Since today is Earth hour 2011, this video on how our daily choices impact people, the environment and animals seems fitting. The video outlines why a Vegan lifestyle is beneficial and you'll be sure to learn some interesting facts. So if you have 11 minutes relax and take it all in. I hope you all have a Happy Earth hour :)

The Supercharged Hormone Diet: Book Release

This past week the second Hormone Diet book "The Supercharged Hormone Diet" was released! Author and Canadian Nautropathic doctor Dr. Natasha Turner is an expert in hormone balance. I own the first Hormone Diet book and despite the title it is more of a life style change then a quick fix to loose weight. Dr. Turner teaches us that if our hormones are not in balance you cannot loose those unwanted pounds so the books focus is on identifying unbalanced hormones and what you can do to achieve balance. In January I was fortunate to meet Dr. Turner :D I even asked her about my prolactinoma and she suggested chaste berry, which is a natural why to help decrease excess prolactin. I didn't use the chaste berry at that time but I now have the knowledge to use it in the future if suitable.

Dr. Natasha Turner suffered thyroid and other hormone imbalances from POCS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). Through natural means she is now balanced and looking beautiful!

I am really excited to read this book, and if you are interested and what more information check out the Hormone Diet website there is great information and even a health blog with healthy recipes.

Dr. Turner signed my book! "Dear Angela, wishing you perfect balance". Thanks Dr. Turner!

Vega

So back in January I went to the Health Expo. While I was there I was introduced to the product Vega and ever since I have been hooked! Vega is a Vegan line of products that was developed by Canadian vegan athlete Brendan Braizer author of the book "Thrive Diet". I heard Brendan speak at an Environmental conference a couple years ago and he spoke of his book the thrive diet and how one's diet directly impacts the environment.

Initally I was intrigued by the product that I have been using the "Whole food Health Optimizer" as it has a claim on the package that it can help balance hormones (how fitting)! Here is some of the description from Vega website

 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.


A synergistic collection of Brendan's favorite plant-based superfoods, Vega is not only a complete meal replacement, but also an ideal daily health-optimizing supplement.


High in fiber, protein and essential fatty acids, Vega is naturally filling and satisfying, helping to reduce appetite and cravings. Each serving of Vega supplies:

26g of Broad Spectrum Protein
•40% of calories from protein, with all essential amino acids in ideal balance
•Alkaline forming, 35% raw protein with enzymes intact
•Protein sourced from hemp, yellow pea, brown rice, flax and chlorella
6g of Essential Fatty Acids
•30% of calories from naturally occurring fats from whole foods
•EFAs mostly in the form of hard to get Omega 3s and zero trans fats
•EFAs sourced from whole flax seed (not flax meal), hemp and chlorella
17g of Quality Carbohydrates
•30% of calories from naturally occurring complex carbohydrates; no maltodextrin
•Naturally low glycemic index and no sugars or sugar derivatives added
•Carbohydrates sourced from hemp, flax, brown rice and maca
15g of Fabulous Fiber
•Contains both soluble and insoluble fiber
•Helps balance blood sugar, reduce insulin, improve elimination
•Fiber sourced from hemp, flax, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and chlorella
Full Serving of ChlorEssence (High CGF Chlorella)
•Rich in protein, chlorophyll and nucleic acids DNA & RNA
•Cleanse, nourish, rejuvenate cells and activate, support immune system
•Special cell wall fiber binds to and removes heavy metals and other toxins from the body
Full Serving of MacaSure (Organic Gelatinized Maca)
•Rich in alkaloids, glucosinolates, minerals and sterols
•Increase energy, reduce stress, balance hormones, improve libido
•Gelatinization enhances potency and ease of digestion/absorption
Mixed Berry Complex (ORAC 800 blend)
•Great source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals
•Helps defend against free radical damage
Probiotics (Dairy-free)
•Beneficial form of bacteria
•Helps maintains healthy intestinal flora
Digestive Enzymes
•Facilitates breakdown of food to improve absorption
•Helps reduce nutritional stress digestion places on the body
100% Recommended Daily Intake of Vitamins & Minerals
•All essential minerals present in easily absorbable form
•All essential vitamins present in natural form


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, helping to suppress appetite and cravings.


