soy, the final detox frontier

Ok, last detox-related post! I was surprised by how much I missed soy these past two weeks. I know there is a lot of controversy out there about soy and how much of it is ok to consume, etc. But ever since we've reduced our meat consumption, we've added more soy to our diet in the form of tofu and tempeh. And delicious, processed chocolate soy milk. That stuff is addicting!

Edamame & Beer :)

During our vacation to British Columbia last summer, we found ourselves sitting at the bar in our hostel with a gigantic bowl of edamame and a few pints of beer. I had never had soy right from the source before, but after nibbling our way through a mountain of edamame I was converted. With just a touch of salt, these are one of the tastiest snacks around.  Do soybeans grow locally in New York? I haven't seen them at the farmers market, co-op or grocery store but maybe I've missed them. 

Tempeh Sloppy Joes

Tonight we are cooking up some tempeh tacos, probably combining these two recipes (here & here) and using up leftover tortillas from last week. If you are a bit squeamish about tofu or tempeh, don't be! When cooked properly, they both are really tasty. Tempeh in particular is a great meaty substitution to meals with its hearty texture.  My favorite tempeh-cooking tip is to steam it with a bit of water or marinade in a covered skillet for about 10 minutes.  It removes any bitterness and infuses it with flavor if you add a bit of dressing, soy sauce or seasoning to it. 

Sesame Tofu

There are a few different kind of tofu, from the silken kind that you can add to smoothies or dressings all the way to super firm tofu chunks.  I like to get either firm or extra firm and add it to stir-fries, pasta dishes or anything else that needs a protein boost.  My favorite tofu-cooking tip is to "dry fry" it.  Slice tofu into desired sized chunks and place them in a hot, non-stick skillet-- no oil! Ok, you can use a quick spray of canola oil if needed, but nothing else. The idea is to release the liquid from the tofu, which makes for a better flavor and also allows any marinade to absorb better.  So dry fry your tofu first, then marinade it if you wish and finish cooking on the stove top or in the oven!

A few links for tempeh & tofu inspiration:

• Asian Sprout-y Stir Fry
• Tofu Marsala
• Sesame Tofu (A Healthier Chinese Food Binge)
• Sweet Potato Hash with Red Onion & Tofu
• Tempeh Deli Salad
• Creole Tempeh
• Tempeh Sloppy Joes
  

So buy some tofu or tempeh and experiment with it in a dinner this week! And if you missed it, there is an incredible, thoughtful conversation about food and lifestyle choices going on here. I'm continually amazed and grateful for the insights and perspectives being shared in this community and the strong women (any men?) working through this Action Plan. Head over to the post to read what others have said and add your thoughts!

Christine is a featured blogger for the Whole Living Action Plan: 28-Day Challenge.  Follow her on Twitter and Facebook!