21 Oct 2015
Vegan Fitness, Vegan-Related Current Events
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Join Our 6-Week Burpee Challenge!

Burpee-Challenge-2015

The holidays will be here before we know it… time to aim high to get in the best shape of our lives before the feasting begins!

Last year’s burpee challenge was awesome! It was motivating and inspiring to take on the burpee challenge with people in my own gym, and people all over the world (thanks to Instagram/social media)! Here’s a glimpse of one of our burpee sessions (we did tuck jump burpees this day):

This year, we are changing it up, making it a 6-week journey leading up to the holidays and the release of my Six Weeks to Sexy Abs Meal Plan book. We’ll focus on fitness for these six weeks with this burpee challenge, and then, with the help of the effective meal plan formula and delicious recipes in the book, we can focus on diet for the start of the new year!

So here’s the deal… Starting November 2nd, we will be performing 300 burpees per week for six weeks (ending December 13th). The “fun” addition is that each week we will be doing a different burpee variation. And yes, they get more challenging each week of course ;). You can split the 300 burpees up however you want. Doing 100 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday is one option for example. Or 50 burpees a day Monday through Saturday would work. You can of course do 300 one day and get them over with for the week… I’ve never done more than 200 in one day, and that was quite a training session so I can only imagine how challenging it would be to do 300!

I won’t overwhelm you with all six burpee variations now… let’s just start with week 1, which consists of the standard, “Crossfit” style burpee. You simply put your hands on the floor by your feet, jump back into a plank as you lower all the way to the ground. Your chest and hips both must touch the floor. You then push back up as you pop up your hips, feet landing near your hands. Come up to standing as you jump with your arms over head. That’s one repetition. 299 more and you have met the quota for the week!

Burpees are painfully awesome because they work your entire body and challenge your cardiovascular system all at once. Plus, after doing a large set I promise you’ll feel proud and accomplished!

This year let’s all share our burpee sessions:

  • on Facebook by joining the group HERE, and
  • on Instagram (@sexyfitvegan) using the hashtag #6WkBurpeeChallenge. I will be randomly choosing photos and videos to feature and be giving away some freebies as well! 

So… are you in?! Make the commitment! You won’t regret it. 

You can also go ahead and pre-order Six Weeks to Sexy Abs Meal Plan so you’ll have it at your door when you wrap up this challenge!

6-week-burpee-challenge

 

19 Oct 2015
Vegan Recipes
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Protein Fettuccine with Peas and Lemon Caper Sauce

vegan-protein-pasta-dish-with-peas

This easy vegan recipe is incredibly satisfying, high in vegan protein, easy and quick to make, AND packed with nutrients!

I used Expore Asian’s Mung Bean and Edamame Fettuccine, which is not only high in protein, but also high in fiber and low in carbohydrates. Any pasta can be used however, if you don’t have this particular pasta. I discovered Banza Chickpea Pasta the other week and it’s amazing, tasting more like “regular” pasta than the Mung Bean and Edamame one. There are quite a few whole grain, even sprouted whole grain varieties of pasta on the market that are healthier then traditional white pasta and will work with this recipe. I’m all for you using my recipe as a starting point, and playing around with it based on the ingredients you have available and your taste!Mung Bean Fettuchini

Protein Fettuccine with Peas and Lemon Caper Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1/2 a package Mung Bean & Edamame Fettuccine
  • 1 1/2 cups frozen peas
  • 2 handfuls of baby spinach
  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp minced garlic
  • 3 Tbsp chopped basil
  • 1/2 cup chopped parsley
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp capers
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Bring a large pot of water to boil.
  2. Add the fettuccine and frozen peas and bring back to boil, cooking for 5-7 minutes until the pasta is al dente.
  3. Drain and rinse.
  4. Put the pot back on the stove, turning the temperature to medium.
  5. Add the olive oil and garlic and saute for about 2 minutes.
  6. Add the spinach and lemon juice, and continue to saute.
  7. When the spinach begins to wilt, add the basil, parsley, and capers, and saute for another minute.
  8. Add the pasta and peas back into the pot and mix with the sauce until hot.
  9. Add sea salt and pepper to taste.
  10. Enjoy!

If you try any modifications let us know how it turns out!

 

16 Oct 2015
Uncategorized, Vegan Fitness
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Choose the Right Vegan Running Shoe

Vegan-Running-Shoes

If running is a part of your exercise routine and you care about animals and supporting cruelty companies, this blog post on vegan running shoes is for you!

