MY SOYGOOD BLOG!

Welcome to the newest edition of my website http://www.soyofthesouth.com/ . I will be adding new recipes and tip on healthy living several times weekly so check back often .

For those of you who don't know me,

I'm C. Ann Smith. I used to be a BIG girl and

when I say Big, I mean BIG! I weighed well over 400 pounds at one time. My goal in writing a cookbook and starting a web site is to help others adapt a everyday routine where diet & exercise go hand in hand to create a healthy style. IT CAN BE DONE! I use my new skill set everyday when deciding what to feed my household. I am proud to say those healthy choices I learned over the last 18 months have become a lasting habit (with a little willpower and/or practice of course). I won't say it is always easy but hopefully I can pass along some tips and recipes that help you make meals "Soy Good"! Again WELCOME!