So, I was reading thru Anna's Challah bread recipe. I figured it's the Sabbath so it would be an appropriate bread to make for today. Now I need tapioca starch? LOL Does it ever end?! Learning new ingredients and what they are and how to use them can be a challenge at this stage. I still have xanthem gum I've never used.

Well . . . . I haven't tested it yet, but I strongly suspect that Cornstarch would sub nicely for the Tapioca Starch. If you did me the favor of testing it - we might BOTH turn out happy : )

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I experimented tonight & made it with cornstarch instead of tapioca starch - it turned out quite nicely : )

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Nice! I haven't made any more bread yet. I have a bunch of store bought bread that's not getting used. I was hoping it would get eaten if I didn't make any.

The more they get used to the homemade stuff, the harder that gets to pull off ; )

How's the grand vegan experiment going? Seems like the two-week mark should have passed?

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It's really going SO well! We aren't losing any weight tho'. But we're enjoying the food and know it is a healthier way of eating. And then there's incredible reduction of insulin. Still looking for short cuts cuz it seems like a lot more cooking. Maybe it's just because I'm not familiar enuf yet with the meals I'm making and I have to use the cookbooks ALL the time.

Yeah -the extra cooking is because you're trying lots of new recipes. And, you're enjoying it (because, really, there cannot be ANY other explanation for roasting and shelling chestnuts BY HAND! ; )

Once you get settled into the new program, and find your favorite easy recipes & find your rhythm it will get MUCH easier : )

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What are some of YOUR go-to easy-peasy quick meals?

Well, for starters, these : )

http://stuffedveggies.blogspot.com/2013 ... ooker.html

http://stuffedveggies.blogspot.com/2013 ... ravel.html

http://stuffedveggies.blogspot.com/2013 ... s-for.html

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Thanks! I'm going to have to go shopping soon. I still haven't made one of the recipes I planned from the first week. Dh has really enjoyed the tofu (go figure!) and pepitas I make. I'm going to have to buy tofu to marinade and fry up for snacks! I roast the pepitas til about 1/2 are very brown and a few black ones, then pour some soy sauce, a lidful of liquid smoke, and a sprinkle of chipotle pepper in and stir until it's all dried. (I usually use the green pumpkin seeds - pepitas - but yesterday I made some with sunflower seeds.)

Did I tell you about the sandwich I got at a "new" restaurant? They had little vegan items to choose from - salads (which all came with animals), a hummus appetizer, and a portabella sandwich. I had the sandwich and it was SO yummy! There was a round of portabello, a round of eggplant, tomato, onion, yellow squash and zucchini layered on a bun. I'm going to have to try that at home!