Saturday, August 3, 2013

I have decided to post a few reviews about protein bars that I run across, if only because there are so many on the market.  The selection is varied enough to satisfy just about every diet, food and ethical preference one lives by.

I picked up the GoMacro Macrobar at my neighborhood Whole Foods after looking specifically for the 22 Days brand of protein bar.  As I did not run across that one, I chose this one.  Why?, well frankly because it had some weight to it and it is Vegan and USDA certified organic, plus the flavor "Cashew Butter" sounded pretty darn good.  I am trying to lean toward a raw eating lifestyle, but I am still attached to meal bars for that extra bit of nutrition I need to get into my body.

The GoMacro bar is made by GoMacro Inc headquartered in Viola, Wisconsin, click on their website here: GoMacro Principles and you will be directed to the company's core belief section of their website, of which I was really impressed.  The above bar has 11 grams of fat, 2.5 of which are saturated fat, and has a mere 10 grams of sodium, 38 grams of carbs and 12 grams of protein.  Now, considering that this particular flavor bar has 15 grams of sugar made me think it'd satisfy my sweet tooth while also satisfying my hunger.  Well, it filled the hole in my tummy, but surprisingly, it was not overly sweet (not that I was looking for it to be, in the first place).  The inside packaging is like looking at foil which allowed me to also realize that the fat content is definitely there because as I took a bite, teeny, tiny little beads of "fat?" perhaps? was visible on the packaging.  There are pieces of cashews in the bar, which are quite tasty.  Overall, this is a good little bar, which definitely satisfies hunger and there is no "after taste," which some bars tend to have.  It is also "Non GMO Certified" of which I greatly respect.  I try to only consume non-GMO items as no one knows the long-term effects GMO's will have on a person's health.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Far Infrared Sauna - What Is It?

I decided to experience a Far Infrared sauna after reading many posts about it; I also read about its health benefits as I was reading the book "Hippocrates Lifeforce" by Brian Clement, co-director of the Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida.  The objective of the Hippocrates Health Institute is to help individuals who visit - to become whole and healthy again through a diet of vegan, raw (living) foods, Wheat Grass juice, and many other positives for the body, one of these positives being the Far Infrared Sauna.

Regular saunas operate at temperatures hovering around 170-degrees and use steam, making it difficult for some to bear.  The Far Infrared is intended to operate at temperatures between 110 and 130 degrees using no steam.  The sauna uses "radiant heat" to warm the body making the entire experience quite comfortable.

Why would one even need to bother with a Far Infrared Sauna?  Well, the principle behind the sauna which has been around for a very long time in the far east is intended to help detoxify the body (before you roll your eyes and scream at hearing the word "detoxify" again); you really need to read up on the sauna itself.  The infrared heat penetrates deeply through the skin to reach muscles, joints and of course, other tissues.  This increases your metabolism and promotes circulation to help eliminate toxins through sweat.

I experienced the FIR at the Dallas Colon Care Center located at 9900 N. Central Expressway in Dallas, Texas.  This is a small office run by a lovely woman named Deanna Asencio, she even has her mother working there on some weekdays.  She is also quite a lovely woman.  I was not really sure what to expect, so I called and was told I should bring a one litre bottle of water (I chose to take a high PH water for the minerals and potassium).  I was then told I would need to take a shower to wash off all body lotions, deodorants and whatever else one chooses to slather on one's body.  I was given total privacy, which I greatly appreciated.  After my shower, I walked into the sauna where it had been prepped for me, the temperature was set at 130-degrees and there were several towels on the bench.

Another interesting thing about the sauna, before I went to the Dallas Colon Care Center for this - I had called another place in Dallas called Move Studio (an exercise facility, which I have not had the pleasure to visit yet, but I plan to); I read the literature there and was told the sauna was located near the front of the complex and that I would need to wear a bathing suit or shorts and a tank-top and take my own towel.  Then I called Dallas Colon Care and immediately knew I wanted to go to DCC instead of Move, simply because I was allowed to shower and also, I was told it was best to experience the sauna in the buff (plenty of towels available).  I found this to be ultimately the best choice since once you get in there, you obviously begin to sweat profusely.  However, it is NOT uncomfortable, and one can easily breathe.  I was told that if it became too hot, I could simply open the door and allow a little cool air to enter.  I only did that one time to see how much cool air would enter (or heat would escape).  I closed the door quickly.

There is a timer that counts down the minutes that you can see, as well as the interior temperature of the sauna.  I found the experience quite relaxing and almost fell asleep.  Afterward, I was told I could shower again, to.. of course, wash off all that sweat.  All in all, it was a lovely experience, one that I plan to incorporate into my health routine.  How often?  I haven't decided that yet.  The session is $40 for 40 minutes (and no, you cannot opt for $30 dollars for 30 minutes and so on); that is their rule and I respect it.  Of course, if you wish to walk out of the sauna earlier, that's completely your choice.

Again, the idea behind Far Infrared is to help detoxify the body of environmental pollutants that WE ALL breathe in daily, pollutants WE ALL take in when we consume an unhealthy diet.  I considered it a luxury, but one I will treat myself to again and again.  It was that enjoyable and relaxing.

