03 Jul 2013
Going Vegan Tips, Vegan Product Reviews
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4 Comments

So… You Are Invited To A BBQ and You’re Eating Vegan… Now What?!

fireworks at a bbq

Don’t worry… if you’re invited to a bbq and you’re eating vegan just follow my lead!

Independence Day is just the kick-off to a BBQ-filled summer for many of us… which to me, means a super fun times with my friends and loved ones!

Have you ever experienced something like this? As you are being invited to a BBQ, the invitation ends with an uncomfortable, “Oh yeah, but you don’t eat meat!” Sometimes it even seems like the person feels badly about having even asked! But here’s the deal… A BBQ does not have to be synonymous with a meat-eating extravaganza! I look at BBQs as an opportunity to spend time with friends, meet new people, play volleyball (there is often a beach v-ball court around here in South Beach), have a few drinks, a lot of laughs, and share my vegan lifestyle simply by being present and being me!

So when I am invited to a BBQ, I get the details first because for me, a pig skewered over a fire pit is simply beyond the boundaries of what I am able to handle! (But for some of you who are vegan strictly for the health benefits, this might not be a problem!) Then, if I accept the invitation, I of course offer to bring some food, which is never turned down. And the friend usually realizes at that point that they are also planning on cooking up some veggies anyway!

grilling veggie burgers at a bbqIf you enjoy preparing food, then please, have fun making your home-made vegan patties, potato salad, coleslaw, and whatever else you are craving! There are tons of awesome recipes out there to try!

Since I am not much of a cook however, I usually grab veggie burgers and vegan hot dogs to bring, as well as baby carrots, celery (I chop ahead of time) and hummus. My top vegan picks to bring  are:

– Amy’s California & Bistro Burgers (Great tasting, satisfying to meat-eaters and vegans alike, plus the California one is gluten free!
– Gardenburger Black Bean Chipotle (love adding avocado to this one)
– Lightlife Jumbo Smart Dogs (Perfect hot dog sub and Gluten Free as well!)
– Vegenaise, Low Fat  (Texture and taste are both fantastic.)
– Daiya Cheese Slices (cheddar, provolone, and swiss options.)

Believe it or not both the faux meats and the veggies and hummus are almost always a hit at the party!

Now relax & have a blast!!!

And if anyone has links to recipes you have tried and love, feel free to post a comment to share!

14 Jun 2013
Vegan Fashion
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3 Comments

Faux Leather Hits the Runway!

Faux Leather Hits the Runway

Talk about sexy fit vegan style.. Faux leather has hit the both the runway and the red carpet this year.

Celebrities such as Anne Hathoway asport their fashion forward cruelty-free boots and dresses, while top designers like Tom Ford and Stella McCarney are rolling out new pieces to add to their lines.

Anne Hathoway wears faux leather on the red carpet

Check out the article in New York Magazine, “Pleather Is Back, But Don’t Call it Vegan Leather,” for all the hot details

 

flexoffers

14 Jun 2013
Going Vegan Tips, Vegan-Related Books & Documentaries
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1 Comment

Documentary Review: Forks Over Knives

Vegan Documentary

Forks Over Knives is my favorite documentary about the effects of adopting a whole foods, plant-based diet to date.

The Forks Over Knives Documentaryscientific data presented throughout the film is staggering. I felt like every minute of the film held my attention. And the quality of the directing and videography was top notch.

Forks Over Knives co-stars Dr. T. Colin Campbell, author of The China Study, a book that presents the results of the most comprehensive study on nutrition ever performed. Dr. Esselstyn, the other costar, brought his experience and expertise from the clinical setting. But both discovered the same thing… Eating a whole foods, plant based diet, free from all animal products and byproducts, can prevent and even cure the diseases that kill millions of people every year, including heart disease and cancer.

After viewing the documentary, I was able to convince my mother and my newly declared boyfriend both to watch it within the next 24 hours. I want to share with you the text conversation (yes, I am a big texter, I admit) I had with my boyfriend, Rob, because maybe it will help you convince your loved ones to watch!:

Ella: “Please promise me you will watch this documentary… Forks Over Knives… It’s all about real scientific research on our nutrition, particularly as related to disease including cancer, prevention, and cures. Cuz I care about you. Please promise! I bought it on itunes.”

