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8/31/2011

DID YOU KNOW: 8 Ancient Superfoods That Promote Good Health

When I initially implemented live vibrational foods into my lifestyle, I kept hearing the term “superfood.” Rather ignorantly I just presumed that all fruits and vegetables in the produce section were superfoods. Unbeknownst to me, there was a conglomerate of ancient superfoods that have been brought back to the surface by vegans and more specifically, raw vegans. It was like an entire world existed that I was completely oblivious to. So I thought I’d share this information, because I know I’m not the only one who didn’t know these things.

For those of you who don’t know, Superfood is a term sometimes used to describe food with high phytonutrient content that may confer health benefits as a result.  These Phytonutrients are known in the plant based diet world as having “super healing” powers.  These super healing powers have been known to cure illnesses ranging from the common cold to diabetes to cancer and even HIV/AIDS! (Although, I personally believe, these superfoods must be implemented within and in conjunction with a fully 100% live food diet, which is said to alkalize your body to the point of purity.)

If you think superfoods won’t do you any good because you don’t have any illness, you’re sadly mistaken. Many people who have a live vibrational food lifestyle don’t have these illnesses, or any illnesses for that matter.  Many contribute that reason to their diet and lifestyle, which consists heavily of the implementation of these superfoods.

I’m sure you’re thinking, as I did, that all fruits and vegetables are super foods. Many are, and that’s why I won’t bother with going into the basic foods in your average produce section of the grocery store. Listed below are 8 ancient superfoods that many may have seen or heard of but don’t quite know what it’s nutritional value is or what it’s useful for.

  • Raw Cacao: Cacao, to the Aztecs, was considered the food of the gods. These beans are the basic ingredients of chocolate. Recent research has suggested dark chocolate offers some health benefits. Raw cacao beans are rich in antioxidants, which lower the free radicals that can alter or damage the body. According to Good Cause Wellness, the beans provide some iron and calcium, but are particularly rich in magnesium. There are 76 milligrams of magnesium per one ounce serving, or 272 milligrams per 100 grams of the beans.
  • Chia: The chia seed is a superfood that has twice the protein of any other seed or grain and five times the calcium of milk. They contain boron, which is a trace mineral that helps with the absorption of calcium. Chia seeds are also a great source for essential fatty acids, Omega 3 and Omega 6. This power packed seed is said to contribute to healing diabetes.
  • Coconut Oil: Coconut Oil is one of my favorite things, because it is multifunctional. The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc. Whether you’re cooking or making raw foods, this oil can be used. I even use it in my smoothies from time to time. It’s a staple in my house. (I’m sure I’ll dedicate a full article on the benefits of coconut oil in the future…stay tuned.)
  • Goji Berries: These delicious berries are LOADED with nutrients. Goji Berries have all 18 Amino Acids (including isoleucine and tryptophan), more Beta Carotene than carrots, 21 Trace Minerals, more Iron than spinach and 500 times more Vitamin C by weight than oranges. Goji Berries are one of the highest antioxidant containing fruits in the world, typically containing 2-4 times the amount found in blueberries. Goji berries are an excellent source of trace minerals, such as zinc, iron, copper, calcium and phosphorous, as well as vitamins B1, B2, B6 and E. While fortifying the immune system and helping to stimulate the body to produce more natural Human Growth Hormone, studies with elderly people have shown that these powerful berries can decrease the signs of aging, increase the function of T cells and white cell interleukin-2 while uplifting mood, increasing optimism, improving appetite and encouraging better sleep patterns.
  • Hemp: Hemp seeds are a great source for protein provides a host of vitamins and minerals that your body needs to survive. It is rich in the antioxidant zinc and the electrolyte magnesium. It also contains some potassium, which is lost in sweat and iron, which your body uses to carry oxygen in the blood. Hemp protein provides 20 amino acids -- the building blocks of protein -- including the 10 essential amino acids that your body can't produce itself. Hemp is one of my favorite all natural protein supplements because unlike whey, it digests immediately while burning fat, and does not turn into fat.
  • Maca: Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a root plant consumed as a food and for medicinal purposes. Maca is also known as "Peruvian ginseng" (despite the fact that it is not a member of the ginseng family), because it is used as a folk remedy to increase stamina, energy, and sexual function. It is typically taken as a pill, liquid extract or as powder. Long used to enhance energy and boost stamina, maca is often touted as an aphrodisiac and a natural means of improving sexual performance and fertility. Although few scientific studies have tested maca's medicinal effects, some research suggests that maca may offer certain health benefits such as: fatigue, infertility, symptoms of menopause, sexual dysfunction in women, sexual dysfunction in men (including erectile dysfunction).
  • Matcha Green Tea: Green Tea contains a high amount of antioxidants (chemical compounds known to forestall aging). Antioxidants are found in many fruits and vegetables – even chocolate. A testing method known as ORAC – short for oxygen radical absorbance capacity, evaluates the antioxidant levels found in food. According to research done by Tufts University, the ORAC capacity of matcha green tea is exponentially higher than other foods known for their high antioxidants levels such as blueberries and spinach. There are many types of antioxidants, however, the class known as catechins are only found in green tea, and these maybe the most potent of all. Of the catechins, EGCg (epicgallocatechin gallate) is the catechin with broadest and most potent cancer-fighting properties.  Sixty percent of the catechin content of matcha tea is EGCg. Green tea is also rich in Chlorophyll, (a detoxifying agent) and Theanine, which improves mood and concentration. While this superfood is naturally caffeinated, it’s a healthier form of caffeine than in other beverages and is good for your body.
  • Nutritional Yeast:  Nutritional Yeast has been around for over 5,000 years and has been that hidden gem of a superfood. It has about 14 grams of protein per ounce. But my favorite thing about Nutritional Yeast is that it is one of the best sources for B12. Nutritional yeast's yellow color comes from the B vitamin riboflavin. Nutritional yeast is rich in B-complex vitamins, making it a vital supplement for those who are not receiving their B vitamins from other sources. Many brands of nutritional yeast also contain vitamin B12, which is essential for red blood cell production. B12 maintains the myelin sheath that insulates nerve cells, making it a vital part of normal nerve function. B12 can be found in many animal products like fish, seafood and dairy. Vegetarians and vegans are eating less than the recommended levels of B12 for adults, according to Harvard Health Publications. Nutritional Yeast is also high in fiber and low in sodium and has the greatest cheesy flavor. I’ve personally got over my animal cheese addiction simply by implementing this superfood into my diet.
Now clearly there are more than the above-mentioned 8 Super foods. However, these are the 8 I chose to highlight that I felt many being introduced to this healthy lifestyle don't know a whole lot about. I remember when I was first implementing healthier methods into my lifestyle, I was shocked to learn about many of these above-mentioned superfoods. Hope you enjoyed this piece as much as I enjoyed sharing it with you. 


