Eco-Vegan Gal

How to Lean into Healthy Weight Loss

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Sun, 06 May 2012 21:36:00 +0000

Get the book from this video here: Kathy Freston's The Lean

Eco-friendly Underwire-free Bras from Faeries Dance (video)

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:51:00 +0000

I am so excited to share this video with you because it features some products I'm really excited about and I got to incorporate my new eco-vegan legend system! When my new website launches you'll be able to find and sort products and information by 17 categories - check out the examples below and let me know what you think.

As usual, the video speaks for itself, so I'm just going to link to the products to make it easy for you to buy them on Faeries Dance should you decide to.

Soy Lace Bralette by Xylem - $25

fair trade

made in the USA

organic

reclaimed material

Alba No Wire Support Bra by Love Nature - $34

organic

eco packaging

Eternelle No Wire Bra by Peau Ethique (my favorite) - $40
organic
fair trade

EvG Newsletter, Plus New Site Is Near Completion!

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:14:00 +0000

The redesigned EvG site is near completion and you're in for quite a treat because it is sooooo much better than this one! Stay tuned...

The other good news is that I'll finally be sending out a weekly newsletter, as you have been requesting since last fall. Please sign up here to receive vegan recipes, eco tips, videos, product reviews, news, inspirational quotes and more directly to your inbox, every week!

Submit Your Eco and/or Vegan Success Story!

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:01:00 +0000

Submit your story to be posted on the new EvG website so that others can read about you transformation! Tell us how becoming eco-friendlier, healthier, and/or vegan has changed your life and how you made the change(s).

Leaping Across Cyberspace: A Radio Interview with Joni Yung, the Accidental Yogist

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 05:58:00 +0000

I had a blast today chatting with Joni Yung, the Accidental Yogist about eco-veganism, moving, traveling, hotels and social media - check it out (I'm interviewed about 1 hour into the show)

Also featuring interviews with:

Tara Taylor Donlan, coordinator of Hanuman Jayanti at Vedanta Society Hollywood
Meredith LeBlanc, yoga instructor and co-founder of Twitter Yoga Book Club

The Four Seasons LA Goes Green and Vegan!

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:30:00 +0000

chef Ashley James with his vegan creations at Windows Lounge

I have a soft spot for The Four Seasons - about 5 years ago my family started a tradition to go to their Boston location for dinner every Christmas Eve. Since we've become regulars, the staff quickly learned about my vegan diet and now has an option for me each time I'm there - what started as a plate full of vegetables has turned into delicious dishes like creamy risotto, which you can see in this video. Thus, I was thrilled when a friend of mine told me that The Four Seasons Los Angeles was adding vegan items to their restaurants' menus - I knew I was in for a special experience but boy were my expectations exceeded.

In this video, follow along with me as I try every healthy vegan dish (most of which were organic and/or gluten-free) at The Four Seasons LA's Windows Lounge and Culina restaurants, get an organic massage at their spa and try out their new green hotel room features:

Of course, The Four Seasons is an upscale establishment and their prices reflect that, so dining at their restaurants, enjoying their spa and staying as a hotel guest may be out of your budget. In fact, it is out of mine as well - I was able to have my experience because of the company's generosity and interest in spreading the word about their eco-vegan offerings. However, I can tell you that it is all worth the cost, and the bar and restaurant have average upscale LA prices, so they will definitely be on the top of my list for special occasions. Windows Lounge is perfect for important lunch meetings or fancy nights on the town, Culina is wonderful for birthdays and romantic evenings, the spa is an amazing indulgence, and few hotels can beat the luxurious rooms overlooking Hollywood. If you're ever looking to splurge or impress someone with gourmet vegan cuisine, The Four Seasons is the place to go - you will not be disappointed.

Even More Exciting Vegan Food At Veggie Grill On Their New Menu

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 06:38:00 +0000

I've done a lot of coverage on Veggie Grill despite their limited gluten-free and soy-free options because it's one of my favorite restaurants to indulge at. So naturally I jumped at the opportunity to check out their new menu offerings while visiting Los Angeles - and boy am I glad I did. The following video is a teaser to the snazier version I'll edit when I get back to San Francisco, and since these items on available NOW at the Sunset Blvd location, you better get your butt over there ASAP to check out things like:

Buffalo Chickin Salad or Burger
"Crab" Cake Burger
Chickin with Cauliflower/Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Blackened Tempeh and Portobello Mushroom Steak (gluten-free)
Chocolate Pudding Parfait
and more!

