Tag: vegetarian

Vegan Challenge…Completed. Or is it?

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3 weeks have come and gone and I can’t believe I survived my personal vegan challenge. Honestly, at first I anticipated that I was going to die without cheese and yogurt. Like, come on, I’m the biggest lover of buffalo mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Snacking on yogurt and cheese was my THING!

The first week was definitely the most difficult. I was already slowly cutting down my intake of cheese. I started limiting how much cheese I would eat to once or twice a week. I admit, I felt like an addict. I felt the urge to eat cheesy, gooey, melty, salty goodness. I have always known I am sensitive to dairy. I stopped drinking cows milk in the 6th grade and swapped to soy milk. Recently I have swapped soy milk for almond/coconut milk.

After week one I started to feel lighter, less bloated and clear headed. I started to slowly find vegan versions of my favorite things and veganized my kitchen. Week one came and went. Before I knew it, my three week challenge was over. I survived!

I am now mid-week 4 and feel amazing. I am the healthiest I have ever been. I am completely comfortable with my body and am a weight I feel my best at. I truly am enjoying this decision I have made for myself. I still get odd questions, stares and even the rolling of the eyes. I am happy, content, light, free and I’m doing something for the environment.

Well readers, that’s all for now!

Peace, love, no cheese and NO beef!

Guramrit

Staying True to Your Authentic Self- Be Real

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I pondered for days about a potential blog post. It was only until today that this idea hit me as I sipped some Yerba Mate tea as I read Whole Living magazine. I had the ultimate “Aha” moment. If there is one thing I am passionate and adamant about aside from healthy, conscious eating, it is being true to yourself.  Now what exactly do I mean?  Being authentically you is essentially understanding who you are not only on a physical level but spiritually, emotionally, mentally. Knowing who you are is understanding what you need, what nourishes you, what helps build you up and empower you.

As per the usual I can essentially tie this into my current nutritional and dietary lifestyle. Though I am a lifelong vegetarian (23 years and counting), I recently took up veganism as a way to nourish my mind, body and soul. I must admit this transition has been incredibly challenging especially overcoming my mental attachment to dairy (yes, I say mental since I know I don’t physically NEED cheese). As a child, I was the odd ball. Being the only vegetarian in my elementary school at the time really singled me out as the nerdy Indian girl who eats weird non-meat things for lunch. “Where’s the turkey on your cheese sandwich?,” “How do you survive with no meat?” “Ew what kind of lunch is that?” I grew more and more uncomfortable with myself eating in the presence of others. I would often sit in silence and just eat ignoring the questions and weird stares. Ultimately I felt comfortable with being a vegetarian because when I got home, it wasn’t weird to anyone since my entire family was vegetarian.

After enduring question after question about my abnormal diet, it became second nature to explain that I was vegetarian for religious reasons (since I was raised as a Sikh) and later on, for personal reasons. It was only after I graduated college that I realized being a vegetarian was and is part of my true and authentic self. I greatly cherish my health and envision a well-nourished and long and healthy life. For me, vegetarianism completed and enhanced my being. I have had encounters with people who have found my lifestyle choice a burden or even a bother to them. Now that I have transitioned to veganism, the questions and the grunts, sighs and even rolling of the eyes began again. “What do you eat?!” “What am I supposed to feed you?” “You’re so skinny. We need to fatten you up!” (Side Note: I’m not SKINNY, I’m slim, healthy, toned and loving the skin I’m in…just an FYI)

I know of people who would have easily given in to satisfy the masses. Why compromise your authentic self to please someone else? Take for example, Friday night, you decide to go out to Happy Hour with some friends. You don’t normally drink but the thought of being left out or seeming as though you are a party pooper is unbearable.  The drinks continue to flow, as though your reputation depended on every last drop. The next morning you feel awful, hung over and filled with a sense of regret. You didn’t want to go in the first place but decided to make a decision to save yourself from being deemed as unsocial. But why agree to something that YOU know is against what you believe in?  Why drink when you don’t normally drink? Why eat what you don’t like?

I realized that my health is not a matter of pleasing others. It is an issue of taking care of myself for ME. Don’t sacrifice your health, well-being and self-nourishment. You know what you need. What are YOU going to do to attain that?  

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The Best Pesto You’ll Ever Make

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I’m on week two of my vegan challenge and I was CRAVING something creamy, comforting and delicious. I simply adore my cookbook by Chloe Coscarelli, Chloe’s Kitchen and have had a post-it on the page with Avocado Pesto for over a month now. I decided, that I just HAD to make it. No more excuses! To my surprise? This was probably the most simple and delicious pesto I have ever made.

