This week’s giveaway was one of the biggest I held and one of the hardest to make a decision on. Each entry was emotional and compelling; each one brought tears to my eyes, since a battle with physical ailments in not foreign to me.  So, I had decided that although there will be only one winner of the grand prize, the other entries will not go without a reward either.

I have chosen this entry as the winning entry, submitted by Ashleigh:

“Like the others who have posted so far, I am very excited about this giveaway. When I received the email, I KNEW I had to enter. I have been wanting to join the boot camp for awhile. Here’s why…about 13 years ago (when I was 15), I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. This is a condition that causes a host of symptoms, such as male pattern hair growth (aka hirsutism), hair loss (on your head), acne, irregular menses, absent menses, changes in body shape (virilization), obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, infertility, depression and other mood disorders, other skin problems, and a host of other things. When I was first diagnosed, I had to undergo an ton of expensive tests and the doctor put me on oral contraceptives and spironolactone, which was supposed to reduce my astronomically high testosterone and regulate my menses. Well, the number definitely came down. I felt better. Eventually, I thought I was normal. But the hair kept growing…and growing…and growing. Over the years, I had gotten used to it. I was used to being overweight, taking medicine, dealing with side effects, shaving my face and neck daily. My moods have fluctuated from normal, to clinical depression. There have been days that I could not bear to look at myself. I cover my face in makeup to hide the skin problems and hair. I’m overweight, my hormones are not balanced, my moods swing.

I’m tired of this. 

Through my research, I’ve discovered that there are no real cures for this condition, but rather treatment for the management of symptoms. You can diet, exercise, take supplements, etc to heal yourself. I’ve tried so much, but I need help, guidance. I’ve been leaning toward a plant based diet for awhile now, and I feel it is time to make a permanent change and never look back. I have begun exercising again, and I try to drink a green smoothie every day.

Most importantly, I have a 5 year old daughter. About two years ago, she began seeing an endocrinologist because she began showing signs of puberty. At age 3! I can’t let her go down the same path. I do not want her to endure the same pain I’ve had to deal with for last 13 years. I have to make changes for both of us, to improve our lives.”

Ashleigh’s story shook me and reminded me how helpless I felt at times with all of the “professional” opinions screaming at me that I had to live with my issues for the rest of my life and that there too was “no cure” for any of them (READ MY STORY HERE).  But I must tell you, if I can prove that hypothyroidism is reversible, and that regardless of a pituitary gland adenoma diagnoses, I was able to reverse its symptoms and conceive without any medication, then it is possible to believe that Ashleigh’s condition is also treatable.  I know, I know, the facts might point otherwise, but I am crazy like that–I believe in miracles .

The rest of you who entered this giveaway, spare not.  Check your Inboxes in about 20 minutes and you will find out that you too have an AMAZING opportunity to do exactly what you submitted for.

Ashleigh, congrats! This is going to be a step toward your and your daughter’s health.  Once you step onto this path your life will never be the same if you dare to stick with it and believe.  Make sure to respond to my e-mail in 24 hours! (I will be e-mailing you shortly.) But remember, now you are mine for 30 days ! 

February Boot Camp

If you had thought about joining my 30-day Boot Camp before, you still have time to join the February group.  All you have to do is go to this page and register.  There are still a couple of spaces left.  I hope that you are ready and willing to see what a plant based diet and a lifestyle change can do for you.

As of today, after the last 3 week report, 10 participants reported a total weight loss of 103+ lbs, countless inches lost, and numerous overall health improvements reported.

Ask My Husband

It happens that Hubby is off work for a few days, taking a vacation.  I thought I would give you all an opportunity to pick his brain for a change.  If you have ANY questions (nothing is off limits ) for him: health, how/why he decided to follow me into the vegan lifestyle, lifestyle changes, how it is to live with me, etc. , drop a note under this post and he will work on answering them next week.

And by the way, His Hotness, was featured in my article on GoodVeg, so check it out!

Where has the week gone? I have been crazy busy with personal and business happenings.

The Giveaway

First, don’t forget that today is the last day to enter fabulous Vegaversary giveaway–Registration to the 30-Day Boot Camp!

Goodbye Old Faithful!

Our Old Faithful–a car I had for 13 years (yeah!) had finally let us know it was time to upgrade and we had to let her go (yes, it was a “she”) .  We hoped it would last us until the Spring, but when it is time, it is time.  So, the last few days and yesterday we spent the entire day out looking for a worthy substitute, although with more room with our Sprout soon to arrive.  We were blessed to have found one that met our requirements and our budget.  We bid our Old Faithful goodbye, and I did not realize how emotionally attached one can be to a vehicle, but there were just too many memories tied to mine.

I got it when I was still in college.  Hubby asked me out on our first date while I was sitting in it; we danced many of our late night dances, while courting, by it, and shared many precious moments together. I transported numerous US and international students in it to and from the local airport, when I worked for the college I attended.  It moved with us through several states. And, above all, it has been very low maintenance and great with gas milage.

So, with our new car ready to go, we said our goodbyes to the car, but we held onto our memories:

(our super fun, amazing, female sales person insisted we take parting pictures with Old Faithful , and why not?!)

7-Day (One Week) Raw Food Cleanse

With my belly showing quiet a bit more, and Sprout kicking up a storm in in it, I discovered that a little bit of the weight migrated to my thighs… and that is not something I enjoy, pregnancy or not. So, I had a brilliant idea of doing a 7-Day Raw Meal Cleanse–nothing but delicious raw foods for seven straight days.  It will make for a great way to cleanse a couple of unwanted ”thigh” pounds out of the way.

I shared my thought about this on Facebook, and in minutes over 15 people said they want to do it with me.  In order for all of us to do it effectively, however, and especially since some have never been raw for a full day before, I know that I will need to put together a manual with recipes, so everyone does it safely and enjoys it too.  This will take me a few days, so I am thinking about doing the cleanse in a couple of weeks.

