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

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

04 Sep 2015
Going Vegan Tips, Vegan Product Reviews
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Top 5 Belgium-Style Vegan Beers for Labor Day

Vegan-Belgium-Beer-for-Labor-Day

Over the years I have grown into quite the vegan beer chick, so with Labor Day around the corner, I wanted to give all you beer lovers some vegan options to try!

First of all, if you are wondering, “Does alcohol belong on a vegan diet plan?” click HERE to read my answer.

Secondly, a big thank you to Barnivore.com is called for. This website makes it easy to quickly find out if a beer, wine, or spirit is vegan-friendly or not. You simply type in the name of the product and 9 times out of 10, the product is displayed with a “Vegan-Friendy” or “Not Vegan-Friendly” label. The website also gives exact statements from the company when available, explaining why or why not the product is vegan. Awesome, right?!

I am a lover of Belgium strong dark beers so the many of these beer suggestions reflect my preferences and are flavorful but not hoppy, but don’t worry, I’ve included a variety for those of you with a preference for lighter beer and/or enjoy some hop!

1. La Trappe Quadruplevegan beer - la trappe

This is a “quad” which, according to CraftBeer.com, makes it amber to dark brown in color. Caramel, dark sugar and malty sweet flavors dominate, with medium-low to medium-high hop bitterness. Quads have a relatively light body compared to their alcoholic strength. If aged, oxidative qualities should be mild and not distracting. Sometimes referred to as Belgian strong dark.

At 10% ABV (Alcohol By Volume), this is a sipping beer that is heavenly smooth and tasty. It’s my absolute favorite, hands down! BeerAdvocate.com describes it as having a “warm and intense flavour is rich and finely balanced. Malty sweet, slightly burnt, and pleasantly bitter with a sweet aftertaste. Quadrupel continues to ferment after bottling and offers aromas of banana, almond, vanilla and others.”

It’s also not an easy one to find. Neither the Whole Foods, Fresh Market, or any local liquor stores in Miami Beach carry it. The Yard House used to serve it but does not anymore. Such a bummer! Total Wine and More usually stocks it though.

2. Ommegang Three Philosophersvegan beer - three philosophers

This is another quad; 9.70% ABV that I find incredibly satisfying and my perfect “go-to”. BeerAdvocate.com describes the flavor well. “Heavenly smoothness within the full body, creamy from middle to end. Thickly sweet of dark malts, nothing roasted. Deceiving alcohol leaves little warmth until the finish. Bitter phenols and a trace hop help to balance. Very herbal and a bit earthy as well.”

Luckily this one is much more common to find stocked at your local Whole Foods, Fresh Market, and/or liquor store.

3. Chimay (Red, White, Blue)

Chimay makes three awesome vegan beer varieties – a quad, a tripel, and a dubbel respectively. They are all fantastic depending on your preference so take your pick!

Check out their company email to Barnivore.com: “We don’t use any animal product for the production of our beers, nor any additive. We only are using first quality products. You therefore can drink our beers safely and with clear conscience!”

My favorite Chimay is the “Blue” which is the “Grand Reserve,” as it is a Belgium strong dark ale, 9% A.B.V. with a smooth and rich flavor. BeerAdvocate.com gives a more detailed description: “Super smooth, creamy, full-ish body, date sugar, estery, warming, spicy, faintly medicinal, yeast, mineral, leafy hops, dried grass, toasted fruit cake, semi-dry finish

The “White,” or Tripel, is 8% A.B.V. is lighter bodied than the Blue and is “sweet / tart balance up-front with a unique bitterness on the tongue. Alcohol notes seem to stay and dominate the mouth. The beer goes crisp, rather dry. More malt sweetness follows along with a very mild tea-like hop flavour that carries thru to the finish. Notes of Concord grape comes to mind” according to BeerAdvocate.com.

