04 Apr 2016
Going Vegan Tips, Guest Blog Posts, Vegan Nutrition, Vegan Product Reviews, Vegan Recipes, Vegan-Related Books & Documentaries
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Green Smoothies: Why and How?

Green-smoothie

Downing a glass of green pulpy stuff has been the craze for a while now… But green smoothies are not just a trend, they’re here to stay and here’s why!Screen Shot 2016-03-24 at 6.01.29 PM

What is a green smoothie?

It is very simple actually, a green smoothie is just that, a smoothie with a base of leafy greens, fruit to cut the bitterness and help with digestion and liquid.

Here are some of the reasons why I love green smoothies:

Not only do green smoothies actually taste good they are also a wonderful way to get nutrient dense raw leafy greens into your daily diet.

Packed with antioxidants and phytonutrients, green smoothies not only give your body the best defenses for disease, but you are ingesting a variety of natural substances that are essential for optimum health, fitness and wellbeing.

These whole foods when blended provide a power pack boost of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients without bogging down your digestive system. The best natural energy booster out there!

Drinking green smoothies is a great way to get all your greens in. Many of us do not consume enough greens. By drinking two or three cups of green smoothies daily you will consume enough greens for the day to nourish your body, and all of the beneficial nutrients will be well assimilated.

Do green smoothies taste like grass?

No, the good news is, if made properly, a green smoothie tastes just as good as a smoothie of another color! The greens may add plenty of color to your recipe, but they shouldn’t alter the taste much at all. If you do make one that is slightly bitter for your liking, just add more fruit. Some greens are hidden (in terms of flavor) better than others. Spinach for example, is fairly neutral in taste, while kale has a stronger, more bitter flavor. 

Summary of Sexy Fit Vegan’s ebook, How to Make Your Own Superfood Protein Shakes:

1. Choose your base. There are many different liquids you can choose from to use as the “base” of your green smoothie. First, there are many store-bought milk substitutes. It’s best to choose one that is “unsweetened” so you can create a smoothie that is free of any added sugars. Second, you have the option of making your own nut milk. It’s actually much easier than you may think. My favorite nut milk recipe can be found at www.sexyfitvegan.com/nutmilk. A third option is using coconut water, which will create great flavor with less creaminess. Coconut water also has plenty of health benefits including providing us with valuable electrolytes for hydration.

2. Seeds are a staple for your super food green smoothie. The three super food seeds that SFV recommends adding are hemp, chia, and flax seeds. All three are high in protein and fiber, and hemp seeds are among the few plant foods that are a complete protein.

3. Use Popeye Power to make it a Green smoothie. Popeye was smarter than he looked! Dark leafy greens are, calorie per calorie, the most nutritious foods on the planet! 

4. Choose a thickener. Depending on how thick you like your shake, either banana or, believe it or not, avocado, can be added if it needs to be thickened.

5. Fruit Favorite. Now that we have the base ingredients set, it’s time to decide if you want to go with a fruity flavor, or go a different route (Ella gives you some great ideas!)

6. Super food add-ons. Depending on your individual health considerations, there may be additional supplemental foods that would be appropriate additions to your smoothies. Learn about the benefits of amla and maca powders in the book.

7. For the fitness freaks. If you are extremely active, do high-intensity workouts, and/or are looking to gain muscle mass, you may want to consider a few ways to get the extra energy and protein you need. Ella gives some great tips for making your green smoothie especially helpful to make gains.

8. Va Va Va Vitamix. A high-speed blender is a key component in successful shake and green smoothie creations. Many of the ingredients SVF suggests simply require a quality piece of equipment to fully breakdown and blend together.

**As always we recommend keep an open mind,and only use fresh, local, organic ingredients to receive optimal benefits

Enjoy incorporating more green smoothies into your daily routine! Find more awesome smoothie recipes in The Six Weeks to Sexy Abs Meal Plan as well 🙂

-Dani

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29 Mar 2016
Guest Blog Posts, Vegan Recipes
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Spring into Detox Salad

spring-detox-salad

Spring into Detox Salad is CRUNCHY, SWEET and SAVORY, and is the perfect easy vegan recipe to make when your body is craving nutrients, and you need a nice and hearty salad to fill you up!

