Vegan MoFo #9: Cheezy Kale Salad

   Well my friends, you are super lucky today because I am posting twice!  That's right, two posts in one day and this one is a recipe post.
  I'm really doing this for my mom at her request.  She loves this kale salad that I make, and asks for it anytime that I buy kale.  So, here's the recipe... I hope you guys love it as much as she does.  Oh, and if you've ever read Kim Snyder's Beauty Detox Solution you'll notice that this salad is similar to one that she makes.  It's the bomb.

"Cheezy" Kale Salad
Serves 2-4
Ingredients
1 head kale
1 lemon, juiced
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 tomato, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
1 avocado, sliced
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 - 2 tbsp hemp seeds
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions:
Wash the kale thoroughly and tear it away from the stems.  Add it to a salad bowl along with the lemon juice and sea salt.  (You can save the stems and juice them later.) Using your hands, massage the kale while simultaneously tearing it into bite size pieces.  Continue massaging until the kale is soft and slightly wilted (about a minute or two). Add the rest of the ingredients (except for the hemp seeds) and continue to mix until everything is incorporated.  Garnish with the hemp seeds, serve and enjoy!
The best part about this salad?  You can save the leftovers for the next day without worrying about wilted lettuce!

Stay tuned tomorrow for an amazing cheese sauce recipe.  You won't believe how amazing it is until you see it and try it for yourself!

And last but not least, I leave you with a video that my brother sent me a few days ago.  It's actually a haunting preview of a game called Chipotle Scarecrow.  I really hope this game (or even just the preview) reaches millions of people.  Check it out:

 
By the way, I may have cried while watching this video... and it may be because I watched it at 6am OR it could be Fiona Apple's rendition of "Pure Imagination" OR it could just be that I am Miss Sensitive... either way... you have been warned.

Love,
Ves xx

Vegan MoFo #7 Sunshine in a Glass

Hi Friends!

I have a super awesome quickie recipe for you today.  Over the weekend my mom made this amazing papaya juice for us and I absolutely have to share it with you.  I'm not a huge fan of papaya's on their own but I loved it in this juice.

Papaya, grapefruit, carrot.

   Papaya's are actually really good for you (as practically all fruits and veg are) and contain a lot of healing properties.  As everyone probably knows, it's high in vitamin C and B vitamins which is great for the immune system.  But, papaya is also said to help protect against free radicals and possibly prevent cancer because it is a rich source of antioxidants.  Which, by the way, also helps with skin issues, too, such as acne and premature aging.  Woohoo!

Here's the recipe:

Good Morning Sunshine
Serves 2
Ingredients:
1/2 papaya, peeled
2 grapefruit, peeled
4-6 medium to large carrots (peeled if not organic)

Directions:
Add all of the ingredients to your juicer in the order listed above.  Pour in a glass and drink immediately.

Til next time...

Love,
Ves xx

Vegan MoFo #6 Spirulina All in My Shake

Hi Friends!

   I hope you had a wonderful and germ-free weekend!  I've noticed that many people around me are coming down with colds or viruses and so I'm doing my part to strengthen my immune system.  Although I find it super fun to make the sign of the cross with my fingers while simultaneously backing away slowly from a germy person, there are other more effective ways to ensure that you stay as healthy as possible during cold and flu season.

   My all-time favorite go-to immune booster is Oil of Oregano.  I love that stuff and use it almost all the time.  It's so effective in warding off illnesses that sometimes I swear it works even when I'm just thinking about taking it.  If you haven't tried it yet please pick some up the next time you are near a natural food store.  You will be glad you did when everyone around you is coughing and sneezing, I promise!  Oh, and it tastes exactly how it sounds... like oregano.  In fact, once you've taken it you'll swear you just ate a plate of pasta.  No joke.

   My other favorite go-to is Spirulina.  I love it in my smoothies and tend to overdose on it sometimes.  Last week I was sprinkling it on my salads as well!  If you are new to Spirulina, start off slow as it can play havoc with your stomach.  Not in a bad way, you would just be uncomfortable for a while until your body gets used to it.  So start with a 1/4 tsp for a week or more and then increase the amount.  I usually have between 2-3 teaspoons a day and sometimes up to 2 tablespoons depending on if I feel I need an extra immune boost.

Source

  Spirulina is extremely high in chlorophyll and calcium, and contains B vitamins, as well as Vitamins A, C, D, and E.  Plus, it's a great source of potassium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc.  And if that's not enough, it's also super high in protein.  If any food deserved the word super in front of it, spirulina would be it!

     My absolute favorite way of using spirulina is in a green smoothie.  Here is my current smoothie mix obsession (actually I think it's been my obsession for over a year):

Liquid Sunshine!

Tropical Citrus Mango
Serves 1
Ingredients:
1/2 - 1 cup coconut water
2-3 cups greens (spinach, kale, romaine, etc)
1 cup mango, frozen
1 banana, frozen
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp spirulina
handful of sprouts (optional)
vanilla protein powder (optional)

Directions:
Add all of the ingredients in the order listed to your high speed blender and process until smooth.  Pour in a glass and drink with a straw!