Last but not least, the “Red,” a.k.a. Premiere, is a Dubbel, which is 7% A.B.V.  This one has a “Soft powdery mouth feel with a crisp carbonation and medium body. Smooth. Very evident clove flavour up front and stays around throughout the beer. Hints of birch and ginger beer-like flavours, peppery medcinal phenols and light herbal tea hop flavour. Quite malty but it stays in the back. Fruitiness is likened to a delicate date sweetness and ripe plum. As the beer warms, there’s also a suggestion of chocolate/carob. Finish dries a little though still a bit of residual sweetness leftover, herbal flavours also.”

Chimay is a popular brand and is not difficult to find.Vegan Beer - Chimay

4. Unibroue La Fin Du Mondevegan beer - la fin du monde

This one makes the top of many beer favorite lists. It’s one of the few beers that has a 100 out of 100 rating by “The Bros” of BeerAdvocate.com! “Peppery clove spiciness with a warming alcohol right behind it. Estery with a hint of solvent-like character in the high level of alcohol. Malt lays down some sweetness with a thick drying pale graininess, fruity flavours of mango and pear flash on the taste buds. Bitterness from the hops melds with the thick powdery yeast and bring the mouth to a slightly dry finish.” 

The company email to Barnivore.com states, “In reply to your question there are no animal or dairy products used in the production of our beers. As far as filtration goes we use a silica xerogel and PVPP (nylon) to help clarification of our beers and no isinglass is used. This of course only applies to our filtered beers (U, U2, Bolduc). Our speciality refermented beers are not filtered and contain living yeast which carbonate the beer naturally via the refermentation in the bottle. As far as other raw materials are concerned, we do not use honey and all other sources are GMO free cereals, sugar, hops and spices. I hope this answers your question clearly and will premit you to continue enjoying the high quality of Unibroue beers.”

5. Belzebuthvegan beer - belzebuth

I saved the strongest for last… Belzebuth, considered a Belgium Strong Pale Ale and has a whopping 13% A.B.V.! For this reason it comes in a smaller, 250ml bottle. It is surprisingly smooth and I find it incredibly delicious. BeerAdvocate.com reviews it as “Very fat and chewy malt mouth feel with a creamy slickness coming from the alcohol. Moderate carbonation accenting the spicy sweet alcohol that seems to dominate the front … we could feel the alcohol warm from mouth to belly. Some fruitiness and hop bitterness is evident leaving candied orange and raisins with a hop leaf flavours. Ghost like grain in the finish that leaves an amazingly clean after taste.”

This one can be a challenge to find. It used to be stocked at the local Whole Foods here in Miami Beach, but now the only place I see it is at the restaurant/bar, Burger and Beer Joint.

I hope I have sparked your interest and motivated you to try some new vegan beer this Labor Day (and for football season as well)!

I’d love to hear your favorites as well… I’m always looking for new craft beers to try!

19 Aug 2015
Going Vegan Tips, Vegan Fame and Fortune
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Real Men Eat Plants, Not Meat

Real Men Eat Plants

I am certainly someone who has been breaking the vegan stereotypes since I was young, and I think the mold is quickly transforming when it comes to women going vegan… now it’s time for the men to catch up!

Vegan Club Brad PittI’m into “manly” men. They are my “type” and I’m telling you right now, a guy who fits the mold of a macho man in most ways (is a sports fan, tattoos, beer-drinker, knows how to fix things, lifts weights, etc.) AND eats plants instead of meat wins the title of REAL MAN by a long shot!

Meat and machismo have always gone hand in hand… no more! There’s nothing manlier to me than a man eating Gardein wings while he watches football and drinks a beer. And a guy putting Beyond Meat‘s Beast Burger in his shopping cart… that’s what I call sexy. Just look at some of the male celebs who are vegan, some of whom have been plant-based for 10+ years (click on each for some current info):

I have lived in Miami Beach the majority of my adult life and I will be the first to admit the dating scene here can be rough, and a successful relationship can be tough. I will say that I have been fortunate enough to have found guys that I was able to have long-term relationships with in part because they fully respected my vegan lifestyle, even though they were not vegan themselves. Respect is a requirement, along with an open mind and a desire to make moves in the direction of a healthier, more compassionate and conscious diet and lifestyle. Dating a non-vegan is not easy for me, just as dating a vegan is not easy for non-vegans. 

