19 Oct 2015
Vegan Recipes
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Protein Fettuccine with Peas and Lemon Caper Sauce

vegan-protein-pasta-dish-with-peas

This easy vegan recipe is incredibly satisfying, high in vegan protein, easy and quick to make, AND packed with nutrients!

I used Expore Asian’s Mung Bean and Edamame Fettuccine, which is not only high in protein, but also high in fiber and low in carbohydrates. Any pasta can be used however, if you don’t have this particular pasta. I discovered Banza Chickpea Pasta the other week and it’s amazing, tasting more like “regular” pasta than the Mung Bean and Edamame one. There are quite a few whole grain, even sprouted whole grain varieties of pasta on the market that are healthier then traditional white pasta and will work with this recipe. I’m all for you using my recipe as a starting point, and playing around with it based on the ingredients you have available and your taste!Mung Bean Fettuchini

Protein Fettuccine with Peas and Lemon Caper Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1/2 a package Mung Bean & Edamame Fettuccine
  • 1 1/2 cups frozen peas
  • 2 handfuls of baby spinach
  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp minced garlic
  • 3 Tbsp chopped basil
  • 1/2 cup chopped parsley
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp capers
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Bring a large pot of water to boil.
  2. Add the fettuccine and frozen peas and bring back to boil, cooking for 5-7 minutes until the pasta is al dente.
  3. Drain and rinse.
  4. Put the pot back on the stove, turning the temperature to medium.
  5. Add the olive oil and garlic and saute for about 2 minutes.
  6. Add the spinach and lemon juice, and continue to saute.
  7. When the spinach begins to wilt, add the basil, parsley, and capers, and saute for another minute.
  8. Add the pasta and peas back into the pot and mix with the sauce until hot.
  9. Add sea salt and pepper to taste.
  10. Enjoy!

If you try any modifications let us know how it turns out!

 

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

07 Oct 2015
Sexy Fit Vegan of the Month, Vegan Fame and Fortune
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Russell Simmons – Sexy Fit Vegan of the Month

Russell-Simmons-with-Al-ROker-Today-Show-on-Vegan

This month I want to recognize the incredibly talented, insightful, and seemingly tireless Russell Simmons as Sexy Fit Vegan® of the Month for October 2015!

Hip-hop star-maker, fashion mogul, philanthropist and social activist Russell Simmons has been a vegan for 17 years, adopting the lifestyle as it first became known in the US. “It started with my yoga practice and, you know, the practice of non-harming – ‘ahimsa.’ So I became a vegan because of compassion for the animals. The vegan diet was being discussed around me all the time, so finally, I just made the choice,” Simmons told Today Show correspondent Al Roker in July.

Simmons, now 57 (and looking great!) added that “the first thing I did was lose 20 pounds and I haven’t put that back on. Do I feel better than I felt 15, 17 years ago? Yeah, I think so. I think I’m in pretty good shape.”russell simmons with al roker on Today Show

These days, Simmons is all about finding happiness. He embraces yoga and meditation as a healthy way to find focus and happiness, and says these practices complement his dietary choices. “You do all kinds of twisting poses to clean your liver and cleanse your intestines, so when you think about what adds to your practice, what will nourish you, you know that you don’t want to put animal products in you,” he told Vegetarian Times magazine.Russell Simmons The Happy Vegan

He expanded on this idea during an interview with CNN. “You want to be healthy, you want to feel light,” he said. “I’m a person who comes from a lot of drugs – for 25 years. All the drugs. All kinds of highs. Now, I find food as a drug. It’s become more subtle. Food is a drug. It makes you tired, lethargic or awake and clear. It’s inflammatory food or it’s anti-inflammatory food. You start to look at your body differently. You try to become more in your body.”

Now Simmons also has a new book out, “The Happy Vegan,” that offers an inspiring guide to the benefits of conscious eating and veganism.

The star is encouraged to see more and more people choosing veganism as a way of life. “Everybody around me seems to be going vegan. I’m watching the whole world transform in front of me. I don’t know if it’s my diet… my book being a best seller… These subjects were not subjects that were selling 15 years ago,” he told Vegetarian Times.

In an essay written for CBS news, Simmons summed up why he’s a perfect candidate for Sexy Fit Vegan® of the Month: “If you take some of your daily effort and direct it toward eating a vegan diet, your heart’s going to see an amazing return on your investment,” he said. We couldn’t agree more!

 

 

05 Oct 2015
Guest Blog Posts, Vegan-Related Current Events
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Fast Against Slaughter 2015

World-Day-for-Farmed-Animals-Fast

On October 2, 2015 I participated in the Fast Against Slaughter for the first time.  

Oct 2 is World Day for Farmed Animals , and on this day tens of thousands of people take the pledge to fast in support of the billions of farm animals that are slaughtered each year.

Each day approximately 160 millions of animals are slaughtered  for food.  Before slaughter they are denied food and water for several hours or even several days.  They are scared and starving.  Through a voluntary sacrifice of food the hope is to bring an awareness to the plight of these animals and to experience a fraction of what they go through.

