Healthy Living

Healthy Inspirations for Daily living

Very often in life we seem to get lost in all the noise, life just seems to take over somehow and despite good intentions we rarely seem to stand still and take stock and because of this often ill health can occur and we start to experience more illness and become far more susceptible to disease. Fortunately by implementing a few simple practices we can begin to change these habits for there is a healing energy that is deeply rooted within us all and all that is required is an ability to tap into this energy so it can flow freely and naturally: Healthy inspirations costs us nothing in terms of our time and by implementing them into our daily routine they become habit forming, initially they may appear alien to us but over time you will find you'll want to include them as part of your daily routine. It is important to understand that achieving happiness and wellness is a holistic approach and for most of us one that involves changes in every part of our lifestyle and include a daily practice of rituals for both the mind and body, one that nurtures the spirit, body and soul.

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Vegan Banana Bread: A Good and Healthy Idea

So, you have been invited by your org-mates to join the annual bake sale. What will you bring? Some cookies? Cakes, maybe? Or cupcakes? Chances are there will be lots of cupcakes, cookies, pies and other ordinary baked goodies at the bake sale.

To be different, why not bring something extraordinary? Why not bring a few loaves of vegan banana bread? They are sure to become a hit, even for meat-loving shoppers. Vegan banana bread is not only delicious, it is healthy, too. And because bananas are rich in potassium and other nutrients, vegan banana bread will be a real hit to health conscious people.

Here is the recipe for the vegan banana bread:

Vegan Banana Bread Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise (Nayonaise or Vegenaise)
• 3-4 pieces ripe bananas, mashed
• 3/4 cup raw sugar

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Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with Vegan Cookies

Like any vegan treat, vegan cookies must be free of animal products. So, it should not contain eggs, dairy milk and butter. But how can you make cookies without these ingredients? This is where vegan substitutes come in. In vegan cooking and baking, eggs, milk and eggs are traded with vegan replacements. For instance, if a recipe is calling for milk, you can substitute almond milk or soy milk in place of cow’s milk. The same goes with butter. You can replace butter with vegetable shortening or vegan margarine.

Vegan cookies can be easily baked when you have the right ingredients. In baking cookies, you will need nearly the same ingredients, but you must make sure to use vegan choices. Here is a recipe of chocolate chip cookies that taste extraordinary but are purely vegan.

• 2 cups unbleached flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup vegan chocolate or carob chips
• 1 cup raw sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil or vegan margarine
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup soy milk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in chips. Make a well in the center and set aside.

3. In a medium size bowl, add together sugar and oil; mix well. Add the vanilla and then add the water; mix well.

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Yummy Vegan Cupcakes

Cupcakes have always been a popular choice for snacks and desserts. People of any age love them, even vegans love them. But regular vegan cupcakes can taste bland, or worse, they can taste like cardboard. However, there are vegan cupcakes that taste great. Here is a recipe for great-tasting, moist cupcakes.

Moist and Rich Vegan Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup soy or almond milk
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 3/4 cup vegan granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup vegan cocoa powder
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F and line 12-cup muffin pan.
2. Whisk together the milk and cider vinegar in a large bowl, and set aside to curdle.
3. Add the sugar, oil and extracts to the milk mixture and beat till foamy.

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Vegan Desserts

Veganism is a choice that a growing number of people are making. This vow includes avoiding all animal-based ingredients including meat, milk, cheese and eggs. Doing this is really challenging and not everyone has the will to practice veganism. Some people can’t gather the guts to go vegan because they love desserts, and desserts are mostly made with animal-based ingredients like milk and cream.

Luckily these days, vegans can prepare and eat vegan desserts. You can even find these types of desserts in your local grocery store. As a matter of fact, more and more stores are setting up vegan aisles; and a growing number of food manufacturers are producing vegan choices. Plus, there are millions of vegan dessert recipes available online, so finding one will not be problem anymore.

Vegan Dessert Ideas

Try making cupcakes for an old-fashioned vegan dessert, or why not chill a carton of soy creamer and dollop it over cut fruits in season. Vegan ice cream makes good dessert, too. Mix some soy creamer with sugar and add some flavor and freeze and you’ll have vegan dessert. Pies, cookies, smoothies and cobblers will be great vegan desserts, too.

