Delikate Rayne: Quality, Cruelty-Free, U.S. Manufactured Fashion Brand

Delikate-Rayne vegan fashion

Delikate Rayne is a great vegan fashion line if you are looking for the perfect leather alternative.

The vegan line is clean with a classic yet edgy feel and the price range is reasonable for the quality that you get. All garments are made in the U.S.A. by a family owned manufacting company that provides an cruelty free, clean and safe working environment for all it’s employees. The brand was started by two sisters, Komie and Kim who have Eastern Indian roots. They believe in quality over quantity, so most products have a limited quantity available, which helps eliminate unnecessary excess waste and lowers carbon emissions. Their goal is to “provide only the highest caliber of animal friendly fashion while foregoing fast fashion practices.”

Here are a few of the peices that caught my eye, but check out more for yourself on their website

 

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A Vegan Protein Powder That Has It All!

Ella Magers recommends BalanceDiet Lean Vegan Protein

I’m excited to share with you one of the newest and best vegan protein powders on the market today, Lean Protein 07 from BalanceDiet.

I recommend adding this product to your vegan diet plan, especially for your post-workout snack. Let me tell you why:

  • It blends well. One of the most challenging obstacles I run into when finding a protein powder I like is the texture. Many are either gritty or chalky, even when I blend them using my Vitamix, much less trying to use a shaker bottle. This is not with case with Lean Protein 07. In fact, it blends better than any other I’ve tried.
  • It had a great, natural flavor. I’m super picky when it comes to flavor. Most protein powders don’t “do it for me.” They often leave an unpleasant taste in my mouth. Lean Protein 07 on the other hand, tastes light & pleasant. 
  • It has added nutrients such as vitamins B, A, and C, folic acid, calcium,and manganese.
  • It has added fiber that make it easily digestible (no bloating here).
  • It is 100% organic and is made with high quality ingredients. In fact, it’s manufactured in a NSA Certified (pharmaceutical grade) facility.

I like this protein powder so much I now have an affiliation that allows my readers to get 10% off using the code “SexyFitVegan”. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Ellas-Favorite-Protein-Powder-BalanceDiet 07

 

La Isla Swimwear: Sexy & Cruelty Free!

La Isla swimwear is vegan fashion

If you are looking for a new swimsuit for the upcoming summer but want to make sure you are also contributing to a better planet, then I suggest you check out the sexy and cruelty free brand La Isla Swimwear as featured in Sports Illustrated recently.

It has a reputation built on quality and straight up sex appeal! These suits are fire! Makes sense as they are manufactured out of Columbia where sexy girls in sexy swimwear are definitely part of the culture. The facility where the swimsuits are made is cruelty free, uses mostly natural lighting and for the 2015 season they implemented using recycled spandex for many of their suits which is definitely something I like. Additionally they are supporters of Oceans Future Society which is an “organization focused on inspiring and educating people throughout the world to act responsibly for the protection of the ocean”.  We need a whole lot more of that! Our oceans are so precious. 😉

The average price for a suit runs around $150…they also offer men’s board shorts that are made for “an active lifestyle” offering versatility from the water to the gym.  I noticed they seem to be sold out on quite a few websites I checked out, so if you find one you like, you better go ahead and snag it! 

Here are a few of suits that caught my eye:

 

Cruelty Free brand La Isla Swimwear

 

The 22-Day Revolution Hits Shelves… Congrats to Marco Borges!

Beyonce and 22-Days Nutrition

I want to congratulate my friend Marco Borges for the release of his new vegan diet plan book, The 22 Day Revolution, the forward of which was written by Beyonce!

22-Day Revolution Book by Marco Borges

There was a great article written in the New York Times the other day about 22 Days Nutrition, the company owned by Marco, Beyonce, and Jay Z. This is just one of many awesome articles published recently praising Marco, who has been the trainer and wellness coach of Beyonce and Jay Z for over 10 years. Once Beyonce got on board the plant-based diet train it was on… she teamed with Marco to launch a top-notch, nation-wide vegan meal delivery program. Marco’s passion for healthy plant-based eating shines through every move he makes, from his vegan snack bars and protein powder, to his meal delivery program, to his book and beyond. He is an inspiration and I am honored to have his support in my ventures as well. Check out these awesome articles highlighting 22 Days, Marco, Beyonce, and Jay Z, and buy his book!

Marco-Borges

Elle 

Marie Claire

Time Magazine

In Style

Vogue

Photo: Hanging at the 2014 Seed Food and Wine Festival in Miami just before the launch of the 22 Days vegan meal delivery program… Marco, myself, and vegan chef and owner of Miami’s newest vegan restaurant Plant TheorySheryn Abalos.