I have read that cabbage has many health benefits since it is packed with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients; cabbage is said to be helpful with weight loss, skin care / premature aging, purifying the blood, removing toxins, and the list goes on and on and on… with all that being said, I’ll have more cabbage… PRONTO! The veggies in this healthful, satisfying salad are tossed in a delicious creamy peanut sauce with a ton of ginger which is soothing to the stomach, reduces inflammation in the body, and may even help relieve muscle soreness. This special dish is topped off with sesame seeds, a great source of a variety of minerals, vitamins, and fiber. Colorful, nutrient rich, and easy to make… give this delightful recipe a try to welcome in the spring time!spring detox salad

Spring Into Detox Salad

The Veggies:

  • 1 heaping cup chopped red cabbage
  • 1 heaping cup chopped green cabbage
  • 1 heaping cup chopped kale
  • 3-4 sliced radishes
  • 2-3 ribs of celery, diced

The Dressing:

  • A hearty 2-3 inch chunk of ginger, minced
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons fresh peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seed oil
  • 2 tablespoons tamari
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • Toasted sesame seeds (topping)

Blend together all of the ingredients for the dressing. Toss the veggies in the dressing and top with toasted sesame seeds. Eat it all up and reap the benefits!

Hope you love it as much as I do!

-Danielle

15 Mar 2016
Going Vegan Tips, Guest Blog Posts, Vegan Nutrition, Vegan Recipes
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Mint Chip Banana Nice Cream

mint-vegan-ice-cream

Mint Chip Banana Nice Cream… Say Goodbye to Dairy and Guilt!

For all you ice cream lovers out there, its time to jump on the banana nice cream train. Simple, smooth and creamy, this healthy vegan, low fat dessert can be served for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Using bananas as the base, other fruits, super foods and essential oils can be blended in for a completely different flavor and texture. This is the ultimate “guilt-free” treat that everyone must try…Finally it’s ok to have ice cream for breakfast. 

Yield: 2 cups, 2 servings
Time: 15 minutes
Prepare ahead: freeze bananas
Equipment: high-power juicer or blender

Optional: Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil (YLEO): PeppermintMintChip NanaCream

Ingredients:

  • 4 ripe bananas, peeled and frozen  
  • 1 tablespoon cacao nibs
  • 1 teaspoon spirulina powder 
  • 1 drops Peppermint YLEO

Directions:

Push frozen bananas through a high-power juicer fitted with the blank plate to homogenize the fruit. It will be the consistency of soft serve ice cream. 

Stir in the remaining ingredients and serve immediately.

Alternatively, use a high-power blender with the tamper, or a food processor, adding liquid as needed for blending. 

Serve with toppings such as chopped nuts, fruit, shredded coconut, cacao nibs, or chocolate sauce. 

Using bananas as the base, other frozen fruits can be added in such as mangoes or berries.

Recipe Gratitude to Amy Bacheller.
For more of Amy’s amazing raw recipes check out www.scentfromheaven-sb.com
Instagram: @amybbacheller
11 Mar 2016
Guest Blog Posts
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Authentic Chinese Vegetable Fried Rice

vegan-vegetable-fried-rice

A combination of fresh Asian vegetables with a simple and savory soy ginger sauce create a delectable Chinese vegetable fried rice. This quick and easy vegan recipe allows you to prepare and enjoy take out in the comforts of home!

Authentic Chinese Vegetable Fried Rice

Ingredientsvegetable fried rice

  • 1 c Shiitake mushroom, sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 c baby bok choy, sliced
  • 1 c snap peas
  • 1 c red pepper, thin sliced
  • 2 tsp ginger, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 scallions thin sliced (white and green)
  • 1 c carrot, diced
  • 2 c cooked cold brown rice (short or long grain).

Soy Ginger Sauce

  • 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp ginger, minced
  • 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tsp siracha

Directions

Mix all ingredients for Soy Ginger Sauce in a medium bowl and set aside.
Prep vegetables as noted in ingredient list.

