Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Doc: Grounded

Could walking barefoot on the Earth solve your aches and pains, stop your teeth grinding, snoring?  Maybe, maybe more than that.  Documentary, Grounded explores this exact concept.

We have in large lost our connection to the Earth...nature and we're suffering because of it.  Just look at all the litter, pollution, deforestation.  Literally, "They paved paradise and put up a parking lot..." every single day.
 

I didn't feel that this documentary dived very deep into this theory, but it served it's purpose - it introduced the idea.  Now, I'm intrigued to learn more.

You can learn more about Grounding via Dr. Mercola, a proponent.

Worth the watch!

Check it out online!

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Hoff's German Potato Salad

Hoff's German Potato Salad
Yields: 5 servings
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:
  • 1.5 lbs. Baby Yukon Gold Potatoes (quartered)
  • 1 Red Onion (diced)
  • 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 2-3 Bay Leaves 
  • 3 tbsp. Nutritional Yeast
  • 3 tbsp. Veggie Broth
  • 1 tbsp. Liquid Smoke
  • 1 tbsp. Braggs
  • 1 tsp. Whole Grain Mustard


Directions:
  1. Add 1 tsp. Sea Salt, &  Bay Leaves to a large pot of water, stir & bring to a simmer
  2. Add Potatoes & Onions, simmer until Potatoes are fork tender, about 5-10 minutes
  3. Meanwhile in a small bowl, whisk together liquid ingredients
  4. Drain Potatoes & return to cooking pot a few seconds to allow the water to dry off from the heat of the pot
  5. Pour dressing over Potatoes and mix well to coat
  6. Sprinkle with Nutritional Yeast and mix well to coat
  7. Serve warm or room temperature

Sich erfreuen!

Friday, September 26, 2014

Go Raw Chocolate

http://www.goraw.com/c/24/chocolate
I just stumbled across Go Raw Real Live Food Chocolate at my local Heinen's and I just had to give it a try.

It's a tad on the pricey side at $4.99 ($5.99 online) for 6, .3 oz. pieces, but since it's:

A. Vegan
B. Raw
C. GMO Free
D. Nut Free
E. Soy Free
F. Organic
G. Contains 3 Ingredients: Raw Organic Cacao, Raw Organic Agave & Organic Orange Oil

Well with all those letters, I didn't mind dropping a little extra coin to check this stuff out.

And was I not disappointed!

Go Raw Chocolate comes in three flavors: Original Chocolate, Mint Chocolate & Orange.

Since I used to have a hard crush for those orange chocolate balls that break apart to mimic an actual orange (how I got my fruit back in the day), I opted for the Orange flavor.

Most delightful!  Frankly I think once piece is plenty satisfying, but I scarfed down two in one sitting just so I could give you guys a fully accurate review.  And, you're welcome...

It's rich, it's dense, it's creamy, it's dark and with just a hint of orange it plays nicely with your taste buds.  Also, I was shocked with the 1 gram of saturated fat, usually chocolate can't pull that low of a number off, the cacao base is what's driving that impressive little number.

This just may become a household staple!

Check it out!

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

To One of the Good Guys



They’re neighbors.  It’s what they do.

You know the story about the Good Samaritan?  

It starts with a question: Who is my neighbor?  Steve and his friends show what it means to be a neighbor to anyone who needs help.

And he’s still doing it, even as he spends his last few days in a hospice.

A week or so ago, one of Steve’s neighbors got some of his mail by accident.  He rang the doorbell and noticed something wrong.  The side of Steve’s face seemed to sag.  Steve couldn’t grasp the envelopes when they were handed to him.  It appeared he was having a stroke.  They called 911.  A scan found two tumors in his brain.  Inoperable.  The doctors gave him less than a month to live.  

They took him from the hospital right to hospice.

Just like that.

It’s a moment that snaps you back into reality and puts everything into focus.  

Reminds you that this phase of life is limited.  And that things can change really fast.  One day, you’re helping a neighbor fix a garage door.  The next day, you’re in a hospice bed.

We only get so many days.