Okay enough fooling around, here is the best pesto you’ll ever make:

What you need:

  • 1 pound linguine (or spaghetti- I don’t use white flour pasta, I opt for spinach, brown rice, or whole grain)
  • 1 bunch fresh basil, reserve some leaves for garnish
  • ½ cup pine nuts (I left this out, but that’s you’re decision!)
  • 2 avocados, pitted and peeled
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 4 cloves garlic (3 for pesto, 1 for sauteing baby broccoli & tomatoes)
  • ½ cup olive oil (save an extra 2 tablespoons for sauteing)
  • Sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes or sliced sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
  • 1 bunch baby broccoli or adult broccoli, chopped (whatever you can find)

How to make it:

1. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain and set aside. (Cook to AL DENTE- leave a little bite to it. You don’t want to over cook the pasta.)

2. Meanwhile, make the pesto by combining basil, pine nuts, avocados, lemon juice, garlic, and oil in a food processor. Process until smooth. Season generously with salt and pepper.

3. In saute pan, add olive oil and 1 clove of chopped garlic. Let the oil get fragrant and add broccoli. Saute a couple of minutes before adding the tomatoes. Turn off heat.

4. Toss pasta with pesto and broccoli and tomatoes. Divide pasta among serving bowls and garnish each serving with a basil leaf.

[The finished product!]

The next time you crave pesto, opt for this vegan friendly and satisfying version!

Peace, love and no beef!

Guramrit

I LOVE Farmers Markets

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If there is one thing I truly adore, it has to be farmers markets. On a beautiful rainy Thursday (aka yesterday) my mother and I took a trip up to West Nyack for some Vegan Caribbean goodness at Main Essentials restaurant. If you’re into a Caribbean flavor, enjoy fresh squeezed juice and great company (and reasonably priced lunches/dinners), Main Essentials is the place to be.

After a phenomenally filling and healthy lunch, my mom and I found a farmers market right around the corner. I was in heaven. The first thing I came across was a station selling eucalyptus plants. When I feel congested or just need a pick me up, inhaling eucalyptus essential oil is a perfect solution. I needed a little green in my room so I thought getting a plant would bring me a clear head and clear the energy in my room.

I really wasn’t anticipating finding anything other than fresh local organic produce, which is not easy to come by in the first place. (Side Note: If you are looking for local organic produce there are farmers markets on 161st street on Tuesday’s in the Bronx, on Moshulu Parkway on Wednesday’s/Thursdays and in Union Square Mondays, Wednesdays, Friday & Saturdays) I didn’t find the vegetables that I really needed in that moment but I did come across an organic vegan bakery selling the most decadent yet waist friendly lemon lavender cookies. I had to hide them in my house so I can actually enjoy them (Sorry Dad).

The surprises continued to unfold when I got the opportunity to have an olive oil tasting. The last time I had an olive oil tasting was at a farmers market in Florence last year. Italian olive oil is my weakness. There is something healing about the olives they choose for their olive oil (it’s either that or I’m just obsessed with anything Italian). But to my surprise, six olive oils later, I ended up choosing an organic Palestinian olive oil with a rich, nutty, peppery flavor with a slight bitter aftertaste similar to that of radicchio. 

After my encounter with THE most delicious olive oil since Italy, I came across a station dedicated to honey. Now, if you suffer from seasonal allergies like I do, popping a Benadryl or a Claritin is dreadful. I’d rather find a way to get relief naturally then ingesting pure chemical crap. I found bee pollen, harvested by the friendly Abbott & Costello loving farmer behind the counter.  Not only does bee pollen help with allergies, it is loaded with radical fighting antioxidants, may slow cellular aging and contains 22 amino acids (read more about this good stuff here: Natural News) But of course, please consult your physician before popping a few spoonfuls into your smoothie tomorrow. Aside from my excitement for finding bee pollen, I found lavender infused honey. Yes. Absorb that thought. Picture the mouthwatering goodness that is lavender and honey. Yes. I bought that. I own that. Let the hallelujah chorus commence. Seriously?! I think my taste buds died and went to heaven and resurrected.

Farmers markets are such a crucial part of living a healthy life. Not only can you get fresh local organic produce, you can get your hands on some phenomenal goodies to keep you healthy and happy. The best part about this farmers market trip? Everything I purchased was reasonably priced. $20 for olive oil, $5 for eucalyptus plant, $5 for lemon lavender cookies, $8 for lavender infused honey and $8.75 for 100% LOCAL bee pollen. Can’t possibly get better than that!

That’s all for now readers!