Heat olive oil in a wok on med/high heat. Add garlic and ginger and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Add shitake and sauté 2 minutes. Add carrot, bok choy and red pepper slices and sauté 2-3 minutes. Add snap peas and scallion and sauté 1 minute. Add rice and Soy Ginger Sauce. Combine well and heat through for an additional 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately topped with a drizzle of sesame oil or crushed cashews.

Tips
Cook rice al dente ahead of time then chill in the refrigerator.
Be sure to use med/high heat with your wok. Do not overcook vegetables … they should have some crunch.
Watch Ron prepare the dish at callicoonkitchen.com

Enjoy!

01 Mar 2016
Guest Blog Posts, Vegan Recipes
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Omega 3 Triple Power Pudding

breakfast-chia-pudding

 Chia pudding packs a powerful omega 3 punch and is a great way to start your day off right!

Known for increasing strength and stamina, chia seeds are an easy source of the all important omega 3 essential fats. Boost it even more by
adding flax and hemp seeds, well-documented plant sources of omega 3, beneficial for the health of our joints, heart, brain and hormonal balance. Who knew eating healthy could taste so good?!
 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup liquid (coconut water, nut milk, or water)
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds, ground
  • 1 tablespoon flax seeds, ground
  • 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
 Directions:
  1. Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl.
  2. Allow the pudding to sit for ten minutes.
  3. Add berries, nuts, superfoods, sweetener and essential oils of choice.
 
 Comments:copyright amy bacheller
 
 The pudding in this photo has raspberries, pine nuts, and kelp powder, with Fennel and Spruce essential oils from Young Living (the best, purest and safest for culinary use).
 Sweetened with a few drops of Stevia extract from Young Living.
 
Recipe Gratitude to Amy Bacheller.
For more of Amy’s amazing raw recipes check out www.scentfromheaven-sb.com
Instagram: @amybbacheller
28 Feb 2016
Guest Blog Posts, Vegan Recipes
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Grilled Chickpea Salad Sandwich

chickpea-salad-sandwich

Healthy vegan comfort food anyone?  

Yes please!  This grilled chickpea sandwich is protein packed and reminiscent of the grilled cheese sandwiches I loved in my youth. Chickpeas are also extremely high in fiber.. two cups of them contain the total recommended daily value. Conveniently, canned beans seem to have about the same nutritional benefits as dried beans you soak and cook yourself (HERE is a video by Dr. Michael Greger explaining.)

Grilled Chickpea Salad Sandwichchickpea salad sandwich

Ingredients:

  • 1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • 1 Tbsp sriracha
  • 3 Tbsp vegan mayo ( I used Vegenaise)
  • 3 Tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 stalk of celery diced
  • 2-3 green onions chopped
  • Ezekial bread or whole grain bread of choice
  • Vegan margarine ( I used Earth Balance)

Instructions:

Mash chickpeas with sriracha and then add the vegan mayo, nutritional yeast and salt.  Mix and then stir in celery and green oezekialnions. Make sandwiches, grill and enjoy!

I used Ezekial bread to up the protein content.  Two slices contains 8 grams of protein.

 

If you haven’t tried it, I would definitely recommend it!

26 Feb 2016
Guest Blog Posts
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Tabouli On Fleek

tabouli on fleek

Sometimes it works to stick with tradition, but sometimes its more fun to break the rules!

This easy vegan recipe was inspired when I wanted to make tabouli for lunch, but didn’t have any cracked wheat. I improvised and used quinoa, and also decided to add a few other ingredients that you won’t find in traditional tabouli. My experimentation was a success! Eating a vegan diet is not a rigid science, rather there are so many foods that can be added and/or substituted to get what you want out of your meals. This dish is packed with plant-based protein and many other essential nutrients found in raw parsley, kale, spinach and mint. This vegan dish is also gluten free because I used quinoa instead of cracked wheat. Tabouli On Fleek can be made ahead of time for a quick lunch on-the-go, or paired with falafel and hummus to make a delicious Mediterranean Buddha bowl! You can check out Minimalist Baker for the collard greens falafel recipe that I used to go with my tabouli, and I also whipped up some roasted red pepper hummus. Go on wit yo bad self and break some (recipe) rules!tabouli on fleek