The first comment I received on this video was, "wow that is all vegan?!" and the non-veg journalist who dined with me today was in total disbelief that it was free of meat and dairy. Veggie Grill is that good!

Expo West 2012: Best Of Day 2 (Video) - Vegan, Organic and Gluten-Free Products

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 09:42:00 +0000

Friday, March 9, 2012 was officially Day 1 of Natural Products Expo West, though a lot happened on Thursday as well. Take a look at what I discovered in my second video from the show, featuring:

Green Girl Next Door (blogger)
Coco Polo (stevia sweetened chocolate)
One Degree Foods (breads with full ingredient disclosure)
Food for Lovers (vegan queso and mayo)
Green Foods (green powders and vegan protein powders)
So Delicious (practically everything dairy-free)
Nature's Path (organic passion and delicious cereals and snacks)
Ashley Koff (incredible nutritionist)
Qrunch burgers (quinoa veggie burgers)
Vegucated (vegan documentary)
Healthy Voyager (blogger and author)
Vegan Cuts (vegan daily deal site)
Happy Cow (vegan restaurant site)
Living Eco (eco-vegan shopping and interviews)
Fair Trade USA
AlterEco (quinoa chocolate)

Expo West 2012: Best Of Day 1 (Video) - Vegan, Organic and Gluten-Free Products

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:56:00 +0000

It has begun! Join me on my first day of Natural Products Expo West in this video, featuring the latest products from:

- PROBAR
- Pure Bar
- Artisana
- Purely Elizabeth
- Beanfields
- The Brooklyn Salsa Company
- Califia Almond Milk
- Bambooe
- Navitas Naturals
- Earth Balance
- VEGA
- Inner-Eco
- OMG!
- Poppy's Cleaners
- NibMor
- Pacari and Dr. Nita's
- Cloud-Top
- Bold Organics
- Yoga Earth's Keen-Wah
- Farmhouse Culture
- EatPastry

Ask Eco-Vegan Gal Any Question Here

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:55:00 +0000

I love receiving questions and answer them in my FAQ videos, but with all the methods of contact (email, comments, social media) I often lose tract of them. If you have a question for me please ask it in this form and I'll get back to you ASAP!

The Story Behind Arsenic in Organic Brown Rice Products (Video)

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 10:36:00 +0000

Soooo...did you hear that some organic brown rice products contain arsenic? Yep, at least that's what a study says, and it's pretty frightening if you don't know all the details. Fortunately it seems we don't have much to worry about, and here's why:

The study that found arsenic in brown rice:

Discovered surprisingly high levels of arsenic in rice-based organic toddler formula, energy bars and organic brown rice syrup in general - six times the federal limit
Some say it was done to encourage the FDA to set regulations for arsenic levels in food
Currently there are noo requirements for testing arsenic levels in a wide range of food products grown in the U.S
Many agree that the study made some incorrect comparisons that make the results misleading and confusing for consumers to understand

What is Arsenic?

A naturally occurring toxic element that occurs naturally in soil and groundwater
Some levels are present in all rice
Commonly found in a wide range of fruits, vegetables, grains and seafood (especially chicken and fish)
Also found in the air and drinking water.
The average diet includes as much as 1,000 micrograms of ORGANIC arsenic per day
Brown rice tends to have more arsenic than white rice, and levels vary based on where and when it is grown
The majority of brown rice syrup is imported from Pakistan, where higher levels of naturally occurring arsenic are found in the water and soil

Arsenic Exposure Can Cause:

Thickening and discoloration of the skin
Stomach pain
Numbness in hands and feet
Partial paralysis and blindness
Increases the risk of bladder cancer and other cancers.
Inorganic arsenic poses a health risk, whereas organic arsenic is not known to pose a health risk and is actually needed in low levels by the human body as noted here).
Arsenic does not cause reproductive toxicity
Organic arsenic is not recognized as a potential for risk
No scientific studies that have linked U.S. rice consumption to adverse health effects. U.S. grown rice remains a safe, wholesome food for all consumers

What Can You Do To Protect Yourself?

