Eggs?

I will eat eggs and dairy from time to time. (Although I don't buy them to cook with.)
However, I have to say after watching this video, I could never bring myself to purchase any type of egg product anymore, knowing that I'm supporting this.
For those of you that think that eggs are produced from loving farms where the chickens roam free in grassy pastures- think again.
I guarantee you will not think of them the same way again, unless of course you have literally no soul.
The video is below.


http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2009/09/modern-day-nazis/

And that is pretty mild considering the practices that go into meat slaughterhouses...

Like, I understand how people say things like "Oh well just because you don't eat it doesn't mean it won't still happen!"

Because yes, that's true. BUT- I have a choice I have to make when given a circumstance such as this. Will I continue to purchase and support such a horrific practice when I know what is going on, and be able to live peacefully about it? Or, will I make a stand and have a clear conscience with the food that I eat, and eat the foods that are naturally grown from the earth that are free of any harmful animal fats- rejuvenating, life-bringing foods in which nothing was harmed for me to eat?

I think I'll take the latter option.

I'm absolutely DISGUSTED by the meat/animal food industry as a whole, and it's because of reasons shown in the video above. Cruelty is not cool. No matter WHAT kind of animal it is. I think, personally, that people need to stop rationalizing animal cruelty and categorizing "farm" animals as different than their own personal pets. How would you feel if someone took your new puppy and threw him in a grinder because he wasn't able to make them money? Or someone took your cat and stripped his skin off of him while still alive in order to produce a nice juicy dinner?

They are all animals, have life, feel pain, and are intelligent. A a cow or pig deserves the same life that your treasured family pet has.

I choose vegan/vegetarianism not only because the health benefits are amazing, but because I cannot live my life peacefully knowing I'm supporting a practice which is causing thousands of innocent animals to have their lives taken in inhumane, horrible ways. I could never again look at a piece of meat on my plate and feel good about it.

People think that I am "sacrificing," or that I'm being some sort of martyr for giving up meat. When in reality, I would not eat it if you PAID me, or if you said that nobody would ever find out- I just couldn't do it. It's really disgusting more than anything, honestly.

Now that being said, of course I don't have an issue with people eating it around me of course, and I will not make any remarks about what they are eating and say "EWW MEAT," etc. That is their personal choice to eat it just like I make a personal choice to eat a black bean burger, or avocado sandwich, etc.

And I'm also not going to look down on you or make you feel guilty for eating eggs or egg products. I mean, it's not fair for me to push my personal dietary beliefs on people. People get really touchy about that sort of thing, you'd be surprised. So you know, I write my little blog. :)

If something I say on this blog is offensive and makes you feel guilty- you should know that's not the intent and secondly, you can only feel guilty about something that you know is not right to begin with. Nobody has ever felt guilty for eating an apple. Food for thought!

But mainly the reason I showed this video is to just let you know that this is what is going on behind closed doors. It's unsettling, but why should you blind your eyes to the truth? You need to wake up and see that everything is not all rainbows and cotton candy and YOU have the ability to make conscious decisions about what you do. Don't let the media and what is considered "normal" dictate your life.


That is all :)

New recipe!

Okay, so today I bought a bunch of produce from Marvin's Market ( my favorite place to get produce! 3 bags FULL of fruits and veggies for about $13! Can't beat that!) and I was thinking... hmm... what do I want to make? I haven't cooked a large dish in awhile, lately I've been eating alot of salads and sweet potato with kale/spinach sauteed with mushrooms/chickpeas. I guess that's "cooking," but to me, what I count as cooking is more like an art form. I love to just put things together and try to create interesting combinations of foods. It's like an experiment! Over the past year and a half I've become quite a good cook if I say so myself- I am able to not follow recipes anymore and I enjoy just coming up with my own types of things based on the knowledge that I now know.

Today I came up with something especially tasty so I thought I would share! :)

I'm not sure what to call it really- it's some sort of mix between a chili/stew paired with organic red quinoa that I got at the Fresh Market. (Quinoa, like I'm sure I've mentioned before, is a type of grain that is akin to rice that is an amazing source of protein- especially great for vegan/vegetarians!

But anyways this is what you will need.

1/2 cup Quinoa
1 tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 green bell pepper
half a can of black beans
1 small onion
1 clove of garlic
2 roma tomatoes
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 tbs. cumin
1 tbs. chili powder
1/3 tbs. red pepper flakes
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic salt
(I threw in some extra cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes bc I love some HEAT!)

To start,bring 3/4 cup water to a boil, then add the quinoa and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
While the quinoa cooks, sautee the onion in olive oil in a large pan on medium/high heat for about 5 minutes, then add garlic, bell pepper, tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, and spices. Bring down to medium heat and let it cook for about 15 minutes. Continue tasting and add whatever spices you want. When it's done, you can either mix the quinoa and stew mixture together in the pan, or serve it by putting quinoa on a plate and putting the mixture on top. Either way it will be mixed together!