Rob (12 hours after texting me to say he promised): I watched that movie and I’m totally switching to eating Vegan! You’d have to be half [stupid] to see that n continue to eat meat n crap, I’m just going to need your help 🙂

It was music to my ears!! There is nothing I want more than to help him, and every single person in the world who wants to adopt a vegan diet!!! So download or order the DVD Forks Over Knives now, and lets get this revolution rockin’!

 

01 Jun 2013
Vegan Fame and Fortune, Vegan Fashion, Vegan Nutrition
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3 Comments

Featured in Haute Living Magazine!

Vegan Fitness Ella Magers TKO

Check it out! Haute Living Magazine

AGP_9405 (1)

Meet Ella Magers – Miami’s Sexy Celebrity Trainer

If you’ve been eating a little too much mac n’ cheese at Prime One Twelve, it may be time to get a trainer and some good, ahem, dietary advice. Enter Ella Magers, who offers up lifestyle consulting and personal training sessions to Miamians with means. Aside from nutrition consultation, she’ll help you blast fat in a one-hour workout with kick-boxing moves, abdominal workouts and strength training .

Ella Magers is a personal consulting and wellness professional based in Miami Beach who has worked with professional athletes like Alex Rodriguez. She started her practice of Muay Thai 10 years ago when she worked under a world champion and now teaches Muay Thai Boot Camps at SobeKick Miami.

“The work out is so great because you work everything.  You work the lower body, and you have the kicks and elbows, so it’s the science of the 8 limbs,” says Ella of her practice of Muay Thai.

Magers isn’t just incredibly buff, she is also vegan, so in addition to personal training, Ella is also promoting her new website Sexyfitvegan.com.  The website promotes a vegan lifestyle because “it is not only healthy, but a compassionate way to live.”  Ella also does in-person consulting in Miami in order to help people transition seamlessly into a vegan lifestyle and drop pounds.

“I work with them on nutrition.  I take people from where they are and look at schedules and families.  Everybody has things going on in their lives and they need somebody to look and fit in the exercise and how to eat right, even if they’re traveling,” said Ella.  “All of those components are really important.”

Ella was also the Fame Fitness World Champion in 2007 and knows a thing or two about getting results. Following her strategies and workouts, she says clients “start to feel a difference and start to feel their clothes fitting loosely” in no time at all.

But what if you want to hit the chocolate fountain at Dylan’s?

“As long as you find a balance in which you are eating healthy, and doing mostly the rights things, you got to go and have fun too,” says Ella.  “I don’t want to be unrealistic, I want people to have fun.”

by Brittany Weiner 

01 Jun 2013
Vegan Product Reviews
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6 Comments

Vegan Protein Pasta: Sexy Fit Vegan® Approved

Vegan protein pasta

Yes, a vegan protein pasta DOES exist and it blows away non-vegan protein pasta in terms of the nutrition and protein content!

Vegan Protein Past: Mung Bean Fettuchini

A low-carb, high-protein, high-fiber, organic, grain-free, gluten-free, preservative-free, vegan pasta that actually tastes great… it’s hard to believe!

Here are the details…

Product: Organic Mung Bean Fettuccine

Brand: Explore Asian

It can be tricky to find locally so you may need to order it and stock up. You can find it on Amazon
among many other online health food stores.

Make sure to sign up for the FREE Sexy Fit Vegan Newsletter for a super easy to make healthy Mac’n Cheese recipe I created. You will also find a recipe for vegan protein pasta primavera in the How to Go Vegan Beginner’s Guide… YUMMY!!!

21 Apr 2013
Vegan Fame and Fortune, Vegan Fashion
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2 Comments

Shout-Out to Ellen DeGeneres

Vegan Ellen Degeneres

I want to give a big shout-out to Ellen DeGeneres for being such a strong voice for the voiceless! Since going vegan years ago, Ellen has been extremely vocal about her reasons and dedicated to spreading the word and helping others get on the path of compassion and health. Since her interview with Katy Couric several years ago (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-4j6vSyDu0) Ellen has made it a point to do interviews with other vegan celebrities such as Bill Clinton (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N6SbPolnd4&list=PL0750DC26D579C835&index=1) and Kathy Freston (https://www.ellentv.com/2012/03/19/kathy-freston-talks-healthy-eating/). She did an amazing job when she was on the Rachel Ray show, demonstrating her ability to share her knowledge and experiences in a way that doesn’t alienate people (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_wCA2AH3dg). A large part of her website is also devoted to vegan tips, news, recipes, etc. GO ELLEN! Keep up the great work!!!