The "Rice-bucket Challenge" and a few other things

My joyful cucumber plant has been giving us foot-long cukes in abundance, inspiring me to find cucumber recipes. These two surprised me-------Cool White Bean and Cucumber Soup and an even more novel idea----a refreshing salad dressing made from pureed cucumber!---both posted below. Does anyone else have cucumber ideas? We discovered that almond butter and cucumber sandwiches are delicious.

I hope you will take a look at our Active Discussions----they were really active this week! Donna sent a review of Cowspiracy, Betsy told of her experiences with Miyoko Schinner's Artisan Vegan Cheeses , Susan took on vegan caramel sauce and the carrageenan question and John noted a new egg substitute. Feel free to chime in with comments of your own! http://mindfulcooking.org/

My inbox has been full of activity this week too.Betsy in Cakifornia sent an email about carrageenan : I am using agar agar to thicken my cheese since I couldn't find any carrageenan and that works fine. betsy
(I'll add her comment to the discussion on our website, too.)

John in Texas is taking on the challenge of creating a vegan diet for ALS (the "rice-bucket challenge!"). He also is introducing us to his Tibetan guest:
I would be very glad to hear from anyone in our network who knows how to follow a vegan diet that is low-carb, moderate protein, high-fat and provides around 3000 cal per day. It's a matter of life and death for me as a person living with ALS, and I can't figure out how to do it on a totally plant-based diet.

Also, your readers might be interested in this video from the Mindfulness Practice Center of Florida (a Sangha in the Plum Village tradition), featuring Geshe Thupten Phelgye, who has been instrumental in spreading vegetarian practice in the Tibetan monasteries. Last week I was privileged to have him as a guest in my home for an informal discussion with members of Plum Blossom Sangha. Quite an Inspiring fellow! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCPnjgQ_Fqw&feature=youtu.be

_()_ John Snyder Austin TX

I had trouble with the audio on that-----I hope others will have better luck. He does look like an interesting fellow, and I can imagine it would be a pleasure to hear him in person.

Donna in Portland sent two links, one looking at the realities of the paleo diet and the other on aspartame:
http://nutritionfacts.org/2014/09/23/will-the-real-paleo-diet-please-sta...
Everyone has the right to know about this! Aspartame is toxic and Donald Rumsfeld is responsible for its inclusion in our food and its ingestion!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robbie-gennet/donald-rumsfeld-and-the-s_b_...

One last link-----Green American has come up with a quick quiz for measuring the carbon "foodprint" of your diet ---maybe you will have fun with it:
http://app.greenamerica.org/food-print/

Happy cooking to us all!
Eve