Vegan Cuts Box Review!

I recently received a Vegan Cuts Box to review the same weekend as my birthday.  I was super excited because I haven't gotten a Vegan Cuts Box in at least two years.

What was in my box?

Day Five Update!

The scale is moving!  Nothing drastic, down to 127.0, which is 1.4 pounds lost in five days, and isn't bad.  I'm off the next two days and have a lot planned in the way of catching up on workouts because work has been wearing me out (excuses!!).  The simple fact of the matter is I haven't really changed anything about my lifestyle outside of the fucoTHIN Green & the meal shakes and have lost weight, which is the point.  If anything, I may be working out slightly less (but will make up for that the next two days, while I'm off and it's finally not -3 degrees out).

Overall?  The challenge is a success so far.  I'm seeing a difference, and I see and feel a difference in my body.  I'm excited to amp it up for the last half of the challenge and see what happens!

Also, I've felt hungrier, but I've only found myself craving good food, which is a great thing!  Love this!!  I have a feeling that when I finish this bottle of fucoTHIN, I will order another!

Breakfast Smoothie: Chocolate Banana

I love making this for breakfast. It's super fast & easy, and I know I'm getting a nice boost of protein, simple carbohydrates, and some good fat from the hemp to start my day.

Ingredients:

• 1 c almond milk* (vanilla, unsweetened)
• 1 tbsp raw agave nectar
• 1 tbsp raw cacao nibs (could also use cacao powder)
• 1 tbsp raw supergreens
• 4 tbsp raw hemp protein powder
• 1 medium-large banana (frozen is best)
• 1 c spinach (also best frozen)

Directions:
With my Ninja, I prefer to use the small blending cup when I'm doing single servings (this is about 2 cups blended).  I put in my milk first, followed by my banana, my powders & cacao nibs, and top everything with the spinach.  I start off using the dough button (#1) for about 5-10 seconds, then bump it up to blend (#2) for 10-20 seconds, followed by about 10 seconds on crush (#3) to break down the cacao nibs.

Pour into a glass & enjoy!

*not a raw food, though you could make it yourself!

In My Pantry: Raw Vegan Protein & Meal Replacer

I'm presently still stuck on the Garden of Life RAW Meal, this time in Vanilla.  I'm having a hard time switching to another brand because I know I like the taste and for the price, it's scary to jump into something new.  Also, it's raw.  Most of the other meal replacers are not a raw food.  For my protein, I just switched to the Hemp Pro 70 from Manitoba Harvest.

Why did I choose these two?  Keep reading!

Book Review: the Top 100 Immunity Boosters by Charlotte Haigh

the Top 100 Immunity Boosters:
100 Recipes to Keep Your Immune System Fighting Fit

The good:
This book was a random Half Price Books find, as well as a Harvard written nutrition book and an actual nutrition textbook.. and my usual addiction; three plus vegan cookbooks.  I liked that it was small and quick, more of a quick digest than a full on nutrition book; but definitely great for anyone who cares less about the technical side of diet and nutrition and is solely looking for easy, breezy information on adding healthier foods into their diet.  This book is even better for people who are looking for specific nutrients, as each are listed with each item, or those looking to eat for a certain condition, as the index in the back shows.  I didn't think I'd learn a lot from this book, but the fun little pop up tips and facts were varied and mostly new information to me.

The bad:
In contrast, if you're looking for an in depth book about nutrition and the chemical reactions and things of that nature, this isn't the book for you.  If you're looking to change to better eating habits and don't have a nutrition background, this book could be a little overwhelming the first or second time you flip through.  To anyone with very basic knowledge on healthy eating and smart food choices, this book will be a fantastic addition to your collection and a quick tool to pull out for recipes and shopping ideas.

Here's an example of the page layout for most of the foods.

The layout:The layout in this book is simple and easy to follow.  It talks about each item, what makes it a immunity boosting food, gives a short list of ingredients, and provides a recipe in a colored box.  Most items are summarized on one page, but certain superfoods are given two pages.  It's cohesive and easy to follow, and the uniform pattern keeps it very fluid.  The items are given a number, as well as the page numbers, would could be confusing to some, but shows that you are literally counting through 100 items.  The recipes range from simple to fun and complex.  Several foods note when they are still beneficial cooked.  I would assume most nutrient dense foods are best raw or mostly raw, except where noted otherwise.

Worth it?
Yes.  I got it for just pennies under $5, and know you can find it used for a similar prices on Amazon.  Even at full price at $9.95, it's a steal for the amount of information and recipes you're getting in a sleek, full color book.  The the recipes seem entirely simple on first glance, some of them are more detailed than you think.  The glossary and ailment directory are also valuable add-ons in the book.

Since I stopped eating raw...