There will be a charge for the recipe book, of course, but it won’t be astronomical , just like the rest of my e-books it will be made in mind with making it accessible to ANYONE who would wish to do a raw cleanse.

So, if you are interested and would love to stay posted, first, make sure that you are an e-mail subscriber; secondly, drop a note under this post (make sure you enter your e-mail address in the sign in section, so, do not choose ANONYMOUS when leaving a comment ) and let me know, so I can e-mail you as soon as the manual is ready.  I will create an e-mail list to keep anyone and everyone interested updated.

(click image to enlarge)

What you can expect:

• a 7-Day Raw Meal Cleanse manual with delicious recipes: green smoothies, fruit smoothies, drinks, salads, raw soups, etc., menu planners and helpful tips and tricks
• an on-line, Facebook, 7-day Raw Meal Cleanse group access, so we can all share in the joy of health and weight loss , and share what we are going through
• losing weight and feeling better!

Being that I am pregnant and would not want to cleanse anything nasty over my baby, I will have to take it slower and most likely have one small cooked meal a day, but if you are not preggo, you will do just fine on all raw .

So, if you are interested, drop a note, and I will make sure to contact you with an update just as soon as more information is ready and I am ready to release the manual.

For all of you green smoothie lovers, and those who love to get a good cleanse done to your insides once in a while, I have just re-released the new and improved 3-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse e-book.  It was unavailable for a while, since I was editing to it, but now you can grab up a copy of it in the Vegalicious store, or right under this post.

As a bonus, everyone who purchases 3-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse or Life on Greens, can now join a private Facebook Group dedicated to the cleanse only.  The membership is lifelong, so you can be constantly plugged in with the others who are doing the cleanse, or just drinking daily green smoothies.  The group is a place where we will chat daily, share tips, struggles and even more recipes, to help each other. So, get your copy today!

3-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse

$9.00

Once in a while we all need a good internal scrub. If you have been feeling sluggish, foggy, low on energy or gained a couple of unwanted pounds, or ate too many delicious desserts you might agree with me.

There is no easier and quicker way to clear up your mind , give yourself a bust of energy, and kick off your weight loss than a short term [3-Day] Green Smoothie Cleanse.

I created a downloadable e-guide filled with instructions, ingredient list and 21 delicious green smoothie recipes to help you kick start your journey to a healthier you.

Read more about the green smoothie cleanse on the page dedicated to it.

You can also increase your investment and for only $3 more get Life on Greens e-book, which has all of the instructions for the Green Smoothie Cleanse, along with 5 bonus fruit smoothie recipes, AND over 40 more green smoothie recipes.

Life On Greens

This e-book contains over 60 green smoothie recipes and instructions on how to do a green smoothie cleanse, be it 3, 5 or 7 days. It will be a go-to recipe book for any green smoothie lover, whether a veteran or a beginner.  All recipes are completely vegan [of course!] and are designed to take your health to the next level.

$12.00

So, wait no more, get one of the e-books and start on your cleansing journey today!

Nearly 5 months have flown by since we sprouted our little seed. I am in constant awe about how blessed we are and how great I feel during this time, except for the normal stretching/growing aches that is. I am still able to pull off 11 hours of fitness training per week, albeit modified; I enjoy wonderfully healthy and delicious foods that make my Sprout grow bigger and stronger (a couple of recipes toward the end of the post). I laugh every time someone says something about vegans not being able to conceive or have healthy pregnancy–apparently they have not met this vegan, who was able to conceive because of being plant based, and because of a whole foods, unprocessed lifestyle.

I need not supplement with anything, except for B-12 (you can read what I think about supplementation during pregnancy for someone like me). My energy levels are still through the roof–I keep me amazed. I can easily function off 7-8 hours of sleep without any complaints. And my creative juices are shooting through the roof too!

My belly has grown exponentially in the last month.  I went from a little bump to a small torpedo (click on the image to enlarge):

In the last two weeks alone I felt like a balloon that has been inflated to capacity… and to imagine that I still have 4 months to go!

The nesting period is certainly setting in.  I cannot get enough of baby clothes:

Although we do not yet know the gender of our Sprout, I have an educated guess it will be a boy, so, albeit I try to stay gender neutral with clothes, you see a bit of blue streaking through these piles . And even if it happens that we have a little girl (I would still be a happy Momma!) nothing’s lost, since all of this clothes came courtesy of our midwives community room sharing, so I have not spent a penny on them (talk about being eco-friendly!).

To make sure my Sprout gets EVERYTHING that s/he will need to grow and develop, I keep up with my delicious food intake.  Over the weekend I whipped up a couple of new things, which are easy to make for anyone, and especially Mommas-on-the-go.

Potato & Spinach Salad

Ingredients

makes 2 servings, so split each ingredient into two different bowls

(not exact measurements, because they don’t have to be )

• 2 leftover baked potatoes, peeled and sliced
• 1/4 cup Daiya cheese mozzarella style (vegan cheese)
• 3 HUGE handfuls of spinach washed and torn or chopped into chewable pieces
• 1 cubed tomato
• 1-1.5 cups any beans, cooked
• 1/2-1 zucchini or cucumber thinly sliced
• 1/2 cups salsa or spaghetti sauce (fat free)
• 2 tbsp vegan sour cream (optional) or 1 ripe avocado sliced
• your favorite seasoning to sprinkle over salad
• salt to taste
• few rings of red onion
• 2-4 tbsp chopped green onion

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 375 F; layout potatoes on a baking sheet and sprinkle with cheese
• Bake for 5-10 mins or until cheese is melted and potatoes brown up on the bottom

• Meanwhile, layout remaining ingredients in bowls, except for green onions, which you will sprinkle on top of your salad
• When potatoes are done, lay them on top of the salad, sprinkle with green onions and enjoy!