Vegan Protein Review

Plant-based Protein Powder

Hey everyone!  So I just got my vegan protein powder in.  I must say, this is probably one of my favorite plant-based proteins on the market.  It has a great taste, mixes terrifically, plus it has a really good amino acid profile. I consider it as good as Vega, but more affordable. It is called Rawfusion by SAN nutrition. A good post-workout protein shake is ideal for getting the most out of strength training. This protein powder is also great to mix in with your oatmeal in the morning, make protein pancakes with,  or use as an ingredient in any baked item. I’ve had a lot of plant based powders, this is second to none. Try it out. You may end up loving it just as much as i do!

Matt Protein Powder

Buying Cruelty Free Made Easy

Cruelty Cutter

Buying cruelty free beauty products can be a confusing business. For many years I have being using certain products thinking that were cruelty free but they are in fact not. A company may state in black and white that they do not test on animals but this may mean:
a) The final product may not be tested on animals, but the ingredients within the product may be.
b) Product is not tested on animals unless required by law to do so. In reality what this means is that any product being sold in China will be tested on animals because the law requires it.
c) Product is not tested on animals but is owned by a parent company who does. A good example of this is MAC who started off as a cruelty free company, but is now owned by Estee Lauder.
d)Cruelty free.
Confusing right? To help sort all of this out I recently downloaded an app called Cruelty Cutter.

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Cruelty Cutter allows you to scan an item, from a large range of products (cosmetics, household cleaners, condoms and more!) and have an immediate response about it’s animal testing status. And the app purchase helps raise funds for Beagle Freedom Project a not-for profit organization that is dedicated to freeing beagles and other animals from testing labs. It’s a win, win!

In my search for cruelty free products I came across a company called Just The Goods and I ordered the following products: vegan face wash for normal/sensitive skin, vegan cleansing toner for dry skin, vegan facial scrub for most skin types and vegan deodorant in citrus blend.

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The cost of these products was very reasonable. The cleanser and the toner were $6 each, the deodorant $8.50 and the scrub, which I bought in a sample size was $3. And they are great! The cleanser is foamy, creamy and soothing. The toner is fresh but not too astringent. And the scrub, while more aggressive than I am used to, certainly made my skin very smooth. But for me the star of the show is the deodorant! I have never found any deodorant (cruelty free or not) that works as well as an anti-perspirant for me. But this one does! It’s citrusy and fresh and the essential oils last throughout the day and a tough workout!

Checkout www.justthegoods.net

Vegan Nachos Your Way!

Superbowl is just days away and it’s time to start planning the party and picking up supplies to do it up vegan style!

Nachos are a staple football-watching food, and this year I’ve missed out because I’ve spent most of my football-Sundays at the Yard House in Miami Beach. Well, missed out on nachos that is, but I have nothing to complain about given the Yard House’s Gardein menu. The Gardein “jerk chicken” wings are phenomenal! The Yard House does not, however, offer vegan nachos, and every time I see someone else order the nachos I want to go home and make my own vegan version!

In this post I want to help you create a version of good ole’ nachos that meets all your taste-bud needs, step by step. 

Vegan Nachos Your Way

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Find a type of baked tortilla chip that you enjoy, and place a semi-single layer of the  chips on a large pan lined with tin foil. Beanitos are my personal favorite. They’re incredibly tasty and they are high in fiber and protein. beanitosbeanitos-regular
  3. Sprinkle a light layer of your favorite vegan cheese over the chips. I enjoy the Follow Your Heart Vegan Gourmet Shreds, as well as Daiya shreds, and new brands keep popping up, the next one usually better than the last. These both melt well which is an important criteria for nachos! There are also some new vegan nacho cheese and cheese sauces like the ones made by Heido Ho Organics (I met the ladies who started this company and let me tell you, they’re awesome!) just coming to market that I haven’t tried yet, so if you have a review for us please add it to the post comments!Follow Your Heart Vegan Cheese Shredsdaiya_vegan_cheeseImage result for heidi ho nacho cheese
  4. Add on top of that your favorite vegan protein. Black beans are a must for me. Sometimes I enjoy adding the Beyond Meat Beef-Free Crumbles or Chicken-Free Strips. If you add Beyond Meat products you will need to cook them according to the directions before including them in the nachos. Tempeh is another healthy vegan protein addition option. 
    black-beansbeyond meat products
  5. Sprinkle other ingredients that will be best if heated with the chips, cheese and protein. Some of my favorite add-ons are pickled jalepenos and black olive slices. pickled jalepenosblack-olive slices
  6. Sprinkle another layer of vegan cheese on top.
  7. Place the pan in the oven and bake just long enough for the cheese to melt (about 5-10 minutes).
  8. Remove from the oven and place ingredients you enjoy that are not good heated. I love adding pico de gallo, guacamole, and vegan sour cream (Tofutti makes a good one, as does Follow Your Heart.)
  9. Serve immediately. The chips will get soggy as the dish cools, so make sure you start chowing right away!pico de galloguacamoleSourCream-TofuttiVegan-Gourmet-Sour-Cream
  10. Enjoy!!!

