Savvy Vegetarian News 11.21.10: Energy, Pasta, Thanksgiving

November 21st, 2010 by Savvy Veg

Boost Energy on Vegetarian Diet, Kid Friendly Pasta Butternut Squash Recipe, Thanksgiving Again

This week: 10 tips for a tired new vegetarian, & a kid friendly recipe for pasta, butternut squash & chickpeas that’s so yummy, we want to eat it every day.

Plus, we’re linking to our Thanksgiving Menus for those who missed last week, or for people like me, who don’t think about TG, Xmas or birthdays ’til the day before.

Happy Thanksgiving! And happiness all year long! ~Judith Kingsbury, Savvy Vegetarian

10 Ways to Boost Energy on a Vegetarian Diet

Question for Savvy Veg: I’m trying a vegetarian diet for the 2nd time. The first time I was successful for a whole year. So far I’ve gone 3 weeks without meat and feel a lot better.

I have been more tired than usual, and wondering if that’s normal with vegetarian diet? I work full time & go to school, but I’m not used to this kind of tiredness. I’m practically dragging.

Savvy Vegetarian Advice: It’s not normal to be so tired after adopting a vegetarian diet.

I suggest a medical checkup for food allergies & vitamin deficiencies, to set your mind at rest. Maybe get your blood sugar levels tested too - just to make sure there aren’t any health issues behind your tiredness.

10 Ways to Boost Energy on Vegetarian Diet

Pasta, Butternut Squash & Chickpeas Recipe

Kid friendly stovetop vegetarian casserole: Italian pasta recipe with a hint of curry, lovely variation on another kid friendly recipe - pasta e fagioli.

This vegetarian pasta recipe is a happy combo of color, textures and flavors - crunchy salty celery, soft sweet butternut squash, chewy pasta and chickpeas, bright green parsley and a touch of cinnamon.

This pasta recipe comes together quickly and easily because you cook the pasta and the veggies at the same time.

Butternut squash is ideal because it’s peelable, unlike other winter squashes, but you need a sharp vegetable peeler, or a sharp paring knife. It’s easiest to peel the squash whole, before cutting it up.

Pasta, butternut squash & chickpeas recipe