VEGA - The Tastiest Natural Plant Based Protein Powder

I'm proud to have a new eating disorder called "Orthorexia".  

Orthorexics apparently eliminate processed foods, anything with artificial colorings or flavorings as well as foods that have come into contact with pesticides. Beyond that, orthorexics may also shun caffeine, alcohol, sugar, salt, wheat and dairy foods. Some limit themselves to raw foods. 

No, this is not a joke... Identified in 1997 by Colorado physician Steven Bratman, MD, orthorexia is Latin for “correct eating.” Sufferers increasingly restrict their diets to foods they consider pure, natural and healthful. Some researchers say that orthorexia may combine a touch of obsessive compulsive disorder with anxiety and warn that severely limited “healthy” diets may be a stepping stone to anorexia nervosa, the most severe eating disorder. 

YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME... I would love to see a photo of Mr. Bratman and take a look at his blood work. 

On the top of being the "correct eater", as a vegan I get the plaid out protein related question every day. In the past trying to drop names like beans, grains, nuts and seeds seemed too confusing and did not convince the suspicious carnivores. Sadly many people still believe that protein is only available from meat and animal sources and we will all fall over dead without animal protein. Unless you're pregnant or an Olympic bodybuilder, you will likely get more than enough protein without even trying. 

Discovering VEGA whole food health optimizer by Sequel Naturals, gave me the solution to shut them down with a one word answer... 

Formulated by Brendan Brazier, vegan, professional Ironman triathlete and best-selling author on performance nutrition, Vega is made exclusively from natural plant-based whole foods. With just 220 calories and 2g of net carbs per serving (natural flavor), Vega is an excellent choice for those on a calorie-reduced diet. High in fiber, protein and essential fats; Vega is naturally filling and satisfying. Easily digested, alkaline and great-tasting, Vega is clean and green, containing no animal products, dairy, egg, fillers, gluten, soy, sugar, wheat or yeast.

Vega drastically changed my overall health and energy level. Vega provides an easy and tasty way of supplementing my fiber intake; the yummy Vega based smoothies taste like dessert, the berry and chocolate flavored travel size packets literally save my life overseas.

Whether you're a top athlete, a busy professional, a pregnant woman or just a plain orthorexic heath nut; you can benefit from this fantastic product.
http://myvega.com/

The Rolls Royce Of The Vegan Cheese World - Tree Nut Cheeses Will Make You Want To Quit Dairy

I know it is so hard to imagine life without the softness and stinkiness of a good piece of aged cheese. Since goat cheese suppose to be "medicinal" I used to find the perfect excuse to live on cheese; I ate cheese for breakfast, lunch, dinner and indulged on it instead of dessert. I guess where I come from, serving and eating insanely expensive stinky cheese equals sophistication, luxury and class; combined that with the nutritional aspect I was surviving on cheese while slowly getting chubby in between my monthly nasty chronic sinus infections.

Giving up cheese and dairy due to my health issues changed/saved my life and became the first step toward veganism. I had major withdrawals for months and years while I moved on to the gummy textured artificial tasting soy based cheeses. Most of these brands (except Sunergia Soyfoods and Sheese) are hard to digest, nasty, don't melt and simply taste horrible. Processed soy is loaded with trypsin inhibitors that prevent proper protein digestion; goitrogen which inhibits thyroid function; phytic acid, a fiber that impairs absorption of minerals; and phytoestrogens which dangerously increase the estrogen hormone.

As a former gourmet cheese lover/expert my life turned around again with Dr Cow entering the market, making the art of making vegan cheese more delicious, flavory and savory. Nut cheeses are pretty easy to make at home, but Dr Cow uses the same process that is used to make traditional dairy-based cheese: they prepare a nut curd using some of their own home-made acidophilus (friendly bacteria) and pink Himalayan salt. The Brooklyn based company only uses 100% raw, organic nuts; their products are dairy free, gluten, casein, soy and lactose free, 100% organic and vegan. Their hemp/cashew hard cheeses and cashew cream cheeses are unimitable and to dye for.

It’s been only a few days that I discovered the second up and coming raw nut milk cheese manufacturer, guaranteed future big dog, Punk Rawk Labs. They literally just shipped their first shipment of gourmet tree nut cheeses to Live Live in NYC a few weeks ago. The goat cheese textured raw vegan macadamia and cashew nut cheeses come in a cool playful tin jar and they are simply delicious, decadent and addictive. The organic cheeses are fermented, handmade and come in 3 different flavors.