Chipotle Style Vegan Whole Wheat Tortilla

One of my hubby’s favorite things to eat for lunch, when I have no time to prepare one for him, is Chipotle’s tortillas.  The thing that bothers us both about their offering, however, is that it is served with white rice and on a white tortilla… not to mention that I can make 3 tortillas for the price of one of theirs, if not more  So, over the weekend I presoaked and then cooked two big pots of beans and brown rice.  I also found a larger size whole wheat, organic tortilla by Sonoma… and the eating party was one .

Ingredients

(adjust amounts as you need, these are meant to make 2 large tortillas)

• 2 whole wheat organic tortillas
• 2 tbsp vegan sour cream (optional)
• 1/2 cup mashed cooked beans of any kind
• 1/2 cup+ brown rice
• 1/2 cup fresh salsa (recipe below)
• 1/4 cup corn (you can use frozen, just make sure to defrost it)
• salt to taste

Salsa

• 2 large Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 large ripe avocado, diced
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 3-4 tbsp white or red onion, chopped
• 2-4 tbsp green onions, chopped
• 1/3-1/2 cup salsa (optional)
• 2 cloves of garlic, mashed
• seasoning and salt to taste
• if you want heat, add a bit of Tabasco sauce or chili peppers

Preparation

• make salsa
• spread other ingredients, in order, over tortillas, topping off with salsa and corn
• wrap it up and serve! It’s a HUGE meal in a wrap .

Do you see why my Sprout is so happy with my food choices? They are just simply delicious!

Have a great, great day!

PS: Today is my b-day , so all of my e-mail subscribers (you can subscribe at www.vega-licious.com) will get a very special, celebratory offer to the Vegalicious e-store!

So, if you missed it, hubby and I are celebrating our 5 year vegaversary–5 years of living a plant-based (vegan) lifestyle.

Last Week’s Giveaway Winner

First, let me start by announcing last week’s giveaway winner.  The prize was Vegalicious 3-book Bundle:

The value of the three-pack bundle is $27 USD!!!

The winning comment, thanks to random.org, belongs to…

TRINA MOORE!

Trina said:

“I would like to win this weeks prize for various reasons. Obvious one, to get healthier. Others, my oldest son, like my self has been a natural vegetarian his whole life, but my younger two (twins) not so much. I fed them all the same stuff, so I’m not sure how this happened. I feel like with your guides and recipes that maybe I could find a way to entice them into this more. Also, my husband is willing, but I think he needs more to feel satisfied. I think I could get this from your publications. Also, last, but not least, I am now an ex-smoker. I’ve been gaining weight since I quit. I feel like with your help I can combat that. I’d sure like to try, that is for sure!!! Thank you for running this offer and good luck to all!”

Trina, now you are committed to do at least a 3-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse and get your body ready to cleanse all the nicotine nasties out of your system! Green smoothies are here to stay in your and your family’s life, along with delicious desserts and fruit smoothies.

To collect your prize, all you have to do is contact me in the next 24 hours to verify the e-mail address where you want it sent. You can do so through the CONTACT page on this site.

If You Want a Copy

If you entered the giveaway but did not win, fret now, you can get your own copies of all three books at the  Vegalicious store today! (click on the link)

This Week’s Giveaway

Have I told you that this week’s giveaway is going to be the biggest and the baddest? Well, it is! And why?  It just happens that today is my birthday, and the best way to celebrate it, in my opinion, is by giving a gift of health to someone else. BUT (yes, there is a BUT! ), because this gift is bigger, and I want to make sure that whoever wins is won’t let it go to waste, it comes with strings attached and some stipulations.

Every month I run a 30-Day Weight Loss & Health Improvement Boot Camp. (Do you feel where I am going with this?!) The cost of the boot camp is $112.  The participants commit to 30 days of a plant based (vegan), sugar free, low fat diet, and learn the ropes, the ins and outs of vegan living. They get access to me, personally, through weekly Skype calls and e-mails, with other participants, TWO manuals: one filled with 30 days worth of menu planners, recipes and health/nutrition tips, and the second dedicated to physical fitness. The participants also get a lifetime membership to online Boot Camp community.

Many of my readers wanted to take part in one of boot camps, but some could not afford the full amount… SO… I have decided that I will not give away a free admission to one of the boot camps, since no free things are truly valued, and get left behind and/or unread most of the times.  Instead, however, I decided to offer, to one of my wonderful, health-eager readers, a….

50% (that is $56) off to the February’s Boot Camp!

Yep, that is $56 off the regular registration fee. And, yes, this means that you must pay the second half yourself.

The Boot Camp will begin on 2/1/2012 and will run for 30 straight days. Only people who can commit to it should submit an entry for this giveaway.

The changes you can expect from the boot camp are amazing.  Check out what this month’s participants achieved in only the first week.

The offer is mine, but the decision is yours-only the committed and the desperate should apply.

How to Enter & Details

WHEN: Giveaway is open now until Friday January 27st, 11:59 pm EST, so that whoever wins has enough time to prepare.

You have to follow “Entry” instructions to be eligible to win.  You have to leave a separate comment for each entry!

Required Entry

[this means that if you don't do this, you won't qualify!]

• Tell me why you would like to win this giveaway and how you think it will benefit you and your well-being/health.
• Subscribe to Vegalicious Inbox Delivery for the second required entry.  If you are a subscriber, right after your first comment, leave another one letting me know that.

All the best to you, friends! Only the most resolute of you should apply  .

“I am not like you,” she said, “I just don’t have the will to do it. But I will try to take small steps and make small changes until I get better.”  These were the words of someone whose health was spiraling out of control–weight issues, high cholesterol, pre-diabetic. Months later she repeated the same exact words to me, with nothing changed in her life or diet, still looking ragged, tired and run down.

