I was thrilled to receive my first ever Vegan Cuts Snack Box the other day. I knew it was a great concept, but I had no idea if this vegan snack bundle would live up to my hopeful expectations…

It did!

First of all, it was exciting to open and unpack the box, 1 item at a time, since I had not even looked at the preview of what was coming. Ok, so maybe I get excited easily… but I’m sure many of you would have felt the same way. It takes me a long time to go through the isles of the grocery store, looking for new products to try, reading ingredients, and making the decision to try one new product over all the others. It’s much easier and safer to stick with what you know. That’s one of the main reasons why this box was so satisfying… I got to try new products without spending the time or energy at the store. Many of the products in the box are snack size, which are often unavailable in stores.

Here’s what was included:

Upton Naturals Bar-B-Q Jack Fruit
Protings Protein Chips (sample size)
Betty Lou’s PB&J Bar
Theo Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Perky Fruit Bodies Fruit Roll Up (sample size)
Endangered Species Dark Chocolate Infused with Cranberry, Orange & Cinnamon
Follow Your Hear VeganEgg (sample size)
Nutpods Dairy-Free Creamer
El Pastry Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake Mix

After getting over the initial enjoyment of unpacking the box, the next test was to find out if I actually liked the snacks. It was definitely more sweets/chocolate than I typically buy during a month period, but the deal is so good, I would feel fine about giving away an item or two to friends or clients (anything I didn’t want to keep in my kitchen, tempting me in the middle of the night)!

So far I’ve tried the first 6 on the list above. The Bar-B-Q Jack Fruit is by far my favorite discovery thanks to this vegan snack box. All I can say is WOW! I’m not sure how long it would have taken me to have bought and tried that one on my own. I plan on giving it a full review on my blog soon because I liked it so much. My second favorite was the PB&J Bar (amazing on-the-go snack), followed by the Peanut Butter Cups. The Chocolate Bar was incredible too. The Fruit Roll-Up was so tiny it was hard to judge (I have a feeling even a full size one wouldn’t make enough of a snack to be worth it.) The Protein Chips were the only snack I didn’t enjoy… they tasted like crispy cardboard. I had been eager to try the VeganEgg since it came out months ago so I was thrilled to get this sample. I scrambled the VeganEgg as directed and it came out with the look, feel, and I think taste (it’s been 20 years since I’ve eaten egg) of scrambled eggs. The creamer will be opened when my mom comes to visit soon (she is a coffee and creamer person. And last, the chocolate cake is something I’ll make when the spirit moves me… I’m psyched it’s so easy to make though!

A little about Vegan Cuts: It’s a 100% vegan company and online vegan marketplace. They carry a monthly Snack Box and Beauty Box, and feature special boxes like one for athletes/fitness freaks (lots of vegan proteins), and a Vegan Starter Kit box.

The Vegan Cuts Snack Box in brief:

7-10 vegan snacks
Sweet and savory: Chips, cookies, bars, chocolate, crackers, tea, and more
Mostly gluten-free snacks
Mix of full and sample size products
$19.95 a month
Cancel anytime, though they doubt you’ll ever want to
Free shipping to the U.S.
The Vegan Cuts Snack Box ships worldwide

Since I was so pleased with the Vegan Snack Box, I recently accepted their invitation to become an affiliate/ambassador. This says a lot because I only agree to affiliations with companies I truly believe in and would promote regardless.

I hope this post was helpful and I’d love to hear what you think if you try one of the boxes!

28 Dec 2015

Ron Badach

Guest Blog Posts, Vegan Recipes

Tags: easy vegan recipes, gourmet vegan recipes, healthy recipes, simple vegan recipes, soup, vegan diet plan, vegan recipes, vegan soup

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Classic 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

Directions

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

10 Dec 2015

Ella Magers, MSW

Vegan Fitness, Vegan Nutrition, Vegan Product Reviews, Vegan-Friendly Restaurants, Vegan-Related Current Events

Tags: healthy cruise, holistic cruise, vegan cruise, vegan diet plan

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Join Us On The Holistic Holiday At Sea Cruise 2016!

When I found out about the Holistic Holiday at Sea cruise I was ecstatic… A cruise that is BOTH healthy AND fun?!

