Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Doc: YOGAWOMAN

The doc, YOGAWOMAN explores the history of yoga and the role women have played in bringing it into a mainstream, modern practice.  You'll learn about the numerous benefits of practicing yoga - some intuitive, some you may not have considered.

This doc explores how yoga is changing the lives of people and the world.

Narrated by Annette Bening, YOGAWOMAN is a groundbreaking film that captures this fascinating time of awakening female power.

Available on FMTV.com.


Check out the trailer!


Friday, March 27, 2015

Doc: In Organic We Trust

What is Organic?

Is Organic healthier?

Why does Organic cost so much?

Is Organic better?

Is Organic just a marketing scheme?


If you don't know the answers to these questions and would like to, In Organic We Trust can get the you the information you need to be an informed consumer.




Check out the trailer!

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

What's The Deal With Coconut Sugar?

Move over Stevia there's a new player in Sugartown.

Lately, my social circle has been a buzz over Coconut Sugar.  It seems like everyone in the vegan & raw community is switching over to it.

So, I had to find out what was so great about it and whether I should be switching to it as well.

Here's what I found out...

Coconut Sugar, also known as Coconut Palm Sugar, is derived from the coconut palm tree and is believed to be more nutritious and lower on the glycemic index than table sugar.

Coconut Sugar has been used as a traditional sweetener for thousands of years in the South and South-East Asian regions.

Coconut Sugar is made in a natural 2-step process:
  1. A cut is made on the flower of the coconut palm and the liquid sap is collected into containers
  2. The sap is placed under heat until most of the water has evaporated
Unlike regular sugar, Coconut Sugar has a high mineral content and contains good stuff like: Iron, Zinc, Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium, in addition to Vitamin B1, B2, B3, and B6.  It also contains a fiber called Inulin, which may slow glucose absorption and explain why Coconut Sugar has a lower glycemic index than regular table sugar.

All this goodness aside, sugar is sugar, so sweeten responsibly.


Coconut Sugar looks more like brown sugar, but is not as sweet.  To me it has an almost burnt caramel taste.  But, since Coconut Sugar is not a highly processed product, the color, sweetness & flavor can vary depending on the coconut species used, season when it was harvested, where it was harvested and / or the way the "sap" was reduced.  Use it just like you would traditional white sugar, at a one-for-one replacement ratio - to sweeten tea, in baking, in cooking...anything!

I have already begun incorporating Coconut Sugar into my recipes and am quite happy with it.

Just like most foods, look for the raw, organic version of this sugar; such as Coconuts Secret Raw Coconut Crystals.

Check it out,



Sources:
http://authoritynutrition.com/coconut-sugar/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_sugar


Monday, March 23, 2015

Easy Quinoa Dish

This quick, tasty dish comes together with a few on hand ingredients.

Just boil up some Quinoa (or Couscous or Rice), add 1 can Organic Corn, 1 bag Sugar Snap Peas & some Mrs. Dash Spice Blend.

Ready to eat in under 20 minutes.

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Hoff's Vegetable Mustard Sauce

Hoff's Vegetable Mustard Sauce
Yields: Enough for 4 servings of vegetables
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:
  • Juice from 1/2 Lemon
  • 3 tbsp. Hemp Seeds
  • 2-3 tbsp. Water
  • 1 tbsp. Mustard
  • 1 tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 3 pitted Dates
  • Pinch Sea Salt
Directions:
  1. In a Mini Food Processor or NutriBullet, blend ingredients until smooth
  2. Check Sauce for consistency and add more Water if necessary

Hoff Thoughts: This sauce is a way healthier version of the Mayo & Mustard Sauce that my mother got me addicted to as a kid.  Sure I could recreate that memorable sauce using Just Mayo & Mustard, but I really want to cut-out the oil.  Use this sauce over Cauliflower, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Asparagus, etc.


Sunday, March 15, 2015

Hoff's Steamed Cauliflower with Mustard Sauce (Instant Pot)

Hoff's Steamed Cauliflower with Mustard Sauce (Instant Pot)
Yields: 4 servings
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:
  • 1 head Cauliflower (cut into florets)
  • 1 cup Water
Sauce
  • Juice from 1/2 Lemon
  • 3 tbsp. Hemp Seeds
  • 2-3 tbsp. Water
  • 1 tbsp. Mustard
  • 1 tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 3 pitted Dates
  • Pinch Sea Salt

Directions:
  1. Cut Cauliflower into bite size florets
  2. Place trivet into the stainless steel IP
  3. Pour in Water
  4. Place Cauliflower Florets onto trivet
  5. Close & lock lid
  6. Set Steam setting at High Pressure for 1 minute
  7. Manually release steam
  8. Meanwhile in a Mini Food Processor or Nutribullet, blend Sauce Ingredients until smooth
  9. Gently mix Sauce with Cauliflower to coat

Hoff' Thoughts: Broccoli takes the same time to steam as the Cauliflower, add 1 bunch & double the Sauce ingredients to compensate for the perfect veggie medley.  If you don't have Hemp Seeds, try Cashews or Macadamia Nuts instead.