This dish is very healthy and very flavorful! It contains a ton of protein with the quinoa and black beans, and lots of veggies as well. It sure beats trying to swallow down mushy mixed veggies from a can. And it's pretty cheap to make- while a bag of quinoa may be around $4-5, it lasts for a long time and making this dish barely puts a dent in it. (This dish makes 3-4 servings, too!)

Black beans are cheap too, as well as the veggies. (I'm telling you, Marvin's Market is amazing. it's beside B. Merrell's on Veterans, close to Moon Rd.)

So there you go! I hope maybe someone out there in the interwebs tries this recipe! Let me know how you like it. I don't know how good I am at translating the things I just throw together into a calculated recipe haha.

Debunking Stereotypes/myths of Vegetarianism.

As a vegetarian, I get all sorts of questions, comments, etc. from people that are for lack of better word, ignorant.

I just decided to take it upon myself to debunk certain myths and explain certain things that confuse people that have not taken time to research nutrition. I am including several resources from doctors and respected health sites.

1.) "Where do you get your protein?"
Ah. The oft-asked question. Well, my friend, I'll tell you how.

"It is very easy for a vegan diet to meet the recommendations for protein. Nearly all vegetables, beans, grains, nuts, and seeds contain some, and often much, protein. Fruits, sugars, fats, and alcohol do not provide much protein, so a diet based only on these foods would have a good chance of being too low in protein. However, not many vegans we know live on only bananas, hard candy, margarine, and beer. Vegans eating varied diets containing vegetables, beans, grains, nuts, and seeds rarely have any difficulty getting enough protein as long as their diet contains enough energy (calories) to maintain weight."-Reed Mangels, Ph.D., R.D.

In other words, as long as you are eating RIGHT, which means the majority of your diet being fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, and nuts, etc.- you will definitely get your protein. All these things have protein, not JUST meat, eggs and cheese. In fact, most Americans actually get TOO MUCH protein, which has harmful effects. Interestingly, however, getting too much protein from plant based products do not have these harmful effects:

"High protein intake is also associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis due to calcium loss. When protein is digested, amino acids break apart and pass into the blood making the blood slightly acidic. Since your body needs to have a balanced pH level, calcium is pulled from the bones to neutralize acidity. Therefore, the more protein you have in your diet, the more acidic your blood will be and the more calcium that will be needed. Animal proteins (i.e. meats) are the main culprit of this cycle; grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits act as calcium savers." (2001), Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine

"Most Americans already eat more protein than their bodies need. And eating too much protein can increase health risks. High-protein animal foods are usually also high in saturated fat. Eating large amounts of high-fat foods for a sustained period raises the risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke and several types of cancer. People who can't use excess protein effectively may be at higher risk of kidney and liver disorders, and osteoporosis." American Heart Association

2.) How you get iron? Isn't meat the only source?

The American Dietetic Association and the British Medical Association have stated that vegans are not at any greater risk to suffer from iron deficiency anemia than non-vegetarians. The China Study agrees- it found that the Chinese, with their predominantly vegan diets, got 34 milligrams of iron on average compared to the 17 milligrams averaged by Americans.

"Vegetables that are good sources of iron are potatoes with their skin, bok choy, spinach, kale, watercress, broccoli, savoy cabbage, peas, turnip greens, mung bean sprouts, and tomato juice. Baked beans, adzuki beans, black beans, chick peas (garbanzo beans), kidney beans, lima beans, navy beans and pinto beans also provide iron to the body. Soya in its many forms, whole grains like whole grain bread or brown rice, black treacle, fortified breads, cereals and grains..." Fehmida Zakeer

3.) What the heck do you eat?!
Take one second and pry your brain away from the standard American diet of hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, and fries and you will find yourself with a whole WORLD of new and exciting foods out there. And you don't even have to eat tofu or any other meat substitute either. I barely EVER do. Ethnic foods are the best! Here are some of my favorite foods:
-Veggie fajitas with zucchini, onions, and peppers, loaded with gaucamole salad and salsa
-Veggie pizza
-Many Indian dishes are vegetarian or vegan, consisting of curried lentils and other veggies and/or rice, and are so flavorful and delicious!
-Also, there are many Thai dishes that can be enjoyed without meat, pad thai with veggies or tofu, curries, stir fry with veggies, etc.
-Burritos with black beans, avocado, spinach, and tomato
-Vegetable Stew
-Chili with no meat but full of beans, and sweet potatoes
-Avocado Sandwiches with spinach and tomato and garlic salt.
-Peanut butter sandwiches
-Whole grain apple-cinnamon pancakes
-Oatmeal
-Quinoa with beans
-Falafel, a middle-eastern meal made out of mini fried chickpea patties, stuff them in a pita and they are delicious!
-Black bean burgers topped however you want
-Zucchini "crab" cakes, (sounds crazy, but they taste like crab cakes and are DELICIOUS)
-Whole grain Spaghetti or Penne with sauteed veggies, I especially love to sautee spinach and zucchini and throw it in there.
-Baked Sweet potatoes
-Hummus with carrots or another raw veggie
-Stuffed peppers
-Guacamole and chips

You get the point, I hope.