I couldn’t believe I have lived in Miami 13 years and have never taken advantage of this cruise. The 2016 Holistic Holiday at Sea will be my first year on board this ship and I’m rounding up friends and family to come with me. (The dates are February 27th-March 5th so it’s time to get on the ball and make it happen!)

I’m especially excited because some of my favorite nutrition experts (like Dr. Michael Greger), plant-based chefs, and fitness pros will be on board presenting and teaching. I’ve found that most health or wellness-focused cruises offer yoga but not strength and conditioning type classes. Not true for this cruise! There is a class for everybody and every mood, so in addition to yoga and pilates there are also boot camp and body building type of classes from some of the top names in the fitness world. And the other part about this cruise that makes it different than other health cruises is that it not only gives you the opportunity to detox and relax, but also is upbeat with a wide variety of things to do from cooking classes to snorkeling to cocktail parties… how appealing does that sound?! Then there are the awesome plant-based meals, catering not just to people eating vegan, but also those who eat gluten-free or oil-free. I just find this incredible, and I want to experience it with you all! Holistic-Holiday-at-Sea-Photos

Here is a description of the experience:

“Holistic Holiday at Sea presents the ultimate gift for your mind, body and spirit. Share the experience and wisdom of some of the world’s leading authorities and experts in holistic living and natural health. Cruise the Eastern Caribbean on one of the world’s premier Italian luxury liners, the MSC Divina, which combines the style and sophistication of Europe with American comforts and convenience. Visit exciting ports of call as we sail from Miami, Florida to natural paradise Charlotte Amalie/St. Thomas, USVI; historic and vibrant San Juan, Puerto Rico; and sun-soaked Nassau, Bahamas. All this and more while you dine on specially prepared vegan natural foods and beverages prepared by our own chefs. Lectures and workshops included.”

When they say, “health experts,” it’s the real deal… the line-up includes Dr. Michael Greger of NutritionFacts.org (one of my all time favorite speakers), Dr. T. Colin Campbell, co-author of The China Study” and featured in Forks Over Knives, Dr. Neal Barnard, founder of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Dr. Michael Klaper, long-time radio host and acclaimed health educator, Chef AJ, inspiring speaker and author of Unprocessed: How to Achieve Vibrant Health and Your Ideal Weight… and this is just to name a few. You MUST see the line-up. It’s crazy! And 95% of ALL the classes, workshops, presentations, and lectures are included in the price of the cruise, including the big names guests. Plus, these presenters are not all quarantined off in their own VIP areas, they eat and hang with everyone on board.

I’m honored that the bookstore will also be carrying my new book, The Six Weeks To Sexy Abs Meal Plan! I will be doing a book signing as well 🙂

As I mentioned above, there are also daily yoga, pilates, fitness, running, meditation, and body building classes. Food options for everyone, including vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free. There will be vegan pizza and ice cream parties and other social events and parties. We’ll have opportunities to swim, snorkel and kayak in the beautiful Carribbean waters. On top of all that, this is all on an award-winning environmentally friendly ship!

I’m all booked and am psyched to get a good group together so we are ensured the BEST time ever!!! So please check it out and scoop up your tickets before it’s too late. Right now, you can also get a $50 on-board credit just by mentioning Sexy Fit Vegan 🙂

Learn more about the 2016 Holistic Holiday at Sea Cruise HERE.

Let me know if you have any questions and/or you are coming aboard – would love to meet you all in person!!

09 Dec 2015

Ella Magers, MSW

Going Vegan Tips, Vegan Fitness, Vegan Nutrition, Vegan Recipes

Tags: healthy holiday dishes, healthy holiday recipes, vegan diet plan, vegan holiday, vegan holiday recipes, vegan recipes

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Top 8 Healthy Holiday Recipes

vegan-healthy-holiday-recipe-apple-gingerbread-cake

Do you, like most of us, use the holidays as an excuse to gorge on unhealthy foods?

Are you, like most of us, also making the resolution to get in better shape and see your sexy abs in the New Year?

I’m writing this especially for you!

Let me start by saying that I am a realist and agree that we shouldn’t give ourselves a hard time for splurging sometimes. The holidays are a time of overwhelming temptations. I get it! However, if your New Year’s resolution is to lose weight and get in better shape, then over-doing it too much is really setting yourself up for failure. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but I am saying that, quite simply, the less weight you gain before January 1st, the less weight you have to lose.