This was my first water only fast.  I have done juice cleanses before, but this was a whole new ball game. The fast could be anywhere between 8-36 hours, but my goal was 24.  I actually decided to do this at the very last minute.  I was already in the middle of the Wild Rose D-tox and I really wanted to do a heavy leg workout the day of the fast so I was questioning whether it was a good idea.  Basically I was making excuses. But at zero hour (literally midnight on Oct 1) I ate my last meal and committed to the fast.

IMG_3732I woke up hungry, like I do every morning, drank some black coffee ( I am actually not sure if this was allowed) and guzzled some water and got on with it. And for the most part I felt ok.  Hungry but ok.  Hunger pangs come in waves, and I found if I kept myself busy I could ignore them and they would pass.  I felt pretty good up until the last 8 hours or so and then I got shakey, headachey and was grinding my teeth. But I sucked it up, went to a movie, drank a ton of water and  made it the full 24 hours!  What kept me going was knowing that I was only experiencing a small part of what millions of farm animals experience each day and that I had a TOMORROW.  They do not.

This was a surprisingly emotional experience for me. I felt really connected to both the animals the I was fasting for and also to the amazing community of people who participated in this fast.  Any time I felt like bailing I was encouraged and supported by fellow vegans ( and non vegans too).  And to the naysayers out there who say that this fast is pointless because it doesn’t actually save any animals I would like to quote an 11 year old boy doing the fast who said “We have a 2 minute silence for the soldiers who have died for us every year but the 2 minute silent doesn’t bring them back.  Fasting today is our way of paying respect to the animals.”

I will definitely be participating again next year and I hope many of you will join me. You can find more information about the fast at www.dayforanimals.org.

Kirsten

 

 

02 Oct 2015
Guest Blog Posts, Vegan Recipes
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Shredded Vegan Protein Cookies

vegan-protein-cookies

I hope all you Sexy Fit Vegan readers enjoy this recipe for Shredded Vegan Protein Cookies!

Since I am a physique competitor protein is of utmost importance to my diet. Based on other vegan protein cookie recipes I’ve seen, I found by making some adjustment I could make these even healthier and a little more fun. After a few rounds of trying it I think I got it perfect. These cookies make a great dessert, or treat because they are not only delicious, but also protein-packed without any artificial ingredients. 

Shredded Vegan Protein Cookies

Makes: 6
Serving Size: 1
Nutrition Facts: Calories 199 | Protein 8 | Fat 11.3 | Carbs 18 | Sugar 10 | Fiber 1.2
Ingredients:
3 Tbsp Maple Almond Butter (Justin’s is my favorite)
3/8 Cup of Vanilla Vegan Protein Powder (VeganMax is my favorite)
3 Tbsp of Organic Agave Syrup
½ Cup of Gluten Free Oats
¼ cup Almond Milk
1 Tbsp 90% dark chocolate chips
½ tsp Vanilla Extract
¼ Cup of Shredded Coconut Flakes
1 Tbsp coconut oil

⦁ Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
⦁ Mix all ingredients (except chocolate chips, coconut flakes, and coconut oil) in food processor until they are a fine paste.
⦁ Put contents of food processor in medium bowl and sprinkle on coconut flakes and chocolate chips then mold the dough into 6 balls.
⦁ Rub the coconut oil on the bottom of an oven safe glass-baking pan and then spread the balls out on the pan.
⦁ Cook for 8-10 minutes at 325 degrees F.
⦁ Keep an eye on them and once they start browning it’s a good idea to check them. You don’t want to overcook them or they will be dry.
⦁ Let cool and enjoy!

Thanks to Ella for the opportunity to share my love of healthy nutrition and cooking with her members.

30 Sep 2015
Vegan Nutrition, Vegan Product Reviews, Vegan Recipes
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New High Protein Chickpea Pasta!

Banza-Chickpea-Pasta

I noticed a new high protein vegan-friendly pasta on the grocery store shelves the other day… Banza pasta made from chickpeas!Banza-Chickpea-Pasta-nutritional-label

I’m always excited to find new, healthy products to add my vegan diet plan (and share with all of you of course) so I was psyched to give this pasta a try. I checked the ingredients… approved! I cooked it up the same night. I was craving mac and cheese so I simply added a splash of Good Karma flax milk, some Daiya vegan cheese shreds, and sea salt and pepper, and wow, it was a hit! Compared to the mung bean pasta I usually eat, this pasta tastes more like traditional white pasta. It’s not as low in carbs, has less fiber, and is not organic, but it still has a great nutritional profile. Check it out…

In comparison to regular wheat pasta, Banza pasta has:

  • Double the protein (14 vs. 7 grams per serving).
  • Nearly half the net carbs (24 vs. 40 grams per serving).
  • Four times more fiber (8 vs. 2 grams per serving).