One other note, I did have some concerns about the size of the sauna once I heard it was a "portable" sauna. I am claustrophobic so the confines of the space concerned me.  However, I did not have a problem with the space or size at all, in fact, once inside, I felt "cozy."

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This blog is not intended to suggest that any one sauna product will help alleviate any medical conditions, this blog is my own personal account of my own vegan lifestyle and experiences.

Monday, October 24, 2011

A Green Dream


Green drinks conjure up a host of comments when you ask people if they've had one. They are usually made from Wheat Grass, which is where the green color comes in, but they are also one of the healthiest drinks ON THIS PLANET. This particular Greenie is not made with the grass. The green in this recipe comes from organic bulk Spinach, which is loaded with beta-carotene and Lutein, also known as Xanthophyll. Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant, that studies show, can reduce the risk for various cancers and heart disease. Lutein is beneficial to eye health.
One of the reasons I wanted to post an entry about this particular green drink is because it's really delicious. While its color comes from the spinach, the taste is a wonderful mix of coconut flavors and banana. So please, give it a try. For those squeamish about Spinach, you won't even taste it - but you do reap the nutritional benefits, and we can all use an added boost of green, leafy vegetables in our diet.
The following recipe is courtesy 0f Barlean's Organic Oils. www.barleans.com. A Ferndale, Washington based company specializing in healthy omega oils and other wonderful products. The key ingredient here is the Coconut oil. So please try the recipe. I make one about four or five times a week and always start the day with it, afterward, I feel so good about putting a healthy, tasty drink in my body. You will too. I promise.

(2) sliced, frozen bananas

(2) huge handfuls of spinach

(1) cup milk (please don't use cow's milk, that's for a baby calf); try something deliciously tasty
such as So Delicious brand coconut milk in Vanilla or plain flavor; or you can also use Almond
or soy milk. This is also necessary if you or your loved ones are lactose intolerant.

(1/4) teaspoon cinnamon

(1) teaspoon vanilla

(1) tablespoon Coconut Oil

** Important note: please don't purchase just any coconut oil. Some stores sell coconut oil that is made from hydrogenated oil (this is the kind that can clog your arteries and is very unhealthy. The coconut oil you need should be "expeller pressed virgin" coconut oil. You can get this in a variety of brands through your local health food store.

Instructions: Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth. Pour in a glass and enjoy.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

So, You Miss Cheese


Cheese is one of the hardest things to want to give up. Everything tastes great with cheese. This, from a person who has eaten her fair share of cheese, and then some.

Finding a good cheese alternative can be difficult. I believe I've tried just about every version on the market. To be sure, there are good choices out there, but I also want "melty" alternatives. That can be difficult to find. However, these is a brand out there that continues to grow in popularity. The brand is Daiya. It comes in Mozzarella, Pepper Jack and Cheddar flavors.

This company is to be commended for the high quality, and amazing taste of their "cheese." As their packaging states, it's "deliciously dairy free." It's made with very few ingredients, and it is mostly tapioca, and it melts wonderfully. So if you're looking for a great alternative to cheese, grab some Daiya. It can be purchased at Whole Foods, Sunflower Market, and some Signature Kroger stores. It usually runs about $4.39 for an 8 oz. pkg.

You'll love it.

Getting the right amount of protein


Protein is a vital nutrient that is easy to get when you eat animals. As a vegan, getting the right amount of protein hasn't been as hard as you might think. Tofu, legumes (beans, of any kind), Tempeh, Seitan, and Quinoa are all good sources of protein. Wanna-be meats, which is what I call "mock meats" are usually overloaded with sodium, and sugars. While they are a good alternative to new vegetarians, once you've really started to care about what goes into your mouth - you become keenly aware that they are not the best source for a meal.

You've heard it before, eat as raw as possible. Get as many vegetables into your system, eat food that hasn't been adulterated by man. The fewer hands that have been on it, the better it will be for your overall health. Also, you've heard this before, the more colorful the vegetable - the better it is for you, so go for the rich greens, yellow's, oranges and reds.

Monday, August 29, 2011


I decided to become a vegetarian about 25 years ago. I had just started working at a TV station in Dallas as a production assistant. A "PA" helps wherever needed in getting the news on the air. One of my duties was pulling file tape. One of our veteran reporters named Bill Brown had asked me to pull file of Greenpeace. The group was doing what they do best on the Rainbow Warrior trying to protect whales. While looking through the tape which had several pieces of video on it, I ran across some video that was taken undercover in a slaughterhouse. I won't go into detail, because anyone who is familiar with factory farming, animal rights, or even anyone who's seen "undercover" video before, know that it wouldn't be pleasant.

I'd never seen undercover video before, but it impacted my life like never before. I went home that evening still thinking about what I'd seen on the tape and knew I didn't want to have anything to do with contributing to the suffering of animals.

It was difficult at first, because one of my favorite things to grab-on-the-go was Wendy's. I'd never liked McDonald's or Burger King or any other fast-food burger, except Wendy's. I also loved Taco Bell. But I went "cold turkey" (pun intended). From that evening on, I've been aware of factory farming and animals rights on an unprecedented level. And I've never looked back.

I've seen numerous health benefits of being vegan, but I do it for the animals. I have a cat who keeps me company and she is a constant reminder of how precious life is, all life. And that all living things deserve a chance to exist without the threat of humankind.