I have heard from a few that I am too radical and crazy for making overnight changes.  I have been told that making small adjustments can make a HUGE difference, so why give up all “good things” at once?  Why not eat things in “moderation”? And every time I hear it, I am thinking about this scenario. Imagine a car going at 90 mph, headed for a tree:

(image source)

The driver has only two options:

1. make small changes–slow down to 70-80 mph and hope for the best
2. break as hard as he can, bring his car to a complete stop as fast as he can, possibly going off the road, or burning his tires, but saving his life

Which one, do you think, will give him a bigger chance of not hitting that tree?

(image source)

“Well, my health is not a speeding car,” you argue.  ”I can stop what I eat any time I want.” Really?

See, it takes an average of 5-7 years (or longer) for cancer to become detectable.  So, while you are munching on a big, juicy steak, or downing another milk shake, you could be harboring a very dangerous intruder in your body and not even know it.  And while you are ignorant about this fact, the cancer has the opportunity to feed off that food and grow, becoming more vicious and demanding by the moment.

Coronary issues also do not immediately make themselves known–it takes years for some to accumulate enough plaque in their arteries to be in danger of a heart attack or a stroke, and there is now way to know, until it is too late for most.  By the time they discover they have a problem, they already had suffered some form of health issues: chest pains, high cholesterol, heart attack, stroke, or… death.  Most of the survivors, at this point, do not have the luxury of “slow and steady” approach–it becomes a do or die situation.  And since most do not even know what to do, they would have a surgery, which would work only for a short period of time before the next infraction occurs, if no changes have been made; go on medication and try to make some minor adjustment to their eating habits: eating less fats, less processed foods, etc.  Yet most, with this approach, will always be medication dependent and live in danger of suffering from another infraction, or dying.

Check Your Engine

(image source)

It is amusing to me then, that when a “check your engine” light comes on in your car, and you take it to a shop for a check up, once having done diagnostics, you, mostly likely, will take a swift approach to whatever your mechanic suggest needs to be fixed, otherwise you would risk having your car break down somewhere in the middle of a road, late at night, or on a freeway.  So, why is it, that we are so diligent about taking better care of our cars than our bodies?  When your body starts blinking a bright yellow light: Check YOUR Engine, why is it that you ignore it or say to yourself: “Not a big deal! I will check it later.”

The Blinking Light

What are some of the warning signs of your body’s “engine” signaling there is a problem:

• Allergies
• Food allergies
• Skin issues
• Sinus problems
• Acne
• Feeling tired and sluggish
• Insomnia
• Constipation
• Chest pains
• Thinning hair
• Brittle nails
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• IBS
• Thyroid problems
• Weight issues
• Infertility
• Hormone imbalances
• Bags under your eyes
• High cholesterol
• Low vitamin levels
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Cancer
• Death

I can go on and on with the list, but you get the idea.  So, what would it take for you to start paying attention to your blinking light?  How bright and loud does it need to shine in order for you to say–HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM! and do something about it?

While ignoring “weaker” blinking lights such as acne, constipation and heartburn is easy, because we are so “advanced” we can take pills for those, you have to realize that if you ignore them long enough, the problems you will eventually face will become bigger, badder, and more expensive, while being unable to fix some at all. (Yeah, I know that badder is not a word, so for all of you scholars out there–WORSE .)

Facing Your Giants

The truth is, if you are one of those who take the “slow and steady”, or “moderation”, or “I will manage it” approach, you have an addiction–food addiction.  You are simply emotionally tied to your foods more than you are willing to admit, or you are hiding something you are not willing to deal with behind you “enjoying life” (eating whatever trash you want).

A few days back there was a new release about the Food Network beloved star, Paula Dean–the media darling. The truth about hear health problems finally became public… after she skillfully covered (hid) it for 3 years–Paula has type 2 diabetes.

What are the complications of diabetes:

(source)

• Over a long period of time, hyperglycemia (raised sugar levels) damages the retina of the eye, the blood vessels of the kidneys, the nerves, and other blood vessels.
• Damage to the retina from diabetes is a leading cause of blindness.
• Damage to the kidneys from diabetes is a leading cause of kidney failure.
• Damage to the nerves from diabetes is a leading cause of foot wounds and ulcers, which frequently lead to foot and leg amputations.
• Damage to the nerves in the autonomic nervous system can lead to paralysis of the stomach (gastroparesis), chronic diarrhea, and an inability to control heart rate and blood pressure during postural changes.
• Diabetes accelerates atherosclerosis, (the formation of fatty plaques inside the arteries), which can lead to blockages or a clot. Such changes can then lead to heart attack, stroke, and decreased circulation in the arms and legs.
• Diabetes predisposes people to elevated blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. These conditions both independently and together with hyperglycemia, increase the risk of heart disease, kidney disease, and other blood vessel complications.

So, this is bad, really bad!  I had an extended family member die because of life-long battle with diabetes, so I know how damaging it can be not only to the person suffering from it, but also to the entire family.

So, what is Paula’s response to this “news”?

(source)

“I will never use a substitute for butter.” She said. “If I’m going to eat that type of food, it’s going to be the real deal. There is a good chance that I can cut down on the amount of butter now that I’m aware (let me emphasize that this is THREE years after she found out about it!), but will I cut butter out of my life completely? No. I will take measurements to manage it.” (Can you see that speeding car, going for a tree, only slowing down to avoid a wreck? I can!)

Why, Paula? Why would you risk all of the complications of diabetes for a stick of butter?  Is it because you have created a public image based on the use of hard core “real” ingredients? Is it money, fame?  What is it?

