My Plant-Based Family

Feeding My Family a Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet, On a Budget

Giveaway

Got Energy? Tips and a Giveaway

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Got Energy

Sometimes I need more energy. I’m guessing you do too!

Admittedly, I have more energy now than I did in my Standard American Diet (SAD) days.

I’ve noticed trends in my energy levels based on activity and food consumption. For example, when I over-eat I feel like a slug and I don’t want to move. That rarely happens anymore. Baked Potatoes are a great food for me. I feel energetic, satisfied and still light enough to move. I’ve learned I don’t tolerate wheat well and it makes me feel cloudy and fatigued. I used to get order a veggie sandwich from a near by sandwich shop; while it was delicious, it didn’t fuel my body well. If you can eat wheat it may be a good choice for you. I love eating Bean, Grain & Veggie Bowls.

My husband usually has a baked sweet potato and a bucket o’ broccoli (raw) for lunch everyday. He feels fantastic! I know that some people react differently to foods so there isn’t a one-size fits all.

Here are a few tips!

1. Get Dressed First Thing in the Morning!

I love lounging around in my pajamas as much as the next girl but it almost guarantees I get nothing done. I need real clothes and shoes on to be productive.

2. Avoid Processed, Empty Calories

When I’m feeling tired or blah my instinct is to reach for a sweet treat or caffeine. Eating and drinking just enough empty calories every few hours to keep you functioning but not thriving is not the way to live.  I remember when I was about 12 years old, I would consume nothing but soda and candy bars for days at a time. My standard lunch was chips and soda. Even on my worst day now, I can see how far I’ve come from that junk food lifestyle.

3.  Eat Nutritious Food!

As mentioned above, I feel great when eating beans and grains, baked potatoes, hearty veggie wraps and soups. I like steamed broccoli but I enjoy it more accompanying potatoes or rice. I like make bowls filled with a variety of plants: potatoes, beans, grains, tomatoes, onions, garlic, broccoli, peppers, spinach and anything else available. This week we have cucumbers and squash to add to our rotation.  All of these foods are nutrient dense and can be mixed and matched for a number of unique meals.

I’ve recently experimented with ENERGYbits®. They are made from 100% organically grown spirulina algae. 30 bits are considered a serving. I tried chewing one up before realizing they are much better swallowed whole. Each bit has just 1 calorie but they are loaded with 40 nutrients have the highest concentration of protein in the world (64%).

I used them as a meal replacement and felt like I had more energy, great mental clarity and no digestive issues. ENERGYbits are not a supplement, they are food; spirulina algae is the only ingredient. 

I was given a free sample to try and I’m giving away a sample to a reader! ENERGYbits are only available at ENERGYbits.com, and Jonathan (their Brand Manager) has shared with me that he’d be happy to connect anyone with a current ambassador to share a discount on a bag of bits – you can email him at jlevitt@energybits.com

This giveaway is open to US reader only, the winner will be contacted via email.

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Happy Herbivore Light and Lean Giveaway

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Today is my birthday! To help me celebrate my birthday and ring in the New Year I’m giving away a copy of Happy Herbivore Light and Lean to one lucky reader (in the US or Canada). If you don’t see the Rafflecopter Widget below follow the Rafflecopter link.
I have been a fan of the Happy Herbivore Cookbooks since I began my plant-based journey. I own them all but this one is my favorite. It’s closer to my style of eating. In addition to the giveaway, I’ll also be sharing a little Q&A with Lindsey S Nixon and a recipe for Breakfast Tacos.
Holly: What advice do you give families when only 1 member is plant-based and the others are not interested?
Lindsey: Win them over with food. Show, don’t tell. Lead by example.
Holly: I struggle when it comes to finding and sticking to an exercise routine, any thoughts?
Lindsey: Exercise is great, but not required. I have found with my life—and as a personal trainer, diet matters more than anything else.
Holly: You just started a cooking show that has been very popular. Can you tell us what to expect from that?
Lindsey: It’s a live cooking show == so each week is a surprise!
Holly: If you could only eat 5 foods for a week, what would you eat?
Lindsey: Kale. Potatoes. Mango. More kale. More potatoes. Mustard. Hot sauce.
HH Breakfast Tacos

Breakfast Tacos

Makes 3

Soy-free, Gluten-free, Budget

 I’m always looking for ways to slip more vegetables into my diet (particularly at breakfast) and these tacos hit the nail on the head: greens, beans, and sweet potatoes before lunch? I can feel good about that! Bonus: They are really filling and leave me satisfied for hours. I tend to make these tacos for breakfast when I have leftover cooked greens and sweet potatoes from the day before.

