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As a member of PETA, I receive emails about all kinds of issues going on. Today I received an email about dogs and cats being sold for experiments. The North Utah Valley Animal Shelter betrays it’s animals and sells them to different colleges and places that need experimental animals. Shameful, really. Here’s my letter to them, and you too can write one, just click here.
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September 3 2010 No Comments
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 "Nooooo!! Not the fryer! Help me!!!" said the eggroll... True or False? Fried avocados can be part of a “Healthy Diet”. Well, avocados are a healthy fat, so the answer must be true. Wrong! The answer is false. The fact that some people can even consider this to be true, well, fries me. No pun intended. But my dry wit aside, frying a healthy fat immediately transforms it into a harmful fat. Olive oil is good for you. Overheated, sizzling, stir-fried olive oil is not…yet somehow the world is still consuming overcooked and fried oils around every corner. Thinking that the oil remains in tact and still beneficial is almost as clever as trying to market pink buckets stuffed with fried chicken as helpful in the fight against breast cancer…the fact is, fried food (no matter what) is always junk. Even if the oil is advertised as being “Trans Fat Free”. Once you overheat an oil, the fat becomes just as harmful as a trans fat. Join me, as I indulge in my overactive imagination yet again… Morning light reflecting off the newly paved asphalt makes me wince. The sound of neighbors starting cars off to another day of work, dogs out for their morning walks, and me, yawning slightly, shuffling out in my fuzzy, white read more… |
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For those of you that don’t know, I met Rob in the bulk aisle in a grocery store. He was scooping rice, looking very cute may I add, while I was trying not to look because I was a mess after just rolling out of bed that morning. After asking if my cart was in his way, we began talking only to discover that we were both vegans, loved cooking, and enjoyed eating at the Chicago Diner. Thankfully he had the courage to ask me out, since my guts were lost somewhere between my sweaty palms, racing heart and spinning mind…I’m not even joking when I say “love at first sight” and “soulmates” really do exist. And trust me, I was in complete denial about both, laughing at even the mention of something so flaky. read more… |
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 Take a bite and see what great skin tastes like! Wonder what it takes to have better skin? Youthful elasticity and a healthy glow are in reach! Really working on the overall health of this organ can take years, but for now, consider the fact that everything you eat actually does show up somewhere–whether it be in your immune system, on the skin, in the liver or elsewhere…the three easiest dietary tips on achieving nice skin are: 1) No Dairy, 2) No Sugar, 3) Lots of Fresh Green Foods. Many of you out there DO eat dairy, and might think it’s impossible to give it up, but just try this promising trio for two weeks, and you’ll already see results! Here’s a fresh, skin-saving salad to get you started. Makes 5 servings as a main meal, or about 8 servings as a starter. read more… |
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I had a brief, unexpected, yet enlightening conversation about bones and calcium with two people yesterday. One girl was complaining how downright awful she felt after eating a bowl of ice cream. “It’s been a while since I’ve had that much dairy at once,” she said, “I wonder if I’m allergic or something. I’m just going to give it up.” We started talking about foods I don’t eat, dairy being one of them. I wasn’t always vegan. In fact, this month marks 6 years of me being a vegan. And it was about 8 1/2 years ago that I stopped eating dairy. The other girl gave me a puzzled look, as if I were doomed without dairy in my life. “I eat it because I need my calcium for my bones,” she said. I turned to the first gal. “Did you know that you are able to use more of the calcium in a cup of broccoli than you can from a cup of milk?” I asked. She raised her eyebrows. “Really?” “Yes. The protein content in cow’s milk is too high and inhibits us from absorbing and using most of the calcium,” I continued. “Think about it. Why is the United States one of the biggest dairy-consuming countries, yet we also have the highest rates of osteoporosis? And we also have so many dairy-eating women shoving all kinds of calcium supplements down there throats too.” She stared at me blankly, mulling over the thoughts of how true it was. “I’ve been without dairy for over 8 years I said. My bone density is so good, that I wasn’t even on the scale and I’m 30 years old,” I stated. “Cows eat greens that are stocked with calcium, magnesium and other trace minerals in perfect proportions…just because you drink the dairy doesn’t mean your body can use the dairy…gives you something to think about,” I said shrugging my shoulders, getting back to my work. “Yeah, I never thought about it that way before! Maybe I really should give it up…” Had I known of the benefits of getting calcium from greens before, I would’ve done it sooner too…gives you something to think about! (If you do decide to go without dairy, be sure to check out the post called “Deciding to go without dairy? Now what?) |