Ask companies to do 3rd party and FDA testing, plus self-regulate their products and ingredients
When cooking brown rice, wash it well (soak in water before cooking if possible)
Add extra water to the pot to help wash away the soluble arsenic
People on gluten-free diets should try to diversify their grains (organic corn, quinoa, coconut, hemp seed, almond, sunflower seed and hazelnut products are just a few examples)

Sources:

How to Have A Green and/or Vegan Valentine's Day

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:08:00 +0000

photo and cookies by Kristin Kolnacki

I wasn't planning on writing about V-Day this year because there's already so much coverage on other sites/I haven't had time, but decided to do a quick video summarizing my thoughts and tips. Additionally, I asked the Eco-Vegan Gal community for their advice and got some great responses, so here are some resources for you:

My best advice is to keep it simple and make it about love, not about buying things or over-doing it. If you're looking to buy chocolate, I highly recommend Rox Chox. If you're going to do some physical love making, check out Sir Richard's eco-vegan condoms.

Check out this great video by my friend Rachel Avalon, post by fellow eco-vegan gal The Green Girl Next Door, this fabulous vegan guide (with discounts) from Vegan Cuts and this fair trade guide from my pals at Fair Trade USA.

EVG Community Advice:

If you buy flowers - buy them fair trade please. The way women are treated on flower farms is incredibly sad. Knowing what I now know I could never be happy with typical flowers.....better yet, buy an organic plant and watch it grow together over the years. /sappy.
Make your own Valentines Cards from recycled cards, calendars, magazines, or whatever you have. That way you can customize the message and make it truly personal.
Chocolate not flowers
ONLY buy fair trade, organic chocolate - so much better for everyone all around. It's a few buck more, true, but SO worth it.
Don't buy heart shaped boxes! They look awesome but they carry like 4-1 amount of candy a square box uses. As an Eco-Guy up in NH, just an idea.
Vegan cupcakes melt girls hearts- so do peonies.
Give extra hugs to all your pets for Valentine's Day..they deserve it...'cause...they love you EACH & EVERYDAY, unconditionally.
Dino kale seeds for your spring garden!
Being Vegan and Eco is all about love...lose the love and you become sad and bitter at the abuse...concentrate on the love and you will remain a teacher to others and not a judge.

Video Review: Healthy Snacks from Way Better - Sprouted Tortilla Chips

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:36:00 +0000

image from GoWayBetter.com

I'm always on the hunt for good snacks, so when I spotted Way Better Snack's attractive packaging at Rainbow Grocery I had to check it out. Upon closer inspection I discovered that they aren't your average tortilla chips - they are made with sprouted grains and seeds for extra nutrition. All ingredients are non-GMO and certified gluten-free, and most of them are organic. Sold. Check out this video for my thoughts:

I didn't mention that they have several varieties of chips, including sweet potato and black bean. Look for them in natural markets, or order them online.

P.S. their website rocks! It's not only easy on the eyes, but it's also very informative on the benefits of their snacks.

Burgers and Brew in Davis, CA: Video Review

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:36:00 +0000

During a road trip to ski in Tahoe I was put in charge of finding a restaurant on the way (big surprise). By the time we were ready to eat it was past 10pm, but thanks to the Yelp app I found the perfect place in Davis: Burgers and Brew.

The place was hopping on the Friday night but we only had to wait a few minutes to be seated.
The atmosphere was welcoming and cozy, inside and out, even on a cold winter's night.
The staff was super friendly and the menu had a few delicious vegetarian options: I ordered a side of garlic fries and the portobello mushroom burger on lettuce with guacamole - great decision! Both were very flavorful and hit the spot, not to mention inexpensive.

I'd go back for sure!

Healthiest Chocolate Ever: Organic, Raw, Vegan, Sugar-Free, Soy-Free & Gluten-Free!

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:53:00 +0000

Yes, the title is true. I have discovered the healthiest and most eco-friendly chocolate ever!!! Oh, and it's DELICIOUS too. Really, the best way for you to understand how excited I am about finding this is to watch the following video, but there's a little text below it if you can't/don't want to. Bottom line - this is one of the most exciting vegan products I've found in a long time.