Being moderate over the holidays is easy to say, more challenging to do. That’s why I wanted to come up with a list of healthy holiday recipes that will make everyone happy, especially yourself in the new year! Filling yourself up with yummy yet healthy dishes will make less room on your plate for those dishes that will contribute to packing on the pounds. So many traditional holiday dishes (vegetarian and some vegan ones included) are stuffed with bad fats/oils, highly processed grains, and refined sugars. The good news is they don’t have to be in order for dishes to be satisfying and delicious! Take a look at my list of top healthy holiday recipes to either follow or get ideas to create your own special recipe. Adding new traditions to the holiday table is a great thing, and you will convince your family and friends to agree when they give your dish a try!

Crustless Mushroom and Chive Quiche from Kirsten Mitchell @veganfueledfitness
Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Avocado Garlic Aioli from Oh She Glows!
Glazed Lentil Walnut Apple Loaf from Oh She Glows!
Ridiculously Delish Roasted Brussels Sprouts (from my new book, The Six Weeks to Sexy Abs Meal Plan!)
Vegan Cornbread from The Pretty Bee
Vegan Green Bean Casserole from Oh She Glows!
1 Bowl Apple Gingerbread Cake from The Minimalist Baker
Silk Chocolate Pie from Making Thyme for Health
Feel free to share your favorite vegan, healthy holiday recipes as well! Happy Holidays!!!

03 Dec 2015

Ella Magers, MSW

Going Vegan Tips, Vegan Fitness, Vegan Nutrition, Vegan Product Reviews, Vegan Recipes, Vegan-Related Books & Documentaries, Vegan-Related Current Events

Tags: easy vegan recipes, healthy diet plan, healthy meal plan, how to go vegan, vegan diet plan, vegan fitness, vegan meal plan, weight loss

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The Six Weeks to Sexy Abs Meal Plan

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

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:

From 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!!!

30 Nov 2015

Ron Badach

Guest Blog Posts, Vegan Recipes

Tags: beets, healthy recipes, healthy vegan dishes, holiday recipes, Quinoa, salad, vegan diet plan, vegan recipes

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Roasted Golden Beet and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

A holiday menu featuring quality… not quantity is a delicious and classy way to lower holiday stress.

Callicoon Kitchen’s Roasted Beet and Quinoa Salad with a Citrus Vinaigrette is the perfect vegan dish to inspire this new tradition.

Ingredients:

8 shallots
3 golden beets
1 ½ c cooked quinoa
1 ½ c cooked baby black lentils
2 Clementines chopped
Handful raw unsalted pistachios
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Pinch salt pepper
½ c fresh mint chopped
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil plus extra for drizzling

Citrus Vinaigrette

Juice and zest of ½ lemon
Juice and Zest of ½ orange
½ c extra virgin Olive oil
¼ c golden balsamic Vinegar
½ tbsp granulated sugar
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Peel and halve shallots then toss with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Place on a foil lined baking sheet and cover with foil. Bake 20 minutes then uncover and bake additional 15 minutes then remove from oven and set aside.

Cut greens from beets leaving about 1 inch of stem on the top then rinse well under cold water. Place cleaned beet on foil and drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of Kosher salt. Wrap up in foil and bake for approx.. 45 minutes (larger beets may take a little longer.) Pierce beet with a sharp knife ..when knife goes through without resistance the beet are fully cooked.. Remove beets from oven and let cool. Once cool peel outer layer of beets and dice.

While shallots and beets are in the oven cook black lentils and quinoa per package instructions and set aside.

To prepare Citrus Vinaigrette combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk well until combined. Be sure to whisk again prior to use.

In a large mixing bowl combine quinoa, lentils, beets, shallots, Clementines, mint and pistachios and mix to combine. Pour dressing over the salad and mix well. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve on a white platter and garnish with sliced pear s and crushed pistachios. Enjoy!

Tips:
You can use only quinoa and/or black lentils if needed. Substitute walnuts or pecans for pistachios as desired.

Check out www.callicoonkitchen.com to watch Ron prepare the dish!