Happy Monday everyone!

Love,
Ves xx

WIAW #24 - It's Been a While!

   Hi Friends!

   It feels like forever since I've done a WIAW post.  Not surprising since I've neglected my blog for pretty much the entire month of January.  In my defense, January was a busy month around here.  New Year, Christmas, my baby niece's Christening, my parents were in town from Nova Scotia and I may or may not have had a few Vampire Diaries marathons thrown in the mix.  I think the neglect was a tiny bit justified, don't you?  No?  Okay, sorry.

  Here's my eats for the day:

{Breakfast} lemon water; oatmeal with bananas, flax and nut butter; COFFEE; {Lunch} salad with spinach, avocado, roasted red peppers, nutritional yeast and salsa; {Snack} green smoothie with spirulina, bananas, spinach, blueberries and hemp protein powder; {Dinner} a giant bowl of my Root Veggie Soup from last night plus another salad (not pictured); {Drinks} lots and lots of water; coffee; and more water; {Music} I've had Tegan and Sara's new album Heartthrob playing on my iPod all day.  I love it!  Sample it here.

   I've been trying to eat really well lately because I feel like I have indulged in so much scrumptious food during the holidays.   It's time to get back to simple, clean eating again and it definitely feels really good.


How have you been eating lately?  Click the link above and ogle the yummy WIAW food pics over at Peas and Crayons.   And thanks to Jenn for hosting this link up party.

Happy Hump Day!

Love,
Ves xx

A Slow Cooker Kinda Day

   Hi Friends!

   Yesterday I woke up to the best text ever from my coworker:

best.message.ever.

   I love my job, but I love unexpected days off even more!  That's one of the perks of being a teacher, you still get to feel like a kid when schools close due to the weather.  We didn't get a whole bunch of snow but we did get some freezing rain which resulted in bus cancellations and some school closures.  I'm so glad that mine was one of them.  I was not looking forward to my drive in to work if I had to deal with slippery roads.

   I spent a good chunk of my morning trying to go back to sleep, giving up, and then cuddling with my Patchie girl while having a FaceTime session with my Godson.

Patchie's idea of cuddling: staring me down until I get out of bed and feed her.

   Whenever I have a "free" day off I always face the dilemma of what to do.  Do I treat it like an extra day where I get to do whatever I want or do I use this day to catch up on everything I didn't do during the weekend?

   Because truth be told I did nothing this weekend except for maybe this:

Girl Time!

   My sister was watching her friend's daughter this weekend so I went over to her apartment and we had some good old fashioned girly fun.  We watched movies (Parent Trap: the Original), ate junk food (chips and salsa), and did our hair and nails.  Actually, I did our hair, and the little one's nails.  She returned the favor by playing with my hair, too.  Did I mention that I've secretly adopted her as my little sister?  She is too cute.

   Anyway, I decided that I would do a bit of both: a tiny bit of chores, followed by whatever else I felt like doing including: not getting out of my pajamas, reading magazines, taking a bath, and watching a movie (Elizabethtown <-- I'm probably the only person who loves that movie.).  I also felt like cooking.  It was a soup kind of day so that's what I made.  But, I wanted my whole apartment to smell like soup so I turned on the slow cooker and threw all the veggies in there.  Mission accomplished:  my whole apartment smelled amazing.  I love using my slow cooker but I think I'm one of those people that should only use it when I'll be out for the day.  I must have checked on it a thousand times before it was done.  Don't worry, I didn't remove the lid.  <--- I had to add that because it's something that I would probably do and I know my mom would ask me after reading this.  Ha.  You know the saying "good things come to those who wait?"  I don't think I got the memo.  When I was little I used to sit in front of the oven waiting for cookies to finish baking.  That is, until my mom would tell me to get up off the floor.  But that's another therapy session story.
Read on for my recipe:

Root Vegetable Soup - Slow Cooker Style
Makes 6 servings

It's party time!

Ingredients:
1 tbsp oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 cup carrots, peeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 1/2 cups celery, chopped
2 cups parsnips, peeled and chopped
1 sweet potato, peeled and chopped
4 cups vegetable broth
1/2 tsp herbamare (or sea salt)
1/4 tsp each: dried oregano, thyme, and rosemary
cracked black pepper to taste
2 cups kale, chopped
1 large tomato, chopped

Directions:
Place the oil, carrots, onion, and celery in a 4-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on high to soften slightly while you prep the remaining ingredients.
Add the rest of the ingredients, (except for the kale and tomatoes) and stir.  Cover and cook on high for 4 hours until the veggies are tender.  Carefully stir in the kale and tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes.  Turn off slow cooker and serve.  Enjoy!

*By the way, next time I would cook this soup on low for longer but like I said above, I'm not really good at waiting!

Til next time...

Love,
Ves xx

Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

   Hi Friends!

   Well it's back to the grind after a fabulous weekend of warm weather, Fall cleaning, lots of laughs and a Breaking Amish marathon.  My sister somehow coerced me into that last one but we manged to turn it into a mini party so I didn't mind.  The show is definitely entertaining, but not something I would have chosen to watch on my own.