Rox Chox: a raw, vegan chocolate (made from heirloom cacao) that is sugar-free, gluten-free and soy-free. Since it's sweetened with xylitol it can be safe for people on the anti-candida diet (depending on their stage and condition). Only health "downside" is that it doesn't fit the full SOS bill because it contains coconut oil and high quality salt. However, it is rich in minerals, anti-oxidants and Omega-3. It's is made in small batches in Portland, OR and is also organic and fair-trade. Available in stores in the Pacific North West or online. Please support this company - we need more treats like this.

San Francisco Vegan Drinks (Video)

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:31:00 +0000

Last night I attended my first SF Vegan Drinks hosted by VegNews and VeganSaurus and had a blast. Not only way the company great (Robert Cheeke was in town!) but I got to use my new camera. And when I say new, I mean it was gifted to me less than 2 hours before the event (thanks to my incredible boyfriend Owen). What perfect timing - I got to test out my camera on some internally and externally beautiful people! Anywho, check out the video to see how much fun SF Vegan Drinks is - if you're not in the Bay Area then you should seek out a vegan drinks in your area. And if there isn't one nearby then start one yourself, even if it begins with just you and your cat/dog/goldfish and a bottle of organic beer or virgin mojito!

Oh, and I wanna give a shout-out to the venue: Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem. Aside from having an outrageously awesome name, they had a special vegan menu for us attendees, including sliders, sweet potato tater tots (fried in truffle oil), fried pickles and beets, and White Russians! Yep, that marked my first time having alcohol in the new year (due to my cleanse) but it was so worth it, as was the yummy fried food. Definitely give this place a call and request that they have vegan options on a regular basis - would be great to have another fun option in the city (as if the Mission District wasn't a vegan hotspot already).

Vegan Success Story: January Cleanse Inspired Dietary Change

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:20:00 +0000

Here's an amazing email I received from an old family friend. I think I've known her as long as I've been vegan (going on 9 years), so witnessing her transformation is quite special. She and her daughter decided to try being vegan for the month of January, mainly to cleanse, but it resulted in a lot more:

I just wanted to let you know that I LOVE being a vegan!!! We are preparing the most visually and deliciously beautiful meals. I don't miss the animal products at all (except perhaps a piece of fish now & then). I feel energetic and clean! I also feel a sense of peace that I was not expecting. A reconnection to the earth and to my body. This whole thing is really blowing my mind. I was a vegetarian for many years before I had children - I forgot how good it made me feel.

Eating out is a bit of a challenge. This morning your mom & I went for breakfast and I had such an unpleasant interaction with the counter woman when I told her I didn't eat animal products. Couldn't even get her to serve me a bowl of granola w/soy milk - two products I know they have. I wrote to the owner of the bakery and he was very gracious and apologetic. Never thought I'd be advocating for veganism!!!

Surprisingly I haven't lost a single pound. I am trying NOT to think about that, as the real reason for adopting a plant-based diet was for my health. I was secretly hoping it would be a by-product! Perhaps that will come in time, but I do tend to eat more carbs albeit healthy, whole grain only.

Your website and videos have been a big help, along with some terrific other sites. Thrive Foods is great!!

After reading her comment on weight loss, I decided to ask some women around her age and older (late 40s and beyond) about their own successes, challenges and insights, and I received these great responses on Facebook:

