Wednesday, April 15, 2009

relationships with omnis


This topic, vegan dating, can be as heated as religion and politics! Many raw foodists and vegans refuse to date meat eaters for various reasons...but the bottom line is that it's a personal choice, and whether or not your partner respects your lifestyle choice. There need not be any converting to the other side!

Some helpful things to consider when embarking on a new relationship with an omni include:

1. EDUCATE. Cover the bases on why you've embrased this lifesyle from the health benefits to animal compassion. When you convey with passion and excitement your reasons for being a raw foodist, you are letting your partner know that this lifestyle is important to you,...a part of who you are!

2. REASSURE. There needs to be a mutual respect between you and your partner that you respect their choices, and that you won't make it your primary objective for this relationship to covert them to a vegetarian or raw diet.

3. EXPLORE. Explore raw cuisine together. Enjoy shopping for raw ingredients, take a raw cooking class together, research raw recipes together, or take your significant other to a raw food restaurant. De-bunk the myths that we live off of just carrots....this lifestyle is enjoyable, exciting, and delicious.


So, there you have it,...YES IT CAN BE DONE!!! A raw foodist can have a happy, healthy, lifestyle-comprimise-free relationship with an omni (meat-eater). I'm in one, and it's great! Let's just put it this way, he's made me several raw recipes (including a raw apple pie!)!!!!
For more on this topic, here's a link to an interesting board discussion on this very topic: http://goneraw.com/forum/would-you-date-cooked-meat-eater

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Seeds...not just for the birds!!!

Seeds are very important to the raw vegan diet! They vital source of nutrition - they are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and many are an excellent source of protein. I don't know of any raw vegan that doesn't use seeds in their diet. They are great as salad toppers, in shakes/smoothies, or in any raw pasta!


Chia Seeds, Salvia hispanica: is a seed cultivated in Latin America and was culitaved by the Aztecs, and was used in drinks and as a food source. This seed is high in omega-3 fatty acids, a rich source of antioxidants and a variety of amino acids.

I enjoy chia seeds in shakes, and on top of salads. I purchase my chia seeds from Raw Food Planet: http://www.rawfoodplanet.com/raw
country/Canada.html
anada.html



Pumpkin Seeds (aka pepitas): Raw pumpkin seeds are packed full of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. A 1/4 cup serving gives you almost half the recommended daily amounts of manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, vitamin K, and zinc. Pumpkin seeds are a good source of protein and monounsaturated fats.

Not only are pumpkin seeds nutritional powerhouses, but they pack some pretty impressive health benefits as well. Some of the health benefits associated with pumpkin seeds include bone health, anti-inflammatory properties, lower cholesterol levels, relief of prostate, bladder and kidney problems, help with depression and learning disabilities, and elimination of parasites from the body.


Sunflower Seeds: Aside from being naturally rich in folate and antioxidant Vitamin E, sunflower seeds are also packed with mono- and poly-unsaturated fats. These delicious seeds that offer great texture to any salad, or eaten on their own also are high in selenium and copper, which, together with Vit. E, prevents cellular damage that may lead to cancer, heart disease, and other health problems.

Interestingly, studies also indicate that sunflower seeds are also high in many phytochemicals– such as choline, lignan, phenolic acids, and betaine, as well as the amino acid arginine — which have a wide array of health benefits.


Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds a very good source of manganese and copper! They are also a good source of calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc and dietary fiber.

In addition to these important nutrients, sesame seeds contain two unique substances: sesamin and sesamolin. Both of these substances belong to a group of special beneficial fibers called lignans, and have been shown to have a cholesterol-lowering effect in humans, and to prevent high blood pressure and increase vitamin E supplies in animals. Sesamin has also been found to protect the liver from oxidative damage.

In addition, sesame seeds are 25% protein. They are especially rich in methionine and tryptophan, often lacking in adequate quantities in many plant proteins.


Hemp Seeds: Hemp seeds are a great source of protein - more than fish, beef, eggs, chicken or tofu.Although not quite as much protein as whole soy, hemp protein contains all 20 known amino acids including the 9 essential amino acids (EAAs) our bodies cannot produce.

Some health benefits attributed to eating raw hemp seeds include:

  • help improve the immune system
  • lower blood pressure and blood LDL cholesterol levels (the “bad” cholesterols)
  • improve cardiovascular circulation and function
  • improve organ function
  • increase energy levels and metabolic rate
  • reduce the symptoms of PMS and menstrual cramps
  • reduce inflammation and the symptoms of arthritis
  • improve recovery of muscles after exercise

Clearly, seeds are not just for the birds! They are delicious, nutritious, and an essential compliment to any plant-based diet!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

GTA Vegan/Vegan-Friendly Spas


Although there are spas that I visit that aren't exactly vegan, or vegan-friendly, I have made a new commitment to supporting vegan businesses. My usual facial regimen involves dimond microdermabrasions at my hair salon/spa, where they use vegan products. However, I do want to venture out of the same-old to try something new....pamper myself...., get a facial, body wrap, scrub and pedicure. Why not, I just had a birthday, and I think some celebrations are in order!There appear to only be 2 locations in the Greater Toronto Area for me to check out:


Aliviar Spa


This is Toronto's first organic and vegan full service day spa


Pure + Simple



A Toronto Spa that offers Holistic-centred services

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Falling Off the Raw Food Wagon


Yes, it can happen....you've been raw for 3 months, 6 months, a year, etc...then, you have a cooked food meal,...and you can't get enough....then you find it hard to get back on the raw food wagon...what do you do?


