Going Vegan meant one thing for my habit of eating too much pizza: It had to stop.
At least that's what I thought when I was getting into it. Little did I know there were tricks to the trade that provided endless ideas for glorious pizzas to come.
Yesterday I experimented with some hummus and a few ingredients I had scattered around my refridgerator, and ended up with a suprisingly delicious concoction!
Hummus Pizza!
*Buy a 2 pack of the Whole Wheat pizza crusts from your favorite grocery store. ( Or if you're really great, make youre own dough!)
*Buy a small container of Hummus ( I prefer Garlic and Sabras)
*Chop up some Green Olives, Sundried Tomatos, and Roasted Red Peppers.
*Spread the hummus all over the crust
*Add olives, tomatos and peppers with whatever residing oil there is from those ingredients.
*Sprinkle pizza with a dash of Nutritional Yeast
*Add Salt and Pepper and Red Pepper flakes to taste
*Bake at 350' for 20 minutes.
"YUMMMMMOOOOOOO
its gonna be good.
I also used my left over grilled onions and peppers from my burrito bowl yesterday, and with the other crust, spread some simple tomato sauce, sprinkled with basil, garlic powder, salt and pepper, and spread the grilled veggies on! Baked that up and ate it up! How easy, and no leftovers wasted!!!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Healthy Challenge: Day 1
Good morning and happy Almost-March!
The spring is approaching and it is time to set some new goals. I have decided to join the Corporate Cup events at my job and be a part of some sporty activities. One inparticular is going to be especially challenging. It is called the Healthy Challenge.
The rules of the game are that you earn a certain amount of points for completeing and doing certian healthy things, and lose points if you do unhealthy activities.
It begins today and ends May 21st. So thats a solid 3 months. Today I will take a pre-test of my health, begin a food diary, an exercise diary and refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol.
I will attend healthy meal classes and healthy choice classes for extra points as well.
I'll keep you all updated!
The spring is approaching and it is time to set some new goals. I have decided to join the Corporate Cup events at my job and be a part of some sporty activities. One inparticular is going to be especially challenging. It is called the Healthy Challenge.
The rules of the game are that you earn a certain amount of points for completeing and doing certian healthy things, and lose points if you do unhealthy activities.
It begins today and ends May 21st. So thats a solid 3 months. Today I will take a pre-test of my health, begin a food diary, an exercise diary and refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol.
I will attend healthy meal classes and healthy choice classes for extra points as well.
I'll keep you all updated!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Giving up Mary Kay
I was a dedicated Mary Kay consultant and consumer for almost 2 years, when I found out this weekend that they were decieving me all along.
I remember, almost 2 years ago, in May- going to my first Mary Kay party- trying all of the skincare and loving it. There was a question and answer period, and I asked: "Are your products tested on animals?"
The consultant confidently answered, "No. Mary Kay has a firm stance against Animal Testing. Mary Kay was an animal lover and she wouldn't stand for it."
Shortly after, I became a consultant, began selling and using the products, and loving it. At every party I had, I shared the wonderful news that my clients were buying 100% cruelty free products, and I had a lot of friends who truly appreciated that.
Then came this weekend. PETA posted an article stating that Mary Kay, Avon and Estee Lauder were secretly doing animal testing. I went to Mary Kay to research this and make sure PETA had not made a mistake: after all, this is the company that time and time again, confidently boasted that we would never test on animals.
Soon after signing in to my Mary Kay Consultant account, I found a letter from Mary Kay President: Darrell Overcash. This is what it read:
UPDATE: A Message from Darrell Overcash
Published 02.17.12
Some of you may have seen or heard that PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), the animal activist organization, has changed the status of Mary Kay and other cosmetics companies on its website, moving us from its list of “Companies That Do Not Test on Animals” to its list of “Companies That Do Test on Animals.”
Let’s set the record strait: Mary Kay is committed to the elimination of animal testing. Mary Kay’s policy has always been consistent- nothing has changed. Our commitment to the elimination of animal testing has never wavered. We do not conduct animal testing on our products or ingredients- nor do we ask others to do so on our behalf – except when absolutely required by law.
Regulations on cosmetics constantly change, but Mary Kay has never wavered from our commitment to use alternative testing methods. There was only one country where we operate, among more than 35 around the world, that by law under certain circumstances require cosmetics to be tested on animals: China. Please know that none of the products you have purchased here in the United States have been tested on animals.
Rest assured that our commitment to the elimination of animal testing has never wavered. We have been working to continue to work very closely with the Chinese government to demonstrate that alternative testing methods ensure safe and effective products. For more than two decades, Mary Kay has been a global leader in helping to develop alternative testing methods for product safety.
If you receive questions from your customers, you can assure them that despite whatever they may hear from PETA, at Mary Kay, nothing has changed: we remain firm in our commitment to eliminate the practice of animal testing.