From what I read over the years weights are amazing for woman. They build and tone muscle. Muscle not only keeps you safe from injuries as you age it also speeds up your metabolism. The muscle mass burns calories without even trying. Walking is also great for burning calories and conditioning the heart. Oh and I've been doing yoga and while I am still only 32 I know women who are in my class who are older and loss weight because it builds muscle and releasing stress. Stress causes a shift in chemicals that cause weight gain so getting rid of it helps. The thing to remember as others said here is that you need to love yourself, I believe losing weigh should first and foremost be for health and a better fuller life!
Not everyone is the same, and some people may not change with age, that doesn't mean no one will. I turned 40 recently and have been noticing a gradual slow down in my metabolism, and I have never eaten so healthy or exercised so much as I have this last year! Just be healthy and learn to love the body your meant to have!
As a 47 year old woman I can say that for me age does have something to do with it. In my 20's and 30's I could eat anything and not gain weight. As I got older and hormones change, metabolism slows down, etc., the body does change. I have to watch what I eat much more and pay more attention to how I treat my body in general. I exercise 5 to 6 days a week which incorporates spin, yoga, Pilates and weight training and I eat on the healthy side of vegan. I will never be the size I was when I was 20. I am curvier now and embrace it. It's sexy and I don't mind. I am much more concerned with being healthy than I am with being super skinny. Curves are sexy and so is helping animals
I don't buy into gaining weight w/ age. My neighbor & friend Chrissie is 48 years old and is in the same shape as you Whitney. She works out about 3-4 days a week - eats organic & healthy. She doesn't eat sweets - ever - and has portion control. She is consistent.
I am 51 & was so upset yesterday cause I'm doing things right & still 40 lbs overweight... discovered I am allergic to wheat last month, stop it completely, thought, "It was wheat ~ it'll melt off now", nada. But I keep on w/ doing the best I can, eating healthy, exercising, etc. & I have faith I will eventually reach my goal. No matter what, Luv myself the way I am AND I'm ready 4 more energy & vitality!
I am eating really healthy and exercising 3-4 days a week and still can't get my weight to drop. I am 59. I refuse to get discouraged because I feel great and know I am doing the best thing for myself and the planet by eating clean vegan.
Metabolism slows and your hormones go wacky. I used to be able to drop weight quite easily. I now have to work twice as hard. That paired with physical limitations I have due to spine issues - nerve compression, herniated discs - caused from arthritis and sitting in a desk for almost 20 years which causes poor posture. So age is absolutely a factor.
...changing hormones and metabolism make it more difficult, the key for me has been to keep my metabolism ramped up with an hour of exercise a day... stay fit! and don't drink alcohol...
Stick to 1600 calories a day.
Portion control and keep moving!

How To Help Friends & Family Understand Why You're Vegan: A Guide

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:09:00 +0000

Question from a Reader:

My wife has been vegan for many years and I just joined her a while back (talk about a good way to improve a marriage!).

I am getting resistance from friends (and our kids, college age) and wanted something to point to for them to see the benefits of being vegan. I remember watching a video you had which was basically showing your transformation from pre vegan to vegan with oil and sugar, finally to where you are now, and I have to say the changes were so impressive! Can you point me to a video where you showed that?

Answer, Plus List of Resources:

First of all, how wonderful that you went vegan, and that it improved your marriage! Eating healthy and being more compassionate is a great way to strengthen a bond between people. As for your question, I have 2 responses:

1. Here's my video on my journey from non-vegan, to unhealthy vegan, to healthy vegan: Learning How To Lose Weight & Love The Body In A Healthy Way. So glad it inspired you and I hope it does the same for other people in your life.

2. You inspired me to gather resources to help people in your situation, who are vegan but don't have support from friends and family. I reached out to my social media community and asked what they use in these cases and I received this fantastic list. Browse through, give each one a read/watch when you have a chance, and keep them in your back pocket when in need of some assistance explaining why you're vegan.

Websites and Blogs:

The Abolitionist Approach - animal rights info
ADAPPT - this page answers nearly every question about veganism...
BeVeg.ca
Compassionatecook.com - Colleen Patrick-Goudreau's recipes and resources
The Fruit Pursuit/Some Like It Raw - holistic health articles and raw recipes
Happy Herbivore - recipes and blog (check out my review of her book)
Heart Attack Proof - website of Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr.
The Kind Life - Alicia Silverstone's blog with tips and recipes
No Meat Athlete
Oh She Glows - inspirational blog with recipes
PCRM (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine)
T. Colin Campbell Foundation - scientific integrity for optimal health
Vegan.org
‎Vegan Coach
Vegan Consultant - inspirational and informative blog
Vegweb.com - recipes, articles, forum

Movies and Online Videos:

Books:

The China Study by T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Living
The Cure: Heal Your Body, Save Your Life by Dr. Timothy Brantley
Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
The Engine 2 Diet by Rip Esselstyn
Living Vegan for Dummies
Mad Cowboy: Plain Truth from the Cattle Rancher Who Won't Eat Meat by Howard F. Lyman

I love this unique tip from MyVeganJournal.Com:

My camera!! Use your cameras, people! Best resource ever! People LOVE to see yummy vegan food! I try to get to their hearts through their stomachs ;)

Of course this list could go on and on, but those are the top responses I received from people who are working hard to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, no matter what opposition or challenges they face. I hope this helps!

