Blog Archives

Vegan Chef AJ slims down after tweaking diet

7/19/2012

There are many people who ditch animal products and processed foods for health reasons, and finally get down to their ideal weight.

Yet some find that even though they are eating the healthiest foods, they just don't lose those stubborn 10-15 pounds that keep them from the body they had hoped to achieve on a plant-based diet.

One of my favorite authors, Chef AJ, shares how she discovered what was stopping her from losing the weight, and how she changed her diet to slim down.

Find out how she achieved her goal HERE. (links to VegSource dot com)

To your good health,
Jennifer

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Salad dressings:Should you go oil-free?

7/17/2012

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Got salad? Good! Got a dressing loaded with oil and empty calories?

Screeeeech!
Wait a minute- salads are supposed to be healthy, right? So why go through the work of making a colorful, nutritious salad, only to douse it in a unhealthy dressing? There are plenty of healthy options to top your salad and feel 100% guilt-free about your choices!

I am all for low-fat dressing options, but I don't always leave out all fat. I have read and researched no fat versus low fat, oil-free versus the olive oil/coconut oil debate, and have come to the conclusion that there is a lot of conflicting information out there!

My personal choice tends to lean towards the low-to-no-oil side, but I do occasionally consume coconut oil, and unheated olive, flax, and hemp seed oils. When I say occasionally, I don't mean daily- maybe not even weekly, and yes, the voice of Dr. Esselstyn does mentally lecture me as I drizzle on the oil.

Recent studies have found that adding some fat to your food actually increases nutrient absorption. While this gives me some solace, I know that the healthiest fats come from whole food sources, such as avocados, nuts, and seeds.
So, chop some avocado, or sprinkle on some sunflower seeds- just avoid the oil-heavy dressings for best results.
Have your salad and eat it, too!

Here is one of my favorite salad dressing recipes:

Sweet Mustard Dressing

2 TBS stone-ground mustard
2 TBS maple syrup

Mix and use as is, or add:
1 small garlic clove, crushed
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 avocado, or drizzle* of oil of choice (olive, hemp, or flax)
Mix or blend ingredients.
*Drizzle means about 1-2 tsp, just enough to feel like you're being defiant. The dressing is perfectly delicious without any added oil.

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