Peace, love and no beef!

Guramrit

Healthy Living Inside & Out

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Finding new ways to live a healthier lifestyle is MY THING! I love to find new products, services and ways to enhance my lifestyle aside from nutrition. Eating for your health is incredibly important and crucial but what you use on your hair, face, body, etc is equally as important. I believe that everything is connected. To live a healthy lifestyle is to be well rounded and balanced. 

I wanted to share with you lovely readers and lovers of veggies a few of my favorite products to use in the shower (this means shampoo, conditioner, body wash and moisturizer- for out the shower).  When I discover something new I will share that with you but for now here are my top products (for now at least)!

(Disclaimer: these are my opinions, no one is paying me for this. I just want to share which products I like in order to encourage a well rounded healthy, natural lifestyle)

Shampoo & Conditioner

What: Organix Tea Tree Mint Shampoo & Conditioner

What’s so good about it: I am a big fan of sulfate free, paraben free and natural ingredients. I love to look at the back of my products and see that there isn’t a list of a ton of chemicals I can’t pronounce. Though this isn’t necessarily 100% organic as the name implies, it does have primarily natural ingredients to restore the natural moisture, texture and bounce to your hair. I started off with the Coconut Shampoo & Conditioner which primarily moisturizes the hair. I have curly hair so I need the extra moisture and the other shampoos I was using were not cutting it. After one wash, I converted. My hair was lively, soft and shiny. I want to try the rest of their products but so far the tea tree mint and coconut are my two favorites. The tea tree invigorates the scalp and is incredibly healing and the scent is heavenly!

Where you can get it: Local Drug/Beauty Supply Store, Costs around $7-8

Deep Conditioner & Hair Oil

What: Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Intense Moisturizing Treatment & Penetrating Oil

What’s so good about it: Let’s face it, the new moroccan argan oil trend has you curious. It had me curious! I just was not in to spending over $40 for a bottle of oil or going to a salon and paying a fortune. You get to experience the benefits of argan oil for a decent price without the worries of putting gunk in your hair. The intense moisturizing treatment is a perfect deep conditioner especially if your hair is dry and brittle. I make sure to apply more at my ends to seal split ends. After I shampoo and condition my hair, I let my hair dry slightly and add a dime sized amount (maybe a bit more) of the penetrating argan oil. Not only does it smell delicious, it prevents frizz and keeps curls tame and sensual. 

Where you can get it: Local Drug/Beauty Supply Store, Costs around $8-9

Body Wash

What: Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap: 18-in-1 Hemp Lavender Castile Soap (CERTIFIED FAIR TRADE)

What’s so good about it: I live for this soap. I have used this practically my entire life. I have super sensitive skin and for some time suffered from eczema, and trust me feeling dry and itchy is NOT fun. This soap comes in an array of scents but I just prefer lavender because of it’s calming and relaxing quality. The best thing about this soap is: it lasts FOREVER. Seriously. It lasts maybe about 4 months or more depending on if you’re using it for the other 18 uses aside from bathing yourself. For sensitive skin it’s light and is made with organic oils so you’re not putting any chemical mumbo jumbo on your lovely skin. What makes this even MORE AMAZING is that it is organic and certified fair trade. You’re not only doing something great for your body, you’re helping society. Spread the word! Grab a bottle of this good stuff. 

Where you can get it: Local Health Food Store, Target, Walgreens for around $13-16

Moisturizer (for your body)

What: Organic Fiji 12 oz Lavender Organic Cold Pressed Coconut Oil for Face, Body & Hair

What’s so good about it: Have you heard the latest? Coconut oil is the greatest. Coconut is by far the most versatile oil in existence. Interested in the benefits? Check out the article from Natural News.com. Moving on, I am a huge fan of coconut oil from cooking with it to using it as an all natural organic moisturizer. There is nothing that makes my skin feel as supple, smooth and healthy. As I mentioned before I have incredibly sensitive skin so using these so called “sensitive skin” moisturizers with a ton of chemicals I can barely pronounce really does no justice for my body. This moisturizer has two ingredients. JUST TWO: Coconut oil and lavender (and I can pronounce BOTH!). I use this oil after my shower when my skin is still wet so it can absorb the full benefit of this phenomenal oil. The oil does not leave a greasy residue and is 100% organic and cold pressed. Not only is this great for your skin, it is an amazing treatment for dry and dull hair. 

Where you can get it: Whole Foods, Mrs. Greens or OrganicFiji.com, $25 

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! 

That’s all for now readers!

Peace, love and natural living (and don’t forget NO BEEF!),

Guramrit