PLEASE NOTE! This site (including but not limited to: all food, hair and skin care recipes; tips; tutorials; writings; and, downloads) are absolutely free to the public! Because it's free, I ask one simple favor in return, as your token of appreciation for my humanitarian effort...I realize you may want to share and maybe even use Veg Vivaciously's content in your business (including but not limited to: blog(s), e-zine(s), website(s), free publication(s), etc). You can, as long as you (1) do not charge a fee; (2) cite the direct link of the Veg Vivaciously content used; and, (3) include the verbiage below with the Veg Vivaciously content used:
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This content was originally from Veg Vivaciously, a website that teaches healthier alternatives one veggie at a time. You can get your FREE (food, hair and skin care) recipes, tutorials and other writings and tips directly at www.vegvivaciously.org. PLUS you can stay connected and join the Veg Vivaciously community on Facebook, Twitter and/or even download the Veg Vivaciously Toolbar and/or Phone App to stay in the know!
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8/29/2011

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Raw Vegan Teriyaki Garden Burger With Raw Vegan Mayo and Raw Vegan Bread!



I'm new at making video's, I realize that may have been a bit too fast for many. So I typed out in detail the recipe for you below. Enjoy!

APPLE FLAX BREAD

INGREDIENTS:


Put ingredients into a food processor and mix it together until it forms a dough texture.  Spread evenly in Dehydrator. Dehydrate until its ready. You'll know when its ready because your bread should be flexible. You do not taste the apple. This tastes like regular wheat bread.