4.)“Life's not fair. It's survival of the fittest, and the strong kill the weak.”

"There is little difference between this opinion and the idea that it is justifiable to kill, hurt, or otherwise violate any person you want as long as you can get away with it.

The "life's not fair" argument is the logic of such wonderful people as Fascists, military dictators, murderers, rapists, school-yard bullies, and self-centered people in general. If the philosophy of vegetarianism goes against the philosophy of this sort of people, then that is just another tremendous benefit of vegetarianism.

Indeed, it is reasonable to assume that people who are willing to consider the moral consequences of killing animals are more likely to restrain from violence against other human beings if at all possible. Vegetarianism inherently encourages peaceful thought and thus peaceful action. Conversely, it is not unreasonable to assume that thoughtlessly killing creatures by the thousands for nothing more than pleasure and convenience might lend to generally more violent thoughts and behaviors." Ed Pastore

5.)Animals are raised to be meat, so it's okay.
People used to be raised to be slaves- is that okay?

Here are some more nice factoids:

The Mayo Health Clinic states: "Vegetarians have lower rates of some cancers, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Vegetarians are also less likely to have gallstones, kidney stones and constipation and they weigh less on average."

The American Institute for Cancer Research provides a list of guidelines for a diet which helps prevent cancer. These guidelines recommend eating a "predominantly plant-based diet," eating a wide variety of vegetables, and limiting meat consumption.

The Journal of the American Dietetic Association states that, "...appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, are nutritionally adequate, and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases." The article then goes on to describe a variety of ways in which vegetarianism is a healthier lifestyle, citing lower mortality from and incidence of a variety of diseases and conditions.

The American Cancer Society states:

Scientific data show that vegetarian diets reduce not only obesity and constipation, but alcoholism and the risk of lung cancer as well. There is also evidence that diets excluding animal fats reduce the incidence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, type II diabetes and gallstones.

Vegetarian diets are healthful primarily because they reduce or eliminate fat derived from animal products, while containing almost the full range of vitamins and minerals essential to good health.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest reports on numerous health benefits from a vegetarian diet. Their article cites lower risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diverticulosis, constipation, macular degeneration, neural tube birth defects, and diabetes. The article also reports that "any raw food--including fruits or vegetables--can carry harmful bacteria... But meat, seafood, and poultry are the most likely culprits in foodborne illness."


I never try to force my beliefs on anyone. I never make fun of or ridicule people for eating meat. I don't think it makes me better than anyone, it is just my personal decision. If someone decides they don't like green beans, then they just don't eat green beans. Nobody harasses them about not eating green beans, they just don't eat them. Vegetarians don't eat meat. It's simple. I don't make a big deal about it. I just personally don't see the difference between any animal. A pig is equal to a cat is equal to a chicken. They all deserve life, to me. The negative health effects that eating meat can bring is even more of a reason to not eat meat. Any vitamin meat provides, you can get it in plant products WITHOUT the saturated fat/antibiotics/hormones/chemicals/etc. In not eating meat, I choose to not ingest something that has been tortured suddenly, that has possibly been sick, that has grown up in a dirty factory and has all this negativity surrounding it. I feel like if I would eat meat, I would eat all that negative energy...as hippieish as that sounds haha. When I eat something that is delicious, meat-free, with lots of good-for-you ingredients- I know that nothing was harmed for my pleasure, and that I am actually doing myself and my body a service by giving it what it needs and wants. It makes me feel GOOD to eat it. I don't go through life begrudgingly "giving up" meat. I don't WANT it. I think alot of people don't understand that. I'm not trying to be a martyr here. Meat is not looked at by me as some sort of "forbidden fruit" type of thing. It's not appetizing at all. Obviously, I can deal with people eating it around me, and working in a burger restaurant I have to deal with it as well, I just don't personally want to eat it myself.

And I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

Sources:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=11234
http://www.nwhealth.edu/healthyU/eatWell/protein_1.html
http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/protein.htm
http://www.veg
family.com/health/boost-iron-intake.htm
http://users.erols.com/epastore/veg/nutrition.html

Scary, huh?

I haven't done much research on this "population control" theory, (not that I doubt that it would be true as I feel as if the government and medical and big industries really don't care about the American people as a whole and I am a bit of a conspiracy theorist), so that is not my main point with this video- but all the information about food is definitely true.

Stop eating processed junk and diet sodas! You are literally eating chemicals and doing damage to your body.

Easy Schmeasy Pizza!

Okay, so I was kind of craving a pizza-like meal a little bit ago, and created this really easy, small portioned pizza- (you know, one of those that you won't be tempted to say "just oooone more slice..."

It is quite tasty and super duper easy and super healthy as well!

Here's what I did.

1.) Take a piece of bread (I used sesame Ezekiel bread. This may not work with most breads, especially soft breads because it is the "crust." I really would recommend using Ezekiel or another really hearty crusted bread for this so it doesn't fall apart! Although it may work with other bread, I just haven't tried it. Pita bread should work too. Just not like, Wonder bread or Sunbeam or something of the sort.)

