I did a food demonstration this morning at the Kingman Boys and Girls Club in Washington, DC for about 30 parents. They were mostly black women, as well as a few Latinas, and a few black men.

My presentation was about the health benefits of eating more plant-based foods. I demonstrated Spicy Kale Salad, which is usually a big hit. I’m happy to report that today was no different.

What was different was the overwhelming interest the parents showed in eating more plant-based foods. Their questions blew me away. They wanted to know about the difference between organic and sprayed food, the difference between vegan and vegetarian food, how to avoid e. coli bacteria, how to get enough protein, how to get their kids to eat more vegan foods, what seasonings to use, what supplements to take, and on and on. Some of the parents even asked me to come to their homes and help them replace what’s in their kitchen with healthier substitutes.

Also, when I told them that what made me seriously consider vegetarian foods was hearing a graphic lecture by Dick Gregory about how a hamburger gets from a cow on a factory farm to a slaughterhouse, to a fast food place to a heart attack, they asked me to tell them the graphic details. That caught me off guard! I can’t recall an audience asking me that before. (Most folks just hope I won’t go there.) When I suggested a few web sites where they could watch graphic undercover videos, I was amazed to see so many parents writing it down.

But then I really shouldn’t have been. Those were my own faulty assumptions at work. The parents’ interest in plant-based foods reflects findings by the Vegetarian Resource Group, among others. Namely that black people are more interested in eating vegetarian foods than any other group once we learn the health and environmental benefits.

So, it’s really me that got the education today. It took me back to the root of why I got excited about this work in the first place. Kingman Boys and Girls Club parents, thank you!

©2012 byanygreensnecessary.com. All Rights Reserved.

Central Union Mission is the oldest social service agency in DC, opening in 1884 to serve the needs of homeless men.  Today, the organization operates an 18-month rehabilitation program for men with life-controlling issues, a free meals program, and other community services.

I had a wonderful experience sharing vegan dishes with so many people who said they were trying them for the first time.  The health fair was open to the community, so lots of people came through.  I also had a Spanish translator, which was a first (and a bit humbling because I oughta be fluent by now). 

I made Blueberry Smoothies (with a leaf of kale added), Mediterranean Chick Pea Salad, Spicy Kale Salad, and a no-bake Apple Crumb Pie.  The dishes were a hit, especially with one little girl who kept coming back for more smoothies.  A few people said they were going to buy the ingredients for the Spicy Kale Salad tonight and fix it for dinner.  And some folks said they were going to make the Apple Crumb Pie for Thanksgiving.  That was really gratifying.  Special thanks to our team at UDC: Marshelle Hailstock, Hoora Taheri, and Paul Brown, Jr. 

Here are the recipes, except for the Spicy Kale Salad, which you can find in a previous blog post.  Enjoy!  (You can see more photos from the health fair here.)

Blueberry Smoothie

1 cup of water

1 cup of soy milk, almond milk, or rice milk

3/4 cup of blueberries (fresh or frozen)

1-2 ripe bananas

1 apple

2 medjooj dates, pitted 

1 leaf of kale

2 TB nuts (optional: walnuts, cashews, pecans, etc.)

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.

Mediterranean Chick Pea Salad

1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight, drained, and rinsed (or canned organic chick peas, drained, and rinsed)

3~4 cups water

1 small red onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped

½ tsp curry powder

2 TB nutritional yeast (optional; cheesy taste and a great source of B vitamins)

1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped

5 leaves fresh basil, chopped

1 TB Grapeseed Oil Vegenaise (egg- and dairy-free mayonnaise)

2-3 TB Bragg Liquid Aminos

1 avocado, peeled, seeded, and chopped

Place the chickpeas and water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 to 3 hours until soft. Drain and transfer the chickpeas to a large bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and stir gently. Cover and let the ingredients marinate for 5 to 10 minutes.

Apple Crumb Pie

Crumb Pie Crust:                                          

2 cups dry almonds or pecans, unroasted and unsalted                                         

1 tsp sea salt                                                         

8 medjool dates, pitted                                            

Syrup:

2  medjool dates, pitted

1 orange, peeled and sliced

1 tsp of water (or more, as needed)

Filling:

4 apples, thinly sliced

1 TB cinnamon

Crust: Pulse nuts, sea salt, and dates in food processor until a crumbly mixture is formed. Set aside.

Syrup: Blend orange and dates in blender.  Add water as needed.

Filling: Stir chopped apples with syrup and cinnamon.  Spoon the filling into pie crust. 

Sprinkle crust on top of apples and serve.  Note: the Apple Crumb Pie is an adaptation of a recipe by chef Sandra Mederos (adding an orange was brilliant!) and my Fresh Peach Cobbler recipe, posted in a previous blog post.

©2012 byanygreensnecessary.com. All Rights Reserved.

So while Elijah is showing you how to prepare his delicious vegan “go-go” greens, I’ll be talking about why they’re so good for you.  (By the way, look out for a special version of Elijah’s ”go-go” greens recipe in my book.)

So, come join us in DC on Saturday, October 24th from 1-2pm at the Josephine Butler Parks Center, 2437 15th Street, NW, for a great vegan food class.  For more info, go here.

And across the street in Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Park (16th and Euclid Streets, NW), take part in the overall 350.org International Day of Climate Action rally from 12-5pm, including a march to the White House, sponsored by Green the Block, the Hip Hop Caucus, and more.  For more info, go here.

The “350″ in 350.org stands for the safest upper limit of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere.  Beyond 350 parts per million of CO2, the planet faces both human and natural disaster.  On October 24th, nearly 2000 countries are holding actions about the threat of climate change to our planet. 

Hope to see many of you Saturday!

©2012 byanygreensnecessary.com. All Rights Reserved.

©2012 byanygreensnecessary.com. All Rights Reserved.