   Anyway, I promised that I would share with you some of the health benefits of including Apple Cider Vinegar into your daily diet.  Read on for the different ways to use it and why you'd want to.  I'll also post a few links at the bottom for further reading, including one that also lists some risks in taking ACV.  I'm not a doctor so I don't want to recommend that you add anything to your diet unless you are well informed.  I am constantly reading and researching different health claims and then immediately trying them on myself, so you can definitely learn from my mistakes!  Ha.

 What kind of ACV should I buy?

You'll want to look for a good quality raw organic version with "the mother".  This is a cloudy film at the bottom of the bottle which occurs naturally as strand-like enzymes of connected protein molecules.  Just shake before using.  I use Bragg's Organic Raw ACV.

What are some of the Internal Benefits?

• It aids in weight loss by breaking down fats so that your body can use them rather than store them.
• Can help regulate blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol.
• ACV is rich in enzymes and potassium
• Promotes digestion and PH balance
• Helps reduce sinus infections and sore throats.
• Improves bowel irregularity and can be a natural cure for constipation.

*Start with 1-2 teaspoons of ACV diluted in about 8-10oz of filtered water and work your way up to 1-2 tablespoons.  This can be taken first thing in the morning, afternoon and evening.  For weight loss it is best to drink a glass before each meal.

What are some of the External Benefits?

• ACV can help to clear up skin.  Use it as a toner after washing your face before bed and in the morning.  Dilute one part ACV with two parts water and apply with a cotton ball or pad.
• May ease a sunburn - fill a bath with warm water and a cup of ACV and soak for ten minutes.
• It adds healthy body and shine to your hair.  Use it as a rinse after you shampoo.  Dilute 1tbs of ACV with a cup of water and add it to an empty shampoo bottle.
• Soothes tight and aching joints and sore muscles from exercise - rub a little ACV on the sore spots.

If you are interested in learning more, here are a few other sites to check out:

Benefits and Risks of ACV - Web MD
ACV Health Benefits - Home Remedies Web
Raw ACV and Ab Definition - Tosca Reno

**Don't use the ACV without diluting it first.  I did this both on my skin, and in drink form.  Apparently it's not very good and can have adverse effects if you don't dilute it first.  This is why you should research more before you dive in!  When I used to drink it on a regular basis I always added it to a glass of water, this time around I thought it would work better with a straight "shot".  Whoops.  Oh well, no harm done!  Ha.

Have a wonderful Monday!
Love,
Ves xx

Movie Week Round-Up - Vegan MoFo # 15

   Hi Friends!

   Well, it's the last day of my Movie Week and I thought I would do a recap.  But, not just any recap!  As I've only recommended 4 movies this week, I figured that you probably don't need a reminder.  So, here's a round-up of all the documentaries that I've recommended on my blog.

1.  Food Matters

2.  Hungry For Change

3.  Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days

4.  Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead

5.  The World According to Monsanto
I haven't actually recommended or seen this one but I really want to.  Here's a clip for you guys to check out and decide for yourselves if you want to watch it:

   I think you can watch this movie straight from YouTube so I may just do that this weekend if I have some time.

   If you have nothing exciting planned this weekend then why not curl up and watch one of these documentaries - or any of the ones from this week?  Which ever one you choose, it won't disappoint.  I promise.
TGIF everyone!

Love,
Ves xx

It's Crazy Sexy and it's Vegan MoFo # 14!

Hello All!

   I hope you enjoyed yesterday's documentary suggestion.  I've seen Forks Over Knives a couple of times and it doesn't get old.  The film follows Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn through their separate journeys of research, studies and life-changing discoveries.  Dr. Campbell is best known for his work on the China Study which is the most comprehensive large study of nutrition ever conducted, spanning over 20 years.  And Dr. Esselstyn is a top surgeon and head of the Breast Cancer Task Force at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic.  Through their studies each of them came to the same startling conclusion: degenerative diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even several forms of cancer, could almost always be prevented—and in many cases reversed—by adopting a whole-foods, plant-based diet.  WOW.  Doesn't that make you want to eat your veggies?
   Well if that's not enough, I have two great suggestions for you today.

   The first one follows Kris Carr, who is diagnosed with a rare and incurable cancer, while she looks for alternative and holistic treatments.  This movie is funny, moving, uplifting and reminds us to really start living.

Crazy Sexy Cancer is more than a thought provoking film, it’s an attitude! It’s about rising to the challenge of life and turning lemons into champagne. -kriscarr.com

   Here's a little clip from Crazy Sexy Cancer:

 

   The second movie is a classic.  Maybe not a classic like Gone With the Wind but it's up there!  Ha.  Okay, I'm joking, but I really do love this film and I think everyone should watch it - more than once!
Super Size Me follows filmmaker Morgan Spurlock on a 30 day journey in which he only eats McDonald's food.  It documents the toll this takes on his health, not only in terms of weight gain but also what this food does to his cholesterol, his liver and his physical and psychological well being. 