Easily digested, alkaline and great-tasting, Vega is clean and green, containing no animal products, corn, dairy, egg, fillers, gluten, soy, sugar, wheat or yeast. Absolutely no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners and GMO and pesticide-free.

Vega is available in wholesome and delicious Natural, Berry, Vanilla Chai and Chocolate flavors, in three sizes: individual 30g Snack Packs, small bottles containing 7-8 servings and large bottles containing 15-17 servings. One serving of Vega is a complete meal, exceeding all meal replacement requirements, but people with smaller appetites may find half a serving sufficiently satiating.


Each serving of Vega contains a full dose of MacaSure and ChlorEssence!

You can purchase Vega products at Superstore/Dominion or health food stores. The Health Optimizer that I buy is a months supply is $60.00. I know it seems really expensive but you take it everyday (2scoops) and it replaces a meal. So it works out to approximately $15.00 a week, which isn't so bad for such a great product. If you try it or have any questions please contact me or leave a comment. Thanks :) Here is a quick video clip talking about some Vega products.

Back in Action

So it has been a couple of months since I have posted anything and to be honest I wasn't planning on coming back to the world of blog. I felt that my blog didn't really have a specific topic. I'm a little all over the board, but I realized that is just how I am in life so it makes sense that my blog would follow suit.

So an update on the Vegan lifestyle. I tried the Vegan eating for 3 weeks and I found it pretty good. I wasn't eating meat for awhile so that part wasn't hard but the cheese! I craved cheese so bad! I know you can get cheese substitutes and I tried a few but it was my downfall. Also, I learned that I wasn't quite ready to fully take on the vegan lifestyle because I didn't like the attention. I found it difficult in social situations to say I was eating aVegan diet, because it would turn into a huge explanation and then me watching people eat cheese. Lastly, I felt like a Vegan poser. I read some of the book Vegan Freak and well to be frank the book freaked me out. The authors were very adamant that you were vegan 100% or not at all. So overall I am pretty much eating a vegan diet as I don't eat eggs, milk, yogurt, try and avoid cheese and I avoid meat products. Occasionally, I eat honey and if I am offered bake goods with dairy products in it I eat it.  So overall it is an evolving process and I will continue to adapt my diet to meet my lifestyle and beliefs. I plan on trying the vegan diet when I get back to Halifax as in Port Aux Basques the natural/healthy food selection is slim pickings. Either way I'll be sure to keep you all updated. :)

Electromagnetic Fields

Every living being has its own electromagnetic field that surrounds it, an invisible layer of energy. In today's world we are surrounded my electromagnetic fields from various electronics (light bulbs, computers, TVs, cell phones etc. Some research reveals that radio or cell phone masts are linked to higher rates of cancer in the area after being erected (as cited in Gerson, 2007). Other health issues may include " sleep disturbances, headaches, skin rashes, heart palpitations, and vertigo" (as cited in Gerson, 2007).

Robert Becker MD claims that electromagnetic fields "the greatest polluting element in the earth's environment" .

Some advise from Charlotte Gerson regarding cell phone use is:
1) cut cell phone use to a minimum
2) Switch off after use (I never turn my phone off...I even use it as an alarm clock). I also feel this principle kind of defeats the purpose of a cell phone because no one would be able to get a hold of you. That being said if you feel that you could live with this by all means turn your cell off.
3)Never carry on the body even when turned off
4)Hands free devices should be used if possible to hold device away from the body

I guess the point you should take from this would not be to freak out and swear off your cell phone, but use your common sense. Do you need to talk on your cell phone every waking moment about trivial things? People, you wouldn't believe what I hear people talking about on their cell phones while riding on the bus.

Here is a video clip of a documentary that looks interesting.


Full Signal Documentary Official Trailer from Full Signal on Vimeo.


This issue has even caught the attention of the World Health Organization

What WHO is doing

WHO, through its International EMF Project, is identifying research needs and co-ordinating a world-wide program of EMF studies to allow a better understanding of any health risk associated with EMF exposure. Particular emphasis is placed on possible health consequences of low-level EMF. Information about the EMF Project and EMF effects is provided in a series of fact sheets in several languages www.who.int/emf/.

