Fifty-eight people gathered for a plant based (PB) potluck at the HOA-1 Activity Center on Monday, February 26. It was definitely the healthiest—and we might add—the tastiest buffet in SaddleBrooke. This event was the first meeting of the Plant-Based Nutrition club (PBNC) after a long hiatus due to COVID. And to have attracted so many people when there was no real advertising (other than one posting on saddlebrooke.io and word of mouth) shows what an interest there is in plant-based nutrition.
What brings people to be interested in plant-based nutrition? Some people change to a plant-based (PB) diet for health reasons, e.g. their cardiologist recommended it. Some people recognized they felt better when they switched to a PB diet. Some people are interested as a PB diet puts much less strain on our ecosystem. Some people are interested in a vegan diet because they are concerned about the welfare of animals. Some people have heard about a PB diet but don’t know much about it and want to learn more. Some people want information and support on how to make a transition to a PB diet. Our attendees represented all these places on the nutrition spectrum.
After eating our fill and perusing the recipes that were posted next to each dish, members were invited to share their journey on a PB diet and what it’s like to eat out in a meat-based world. Everyone went home satiated, having made new friends and looking forward to the next potluck.
Currently, we are planning on having monthly potlucks, speakers and engaging in conversation with SaddleBrooke chefs about PB offerings at our restaurants. If you are interested in learning more about Plant-Based Nutrition Club (PBNC), joining PBNC, and/or volunteering to help grow PBNC, please email pb.saddlebrooke@gmail.com.
It’s Not an Oxymoron: A Healthy, Scrumptious Dessert
This is one of my favorite PB desserts and it’s healthy too! My meat-eating friends are surprised and hesitant when I bring a dish of these truffles. Then they eat one to be polite and, in a blink of an eye, the platter is empty!
Date Truffles
Ingredients
- 1c walnuts, unsalted
- 20 large, dried dates, pitted
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 orange, only use zest
- 2 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch salt
- Cocoa powder and/or coconut for rolling
Method
Put all but the last ingredient in food processor and mix until a sticky ball forms. Form into 30 one-inch diameter balls. Roll in cocoa powder and/or coconut. Keep chilled until served.
Longtime Tucson bar sold, to be redeveloped
