Category: Wellness

Sugar Free for 80 Days

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sugar

For my birthday this year I decided to buy Sarah Wilson’s book, I Quit Sugar.  Honestly, I never really thought anything of the amount of sugar I was eating because let’s be honest, the white refined crap wasn’t in my diet in the first place. I had no idea what I was getting into and what it really entailed. Little did I know, sugar is lurking EVERYWHERE. Okay, I actually knew that sugar is hidden in everything, what I didn’t know what the culprit was fructose. No…not high fructose corn syrup (which is an abomination, but we knew that already).

I had no idea that all the fruit and some of those awesome healthy treats (you know, bananas and raw honey- YUM) I was eating was actually keeping me sluggish, moody and tired. But of course I didn’t realize this until I decided to give it up for 8 weeks, which ultimately turned into an 80 day cleanse.

Before I go into detail about my journey, let me tell you I decided to start this challenge a few days after my birthday so I was detoxing BIG time off of the cakes, treats, chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. Did I mention that I LOVE chocolate? For heaven’s sake, my boyfriend baked me a double chocolate double layered cake. I was so dedicated to this challenge I didn’t even have a second slice. Needless to say, Matthew was not too thrilled. Sorry babe!

The way Sarah Wilson’s program works is it starts with awareness and a ton of information.

I have to admit, the first week, which included cutting down sugar (I mean fructose) was hard. I LOVE fruit. Absolutely could not see myself without it. I was drinking a green smoothie for breakfast almost every morning. I really had no idea that I was basically living off of fructose. Fruit for breakfast, raisins for a snack, a nibble of dark chocolate here and there and sweetened almond milk in my tea or coffee. Cutting out was hard. But one of the principles that I learned while studying at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition was that you must crowd out the bad stuff with good stuff.

I started to introduce more hearty breakfasts into the mix (since that’s a favorite for me) and started to find alternative snacks. I would start my day with rice millet toast with avocado, a drizzle of olive oil, Herbamare, red chili flakes, garlic powder, and turmeric. I was surprisingly full after one piece of toast but if I would have a green smoothie for breakfast I would be hungry almost instantaneously (and that is RIDICULOUS).

After realizing that I can actually survive and feel light, fit, clear and healthy with a piece of avocado toast for breakfast I started to really dive deeper into this journey. My body started to speak to me. How weird is that?! Yes! I said SPEAK to me. I have been vegan for 2 years and a lifelong vegetarian but once I started to pay closer attention to the sugar I was consuming I started to feel the urge to eat dairy. How weird is that?!

Our body’s are much smarter than we are. We just need to take a moment to listen and feel. You will be surprised how beneficial it is to tune in to what your body really wants.

After a few weeks, recognizing how different I felt without sugar was simple. I actually didn’t miss it. Okay, maybe I missed chocolate but other than that I was able to really, truly recognize what is was my body REALLY wanted. I needed more grounding foods, some dairy here and there and to actually eat more wholesome foods.

So what’s my point?

1. Sugar is in everything. But the main culprit is fructose (surprisingly in fruit). Read more here. We should only really be consuming under 25g a day. Did you know one soy chai latte at Starbucks can have about 46g of sugar per serving?!

2. Fruit is not the culprit but there are some fruits that have higher fructose than others (bananas and mangoes, dried fruit)

3. Your brain is less foggy, your skin is clear, you become more energetic. Without over consuming fruits and sweeteners you can actually do wonders for your energy, your skin and your overall well-being.

4. You may begin to recognize what your body truly needs. For me, I really needed to add a little bit of dairy (full fat greek yogurt, full fat cheese on occasion) and adding more healthy fats to my diet.

5. Your tastebuds will be extremely sensitive and that’s a good thing. I can taste almost every single flavor in my food now which makes it that much more of an enjoyable experience. I LOVE cooking and eating so it’s truly important to SAVOR every last bit.

I have since allowed a little sweetness in my life. I really missed pineapple, bananas and various fruits but I am more aware than ever.

If you are looking to reset and understand your body more, I really recommend giving this a try. But please do read Sarah’s book and check out her website for incredible support and yummy recipes.

Have you tried to quit sugar? I’d love to hear about your journey!

Peace, love, and no beef!

Guramrit

Cucumber Raita

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You can’t have a decent Indian dish without a mouthwatering serving of raita on the side (or to put on top- it’s delicious, why not put it on everything).

I make mine with cilantro, shallots, and persian cucumbers for a delicious crunch and flavor that goes well with practically anything Indian (even pudla, you can get the recipe here)

Warning: This recipe is NOT vegan. I know that this is supposed to be a vegan blog, but I do indulge in some greek yogurt here and there and things that my body feels it needs. It’s all about trusting your body and finding what makes you feel good and whole.

What You Need: 

  • 4 cups full fat greek yogurt
  • 1 large persian cucumber, diced finely (keep the skin on)
  • 1 shallot, diced
  • 1/2 cup of cilantro, chopped finely
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

How You Make It: 

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Cover and let flavors set for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours. This will last in the fridge the entire week unless someone decides to eat it before then!

Peace, love and no beef!

Guramrit

Aloo Gobi…You Know You Want Some

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2014-06-28 18.42.59

I apologize for my hiatus and I’ve been taking the time to enjoy my summer, enjoying the delicious produce of this season and giving myself an overall rest. One of the most important things in this season of beautiful weather, is knowing when to take time to rest and rejuvenate. I’ve been doing just that. Of course, I’ve been in the kitchen getting a feel for seasonal cooking so I’ve decided to make my return and share a classic recipe that is a go to in my home. And, the more I make this the better it tastes each time. So start salivating and dreaming about Indian cuisine, because I’m about to set your taste buds aflame.