   Check out a clip from the movie:

Grab some Kale chips and enjoy the show!

Love,

Ves xx

Maybe All I Need is a Spoon Full of Sugar... or is it Honey?

   Hello all!
   I am writing this post while currently home sick from work (it finally got the best of me) on one of the most gorgeous Fall days I have seen in a while.  The sun is shining, there's a warm breeze, and I have all of my windows open letting that lovely air whisk away any germs that may be lingering in my apartment.

   Remember how I mentioned in my last post that I've been dealing with some annoying health issues?  Well, here's the lowdown of what's been going on with me and how I've been trying to heal myself naturally while also desperately seeking some help/advice from my Family Doc.  Oh, in case you are wondering, the latter was very ineffective.

  About a month ago I went to the doctors because my ear was clogged up.  I figured it was just build up and needed to be drained which, I tried doing myself without any success (Damn!  I was really counting on my mad skills for this one!).  Unfortunately, at this time, the only doctor available was the on-call doctor, or shall I say the most evil person on the planet.  What should have been a gentle experience was excruciatingly painful and left me feeling completely wiped and very shaky.  What a jerk.  Oops, sorry (but not really).  Anyway, after he "cleaned" out the ear he found an infection by my eardrum.  My initial reaction was bullsh*t!  I figured he probably irritated my ear beyond repair and he's calling it an infection.  I have never had an ear infection before - not even when I was a child.  He writes me a prescription for ear drops and sends me on my way.  I curse him up and down in my head and then leave the building.

   Even though I am feeling thoroughly violated by my experience, I am so thrilled that I can finally hear again!  I hate going to the doctor's so I have been dealing with a clogged ear and loss of hearing in my left ear for two weeks.  I use the drops as soon as I get home and guess what?  They immediately clog up my ear!  No joke.  I cannot hear out of my left ear and it feels like something is swishing around in there.  Stupid doctor!

   I make an appointment to see my doctor, and because I am so good at making people feel sorry for me, (ha) I get in right away.  I retell my story to her and because them doctor's need to stick together, I get no real sympathy from her.  Plus, I think she really wants to scold me for not coming to see her instead.  She doesn't though, and I think it's because she figures I've suffered enough.  Anyway, it turns out that he's prescribed the wrong thing for my ear.  His drops would be more suitable for someone with swimmers ear.  What a knob.  She prescribes me an antibiotic which I fill and take willingly because I just want to be able to hear again.  After a few days my ear seems to unclog and I have my hearing back.  But I still have popping and swishing going on in there and I have no idea if that's normal.

   Meanwhile, I've developed this insane straight-from-the-chest cough and it hurts!  It's almost like a smokers cough without the smoking.  Back to the doctors I go to have it checked out.  My doctor is not impressed with how it sounds and prescribes me a second round of antibiotics.  Yikes!  She also checks my ear and says she doesn't like the looks of it and is hopeful that this round of antibiotics will help it (I should have run screaming at this point).  She sends me on my way but says that I have to come back if the pills don't help.  Guess what?  Five days later I'm back at the doctors!  This time I'm sent for x-rays and given a prescription for two different kinds of puffers.  Because I am desperate, I take the puffers for a few days but notice that I am just getting worse so I stop taking them.  I have a follow up appointment with her the following Friday so I step up my own "home remedies", which I'll talk about later.  When I see her she says that I sound much better then the first time but that she can still hear some congestion in my lungs.  She's not sure what it is and figures that it must be some sort of super virus and a 100 day cough.  She's happy that my x-rays were clear and that I don't have pneumonia.  She also mentioned that she really didn't think that the puffers were going to help me but that she wanted to try, just in case.  By the way, I'm fuming a little bit at this point.

   After we're done discussing the cough, we move on to my poor ear.  She takes a look and says she is really not happy with how it looks and is thinking of referring me to an Ear Nose and Throat doctor.  Yes please!  I didn't even let her finish her sentence.  Then she sits down and says that she stills sees an infection and would like to try me on one more antibiotic.  Are you kidding me!? Then she taps her foot and wonders aloud which one should she prescribe.  No joke.  I was so disappointed with her but at the same time I couldn't fault her because that's all she knows.  In case you are wondering, I never did fill that last prescription.  I had poisoned my body enough already.

   By the way, if you're still with me at this point YOU ARE AMAZING.  I apologize for taking so long to get to the point.  I feel like I've been through a lot with two health issues that should have been cured with the snap of a finger.  It's so frustrating to not know what the problem is and what's causing it but, it's even more frustrating to see how easy it is for the doctor to just write a prescription.  Each time I went to the doctors she was with me for less than 15 minutes.  How much could she get out of that?  And what if I didn't have a health plan and had to pay out of pocket?  How much would all of those prescriptions cost me?  Was it really necessary to prescribe three different antibiotics and two puffers?  Oh, and let's not forget the ear drops.  At the end of the day, I'm still coughing and my ear is no better.  Score 1 for the pharmaceutical companies and 0 for me so far.