2.) Anyways. Put some spaghetti sauce or tomato sauce on the bread. Then put some toppings on it! I put sliced zucchini, diced onions, and oregano. No cheese. You really don't need it. But if you want, feel free! I also drizzled some extra virgin olive oil on top of the veggies.

3.) Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees for about 10-15 minutes.

And voila! A yummy roasted veggie pizza. I guess it is equivalent to about 1 slice instead of a whole pizza, but what a delicious slice it is!

Enjoy!

Take two.

Ok. So you know my last post?
I'm going to be completely honest. It did not last as long as I had originally planned.
I got back into the routine of going out, eating chips and dip and ice cream like a crazy person (let alone, MOES all the time), going out for cocktails which add up in calories as well- so yeah. I ended up GAINING some more weight, and feeling really gross.

Well, those times are definitely over. All it took was a quick re-read of "Skinny Bitch," a new mentality on food, and I am on the road to being healthy and slim(mer) again.

I also made a realization about the way I eat: whenever I have food in front of me, I usually just scarf it all down. Everything that's in front of me. And I can do it in about 5 minutes flat. Now, what usually happens, especially at places like Moe's where you have a gargantuan amount of food is that I eat it so fast before my brain realizes that I am full- (You are supposed to take 20 minutes to eat so that your brain can process it!) and I over-eat. I thought that I just had a large appetite, but to be honest I was just over-eating. all. the. time. And in the process I'm sure I have been stretching out my stomach as well, causing me to continue this bad habit.

Well, like I said, I'm done with over-eating and stuffing myself. A strategy that I am going to use is using smaller plates to put food on, and just limiting myself in general. I don't HAVE to have a piece of toast AND fruit AND dessert with my bowl of pasta- I can just have the bowl of pasta. And eat it slower. Alot slower. I'm actually eating as I speak- some quinoa with chickpeas and diced tomatoes (Quinoa is a whole grain and a complete protein that is kind of like rice) on a small plate, and taking a little break between bites. I also drank a bottle of water before my meal, and I am already starting to feel full on alot less than usual.

I'm the type of person that can be very influenced by my own mindset- I mean like I can make a mental 180 pretty easily if I want to, so I really think that this may be a turning point for me. I'm sure at some points I will just want to ravenously scarf down everything in sight, but right now I seem to be doing pretty well. I just have this bad relationship with food where I just want to eat eat eat, instead of eating to sustain myself and my body.

I'm also going to go back to going primarily vegan again. Lately I have been sneaking in dairy products and eggs alot more than in the past, and I really feel like I have noticed the effects on my body. So no more dairy ice-cream, omelettes, or anything like that. Which will be hard in a way, but in another way not really. I have been used to eating really big extravagant breakfasts lately, but I am going to be paring that down to just 1 or 2 pieces of fruit, which is essentially the perfect food and is easier to digest on an empty stomach.
So when I say primarily vegan, I mean that I am not going to consciously eat dairy products if I can help it, however if I am offered something to eat that has trace amounts, I won't be totally anal about it!

I decided that it was beneficial for me to get rid of this excess weight I have put on, especially in the industry that I am going into. I know to the average person I seem "skinny" or whatever, but it is just depressing when you can't fit into your jeans that you used to be able to fit into, and clothes just aren't looking as good, and you see pictures of yourself that are just unflattering.

SO I have a new positive mindset and outlook and am ready to get super healthy again and kick these horrible summer habits to the wayside. Hopefully I can start working out again soon once I get my hip checked out- it still hurts to walk sometimes and I don't want to aggravate it too much until I know what is going on there.

OH! A new feature of this blog is to provide a recipe with each post. So in honor of what I'm eating right now, I'll post that!

Quinoa with Chickpeas

-1/2 cup Quinoa
-1 can chickpeas
-3/4 can diced tomatoes
-half an onion
-couple cloves garlic

-Bring the quinoa to a bowl in 1 cup water, then let it simmer for about 15 minutes. While that is cooking, sautee some onions and the garlic in another pan for abut 4 minutes. Add the chickpeas and tomatoes, and bring to low heat.
-Once the quinoa is done cooking, transfer it to the pan and add spices such as cayenne pepper, cumin, crushed red pepper, black pepper, salt, and chili powder to taste. ( I like everything a little spicy!)

And voila! You can also add veggies or whatever you want, and since Quinoa is a complete protein and chickpeas are pretty hearty- you can eat just that as your meal.
You can find Quinoa at Publix in the pasta section if you're wondering =]

Starting anew.

Dating, as we all can probably attest to, takes a toll on your diet. A dinner out here, a night out on the town there, random trips for ice cream...they all are things you do on dates, and especially in the summer, when you have time. As much as I enjoy these outings...I do have to say I may have gained a little weight. Not enough to where people notice, apparently, but just enough to where I feel... "ugh!" Alot of the time. Granted, I also haven't been working out as much as I usually do. I attribute this all to my lazy summer mentality and my loss of the gym membership I used so much last summer... also it has been challenging living with 3 roommates, one who bakes frequently, leaving sweet treats on the table for me to resist (or not resist, which is the more popular option.) Having pizza lying around the place is also not an uncommon sight.