As the holiday season geared up in retail, it became increasingly difficult for me to stay on track with my raw diet.  I started eating more and more processed foods, and more importantly, more and more empty carbs, and specifically wheat.  Although I have not gained much weight (three or four pounds), the main differences I see are constant bloating and my face is broken out SO bad.  I haven't been this broken out in so long.  My face had very nearly cleared up, and now it is worse than ever.

What does this mean?  It means I need to get back on track with eating a primarily raw diet.  If that means keeping my blender bottle and Garden of Life RAW Meal mix in my locker at work again, so be it.  It worked well before, I am happy to do it again.  More importantly, I have a good blender now, so morning smoothies should be easier, but with hitting snooze more than I ever should, it's been harder and harder to get back on track.

Recently, since incorporated cooked, processed foods and wheat back into my diet.

As you can tell by the smoothie in my hand, this was when I was eating a primarily raw, vegan diet.

Vegan, Semi-Raw Meal Ideas

I eat try to eat around five 300 calorie meals a day.  Maybe what I meal, you would call a snack.  Either way... here are two examples of what I eat in a meal; both of these are around 300 calories, give or take.

greens mix with Goddess Lite dressing, dehydrated sprouts and jicama;
two kinds of hummus with carrots and corn chips my roommate had, haha.
Total calories: 373; 19g fat; 44g carbs; 12g protein

1/4 c of mixed nuts, freshly ground chocolate almond butter, one apple
I didn't log this, apparently, so I don't have the breakdown.

Workout Pudding Recipe: Chocolate & Coconut

The idea of recovery & workout puddings is something that I learned by reading Branden Brazier's book Thrive.  Although this is a fantastic powerhouse of nutrients and protein, this is also tasty and a good dessert.  The texture will be unusual to anyone not used to eating chia seeds.  There is no photo of this because it looks like chocolate goo.  It's not cute.  The next time I make it, I'll take a picture.  Seriously though, it looks like goo, and you're not missing out by this post not having a picture.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c milk (I used Almond Plus Milk from So Delicious) OR 1/2 cup coconut water
• 2 tbsp Spectrum Decadent Blend Chia & Flax Seed with Coconut & Cocoa
• 1/2 scoop RAW Protein Powder in Chocolate (or any chocolate protein powder)
• 2 tbsp chocolate almond butter (I get mine fresh ground at Whole Foods)

Directions:
Combine half of the milk (or coconut water) with the Spectrum Decadent blend and let sit for 10-15 minutes.  Alternatively, you can use a food processor or blender.  I just used a fork & a bowl.  After it has coagulated, add the remaining ingredients & combine until thoroughly blended.

This is a pretty generous portion and could easily be divided into two servings.  This would also be delicious with a banana mashed into it.  Nom!

Nutritional Info (as prepared):
Total Calories:  315
Fat:  20
Carbohydrates:  19
Protein:  19

Hail Merry on sale?!?

I LOVE Hail Merry products.  I have never had one I didn't instantly add to my favorite treats list.  The fact that they're raw, vegan, and made with all good fats means I don't feel guilty treating myself.  I first tried them in a Conscious Box and it was love at first bite, no joke.  I've had them many times since, and even had a tart on my birthday in place of a birthday cake.  Not kidding; I LOVE HAIL MERRY.

And the best news?  They're local to me since I moved to Dallas AND they're on sale right now at my local Whole Foods!  $1 off each?  Heck yes I'll take two!!

Zucchini Jerky!

I bought a dehydrator nearly a week ago and hadn't gotten to use it until last night because of work.  I've never dehydrated anything before, though my mom did have one when I was a kid.  I couldn't decide what to make, but I wanted to start easy.  I was flipping through Rawsomely Vegan! by Mike Snyder, and decided that his Sweet and Spicy Zucchini Jerky was the way to go.  I had some of the ingredients, but I picked up my raw apple cider vinegar (Bragg's brand) & raw agave nectar (Whole Foods 365 Organic brand) at Whole Foods.  I couldn't find lucuma powder anywhere, so I had to skip that, and I think I should have cut down on the oil because of that.  If you don't have Rawsomely Vegan, raw eater or not, you need it!  The recipes are, well.. awesome!

Garden of Life RAW Meal Energy in Yerba Mate!

I get most of my produce and fresh foods at the local supermercado, but Whole Foods is right next to my work, so I frequent it for my specialty items, my bulk foods, and occasionally a slice or two of traditional vegan pizza when I'm feeling naughty.

My few visits ago, I saw containers of a new RAW Protein Energy from Garden of Life in the decompression zone of Whole Foods.  Of course my interest was sparked!  It came in two flavors, Marley Coffee or Guayaki Yerba Mate.  I debated momentarily, but picked up the Yerba Mate for it's lower caffeine and acidity.

But wait.. that says RAW Meal!