From the health aspect alone, when I see my man eating animal products it’s had not to think about the damage the food is doing to his health, just as it would be to see your partner smoking a cigarette. It’s a completely valid concern when it comes to the person you love. Then, when it comes to animals and the environment, it’s hard to understand how my man can put the animal cruelty and environmental destruction factors aside and continue to put dead flesh in his mouth. That being said, everyone is different in how they process information and emotions. I believe the best way to promote the vegan lifestyle I believe so strongly in, is to continue to do what I’m doing… leading by example, educating, and inspiring as many people as I possibly can in a positive, sexy way!

I may not have turned boyfriends vegan, but I can happily and truthfully say I have made a huge positive impact on the eating habits of all my boyfriends past. I look forward to meeting more and more real men who step up their game by embracing a macho vegan lifestyle in the near future if they haven’t already!

 

 

12 Aug 2015
Going Vegan Tips, Guest Blog Posts, Traveling Vegan
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Vegan Breakfast on the Road: How to Get Creative!

Breakfast-on-the-Road

Ever try to get a healthy, filling, vegan breakfast on the road?

It’s not often that you spot a “Lily’s Organic Diner” or “Wildflower Kitchen”  on the exit food signs.  You are more likely you see Aunt Sarah’s Pancakes or Denny’s where a standard breakfast is steak and eggs, and a side of fruit bathed in syrup. Far from a healthy vegan breakfast!

On my last road trip my carnivore friends picked Waffle House.  As we pulled up to the restaurant, I wondered if there would anything for me to eat given that I’m on a vegan diet plan.  I wasn’t surprised that there was no scrambled tofu on the menu. There was hash brown potatoes though.  That’s a start!Hashbrown Vegan Breakfast on the Road

After making sure the potatoes were cooked in vegetable oil, I asked if the hash browns could be the start of some sort of potato-based omelet, adding the standard omelet fillings… peppers, onions, mushrooms.  The waitress got into it.  Then the cook got into it!

When my plate arrived it was a good-looking, tasty, filling, vegan (so far as I could tell) dish…  a double order of hash browns folded over the veggie center.  Yes, a bit greasy, but it was Waffle House.

I find that sometimes when you challenge restaurant staff with your “special needs”, they rise to the occasion and your dining partners say, “That looks better than anything on the menu!” 

Have you had a similar experience getting creative for vegan breakfast on the road? I’d love to hear!

– Steve

Photograph: 

28 Jul 2015
Going Vegan Tips, Guest Blog Posts
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Top 5 Tips To Successfully Date a Vegan

Dating-a-Vegan

Wondering if it’s possible for a non-vegan and a vegan to date… successfully? Valid question!

So, you met this girl or guy. At first sight, there was this spark — a connection. Call it magic, call it fate. You know instinctively that you’ve found THE ONE; then you hear these words,“I’m Vegan.”

Will you freak out and have sudden flashbacks of your happiest omnivore moments, just before you bid farewell to them? Or, will you think of that moment as a chance to expand your horizon, and not perceive this as a wall between the man or woman you like and your meat feast dreams? I completely understand if you thought of the first scenario as the most plausible response, but dating someone who is vegan doesn’t mean you need to be one. Is there a chance for non-vegans and Vegans to be together? Heck, absolutely, 100 percent, no doubt, yes! Will it be a walk in the park? No. Can I still eat bacon? Of course! Can I still eat bacon in front of my date? If you will not rub it in the face of your date that you’re eating something that used to have eyes, I don’t see why not.

Dating a vegan

This image is free for personal and commercial use. No attribution required. Source HERE

Before you read any further, let’s set something straight. Not all vegetarians are the same. To give you a head start understanding the different types, read this. Now that we’ve settled that, here are five tips to successfully date a vegan. Number two is especially important.