Of course, I try to still eat healthy and I predominantly do, but I will let myself "slide" occasionally. But it seems here lately, I've been sliding down a slippery slope! So in effort to combat this, I've put on my dietitican hat and created a menu for myself for the week!

Here it is, in case you are curious and/or want to go along with me!

Breakfast:
-Egg White Omelette with sauteed Spinach, baby portobello mushrooms, green bell pepper, and onion, 1 slice sesame Ezekiel bread

Lunch:
-Raw green smoothie with strawberry, banana, and spinach, corn and black bean salad (Recipe here)

Dinner:
-Spinach and apple salad (Recipe here), slice Ezekiel bread with natural peanut butter

Evening snack: Carrots with hummus, pear, 1 Tofutti cutie (basically a low-calorie, dairy-free ice cream sandwich that is very very yummy and will satisfy my ice cream cravings! I feel like it will be impossible for me to cut out ice cream all together, or else I will go crazy one day and gorge on it, so I have to include it every day to stay sane. But this version is alot healthier than normal ice cream!)

Basically the evening "snack" is another meal, because I get super hungry at night. And I know it will be impossible for me to stick to a "no eating after 8 PM" type of rule because I stay up so late. And this is going to be the hardest part for me to stick to I have to say. But we'll see!

Yummm

Some great staples to always have on hand I find are whole grain tortillas, refried beans and/or black beans, and avocado. With those things you can always make delicious burritos that are filling and very healthy for you!

Today I made one with refried beans (make sure they are the fat free kind, the other is made with like bacon grease...blegh!), avocado, (Season with garlic powder, lime juice, salt/pepper for optimum flavor!) black olives, salsa, and spinach. (I find some way to put spinach on everything.)

You can heat the refried beans first. But yeah, this combo is pretty delicious. You can really put anything you want in a burrito which is why I love them so much! Even just plain refried beans with some seasoning is good and satisfying. And you get lots of protein which is good!

Oh, but the best part was dessert- I had some strawberries, and also some dates stuffed with almonds and rolled in a little bit of powdered sugar. Tastes sinful...but it is not!

However, lately I do admit I've been falling a tiny bit off the wagon on eating right...there have definitely been trips to sonic for ice cream, and pizza...ugh. But I'm really trying to get back on track again. It's been hard because I've been going on lots of dates and things like that, and it's so hard to eat right when you go out, to me at least. Also, it's summer- which means everyone is free to hang out all the time and go get food, etc. But I know, these are mere petty excuses!

I believe though that if you eat right for the majority of the time, like if you are buying the right types of groceries that that is the most important thing. Little treats here and there are not a big deal, as long as you are aware of what it is. The thing is so many people eat things and don't KNOW how bad it really is for you and they eat it regularly, instead of knowing how bad it is and just accepting it.

That being said, take advantage of summer's fresh produce that is in season, and enjoy your summer. Don't feel too bad about giving in to some ice cream now and then, although if you find yourself eating entire pints of Ben and Jerry's once every few days, that may be a little much. =]

Recipe!

Okay, So I realize I haven't posted in awhile. Shameful, I know! But as I was enjoying my lovely smeal (More than a snack, but less than a meal.) I realized that people should all know about it. So here it is. This is something that I eat alot here recently and is very filling and tasty- the Banana Dog. This is how its made:

1.) Spread peanut butter onto a whole grain tortilla or piece of whole grain bread.
2.) Sprinkle crushed almonds onto the tortilla or bread slice
3.) Place a banana in the middle
4.) Wrap or fold in half. And there you go- the Banana Dog. It's basically the concept of the peanut butter and banana sandwich, but just twisted a bit.

It's very tasty, and very healthy as well. A great SMEAL!

Earth Day?

So today is Earth Day and to celebrate Earth Day, they had a special menu on main campus (Although not at the downtown market, mind you). This was the menu:

Creamy Vegetable Casserole
Sun-dried Tomato Pasta
Jasmine Rice
Cauliflower with Lemon
Roasted Root Vegetables

Grill:
Grilled Vegetable Skewers
Portobello Burgers

Salad Bar:
Cabbage Fruit and Nut Slaw
Roasted Corn & Black Bean Salad
Broccoli Salad
Mango and Green Pea Salad

And a student was cooking her own recipe of vegan chili as well.