27 Nov 2015

Ella Magers, MSW

Going Vegan Tips, Vegan Fitness, Vegan Nutrition, Vegan Product Reviews, Vegan Recipes, Vegan-Related Books & Documentaries, Vegan-Related Current Events

Tags: books, dvds, easy vegan recipes, ebooks, vegan athletes, vegan diet plan, vegan fitness, vegan meal plans, vegan protein

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No Meat Athlete Fitness Bundle

I want to share with you all that Matt Frazier from NoMeatAthlete messaged me a while ago asking if I’d like to join his 2nd annual NoMeatAthlete Plant-Based Fitness Bundle, and I, of course, said yes… I was honored!

The gist of it is that it’s a whole bunch of online veg-friendly fitness and food products (lots of great eCourses and eBooks) available for a big discount for just 5 days.

Click HERE to check it out, but first, here’s a quick run-down…

The list of products and contributors is HUGE! It consists of:

Matt Frazier – Wake Up (eBook + audio), 100 Minutes Faster webinar series, and a ticket to his upcoming live Online Goal-Setting Seminar
Heather Crosby – The YumUniverse 5-day Test Drive Kit
Robert Cheeke – Shred It! eBook + MP3 audio bonus with Matt Frazier
Thomas Tadlock’s – Vegan10 Day Tummy Tightener
Chef AJ – Ultimate Weight Loss Package: 21 Day Recipe Guide + 4 MP3 audio coaching lessons
Doug Hay – Busy Runner Routine eCourse
Jeff Sanders – The 5AM Miracle eBook and The 5AM Blueprint eCourse
Ella Magers – How To Go Vegan A Beginner’s Guide eBook
Scott Shetler – Plant-Based Performance eBooks (A Compassionate Approach To Fitness and Know Your Strength)
Rich Roll – Jai Seed eCookbook and Jai Meditation program
Sid Garza-Hillman – Approaching The Natural eBook
Karen Ranzi – Raw Vegan Recipe Fun For Families eBook
Derek Tresize – The Vegan Muscle & Fitness Guide To Bodybuilding Competitions
Whitney Lauritsen – Healthy Organic Vegan on a Budget eBook
Dreena Burton – Plant-Powered 15 eBook

All told that’s $400 worth of products for just $49… crazy! I’m so thrilled to be a part of this awesome offer and to be able to bring such valuable resources to my readers for such an affordable price.

Here are some examples of a few of the products you’ll get:

I’m be sad if you missed out on this special Plant-Based Fitness Bundle, so remember, it is going away forever on Wednesday (Dec 2) at 10am EST. (I got the word that there will be no exceptions.) So if this sounds like something up your alley get it now right HERE!

ENJOY!!!

11 Nov 2015

Ella Magers, MSW

Vegan Fitness, Vegan Nutrition, Vegan Product Reviews

Tags: meal replacement, nutritional shake, protein powder, protein shake, super foods, superfoods, vegan diet plan, Vegan Nutrition, vegan protein, vegan protein powder

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Delicious Super Food Shake for Super Human Health

Recently, I was lucky enough to get an email from Lisa Hunt, founder of FedUp Foods, asking if I’d like to try a sample of her new Powerootz Superfood Nutritional Shake.

I’m a sucker for trying new plant-based protein and nutrition shakes even though I’m super picky about the flavor, taste, and texture of these powders. I usually end up trying them once and never again.

I seem to always return to my favorite shake I make myself with whole foods. I make it with unsweetened flax milk, frozen banana, almond or peanut butter, flax meal, amla powder (a super food) and sometimes a couple dates and/or vanilla extract. I love the flavor, taste, and texture. Wow, my mouth waters just thinking about it!

I couldn’t imagine having this same feeling about ANY protein powder…. until the day the sample of Powerootz Superfood Nutritional Shake came in the mail. I blended it with the same flax milk and frozen banana and poured it in my glass. When I took that first sip I couldn’t have been more delighted and surprised! It actually tasted as delicious and satisfying as my favorite recipe, and it didn’t scream, “I’m a powder!” PLUS it has a ton of superfoods that the shake I make doesn’t contain (AND it contains the amla powder I use).