Nut milk cheeses are not just the Hermes, Rolls Royce, Dom Perignon White Gold and the Rolex of the vegan world, these gourmet creations are rich in protein, vitamin E, calcium and friendly bacteria.
http://www.dr-cow.com/
http://www.punkrawklabs.net/cheeses.html

Chia Seed Pudding - Toss your cereal and oatmeal; have dessert for breakfast!

My adorable new age health nut dad used to say when something tastes good, it is most likely bad for you; just accept that healthy stuff suppose to taste and look bland and cardboard like. Well, that was the 70's... 

Still till this day, when I taste something vegan, healthy, delicious and satisfying, I automatically assume the chef is cheating, maybe they secretly mixed something very artificial in, possibly there are hard drugs involved or I'm going to wake up the next day 5 pounds heavier. The whole concept of the delicious and addictive chia seed pudding (even when I'm preparing it), just seams too good to be true.

Chia seeds have been used as a power and endurance food for thousands of years in Mexico and South America. The word “chia” is the Mayan word for strength. Chia seeds were first consumed by the Aztec warriors who were running out of food supplies during war times, apparently just one spoonful of chia seeds kept the warriors satiated and energetic for an entire day. This might be the motivation behind the concept of using chia seeds for weight loss.

Chia seeds help to control blood sugar, reduce sugar cravings and promote hydration. Chia seeds are an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, & copper. In fact, they contain 6 times more calcium, 11 times more phosphorus, and 4.6 times more potassium per 100g of edible portion than milk and have 6 times more iron per 100g of edible portion than spinach, 1.8 times more iron than lentils; to this, add a high protein composition (19-23%). Chia has an amazing ability to absorb water; in under 10 minutes they will absorb 9-12 times their weight in water. Eating these soaked seeds can help you prolong hydration and retain electrolytes, especially during exertion. When the whole seeds are added to water or other liquids they become gelatinous, forming a delightful natural pudding consistency. 

Preparation method of the chia seed pudding is extremely easy. All that you need to do is to combine 4-5 tbsp chia seeds, 2 cups almond or cashew milk, and agave syrup to taste. You can also add more flavor to your pudding by using cinnamon, cacao powder, cardamom or vanilla and sprinkle nuts on it. Let the mixture sit uncovered at room temperature for about 50 minutes, at which point it should be thick, creamy and delicious.  

If you are too lazy to make it yourself, in NYC the Juice Press, in LA Juliano's Planet Raw sells the best, most insane tasting and addictive chia seed pudding.

The Best Organic/Vegan Hair Conditioner Under 10 Bucks

I’m the best guinea pig when it comes to hair products; bleached, dyed, highlighted, low lighted, running around in the California dry heat and NYC’s humidity. I like to have the "million dollar" hair, without spending the time blow drying it and going nuts every day. I have triple processed long hair, I'm surprised it's still in one piece after the years of abuse and hopes of trying to create the illusion of looking like a WASP Barbie out of California without looking like an X-rated strarlet out of the Valley... It's not easy to be a blond; if something works for my damaged locks, it will do wonders for you. 

I strongly believe great quality beauty products don't have to be insanely expensive. I don't believe in the hype; I refuse to pay for the packaging, the manufacturer's rent and the owner's luxury car. I love to share my best kept beauty secrets, the Earth Science Olive Avocado Deep Conditioning Masque is one of my staples and definitely the most inexpensive one... I discovered the brand at Whole Foods a few years ago; I think I picked up the travel size for $2 and I never looked back. This inexpensive conditioner ($9) volumizes, moisturizes, detangles and enhances fullness. It's all natural, organic, vegan and simply amazing. Just apply generously to freshly shampooed hair, squeezing out as much water as possible before application. Leave on for 5 minutes or more, then rinse and style.

Earth Science delivers a remarkable line of skin and hair care products formulated to nourish, protect and rejuvenate while preventing the damaging effects of sun, environment and time. Infused with the highest quality ingredients including patented micellized vitamins, kukui nut, avocado oil, triple distilled peppermint, sea kelp, gingko biloba, green tea, bamboo oil, ginseng, papaya enzymes, and a myriad of herbal extracts.  

Nature's Best Superfood - Hemp Seeds Will Make You Happy And Your Pet Shiny

I love how some of my friends walk into my kitchen(ette) and give me the laugh, the wink or the dirty look... At first I wasn't sure what was the attitude about; I thought I had a long forgotten mummificated animal product stocked on my shelves or some old risque photos on my fridge... until one of them pointed at a big bag of hemp seeds in the corner. 
Until I got accused being a closet  stoner, I didn't realize even the most educated people don't know about the difference between marijuana and hemp seeds. Hemp does come from the same plant as marijuana, so many people associate it with getting stoned, this is just another common misconception. Products made from hemp (the marijuana plant or Cannabis sativa) hit counterculture markets and health food stores nearly a decade ago to a controversial welcome.