Cooking Time: 20-30 Minutes

Serves: 4-6 people (or one hungry boyfriend)

What You Need: 

  • 4 Red Skinned Potatoes, scrubbed, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 1 Cauliflower, cut into small florets
  • 1 large red onion, diced
  • 4 cloves of garlic, smashed and chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 3/4 tsp red chili powder
  • 1/2 tbsp coriander powder
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • 2 tbsp oil (or ghee)
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (you can use half a 8 oz can of diced tomatoes or fresh)
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • juice of 2 lemons
  • Sea Salt to taste

How You Make It: 

  1. In a deep pot, heat oil or ghee. Add cumin seeds. When cumin seeds start to pop, add onions and garlic. Stir until translucent. Season with sea salt.
  2. Add turmeric, chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala. Stir until onion is coated.
  3. Toss in potatoes and stir. Allow to cook for up to 4-5 minutes until coated with spices.
  4. Add cauliflower florets, sea salt, and stir until coated.
  5. Cover the pot and allow the vegetables to cook up to 10 minutes.
  6. After 10 minutes toss in diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Scrape the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking. (Note: if the veggies stick, add a few tablespoons of water and the veggies should release from the bottom).
  7. Continue to cook until the veggies are soft (an additional 10 minutes).
  8. Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice and cilantro. Season with salt to taste.
  9. Serve immediately with raita (recipe to come-not vegan!), steamed basmati rice or your favorite Naan, Parantha or Roti.

P.S. You can always add peas to your recipe (as pictured above) or simply make this Aloo Matar or Gobi Matar! This spice combination can transform any dish into something Indian! How awesome is that?!

The best part about this recipe? It’s even better the next day or a few days later. You know what that means! LEFTOVERS GALORE! I definitely packed this for my boyfriend’s lunch on some basmati rice. He definitely had a happy tummy.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and start cooking Indian food more often.

Peace, love and NO Beef!

 

Satisfying Snacking

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Image I’m the type of person who gets HANGRY. Like, I get the serious case of the grumpies when I don’t eat something. I try my best to pack snacks or keep something on hand for those moments when I can’t get to the munching. When I’m out, especially with people who aren’t vegan or gluten free, it can be a struggle. I mean, who really wants to go out for tempeh tacos besides me? But thankfully I am slowly discovering new snacks that I can keep stashed in my purse or work drawer for those moments when I really need to gnaw on something delicious AND nutritious.

I was recently given the AMAZING opportunity to check out Vega’s brand new Vega Bars thanks to the ladies over at FitApproach. I don’t know about you but I’m not a huge fan of these mainstream meal replacement, protein or snack bars. Lately, it’s just all processed crap and usually has gluten or dairy which is totally unfair to me. Why in the world would I want to sacrifice my amazing stomach and healthy gut for something that doesn’t taste that great either?!

I was pleasantly surprised by the awesomeness of Vega’s brand new bars (meal replacement, snack, energy and protein). I have to admit my favorite was the Snack Bar: Dark Chocolate Mixed Nuts and Sea Salt (for obvious reasons- I’m a chocoholic and I LOVE the combo of sea salt and chocolate).

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Photo credit: FitApproach & Vega Bars

One thing I am not fond of for most “health food” bars is the granular texture and the amount of added sweeteners. These particular bars had a great texture, were very tasty but they did have agave (which is fructose. I do wish they used coconut sugar or even just nixed the sugar, we don’t need that!) and at most had a whopping 19 grams of sugar per bar.  Thankfully the snack bars weren’t loaded with sugar and had at most 8 grams. I probably won’t go for the Vega Sport (protein or energy) bars because of the sugar content.

I really appreciate that Vega really focuses on adding greens, Omega 3’s, plant based protein and good flavors to these bars. The variety was absolutely delicious even though I didn’t eat the peanut butter flavor (allergic-yikes). I don’t advocate replacing your meals with these bars as a weight loss regimen or a diet. If you’re looking to nibble and just want a nutritious snack, these are a great option. I would really stick with a diet that’s rich in REAL, whole, nutritious foods- think veggies, fruits, whole grains (if you do grains), healthy fats, cut back on sugar and generously consume green smoothies. Overall, I really enjoyed these bars and hope you give them a try to see how you feel after eating them.

Have you tried a Vega Bar in the past?

What are your thoughts?

Peace, love and NO Beef!

Guramrit

Food for the Soul – Bid Adieu to STRESS

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flower

There are some days when I take a look at my to-do list and really wonder if even half of it is doable. My knee jerk reaction is panic. My heart beats rapidly, my stomach cramps, and I start thinking about anything other than the tasks at hand. Yeah, a little procrastination happens, let’s be real. No matter how much I plan, and I’m the queen of planners and calendars, I can’t seem to avoid a momentary panic. But what good would I be or how effective can I possibly be when I am under stress? Some people can function under pressure, in fact it’s when they shine, but that’s really not beneficial for my health – think raised cortisol levels and comfort food. Shoveling spoonfuls of coconut ice cream into my mouth while wallowing in self pity.  I don’t want that.  None of us do. We all want to feel as relaxed as possible.

Read the entire post here.