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 Monterey veggie burger served w/lemon risotto rice Burgers, burgers, lovable burgers! I like burgers. But recently I’ve come to really like burgers. No, not meat burgers…the idea of a burger. It makes me start to wonder, is this the reason burgers in general sell so well to the public? Is it because other people love the idea of a burger just as much as I do? As a vegan, I can’t help but wonder, maybe typical burgers are so accepted because it’s one of the easiest ways to ignore the truth. After all, how in the world could you possibly think of a dead cow when what you’re tasting is delectable, juicy, and bursting with flavor? And why would anyone want to try some kind of “healthy” version of a burger when they can go out and get “the real thing” for cheaper? But all that flavor is not native to the burger itself. It’s marinated, doused, seasoned and spiced to death until the remains of a dead body have become convincingly something it’s not. read more… |
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So often the dietary temptations in our lives become addictions without even the slightest notice. They creep into our lives in the form a delectable treat, or become so familiar and “normal” that they blend right in, like syrup in a latte….at that point, who seems to notice something so harmful when it’s so widely recognized and accepted? What illusionary benefits do these dietary offenders seem to offer us in the NOW? And what are the long term affects on our individual health? Some people may say, “Who cares? We’re all gonna die anyway!” But for a few moments, let’s shift our focus and give special attention to the life in our years instead of the years in our life? In the end, don’t most of us find a quality life more enjoyable? Double bonus: people that kick the nasty offenders to the curb, usually end up with both quality and quantity…I ask myself, “Is it worth it?” read more… |
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 Meat without the red mask on.... How far is too far? How far is a vegan supposed to go with this “vegan thing” anyway? Morals are morals, ethics are ethics. But facts are facts. And no one can argue with that. So if you’re vegan, and you know cold, hard facts about meat processing, do you share those facts at the risk of “offending” your non-vegan friends? When I was a non-vegan, I couldn’t stand the preachy type vegans who tried to guilt me into it. I’m horrible under pressure. Quite resistant actually…I don’t want anyone to push me into something I’m not ready for. But what’s a person to do when you know the health of your very close friends and family are at high risk because of the preposterous meat industry and their dirty little secrets? Well, you take what you know to be true, hope that you find the facts condensed in a nice little email, close your eyes, cross your fingers and send it to your whole buddy list…hoping that maybe, just maybe, they’ll feel ready to skim over the info with sprouting interest and without creeping skepticism. Information passed on by a third party seems to be a comfortable way for myself to share the truth with others without making them annoyed by me and my “crazy life choice” feeling like I’m trying to convert them. Converting them is not what I’m after. It’s empowerment I’m after. The people in my life are worth the truth. And that’s why I want them to know about the ammonia treatments. Or the rotting flesh in disguise….these facts about animal muscle tissues are facts that can’t stand to be disguised anymore. Check out the link to this article and read for yourself, you deserve to know. www.chicagotribune.com/health/ct-nat-meat-safety-20100121,0,288473.story?page=1 |
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 So Italian, so delicious! All that's missing is the fine music and a balcony! I had a craving for a really good Romano sauce last night. So I went at it, and coming up with this was super easy! If you ever want some noodles with Romano sauce, look no further…this will score some points all across the table. And no one will ever know that the sauce is chalk full of protein from the beans! You can even garnish with fresh basil if you’d like! What you’ll need:
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 So decorative, you almost don't want to eat it! Cookies, candy cane brownies, and ginger bread houses leave you feeling gross after the holidays? I’m not big on refined sugar, so when I do eat it, it takes it’s toll on me. Every year, I love decorating a ginger bread house. But since I’ve been vegan, I don’t buy a kit. I make the dough from scratch and cut my own walls and roof. Then I use all natural colors and vegan candy to make it look cute. Sure, it’s “natural” and cute, but it’s still sugar… Sugary foods are super addicting and are also some of the most damaging. This year, I made my gingerbread house with 25% less sugar, but it was too much anyway. After eating the chocolate door, a few gingerbread people, a couple gum drop bushes, and part of the roof, I felt ready to cave in. Of course this binge was spread out over the course of a couple days, but still, eating sugar makes you want more sugar. read more… |