1. For your first date, take your vegan date to a vegan restaurant.

First dates are a big deal. You would want to make a good impression on your date. So, it is highly advisable you take your Vegan date to a Vegan restaurant and steer clear of meat-serving ones for your first date. Okay, okay. I hear you saying, “You said I don’t have to be a Vegan to date one, what now??!” — Yes I know, but hear me out. By initiating to dine in a Vegan restaurant, you’re not only showing your respect for your date’s Vegan lifestyle, you’re also implying how open-minded and selfless you are. It’s also a great opportunity for you to know them better in a place they are familiar with and try something different, for romance’s sake. LeoLin Lopez from The Vegan Woman, recommends websites like Happy Cow and Yelp to find the perfect restaurant for your first date.

2. Stay true to yourself — don’t fake it!

It’s one thing to respect and appreciate their lifestyle, and another to keep it real to yourself. Don’t say things your date wants to hear. Don’t create another version of you that you think your date will like. Again, it will not be a walk in the park and will involve a lot of compromising, conflicts about vegan ethics, and discussions about what is and what is not. The only way to go about this is creating an open line of communication. Lay out all your cards, and meet halfway. Relationships are all about the give and take game. And that context can be applied regardless of food preference.

3. Be mindful of your questions.

As sensitive and considerate you are when you talk about religion, politics, exes, and bowel movements, same goes with the following questions you should never ask a Vegan on your first date:

  • “Where do you get your protein from?”
  • “What’s the point of eating fake meat?” Then you try to be clever and ask, “Can’t you just eat real meat?”
  • “Plants are living things too right? Why do you eat them?”
  • “Don’t you miss eating meat? Followed by, “You’re missing a lot!.”

If you’re that curious to know the answers, I have one word for you — Google! Familiarize yourself with all the vegan basics (SexyFitVegan.com covers most of them too) like:

Then, to be on the safe side, ask him or her first why they went vegan. Let them feed you the details and from there, you have a good standing point for your follow-up questions.

4. Forget everything you know about Vegan.

Going vegan is a personal choice. It’s not pop culture and definitely not something you decide overnight. Sure you have read hundreds of articles about veganism but it’s a different story when you hear it from someone who actually lives and breathes the lifestyle. So when you go out with a Vegan, don’t bring your pre-existing notions and start listening instead.

5. Keep an open mind and mouth.

Vegans are often mislabeled as forum-trolling, angry, animal rights activists, who miss out on the good stuff in life. They are veggie lovers and carnivore haters who don’t care about flavour as long as it’s meat-free. In reality, they probably understand flavour and good food more than you. And since vegan is a way of living that’s not just limited to food preference, but also ethical beliefs and principles in life. If you’re not into that kind of thing, no worries. Don’t mock and don’t judge people who are deeply passionate on what they believe. Instead of questioning their lifestyle, appreciate their choice of living healthy.  Best way to know if this is something you’ll consider? Give their cooking a shot. You’ll never know, that could be your turning point.

Lady and the Tramp Date

A guest post by Jane Dizon, nurse, health and nutrition enthusiast, and blogger at Gym and Fitness, Australia’s favourite online retailer of treadmills and strength equipment.

Header Photo Credit: Karine Basilio

22 Jul 2015
Going Vegan Tips, Vegan Product Reviews
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Thrive Market: Making Health Food Affordable!

Thrive-Market--Making-health-food-affordable

Eating healthy is too expensive, right? No longer! Introducing Thrive Market, an online retailer for all things healthy… at whole sale prices!

Think Costco meets Whole Foods, and that’s basically what you get with Thrive Market.

In other words, this is a membership-based market that sells healthy foods and eco-friendly products at affordable, whole sale prices. I’m talking 25-40% lower prices than the grocery store. Check out this infographic showing how it’s set up: 

Benefits of a Thrive Market membership:

– When you buy a membership, a membership is also donated to someone who cannot afford one. You’re doing a good deed!

– You can shop and filter results on the website in helpful ways. For example you can search all “gluten-free” products, or “vegan” products. The company makes it simple for you to find exactly what you’re looking for and allows you to shop according to your values!