Well, Paula actually told us why, and her answer is more than revealing: “My biggest fear was people expecting too much out of me, more than I could possibly give. [I worried] I wouldn’t want to hop out of bed every morning loving life,” she tells Parade. “That the pleasure was going to be taken away from me.“  Boo-yah! There’s is the secret to her unwillingness to come to a complete stop–she views food not as a source of nutrition and sustenance, but PLEASURE.  She is emotionally connected–addicted–to a giant she cannot defeat… because she does not want to.

Paula, being the TV darling that she is, and it scares the greens out of me to know how many people she influences, is fooling herself–you CANNOT manage an addiction–ask any addict out there.  You either get clean, or your addiction will have you!  And if you think that food addictions are so much better than drug addictions, think again.  I had met a few people dying of cancer and heart problems whose response to my: “You know you can live!” suggestion was: “I would rather DIE than give up my… (fill in the blank with their favorite foods addictions)”  And die they did.

Food addicts, just like drug addicts, do have to go through “all or nothing” approach, suffer the withdraws, suffer cold sweats, shaking and wanting just one more hit, to get clean, and then to appreciate their freedom.  And if are ready to fight me for this statement because you don’t think you have a food addiction… well, let me just take your favorite food drug of choice aways.

The Excuses

I heard about every excuse that you can imagine when people have to make the choice of changing their lifestyle/diet or continuing with what’s comfortable:

• I am too busy
• I am too tired
• My family does not support me
• People judge me
• My husband does not want to eat plants
• My kids are picky eaters
• I am not sick to change
• My health is not that bad
• I travel a lot
• It is against my religion (yep, heard that one!)

Feel free to add to this list.  The chances are–I have already heard it, but surprise me anyway.

So, what is your excuse?

The Slow Do Not Win Races

Have you ever watched Olympic games?  Have you ever seen a slow runner/swimmer win a 100-yard dash?  I have not! And I will bet my greens eating batooty that you have not either.

(image source)

People who win races are the ones who give it all they got–they pay the price of discipline, training, restrictions, achy muscles and sometimes,  a more restricted social life; but they do it all with their final goal/dream in mind–winning the prize!

Our life is a race, and only those willing to pay the full price get the ultimate prizes: family, wealth, health, etc.  And only those who have experienced the “achy muscles” (the price you pay to be different, the overnight change from one diet to another, the cravings you have to beat, the opinions of others you have to face, the misunderstanding of your family, occasional loneliness, etc.) will remember and know the sweet taste of victory.  The slow and steady will always trail behind at best, watching someone else achieve greatness, choosing to become and have less than the best; and in the worst case scenario, they will become the cheering, nameless spectators, who pay to see greatness at work.  They will pay with their health, their finances (medical [sick] care is NOT cheap, I know it first hand), and they will pay for it with their dreams (they might never feel good enough to travel, and not have enough money because of the next medial bill to spend time with their family; or they will be bed-bound and alone).

The Price of Greatness

In the end, the price of greatness is a reward in itself.  When YOU know that you do the best that is available (not just “your” best, since that is as subjective as “moderation” ), when you know that you gave your all, leaving nothing in the reserves, when you feel that you gave ALL to get ALL, you then know that you got the prize–being satisfied and happy with what you’ve got, with no one to blame for your losses (bad health), no one to point your fingers at (your “bad” genes), but instead, stand with your head held high–and a prize of health and happiness proudly worn on your chest.

The Price of Greatness, in the end, is nothing other than a PRIZE you get!

Spring into Action

If you do not have any more great excuses you can give me as to why you are not making bigger and better changes to your diet and lifestyle, and you are tired of the way you feel, I dare you to do something about it. No, don’t go do something nice and small–get on viscous Jenny Craig train, or kill yourself with the Atkin’s Diet.  Do something that will make a difference in your well+being FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE! Make permanent changes.

If you are not sure how to do it or where to start, find a mentor, even if you have to pay him/her to help you–good things always cost you something.

If you do not know anyone who lives nearby, then join one of the 30-Day Weight Loss and Health Improvement Boot Camps.  We are about to kick off the February boot camp, and I am sure you would make a wonderful addition to it.  I make is as simple as it gets to go through the transition–you will get recipes, meal plans, nutrition and fitness information–there is no second guessing; and you can become a part of like-minded community–other people who have gone or are going through the Boot Camp.

No matter what it is, do something today, something that is practical and makes sense, and something that will deliver the biggest prize for the time and effort, and maybe a little bit of money, you have to spend. JUST DO IT!

A few months back hubby and I met a couple. Their health struggles reminded us of ours, before our plant-based days. The husband was being treated for a pituitary gland tumor, diagnosis of which I beat naturally.  He, however, was going through radiation therapy and the chances of them having children, whom they want, are nonexistent at this point.  To add pain to injury, he was not in the best shape of his life.

Naturally we wanted to share what we knew with them and at least let them know they had options.  We had them over for dinner, shared our story, and, needless to say, hope was born in their hearts.  Immediately, however, they decided that they want to make overnight changes from SAD (Standard American Diet) to a… raw food diet! I almost screamed: “NO! You need to understand what you are doing, why you are doing and how to do it right.” Instead of screaming, I did express my concern and offered them some reading material and some of the education options that I offer, which they declined.  At that point I knew they were in trouble.

Why?

Enthusiasm Without Foundation Fails 

Enthusiasm without a solid foundation is simply zeal–there are great intentions, great plans, great desires, but without a solid foundation, understanding of what one is zealous about this spark of interest becomes dangerous.  In the case of health and nutrition it can be a matter of life and death, vibrant and poor health.

Our acquaintances, so inspired by our story, had no promise of success the moment they declined further help. I knew that they were doomed in their efforts.  In one week they prepped for an all out raw vegan diet, starting with going out on a series of “Last Supper” dates–various restaurants they enjoy, eating all of the foods they love.  That, besides not getting educated, was mistake #2! The money they spent that week could have been better spent on hiring a mentor/teacher.