   Anyway, here are some of the things that I have been doing to help strengthen my immune system while also trying to rid my body of whatever germs are hanging around in there.

Raw Organic Honey - I eat a spoonful first thing in the morning and then add it to a cup of hot water and lemon.

Hot water with lemon (and a pinch of cayenne pepper)

Oil of Oregano - it's kinda gross but I swish with it a couple of times a day.  I noticed a difference as soon as I started to use it.

Zinc and Vitamin C lozenges - I tried to eat these like candy but they taste kind of gross as well, so I only take them when I remember. 


Raw Garlic - I am adding this to everything... but only after work!  Ha.

Soup - It's so warming and comforting.  I've been making raw green soups as well as hot thick soups.

Whole foods - especially raw veggies and lots of greens

Green Juice - I've been stepping up the green juices to rid my body of whatever toxins are lingering from all of the drugs I took!

Thanks for reading and if you have any remedies that you'd like to share I'd be happy to hear them!
Have a happy and HEALTHY day!

Love,
Ves xx

Should I Be Blushing?

   Hi Friends!

   First of all, let me start by apologizing for the silence around here.  I've been in a bit of a funk lately and not really feeling like doing much.  Anytime I think about my blog and start writing something, my mind goes blank.  I've started so many posts and have finished none of them.  This is bad news, especially when I have made a promise to myself to participate in the Vegan MOFO next month... which means blogging daily... about food... with recipes... and possibly a theme!  Sheesh.  Talk about pressure!  However, in my defense, I've been dealing with a few health issues (nothing serious) and it's definitely taken a toll on my attitude.  I'll talk more about that in another post though, because right now I really want to share with you what I did this weekend. 

   As you can tell by the title of this post, I'm wondering if I should feel awkward about doing so?  The thing is, I really don't feel the least bit odd about sharing this.  It seems so normal to me and I'm super psyched to have done it, and to do it again (soon!).  Not psyched like I'm going to see my favorite band in concert, but psyched in the sense that I'm taking my health up a notch.  Want to know what it is?  Well, keep reading then!  Ha.

   This weekend I had my colon cleansed (aka: a colonic) at a Colon Hydrotherapy clinic.  Ever heard of this?  Are you curious?  I definitely was!  This has been on my list of things to try for a while now and I'm so glad that I finally had the opportunity.  There are so may benefits to this that I highly recommend you guys give it a try.  I'll outline some benefits below and why you should seriously consider it.

Looks similar to the one that I used... minus the ocean in the background!

 Source

    First of all, why should we even consider cleansing our colon?  Well, let's just say that the diet of us North American's is pretty much full of crap (no pun intended).  Our diets are full of refined and processed foods, as well as high amounts of caffeine, alcohol, salt, sugar and fats.  Unless you eat super clean, and have done so all your life, chew your food really well, AND live in a bubble (i.e., not the city), your colon could use some cleansing.

The Benefits...

Improves circulation, flushes the toxins and cleanses the kidneys as well as the colon.

In addition to aiding in...

Weight Loss
Constipation Relief
Increased Energy
Detoxification
Enhanced Immunity
Improved digestion function
Glowing skin and clear eyes

You can get more information about Colon Hydrotherapy here and also check out the clinic that I went to.

   So... How was my experience, you wonder?  It was amazing!  Well, about as amazing as a colonic can get.  Ha.  But to be honest, it was better than I expected.  I was definitely nervous going in and a little unsure of what to expect.  The colon therapist made me feel very comfortable, relaxed and at ease right from the start.  This was a bonus because I didn't realize that he would have to be in the room with me at times to see what's coming out of me.  Yikes!  And, oh crap.  Literally!  I was always aware of my bashful bladder (I have a hard time peeing in public restrooms - by the way, I don't consider that Too Much Information, especially since I've been talking about colon cleansing!) but I had no idea that I had a bashful colon as well.  Turns out I do!  Ha.  But in the end, I was able to experience all of the benefits, despite my terrible shyness.

   How did I feel?  Afterwards, I felt great.  I wasn't tired or uncomfortable or in any kind of pain.  In fact, after I left the clinic, I went shopping.  I didn't really eat though - no breakfast, just water, and I didn't really feel like lunch.  I ended up having a smoothie later in the afternoon.  It felt good to put something in my body, but it also felt strange.  I felt that way later in the evening, too, when I tried to eat my dinner - a salad and a steamed sweet potato.  In fact, it's been a couple of days since my cleanse and I still feel weird eating.  I don't know if that's just me personally or if others feel the same way?  I should let you know though, that when I go and get my teeth cleaned I wait as long as possible before I eat.  I think it's a "me" thing.