TERIYAKI GARDEN BURGER

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 rib celery     
  • 2-3 Tsp red bell pepper
  • 2-3 Tsp green bell pepper
  • 2-3 Tsp yellow bell pepper
  • 2 tbsp of hemp powder
  • 1 cup shredded carrots           
  • 1 whole tomato
  • 8 pcs of sun dried tomato
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1 cup sunflower seeds (pre-soaked)  
  • 1 cup broccoli w/stems
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 1 cup of kale
  • 1 large portabella mushroom  
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 1 ½ onion       
  • 1 tbsp jalapenos
  • 2 garlic cloves 
  • 2 inches of ginger
  • 1 cup flax seeds, ground         
  • ¼ cup raw organic agave
  • 1 tbsp parsley
  • 1 tbsp cilantro
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 3 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • 1 tsp nutmeg  
  • 2 tbsp celtic sea salt

With the exception of the ½ onion, 1 rib of celery (you are going to hand chop these and fold these in later.) Put all of these ingredients into the food processor. Take it out, put it in a bowl and fold in the onion and celery. Form into balls and refrigerate for an hour. This helps it to set with all of the ingredients.  Then make into patties. And put it on the dehydrator.



(optional) TERIYAKI SAUCE

INGREDIENTS:

  • ¼ cup raw organic agave
  • 1 inch ginger
  • 1 garlic clove

Blend sauce ingredients. Top burger patties with the sauce before dehydrating. Sprinkle patties with raw organic sesame seeds.

*This recipe makes at least 15 nice size burgers. I Dehydrated mine, but for those who don’t care for dehydrated burgers can sun bake them. Those who don’t care for sun baking or dehydrating can turn it vegan by stove baking or stove frying them.


GREEN GODDESS MAYO

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 garlic
  • 2 inch pc of ginger
  • 1 avocado
  • 2 tsp of sesame
  • 3 tbsp of raw organic agave
  • 1 tsp of celtic sea salt
  • 1/4 cup of coconut milk
  • 1tsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp of olive oil
  • 1 dash of nutmeg
  • 1 pinch of cayenne

Blend and let sit in refrigerator until use.
---------------------------
Put the mayo on the bread. Add a little lettuce and tomato and top with the teriyaki garden burger. You will love it and want more! 




PLEASE NOTE! This site (including but not limited to: all food, hair and skin care recipes; tips; tutorials; writings; and, downloads) are absolutely free to the public! Because it's free, I ask one simple favor in return, as your token of appreciation for my humanitarian effort...I realize you may want to share and maybe even use Veg Vivaciously's content in your business (including but not limited to: blog(s), e-zine(s), website(s), free publication(s), etc). You can, as long as you (1) do not charge a fee; (2) cite the direct link of the Veg Vivaciously content used; and, (3) include the verbiage below with the Veg Vivaciously content used:
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This content was originally from Veg Vivaciously, a website that teaches healthier alternatives one veggie at a time. You can get your FREE (food, hair and skin care) recipes, tutorials and other writings and tips directly at www.vegvivaciously.org. PLUS you can stay connected and join the Veg Vivaciously community on Facebook, Twitter and/or even download the Veg Vivaciously Toolbar and/or Phone App to stay in the know!
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8/26/2011

DID YOU KNOW: BEE MOVIE...A MOMENT OF CLARITY


It’s early Friday afternoon and I’m home alone watching “Bee Movie.” While watching this animated children’s movie, at first I thought it was just a cute little movie to teach children about Bee’s. And it totally was! What I didn’t expect was for it to be as morally conscientious as it was. It moved me in such an unexpected way.


Moment of Clarity: It’s funny how some mainstream pop-culture tools are used in an innovative way to teach our children simple moral values.

If you haven’t seen this movie, you absolutely must! Here’s a trailer clip for you to preview before renting it:



It was brought to our attention in 2006 that there is a rapid loss of Bee’s. Bees are an endangered species. Now we all know by the time such epidemics get on the nationally syndicated news programs, it’s usually already a bit too late.  The harsh reality is, Bee’s have slowly been dying off for quite sometime before 2006.  And why…

I may not have all the answers to this question, but I do know of one answer. Pesticides. Since farmers shifted to using pesticides, a crop duster spray that is used to poison and kill bugs and pests that would nibble on various crops, there has been a slow increased rate of Bee loss; which has recently escalated to the rapid Bee loss.  Aside of the many dangers of Pesticides, they are also contributing to killing our Bee’s.

Now I’m sure some of you are wondering why does this matter?  And some of you probably could care less because, at the end of the day, it’s an insect, and with so many other seemingly bigger things going on in the world, why should you waste your time with this issue? In short, here’s why…

Bees are very important for various reasons. Aside from the fact that they create honey, 1/3 of the food we eat and put into our mouths is because of what bee’s do. Did you know that of the 100 most used crops, Bee’s pollenate 70 of them? Therefore, by these calculations if Bee’s die off, well…what are we going to eat?