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Delicious Vegan Ice Cream

Ice cream is one of the most loved desserts of all times. Ice cream is generally made of milk, but what if you are a vegan who avoids dairy milk and other animal products? Then you should learn how to make vegan ice cream.

This recipe makes 1 ½ quarts and will take up to 45 minutes to prepare and 4 hours to freeze. You can serve the vegan ice cream with bananas or strawberries, or top it with vegan cookie dough.

You can substitute soy milk or almond milk for soy creamer, but the results will not be the same. The texture will be altered once you use soy milk. You will notice that the vegan ice cream will not be as creamy as you expect. But if you use a soy creamer, you will have the taste and texture that is close to dairy ice cream.

If you want vegan chocolate ice cream, omit the vegan butter and pecans. Add about half a cup of pure cocoa and mix well to dissolve. Or you can add fresh fruits like strawberries, pineapple, kiwi or blueberries for a more refreshing flavor. Prepare as directed. Serve this vegan treat to your friends and they will love it. Vegan ice cream is a healthier and animal-friendly alternative to dairy ice cream.

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Simple Vegan Breakfast Ideas

Going vegan does not mean that you have to settle for a bland plate of food. Eating healthy does not have to compromise taste. So, when preparing a vegan breakfast, keep your food tasty. If you don’t do this, you may end up turning your back from the healthy vegan living. Bear in mind that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and no one wants their breakfast to be tasteless. Here are some vegan breakfast ideas to keep you going all day:

Vegan Breakfast Idea #1

Fruits make an excellent breakfast. Fruits are rich in vitamins and antioxidants but low in calories and fat. They are low in sodium, too. Most people, vegans or otherwise, eat fruits for breakfast and these are the healthiest choice.

Variety is the spice of life so to avoid getting tired or board of fruits offer some variety in your diet! Do not serve the same kind of fruit everyday unless you really enjoy it. Eat bananas one day and apples on the other. Feast on strawberries on Saturdays and melons on Mondays. Or better yet, mix your favorite fruits for a bowl of fruit salad. Drizzle it with some agave nectar and you’ll have the tastiest vegan breakfast.

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5 Vegan Gifts That Will Please

Vegans do not eat food with animal products; in addition, most of them do not use anything with animal product or by-product on it. So, if you are planning to give a gift to a vegan friend or relative, make sure that you will have something that is vegan-friendly. Vegan gifts must be animal-friendly. To make it easier for you, here are some ideas for vegan gifts:

1. Food basket. Food has always been a popular gift. But, if you are giving a food basket to a vegan, make sure that you pick only vegan food items. To be sure, buy from a vegan specialty store or purchase only the ones that are labeled as vegan. Take care to buy items that will be enjoyed by most vegans. Not all vegans enjoy lentil burgers and marinated tofu. To be on the safe side, try vegetable chips and vegan candies or bottles of olive oil and vegenaise.
2. Clothing items. When picking clothes for a vegan friend, choose items that are made of plant-based fabrics like cotton, hemp, and linen. Do not give items that are made of wool, leather and silk; for these materials come from animals.
3. Personal care products. Bath products and cosmetic items are a best bet when giving a gift to a female friend. But, what if your friend is a vegan? Then, you should make sure that the products you buy meet vegan standards. Most cosmetic and personal care products contain animal-derived ingredients, such as lanolin, panthenol and beeswax. Buy cosmetic products from health food stores that specialize in vegan products and look for the ones labeled as vegan.

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Best Choices for Vegan Shoes

Vegan living is not just about eating vegetables to be fit and healthy; it is about love and kindness to animals as well. We are all aware that the animal industry has a terrible record when it comes to cruelty. And since the animals are ‘mime’ on this matter, we humans, especially ethical vegans, speak for them. In order to have their say against cruelty to animals, vegans are refusing to eat, use or wear anything made with animal products and by-products…and this includes shoes.

Being a vegan does not mean you have to sacrifice style and comfort. As a matter of fact, vegan shoes are out there, in the same style as the latest trend in leather fashion. Dozens of vegan shoe brands are now sprouting all over, catering to the needs of those who do not want to wear a cruel pair of shoes.