I was thrilled to learn more about the ingredients of the Powerootz shake. It’s made with a bunch of powerful raw superfoods. In her blog post that gives a thorough account of the superfoods her shake contains, Lisa says, “I went on a hunt for the most powerful and possibly superhumanizing superfoods on the planet and you might be shocked by what I found! I researched the top 15 most powerful superfoods and I think there might be something more than coincidence going on here… Could plants actually make you perform beyond your current capacities? Were herbs, roots, and plants designed specifically to heal, empower, and restore us?”

Powerootz superfoods

In addition to the 1500 mg of raw superfood blend, it also contains detoxifying minerals, has 23 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber, and only 3 grams of sugar and 4 grams of fat.

It comes in the flavors Peanut Butter Bliss and Chocolate Peanut Butter Madness, both of which are fantastic. I get the Peanut Butter Bliss knowing I can always add some raw cacao powder if I’m in the mood for chocolate.

Check out Lisa’s website, awesome blog, and of course order some Powerootz shakes for yourself! All Sexy Fit Vegan fans get 20% off your order… just use code “ELLA” at checkout and you will be hooked up 🙂

Let me know what you think!

02 Nov 2015

Ella Magers, MSW

Sexy Fit Vegan of the Month

Tags: Ironman, sexy fit vegan of the month, vegan athlete, vegan celebrity, vegan champion, vegan diet plan, vegan fitness, vegan protein

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Brendan Brazier – Sexy Fit Vegan Celebrity of the Month

This month we honor the former professional Ironman triathlete, two-time Canadian 50km Ultra Marathon Champion, creator of nutritional products brand VEGA, and bestselling author of Thrive, Brendan Brazier.

I met Brendan many years ago through our mutual friend, pro ultra-marathoner Chad Weller… so a big thank you to Chad! Since then, I have had the pleasure getting to know Brendan, who is not only an incredible athlete, but also a talented author, businessman, and all around stand-up guy. On my recent visit to Los Angeles, Brendan kicked my ass on the Santa Monica stairs, but then I got to show off a bit when we took a kickboxing class the next day.

Brendan has an interesting story and great food-philosophies…

When and why did you become vegan?

I was about 16, running middle distance events in high school, and trying to improve my performance. I didn’t start off vegan—I began experimenting. I tried different ways of eating, and consuming all plant-based, nutrient-dense foods made sense. I found eating a vegan diet comprised of whole foods made a big difference in that it helped me reduce inflammation it took less time for digestion, I had faster recovery times, less cramps, and less injuries.

What inspired you to write Thrive?
The first version, only about 100 pages, was self-published in 2004. People were looking for new ways of eating and asking questions, so it was basically made up of answers to frequently asked questions delivered in a concise book form. It covered where I got my protein and iron and what meals I ate on a regular basis, along with what I ate before and after a workout, especially to speed recovery. I didn’t expect it to do well, but it did. I expanded it into The Thrive Diet in Canada and Thrive in the U.S because the word “diet” has different connotations in different countries. “Diet” implies restrictions in U.S. culture.

How did the Vega product line come to be?
I had originally planed to keep racing, and I would do a two-week tour of health food stores in Canada at the end of each season. I did that for one year, and then Vega took off. We expanded based on demand, never thinking it would grow to this point.

I had to make a decision whether I would go on pursuing triathlon or focus on growing Vega. Charles, my partner, had funded the whole project, putting everything into it even though he had a family. I wanted it to work for both of us, and I thought it would be selfish to not see it through. So I made the decision to jump fully in Vega and work on growing the business with him.

What does a healthy vegan diet plan consist of? Do you recommend eating raw?
Eating completely raw isn’t necessary, but when some foods get cooked and denatured, they are not as useful to your body. Raw is good, but simple, unprocessed, basic whole foods are most important. Items like quinoa or sprouted bread aren’t raw, but they are basic and simple, clean nutrition. Eat mindfully with a purpose, before and after workouts. Eat for what you want to achieve.

How do you suggest people make the shift to a new diet?
It’s not all or nothing. People can dabble, and that’s fine. Over time your palate will change, and you will crave basic, simple foods. People’s taste buds are over-stimulated because they eat many refined foods. But you can recalibrate it so that you will notice many different flavors when you eat something as simple as a potato.

THANK YOU BRENDAN for being such an inspiration to us all!