Tabouli On Fleek

Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 cups cooked quinoa
  • 1  cup finely chopped baby kale
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped baby spinach
  • 3 bunches on flat leaf parsley finely chopped
  • One small recipe sized pack of mint, finely chopped (*In the summer when mint is abundant, I will use a lot more chopped mint!)
  • 1/2 medium sized red onion finely diced
  • 1 tsp garlic powder (You could totally mince a few garlic cloves, if you prefer!)
  • Juice of one lemon
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and  mix together!

Enjoy!

Danielle

 

 

03 Feb 2016
Guest Blog Posts, Vegan Recipes
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Spicy Thai Curry Noodle Soup

Spicy-Thai-Curry-Noodle-Soup

Simmer Your Way to a Fusion of Flavors with our 7 ingredient-10 minute “Spicy Thai Curry Noodle Soup.”

This soup has it all… it’s flavorful and satisfying, it’s quick and simple to make, AND it’s made with a line-up of health-promoting ingredients. Just to name a few… Curry has been shown to help with digestion and contains disease-fighting antioxidants. Garlic is known to strengthen our immune systems and regulate blood sugar. And ginger can soothe our stomachs, aid in digestion, and reduce inflammation in the body. Enjoy this easy addition to your plant-based diet plan!

Spicy Thai Curry Noodle Soup

Ingredients

  • 3½ cloves minced garlic
  • 1¾ tbsp minced ginger
  • 2 tbsp red curry paste
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 c vegetable stock
  • 3 c unsweetened coconut milk
  • 7 ounces dried rice noodles
  • For garnish: scallion, Thai basil, red chilies, chopped cilantro

Directions

In a small bowl combine garlic, ginger and curry paste and mix well. Drizzle in olive oil and continue to mix well. Add curry paste mixture to a large soup pot and heat over low to medium heat for 2 minutes. (Add a drop of vegetable stock if paste is too dry.)

Then add vegetable stock and coconut milk and bring to a boil. Place the dry noodles in the soup and cook until all dente. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and garnish with cilantro, red chilies, Thai basil and chopped scallion. Serve immediately … enjoy!

Serves 4

Tips

  • Do not let curry paste dry out… you can add a little stock to keep it from sticking.
  • Substitute any variety of rice noodle
  • Be sure to use “unsweetened ” coconut milk.

Spicy Thai Curry Noodle Soup

28 Dec 2015
Guest Blog Posts, Vegan Recipes
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Classic White Bean and Escarole Soup

White-Bean-and-Escarole-Soup

Simplicity never tasted so good. This Callicoon Kitchen recipe blends tender, velvety escarole with hearty white beans and adds a dash of heat to perfectly balance this White Bean and Escarole Soup … an old time classic that never goes out of style.

Classic White Bean and Escarole Soup

Ingredients

  • 1 head fresh escarole
  • 3 organic Roma tomatoes
  • ½ minced Serrano pepper
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 3 organic carrots
  • 32 ounce vegetable stock
  • 1½ tbsp fresh thyme (leave a few sprigs to garnish)
  • 1½ c Great Northern Beans or Cannellini (If dried beans soak overnight and cook al dente . Substituting high quality canned is OK)
  • 1 tsp tomato paste
  • ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Directionswhite bean and escarole soup

Rough chop fresh escarole then soak in a cold water bath and drain a few times until water is clear then set aside.

Dice garlic, carrots and tomatoes then seed and fine chop Serrano pepper. Take ½ c of beans and mash with back of a fork … remaining beans can be left whole.

Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a pot over a medium heat. Add garlic and sauté 2 minutes. Then add carrots, serrano pepper and ½ c vegetable stock and cook for 5 minutes. Then add escarole and cook down, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes. Finally add tomatoes, thyme, tomato paste, chili flakes, whole and mashed beans and remaining stock and allow to simmer 15 minutes. Check for seasoning then salt and pepper to taste.