Review: Coconut Curry Crackers From Livin' Spoonful (Video)

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:15:00 +0000

It's hard to find really satisfying, well-priced healthy snacks...well, I suppose it depends on what your definition of healthy is, but for me it means:

plant based
unprocessed
organic
gluten-free
soy-free
low or no SOS (salt, oil, sugar)

Try to think of some snacks off the top of your head, aside from produce and nuts/seeds, and you'll feel a little stumped. My favorite snack lately has been kale chips, but at $5-8 a bag it can add up, especially when I eat them all in one sitting (aka 10-15 minutes). Then there are nuts, which are great except that they too can get pricey and I get sick of them pretty fast. So what's a Eco-Vegan Gal (or Guy) to do? Personally, I go to different natural markets/sections of stores and see if I can find new treats, and luckily I did yesterday.

Just as I was about to give up hope of finding something exciting at Valencia Whole Foods in San Francisco, I noticed Livin' Spoonful's raw crackers for $4.20. I remember my friend Amber trying them but I couldn't remember what they were like. The flavors excited me: Pizza, Pesto Pumpkin Seed and Coconut Curry. I was in the mood for something sweet so I opted for the latter, thrilled that it didn't any agave nectar in it (just dates and raisins) - score! But I expected it to be dry and too savory and salty. Boy was I wrong!

Check out this video to find out why Livin' Spoonful's crackers are my new favorite healthy snack

What Food to Buy on A Healthy, Vegan Cleanse (Video)

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:39:00 +0000

Since I've been sharing my cleanse journey and inviting others to join me, I'm often ask what to buy at the grocery store. It depends on what type you're doing, but in my case it's the 21 Day Adventure Cleanse from Crazy Sexy Diet, which focuses on alkaline, whole, plant-based foods. During my last trip to Rainbow Grocery I documented each item I purchased and made this video and list to give you an idea of what to buy on your next trip to the store.

What I bought:

Liver tea (loose)
Wakame
Wild Rice
(brown rice on another trip)
Quinoa
Sesame Seeds
Walnuts
Almonds
Cashews
Pine Nuts
(sunflower seeds on another trip)
Brown Rice Pasta
Oil-cured Olives
Coconut Milk, unsweetened
(fortified brown rice milk on another trip)
Flax Crackers
Kale Chips
Kelp Noodles
Brussels Sprouts
Dill
Parsley
(cilantro on another trip)
Kale
Chard
Green Onions
Broccoli
Cucumbers
Spinach
Avocado
Carrots
Red Bell Peppers
Tomatoes
Ginger
Shallots
Onions
Garlic
Lemons
Flax Oil
Hemp Oil

I also recommend you check out these posts:

Foods to Eat While On A Healthy Vegan Cleanse (Video)

Healthy Snacks to Eat on a Cleanse (Video)

I would love to hear about what you've been eating as well!

Green: Now and Then

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:07:00 +0000

A friend of mine in her 50s posted this great perspective about being green on Facebook, which was written by a friend of hers. Definitely worth a read and would love to hear your reactions.

From photographer Jackie King:

Checking out at the supermarket recently, the young cashier suggested I should bring my own bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment. I apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in my earlier days". The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations". She was right about one thing--our generation didn't have the green thing in “Our” day. So what did we have back then? After some reflection and soul-searching on "Our" day here's what I remembered we did have....

Back then, we returned milk bottles, pop bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles repeatedly. So they really were recycled. But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But she was right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.

Back then, we washed the baby's nappies because we didn't have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 240 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that young lady is right. We didn't have the green thing back in our day.

Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Wales.

In the kitchen, we blended & stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn petrol just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power.

We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she's right. We didn't have the green thing back then.

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water.

We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But we didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the bus, and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their mums into a 24-hour taxi service.

We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the green thing back then? Please e-mail on so another selfish old person who needs a lesson in conservation from a smarty-pants young person can add to this.

Healthy Snacks to Eat on a Cleanse (Video)

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:08:00 +0000

Looking for something yummy, satisfying and filling to have in between meals during your whole foods plant-based cleanse? Here are some things you can pick up at natural markets like Whole Foods, online (see links), or save a little money and make them yourself!

