Tofu has been making its way into mainstream menus for a few years, but many people are still confused by this vegetarian classic. Is it a meat substitute? Is it a vegetable? Do you put it in a salad? The answer is that tofu is an extremely versatile food item that just about anyone can enjoy!

What is tofu?

Tofu is derived from soybeans, and made by pressing coagulated soy milk into flat, white blocks. It is a staple in most vegan and vegetarian diets due to its high protein content and nutritional value. This purely organic food is often used as a meat substitute in many recipes, and it is commonly found in East Asian and Southeast Asian dishes.

What are the common misconceptions?

One of the most common misconceptions about tofu is that it lacks taste. While it may not be bursting with flavor on its own, it has the ability to take on the flavor of other ingredients in the dish. Because of this, it can be used for just about anything! Add tofu to hearty soups and stews, and it will take on a savory, meat-like quality. Include it in a smoothie, and it adds texture to the fruity drink. Another benefit of tofu is its nutritional value: high in protein and amino acids while low in calories.

How do you use it?

Learning how to properly cook tofu is the first step towards enjoying it. There are tons of tips available, but the most useful is to press and drain out any excess water before cooking it. This allows it to better absorb the dish’s other ingredients, resulting in a bolder flavor and a more meat-like consistency. The tofu is then be ready to substitute meat in many dishes.

It is clear that tofu can be used beyond vegetarian and vegan diets. While everyone has different tastes and food preferences, there are ways to make tofu enjoyable for anyone. Its endless possibilities and ongoing list of health benefits should not only inspire, but encourage all to give it a try.

People tend to associate a barbecue with cheeseburgers, hot dogs and other meat-focused dishes. However, that’s not for everyone, as roughly one million of the United States population is vegan. Although that means only about half a percent holds this dietary preference, it’s important for a host to be able to cater to the needs of their guests by integrating healthy, vegan dishes into a traditional barbecue.

Appetizers

The appetizer is an essential piece to a BBQ, as it is the perfect way to lightly snack and socialize. A simple, easy way to satisfy your guests is to offer a pre-made vegan appetizer that everyone will love, such as chips and guacamole, hummus with veggies or a fruit platter. These options are healthy, meat-free and can be easily prepared.

Proper Grilling Rules

Meat is known as the king of barbecues. However, veggie and tofu patties are quickly gaining ground on meat, as they can be seasoned to taste like a meat patty. One rule to keep in mind, is to avoid grilling these items on the same spot used for meat, as that will result in cross contamination. If there’s not enough room for everything, use disposable foil or trays to separate the vegan items from meat, or grill the vegan items first.

Tweak Traditional BBQ Favorites

Instead of wondering what to make, veganize traditional BBQ favorites. Tweak dishes like baked beans, macaroni salad and potato salad to have a vegan spin! Researching recipes to cook these dishes on your own is a simple way to make sure that your guests have vegan options.

Make a Super Salad

Super salads are healthy and simple options to provide at a barbecue. Although people have a wide variety of food preferences, you can accommodate them all by leaving different types of cheeses and dressings on the side. This way vegans can leave out the cheese and enjoy non-dairy dressings.

Knowing how to host a vegan at your barbecue will prevent your guests from worrying about what food items they can eat. If you would like to learn more, or explore other vegan recipes, sign up for our newsletter!

Latin American-inspired dishes are a fantastic way to stick to a vegan diet while enjoying flavorful and creative creations. Colorful peppers, flavorful avocados and endless spices can make a chef out of even the most reluctant meal-prepper. Here are a few of our favorite, easy-to-make items.

Smoky Guacamole

The Moon Meals smoky guacamole recipe is simple and delicious. In less than 15 minutes, you and your guests can enjoy a healthy appetizer, whether they’re vegan or not! The recipe includes avocados, onions, peppers and tomatoes. It’s sturdy enough to stand alone, or even added as a garnish to just about any main course.

Fiesta Wrap

The Fiesta Wrap requires zero prep time, as it can be purchased from several Jewel locations. The prepackaged meal is built with a vegan meat and cheese sauce wrapped in a spinach tortilla. The vegan wrap is an excellent choice for any meal, and it’s so flavorful that it’s likely to fool any meat eater.

Whether you’re new to the vegan diet, a vegan veteran or a curious meat eater, these menu items will surely satisfy any appetite in a healthy way. If you are looking for more healthy, vegan recipes, click here and keep an eye on the Moon Meals newsletter to get the latest healthy food ideas sent directly to you.

