Hoff Hit: Parsley Garden

If you're planting a garden, be sure to plant some parsley as well.  This little trick will save you the angst of watching your veggies get eaten by uninvited guests!

This concept is known as companion planting.

By planting parsley, you will attract predator insects who will eat the insects gorging themselves on your bounty!

Tomatoes in particular benefit from this practice.  The parsley will attract wasps who will leave your veggies alone, but will kill the "tomato hornworm!"

Recall: Cleveland Beansprouts

Re-post Courtesy of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Cleveland Beansprouts Co. of Cleveland, OH is recalling all alfalfa sprouts because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

CLEVELAND, Ohio (May 4, 2012) - Cleveland Beansprouts Co. of Cleveland, OH is recalling all alfalfa sprouts because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections to individuals with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

All alfalfa sprouts produced by Cleveland Beansprouts are being recalled. There are no lot codes or any other identifier on the product. The alfalfa sprouts were only distributed in Ohio.

The contamination was discovered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture while collecting and testing samples under the United States Department of Agriculture’s Microbiological Data Program. No illnesses have been reported to date.

Consumers who have purchased alfalfa sprouts produced by Cleveland Beansprout should discard them.

Tupperware Time Saver Chop N Prep Chef

I'm in love again!  I tend to fall in love a lot when it comes to cats and gadgets.  This time I have fallen hard for Tupperware's Time Saver Chop N Prep Chef!

This is one cool handy, dandy gadget for small, quick dice jobs.

I appreciate it's simple design, because it makes it quick to operate and easy to clean.  You could put it in the dishwasher (not the blades), but I hardly think it's worth the effort.

It has three VERY sharp blades that are removable and works by a pull string method.  The more you pull, the finer the cut.

It also comes with a storage lid, as the top comes off and then you can use the bottom for storage - I like to have mine at the ready at all times, so I actually think I lost the lid already.

I use this to chop/dice garlic, ginger, onions, mushrooms, herbs, spinach, zucchini.  I think if I can get it in the container, this thing can chop it!

Check out the awesome chop/dice job this baby did on Hoff's Udon Noodle Soup!  I just love uniformity!  I also put it to work on Hoff's Heaping Supreme Veggie Pizza!

I like this chopper a lot better than my slap chopper.  It does a much better job.  Everything is chopped as opposed to my slap chopper which tends to miss pieces and it also doesn't require the angry pounding motion, although I suspect that my blades are dull on my slap chopper.  Plus there's not as many pieces to clean.  Think my slap chopper is headed to Goodwill...

The Time Saver Chop N Prep Chef sells for $45 through Tupperware, but I suggest you get it through Amazon for $37, plus free shipping!  There is also the larger, Tupperware Quick Chef Food Processor and Chopper, which sells for $51 on Amazon, but I have not tried it and cannot vouch for it's potential awesomeness.

Chop Happy!
The Hoff

Honey & Allergies

Suffering from seasonal allergies?

Seek out locally produced honey and work one teaspoon into your diet daily.  As the bees are pollinating the plants and flowers within the area you live, you will slowly build up a resistance from the pollens that plague you.  It's best to start this treatment a few months prior to the start of pollen season to give your body time to build up this resistance.

There is also anecdotal evidence to support this same trick can aid with asthma symptoms.

To learn more check out this article by Dr. Mercola, "Can Eating Local Honey Cure Allergies?"

Keep It Healthy!
The Hoff

In-flight Meal - Vegan Style

San Francisco

Whenever I plan a trip that involves a plane, my first thoughts are, "What am I going to eat?!?"  I've seen enough 60 Minute specials on airplane food to know not to touch that stuff and I'm not foolish enough to think they can accommodate my vegan, oil-free ways.  I even buy my own water at one of the airport shops prior to boarding - read the above article, you'll understand where my paranoia comes from...

I just smile and say, "No thank you." to every offer by the nice flight attendant and then gleefully munch away on my 100% healthy & sanitary snacky snacks.

I put everything in disposable Ziplock bags, so I can leave the plane with less than I got on with.  Ziplock, so when airport security tears apart my carry-on (they always do), I don't have a holy mess on my hands!



Here's a list of things I bring with me (varies depending on length of flight):

• Paper towels
• Plastic utensils
• Wet naps
• Bottle of Water (airport store)
• Larabars or Kind Bars
• Cereal
• McDougall's Noodle Cups (just request hot water)
• Instant Oatmeal (just request hot water)
• Hoff's Green Wrap
• Portabella Mushroom Caps (pre-cut & stick in ziplock bag, a little messy but when you're hungry, a lifesaver)
• Semi-Homemade Tortilla Chips
• Baked Baby Potatoes/Baby Sweet Potatoes
• Avocado
• Sliced Cucumber
• Dried Fruit: Dates, Prunes, Figs, etc.
• Fresh Fruit: Berries, Apples, Bananas, etc.
• Pretzels
• Popcorn
• Pistachios
• Rice Cakes
• Roasted Soy Beans 
• Edamame (light salted & shelled) 
• Veggie Sushi!
• Clementines, apples, bananas, berries (other fruit - not with international travel)
• Pasta Salad
• Black Olives (rinsed & dried)
• Gerkin Pickles (rinsed & dried)
• Veggies & Hummus
• Veggies & Salsa

I once watched a girl eat an entire avocado on a flight.  Not sure I could do that, but I admired her ingenuity!

Be careful with any type of liquid based food, yogurt for example can be confiscated by security.  If you do bring any type of liquid, it must be in a 3 oz. or smaller container.  Those apple sauce snack packs are 3.9 oz. of course!