If this is something you are dealing with, or have dealt with, some suggestions I recommend include:


1. Detox. Detoxify your body again (juice fast for a week, during the day and have a big raw dinner). Purge your cells of the toxic chemicals, excessive sugars and salts


2. go back to your regular raw regimen, but include some cooked foods in your day. A few tasty transition ideas are:



  • have a baked sweet potato alongside your raw salad

  • enjoy your favourite sprouted bread with nut butter of your choice (Ezekiel Bread is great)

  • enjoy a baked butternut squash for dinner - topped with some nutmeg and maple syrup

3. revisit your favourite raw food book or go-to website for recipes, get inspired and try something new. Perhaps you just need a creative boost to keep you going...


4. Reeducate yourself. Commit yourself to reading some literature about raw foodism, and why this diet leads to optimal health and wellbeing.


5. Attend a raw food seminar, cooking class, event or detox vacation to surround yourself with like minded people to help you continue on your raw food journey.


Falling off the wagon happens to the best of us, but recommitting yourself to a raw foodist lifestyle and persevering through this phase, is just one step in your raw food journey you had to experience.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Raw Retreats





























I'm planning a vacation - a raw inspired vacation! Currently, I'm in the research phase of figuring things out: where I want to go (stay in Ontario, out-of-province, or beyond...), what I'd like to do, and whether I want it to have a detoxification/spiritual experience, etc. Also, I need to figure out whether I want to do this on my own, or bring somebody along with me to experience this trip with me.

From the research I've done so far, some possibilities include:


Tree of Life Rejuvenation Centre (Arizona)
Healthy Eating and Consciousness Program
Live Food Training Program
21 day transformation
Vegan Spirit Vacation

Pacha Mama (Costa Rica)
Body Cleanse Workshop (Earth Cycle)

Ashinah Centre for Awakening (British Columbia)
Luscious Living Raw Food Retreat

The Happy Oasis (Arizona)

Be You Retreat (Colorado)



The one thing that I do know that I'd like to experience is good raw food (with perhaps a detoxification experience), and beautiful landscapes to explore. I wouldn't mind some healing rituatuals like massage therapy, daily yoga, etc. The next factor to consider is how long I'd like to go for, and budget...but, other than those details, I can't wait for a new experience!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Where to eat in the city?


Questions that plague my raw foodie mind (yes, my brain revolves around food ;) )

Where can I enjoy a sit down meal?
Where can I have a wholesome snack?
Are there any vegetarian/vegan restaurants that have raw food options?

If these questions plague your mind as well,...the below list (with provided links) is just for you! :)

Raw food restaurants in the Greater Toronto Area:
2. Rawlicious (Toronto)
4. Fressen Restaurant (Toronto) - vegetarian/vegan cuisine, but with decent raw options

Juice Bars:
1. Papaya Island (Toronto) 513A Yonge StreetToronto, ON M4Y 1Y3 (416) 960-0821‎
2. Gimme A Squeeze (Toronto) 176A Hampton AvenueToronto, ONM4K 2Z1
3. Healthy Haven 615 College Street WestToronto, ONM6G 1B5
4. The Big Carrot 348 Danforth AvenueToronto, Ontario M4K 1N8P 416.466.2129 info@thebigcarrot.ca

Monday, March 16, 2009

Klean Kanteen Bottles


If you don't live in a vacuum, you've probably heard that plastics do leach harmful chemicals...so, I looked around for a better alternative to using a ridiculous number of plastic waterbottles - other than Nalgene. The 2 alternatives include Sigg waterbottles and Klean Kanteen waterbottles. Sigg waterbottles look amazing, but they are of aluminum construction (and if you do your reading on aluminum, you'll know why it's harmful as well, and they have a questionable inner plastic coating). That left me with Klean Kanteen...100% stainless steel...although they aren't as "pretty" to look at, they are the better alternative!

Since purchasing my very first one from the US (and paying almost as much as I did for the bottle in shipping and duties), I've seen more and more stores carry Klean Kanteen bottles, AND in different colours! I now officially own a collection of these bottles, one for the gym, one for the house (both 40 oz bottles), and one smaller bottle (just because I wanted a colourful one!).

This is a bisphenol A (BPA) free, durable bottle, made out of stainless steel that is made by a company that is actively working towards lowering their ecological footprint by using earth-conscious practices at their facilities. In addition, in 2008, Klean Kanteen became a member of 1% for the Planet, committing to donation of at least 1% of our annual sales to non-profits working to protect and promote the wellness of this one great Earth. VERY IMPRESSIVE!!!