   One more thing about this cleanse.  Even though this is a type of detox, I didn't feel the usual symptoms that I would during any other kind of detox process.  Typically I get headaches (usually only on the first day), I might feel a bit light headed, irritable and most definitely EMOTIONAL.  We all have different side effects when we detox and for me, I am always extra sensitive.  When I quit smoking (yes, I used to smoke) I would randomly burst into tears.  This usually happened when I was out walking my dog and I would wonder if anyone could tell that I was crying.  The neighbors probably thought I was a nut job.  After I switched to a vegan diet I went through a similar phase of feeling super emotional for no reason.  The same is true when I would cleanse through juicing.  So anyway, after my colonic I was expecting to feel a bit emotional, but it never happened.  I found this to be odd but I didn't actually notice until the end of the day.  I was thinking about a lot of different things, feeling a bit let down and, as I mentioned above, dealing with some annoying health issues.  So, if ever there was a time to be emotional, this would be it.  But, nope.  Nothing.  Nada.  Totally fine.  And, I was able to see the bright side to all the little things that have been nagging me.  YAY for the clarity that I got from the colon cleanse! Who knew?

I hope you guys consider having a colonic.  You'll be glad you did - I promise!

Happy Monday!

Love,
Ves xx

Come On Get Happy!

   Hi Friends!
   If you're singing along while thinking about the Partridge Family then you probably already have a smile on your face!  But, if you read the title of this post and have no idea what I am talking about, then I have some other ways to help boost your mood.

Read on...

Here's a little breakdown of some of my faves:

Bananas:

First, it's a grab and go kind of snack and that alone makes me happy!  Second, the B vitamins help to boost our mood which is perfect for that time of the month (you know what I mean, Moody Judy's!).

Leafy Greens:

Not only are they energy boosters but, leafy greens also contain folate.  And since folate contributes to the production of serotonin, it can help to improve our mood and as a bonus to keep us alert, focused and improve our memory! 

Walnuts:

Natures brain food!  Need I say more?  And, while I'm at it, did you know that even though the typical diet includes way too much fat - it does not include enough Omega 3's?  So before you decide to go on a low fat diet consider which types of fats you are consuming.  The typical diet contains way too much meat so most people are walking around with an abundance of Omega 6 but not enough Omega 3 to balance it out.  It's all about balance, people!

Cayenne Peppers:
It's high in vitamins a, c, e and minerals and beta-carotene.  Not only does it help in relieving depression but it may also be effective in relieving heart attack symptoms.  Yes, you read that right.  Cayenne helps to thin the blood and prevent blood clots which can clog arteries and cause a heart attack and stroke.  Add a pinch to your morning hot (or room temp) water and lemon.

Smile!
This is my absolute favorite trick which I also use at work on the kids.  Try it the next time you are feeling down or in a bad mood.  Plaster on the most ridiculous fake smile you can muster up and you will see that in no time you are in a better mood.  It works like a charm and you will be smiling for real in no time!  I make the kids do it whenever they seem too antsy or when I notice they are arguing a lot with each other - it gets them laughing in no time.

Green Smoothies:
Energy abounds in one of these bad boys!  Especially when you are adding some leafy greens and bananas to the mix.  Take it up a notch with some flax or hemp seeds, boosting the Omega 3 content, and you will be flying high!

   Enjoy the happiness high my friends!  Oh, and if you are wondering who the Partridge Family are, here's a little video to help you out.  This show was before my time but I am a sucker for re-runs and used to catch some of them with my mom.

Love,

Ves xx :)

A Dirty Dozen For Your Skin

   Yes, you read that right.  We all know about the EWG's Dirty Dozen shopper's guide to pesticides in produce (if you're unfamilliar with it click here) but did you know there's one for our skin?  Well thanks to the amazing David Suzuki (remember him?), there sure is!

   You already know how I feel about using natural products on my skin and hair so it's no surprise that I'm in love with this list.  And I'm thrilled to share it with you. 
The Dirty Dozen...

1. BHA and BHT

used mainly in moisturizers and makeup as preservatives. 

2. Coal tar dyes

P-phenylenediamine is used in some hair dyes; other colours are used in a number of cosmetics.

3. DEA

Used in some creamy and foaming products, such as moisturizers and shampoos.

4. Dibutyl phthalate

Used as a plasticizer in some nail care products. 

5. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives

Look for DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine and quarternium-15. Used in a variety of cosmetics.

6. Parabens

Used in a variety of cosmetics as preservatives.

7. Parfum (a.k.a. fragrance)

Any mixture of fragrance ingredients used in a variety of cosmetics — even in some products marketed as "unscented."

8. PEG compounds

Used in many cosmetic cream bases.

9. Petrolatum

Used in some hair products for shine and as a moisture barrier in some lip balms, lip sticks and moisturizers.
10. Siloxanes
Look for ingredients ending in "-siloxane" or "-methicone." Used in a variety of cosmetics to soften, smooth and moisten.

11. Sodium laureth sulfate

Used in foaming cosmetics, such as shampoos, cleansers and bubble bath.

12. Triclosan

Used in antibacterial cosmetics, such as toothpastes, cleansers and antiperspirants.

To download the PDF version of this list and to learn more, click here.
Worried that you won't be able to remember those ingredients?  Don't be!  Purchase products with as few ingredients as possible and as close to natural as possible and you'll be fine.
Keep it simple and love the skin your in.

Love,
Ves xx

WIAW # 9 OR The Post That Almost Wasn't!