The week after they launched into an all out raw experiment.  If any of you ever did a 3-Day green smoothie cleanse with me, you know that the more main stream your diet is, the more severe your detox symptoms will be. That is exactly what happened to them.  By the end of their first week on the new diet, when we saw them next, we heard things like: “I don’t think I can do this anymore. I am tired, fatigued and always hungry, etc.” Most of it because they did not know what to expect, although we told them, then because they did not know what to make to eat, with which I wanted to help them, and all of which could have been dealt with very easily, had they accepted/looked for the help I suggested.  My heart was aching for the both of them, but at that point I could do nothing to help–they were already making up their mind that this new lifestyle was not for them… And I had to agree.

See, I strongly believe that unless you know what you are doing, no matter how great the idea might be, you should not be doing it. One of my favorite verses in the Bible says: “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7)

Before going vegan I personally spent several months doing research–I read, I emailed people who might have had some answers, read blogs, went to meetings–I did my ground work.  So, when the time came and we went vegan cold turkey, there was no doubt or questioning in our minds that what we were about to do was going to work!  We had understanding, and thus we had wisdom. I did wish that we could have found a mentor, but at that time I was unable to find someone… well, someone like me, but we still paid our dues through research, and lots of it!

The Need for a Mentor & Mentors Aren’t Free

image source: yourvamentor.com

Unlike in movies, in real life, people are designed to live and function in groups–we are herd animals.  In real life, lone rangers cannot succeed!  In real life, although some of us choose to go against the grain: tradition, medical opinions, etc., only few of us are strong enough to survive on our own, but eventually all of us needs some form of support, comradery and  understanding.  Some of us will find that support in spouses, family members, friends, and some, well, we have to go farther and look harder to find mentors.

By definition a mentor is a “trusted counselor or guide”--someone who knows the way and can guide you to your destination.  Mentors are people who have been there, done it, and have the torch to lite our paths too. They make our lives easier, helping us to skip all of the hard footwork. They help us mount higher and faster then they did.   And most of the times mentors come with a price tag–they aren’t free.  Try explore dangerous safari and see if want to do it yourself or if you can find someone willing to risk their life to guide you there for free…

image source: bushwarriors.wordpress.com

This is where, unfortunately a lot of us fail.  We refuse to pay to be mentored.  We want things our way, and we want them for free. We try to face our lions (see above image) on our own.

Early on in our vegan journey, I learned that all good things are worth paying for–if I needed good medical/nutrition advice I needed not to look at the money I would save by finding someone “affordable”, but I needed to consider that my money, when I spend it, should bear the  most quality results, so I looked for quality advice.  I knew that if I tried to save money now, I will end up paying for a better, more qualified advice later.  My naturally frugal behavior was always adjusted when it came to the arena of health.  I needed quality care, quality advice and I did not mind paying for it, since I had no time to waste.  In my case it just happened that no matter how much I paid, while finding “the best” in the business, they were still as clueless as the cheaper guy next to them, but it is only because I asked questions that no one asked before.

Why am I telling you all this?  Looking a few years back I only wish that I had met me when I set out on this journey toward better health–I would have hired me, I would have begged me to mentor me, tell me what to do. I would have followed in the footsteps the other “me” had already taken and proven they work. I would have then saved myself 5 years of heart aches, trials and research.  I still would have read what the other “me” would have told me, and then some, but I would have had a clear path to follow.

We all need mentors, whether they are free or not.  We need people who know more than we do; who have walked the walk and make sense to even the simplest of us.  We need people who have straight answers and not complex formulas. We need people who can give us hope.  And, by golly, if we have to pay them sometimes for all the hard work they did to get where they are, why not? Guides are the best guards on an unknown journey!  They are worth their price in gold! Had I found someone like that 5 years ago, I would have gladly paid that person to get results quickly, saving myself not only the tears, the heartaches, etc., but 4.5 years of paying “specialists” who were clueless on how to treat me.  4.5 years! I could have bought a new car with all I paid out, I think , or at least had a good down payment for one.

Not Doing It Alone & You Get What You Pay For!

Every day now I get e-mails from people who are looking for answers to their health dilemmas, just like I did a few years back.  All want help, and 100% of the time I will respond to their initial questions, pointing them to the resources that I offer for free through Vegalicious site.  Some come back with more questions, to which I might respond, if I have time, and then I always offer options: some cheap and easy (like the 3-Day green smoothie cleanse ), some are more involved and expensive, like a DIY Boot Camp, a 30-day Group Boot Camp with me, or One-on-One Coaching sessions, although none are as expensive as the price they pay for poor health and more suffering.  Unfortunately that is the point at which a lot of them disappear and get quiet.

In reality, as much as I love helping people and want EVERYONE to be well, my time and resources are limited too, and I too have to make a living for myself and my family.  I simply cannot spend 24 hours helping people for free. But that is not all–I have learned that people who get things for FREE do not value them and quickly disregard them.  Every time I went out of my way and offered a service free of charge the beneficiaries of that services dropped out of the program, quit and said: “This is nor for me.”  Thus, I ended up wasting my time and resources for NOTHING!  So, I resolved to never waste my time again, because my time is valuable to me.  On the other hand, however, I found that every time someone paid for a service, most stuck with the program and have varying degrees of success.

Your Heart is in what You Value

I have yet to see a person walk into a Mercedes dealership and ask for a FREE car, because they simply cannot afford it but “really need it”, or even dare to ask for 50% off.  I’ve never seen Louis Vutton offer Buy-One-Get-One-Free deals.  Have you?  And why is that then that people still buy those products?  Simple–because they value them!

They, somehow see that the money they spent on such products will give them some kind of return: emotional, societal or otherwise. So, why should we expect doing anything different when it comes to our health and well being?  Why is it that we look for cheap, discounted advice and services?   Why is it, that I often see the people that tell me they cannot “afford” to pay for a personal coaching session or a Boot Camp, go out twice a week to some of the nicest restaurants in town?  Simple–because they value their lifestyle more than their well-being, or because they perceive that they will get a better return and emotional satisfaction from that kind of an investment.