Only so many chances to embrace someone you love and tell them how you really feel.
Only so many chances to remind someone of the many ways they are remarkable.
Only so many chances to make a new friend and hug an old one.
Only so many chances to plow the neighbor’s sidewalk, fix the garage door, trim the shrubs.
Only so many chances to make a difference in your neighborhood, in your community, in your world.
Only so many moments to transform with your unique expression of love.

And that’s the truth of it.  So don’t waste them.

Over the weekend, my sister and brother-in-law visited Steve in his hospice.  As soon as he saw them, he broke into a big smile and stretched out his arms in a welcome.  Said a few words the kids shouldn’t hear, too.  But that’s OK.

He wanted to know what was going on in their lives and whether there were some way he could help, even as he was confined to a bed.  

He understands what’s happening to him, how the tumors will quickly overrun his brain and it will soon be time to move on to the next phase of life.  He’s trying to wrap his arms around that too.

“Can’t worry about it, he said. What am I going to do? Besides, I have a nice room with a nice view.”

He’s turning his last few weeks into one more gift, a lasting reminder of what really matters.

We’re all neighbors.

Never miss a chance to do what neighbors do.

~The Neighbor



Till our paths cross again U. Steve.


Monday, September 22, 2014

TownHall Ohio City Is...



http://www.townhallohiocity.com

 TownHall Ohio City is...THE BOMB (do people still say that?)!

I hit this place a few nights ago with some non-veg friends (Baldwin Shout-out!), which means that TownHall can cater to the most discerning vegan critic (that's me) as well as those pesky meat eaters (xoxo). 

This new Ohio City restaurant caught my attention and taste buds at this year's 2nd Annual VegGala, where they made a stunning debut with an "Oh My God!" Butternut Squash Soup & a scrumptious Veggie Burger made with brown rice, black beans and beets.  Both had me going to back for seconds, thirds, fourths...it got a little out of control and yes I may have made a spectacle out of myself, but a vegan girls gotta do what she's got...ta DO!

Needless to say, I had the very same meal this time and it was just as incredible as I remembered.  I really need to hit this place again and try out their other vegan offerings...such as their Yucca Sticks (no clue what that is, but it's a root vegetable), Vegan Chili, West Side Market Veggie Flat Bread, freshly squeezed Juices or Smoothies!

I did get a bite or two of their Matchstick Truffle Fries (made vegan) and Basil Fried Rice (made vegan), both were pretty good as well. They were out of the Vegan Salted Caramel Milkshake, so I got the vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie, which was nothing to get excited about...

TownHall seems to be the new hot spot in town, so reservations on a weekend at least are definitely recommended.  Not a place to have a quiet evening - it's LOUD & busy, but full of the downtown energy you would expect in Ohio City.

Afterwards, we hit up Mitchell's Ice Cream (right next door) for some vegan ice cream delights!  So far they only offer two flavors: Chocolate & Salted Caramel.

Both are AMAZING! 
Both are made using coconut milk.
Both are typically sold out.

Which I say is a good thing; it shows demand and hopefully Mitchell's will take the hint (VEGANS LOVE ICE CREAM TOO!!!) and broaden the offering!

Cheers!



Thursday, September 18, 2014

Hoff's Apple Almond Butter Smoothie

Hoff's Apple Almond Butter Smoothie
Yields: About 4 cups
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free


Ingredients:
  • 2 Apples (quartered & cored)
  • 2 cups Water
  • 1/4 cup Almond Butter
  • 10 Dates (pitted)
  • 1 tsp. Cinnamon
  • 6 Ice Cubes

Directions:
  1. Place all ingredients in a high powered blender, such as a Vitamix
  2. Blend on high for about 30-60 seconds or until smooth
  3. Strain through a fine mesh strainer
  4. Serve immediately

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Doc: The Healing Effect

The Healing Effect is a documentary that primarily follows police officer Eric Wayne and shares how food has transformed his life.  Supported by some plant-based industry heavy hitters: Dr John McDougall, David Wolfe, John Robbins, Charlotte Gerson and Joel Fuhrman...just to name a few.  

This doc explores the power of prevention, why genes do not dictate your destiny and shares food & lifestyle tips that are super simple that you can start integrating today!