Vegan shoes are staring to get more popular each day. These shoes are made of plant-based materials like hemp, and some synthetic fibers. Most of the time, these shoes also consist of recycled material such as used rubber tires, making them not only animal-friendly but earth-friendly as well. They come in different styles, too; thus making any pair of feet fashionable.

Since vegan shoes are chiefly made of biodegradable materials and not animal-based products, wearing vegan shoes is one way to minimize environmental footprints. What’s more, vegan footwear is really durable and longer lasting compared to its non-vegan counterparts. To give you some idea what brands of shoes hold vegan choices, here is a list.

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Super Easy Vegan Appetizer Ideas

Have you tried hosting a vegan party or invited to one? Parties like that will require you to prepare platters of vegan appetizers. Don’t worry, vegan appetizer recipes are not that difficult to find. In fact, there are thousands of websites that have vegan themes, and they surely have some recipes to offer.

To make it easier for you, here are a few ideas for vegan appetizers:

• Veggie sticks. They are easy to prepare and everybody will enjoy them, including non-vegan eaters. Serve these with onion dip, which can be made by mixing vegan mayo and onion powder; or drizzle the veggies with dijon mustard.

• Grilled cheese triangles. Use non-dairy cheese like cheddar-flavored soy cheese. Grill on a little vegan butter until brown and cheese has melted. Cut into mini triangles. You can use regular vegan sandwich bread or to make your triangles more sophisticated, you can use rye bread, whole wheat loaf or baguettes.

• Mini veggie quiches. These elegant miniature pies will surely be the talk of the town. Generally, quiches are made with eggs, but since you are making vegan appetizers, you can use egg replacement to set your pies. Use cauliflowers, broccoli, mushrooms or asparagus for your quiches. Pre-made mini vegan pie crusts will do the trick. Place some vegetables, pour in some soy milk/ egg substitute mixture and bake until set.

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Yummy Vegan Pizza: A Treat for Vegans

Even vegans can enjoy a hearty serving of pizza. Vegan pizza is very much like regular pizza, but it has no meat and uses only non-dairy cheese. Here is a recipe of a vegan pizza that will be enjoyed by everyone.

Deep-Dish Vegan Pizza Recipe

Ingredients:

Dough:

• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 1/4 ounce-package active dry yeast
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• additional flour for dusting

Sauce:

• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• salt & pepper, to taste

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What is a Vegan and What Do Vegans Eat?

On the most basic level, a vegan is a person who does not use any form of animal products. There are two major classifications of vegans: ethical vegans and dietary vegans. Ethical vegans eliminate the use of all animal products, whether it is for food, clothing, shoes, furniture, etc. On the other hand, dietary vegans eliminate animal products from their diet only.

Donald Watson, co-founder of the British Vegan Society was the one who coined the term ‘vegan’ in 1944. The society used the term to identify them as the ‘non-dairy vegetarians. In 1951, the definition of the term was extended to mean ‘without animal exploitation’. Thus, the term ‘vegan’ was formed.

What Do Vegans Eat?

Most people are not familiar with the term vegan, and they became even more surprised when they learned the kind of food vegans eat. Both dietary and ethical vegans eat only a plant-based diet. This diet consists mainly of vegetables, beans, fruits, grains, legumes, soy and nuts. Vegans do not eat any animal products, even if it is non-meat such as milk and eggs.

Many people think vegans have to give up eating great tasting food, but that notion is wrong. Vegans can eat a lot of good food, given that it is free of animal products. For instance, there are veggie burgers, which taste just like the meat varieties, except they are not. Generally, veggie burgers are made of soy; but there are other variants that are made of rice flour, wheat, oats and lentils. Veggie burgers, as well as meatless hotdogs and meatless turkey slices are widely available in grocery stores.

Aside from these veggie meat products, vegans use TVP or Texturized Vegetable Protein as meat substitute. TVP is dehydrated soy protein, which has the same texture as meat but is quite tasteless. Aside from soy, Texturized Vegetable Protein can also be made from wheat, oats and cotton seeds. Vegans incorporate TVP to their casseroles, stir fries, soups, spaghetti sauce, chili and more.