Snacks:

Kale chips (I love Alive and Radiant's best)
Flax crackers (I like Go Raw and Doctor in the Kitchen)
LARABars (except for peanut or sugar-containing varieties)
Nuts & seeds (try Kaia's Garlic Sunflower Seed Mix)
Coconut water (try to find organic if you can, like Natural Factor's)
Dried fruit (unsweetened and organic, like Navitas Naturals )
Fresh fruit, especially less sweet varieties like berries

Healthy Vegan Food in Las Vegas: Interactive Map

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 11:17:00 +0000

image from Eating Vegan in Vegas

Las Vegas isn't usually the place to go when you're eating healthy. One would assume it's also not great for vegans either, but when you look closely and do your research both assumptions are quite false. You may have seen my reviews from my trips to Vegas in the past, but those were the old days - my diet has changed and the city is getting healthier and healthier, so I can't wait to go back and try it all out.

This post was inspired by my boyfriend's trip to LV - he's headed there for a week and is doing the Crazy Sexy Diet cleanse with me. At first I was practically positive his clean diet wouldn't last, especially without me there to guide him, but after several hours of intensive internet scouting I found plenty of fantastic options so I figured I should share them with you too.

The following is a interactive map and list of restaurants that offer the healthiest food in Las Vegas - if you have a device like the iPhone click here to view the map on it. Each recommendation is vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, vegetable and grain based, and low in soy and oil whenever possible. Since the cleanse focuses on fresh foods and juices, I've listed those options as well. You should always confirm with the waiter/cashier to make sure the ingredients match your diet. If you're looking to do some vegan indulging (and who can blame you in the city of sin?!), check out my older posts, be sure to visit the Wynn hotels and Pure Vida, and visit the resources at the end of this list.

View Healthy Vegan Food in Las Vegas in a larger map

Things To Order While Eating Clean:

Anything raw vegan
Salad
Roasted vegetables
Brown rice & beans
Gluten-free, vegan pasta
Baked potatoes (without butter and sour cream)
Fruit
Oatmeal
Falafel with brown rice, hummus
Most Mexican, Asian & Indian food with brown rice (no bread)

Things To Stay Away From While Eating Clean:

Coffee
Alcohol
Sugar
White bread, pasta, rice
Processed foods (including fake meats and cheeses, though Daiya is OK)
Chips (including corn chips)
Curries (will likely have sugar)

image from Eating Vegan in Vegas

Places to Go on The Strip and What To Order:

Smoothies & Juice:
make sure there's no yogurt, sherbet, or sorbet added - just fruit & juice

Serendipity 3 (Caesar's Palace)
Canyon Ranch Grill and Cafe (Venetian)
Grand Lux Cafe (Venetian)
Jamba Juice in Fashion Show Mall (across from Wynn)

Canyon Ranch Grill (Venetian) - tofu scramble, oatmeal, mediterranean chopped salad (no feta), winter quinoa salad, vegetable stir-fry, black bean chili,

Canyon Ranch Cafe (Venetian): fresh fruit smoothie, juices, oatmeal, breakfast tofudilla

Wynn & Encore hotels:

Terrace Pointe Café
Bartolotta - salads, chickpea cake, risotto, grilled vegetables
Botero - tomato caprese, broccoli salad (without croutons), tofu & eggplant,
Country Club - salads, tempeh crab cake, quinoa pasta, wild mushroom napoleon, seared tofu, grilled vegetables
Society Cafe - kabocha squash soup, roasted tomato bisque
Lakeside - salads, grilled hearts of palm
Sinatra - salads, soup
SW Steakhouse - salad, tomato soup, roasted broccoli
Switch - tofu carpaccio, polenta-mushroom cake
Tableau - tomate bisque, salads, savory tofu napoleon
Wazuzu - sushi, edamame, salads, Buddha's Feast

Red Velvet Café (in Fashion Show Mall, across from Wynn) - chopped salad, sautéed vegetables, any tea but black (stay away from vegan "meat" and cheese)

Chipotle: veggie bowl with guacamole and fresh salsa (no cheese or sour cream)