 

Alcohol on a Vegan Diet Plan?

Vegan Beer at the Yard House

Going vegan does not mean you have to give up alcohol…

I enjoy sipping on fine tequila socially and a flavorful beer watching football and UFC with friends. Alcohol certainly doesn’t make the “super foods” list. It doesn’t do a liver good. Nevertheless, it’s a part of an otherwise very healthy lifestyle for me and many of you. So I say, “Is that alcohol vegan?” and simply look it up on Barnivore.com and then, “Cheers!”

This is a surprisingly thorough guide to liquor, beer, and wine, and I use it regularly so I wanted to share it with you all!
And since we are wrapping up football season, I will also share my absolute favorite beer that I discovered at the Yard House, my regular Sunday Funday football-watching spot (they have vegan wings!) It’s called La Trappe, and if you like strong Belgian-style beer with a slightly sweet flavor and no bitterness this is a fantastic one! Enjoy 🙂

Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes: Sexy Fit Vegan-Approved!

Vegan Thanksgiving Cartoon

Top Healthy, Easy Vegan Thanksgiving Recipe Picks!

Can you believe it’s time to plan your Thanksgiving meal already? As I do every year, I have scoured the internet for the top plant-based vegan recipes that meet all my criteria. Recipes must first of all be easy-to-follow and not contain hard-to-find ingredients to make my recommendation list. The recipe must also be on the healthy side. I say “healthy side” because it is a special occasion so I give some leeway for ingredients not ideal for eating on a daily basis, but that are still not bad for you and are still as nutrient dense as possible for the type of dish. I have included both traditional-style dishes and dishes with different twists for fun. I’ve also included some of the top vegan turkey swaps available on the market this year. (I unfortunately have not tried them all yet, but I listed them in the order that I would buy them to try, based on the brand.) The goal of this post… for everyone to finish their meal feeling happy and satisfied without the guilt that can come along with a traditional, unhealthy Thanksgiving dinner.

I want to share how thankful I am for everyone who have created the recipes on my list. I’m also grateful to YOU for being open to trying new recipes that are vegan and healthy as part of your journey. We are collectively changing our own lives, the lives of animals, and the state of the planet, all for the better! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Appetizers

Vegan Spinach Dip by Kathy (Healthy. Happy. Life.)

Brussels Sprouts Sliders by Marla Rose

Spicy Pumpkin Hummus  by Jaymi Heimbuch

Stuffing & Casserole

Southern-Style Vegetarian Stuffing Recipe by Heather Barnett

Vegetarian Quinoa Stuffing by Jolinda Hackett

Vegan Green Bean Casserole by Susan Voicin (FatFree Vegan Kitchen)

Soup  & Salad

Insanely Cream Vegan Corn Chowder by Brooke (Cheeky Kitchen)

Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup by the Blender Girl

Kale Slaw with Curried Almond Dressing by Dreena Burton (Plant-Powered Kitchen)

Apple Harvest Salad by Natalie (Life Made Simple)

Sides

Gorge Yourself Ginger Cranberry Sauce  by the Blender Girl

Herb Roasted Winter Veggies by Vegetarian Times

Garlic and Rosemary Mashed Potatoes by Cara, Fork & Beans and Mushroom Gravy by Kaitlin (the Garden Grazer)

Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Avocado Garlic Aioli by Oh She Glows!

Red Quinoa Pilaf with Kale and Corn by Nava Atlas (VegKitchen)

Vegan Brown Rice Pilaf with Pumpkin Seeds by Jolinda Hackett

Main Dishes

Thanksgiving Meatless Loaf by Susan (Fat Free Vegan)

Portobello Steak by Ricki Heller

Vegan Creamy Broccoli and Chick’un” Casserole byLeanne Vogel (Healthful Pursuit)

Store Bought Turkey Substitutes

Savory Stuffed Turk’y, Holiday Roast, & Turk’y Cutlets by Gardein

Turkey-less Stuffed Roast with Gravy by Trader Joe’s

Tofurky Roasts, Feasts, and Gravy

Vegan Whole Turkey by Vegetarian Plus

Vegetarian Brown Gravy by Hain

Vegetarian Brown Gravy by Simply Organic

 Gluten Free Quick Gravy by Road’s End Organics

Desserts

Gluten-Free Pie Crust and Apple-Of-My-Eye Pie by Dreena Burton (Plant Powered Kitchen)

Gooey Pumpkin Spice Latte Chocolate Pudding Cake by Oh She Glows!

Pumpkin Chia Pudding by Deena Burton (Plant-Powered Kitchen)

Maple Nut Cake (gluten free) by Amy (Fragrant Vanilla Cake)

Check out my top ice cream swap HERE

Eggless-Nog

Five-Minute High Raw, Vegan Eggnog by Gena Hamshaw (Choosing Raw)

Store-Bought:

Nog, Coconut by So Delicious

Soy Nog by Earth Balance

ENJOY!!!