Let’s talk about picking the right running shoe for your individual needs first. Here are 5 things that need to be taken into consideration when choosing the best shoe for you.

1. Pronation

Pronation has to do with how your foot rolls in or out, or stays straight. The following illustrations from BuzzFeed do a great job showing you what this looks like. There are different types of shoes that work best for each type.

Normal Pronation for a vegan runner

Overpronation for Vegan Runners

Underpronation for Vegan Runners

Images Credit: Alice Mongkongllite / BuzzFeed

2. Foot Strike

Foot strike refers to what part of your foot hits the ground first when running. There is the forefront strike, midfoot strike, and heel strike. There seems to be some inconsistencies among experts when it comes to which is the “best.” A midfoot strike may cause the least impact on your joints, but it seems to also depend on your own body mechanics and the shoe you choose. Changing your shoe to one with a lower heel can be helpful if you tend to heel strike and are having joint pain.

3. Cushion

How much cushion do you want between your foot and the ground? This infographic from RoadRunnerSports illustrates the different levels of cushion. The best one for you will depend on what feels most comfortable and works best with your body mechanics.

Cushion Level for vegan runners

 

 

4. How many miles you run per week

The more miles you run, the more durable your shoe needs to be. 

5. Shoe Size

Generally speaking, your running shoe should be at least 1/2 a size larger then your “normal” shoe size. This is because your feet swell and spread during your run. For some people, including myself, a full size larger end up being the most comfortable when running more than a couple miles. 

I recommend finding a specialized running store where the staff will help you figure out the best running shoe for your needs. Find a store that has a treadmill so your gate can be examined to determine the answers to all the questions I mentioned. 

Now for making sure you buy a cruelty free/vegan running shoe. Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think! A ton of companies use synthetic materials instead of leather, and some quality companies are completely vegan-friendly. PETA created a great infographic to help us be informed about running shoe companies vegan status: 

 

vegan-running-shoe-guideI hope this helps you on your quest to find the right vegan running shoe. Any runners out there that have other tips please share!

 

14 Oct 2015
Going Vegan Tips, Vegan Fashion, Vegan Product Reviews
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Vegan-Friendly Tattoos

Vegan Tattoo

I have been itching for a new tattoo lately, but I want to do it right and make sure it’s vegan-friendly (and share my research with you of course)!

I would say I have two and an eighth tattoos now.  Yes, an eighth lol… I had 3 that I got done between the ages of 17 and 20. The first was a tribal design on my lower back which would in later years be labeled a “tramp stamp” (I have come to embrace my tramp stamp over the years)! The second some Chinese characters on my ankle meaning “peace, light, and secure.” And last a female symbol with tribal art right below my bikini line. Well, I don’t know if the guy was nervous or what but he royally screwed that one up and I ended up getting 6 laser sessions to remove it. It’s almost gone, but I can still see the remnants so I consider it still an eighth there. I will finish the removal process eventually! 

In the mean time, 10+ years have gone by (if I want to totally date myself), and I’ve been craving a new tattoo, one that truly represents who I am and what I stand for. I’m playing around with tons of ideas and as soon as I decide on the right one I will be ready to get it done. That’s why I want to go ahead and get the research done to make sure I end up with a truly vegan tattoo. Especially since the tattoo itself will have the word “VEGAN” in the design and I want it to spark vegan-related conversations with anyone and everyone I come across.

So here’s what I found out…

Finding a vegan tattoo shop would be the best case scenario… There’s one in Portland for example, called Scapegoat Tattoo Company. Then you have nothing to worry about! But since vegan tattoo shops are fairly few and far between, it’s important to at least find a shop where the owners and artists are understanding and helpful dealing with your request to have a fully vegan tattoo experience. In Miami, Gauntlet Tattoo for example, is one shop that uses vegan ink (they even advertise it on their website).

Some tattoo inks are made with animal products like bone char, glycerin from animal fat, gelatin from hooves, or shellac from beetles. So it’s important to ask if the tattoo shops/artists if they use vegan inks or if they can order some for you. 

Some vegan brands of ink include:

  • Eternal
  • StarBrite
  • SkinCandy
  • Stable Color
  • Electric Ink USA
  • Dermaglo
  • Intenze
  • Fusion Tattoo Ink

It will be smart to take along your own razor, since the ones they have in-house may have a gel strip made from glycerin. Green soap, which is often used, is not vegan, so using a soap like Dr. Bronner’s is safe. Also, petroleum jelly is a vegan alternative to some A&D Ointment which can sometimes contain cod liver oil or lanolin.