Learn more about Brendan Brazier, Thrive books and products, events and more on his website BrendanBrazier.com

27 Oct 2015

Ron Badach

Guest Blog Posts, Vegan Recipes

Tags: butternut squash, butternut squash soup, easy vegan recipes, vegan diet plan, vegan recipes, vegan soup

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Butternut Squash Bisque

Welcoming in the fall with this seasonal spectacular Butternut Squash Bisque easy vegan recipe.

When the days get shorter and the birds head south, staying fit mentally and physically can really be a challenge. This creamy, simple, satisfying butternut squash bisque will not only elevate your mood but also nourish you the right way so you can take back the day. This easy vegan recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or as an elegant first course to dress up your holiday table.

Butternut Squash Bisque

Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 tbsp olive oil
1 organic butternut squash
½ Vidalia onion
2 carrots
2 c vegetable stock
1 c water
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
6 whole cloves of garlic
½ c unsweetened almond milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Use tip of a knife to poke small holes around outer edge of squash then microwave on high for 3 minutes (this will to soften exterior of squash.) Allow squash to cool then slice off top and bottom then cut in half and remove seeds. Using a peeler remove the outer skin. Cut squash into 1-inch cubes.

To a large mixing bowl add cubed squash, 6 cloves of garlic, 3 tbsp olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Combine together then spread on a baking sheet covered with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes then remove from oven and set aside.

Dice onion and carrots. Heat a few tbsp of olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add carrots, onion and nutmeg and mix well, stirring occasionally, cook for 8 -10 minutes. Add squash and cook for an additional 5 minutes (you can add a small amount of water if mixture gets too dry.) Then add vegetable stock and water and bring to a boil and then reduce to simmer 8-10 minutes.

Remove pot from heat. Use an immersion blender (regular blender or food processor will also work) to blend soup mixture until smooth texture. Thin with water if necessary. Stir in almond milk then salt and pepper to taste. Return to stove to heat soup (do not boil) then ready to serve… enjoy!

Tips:
Garnish with ground nutmeg or cinnamon. Can also top with chopped pecans or other nut.
Serve as a light dinner or an elegant first course at your next dinner party.
Check out www.callicoonkithen.com to watch Ron prepare the dish!

Tag Archives: vegan diet plan

Vegan Cuts Snack Box Review

I was thrilled to receive my first ever Vegan Cuts Snack Box the other day. I knew it was a great concept, but I had no idea if this vegan snack bundle would live up to my hopeful expectations…

It did!

Classic 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

Join Us On The Holistic Holiday At Sea Cruise 2016!

When I found out about the Holistic Holiday at Sea cruise I was ecstatic… A cruise that is BOTH healthy AND fun?!

Top 8 Healthy Holiday Recipes

Do you, like most of us, use the holidays as an excuse to gorge on unhealthy foods?

Are you, like most of us, also making the resolution to get in better shape and see your sexy abs in the New Year?

The Six Weeks to Sexy Abs Meal Plan

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

Roasted Golden Beet and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

A holiday menu featuring quality… not quantity is a delicious and classy way to lower holiday stress.

Callicoon Kitchen’s Roasted Beet and Quinoa Salad with a Citrus Vinaigrette is the perfect vegan dish to inspire this new tradition.

No Meat Athlete Fitness Bundle

I want to share with you all that Matt Frazier from NoMeatAthlete messaged me a while ago asking if I’d like to join his 2nd annual NoMeatAthlete Plant-Based Fitness Bundle, and I, of course, said yes… I was honored!

The gist of it is that it’s a whole bunch of online veg-friendly fitness and food products (lots of great eCourses and eBooks) available for a big discount for just 5 days.

Delicious Super Food Shake for Super Human Health

Recently, I was lucky enough to get an email from Lisa Hunt, founder of FedUp Foods, asking if I’d like to try a sample of her new Powerootz Superfood Nutritional Shake.

Brendan Brazier – Sexy Fit Vegan Celebrity of the Month

This month we honor the former professional Ironman triathlete, two-time Canadian 50km Ultra Marathon Champion, creator of nutritional products brand VEGA, and bestselling author of Thrive, Brendan Brazier.

Butternut Squash Bisque

Welcoming in the fall with this seasonal spectacular Butternut Squash Bisque easy vegan recipe.

Butternut Squash Bisque

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AWARDED