Heavenly Vegan Bulgur With Sautéed Brussels Sprouts

My heavenly vegan bulgur with sautéed brussels sprouts, parsley, and carrots is a warm, soft and fluffy dinner you can make in 15 minutes! Brussels sprouts can be delicious, if cooked correctly, and I am here to teach you. This is one pilaf you will LOVE!

Ingredients:

1 cup bulgur 

1 1/2 cup organic brussels sprouts 

1 large organic carrot

1/2 medium sweet organic onion

1/2 chopped organic parsley

2 tablespoons organic cold-pressed coconut oil

pinch of salt

I love the 10 Minute Bulgur from Trader Joe's , and use it for all my bulgur recipes. The first thing I do when working with a grain-based salad or pilaf, is start boiling the grain, and while that is on the stove, I chop the veggies. Bulgur is just like rice - you will need 2 cups of water for 1 cup of bulgur. Bring it to a boil, cover, and let simmer for 10 minutes. Take off the heat, and let rest for 5 minutes with the lid on.

Thoroughly wash, and cut the brussels sprouts in half. Warm up a skillet on medium heat. Sweat the onions and thinly shaved carrots in the coconut oil until clear, and add the brussels sprouts. Sauté for 5 minutes, just until the brussels sprouts begin to look soft. Add this mixture to the bulgur, along with salt, and stir in the chopped parsley at the very end, so it stays fresh, and flavorful! Enjoy, and be well! 

UCLA Brain Tumor Conference

Still processing the UCLA brain tumor conference hosted by my mother's amazing doctor - Dr. Timothy Cloughesy, in my mind. Even though I received a mass of knowledge regarding pathology, neurosurgery (including a video of the amazing Dr. Linda Liau removing a glioma from a composer's brain while he creates a melody), radio-surgery, radiation equipment, tumor bank, 3D models, chemo etc., the most absurd reality is: 

1.) Not one of these world-renowned experts is sure what the cause of malignant brain tumors is. 

2.) The pathology of different types of gliomas is 100% clear and understandable to them, but they still don't know how to CURE the issue (because they haven't found the correct combination of drugs to cause complete tumor necrosis). 

With that said, I'd like to point out that even though prognosis and statistics for high-grade glioma patients are very poor, after attending an event like this, the real answer to the problem is connecting with the right people. Just like in any other life situation, a kind and understanding physician may not have all the answers in the world, but will put the patient's heart at ease, and increase his or her quality of life. Understanding, patience, and kindness.

I am not sure why I am writing all this... probably because I feel a very strong love for people, and keep seeing people create amazing things for saving other people's lives, such as all this medical equipment that seems like something out of a futuristic movie. The work that is done by these physicians is mind-blowing, but a heartfelt hug and a smile of reassurance is sometimes a more comforting part of the job.