Aside from the dry foods, most of these foods are only going to make it one way.  For my return flight, I try to track down a Subway (veggie sandwich) or some other airport eatery that serves vegan food.  Not always possible to find, so I don't like to rely on that plan of attack.

I highly recommend that you do some research of both your departure airport and destination airport so you can know ahead of time what they offer and where that is in relation to your gate.  Just Google the name of the airport and restaurants and you are bound to come across a website listing them all out, most airports have this information available on their website.  Having a plan before your are in rushing, panic mode will keep you from making a hasty impulse move that you will regret later.

*"Potential" vegan offerings at Cleveland Hopkins Airport:

• Main Terminal
• Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels (request no butter)
• Bruegger’s Bagels
• Currito: Burritos Without Borders
• Concourse A
• Starbucks
• Concourse B
• Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels (request no butter)
• Concourse C
• Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt
• Green Leaf’s – Beyond Great Salads
• Starbucks
• Ticketing 
• Subway

*I can't 100% confirm that these places will have vegan offerings, so you still need to inquire once you get there.

With a little pre-planning, your in-flight meal can be delicious, healthy and just the way you want it!

I'd love to hear what you guys bring on your travels - light up the comments!

Keep It Healthy!

Source: http://www.clevelandairport.com/Airport-Guide/Terminal-Map.aspx

How Much Sun Do You Need?

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that we do not readily get from food.  It is better to synthesize your own Vitamin D from adequate sun exposure than to take a supplement, eat oily fish or fortified manufactured foods.

How much sunlight should you get to make your daily allowance of Vitamin D?

That actually depends on a few factors: your skin type, the daily UV Index, among other things (smog, cloud cover, where you are in relation to the equator).

This chart can help you figure it out:

Chart Courtesy of: T. Colin Campbell Foundation

To determine the UV Index, visit the EPA website, input your zip code and get that day's UVI for your area.  The EPA even has free SmartPhone Apps!


Not into calculating?

No worries, just strive to get 10-15 minutes of sun, 3 times per week on at least your face, hands & arms (sans sunscreen).  This will give you the equivalent of taking between 15,000 and 20,000 IU’s of Vitamin D - ensuring your Vitamin D levels stay where they should.

It's important to get your sun without sunscreen.  "A sunscreen with SPF of 8 reduces the ability of the skin to make Vitamin D by 92.5%. Sunscreen with SPF 15 reduces it by 99%."  No, this duration of exposure is not going to lead to skin cancer.  But, keep in mind that you're looking to be slightly pink, not red so, don't over do it.


Can't get any sun six months out of the year where you live?  

Me neither!  But, that's OK because vitamin D is fat-soluble, meaning your body will store it until it needs it.  If you get the recommended exposure during the sunny months, you will have enough Vitamin D to get you through the dreary months.

Keep it Healthy!
The Hoff

Source: http://www.tcolincampbell.org/courses-resources/article/dispelling-vitamin-d-myths/?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=76&cHash=8b49fbe90a

Healthy Hoff Talks Sprouts!

I had an awesome time last night speaking to the No Oil Vegan, Dr. Esselstyn's & Rip's E2 Diet NE Ohio Meetup Group at their monthly Vegan, No Oil Dinner at Sushi Rock!

A great bunch of people who are taking control of their health, their lives, their future!  It was so refreshing to be among people so dedicated living a healthy lifestyle!  I loved their enthusiasm to learn about sprouts and sprouting.  They really made my first speaking engagement fun and a fantastic success!  Thanks guys!

Me & Anne Marie!

It was great to finally meet Anne Marie, founder and organizer of this No Oil Vegan Meetup Group.  A very cool chick, who worked very hard with Chef Nello Salvatore & Corporate Chef Scott Buttari of Sushi Rock to nail down a meal plan that would fit this group's needs.  By bringing awareness and educating restaurants that there is a market for plant-based, no-oil meals, it makes it easier for all of us to enjoy a meal outside the house!  You rock Anne Marie!

I also met Sandie, another hip & cool vegan who has an awesome event coming up very soon, which I will be talking about later!

Vegan Sushi!

The meal was awesome - served buffet style so you could help yourself to as much as you wanted!  First we had a broth based soup with tiny cubes of tofu, leeks and seaweed - très yummy.  My fav was the stir-fry/steamed veggies (mushrooms, red pepper, onion, zucchini & yellow squash). I paired this with brown rice and a liberal dousing of gluten-free soy sauce - yum!  Can't forget the raw "cucumber" roll sushi with asparagus, carrots, broccoli  - so cute!  Of course there was salad, but you know me and salad... No meal would be complete without dessert - bamboo skewers of fresh fruit!

As if the night couldn't get any better, I met my first Healthy Hoff fan live and in living color (friends & family, don't count - you have to like me)!  Shout out to Kelly, one awesome chick!  I can't believe I didn't get a pic with her!

If you're interested in hanging out with a group of great and enthusiastic people in Northeast Ohio, you can join the No Oil Vegan, Dr. Esselstyn's & Rip's E2 Diet NE Ohio Meetup Group.  Membership is free and you're not required to do anything.  These guys get together for meals such as this one, potlucks, cooking classes, recipe swaps and lectures by the likes of Dr. Esselstyn.  I'm a member - what more could you want?!?!

If you missed the talk but are interested in learning about sprouts, you can check out Sprouting: What Is It?  If you're curious as to what to expect when sprouting, check out my day by day account!  If you're already sprouting but running into trouble, check out Moldy Sprouts.

Keep It Healthy!
The Hoff