Needless to say, I was super excited and thought it would transfer to the downtown market as well, and was looking forward to it, especially since I had been out of groceries... and was very disappointed when it was not there. And even if I had traveled to main campus, as much as I appreciate CSU's effort, I do have to say that I wish they would offer these things not just ONE day a year. It's like... every other day they offer things like fried chicken, pizza, hamburgers and fries, etc... and maybe have ONE healthy option. The thing that really annoyed me the most about this, however, was the fact that everybody was complaining about it. SERIOUSLY!? It's so bizarre if you really think about it. People beg to be fed over processed, greasy, fattening food that leads to disease, weight gain, along with a myriad of other negative effects and COMPLAIN when they are actually offered something that is beneficial AND tasty. it's not like they were being offered pieces of plain lettuce and wheatgrass smoothies. There were PASTA dishes. And I'm sure many people didn't even TRY these things that they probably would have ended up liking, just because it's "healthy." Sometimes I get angered at how many people turn their noses at something just because it's supposed to be healthy. It's like... "Oh, it's actually good for my body and will make me feel 100 million times better than I do now while eating the junk that I eat? There were no animals harmed in the process? This is natural and from the earth? This is DiSGUSTING AND UNNATURAL!!!!"

It's a shame how we are so programmed to believe a plate of fried, antibiotic/hormone ridden chicken and fries is a normal meal, and the things that I posted above are not normal, even though they are whole foods, not processed at all and just natural foods. I just think it's sad, honestly.

I just hope one day people realize what they are eating and realize just how much your diet correlates to your immune system, propensity to get sick, weight gain, headaches, fatigue, etc. It's not normal to feel that way. But we are programmed to think it's normal, and just down an energy drink and a coke and you'll feel better, or, just pop a few pills. While in actuality these things only cover things up and/or make them worse.

*sigh* Anyways. I just had to rant again. I just wish people would realize these things, and if they so choose to eat junk 24/7 at least be open to when we are offered something GOOD for us for once, instead of complaining. But like I said before, people have to take their own journeys in realizing how important your health really is.

Observations.

So as you could tell from my last post, I have been really trying to add lots more raw foods into my diet, and surprisingly I bought so much fresh things and haven't gone out to eat- so it has actually been the majority of what I have been eating lately. It hasn't been an entire week, even. But you know what? I actually feel AMAZING. Like.. I don't know how to explain it. It's like feeling very light and clean. I have lots of energy throughout the day, and I don't even crave junky things when I'm eating this way which is a major deal, as I almost always crave something sweet after every meal, and I can eat SO much food...but I even get full faster and am satisfied with less. Like, for dinner I can have an apple, almonds and some dates and be full. I in fact just had a small bowl of Mango-Avocado Salad and I am very full.

And even crazier- I haven't worked out in about a week because my body has been resisting daylight savings time every morning (I know..shameful!) But I actually feel like I have LOST weight. Paradoxical, yet wonderful haha. That doesn't mean I'm giving up on working out at all, I still need to get some heavier weights and start on phase 2 of P90x! But maybe it's not as important as eating correctly. It makes you think, no?

So just in case you were wondering what exactly have I been eating- Celery sticks? Frozen Peas? I'll let you in on what I've been eating.

• For breakfast, I still have been eating cooked oatmeal, about half a cup with sliced strawberries or bananas. Although I cook it on the stove, and it is the pure raw oats, not the 'flavor packet' kind. It is a good, cheap breakfast that keeps me going and is very tasty. I also sprinkle a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon too. Yum!
  
• For lunch/dinner I have been eating the Kale salad I made in the earlier post, and I have also made avocado and spinach sandwiches on Ezekiel bread. (Ezekiel bread- the ultimate healthy bread. Contains no flour, made completely from sprouted grains and legumes and it is a perfect combination of protein. You put it in the toaster- it tastes great, like a hearty wheat toast. I like the sesame kind with sesame seeds on the crust. Make fun of me all you want- but this is the best bread out there in my opinion and worth the price as it is a bit more expensive than normal bread, You can find it in the freezer section as there are no preservatives to let it last on a normal shelf.)
  
• I've also made a few green smoothies as a meal, a really great combination I have found is like 6 strawberries, a banana, a big handful of spinach, some ground flaxseed (provides a fat source- that keeps you full!) some ice and water. It comes out looking really gross, I'll admit. But it tastes fruity and delicious and it makes a really large smoothie that holds you for hours! You can use pretty much any combination you want. It is so good to get those fresh greens and if you don't like the taste of spinach or kale- you can disguise it with the fruit! And who doesn't love fruit?
  
• Once I made guacamole out of one avocado and packed that with a sliced up red bell pepper and scooped the guacamole with the pepper. That was my whole meal but it was SOO GOOD and SO filling! The red pepper was a great substitute for chips that would leave you feeling "Blagh" if you ate alot of them.
  
• Since I am on the go constantly, I have even just used a piece of fruit and some dates/almonds as a meal and have found that it satisfies me well.
  
• By the way, dates are really great. You can find them in the dried fruit area, and I have been stuffing the centers with almonds or dipping them in peanut butter as a snack and they are so good because they are sweet, and also really good for you! They are also a great energizing boost if you need it!
  