And of course, We’ll want the tattoo-care products to be vegan as well.

Some vegan after-care products are:

  • Merry Hempsters Vegan Hemp Tattoo Balm
  • Black Cat Vitamin Infusion Serum
  • Ohana Organics Tattoo Butter
  • Dr. Bronner’s Body/Tattoo Balm
  • Jojoba oil
  • Coconut oil
  • Shea butter

When it comes to the safety of the ingredients in tattoo ink, we can’t rely on the FDA to help us out. They do not regulate tattoo ink. Beyond the ink, the other ingredient that carries the pigment into the skin is known as the carrier. Non-toxic versions of the carrier include purified water, glycerin (vegetable-based), and ethanol. White and black (iron) are the most toxic colors of conventional tattoo ink, and red pigments cause the most allergic reactions due to the iron oxide (rust), cinnabar, or cadmium red content. Bright and neon pigments often require plastics or chemicals so are best to avoid.

Some non toxic (and Vegan) ink ingredients include:

  • Black – carbon and logwood
  • White – titanium dioxide
  • Yellow – turmeric
  • Green – monoazo, a carbon-based pigment
  • Blue – sodium and aluminum (is that really safe?), many that contain copper are safe.
  • Red – Naphthol which can still cause a reaction
  • Purple – dioxazine and carbazole

Here is some vegan tattoo inspiration I got from Veganmarks.tumblr.com

Vegan Tattoo Vegan Tatto Animal Liberation Vegan Tattoo Black Vegan Tattoo Freedom Vegan Tattoos Hand and Wrist

I hope this helps… Please let me know if you have more suggestions and share your experiences!

Featured Image Photo Credit: Being Vegetarian on Tumblr

12 Oct 2015
Going Vegan Tips, Vegan Recipes
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Cumin Chickpea Celery Salad

Cumin-Chickpea-Celery-Salad

This healthy, easy vegan recipe has become one of my lunch staples because it’s so clean and quick to make.

In fact, I’m eating it right now as I write this! I also like having it for lunch because I leave out onion and garlic and as much as I LOVE these ingredients, I don’t love having their remnants stick with me the rest of the day.

Cumin Chickpea Celery SaladCumin Chickpea Celery Salad

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups chopped celery
  • 3/4 cup chopped parsley (I like the curly but the Italian parsley works as well)
  • 1 15 oz can of chickpeas (salt free), drained
  • 1/2-1 Haas avocado, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/8 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/8 teaspoon coriander
  • Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

Mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the chopped celery, parsley, chickpeas, and avocado. Toss. Eat!

It doesn’t get much easier than that. If you like a little spice you can also add a bit of cayenne pepper. Unlike most salads, this one tastes fine the next day if you have leftovers, just make sure to put it in a sealed container so the avocado doesn’t turn dark and ruin the aesthetics of this delicious vegan dish. Hope you enjoy this addition to your vegan diet plan as much as me!

09 Oct 2015
Going Vegan Tips, Vegan Fashion
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Website for the “Ethically Handsome” Man – The Discerning Brute

Discerning-Brute-vegan-men

The Discerning Brute is a website for the ethically handsome man and definitely worth checking out!

When it comes to veganism, sometimes it feels like we’re talking about secret women’s business; after all, 79% of US vegans are women (vegetarians are a more even split at 59% women, 41% men). But a popular website is shaking up the image of what it means to be manly: TheDiscerningBrute.com, for “the ethically handsome man.” I wanted to write this post to introduce you to the website and the inspirational man behind it. 

While it’s not an out-and-out vegan or vegetarian website, the Discerning Brute was founded in 2008 with a focus on “fashion, food and etiquette for the ethically handsome man,” and regularly highlights visionaries and creates discourses with creative influencers who want to “redesign the world, redefine success, and look good doing it.”

The site was founded by Joshua Katcher, an adjunct professor of fashion at Parsons The New School for Design. He is also the founder of the Brave GentleMan clothing label, which utilizes what Katcher calls “future suede,” “future leather,” and “future wool,” sustainable and ethically made fabrics which are superior to animal fibers. There has been a growing popularity in the fashion industry the last few years for the use of these high quality, cruelty free materials. 