Besides being vegan, Banza pasta is also gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO, made in a nut-free facility and free from artificial ingredients. In fact it only has 4 ingredients! Chickpeas, tapioca, pea protein, and xanthan gum.

I checked out their website, and Banza offers a ton of recipes, few of which are vegan. I picked one that only had a couple ingredients substituted to share with you, but many of the other recipes can also be easily modified to make vegan.

Thai Peanut Pasta Salad

Ingredients

Serves 6-8 ~ Vegan ~ Gluten Free

  • 1 box Banza rotini pasta
  • 1/4 cup + 1/8 cup peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon agave or date paste
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon sriracha
  • 1 cup shredded red cabbage
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 3 green onions, sliced thinly

Recipe

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until pasta is cool.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, agave or date paste, sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar, water and sriracha.
  3. Toss noodles with sauce.
  4. Toss cabbage, carrots and green onions with pasta.
  5. Chill and serve cold.

Vegan-Thai-Peanut-Pasta-Salad

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

25 Sep 2015
Vegan Product Reviews
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An Energy Drink Without the Junk!

I like to share the products I use on a regular basis and Hi Ball Sparkling Energy Water is one of them!

Even on a whole foods based vegan diet plan, it’s possible to need an extra boost on occasion. I am not alone when I say I am extremely active… Hi Ball Energy WaterThere are fitness freaks and athletes everywhere and we like to push ourselves to the max. Our workouts are demanding physically and mentally. And then, most of us are active the other hours of the day until it’s time to collapse in bed. No matter how clean we eat, our bodies may say, “You need to chill for a few hours,” yet it’s 1:00 in the afternoon and we have another 6 hours of work to do. No need to suffer… Hi Ball Energy to the rescue!

My favorite is the Grapefruit Sparkling Energy Water. It has zero calories, zero sugar, and no artificial flavors or sweeteners. Additionally it contains vitamins B6 and B12, niacin, pantothenic acid, and organic panax ginseng extract. In combination with the organic guarana and caffeine, this drink packs a punch. The company also offers organic energy drinks that additionally contain a bit of organic juice and organic sugar. I haven’t tried these because I prefer to stay away from sugar, even organic sugar, as much as possible.

I’m not a fan of the taste of the majority of energy drinks out there. This one is refreshing with a very light flavor and no after-taste. If you didn’t know what it was, you would think it was sparkling water with a drop of fresh grapefruit juice.

I have found that one small can (only 8.4 oz) is more than enough to spike my energy through the roof for hours without the “crash” I experience with coffee. It also comes in 16 oz cans which is way too much for me.

This energy water is around $2.67 per small can at Whole Foods or Fresh Market. For the results, it’s worth the money.

Hi Ball Energy is unfortunately not a plant-based company. They have a coffee beverage that contains milk and a protein shake coming soon that is made with milk protein. I urge the company to go vegan! There is simply no reason to use dairy-based ingredients, especially in this day and age when there are countless alternatives available. 

 

18 Sep 2015
Vegan Nutrition, Vegan Product Reviews
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Vegan Dog Food Review – Pet Guard Vegetarian Feast

vegetarian-feast-vegan-dog-food

There are a growing number of choices for vegan dog food these days.

So far PetGuard’s Vegetarian Feast Dinner is my dog’s favorite.

We are fortunate to live in a day and age where we can feed our dogs organic, plant-based food that is fortified with every nutrient they need to live healthy happy lives. Ethically, I couldn’t rescue a dog from death and then feed her dead animals. Sure, it can be argued that a plant-based diet is not the “natural” way dogs eat. However, if my dog’s diet is nutritionally balanced to meet her needs, she loves it, is full of energy, and has a clean bill of health, I can argue, “What’s wrong with that?” The Vegetarian Feast Dinner is “formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles for maintenance.”

As with people, dogs can be picky about their food (some more than others) so it can take some experimentation to find the vegan dog food that pleases your pet. My dog Shye happens to love to eat in general, but before I get into more, let me quickly share Shye’s story.

Shye came from the Miami-Dade Animal Services pound, listed as a stray. I remember the moment I saw Shye for the first time like it was yesterday. I was walking by each cage slowly (this is SO hard and heart breaking), and when I got to Shye’s cage, she caught my eye because she was sitting at the very back, facing the back wall of the cage. She heard me and without moving her body, she did a 180 with her head and stared at me with her big brown eyes. We made a connection and I walked out of the facility with her in my arms that day.

From day one Shye has scarfed down food she enjoys so fast I sometimes think she forgets to chew! When she doesn’t like a food however, she will stay away from it like the plague. I tried several different brands of vegan dog food, dry and wet, before finding her favorite, and that is PetGuard’s Vegetarian Feast Dinner. I’ve found that Chewy.com has the best deal for ordering or you can pick it up at your local Whole Foods Market. 

I’m going to keep trying out new brands however, because I’d love to buy from a cruelty-free company (one that makes only vegan products). So if you have a brand of vegan dog food that your dog loves please share!

vegan-dog-Shye