California Pizza Kitchen (in Fashion Show Mall, across from Wynn) - lettuce wraps with Chinese Vegetables, Roasted Vegetable (no Dijon balsamic), Field Greens Salad (no Dijon balsamic or candied walnuts)

Cheesecake Factory (at Caesar's Palace) - edamame, grilled artichoke, Fresh Vegetable Salad (without cheese), Fresh Vegetable Platter

Chin Chin (at New York, New York) - Spinach with Garlic, Vegetable Lettuce Cups, Sauteed Broccoli, Fragrant Vegetables, String Beans, Green Vegetable Trio, brown rice

P.F. Chang's (Aladdin/Planet Hollywood) - edamame, spinach stir-fried, snap peas, vegetarian lettuce wraps, buddha's feast

Meskerem Ethiopian Restaurant & Market (at Convention Center)

Grand Lux Cafe (at the Venetian) - Manhattan Salad, Shaved Vegetable Salad , Vegetables with Brown Rice, Baked Potato

Simon (at the Palms) - fresh juice, oatmeal, edamame, raw salad, bamboo steamed vegetables

Julian Sarano (at Aria) - vegan menu: roasted red pepper salad, sautéed padron peppers, sautéed baby spinach, lobster gazpacho (ask for no lobster)

Panevino Gourmet Deli (south of the airport): grilled veggies, Mediterranea salad, mixed greens salad, lentil salad, organic lemon and cranberry quinoa,

image from The Green Girl Next Door

Just North of the Strip:
Pura Vida Bakery & Bystro - Completely vegan! You can get almost anything, as long as it's unprocessed and gluten-free. Smoothies. Healthy options: sage veggies and brown jasmine rice, “The Latin’tude” breakfast burrito, Bean Salsa and chips, Chicken fettucini & biscuits

Bar+Bistro @ The Arts Factory: red lentil soup, vega mofongo, stuffed pequillo peppers, potatoes brava, trio roasted tomatillos, vega paella tapa, vega salads, vega paella velazquez, à la barilla vegetales

Off the Strip:
Go Raw Cafe - raw vegan

Greens and Proteins - healthy juices and smoothies, salads, grain dishes

Mantra Masala - Everything cooked without oil. Order off the vegetarian section and make it vegan.

Miko’s Izakaya Sushi & Tapanese - Choose gluten-free, un-fried options off the vegetarian/vegan menu

Firefly: Gazpacho soup, Garden Variety Salad, Roasted Baby Beet Salad, Padron Peppers, Tomato-
Basil Soup, Veggies & French Lentils, Warm Spinach Salad, Big Bowl Salad, Vegetable Paella

Rachel's Kitchen: fresh juice, smoothies, salads

Elixir Cafe & Lounge: organic juice, smoothie, soups, salads

More Las Vegas Vegan Resources:

Cleanse Update & Progress (Videos)

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:38:00 +0000

Just wanted to check in for those of you who don't follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, or YouTube (though I can't imagine you don't follow at least one of those!). My cleanse is off to a great start - on Day 3 and going strong/feeling wonderful! Plus, my boyfriend decided to do it with me, which has been really great (see Cleanse Day 2 video). I haven't had a lot of free time to write so I've been doing mainly video content - check out the following videos when you have a chance. If you're doing a cleanse as well and would like some support I encourage you to join the Google Group (which has 34 members) and stay tuned for live video hangouts on Google Plus and occasional UStream live Q&As. I love hearing from you so would love an update on your cleanse in this comment section or any of the above sites.

Cleanse Day 1 Summary & Tips

Cleanse Day 2 Summary & Tips

Cleanse Q&A On UStream (Video)

whitney@ecovegangal.com (Whitney Lauritsen) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Since I've been receiving so many questions about cleansing I decided to do a live Q&A session on UStream. It was a last minute decision but I still received 17 lives views, and since it went so well I'm going to do more and give you a heads up so you can tune in and interact with me next time. If you missed the live show, you can watch it here:

In the video I answer questions about:

traveling on a cleanse and when eating healthy in general
cheating/indulging/splurging while on a cleanse
frozen foods on a cleanse - meals and vegetables
cleansing when already on a healthy diet
health tooth whitener recommendation: Vitacare

If you want to take the live experience a step further, join me on Google Plus and let me know that you're interested in being in my cleanse circle so I can invite you to a video hangout!