Moving towards a plant-based diet is a fantastic change that offers many health benefits. However, it can be difficult to eliminate meat — especially in a carnivore-focused culture like ours. That’s why many experts recommend a full meat detox to truly commit to your new lifestyle and begin building those habits that go into maintaining a healthy lifestyle..

What is a Meat Detox?

A meat detox is as simple as it sounds: a diet that does not include meat. In doing so, the body goes into cleanse mode to rid itself of the accumulated toxins. There can be negative side effects during this process - headaches, fatigue, etc. - but they should subside in about a week.

After the detox period has passed, you’ll start to see key physical benefits, like smooth digestion, weight loss, increased energy and skin improvements. Keep in mind that not every person will experience every one of these effects, but even experiencing one or two of them would let you know the detox was a success.

Don’t Skimp on Protein

Meat might be out of the question now, but that doesn’t mean your protein intake should suffer. You can ease the transition by substituting certain vegetables to get your daily protein from alternative sources. Here are a few foods that can replace meat in certain recipes:

• Beans or legumes
• Eggplant
• Lentils
• Mushrooms
• Tempeh
• Jackfruit
• Potatoes
• Cauliflower

Another important tip is to increase your vegetable intake. Replacing a bag of chips with a plant-based alternative is a healthier option that will boost detox results while providing essential nutrients like fiber.

Redirect Your Cravings

It is common to crave meat during a meat detox or vegan diet, especially in the early stages. Fortunately, there are many options that will allow you to satisfy those cravings without “cheating.” For example, if you have to have a hamburger, you can substitute the beef patty for a black bean, portobello or veggie burger. Here are a few other options:

• Tofu is a great replacement for chicken or pork dishes, as it can be seasoned to mimic the taste and cooked to resemble a meat-like texture.
• Seitan packs a ton of protein and its texture is easily compared to meat. This is only an option for those who don’t avoid gluten, as it’s made with processed wheat gluten.
• Textured vegetable protein is an easy-to-use, dehydrated soy product. It’s a fantastic ground beef substitute, and you can do just about anything with it once it is rehydrated.

What Next?

With all of these great food substitutes and alternative protein sources, the meat detox could not be any easier. By the end of your detox, you’ll probably be so amazed with the results that you won’t want to give them up. Why stop? The meat detox is a great transition into a full vegan lifestyle, which is a great way to keep your body clean and healthy.

If convenience is what you are looking for, there are plenty of vegan or vegetarian friendly restaurants throughout Chicago and pre-made vegan meals in some grocery stores, like Moon Meals’ Fiesta Wraps.

It’s pretty easy to walk into a grocery store and want to purchase items that you don’t need — especially if you aren’t prepared. Americans typically throw away about 25 percent of the groceries they buy. To get the most out of your grocery shopping and avoid wasting food or money, here’s a quick guide to start implementing more efficient shopping practices.

Check Your Inventory

Look through your pantry and fridge before you head to the store to determine items that you need or can skip buying. Searching through your current groceries will help you identify current items that are about to expire and need to be used. It will also keep you from accidentally purchasing items at the store that you already have. Having too much of an item increases the likelihood that it won’t be used before its expiration date and will be tossed in the trash.

Plan Your Meals

Planning out a weekly menu is cost effective and can make forming a grocery list much easier. Read through every recipe you plan to use and write down every ingredient you are going to need. Once you cross check it with your current inventory, you can hit the store with confidence. Your shopping experience will be faster, and a set list will prevent you from wandering up and down the aisles.

Choose Seasonal Items

As you’re creating your weekly meal plan, put some thought into money-saving possibilities. Choose recipes that call for similar ingredients so you can save money by buying in bulk rather than small amounts of many items. (This will also cut down on waste!) Additionally, consider seasonal dishes, as their contents will be cheaper. In fact, you can save roughly 30 - 50 percent more than items that are out of season.

Grocery stores can take a toll on your wallet if you don’t go in with a plan. Remember, if the store is out of stock on sale items you want, you can always ask for an IOU. This way you get every ingredient for the price you can afford.

Looking for vegan and vegetarian eats on Chicago’s North Side? You won’t have far to look! Here’s a list of some of Moon Meal’s favorite restaurants scattered throughout the neighborhoods.

Whether you’re trying to be healthier, you have a dietary change, or there’s ethical reasons for being vegan or vegetarian, you don’t have to worry about compromise or deprivation. Chicago’s South Side has numerous flavorful veggie-centric spots for you to try out. Here is a list of Chicago’s South Side destinations.