There are several international foods that will pass as vegan treat. Go Mexican with burritos, nachos, tacos, and chili without the meat and by using non-dairy cheese. Vegans also dig Mediterranean food such as spinach pie, falafel and tabouleh. Chinese food is rich in vegan choices like Chop Suey, Mu Shu Veggies, Veggie Dim Sum, and spring rolls. Indian cuisine has also a lot to offer, there’s the curried vegetables, potato-filled flat bread, and spiced chickpeas.

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A Quick Guide to Healthy Eating

The Benefits of Healthy Eating

Healthy eating is one of the best things that we can do for our body. By giving ourselves the nourishment that we need, we are able to live a fuller and more vital life. There are a lot of benefits that could be derived from healthy eating. For people intent on losing weight, eating a well-balanced diet coupled with plenty of exercise are the most sensible steps they can take. Crash diets usually do not work in the long term. Although they may help people lose weight very quickly, it has been observed frequently that this very people rapidly regain the pounds they have lost. Sometimes, they even end up heavier than when they started their crash diets. Healthy eating habits, however, provide the long-term solution to fluctuating weight control problems.

Healthy eating also gives us a better skin tone. In fact, what we put on our plate is even more important than what we put on our skin. The healthier the foods that we eat, the better our skin will look. Healthy eating is the key to a glowing, vibrant and younger-looking skin.

Eating healthy foods gives us increased energy. A lot of people who complain of chronic fatigue are eating the wrong foods or are eating them at the wrong time. Once you start eating healthy foods, you will feel more energetic. You might even increase your metabolism.

Healthy eating has also been inversely correlated to the incidence of specific types of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, osteoporosis, and dental diseases. Most of these chronic ailments have been linked to high-fat, energy-dense diets and sedentary lifestyles.

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Foods with Protein – Essential for a Healthy Diet

Protein is considered to be one of the essential nutrients that should be included in our daily meals. We need it for our bodies to be strong and healthy. We can get protein from both animal and vegetable sources. A certain amount of protein is needed every day for us to achieve our optimum health and well-being. Women who are in the age bracket of 19-70 need to have a daily intake of 46 grams while men of the same age need 56 grams. If we lack protein in our bodies, then we are prone to developing serious illnesses such as muscle atrophy and liver issues. Here are some of the foods with protein that we can incorporate in our daily diet.

• Cheese has always been an excellent source of this protein. Recent studies show that low sodium parmesan cheese is the best source with 41.6 grams per 100 gram serving. Other types of cheese like Romano, Mozzarella and Swiss are also highly recommended.
• Beans are also a good source of this nutrient. Health experts say that the older and larger the bean is, the greater amount of protein that it contains. One of the best kinds of beans is mature roasted soybeans. A 100 gram serving of this is consisted of 39.6 grams of protein.
• Roasted pumpkin, watermelon seeds and squash are also protein-induced as well as good vitamin E sources. A 100 gram serving of each contains at least 28 grams of this essential nutrient.

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Healthy Cookie Recipes – Is There Such a Thing?

Cookies are delicious any time of the day, but many people think they are unhealthy and should be banished from a healthy diet. Fortunately for everyone with a sweet tooth, there are healthy cookie recipes that you can eat without feeling guilty. These cookie recipes have less fat, less sugar, and include healthy ingredients such as whole grain flour, oatmeal, applesauce, raisins, and nuts.

Store-bought cookies are often loaded with sugar and saturated fats, but healthy cookie recipes made from scratch will satisfy your sweet tooth without adding inches to your waistline. If you make your own cookies using healthy ingredients you can enjoy them on a regular basis.

Healthy Ingredients

By adding the right ingredients to your cookies, they can help provide essential nutrients to your diet. Whole-grain flour, wheat germ, rolled oats, nuts and dried fruits are just a few of the healthy ingredients that you can add to your cookie recipes. If you have a favorite cookie recipe, you can also make some healthy substitutions.

Oil and Shortening Substitutes

Oil and shortening make your baked goods soft and chewy. While not all fats are bad, some are healthier than others. Canola, sunflower, and grapeseed oils are healthy options that you can try. Applesauce is also a good substitute for oil, and can really cut down on fats and calories.

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