3 corn tortillas
1 sweet potato, cooked
½ c cooked black beans
½ c cooked greens (e.g., steamed kale or collards)
2 green onions, sliced
hot sauce
salsa (optional)
nutritional yeast (optional)
guacamole (optional)

Warm corn tortillas if they’ve been in your fridge. I like to heat each side over a low flame for 10–15 seconds on my gas stove, but a few seconds in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel also works. Mash sweet potato with a fork (you can mix in spices like ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne if you like, or even a basic fajita or taco seasoning with a splash of nondairy milk) and spread into the center of the tortilla. Top with beans, greens, and green onions, plus hot sauce, salsa, nutritional yeast, and guacamole as desired (I overflow my tacos so they are really filled). Enjoy!

Chef’s Note Make a “taco bar” and serve these for brunch when you have a big crowd.

Tofu Scramble (pg. 35) is another great filling option

Per taco
Calories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Fat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3g
Carbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29.1g
Fiber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5.6g
Sugars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3g
Protein. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5.2g
WW Points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

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FTC Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own. This page uses affiliate links.

Follow Your Heart Vegan Cheesecake Kit Giveaway

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When we made the transition to a plant-based diet there were a few things I just assumed I’d never eat again, Cream Cheese, Sour Cream, Shredded Cheese were all at the top of the list because we normally ate those weekly.

I’ve adapted well to going without dairy; but every now and again it is really nice to have a vegan option that reminds me of the old days. One company that makes those family favorite recipes possible again is Follow Your Heart.

I love having dairy-free options to enjoy. My boys call the shreds “pretend cheese” and keep asking for pretend cheese toast. We’ve poured the Vegan Gourmet Sour Cream and the Vegan Gourmet Shreds into our Bean and Grain Bowl Salads and WOW!

I’m making recipes all week using Follow Your Heart ingredients.

Follow Your Heart Giveaway

Follow Your Heart has generously sponsored a giveaway for My Plant-Based Family readers. The winner will receive a Follow Your Heart Vegan Cheesecake Kit. The kit has everything needed to create a delicious gluten-free and vegan cheesecake.

The kit contains:
  – Mini Heart-shaped Springform Pan
  – Follow Your Heart® Vegan Gourmet® Cream Cheese
  – Follow Your Heart® Vegan Gourmet® Sour Cream
  – Vanilla Extract
  – Cheesecake Filling Bag: Sugar + Cornstarch (exact measure)
  – Margarine (non-hydrogenated & non-dairy)
  – Gluten-Free Crust Mix: Vegan & Gluten-Free Crumbs + Sugar (exact measure)
  – Spatula

 Truly this sound like the easiest cheesecake ever! 

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This giveaway begins December 11th and ends December 15th and is open to US residents only.

 

FTC Disclaimer: I received free products from Follow Your Heart to review. All opinions are my own.

The Daniel Cure Review and Giveaway

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The Daniel Cure

The Daniel Cure

It isn’t often that I find a book that pairs my passion for healthy eating with my faith. The Daniel Cure is the most remarkable book I’ve read this year, filled with the science behind healthy eating, truth from scripture, over 75 recipes and a 21 day devotional. It is written by Susan Gregory author of the book The Daniel Fast and Rick J. Bloomer PhD, who is also the Department Chair of Health and Sport Sciences at the University of Memphis, and Professor and Director of the Cardiorespiratory/Metabolic Laboratory.

Background

The Daniel Fast is derived from the book of Daniel and is usually practiced as a 21 day partial fast.

When Daniel and the other Hebrews were taken into Babylonian captivity they were supposed to accept all of the Babylonian ways. Daniel and his friends refused, asking not to eat the King’s food because it violated Mosaic Law. They asked for a test, “Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.”

At the end of the test Daniel and the others were fit and strong and allowed to continue their way of eating.

Later in Daniel 10, Daniel does a partial fast for 21 days and prays.

Today’s Daniel Fast

Today the Daniel Fast consists of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds; basically anything grown from a seed but avoids sweeteners, meat and wine among other things.

People all over the world have seen radical changes in their health after doing a Daniel Fast. Since a fast is a Spiritual experience many have also found answer to prayer, supernatural healing and other amazing things happen during the fast.

The Daniel Cure

The Daniel Cure takes the 21 day fast a step further and clearly shows you everything you need to know to adapt the Daniel Fast into a sustainable lifestyle. The authors encourage you to complete the Daniel Fast first but to continue this variation in the diet that will make it much easier to continue. I feel like my style of eating is very much in line with the Daniel Cure. I don’t make anything “off limits” but strive to eat healthy, whole foods most of the time.

In the chapter, Making the Daniel Cure a Way of Life the authors say, “Keep in mind that your new way of healthy living doesn’t mean you can never have a piece of cake or a Coke. We know that you will not eat clean food for every meal from this day forward for the rest of your life. Such a goal is an invitation to failure.”

I couldn’t agree more and I’ve been pretty vocal about making the diet change work in the real world.

Helpful Chapters

The Daniel Cure also includes many chapters about fighting diseases like Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and fighting inflammation. Those are preceded by a chapter that discusses the way we view ourselves and the way our Creator views us.