The same people, when they try to “save” money and to things on their own, end up disillusioned and quit before ever seeing measurable results.

With all this said, I have known people who truly cannot afford immediate help they have to pay for, but I have seen the same people save pennies until they can finally get what they need or want–those are the people that eventually succeed.  They are my heroes!

Why Not Do It Yourself?

Simple–there is strength in numbers and wisdom in a multitude of advisers (the right kind that is ).  Over 90% of 30-Day Boot Camp participants see tangible results.  They have support (others who participate in the program), the have accountability (me) and they have clear instructions on what to do (the manual I provide).  Success becomes easier to achieve where there is a clear vision.

You can always try to do things on your own–wandering from blog to blog, getting books that don’t fully make sense, if you know what you are looking for, or, you can get plugged into something with a clear vision and make your life easier.  At the end of the day it comes down to one thing–you invest only in what you value.

Do you value your health?

Quick Reminder

For those of you ho are ready to take the next step, just a quick reminder, the Early Bird registration offer for the 30-day Weight Loss and Health Improvement Boot Camp for the month of February is going to expire tomorrow at noon EST.  But there is still time to take advantage of it.

Are You a Lone Ranger?

Do you have a personal Lone Ranger story or do you know of any Lone Rangers? I am curious to hear your stories.

Last Week’s Giveaway

Having opted to actually personally pick a winner of the last week‘s giveaway was hard.  I always read comments, but this… well, it was just impossible for me, because almost every entry I read made me think: “S/he should get it!”  What a girl to do?!  Thankfully, I have a very helpful hubby.  Last night we sat down together, read through every entry, created a certain way to rate each and at the end of the night had one entry that became the winner (others were great too, but, well, I had to pick only ONE!).

So, drum roll….

The Winner of Fruity Delights is BRITTON!

Here is the winning entry:

“There are a handful of reasons why I should win your wonderful publication:

1) I will use it – it will become dog-eared (at least figuratively since it will be used on the iPad).
2) My taste-level tolerance is so high that I’ve lost sight of what will be tasty for the kids, My “if it’s organic and it grows, toss it in” approach isn’t working for them.
3) I was recently diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and want to ditch the bio-identicals
4) I smile an exponentially higher number of times the healthier I eat (and drink)
5) I eliminate alcohol from my diet 7 months ago, and I’m sure I can adopt one of your recipes as my go-to drink for relaxing
6) I am an enthusiastic word-of-mouth person who will (I already have) talk up your site and share my joy with each delicious recipe we drink
7) You know you want to give it to me, right?
Ok, well how about a veggie joke then? What type of vegetable should you not take on a boat?
9) You knew that one.
10) It’s January 10th.  My lucky day!”

I have to admit, though, that I did NOT know the answer to the veggie joke… so I googled it … turns out you cannot take a leek on a boat with you.

Now that I read it, it has become so obvious!

Congrat,s Britton! You will get your download link just as soon as I hear from you, with a verified e-mail address to where you want the link to be sent . You have 24 hrs (until 3 pm EST 1/17/12) to respond!

The rest of you… not all is lost! This week’s giveaway just got bigger, so you have a whole new chance to enter to win. If you still want the Fruity Delights fruit smoothie recipe e-book, you can get it directly through the Vegalicious Store.

This week’s giveaway, although there will be required entries, I am choosing to let the random.org pick the winner for me.  No more lost sleep over who should get it!

The Giveaway

I told you it is bigger and badder better, and the next week’s is going to be even bigger than this, so get your typing fingers ready.

For this week only, one fortunate reader will have a chance to get the best selling package:

The value of the three-pack bundle is $27 USD!!!

Told you, it is getting bigger

Yes! It’s the famous Vegalicious three-pack!

1. Life on Greens–green smoothie e-book with over 60+ green smoothie recipes and instructions on how to do a green smoothie cleanse… with lifetime access to FB Green Smoothie Cleanse group!
2. Fruity Delights–fruit smoothie e-book with over 15+ fruit smoothie recipes AND 3 delicious vegan dessert recipes, AND
3. Vegan Desserts e-book with 10 scrumptious vegan dessert recipes ranging from raw, sugar free, to gluten free and same baked wheat recipes–a little bit of everything

Excited yet?! I am! And also nervous!

How to Enter & Details

WHEN: Giveaway is open now until Saturday, January 21st, 11:59 pm EST.

You have to follow “Entry” instructions to be eligible to win.  You have to leave a separate comment for each entry!

Required Entry

[this means that if you don't do this, you won't qualify!]

• Tell me why you would like to win this bundle and how you would incorporate each of the books into your/your family diet. Get as creative, funny or sad as you want–I still love a good story!
• Subscribe to Vegalicious Inbox Delivery for the second required entry.  If you are a subscriber, right after your first comment, leave another one letting me know that.

All the best to you, friends! May the hungriest for health reader win  .

You Don’t Have to Wait!

If you don’t want to wait to see if you win this giveaway and want these delicious recipes at your fingertips today, all you have to do is go to the Vegalicious store and pick up your bundle! (click on the link)

Back in Shape by the Valentine’s Day!

And do not forget: February 30-Day Boot Camp registration is now open! Get that figure back and feel better by the Valentine’s day!

Have you ever had a piece of bread so good that you wanted MORE?! Well, if I have one weakness when it comes to food, homemade bread is IT… that’s the reason I try not to make it too often.  But when I do it has to be PERFECT! Of course I am not tooting my own horn, but my bread will rock your socks off and have you asking for more–it is whole wheat, fat free, and, if you grind your own flour, like I do with my super power Vitamix 5200, can be whole grain.  It is perfect for any soup, salad, to make delicious sandwiches with, or just have with homemade, sugar free jam with tea.