Friday, March 13, 2015

Swell Skin

http://www.swellskin.net
A few months ago, I stumbled across Swell Skin, a natural beauty soap with Cleveland roots.  Created by Kelli Klus an alternative medicine practitioner and a firm believer in the body’s innate ability to heal itself given the proper environment.  I like this chick.

Swell Skin claims to give the appearance of air-brushed skin within 24 hours - to create clear, even-toned luminous skin.


The bar of soap will run you $16, while the oil will run you $17.  You can order online, but I did find it at a local Heinen's Grocery Store.  


I was very intrigued and immediately ordered the all-in-one soap & buckthorn serum.  As soon as my package arrived, I dived right in. 

Did I experience immediate, overnight results?

No.

Did I expect to?

Not really.  I mean, it would have been awesome, but that's a pretty big expectation for any product.  I did, however expect to see improvements within a week, 2 weeks or at least a month...  But the results, I was hoping for, clear skin, wasn't happening.

Full disclosure.

Right before trying this product, I started having 1-2 pimples pop up nightly!  I mean every morning there was something new on my face.  They were small, didn't stick around long, but being a vegan chick and knowing how much dairy contributes to acne, I was like what the hell?!?

I was wracking my brain to figure out what was causing this sudden assault.  Stress?  Hormones gone wild?  Food?

Then, I came across this video and the light bulb exploded over my head!


At the very core, your skin is a reflection of what's going on inside you.  And what's going on inside you is predominately a result of what you're eating.  To quote, Dr. John McDougall, "It really is the food."

Once I saw this video, I knew instantly what was causing my skin issues...oil. 

While I never waiver on the animal products (I don't have that luxury), I cheat with the oil.  I never use it for cooking, but I get into it indirectly through going out to eat, bakery and processed foods.

I had in fact been having a very, very good time with alternative processed meats, bakery and going out.

And within 3 days of shutting all that down, my skin thanked me by stopping the breakouts.  It really is the food...

So back to the soap.

Is it the miracle soup they claim it to be?  I'm not really getting that vibe.  But I also don't suffer from fine lines, moisture issues or inflammatory conditions like rosacea - all problems that this product claims to solve.  I like to believe that by using this product that I never will.

I do like that when I buy it that I'm supporting a local start-up that is also giving back to the community.  I like that its primary ingredient is sea buckthorn oil - a healing & regenerative natural ingredient that has been around for 1,000 years.  I like that it's an all-in-one, simply, quick regimen.  I also like that it's reasonably priced.  I do wish it were organic though...

So, I'll keep using it until something shiny catches my attention and pulls me in another direction.

Check it out!



P.S. While this bar of soap is small, it lasts a really, really long time.  In fact I have been using it for almost eight months now and it hasn't even shrunk yet!  My secret, I store it in one of those travel soap cases to keep the moisture from the shower from prematurely dissolving it.



Thursday, March 5, 2015

Hoff Mac

Hoff Mac
Yields: 4 Burgers
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free

Ingredients:
  • Special Sauce
    • 3 tbsp. Vegan Mayo
    • 2 tbsp. Sweet Pickle Relish
    • 1 tbsp. Ketchup
  • 4 Veggie Burgers
  • 4 Whole Wheat Burger Buns
  • 1/2 cup shredded Romaine Lettuce
  • 1/2 cup Sweet Onion (minced)
  • 1/2 cup Daiya Cheddar Shreds


Directions:
  1. In a small bowl, mix the ingredients for the Special Sauce, set aside
  2. Prepare Veggie Burgers as directed, adding Cheese during last few minutes of cooking to melt
  3. Toast Burger Buns
  4. To assemble, spread Special Sauce onto top & bottom Bun
  5. Add Onion to bottom Bun, top with Burger
  6. Top Burger with Lettuce
  7. Are you lovin' it?

 Hoff Thoughts: Try subbing Avocado slices for the cheese!