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Biochemical individuality changes circumstances for each of us. Becoming ill is a multi-layered process. Could be the germ, could be the host! Could be the stress, could be the crumby diet! All four? During the holidays we do encounter lots of stress, good and bad. And that means that more stress equals more strain on the adrenal glands. The poor little things are pushin’ out cortisol more quickly than we can roll cookie dough, decorate a tree, or carol to the reindeer. Cortisol is a hormone that helps keep our balance during periods of stress. It is supposed to work well during periods of acute stress rather than prolonged stress however. So when we do have long periods of stress, it is most likely that the cortisol is more overworked than Santa’s elves. Producing too much cortisol destroys T-cells, and therefore our immunity becomes compromised. Combine that with excess sugar, fatty foods at Christmas parties, a few cups of Christmas cheer and very little sleep and this is a great set-up for all things yucky. Our elimination systems go into overdrive; lungs coughing out the junk, sinuses becoming inflammed, digestive systems running amuck, and all the while our intestinal flora is at its lowest, we’re desperate for some enzymes and our adrenals are screaming for help…. read more… |
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 Cruelty free Thanksgiving...Thankful to be vegan! I know that this has been turning into a major recipe blog lately, but it’s because I’m putting up all these recipes that are going into my book, My Teenage Rejection of Death Products, due out soon. I have a habit of cooking without measuring and have acquired many favorites, all of which my friends and family like and none of which I can pass on since I never bothered to write them down! So, I’ve been cooking up a storm lately–stuffed shells, french toast, etc.–all for the sake of the book…and of course for my friends, including you! Seeing as how Thanksgiving is right around the corner though, why not bake a pumpkin pie for your family? Or yourself? Or both? :) Enjoy. read more… |
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 Golden brown zucchini loaf right out of the oven! Mmm! This is a wonderful nutritious choice to serve with a hearty dinner—maybe mashed sweet potatoes and stew. The applesauce lends a subtle sweetness and adds some great fiber as well! What you’ll need: 2 c. whole wheat flour 1 c. gluten free all purpose flour* 1 Tbsp. baking soda 1 tsp. Baking powder ½ t. salt 1 Tbsp. cinnamon 2 tsp. Nutmeg 1 tsp. Cloves *NOTE: Sometimes I use oat flour or any all purpose flour read more… |
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 Stack up your morning with scrumptious french toast! Deluxe, yet relatively simple, this tasty morning delight is perfect for anytime…holidays, special occasions, breakfast in bed or just because. A triple layer treat with unforgettable goodness–enjoy! What you’ll need for the French Toast:
Additional ingredients:
NOTE: If you create a triple layer french toast stack using 3 slices of bread, you need 6 strawberries, sliced. If you are only using two pieces of bread, you’ll have one layer of strawberries; so use 3 strawberries, sliced. read more… |
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What you’ll need: |
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Veggies, protein, and layers of flavor will all be great reasons to get yourself outta bed for this creation. Inspired by my Best Burrito Ever, this breakfast version is a close cousin yet has a uniqueness all of it’s own! So dig into nutrient packed morning goodness and give the cereal a break! What you’ll need:
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You can have your fat and eat it too. Healthy avocado tops off a wonderful protein-packed hummus spread, with layers of deep, well-rounded flavor, that will leave you happy and satisfied. Garbanzo beans are a perfect blend of steady carbs, adequate fiber, and palate-pleasing protein, so don’t wait any longer–indulge in that Vitamin A and iron. Strength never tasted better!
 Balanced fats, proteins, and carbohydrates--the perfect triangle!
Ingredients: 1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed 2 Tablespoons Tahini Juice from ½ lemon* ½ teaspoon dried garlic flakes ¼ - ½ cup olive oil** 1/8 teaspoon celery salt 1/8 teaspoon sea salt 2 teaspoons parsley read more… |
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 Healthy Hair grows from the inside, out! Don’t look to the hair care aisle to treat your tresses…what you need is right there in pantry. And if it’s not, here’s what you can stock up on to let those locks shine! A balanced vegan diet supplies all the nutrients necessary, while keeping the offenders away. Here’s what I consider to be the top 6 picks for healthy hair: |
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