   I wasn't sure if I was going to do a WIAW post this week because I've been eating/drinking pretty much the exact same thing on a daily basis.  I've been on a juice kick lately and not just my usual green juice in the morning but an actual cleanse for over a week now.  I'm not strict about it so some days it's not just juice all day but for the most part I consume only fresh juices and the occasional light meal in the evening.  And by light meal I mean veggie sticks dipped in mustard or salsa (I can't help myself!). 

My lean mean clean green fridge!

   Why am I doing this?  Well, in a nutshell, I'm desperate to clear up my skin once and for all. I've tried every lotion, potion, pill that you can think of and it either doesn't work or it lands me in the hospital with excruciating back pain (hello, Accutane!).  I'm a firm believer of healing yourself naturally, without chemicals and I know that it can be done.  For the majority of people looking to heal their skin, I would suggest eliminating some things from their diet starting with dairy and wheat.  I would also look at their skin care routine and more than likely chuck most of their products as they probably contain harsh chemicals.  However, when it comes to me, nothing is as simple as that.  I already eat a vegan diet (no dairy - yay!) and it's usually high raw (no wheat!) so that doesn't help me even though it does do wonders for others.  Also, I use only natural products on my skin - we're talking 1 - 2 ingredients, and they're organic!  So obviously there is something else going on even with my clean diet.  I have my own theories and am working on them.  At the same time, it doesn't hurt to cleanse myself from the inside out.
   But enough about that, let's get to the eats!

As always, I start my day with a glass of water with lemon and (recently) a pinch of cayenne pepper.

I follow the water with a fresh green juice.

Coffee - black - so good!

Later in the morning, when I start to get hungry, I have my smoothie.

Pasta salad with tri-colored tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, spices and dressing.

And since I'm such a weirdo I ate my pasta salad with some greens!

Veggie burger with vegan cheese, tomatoes and spinach.

   I don't always have dessert but when I do I never seem to remember to take a picture!  Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this episode of What I Ate Wednesday: Before I Started Cleansing!  Thanks as always to Jenn for hosting!

Ps: I'll share my summer staples next week!

Happy Hump Day!

Love,

Ves xx

WIAW #5 OR What I Drank While Cleansing

  Hi guys and welcome to another episode of WIAW!  Thanks, as always, to Jenn for hosting this fun foodie link up party.
  This past weekend I decided to do a 3 day juice cleanse.  I figured since it was a long weekend it would be the perfect time to do one.  You know, just in case I became a raving B-I-T-C-H while detoxing, I thought it would be best to not be around children.  I happen to like my job and would like to keep it a bit longer.  Ha!  I'm just kidding.  I was definitely NOT a monster during my cleanse. 
   I love taking small breaks to do juice fasts.  What I don't love is doing them in the summer when everybody and their cousin is outside barbequing!  Ugh.  I swear my neighbors were firing up their grill at like 9am.  It's like they were trying to torture me with the smells of grilled veggie burgers.   Mmm...  Okay, I'm lying, they were probably not grilling veggie burgers, but a girl can dream, right?  I know it sounds like I was tortured the entire weekend, but you have to remember that I'm dramatic.  Plus, I happen to make some very tasty juices so I was definitely not bored or deprived.  So let's get to it, shall we?  By the way, I really do drink out of fancy glasses.  I don't believe in saving the "good china" for company. ;)

I started my mornings off with some hot water and lemon followed by a tall glass of water.

Each morning I made a different variation of my favorite green juice.  This one had:
 {cucumber, celery, kale, lemon and ginger.}

{Sweet potato, carrots, pepper, beets, apples}

All of these veggies...

...made the yummiest juice!  This one is a keeper.  (so is the cat!)

{Beets, celery, carrots, radishes, tomatoes, parsley}

Another green juice...

...with a dash of turmeric on top!

This was a "kitchen sink" juice on the last day.  It turned out to be a winner!

I had about 100 glasses of water throughout the day.

As a treat I would make this simple lemonade when I was feeling like having something sweet.  It's so sweet and delicious, you wouldn't believe it's good for you! {apples, lemon}

  And since this month is also focusing on fitness, I'll share how I stayed active while cleansing.

   I mentioned last week that I finally dusted off Jillian's (we're on a first name basis) DVD.  Well, I've been doing it all week and I must say, the soreness in my muscles has definitely improved.  During my cleanse though, I really wanted to focus on being kind to my body.  For the first two days I went for walks, did some stretching in the morning and a bit of yoga in the afternoon.  I also took a bath every single day.  (I know, I'm so decadent!)  But on the third day I didn't feel like doing anything and allowed myself the luxury of vegging out (while studying, of course).
   So there you have it; what I drank and how I moved while cleansing!

Happy Hump Day!

Love,

Ves xx

What's your favorite juice combo?

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead

   Have you seen this film?  I've been wanting to watch this for a really long time and I'm so glad that I finally did.  This was a very inspiring movie.  And as someone who likes to sing the praises of a green juice any chance that I get, I was thrilled with the content and information in this film.  Joe Cross drank nothing but juice for 60 days to get his health back, while traveling 3000 miles across the country.  This movie chronicles his journey to do exactly that.