Worth the hour to watch!  In fact, I watched twice!

Check out a preview!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Hoff's Lemon Potato Pesto Pasta

Hoff's Lemon Potato Pesto Pasta
Yields: 12 cups
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free

Ingredients:

Sauce:

  • 4 cups Basil
  • 2 tbsp. Pine Nuts/Cashews/Any Nut
  • Juice from 1/2 Lemon 
  • 4 tbsp. Nutritional Yeast
  • 2 tbsp. minced Garlic
  • 3 tbsp. Water
  • 2 tbsp. Braggs

  • 16oz. Gluten-free Pasta
  • 1 1b. Baby Potatoes (quartered)
  • 1/2 lb. Fresh Green Beans
  • 2 tbsp. Sea Salt


Directions: 
  1. Combine all Sauce ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth - 10-20 seconds 
  2. Bring large pot of water to boil, season with 2 tbsp. Sea Salt
  3. Add Potatoes, cook for 10 minutes
  4. Add Pasta, prepare per the label directions (about 15 minutes)
  5. With 10 minutes left, add Green Beans
  6. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking Water
  7. Drain Pasta, combine with Pesto Sauce & cooking Water

Hoff Thoughts: Seasoning the water helps to enhance the flavor of the veggies & pasta.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Hoff's Almond Lemon Pesto

Hoff's Almond Lemon Pesto
Yields: 1 cup 
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free


Ingredients:
  • 4 cups Basil
  • 2 tbsp. Almonds
  • 2-3 cloves of Garlic
  • 2 tbsp. Nutritional Yeast
  • Juice from 1 Lemon
  • 1 tbsp. Whole Flax Seed
  • 1 tbsp. Bragg Liquid Aminos (or soy sauce)
  • 2 tbsp. Water

Directions:
  1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth, about 10-20 seconds
  2. Mix with pasta or rice and serve

Saturday, September 6, 2014

The Best Sleep App!


A while ago a friend of mine (Hey Bob!) turned me onto the Brain Wave - 30 Advanced Binaural Brainwave App and I LOVE IT!

OK, I can't definitively say this is the best sleep app because I've only tried this one app.  But when you try something and it changes your life, you don't have to keep searching!

TMI time!  I have a condition that causes me to urinate every hour - yeah, every freakin' hour!  It used to be every 30 minutes, but acupuncture has helped me extend that window.  Needless to say, that eliminates any shot of quality night sleep.

The very first night I tried this app, I only woke up once!!!  You have no idea how amazing that felt.  Having used this app nightly for a few months, I now routinely wake up about two times a night, compared to my traditional four to six trips to le lieu, I am ecstatic!   I now travel with this app and won't sleep a night without it.


Let me tell you a little about it...

It's a steal at only $3.99!!!


You get this app through iTunes, so it's an Apple-based product, sorry Android users.

It's completely customizable!  Change how long it runs (10 min, 20 min, 30 min, 40 min, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours), the background sound (I love the Ocean Waves & Forest), the level of sound (brainwave vs. background), the type of program (Deep Sleep, Dream, Meditation, etc.).  There's even an alarm to peacefully wake you from your slumber.

Because of the Binaural Tones (brainwaves), you're supposed to use headphones.  I tried for a few nights and they drove me crazy!  Instead, I got a travel speaker from Amazon for my iPad and that seems to work just as well.  The iPad speaker itself didn't quite cut it.


Let's get technical...

I'd like to pretend that I know how this works, but let's get real.  Here's what the makers have to say.

"How it Works: Brain Wave synchronizes your brainwaves with a specific frequency by sending two different audible frequencies to each ear, which, after being processed by the brain, are perceived as an inaudible low frequency beat matching the target brainwave frequency. Various states of mind are associated with different inaudible brainwave frequencies, ranging from an alert and focused state of mind to deeply relaxed, all the way to deep sleep, and can be induced with this technique.

Brain Wave recreates these frequencies using the most advanced multi-stage binaural sequences available, allowing your mind you to relax and synchronize with your desired state. It achieves this using our unique process called Progressive Brainwave Entrainment."

Got all that?  Good, now hit the hay...

Check it out!