Serve up immediately with grilled sourdough or ciabatta and garnish with a few sprigs of fresh thyme and drizzle with high quality olive oil, Enjoy!

Tips
Keep the soup at a simmer (do not boil!)
For a milder soup omit Serrano pepper.

Make this delicious, easy vegan recipe with me as I demo the process HERE! Enjoy!

-Ron Badach

03 Dec 2015
Going Vegan Tips, Vegan Fitness, Vegan Nutrition, Vegan Product Reviews, Vegan Recipes, Vegan-Related Books & Documentaries, Vegan-Related Current Events
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The Six Weeks to Sexy Abs Meal Plan

Six-Weeks-to-Sexy-Abs

I’m INCREDIBLY excited to share with you all the launch of my new book, The Six Weeks To Sexy Abs Meal Plan!

John-Salley-and-Ella-Magers

My inspiration for the book came from hearing the most common complaint, “I workout and eat healthy, so why can’t I lose these last few pounds?” over and over for the last 12 years as a fitness professional! Now I finally have my answer in writing to help people answer this question. Having a structured plan is essential to help us give up old, bad habits, and form new, healthy ones that you will be able to enjoy for a lifetime! The Six Weeks to Sexy Abs Meal Plan gives you that structure. It’s basically an easy to follow formula for a lean, strong, sexy body. This six week meal plan comes with over 100 simple plan-based recipes that I created. They are all both healthy AND delicious. I designed the plan to be practical and do-able, no matter how busy you are, and no matter if you are vegan or not. There is also a supplemental workout routine that goes along with the meal plan.

Before I continue I want to first thank everyone who has supported me throughout the book-writing process over the last 14 months. I want to send a huge thank you to John Salley for writing the forward. And I also want to thank everyone who busy the book during the pre-sale period going on right now – I didn’t realize how important pre-sale numbers are for rankings and the possibility of getting book of the month on Amazon which would be incredible. We’re almost there so your purchase will make a difference (and you will receive the book before anyone else, on the release date of December 15th, in plenty of time for the holiday/New Year!)

Here are some examples of recipes in the plan:

Meal-Plan-CollageFrom left to right: Cinnamon Bun Smoothie, Polenta Pleaser, Chia-ocolate Pudding, Tahini-Topped Roasted Cauliflower Florets, Lusty Lentil Mint Salad, TKO Tofu Omelet with Sweet Potato Hash, Tex Mex Cauliflower Couscous, Bella Broccoli Soup with Quinoa Side, Marry Me Mango Avocado Salad

Believe it or not, these are ALL very simple, whole foods-based, quick and easy dishes to make. Plus they are super satisfying!

The other cool thing about the Six Weeks to Sexy Abs Meal Plan is that I give you specific guidelines to follow, so you can go out to eat, order in, or make your own recipes, as long as you are following the guidelines you are sticking to the plan and will have success.

If you are using the recipes, I make things even more do-able by providing you with a grocery list at the beginning of each week so you don’t have to figure out what you need. It’s right there for you to take to the store. I also give a description of any food you may be unfamiliar with, along with the best place to buy or order it. Most of the ingredients can be found at your local grocery and/or health food store, but often they are much cheaper to buy online, so I give you those suggestions throughout the plan.

Last, I provide you with a supplemental workout regiment to go with the meal plan. It consists of a combination of cross-training, cardio, and yoga. I mention that if you already have a balanced workout routine you enjoy, you do not have to follow mine in order to get results from the meal plan. If you don’t have a regular exercise regiment, or if you want to try something new, efficient, and effective, give my plan a try! Just remember, what we put in our mouths is what’s going to make the big difference when it comes to changing our bodies in a six-week period of time.

So there you have it, the book in a nutshell. I am excited for it to be in everyone’s hands in less than two weeks!!! (It also makes a great gift :))

Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble (paperback and kindle editions).

Thanks again for all the love and support!!!

Six-Weeks-to-Sexy-Abs-Meal-Plan-Book-Jacket