Thank you for your support of this great Company.
Darrell Overcash.
-----
Now that you have read the letter as well, I'm sure you can understand that what I got out of this letter was this: "We don't animal test, except for in China ( but that doesnt count because it the law!" right?
I posted this on Facebook and was met with many remarks from my consultant friends that read things like:
"Well, why dont you call Mary Kay and see exactly what KIND of animal testing they do. It might not be dangerious to the animals."
This set a flame in my mind: Well what the heck does it matter what kind of testing they are doing? They are performing Animal Testing. They are confining animals to cages in laboratories and performing tests! These animals are not free to live their lives. They are most likely scared, and in pain, and not FREE.
Maybe I'm being overly eccentric here, but since when did an animal's Life become less important than a Human life?
So I quit.
I am no longer selling Mary Kay, and am getting rid of the rest of my inventory at 25% off, weaning off the rest of my supply of home use products ( because I also don't belive in wasting what you have), and shopping for a new line of cruelty free, skin care products.
Suggestions?
I remember, almost 2 years ago, in May- going to my first Mary Kay party- trying all of the skincare and loving it. There was a question and answer period, and I asked: "Are your products tested on animals?"
The consultant confidently answered, "No. Mary Kay has a firm stance against Animal Testing. Mary Kay was an animal lover and she wouldn't stand for it."
Shortly after, I became a consultant, began selling and using the products, and loving it. At every party I had, I shared the wonderful news that my clients were buying 100% cruelty free products, and I had a lot of friends who truly appreciated that.
Then came this weekend. PETA posted an article stating that Mary Kay, Avon and Estee Lauder were secretly doing animal testing. I went to Mary Kay to research this and make sure PETA had not made a mistake: after all, this is the company that time and time again, confidently boasted that we would never test on animals.
Soon after signing in to my Mary Kay Consultant account, I found a letter from Mary Kay President: Darrell Overcash. This is what it read:
UPDATE: A Message from Darrell Overcash
Published 02.17.12
Some of you may have seen or heard that PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), the animal activist organization, has changed the status of Mary Kay and other cosmetics companies on its website, moving us from its list of “Companies That Do Not Test on Animals” to its list of “Companies That Do Test on Animals.”
Let’s set the record strait: Mary Kay is committed to the elimination of animal testing. Mary Kay’s policy has always been consistent- nothing has changed. Our commitment to the elimination of animal testing has never wavered. We do not conduct animal testing on our products or ingredients- nor do we ask others to do so on our behalf – except when absolutely required by law.
Regulations on cosmetics constantly change, but Mary Kay has never wavered from our commitment to use alternative testing methods. There was only one country where we operate, among more than 35 around the world, that by law under certain circumstances require cosmetics to be tested on animals: China. Please know that none of the products you have purchased here in the United States have been tested on animals.
Rest assured that our commitment to the elimination of animal testing has never wavered. We have been working to continue to work very closely with the Chinese government to demonstrate that alternative testing methods ensure safe and effective products. For more than two decades, Mary Kay has been a global leader in helping to develop alternative testing methods for product safety.
If you receive questions from your customers, you can assure them that despite whatever they may hear from PETA, at Mary Kay, nothing has changed: we remain firm in our commitment to eliminate the practice of animal testing.
Thank you for your support of this great Company.
Darrell Overcash.
-----
Now that you have read the letter as well, I'm sure you can understand that what I got out of this letter was this: "We don't animal test, except for in China ( but that doesnt count because it the law!" right?
I posted this on Facebook and was met with many remarks from my consultant friends that read things like:
"Well, why dont you call Mary Kay and see exactly what KIND of animal testing they do. It might not be dangerious to the animals."
This set a flame in my mind: Well what the heck does it matter what kind of testing they are doing? They are performing Animal Testing. They are confining animals to cages in laboratories and performing tests! These animals are not free to live their lives. They are most likely scared, and in pain, and not FREE.
Maybe I'm being overly eccentric here, but since when did an animal's Life become less important than a Human life?
So I quit.
I am no longer selling Mary Kay, and am getting rid of the rest of my inventory at 25% off, weaning off the rest of my supply of home use products ( because I also don't belive in wasting what you have), and shopping for a new line of cruelty free, skin care products.
Suggestions?
Monday, February 6, 2012
Vegan Wedding Ideas
I saw this site and thought it was wonderful for any friends who are looking for ideas for Vegan Weddings :)
Check it out!
Check it out!
Superbowl Sunday
Yesterday was the Superbowl- Giants vs. Pats, and the Giants won! Personally I am a Broncos and Jets follower, but was glad the Giants won.
