You've got questions, I've got answers!
1. I was looking at the Pineapple Sponge Cake recipes on Pg. 256 in EHH, and was wondering why you call for canned pineapple rings instead of canned crushed pineapple when you end up crushing them anyway?
The pineapple rings come with juice in the can, that you need for the recipe - the canned crushed pineapple doesn't come with extra juice.
2. Just wondering if you had any advice for making vegan oatmeal cookies crispy/crunchy instead of soft and chewy? Does the crunchiness factor depend on the ingredients used, the amount of time they are cooked or the container they are stored in? Ours always seem to wind up chewy after they cool.
It's hard to get a crumbly crunchy cookie without butter or oil. Most fat-free cookies are still somewhat soft or chewy. You can try to bake my Oatmeal Cookies (pg. 205, HHC) a little longer but they won't crumble like a store bought chocolate chip cookie.
3. Do you need to thaw fruit before putting it into a one of your muffin, like your Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins, recipes?
I don't do it, but you could.
4. Do you have any tips to help get my daughter to start exercising with me, and eat healthier?
My advice is to lead by example, be encouraging, applaud her when she makes an effort, make it fun and about something you can enjoy together. See my previous post "How to Talk about Veganism" on being an advocate and talking about this lifestyle with others.
5. My husband is diabetic and we have been transitioning to plant based eating for several months now. We got his A1C results back and they have gone UP! We are SO disappointed. I don't think we are eating a ton of carbs, and we get lots of veggies and fruit. I am just curious what foods we should be avoiding in this situation. Do you have any suggestions for us?
I would suggest reading Dr. Neal Barnard's Program for Reversing Diabetes. It will explain a lot, as well as advice for the right diet plan. We have had several Herbie of the Weeks, like Candy, Kessa and Dale, who reversed their diabetes through diet.