Salivating yet?!

Well, I am ready to share my secret (no so secret really ) recipe.

Homemade Whole Wheat Fat Free Bread & Pizza Recipe

Option 1

• 1.5-1.75 cups warm water
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 2 tsp unbleached sugar or honey (to help yeast rise)
• 1.5 tsp bread machine yeast
• 1 cup white organic flour
• 3 cups whole wheat organic flour

Bake on 3 hr 30 mins cycle or 3 hr 40 min, or whichever is closest to it.

Option 2

• 1.5 cups warm water
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 2 tsp unbleached sugar or honey
• 2 tsp bread machine yeast
• 4 cups whole wheat organic flour

Bake on whole wheat cycle.

Don’t eat too much of it!

(I added rolled oats and sunflower seeds to this loaf)

Oven Bread Recipe

as provided by a very talented niece of mine–Anna

• 4 cups warm water
• 1 tbsp yeast (you can add an extra tsp for whole wheat)
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• 1 tbsp honey or sugar (optional)
• 6 tbsp grape seed or olive oil (I would omit fats altogether, as they are not necessary for perfect bread)
• 8 cups unbleached flour (use whole wheat as much as possible)

Preparation

• Combine 4 cups of warm water and 1 tbsp of yeast and let stand for 5 min
• Add the rest of the the ingredients, mix well cover with towel and let rise for 2 hours
• Oil hands and split dough in 3 balls
• Put in glass bread baking shells and let rise for 2 more hours
• Preheat oven to 375 and carefully place dough in the oven for 30 min, or until bread is a golden color

Enjoy!

Vegan Pizza

Dough

• To make pizza from Bread Machine recipe use the same exact recipe, but prepare it on the DOUGH cycle, then follow steps below.
• To make it from Oven recipe: scale it down a bit (about 3-4 times ) so you don’t feed an army, then, when dough is raised and ready for baking, as per instructions above, then follow steps below.

Preparation

• When ready, divide dough into two parts; roll out into circles, or stretch with hands, very lightly gresing your hands with olive/coconut oil
• Preheat oven to 400F
• Lay out dough on baking sheets
• Spread pizza/spaghetti sauce on top
• I like using Dayia cheese (mozarella style)–spread cheese over the sauce–you don’t need to use too much, otherwise the sauce and cheese will run
• Possible toppings: pineapple, thinly sliced apple, bell peppers, red onions, tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, and anything else you can imagine
• Bake 5-7 mins on the bottom rack, and ~5 mins top shelf, or until golden brown on the bottom
• For the last 30-40 secs, keep pizza on top rack, turn oven to broil to get “cheese” bubbling, but watch not to burn the crust.

Go ahead and lick your fingers clean .

Reminders First

This week’s celebratory (our vega-versary) giveaway is still open until tomorrow (1/14/12). Make sure to enter for a chance to win.

Registration for February 30-Day Weight Loss & Health Improvement Boot Camp is now open, and there is even a special Early Bird Deal going on. The deal is offered only for a few days, so if you had a dream to enroll in one of my Boot Camps, you do not want to miss it!

Soup for Soul

Have you ever woken up on a cold winter morning and longed for a cup of hot… soup?  Well, that is exactly what happened to me.  It snowed overnight, and the wind kept me up.  When I finally could no longer take staying in bed, right about the time hubby was taking off for work, I got up, helped him to put his lunch together, whipped up a green smoothie for us and sent him on his way.

With my green smoothie in hand I sat down behind the PC, looked outside, and all I wanted was a cup of hot veggie broth.  *sigh* See, I had a plan to just relax today–no cooking, no cleaning… but no! the craving set in.  Thankfully most of my recipes take only 15-30 mins max to make, so, being a slave to my craving, I headed off to the kitchen.

I started a new batch of whole wheat bread, and then went to working on hot, soulful cup of soup I so desired.  It turned out just like I wanted to . Maybe it can help you warm up on a cold morning as well, or, if you ever have a cold or a flu coming on, you can help your body heal with it.

The recipe is fat free–so it is “heart healthy”

Fat Free Vegan Veggie Soup

Ingredients

• 3-4 quarts water (depending on how thick/thin you like your soup*)
• 4 large potatoes
• sea or Himalayan salt to taste (try to stay low with sodium intake)
• 1 large carrot
• 1 medium Portabella mushroom
• 3 stalks of celery
• 1/2-1 medium white onion
• 1-2 tsp favorite all purpose seasoning (I use Kirkland organic sold at Costco)
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 cup freshly chopped dill
• 1/4 cup freshly chopped green onions

*you can always add more water later and adjust salt levels

Preparation

• Place water on the stove, turn on high heat
• Peel and slice potatoes; add to water
• Add salt, thyme, all purpose seasoning, basil, and, if you wish a bit of black pepper
• Bring potatoes to boil, reduce to medium or low-medium heat (depending on your cookware), cover
• Meanwhile, wash remaining veggies, peeling onion; chop or slice into small cubes or slices
• When potatoes are soft and cooked through, add all veggies (keep herbs set aside)
• Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 6-8 minutes
• Remove from heat, add herbs

Enjoy!

The Way I had It

Since my bread is still baking, I needed something to make up for it.  I added:

• a spoon full of Toffuti (vegan) sour cream
• 2 tbsp Daiya (vegan) mozzarella style cheese
• a handful of organic corn chips

to the soup, and Oh My Heavenly Taste-buds! It was fantastic! (I know the image might not convey the same message, but my taste buds sure thought so!) I ended up having two servings.

Adding extra ingredients does add some fat content to the soup, so if you are watching dietary fat intake or have heart issues, do stick to the original recipe.

I will add recipe for homemade wholewheat bread in the next post.