20 Oct 2014
Vegan Product Reviews
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A Healthier Halloween: A Sexy Fit Vegan Candy List

vegan Halloween

Halloween is coming up fast… Time to stock up on vegan candy for the Trick-or-Treaters! 

The fact that a surprising number of traditional halloween candy is vegan is awesome! PeTA created a list of the top 25 vegan candies (such as Airheads, Pixi Sticks, and Jolly Ranchers)… check it out HERE!

Unfortunately “vegan” is not synonymous with “healthy”! The list I’ve created here names some of the healthier vegan candy options on the market today that come in trick-or-treat appropriate sizes. Notice I wrote, “healthIER” not “healthy”… just consider them “halloween treats” instead of  “halloween junk”! Most of these you will find at Whole Foods, many can be ordered online, and some even found at more progressive mainstream grocery stores. Happy Halloween!

Annie’s Organic Fruit SnacksYummy Lolipops2
Organic Tropical Treat Bunny Fruit Snacks
Organic Berry Patch Bunny Fruit Snacks
Organic Sunny Citrus Bunny Fruit Snacks
Organic Summer Strawberry Bunny Fruit Snacks
Organic Grapes Galore Bunny Fruit Snacks
Organic Pink Lemonade Bunny Fruit Snacks

Annie’s Homegrown Bunny Cookies Snack Pack, Cocoa and Vanilla

Clif Kid Organic Twisted Fruit

Endangered Species
Organic Dark Chocolate Bug Bites
Organic Dark Chocolate Chimp Mints

Panda
Blueberry Licorice
Candy-Coated Licorice
Cherry Licorice
Raspberry Licorice
Soft Licorice

Yummy Earth
Lollipops
Sour Beans

14 Oct 2014
Going Vegan Tips, Vegan Nutrition, Vegan Product Reviews
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The Natural Sweetener Stevia

Stevia Powder Plant

A big thanks to Marra Chinn for contributing this fantastic article on stevia. Marra is the owner of Sweet Earth Cakes, and I can honestly tell you her Plantain Nut Muffin is one of the healthiest, most delicious, baked food products I’ve EVER experienced!

The Natural Sweetener Stevia

If you are like me, you are probably wondering if Stevia will be another agave story. Truth is, I used to eat agave, but I didn’t do the research on this “miracle” sugar substitute. I naively took advice from a doctor who said agave was so much better than eating sugar or honey—that I should be replacing sugar with agave, period. Now that I know the truth about agave, I don’t consume it. To be honest, before going “sugar free,” I didn’t think I consumed a lot of sugar anyway, but then again, I didn’t realize how much sugar, maltose, dextrose, sucrose or high-fructose syrup was in the foods I used to eat. Added sugar (whether refined or chemical) is commonly found in processed foods. I can go on writing at length about all the “natural” foods that have added sugar. You’d be surprised.

But I digress, when my new doctor told me I could only have stevia, I first did some research to make sure this “sweetener” legitimately didn’t raise blood glucose levels and was natural. I recommend you read more here or do your own research before you try it.

I told my doctor I couldn’t stand the bitter aftertaste of stevia. Then he told me about a product line called NuStevia which I now buy online at vitacost.com. It’s been a lifesaver, and I use it in everything from hot quinoa cereal and smoothies to desserts and afternoon tea. It comes in liquid or powder form, so you can decide what version you like best. There are many brands out there for you to try, but I do recommend ordering online to save up to 50%, compared to shopping at your local grocer.

Please know NuStevia is never going to taste like real sugar, but it is sweet without the harsh after taste of regular stevia and it’s strong, so you’ll only need a fraction of the amount compared to regular sugar. This is your chance to enjoy your sweets without the guilt or nasty side effects! 

– Marra Chinn Allen

Owner, Sweet Earth Cakes 

 

 

22 Aug 2014
Going Vegan Tips, Vegan Product Reviews
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Vegans Indulge Too!

Vegan Cupcake

Hi Everyone!

I, like everyone else, over-indulged! Shocker I know 😉 but believe it or not, I’m human too! Today I want to share with you a few of the foods & drinks I splurge on. They are all 100% vegan of course, but they are not whole foods in that they are all processed to some degree. Some of you may think, “Those are not so bad!” and yes, in comparison to some of the junk food out there with highly refined sugars, corn syrups, GMO soy and other additives, these “aren’t so bad.” I’m here to tell you though, once you have some time under your belt eating a diet that is mostly comprised of whole plant foods, the foods I’m listing truly do feel like indulgences! So here are my confessions…

1. Vegan Snacks: Vegan “”Cheese” Popcorn, Lentil Chips

Vegan popcornHealthy Vegan Protein Lentil Chips

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. “Comfort Foods”: Organic Yellow Corn Grits (with Daiya Cheese), Gluten-Free Pizza (with Daiya Cheese), Sweet Potato Fries (I bake them!)

Grits Vegan Comfort foodVegan Cheese-Daiya

 

 Vegan Pizza Gluten Free

 

 

Vegan Baked Sweet Potato Fries

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Alcohol: Tequila drinks (mainly tequila with soda and fresh lemon and lime), Golden Monkey beer.

Tequila- Don Julio

 

 

Golden Monkey Beer 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay tuned… I find new vegan “semi-junk” foods to splurge on all the time! Just remember, if you cut out all the really horrible processed foods (I’m talking Fritos, Pop Tarts, Snickers, you get the idea) ALL TOGETHER, you will lose the cravings for these types of terrible-for-you-foods, and Lentil Chips will become your new standard for an indulgence, at which point you can count on seeing major positive changes to your body, your energy level, your happiness, and your whole life in general! Stick with the program and you will see!

 

03 Jul 2013
Going Vegan Tips, Vegan Product Reviews
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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!

01 Jun 2013
Vegan Product Reviews
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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!!!

12 Apr 2013
Vegan Product Reviews
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Top Cream Cheese Swap

Vegan Cream Cheese

Brand: Galaxy Nutritional Foods

Product: Vegan Cream Cheese Substitute, Chive & Garlic (my favorite), & Plain

I only get this every once in a while because it is still a processed food, but of the cream cheese substitutes, this is definitely one of the healthier (if not healthiest), has the best consistency, and tastes fantastic! The chive & garlic is my favorite, but the classic plain flavor is good as well. When I need a savory treat, I spread it on rice crackers… yum!! And when I have guests I serve it with whole grain or gluten-free bagels and get nothing but compliments.

Vegan Cream Cheese

09 Apr 2013
Vegan Product Reviews
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Favorite Milk Swaps

Vegan Milk

Top Milk Substitutes:

Flax Milk-VeganBrand: Good Karma

Product: Flax Milk Protein + (unsweetened)

Brand: Blue Diamond

Products: Almond-Coconut Milk Blend, Almond Milk, & Coconut Milk (all unsweetened)

almond-coconut-milkWhen it comes to store bought milk substitutes, I find that Good Karma is my favorite followed by Blue Diamond when it comes to the best flavor and consistency. It works great as a drink on its own, with cereal, in shakes, coffee or tea, and for cooking and baking. For cereal I like the almond-coconut blend, vanilla flavor best. When I cook vegan mac & cheese I use the regular flax milk milk. And when I make shakes its usually the Flax Milk Protein+ vanilla. I always get the unsweetened versions and simply add a dash of stevia if I need to sweeten it  so that it remains the low in calories per serving without any sugar!