Hemp seed is a highly nutritious source of protein, better tasting and more digestible than the soybean.

Hemp has 3 unique nutritional factors. It has an ideal balance of Omega 3 and 6 for sustainable human health, it has a full amino acid spectrum meaning it provides complete protein, and it has a massive trace mineral content - truly one of nature's superfoods. Consumption of hemp oil and hemp seed is ideal for people with low essential fatty acid intake, and also perfect for athletes. It is of course particularly valuable to the vegetarian/vegan population who are always looking for complete protein sources. Other benefits of hemp seed oil include its effect on the skin and the hair, nourishing both on a cellular level.

Hemp seed is an adequate source of calcium and iron. Whole, toasted hemp seeds are also a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, copper and manganese. Hemp contains no gluten and therefore would not trigger symptoms of celiac disease. 

I tried all the different brands on the market; the absolute best quality, tasty and moist hemp seeds are by a vegan organic company called HAPPY HEMP. I love the packaging, I love the website and the company specifically promotes their product edible for pets and their owners. When you see the two doggie "co-owners" Oliver and Moka on their website... you'll know you're getting your hemp from the right place.
http://www.happy-hemp.com/

Kitten Vixen - The Best Vegan Lipgloss Straight From London

Maybe I’m missing something, but I never got the obsession with the French so called beauties and the "French style"… I personally don't like Chanel and prefer the clean bohemian effortless look over the tobacco scented avatgarde.                        

British girls…, well that’s a different story. Kate Moss or Sienna Miller are unbeatable when it comes to being effortlessly cool. Also, maybe I’m bias, because I grew up reading “The Face” magazine and Vivienne Westwood signed my paycheck at one point. Somehow those London vixens never try too hard, they are just simply cool with a hint of bohemian and R’N'R’ edge. When it comes to organic/vegan beauty products, no surprise Britain wins over France.

I always thought it was impossible to find a vegan lip gloss with great color and texture. Most of the products I found were too thick or the colors were bright red or too pink, simply "unrealistic". I kept using MAC and YSL lip glosses, while I'm always on the hunt for an organic or vegan alternative.

Kitten Vixen hails straight from London Town. This amazing vegan, natural lip gloss is addictive. The brand currently only offers 3 flattering shades, peach provocateur, ravishing ruby and tickled pink. The moisture-rich formula leaves lips soft and glossy with a stunning hint of color and organic flavoring. Can be worn alone for a natural Kittenish look, or applied on top of Kitten Vixen's lip colors for a more polished finish.                                                                                                               

Buy them all, you will never find a sexier, glossier vegan lip product.

kittenvixen.com

Dandelion Root - Nature's Best For Spring Detox

When I think of dandelions, I have the beautiful dreamy images of the 60's coming to mind, like the pretty eerie photos of Sharon Tate surrounded by huge see through dandelions. Our grandmothers have a very different memory of this herb. Dandelion has a long history of use in traditional European herbal medicine, 50-60 years ago dandelion used to be a kitchen staple, our ancestors were religiously sipping dandelion root tea instead of coconut water.

Fasting and detoxing seem to be a huge trend these days. Even my non health conscious borderline self destructive friends stop eating for days and go on a spring cleanse this time of the year. They look great, feel healthy and get skinny for a few weeks, but as soon as the self punishment is over, they are weak, starving and jump back to their "old ways". Been there, done that. 

I don't believe in fasting or extreme starvation, life is too short or maybe I just love solid foods and my yerba mate tea too much to make my precious life like hell. I believe in eating healthy, cutting out the bad stuff, finding healthy natural substitutions.

This time of the year, as my detoxifying regimen I drink a cup of dandelion root tea once a day for 3 weeks straight. Dandelion root supposed to strengthen the entire body, especially the liver and gallbladder, where it promotes the flow of bile, reduces inflammation of the bile duct, and helps get rid of gall stones. It’s good for chronic hepatitis, it reduces liver swelling and jaundice, and it helps indigestion. Dandelions are also good for the bladder, spleen, pancreas, stomach and intestines. It enriches breast milk in nursing mothers, benefiting both mother and child. It’s recommended for stressed-out, internally sluggish, and sedentary people. Anyone who's a victim of excessive fat, white flour, and concentrated sweeteners could benefit from a daily cup of dandelion tea.  

If you are not allergic to ragweed or daisies, have serious gallbladder or liver disease, dandelion roots will get you ready for an active, healthy, bikini flaunting summer.