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV

Press on Toward the Goal

I sought out a Plant-Based Diet because I was sick, but I adopted it to honor God by treating my body like His temple.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lied ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

The Daniel Cure is a great resource to help you on this journey. This book will give you guidelines about what to eat, how often and how much along with tips to help you navigate grocery shopping, sample menus and meal planning tips.

Recipes

If you’ve read My Plant-Based Family for long you know I like delicious meals but they also need to be pretty simple. I’m completely won over by the recipes in this book, they use familiar ingredients that I normally buy. I really want to try the Stuffed Potato Cups with Sautéed Kale, Spicy Tomato Sauce and the Berry Crumble.

However…

There are a few things in the Daniel Cure that aren’t quite in line with my eating philosophy. I feel I should mention them even though I highly recommend this book. I am not a big fan of protein powders or supplements. While the authors say, “You don’t need animal products to obtain protein and calcium in adequate amounts. With proper planning, you can get all of the protein, carbohydrates, fat and micronutrients you need from a 100 percent plant-based diet” they highly recommend you use protein powders and calcium supplements. They also feel that “the addition of small amounts of animal products (lean meats and dairy) might make your diet even better.” This might be because many people who claim to eat a plant-based or vegan diet do not really eat a healthy diet.

The Giveaway

I enjoyed reading The Daniel Cure so much that I’m really excited that you have the chance to win a copy! The giveaway is open to those in the US and Canada and ends on November 12 at 12:00 am.

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FTC Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the Daniel Cure, I was not obligated to provide a positive review. All opinions are mine.

North Coast Organics Lotion Bar Giveaway

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North Coast Organics Lotion Bars

Have you tried using a lotion bar? Yes, you read that right a lotion bar. Well if you haven’t tried North Coast Organics new Certified Organic, Vegan and Handmade Lotion Bars you don’t know what you are missing.

You all know I’m a HUGE FAN of North Coast Organics line of deodorants that include Death By Lavender, Revolver and Naked. I’ve never used a deodorant that stopped the stink, especially through an Arizona summer like North Coast Organics deodorants.

They sent me their new lotion bars to try out and once more I’m in love. I’ve used a different brand of lotion bar but it left something to be desired. North Coast Organics Lotion Bars are easy to rub in and leave my hands feeling soft and protected for hours. There is no weird film that some heavy-duty creams leave behind.

These handmade lotion bars come in Lemon, Floral and Untitled. I’ve always loved anything lemon scented and tried the Lemon Lotion Bar first. I love it. I usually put it on first thing in the morning and I love it’s clean, fresh scent. I was originally skeptical of the Floral bar but this is a nice, pleasant scent that is not perfume-y or overwhelming. Untitled may be my favorite though. It’s great for men or women. I use it every night. They are made from food grade products so you don’t have to worry if you  2 year old tries to eat one.

I’m the kind of person who uses lotion daily. When the cooler weather sets in my skin gets drier but these lotion bars will help keep my skin smooth and soft.

If you want to stock up North Coast Organics has generously offered a 30% off coupon to My Plant-Based Family readers and one lucky reader will win a set of three Lotion Bars. The coupon code is 30LBAR and is good throughout the giveaway.

This is a Rafflecopter giveaway! There are several ways to enter but hurry because the giveaway will end on November 2nd. This giveaway is open to those in the US and Canada.

FTC Disclaimer: No compensation was received for this review. I was given free product to review but the opinions are 100% honest and my own. I was not under any obligation to write a positive review.

Death By Lavender: Stop the Stink Review & Giveaway

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Death By Lavender, the three little words that may change your life!

I’ll give you a lot of details in a minute but what you really need to know is that Death By Lavender really works! My arm pits have never smelled so good!

Death By Lavender is organic, vegan and handmade. It has a subtle lavender scent that resembles other all natural products of tried but this deodorant leaves you smelling stink-free. All of my life I’ve searched for a deodorant that kept me smelling fresh. Remember I live in Arizona, it is over 100° daily. I’ve worked in the yard and garden, gone for walks/jog, and still smelled fresh.

I’m sure you have tried deodorants that smelled good going on but as soon as temperatures began to rise the once fresh smell turned putrid. That wont happen with this deodorant. I feel I should mention that this is not an antiperspirant. You will still sweat BUT you wont stink.

I love this deodorant so much I want to give you a chance to try it (or it’s counterpart Revolver)! In fact you should check out North Coast Organics to learn more about their other products!

This a Rafflecopter Giveaway!

You must click on the Rafflecopter Link to enter the giveaway! The winner will be emailed on July 30th! Contest is only open to individuals in the continental US.

Update: This giveaway is over! The winner is Candy G.

FTC Disclaimer: No compensation was received for this review. I was given free product to review but the opinions are 100% honest and my own. I was not under any obligation to write a positive review. I have since ordered more products from North Coast Organics! 🙂