Katcher says, “In order for fashion to be truly good, the handsomeness of an object must be matched by the handsomeness of how it was made. There is poetic grace and heightened pleasure in fashions of conscientious construction.”

We couldn’t agree more. Here’s to the ethically handsome man!

Joshua Katcher_Discerning Brute

07 Oct 2015
Sexy Fit Vegan of the Month, Vegan Fame and Fortune
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Russell Simmons – Sexy Fit Vegan of the Month

Russell-Simmons-with-Al-ROker-Today-Show-on-Vegan

This month I want to recognize the incredibly talented, insightful, and seemingly tireless Russell Simmons as Sexy Fit Vegan® of the Month for October 2015!

Hip-hop star-maker, fashion mogul, philanthropist and social activist Russell Simmons has been a vegan for 17 years, adopting the lifestyle as it first became known in the US. “It started with my yoga practice and, you know, the practice of non-harming – ‘ahimsa.’ So I became a vegan because of compassion for the animals. The vegan diet was being discussed around me all the time, so finally, I just made the choice,” Simmons told Today Show correspondent Al Roker in July.

Simmons, now 57 (and looking great!) added that “the first thing I did was lose 20 pounds and I haven’t put that back on. Do I feel better than I felt 15, 17 years ago? Yeah, I think so. I think I’m in pretty good shape.”russell simmons with al roker on Today Show

These days, Simmons is all about finding happiness. He embraces yoga and meditation as a healthy way to find focus and happiness, and says these practices complement his dietary choices. “You do all kinds of twisting poses to clean your liver and cleanse your intestines, so when you think about what adds to your practice, what will nourish you, you know that you don’t want to put animal products in you,” he told Vegetarian Times magazine.Russell Simmons The Happy Vegan

He expanded on this idea during an interview with CNN. “You want to be healthy, you want to feel light,” he said. “I’m a person who comes from a lot of drugs – for 25 years. All the drugs. All kinds of highs. Now, I find food as a drug. It’s become more subtle. Food is a drug. It makes you tired, lethargic or awake and clear. It’s inflammatory food or it’s anti-inflammatory food. You start to look at your body differently. You try to become more in your body.”

Now Simmons also has a new book out, “The Happy Vegan,” that offers an inspiring guide to the benefits of conscious eating and veganism.

The star is encouraged to see more and more people choosing veganism as a way of life. “Everybody around me seems to be going vegan. I’m watching the whole world transform in front of me. I don’t know if it’s my diet… my book being a best seller… These subjects were not subjects that were selling 15 years ago,” he told Vegetarian Times.

In an essay written for CBS news, Simmons summed up why he’s a perfect candidate for Sexy Fit Vegan® of the Month: “If you take some of your daily effort and direct it toward eating a vegan diet, your heart’s going to see an amazing return on your investment,” he said. We couldn’t agree more!

 

 

30 Sep 2015
Vegan Nutrition, Vegan Product Reviews, Vegan Recipes
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New High Protein Chickpea Pasta!

Banza-Chickpea-Pasta

I noticed a new high protein vegan-friendly pasta on the grocery store shelves the other day… Banza pasta made from chickpeas!Banza-Chickpea-Pasta-nutritional-label

I’m always excited to find new, healthy products to add my vegan diet plan (and share with all of you of course) so I was psyched to give this pasta a try. I checked the ingredients… approved! I cooked it up the same night. I was craving mac and cheese so I simply added a splash of Good Karma flax milk, some Daiya vegan cheese shreds, and sea salt and pepper, and wow, it was a hit! Compared to the mung bean pasta I usually eat, this pasta tastes more like traditional white pasta. It’s not as low in carbs, has less fiber, and is not organic, but it still has a great nutritional profile. Check it out…

In comparison to regular wheat pasta, Banza pasta has:

  • Double the protein (14 vs. 7 grams per serving).
  • Nearly half the net carbs (24 vs. 40 grams per serving).
  • Four times more fiber (8 vs. 2 grams per serving).

Besides being vegan, Banza pasta is also gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO, made in a nut-free facility and free from artificial ingredients. In fact it only has 4 ingredients! Chickpeas, tapioca, pea protein, and xanthan gum.

I checked out their website, and Banza offers a ton of recipes, few of which are vegan. I picked one that only had a couple ingredients substituted to share with you, but many of the other recipes can also be easily modified to make vegan.