– It’s not just a shop, it’s a community and wealth of current information on everything wellness-related! There is a blog on the website with contributions from experts in the fields of health, wellness, and fitness. I wrote a blog for them for Memorial Day called, 5 Simple Tips to Eat Right Over Memorial Day Weekend.” 

– You get free shipping on all orders over $49!

– Right now, if you join through my link, you will receive 2 MONTHS FREE and 25% off your first order… It’s a no-brainer!

Thrive Market Special Offer

Check it out for yourself and let me know if you have any questions 🙂

 

 

 

 

22 Jul 2015
Going Vegan Tips, Guest Blog Posts, Vegan Nutrition, Vegan Product Reviews
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Fine! I’ll tell you where I get my protein from!

Popeye-for-Protein

The “How do you get your protein?” question is easily the most frequently asked question I get asked when someone finds out I’m a vegan. Protein_Gorilla

We’ve all heard it. Immediately everyone becomes a protein expert. Sometimes I want to answer them the way Batman answers Robin…

batmanprotein

 

Protein is so overrated it’s not even funny. Research shows that a sedentary individual needs about 0.8 grams per kg of bodyweight per day. Research further shows that hard strength training athletes need around 1 – 1.5 grams per kg of bodyweight per day. For me, weighing around 185-190 lbs (84-86 kgs) this is 84 – 129 grams per day. This is very easy to get from a whole food, plant-based diet.

Just out of curiosity I tracked my nutrients for a period of about 4 days and found that on days I did not use any supplemental protein powder I was getting around 90-100 grams of protein, and on days I did use a protein drink (generally I have one a day after my strength training sessions) I was getting an extra 20-30 grams for a total of 110-130 grams of protein per day, right in-line with the recommended 1 – 1.5 grams per kg of bodyweight.

Personally I can’t stand tracking macros, and according to my friend Matt Ruscigno, a registered dietitian and ethical vegan, if you are eating a wide variety of whole foods and consuming enough calories to sustain your activity level you will get enough protein.

Now, consider the average American’s high protein, high fat, high processed carbohydrate diet – do you honestly think anyone is walking around in danger of a protein deficiency?

My Favorite Sources of Plant-Based Protein:

1. Beans and legumes – not only are they loaded with protein and other beneficial phytonutrients they are a great source of fiber.

2. Nuts and nut butters – I’m sorry, but if you don’t like a good ol’ fashioned PB & J sandwich you and I cannot be friends.

3. Tofu and tempeh – a perfect addition to stir-frys and soups, or you can be like my good friend, animal rights activist, and Team Plantbuilt powerlifter Mike Wolf and just eat a block of tofu on two slices of bread and call it a sandwich. The guy benches well over 300 lbs so I’m not going to argue with him.

4. Beast Burgers and other Beyond Meat products – I was fortunate enough to be asked to be a member of Beyond Meat’s Pro-Team so I’ve gotten my fair share of their stuff, and I honestly have to say that Beast Burgers are the BEST plant-based burger I’ve ever eaten. Try them for yourself and feed YOUR beast! All of their products are amazing!

5. Plant-based protein powders – don’t rely on powder as your main source of protein. Eat food first and foremost. However a good plant-based protein powder can make it easier to ensure you are getting all of your essential amino acids and hitting your daily protein requirements. Again, if you are eating enough calories from whole foods to sustain your activity you don’t need to supplement. I do believe that a protein drink taken post training is a great idea though, since liquid digest more quickly than solid food. I do think it is a good idea to combine your protein powder with a good carbohydrate source, some studies have shown that 1g of protein to 2-4g of carbohydrates is optimal for muscle recovery and glycogen replenishment post-training. Some of my favorite protein powders are Plantfusion, Vega, Health Force / Warrior Force, Garden of Life Raw, and I recently tried Sprouts Farmers Market brand vegan protein blend.

Hopefully this gives you some good ideas of plant-based protein sources the next time your favorite omnivore is assaulting you with the protein questions and comments, or you can just do what Batman did to Robin and bitch-slap them.
Stay Strong AND Healthy!

-Scott