Here are two related WHO URL's :
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs296/en/index.html

http://www.who.int/peh-emf/about/en/

The great people at Environmental Working Group have developed a data base of cell phones and the level of EMF radiation that they emit. If you are interested in finding out how your cell phone ranks check out the site:
http://www.ewg.org/cellphoneradiation/Get-a-Safer-Phone?allavailable=1

As I find out more information regarding this topic I will be sure to share it with you :) Until then take care and thanks for stopping by to hear my thoughts.

Angie

Reference
Gerson, C. (2007). Healing the Gerson way: defeating cancer and other chronic diseases.California: Totality Books.

Music


Music makes us feel emotion, connection with other individuals and acts as a mode of expression. Since music can affect emotion, we can use it when we are feeling low or tired. Every morning when I wake up I immediately turn on up beat music, this way no matter the weather, or how tired I feel.. I'm dancing around the kitchen before I know it.


Music is also important because it an help us when feeling stressed, it can push us harder during a workout and its a workout for your brain!

An interesting neuroscience fact is the more you like a particular song the more your body moves! So crank on a song the you love, get moving and let those endorphins flow! This is good for your health, healing and starting your day in a positive way!


Here is a great song to get you feeling good and I hope you have a great day!






If you're a geek like me you may like the next video clip that discusses the history and neuroscience behind music.

Post Punk Kitchen

This is a great web-site http://www.theppk.com/ with vegan recipes and a way for vegans to network with other vegans. If you're not vegan, or you want to test out this lifestyle like me, you should check out the site and try some of the fun recipes.

Here is one of the recipes that I tried last night for supper and I really recommend trying it. It contains vital wheat gluten which is a natural protein that comes from the endosperm of the wheat berry. This makes the cutlets very filling and satisfying. As well one of the biggest concerns your friends and family will have once you stop eating meat is that you won't get enough protein but despite common belief there are ALOT of plant based alternatives.

Chickpea Cutlets
1 16 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup vital wheat gluten
1 cup plain breadcrumbs
1/2 cup vegetable broth or water
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
Olive oil for pan frying

Optional ingredients:
4 cloves garlic, pressed or grated with a Microplane grater
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest


In a mixing bowl, mash the chickpeas together with the oil until no whole chickpeas are left. Use an avocado masher or a strong fork. Alternately, you can pulse the chickpeas in a food processor. We’re not making hummus here, so be careful not to puree them, just get them mashed up. You can also sneak the garlic cloves in here instead of grating them, just pulse them up before adding the chickpeas. If using a food processor, transfer to a mixing bowl when done.


Add the remaining ingredients and knead together for about 3 minutes, until strings of gluten have formed. The strings should look like this (click photo for an even closer up view):


Preheat a large heavy-bottomed skillet over low-medium heat. Cast iron works best. If you have two pans and want to cook all the cutlets at once then go for it, otherwise you’ll be making them in two batches.



Divide the cutlet dough into 2 equal pieces. Then divide each of those pieces into 4 separate pieces (so you’ll have 8 all together). To form cutlets, knead each piece in your hand for a few moments and then flatten and stretch each one into a roughly 6 by 4 inch rectangular cutlet shape. The easiest way to do this is to form a rectangle shape in your hands and then place the cutlets on a clean surface to flatten and stretch them.

Add a moderately thin layer of olive oil to the bottom of the pan. Place the cutlets in the pan and cook on each side for 6 to 7 minutes. Add more oil, if needed, when you flip the cutlets. They’re ready when lightly browned and firm to the touch. I’ve found that they cook more thoroughly if I cover the pan in between flips. I also use my spatula to press down on them while they’re cooking, that way they cook more evenly.





I'm not going to lie.. the picture on the web-site looks much yummier but this dish was just what I needed to satisfy my cravings of the "typical Canadian supper" of meat and potatoes.


If you have any great recipes or foods that allow you to ensure you are consuming enough protein please send them this way :)