Thai Peanut Pasta Salad

Ingredients

Serves 6-8 ~ Vegan ~ Gluten Free

  • 1 box Banza rotini pasta
  • 1/4 cup + 1/8 cup peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon agave or date paste
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon sriracha
  • 1 cup shredded red cabbage
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 3 green onions, sliced thinly

Recipe

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until pasta is cool.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, agave or date paste, sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar, water and sriracha.
  3. Toss noodles with sauce.
  4. Toss cabbage, carrots and green onions with pasta.
  5. Chill and serve cold.

Vegan-Thai-Peanut-Pasta-Salad

28 Sep 2015
Going Vegan Tips, Vegan Nutrition
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Hemp Seeds: Why and How to Eat More!

hemp seeds

They may be small, but hemp seeds pack a big, nutritious punch!

Nutrition

Hemp seeds can be considered a super food because of their dense nutritional profile…

  • High in digestible protein. Hemp seeds contain all 20 essential amino acids. They are low in the amino acid leucine however, so we need to get leucine from additional sources of protein such as soybeans and lentils.
  • Perfect balance of omega fatty acids. Hemp seeds have a 3:1 omega 6 to omega 3 ratio which is perfect for good health (learn more about essential fatty acids HERE).
  • Good source of soluble and insoluble fiber which help keep our digestive tract clean and functioning at the highest level.
  • High in phyto-nutrients, especially magnesium, calcium, and vitamin E.
  • Uniquely high in GLA (gamma linolenic acid), an anti-cancer compound.

smoothie with hemp seeds

Taste

Besides being so nutritious, hemp seeds also have a great, nutty flavor and crunch! I use them daily in different ways. Here are some simple suggestions:

  • Add to super food/protein shakes (to learn how to create your own super food shakes and smoothies, check out the ebook here).
  • Sprinkle on fruit (I love them on pineapple).
  • Sprinkle on vegan yogurt.
  • Add to hot or cold cereal.
  • Sprinkle on salad.
  • Sprinkle on vegan ice cream (yum!)

Accessibility TruVibe Hemp Seeds

Hemp seeds are easy to find at your local health food store or order online from retailers such as Amazon. Here are some of the brands I’ve tried and liked (with links to order) but I’m sure there are tons of quality brands out there…

Try adding 2-3 heaping tablespoons of to your diet daily to experience all the short and long-term benefits hemp seeds have to offer!

Photo Credit: www.figgyandsprout.com

25 Sep 2015
Vegan Product Reviews
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An Energy Drink Without the Junk!

I like to share the products I use on a regular basis and Hi Ball Sparkling Energy Water is one of them!

Even on a whole foods based vegan diet plan, it’s possible to need an extra boost on occasion. I am not alone when I say I am extremely active… Hi Ball Energy WaterThere are fitness freaks and athletes everywhere and we like to push ourselves to the max. Our workouts are demanding physically and mentally. And then, most of us are active the other hours of the day until it’s time to collapse in bed. No matter how clean we eat, our bodies may say, “You need to chill for a few hours,” yet it’s 1:00 in the afternoon and we have another 6 hours of work to do. No need to suffer… Hi Ball Energy to the rescue!

My favorite is the Grapefruit Sparkling Energy Water. It has zero calories, zero sugar, and no artificial flavors or sweeteners. Additionally it contains vitamins B6 and B12, niacin, pantothenic acid, and organic panax ginseng extract. In combination with the organic guarana and caffeine, this drink packs a punch. The company also offers organic energy drinks that additionally contain a bit of organic juice and organic sugar. I haven’t tried these because I prefer to stay away from sugar, even organic sugar, as much as possible.

I’m not a fan of the taste of the majority of energy drinks out there. This one is refreshing with a very light flavor and no after-taste. If you didn’t know what it was, you would think it was sparkling water with a drop of fresh grapefruit juice.

I have found that one small can (only 8.4 oz) is more than enough to spike my energy through the roof for hours without the “crash” I experience with coffee. It also comes in 16 oz cans which is way too much for me.

This energy water is around $2.67 per small can at Whole Foods or Fresh Market. For the results, it’s worth the money.

Hi Ball Energy is unfortunately not a plant-based company. They have a coffee beverage that contains milk and a protein shake coming soon that is made with milk protein. I urge the company to go vegan! There is simply no reason to use dairy-based ingredients, especially in this day and age when there are countless alternatives available.