Calorie Counting Pasta Lovers- Kelp Noodles will save your a***

Who doesn't love pasta? For me the cheesier and the creamier the better. It's just one of those things, it looks good it tastes good, but you feel like crap after eating it. In my world Italian food equals food coma and love handles. Thanks to my willpower and the fact I like to feel great and energized these days, I probably haven't had traditional wheat and cream based pasta since the 90's... Zucchini pasta is extremely healthy, but because of the texture you can't fool yourself that you are eating the real deal.

If you are a pasta lover, but want to try a guilt free/low calorie vegan option, you will love Sea Tangle Kelp Noodles. Kelp noodles are sea vegetable in the form of an easy to eat raw noodle; made of kelp (a sea vegetable), sodium alginate (sodium salt extracted from a brown seaweed), and water. Kelp noodles are fat-free, gluten-free, and very low in carbohydrates and calories; these noodles look and taste like pasta. Kelp offers fantastic support for those looking to control their weight or blood sugar levels.

I got introduced to this amazing sea vegetable by my favorite raw chef Juliano, at Planet Raw in Santa Monica in LA; my all time favorite raw vegan restaurant, which has the most amazing addictive "Cheesy Kelp Noodle" dish on their menu and the infamous LA meets Burning Man meets New Age scene.

I talk, I write, I schmooze, I educate and coach, unfortunately I don't cook... however even I can make some great dishes out of kelp. I soak the noodles in almond milk for 24 hours, warm them up for 5 minutes. With olive oil, Himalayan salt, dill, hemp seeds and cashew cheese I make my own "poor man's version" of the Cheesy Kelp. You can prepare it with tomato sauce or use it in salads. And the best for the last, an entire bag of these kelp noodles contains only 18 calories (yes, the entire bag!).

Order them from Sea Tangle: http://www.kelpnoodles.com/products_seatangle_noodles.html

Faux Gras Toasted Walnut Lentil Paté - keeps me from being a "cheating vegan"

Every saint has a past and I'm sorry to break the news, but most preaching health food enthusiast started out on junk. I love to laugh at the "old Medea" and inspire people around me to evolve and change. 

Yes, there were days way back when I was sitting in a white mink coat washing down my chopped chicken liver appetizer with a bottle of vodka at Sammy's Roumanian. I still love romanticizing and joking about the "bad stuff", as much as I love bringing up a particular trip to Paris, where I tried and rated the foie gras with every meal at every restaurant... I know it's horrible, but I  believe in owning your mistakes as they make you who you are today.

I think it's so easy to make the transition and became vegan when you are the pizza-burger-fast food type. 

I wasn't sure I could stay vegan without cheating unless I find a tasty substitute to exotic game, chopped liver and pate. I was eating raw walnut pate for years which has the texture, but it's really hard to get the right flavor. 

The first time I tasted Faux Gras Toasted Walnut Lentil Paté, I couldn't believe it was healthy and vegan. If there is a vegan food Oscar, this product deserves it. It's so decadent, savory and creamy; perfect with crackers or veggies, as a breakfast spread on toast, as a sandwich filling or rolled up in nori rolls. 

The Faux Gras is made with all natural, whole food ingredients like lentils, walnuts and caramelized onions, it's amazing and addictive. Everyone I introduced to this product buys it weekly.

The Faux Gras is available at all the better health food stores in NYC. Now even if you don't live in New York, you can order it online at http://www.theregalvegan.com/site/faux_gras

Egyptian Magic: First aid in a jar

These days I don't give a f*** about celebrity endorsements, especially because the people I find cool, exciting and amusing are already dead and the ones are alive rarely attach their names to products. The story was very different back then pre-holistic health days... I own it I only picked up Egyptian Magic at a health food store, because I've heard Madonna was buying it in bulk... I think it was my first (super hesitant) purchase at Whole Foods beauty about 8 years ago.

Maybe it's the name, maybe it's my obsession with Egyptian Mythology, or just the continuous amazing results I experienced... Egyptian Magic is truly a miracle-magical product.

It is an all-in-one miracle formula for all skin types and a multitude of purposes. Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream balances oil production, naturally antibacterial and anti-inflammatory cream. It doesn't clog pores, adds an amazing glow and hydrates the body, face and the hair. Perfect after shaving lotion, softens hands and feet, super lip and eye gloss, great hot-oil treatment for hair, heals chapped lips, eases irritation from mosquito bites, treats burns, and blemishes, great for eczema, diaper rashes, great prep for use on skin pre-surgery and post-surgery. 
I used it on pets (animal bites and hot spots), my friends use it on their babies, I put it on after extreme sun exposure, or just when my skin or hair feels dry. 

Whoever Lord-Pharaoh ImHotep-AmonRa CEO founder and manufacturer is, he did an amazing job creating this product, keeping the magic happening and the mystery alive.