So, basically, I have found that since eating raw food for the majority of my meals for less than a week, I have found that I feel awesome, I don't need to eat as much to be full ( Probably from the high water content of fruits/veggies!), and that I feel leaner. I definitely think that instead of doing what I have been doing which is cooking a big pot of stew and reheating it in the microwave everyday for lunch, that I will continue to eating alot of raw meals. This doesn't mean that I will never eat anything cooked again, because that is just ridiculous, and I know I will and I know I will probably eat some junk food every once in awhile because I am in college, and I am a human. But to be honest- I really enjoy eating this way better... like I will see other people's plates with a greasy hamburger or chicken fingers and fries and I don't want anything like that in the least! People think that it must be tempting for me but it really isn't. Because I think back to when I ate that all the time last year and how horrible I felt all the time...you really don't realize how bad you feel eating junk all the time until you stop and you are just amazed at how much better you really do feel!


I know that going from eating hamburgers and fries every day to eating raw vegan the most of the time is virtually impossible, and raw vegan may not even be a lifestyle certain people could ever do, but it is just little steps that will make you feel better...For example, instead of fries grab a side salad with olive oil and lemon juice as a dressing. Or grab one of those Naked smoothies with an Odwalla or Kind nut bar. Or grab some of the fresh fruit that is sitting out in the market (Sometimes... they need more in my opinion- but if people don't buy it they won't provide it!) And it doesn't hurt to grab some candy every once in awhile, but eating a candy bar after every meal is adding unneeded calories and sugars, etc. that will hurt you in the long run.

Things to remember:

• YOU deserve the best. Your body is all you have. It wants to be treated right. It doesn't want Taco Bell at 3 AM, 4 nights a week. I think everyone deserves to feel great and live with clarity and peace. I know food may be an afterthought to certain people, but it is important to really think about what you are putting into your body. Read the labels of the things you eat and read the ingredients. You eat many times a day- just keep in mind teh things that you are putting into your body over and over. Also realize that you may get away with it at this point in life if you are a college student, but if one continues to eat horribly throughout their life, it will catch up to you in some way. Diseases such as cancer, etc. are unnatural. Processed foods are made with unnatural chemicals. There IS a direct correlation between diet and disease. Wouldn't you rather eat better now than suffer consequences later? The medical industry is having a heyday with the way our nation eats. Every fast food place has a new dollar menu and processed, unhealthy frozen meals can be purchased for a dollar. But with these things come with dangerous chemicals and toxins that can result in lots of money in medications you really wouldn't need if you just didn't eat crap.
  
• I have realized that people will think I am the biggest health freak ever. But I'd rather be labeled as a weird health nut that feels awesome, doesn't contribute to the torture of animals, and is in good shape for eating foods that help my body. It's a pretty good trade, if you ask me. :)
• I also have realized that people have their own journeys to take in life, and just reading a blog from an over-enthusiastic girl like me is not going to make anyone stop eating meat or dairy, or quit hating anything that is supposed to be healthy for them. But I am just relaying information I have picked up on or experienced, and I hope that it can benefit whoever may happen to stumble across this blog.
  

Again, the whole reason I write this blog is not for me to preach or get on my high horse about how I eat is better or anything like that- I really don't want people to get the wrong idea- but I just really want everyone around me to feel as great as I do, because I care about those around me. If I didn't care, I wouldn't take the time to research and write this blog! And I just think health is such a priceless thing... We only have one life to live and I want to be able to live with health and vitality while I can, and enjoy my life. And yes, it's possible to eat really really healthily and still enjoy your food- I hate when people say things like "well I'd rather enjoy this triple bacon cheeseburger and enjoy my life" because in all honestly, they think they are enjoying it, maybe they are for a few minutes, but afterwards see how your body feels. Suffering from indigestion and being really sluggish is not making one able to enjoy life too much, if you ask me! So don't feel sorry for me with my fruit, veggies and crazy bread- I'll be doing something fun and enjoying myself. And I want company! So put down the triple bacon cheeseburger, grab a pear, and let's dance :)

Raw?

Lately, I notice how horrible I feel when I haven't eaten anything fresh in awhile. It's a hard feeling to describe..but its kind of heavy and sluggish? Whatever it is, it's a bad feeling. Recently, I saw a video on Youtube of a woman who was around 70 years old, yet looked about in her 40s or so. She was gorgeous, disease/medication free, and attributed her youth to her diet which actually consisted of 100% raw foods- basically just fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, olive oil, etc. No meat, no dairy. While it may be hard to imagine such a diet- when you really think about it, it makes alot of sense.

It seems in every magazine we read, there is a new article that says :

"(Such and Such vegetable/fruit) has been tested to reduce cancer!" or,
"New study finds that (such and such vegetable/fruit) helps with (such and such disease!)"

So, of course eating a diet consisting solely or the majority of these things (most people who follow the "raw" diet only follow it 75-90% or so) would lead to a life of health, right? That's my thinking.

Now before you think I've really gone off the deep end on you, I'm not "going raw" so to speak, haha. But I am definitely going to incorporate raw meals into my diet more, and I am going to start making smoothies, specifically "green" smoothies which include any mixture of fruit and then greens such as kale or spinach. (It colors them green, but most of the time you shouldn't even taste it! Kind of like those green "Naked" smoothie drinks.)

I definitely feel that incorporating more raw food (to reiterate, not raw as in "raw fish" but raw as in, fruits and veggies that are not cooked- eaten in their most nutritious state!) into your diet
can be nothing but beneficial!