“If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man would have no more than four years to live. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man!”~Albert Einstein

I know some of you do agree that this is terrible, but just don't know what you can do about it. Sometimes these things can seem so much bigger than us and it can get so overly cumbersome that we feel helpless, like there’s nothing we can do. After giving it some thought, here are five simple things we all can do: 
  1. Purchase raw organic honey. (The raw organic commercial beekeepers will not use pesticides. Thus, every item you buy from them to keep them in business helps to regenerate the life of a bee. Besides, it’s healthier for you anyway.) 
  2. Buy organic fruits and vegetables, as much as you can afford to, and from local farmers if possible. (Again, as stated above, pesticides won’t be used and you’ll help keep these earth friendly farmers in business.) 
  3. Create natural habitat gardens, or get involved in a community garden. (Invite the Bee’s into your community; by doing this, you’re really doing a greater good not just for Bee’s, but the air and your overall health.)
  4.  Plant “Bee friendly” plants. (Invite the Bee’s over for a little snack.)
  5.  Don’t use insecticides. (I think this one’s self explanatory.)


PLEASE NOTE! This site (including but not limited to: all food, hair and skin care recipes; tips; tutorials; writings; and, downloads) are absolutely free to the public! Because it's free, I ask one simple favor in return, as your token of appreciation for my humanitarian effort...I realize you may want to share and maybe even use Veg Vivaciously's content in your business (including but not limited to: blog(s), e-zine(s), website(s), free publication(s), etc). You can, as long as you (1) do not charge a fee; (2) cite the direct link of the Veg Vivaciously content used; and, (3) include the verbiage below with the Veg Vivaciously content used:
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This content was originally from Veg Vivaciously, a website that teaches healthier alternatives one veggie at a time. You can get your FREE (food, hair and skin care) recipes, tutorials and other writings and tips directly at www.vegvivaciously.org. PLUS you can stay connected and join the Veg Vivaciously community on Facebook, Twitter and/or even download the Veg Vivaciously Toolbar and/or Phone App to stay in the know!
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8/21/2011

DIARY OF A FORMER CHEESE ADDICT


The day I decided to turn vegan, I remember reading something about animal "secretions" (don't worry I won't get into the gory details) that deterred me a great deal from wanting cheese ever again. Just a week prior, I decided to turn vegetarian, so why not go vegan? What did I have to lose? I mean, it can't be that hard, right? 

W R O N G!!!!!  W R O N G!!!!!  W R O N G!!!!!  W R O N G!!!!!

If any “American Vegan” tells you that its easy to be vegan and live in America, I'm here to show you a vegan that is either, (a) on illegal substances, (b) in denial, (c) on illegal substances AND in denial or (d) all of the above! (If you’re wondering why I stress ‘American Vegan’, its because I’ve travelled quite a bit and in Asia and the Middle Eastern territories, they don’t eat a lot of dairy products, let alone cheese, so its so much easier for them.) LOL But seriously, being a vegan has its emotional ups and downs. There are moments when the going is so good I dare not look back. I mean my skin is beautiful-I have that "pregnant woman" glow. My energy is through the roof. I do more in one day than most people do all week! Then there are those moments when I'm literally dreaming of cheesy goodness so hard that I wake up with the taste in my mouth. One of my dreams I was skipping through a green field with smoked gouda in my hands singing, "The Hills are Alive with the sound of...CHEESE!"...Cheese is the legal crack, I tell ya! No really it is...

Casein (from Latin caseus "cheese") fills our bodies with mucus, making it more readily realistic that its almost impossible for us to inhale cheese (as most of us with the standard American diet does) and still think our bodies are absorbing real nutrients from the foods we are saturating it with. The more I learned about the dangers of this great tasting food, the more I realized I needed to give this ‘cheese thing’ up. The more I gave it up, the more I realized how strong of a hold it had on me. I would wake up in cold sweats. I even had a twitch or two from the lack of having CHEESE! And then it would pass and life would be great! (you know on that day!) Then…then…*wait for it* then I'd try a little of the cheese...and wake up sick and would only have to detox myself from it all over again! (crackhead tendencies-smh) – If you get a free moment google “casein cheese” and see what you find.

My wretched love affair with cheese had me in that “drug user” syndrome. I would eat a little of it. Then stop for long periods of times, only to find myself “tasting a little” at, you know, “social gatherings”, or I’m out to dinner with friends and we’re at a restaurant where the choice is meat with a side of meat…or cheesy (*insert vegetable here*) dish…until finally, I’m hiding down the cheese isle in the grocery store like someone is going to report me to the cheese anonymous authorities for buying a block of smoked gouda because I need my fix! SMH…yes this was me!