I hung out with Tony's family and we had a huge spread of delicious treats to munch on. I ate some delicious vegan chili, salsa, chips and such, but about halfway through the evening I decided I would snack on some stuffed broccoli bread with cheese and have a piece of cake ( which contained eggs). It was the first time I had consumed any animal bi-products in over a month.
It tasted good and I felt fine for the night, but as soon as I got home my stomach started to hurt. And today it feels disgusting. I feel like something really heavy is just sitting and sloshing around in there, and I am nauscious and gross-feeling. I wish I haddnt eaten any cheese. I dont think the eggs in the cake would have bothered me that much, but I'm pretty sure the cheese is sitting strong.
Advice to any new vegan, dont test yourself if you havent eaten dairy in over a month. Yuck! I think I've learned my lesson.
I hung out with Tony's family and we had a huge spread of delicious treats to munch on. I ate some delicious vegan chili, salsa, chips and such, but about halfway through the evening I decided I would snack on some stuffed broccoli bread with cheese and have a piece of cake ( which contained eggs). It was the first time I had consumed any animal bi-products in over a month.
It tasted good and I felt fine for the night, but as soon as I got home my stomach started to hurt. And today it feels disgusting. I feel like something really heavy is just sitting and sloshing around in there, and I am nauscious and gross-feeling. I wish I haddnt eaten any cheese. I dont think the eggs in the cake would have bothered me that much, but I'm pretty sure the cheese is sitting strong.
Advice to any new vegan, dont test yourself if you havent eaten dairy in over a month. Yuck! I think I've learned my lesson.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Harsh Realities
Many of my meat eating friends ask me not to explain why I don't eat meat or animal products. They have a hard time hearing the reality of what really goes on behind the scenes at factory farms, and the abuse these animals endure.
I don't blame them. It is not easy to watch a video of cows being hung upside down and having their throats slit- watching them twist and moan in pain as every drop of their blood drains from their body onto the slauterhouse floor. It is not fun to watch Circus workers continually stab and shock elephants to make them do rediculously unnatural tricks in order for people to be entertained. It is not beautiful to see people abusing their own dogs and cats- kicking them, starving them, and leaving them chained out in the rain and snow.
But its reality.
And if you don't like it- do something about it.
You may feel like you are only one person, but the truth is, if you feel uneasy, upset, disgusted, or angry about the way animals are treated, there are things you can do that will save lives. Thousands of lives. And your knowledge will spread and posiviely affect others into being more open minded and looking the truth in the face, no matter how much their fear it- and the world will be better because of it.
I don't mean to sound harsh. I was once one of those people who ate chicken wings and said that I could never live without cheese. I was one of those people who, if shown a factory farm video, would turn away and say "I can't watch that, it will ruin my dinner." Is this you?
If it is you, just think about it in a logical perspective. You are not ignorant. You know the truth. Maybe not all of it, but you know at least a glimpse of where your meat/dairy comes from. And there is so much more to learn.
Personally, I want to only ingest things that will positively affect my body and mind. I know that no suffering has taken place when I eat my pasta and marinara, or fresh fruit and veggies. I know that my bean dip doesnt breathe, and love, and have a family.
The point is. If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen. If you don't like to see animals suffering, which is what happens for the meat you eat, then don't eat meat! It's a simple equation. That is all, my friends.
I don't blame them. It is not easy to watch a video of cows being hung upside down and having their throats slit- watching them twist and moan in pain as every drop of their blood drains from their body onto the slauterhouse floor. It is not fun to watch Circus workers continually stab and shock elephants to make them do rediculously unnatural tricks in order for people to be entertained. It is not beautiful to see people abusing their own dogs and cats- kicking them, starving them, and leaving them chained out in the rain and snow.
But its reality.
And if you don't like it- do something about it.
You may feel like you are only one person, but the truth is, if you feel uneasy, upset, disgusted, or angry about the way animals are treated, there are things you can do that will save lives. Thousands of lives. And your knowledge will spread and posiviely affect others into being more open minded and looking the truth in the face, no matter how much their fear it- and the world will be better because of it.
I don't mean to sound harsh. I was once one of those people who ate chicken wings and said that I could never live without cheese. I was one of those people who, if shown a factory farm video, would turn away and say "I can't watch that, it will ruin my dinner." Is this you?
If it is you, just think about it in a logical perspective. You are not ignorant. You know the truth. Maybe not all of it, but you know at least a glimpse of where your meat/dairy comes from. And there is so much more to learn.
Personally, I want to only ingest things that will positively affect my body and mind. I know that no suffering has taken place when I eat my pasta and marinara, or fresh fruit and veggies. I know that my bean dip doesnt breathe, and love, and have a family.
The point is. If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen. If you don't like to see animals suffering, which is what happens for the meat you eat, then don't eat meat! It's a simple equation. That is all, my friends.
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