From happycow.net:

Why go Raw?
The benefits of going raw-vegan are boundless. Rawfoods are easy to digest, and they provide the maximum amount of energy with minimal bodily effort. Studies have shown that living foods have healing powers that can alleviate many illnesses such as low energy, allergies, digestive disorders, weak immune system, high cholesterol, candida, obesity and weight problems (weight normalization), etc.. Research and real life experiences have also shown that a person can prevent the body's healthy cells from turning into malignant cancerous cells by consuming mostly a raw food diet that includes whole organic foods!

If you are not eating any fruits and veggies, and consider a slimy piece of lettuce and tomato slice on a hamburger at McDonald's your sole source of fresh food- I am willing to bet you are suffering from fatigue, headaches, aches and pains, trouble with losing weight,etc. It is SO IMPORTANT to eat fresh food! And for people who say they can't "afford" eating healthy... save your money on Tylenol and prescription pills, cigarettes, sodas, junk food, etc. and use it to buy food that tastes great, gives you energy, fights disease, and makes you feel great!

After doing some more research on raw recipes, I found one that I was eager to try and I made it tonight. It's a Mediterranean Kale salad with kale, olives, lemon juice, olive oil, and red bell pepper. It's so healthy you feel your cells thanking you with every bite, haha. And it's very tasty as well!

You can find the youtube video explaining the recipe here . It provides the technique for making kale palatable without cooking it. (The woman comes across as a bit awkward at first haha. But I'd rather watch her than Paula Deen.... the Food Network demon of all that is unhealthy and life-threatening!)

An introduction.

So, I decided to start an additional blog focused on vegetarian/veganism, health, and fitness in general.

Here's why:

• I have a strong passion for the health of myself and others
• I want an outlet to rant about food, the health of our nation, and other related topics without feeling like I'm being overbearing on my personal blog, and just in life in general...those around me... I have to refrain myself in everyday life so here I just let it all out! If you come to this blog, you know what you are getting yourself into, hehe ;)
• I love to explore and find new yummy veggie recipes, and here is a place that I can share them with other veggies or omnivores who are trying to eat healthier!

About Me!
I'm Janine, and I'm a junior in college. I am a theatre performance major and I love to sing, act, dance, and perform in general. Visit my other blog where I talk about those kinds of things! :P
I'm a creative soul- so it doesn't stop at theatre! I also love to create jewelry and accessories, and sell them on my etsy store., and I'm a freelance makeup artist. I also love quirky fashion, vintage things, the 40s, makeup, bright colors, kickboxing, yoga, indian fabric, incense, laying out in the sun, dressing up, cats, painting, blogging, youtubing, belting showtunes in the car, sequins, flowers, and sprinkles. =]
I am a strict vegetarian meaning I don't eat any meat at all, including fish, and I don't purchase milk, cheese, or eggs- though I may eat them on occasion if I am out somewhere or something like that, so I can't really call myself vegan, although I pretty much eat vegan at home. (I live in Columbus, GA- not exactly a mecca of healthy restaurant selections.) Apart from my dietary habits, I also believe very strongly in being active. Right now I'm actually doing the P90x workout system, and I absolutely love it! I've fallen a bit off the wagon lately as I've been out of town quite frequently and things have been a bit wonky schedule wise, but now Spring Break is over and I'm ready to jump right back in. So far it's a major kick in the butt but I love it! Whenever I workout I feel so much better in general. I sleep well- I have more energy, and I feel more focused on life in general. It's good to get some sweat goin'!

Why did I become a vegetarian, and why is it so important to me?
It took one read of the book "Skinny Bitch" from cover to cover in one sitting to convince me to become vegetarian completely. Contrary to the cover, it is not all about how to "get skinny," but it really is a wake-up call on how the things that are normal to most people such as meat and milk are really making us fat and are detrimental to our health. It also sheds light on the horrors of the animal food industry. After more research regarding the sickening and disgusting ways animals are treated to then produce meat laden with hormones, antibiotics, and disease and infused with torture and hate- I decided that I just couldn't eat animals anymore.
Also, At this point I have a hard time differentiating between an animal bred to make food such as cows, pigs and chickens, and cats or dogs. I mean, what is the real difference? Cats and dogs are not socially acceptable to eat in America even though they are in other countries. Most people wouldn't dream of eating their beloved pet, yet have no problem slicing into a rack of ribs from a pig. It honestly seems a bit hypocritical to me! I just believe that it is completely possible to live a healthy lifestyle (actually, much healthier) without the consumption of meat. Yes, you need to do your research, and yes, you will probably need to learn to cook and be familiar with different types of produce. Once you figure out all the wonderfully interesting and delicious veggie meals out there, the standard "Meat & Potato" American diet seems awfully boring and bland! Becoming vegetarian has probably been one of the best decisions I have ever made for my own health and well-being and it makes me feel good to know that I am not partaking in cruelty of animals. =]

(I couldn't resist posting this. It is too adorable.)