I don't drink or smoke and my diet is impeccable. In fact, I pride myself on having a "clean diet." I had to question, how could a food have this strong of a hold? I mean after all, this same food is in our lovely American pyramid, stipulating we should have a certain amount of this per day! REALLY???? WAIT…WAIT…WAIT… This would mean that our lovely government...Oh no...no...not even going to go there...I mean I pay taxes, I vote, I’m very well educated, and quite cultured from my travels, not to mention I'm a law abiding American Citizen and surely my wonderful American country would not...dare not...I mean we are in the land of the brave and the free!...yeah, I’m so not even going to go there, cause that's not it...it can’t be *smacks my hand for fathoming the thought*…so moving right along...

Karyn Calabrese's research shows us that "in 1981, a group of scientists found that casein, the main protein in dairy products, actually contain opiates. When casein is digested it has one-tenth the opiate strength of morphine!"[1] So this would mean its true! I was addicted to cheese! Shut The Front Door! It’s so nice to be right! But, umm, how do I rid myself of this? Hhhmm...It seems I need to take my veganism a step further...and call in the big guns. *rawhide playing in the background*

I started paying closer attention to my friends who were Raw Vegans. I would even click “like” on every vegan and raw vegan page on Facebook until my surroundings (virtually) were so inundated with raw vegans. I’d have to eventually adapt to my surroundings. I mean I really started watching them closely. How they ate and exercised absolutely astounded me. So I started to slowly implement the raw vegan diet into my lifestyle. At first, like everyone else, I thought this is just crazy, there's no way I'm eating 8 cashews and an apple for lunch and going to be full. Or, I could do a salad every once in a while, but not everyday...all day everyday, Chile please! *that was my Ochocinco voice* I mean the harsh reality was if I didn’t eat a lot of salad before… nine times out of ten, I wouldn’t start now. 

I quickly learned how silly I was to think raw vegans never ate cake, ice-cream, milkshakes, nachos, pizza, crackers or even…CHEESE! *angels from heaven came down to sing for me* Little did I know, Raw Vegans eat like everyone else...its just prepared differently. Now was not the time for me to judge anyone but myself. I had to reevaluate the way society dictated the way I ate. I also had to reevaluate the way I thought about and prepared my food. This took a lot of “growing up” on my part to do. (self realization)

The more I learned, the more I let go of my cheese addition and had now become addicted to cooking and un-cooking vegan and raw vegan foods. I am now a Vegan with a 70% Raw Vegan diet. I've come a long way and still have a long way to go, but I'm enjoying the journey! I love making the soul foods I grew up on, except in a raw vegan way! I've made lasagna's, fettucini alfredo, mac and cheese, greens, sweet potato pies, cheesecakes, ice-creams, milks, cookies, milkshakes, caramel, nacho’s, chocolate-and all raw vegan! So every delectable bite is good for you. It’s eating with a purpose. I've discovered food with a purpose! My life now has some meaning. My food has purpose! I feel like I just discovered how to make peace here on earth...and so there ya have it...I'm making peace by sharing my recipes for free! You get to walk with me as I journey through the rest of my life and discover new recipes and you get to make them too!

P.S. I remember telling one of my raw vegan girlfriends once that I couldn't be raw vegan because I just couldn't imagine not ever eating cheese. Now I look back on that and get a chuckle. *smiling*

[1] Calabrese, Karyn. Soak Your Nuts. Summertown, TN: Book Publishing Company, 2011.


PLEASE NOTE! This site (including but not limited to: all food, hair and skin care recipes; tips; tutorials; writings; and, downloads) are absolutely free to the public! Because it's free, I ask one simple favor in return, as your token of appreciation for my humanitarian effort...I realize you may want to share and maybe even use Veg Vivaciously's content in your business (including but not limited to: blog(s), e-zine(s), website(s), free publication(s), etc). You can, as long as you (1) do not charge a fee; (2) cite the direct link of the Veg Vivaciously content used; and, (3) include the verbiage below with the Veg Vivaciously content used:
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This content was originally from Veg Vivaciously, a website that teaches healthier alternatives one veggie at a time. You can get your FREE (food, hair and skin care) recipes, tutorials and other writings and tips directly at www.vegvivaciously.org. PLUS you can stay connected and join the Veg Vivaciously community on Facebook, Twitter and/or even download the Veg Vivaciously Toolbar and/or Phone App to stay in the know!
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