Here is an excerpt about the film from the website:

100 pounds overweight, loaded up on steroids and suffering from a debilitating autoimmune disease, Joe Cross is at the end of his rope and the end of his hope. In the mirror he saw a 310lb man whose gut was bigger than a beach ball and a path laid out before him that wouldn't end well— with one foot already in the grave, the other wasn't far behind. FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD is an inspiring film that chronicles Joe's personal mission to regain his health.

And check out the trailer:

So what are you waiting for?  Go and see this movie!

Happy Juicing!

Love, 

Ves xx

There's No Vegan In It!

   That's actually an inside joke between my parents and me.  They were at a grocery store one day and asked the manager if he knew if a particular packaged food item was vegan.  His response was a very enthusiastic, "Oh no, there's no vegan in it!"  When he said it he actually meant that the product was vegan.  We say it all the time now, except that when we say it we actually mean "there's no vegan in it!" (As in, I definitely can't eat it.) Ha.  That was definitely the theme of my week in Nova Scotia.

Fort Anne National Historic Site, at Annapolis Royal

     We spent a lot of time touring around Nova Scotia during the last few days of my visit.  We took a drive to Annapolis Royal (gorgeous), Lunenburg (so much history) and then over to Mahone Bay (adorable).  The next day we drove to Cape Forchu to see the Lighthouse and of course make fools of ourselves on the giant Adirondack chair.   We also made our way to Mavillette Beach which is absolutely stunning and very clean (especially considering the beaches here in Hamilton). 

I was so thrilled to find a Health Food Store. I bought Goji Berries to add to our Trail mix!

We laughed so hard while we were in this chair!  I dare you to hop in and not laugh!

Fisherman's Memorial at Lunenburg

   As a special treat, we wanted to stop at one of the lovely restaurants along the way.  It turns out that trying to find a restaurant that serves something other than seafood was harder than we thought.  I am so lucky that my parents are patient and made sure that I could study the menus before entering the restaurants.  I'm also lucky that a lot of restaurants these days post their menus outside of their establishments.  

   The first restaurant we ate at was in Lunenburg called Grand Banker.  

The menu was not super extensive but I was able to find a couple of items on the Appetizer side to order.  My mom decided to share with me so we ordered three different appetizers and asked them to hold the cheese on two of them.  If I ever go back in the cooler weather I would totally try the Honey Roasted Apple and Butternut Squash Soup.  The day we were there the weather was really warm and I definitely did not want something hot!

Here's what we ordered...

Bruschetta, Mediterranean Style, sans cheese!

Veggie Tapas Flatbread, hold the cheese please!

Sweet Potato Fries!

   The food was good and reasonably priced.  I tasted the Veggie Tapas Flatbread first and really liked it.  My mom tried the Bruschetta first and found that when she tried the Veggie Tapas it lacked in flavor.  We actually added the toppings from the Bruschetta onto the Veggie Flatbread and man was that good!  The sweet potato fries were really yummy and crispy but we were too full from the other two dishes to finish them.

    The next day while driving around Yarmouth we stopped at a little restaurant called Marco's Grill and Pasta House.

One of the seating areas at Marco's

 There was actually only two things that I could eat at this restaurant (three if you count the Garden Salad).
Here's what I ordered...

Sundried Tomato Rustica

   This dish turned out to be super delicious.  I didn't eat the garlic bread because it was smothered in butter.  But, I scored the lemon from my step-dads dish and added it to mine which took the flavor of the veggies and pasta to a whole new level.  I really should have popped over to the kitchen and shared that tip with them.  (Haha, kidding!)
   I was lucky enough to try one more restaurant during my stay in Nova Scotia.  This time it was in Halifax at the Waterfront.  We spent most of the afternoon there.  Unfortunately, it was one of the coldest days of my vacation.  No bueno when you are walking along the Boardwalk with the Atlantic Ocean to your right (or left, I suppose)!  BRRR!

The view from the Boardwalk.  It was beautiful but freezing!

   There were quite a few restaurants along the boardwalk but it was hard to find a place with decent options.  Luckily we stumbled upon this cute place called Hart & Thistle Gastropub.

   There were so many options to choose from I actually had a hard time figuring out what to order!  My mom and I decided to share again so this meant I could sample more things. 

Here's what we ordered...

We started with a cup of the Vegetarian Chili which went perfectly with the cold, rainy day we were having.

We shared this Grilled Vegetable Salad...

along with this Quinoa Salad.

   They also had a Veggie Burger with tofu in it on the menu but, after talking to the waitress I found out that they probably bind it with an egg and if not then they definitely put cheese in it.  Bummer.  I was really looking forward to trying it.  However, the food at this restaurant was our favorite!  I absolutely loved everything I ordered and would definitely come back for seconds (it's a toss up between the Chili and the Grilled Veggie Salad!)  

I hope you enjoyed my eats during my stay in Nova Scotia... I sure did!

Til next time...

Love,

Ves