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To help understand our website, what we offer, and why we've offered some information we have created this post to help make sense of it all! Our website is designed to be as inclusive as possible, so we have included information on recipes and meal plans for the most common types of Plant-Based Diets and many different flavor profiles. We love empowering people! Our goal isn't to sway readers one way or the other, but simply to provide information we feel is important to be able make an informed decision. This is not meant to replace or undermine the advice of doctors and nutritionists. If a medical health professional has recommended a specific dietary recommendation for you, please consult with them and always before making any major decisions regarding changes to your diet. There are a number of things to consider when changing your diet and what kind of diet is right for you. Not eating animal meat is the common denominator in all of these options, so we will start there. For our purposes, a 'Diet' does not simply refer to the crash-course of changing your eating habits temporarily, in order to meet a goal like losing weight, getting your blood pressure down, or managing a condition of any kind...but what you choose to eat most of the time over the long-term. Any short-term changes will only be temporary. That said, major changes done too quickly and without adequate preparation are not only difficult but often times not entirely realistic. Assume the longer-term you plan for this change to be, the more time you should expect to transition into it. We started with cutting out most processed foods while we were still consuming meat and went plant-based about six months later. While that wasn't initially the plan, sometimes plans change...especially when gallbladders start requiring your attention. On the up side, that six months helped us to get into the habit of prepping food each week. This routine became a vital key for the change we would make in going plant-based. Once we made the switch, we transitioned to vegan within only a few weeks. We still call ourselves vegans to people that ask us about what it is...but caveat with 'technically....' and explain the difference. I am definitely glad we experienced a true vegan diet though, and perhaps it was because we did more of a whole foods approach, in that we didn't use processed options at all at first. I won't bore you with the details, but I would have wanted even more time to prepare had we really understood the difference and that's probably why we ultimately went back to the simpler plant-based option, because it was the most natural and least-restrictive option that worked for us. We hope these explanations below will make this transition easier to help you in determining if or what option works best for you! Vegetarian- The simplest for most people, this dietary group avoid animal meat of any kind. -Like other groups, so subgroups have adopted specific exceptions. For vegetarians, the common for of this are individuals who do consume fish and usually seafood in general. Plant-Based- This refers to people who avoid all meat and dairy of any kind. -Again, there are subgroups who make specific exceptions and others that are more restrictive than your typical plant-based eater. Examples include -Eggs or seafood. -Whole plant-based diet, avoiding all processed foods -Raw plant-based diet, avoiding processed foods while only cooking enough for consumption, to leave the important nutrients that are often cooked out of vegetables, usually under 120 degrees. Vegan- I remember telling my doctor when we went Vegan. His facial expression was the best part of his response. A combination of 'that explains the weight loss' and 'do you really understand what that means' A vegan himself, he just smiled patiently and said 'Ahhh, the black-belt of all diets...'. At the time, we were only a few months in and I was feeling a little cocky about how well we had been doing, but over the long-term we understood why. Veganism truly is a lifestyle, an admirable one...but not for the faint of heart! -Again, there are subgroups who make specific exceptions and others that are more restrictive than your typical plant-based eater. Examples include -Eggs or seafood. -Whole plant-based diet, avoiding all processed foods -Raw vegan diet, avoiding processed foods while only cooking them enough for consumption, to leave the important nutrients that are often cooked out of vegetables, usually under 120 degrees. Vegans don't limit their lifestyle choices to food. In fact, this is the biggest distinction between vegans and any other type of diet...because as they say, it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle! We have described ourselves to non-plant-based eaters as vegan, but not when talking with an actual Vegan because they know the difference. They are very proud of their choice and go as far as avoiding clothing, household products, and anything else they use that contain any animal products whatsoever. We mean no disrespect to them and admire their discipline. This is next-level and while some people get upset about having to have so many classifications, but understanding them and addressing each one appropriately is not only easy to do, but respectful and shows you care. Plus, let's be honest, if you worked as hard as vegans do...that deserves the distinction of being called one. It's like calling a doctor 'Mr' or 'Mrs', they earned that title!!

Namaste and welcome my friends to another exciting posting. Today is a special day. I am a certified professional chef, among other things and talents I possess. So with that in mind, I want to discuss the topic that is herbs and spices. In my interactions with others, across my travels, and in my own kitchen I have learned a great deal about the culinary arts. I have received praise from 3 former chefs of the year about my "McLaren's sweet heat bbq sauce". I have eaten the finest, richest, and most succulent foods in my lifetime and I honestly believe that the key to building flavors is in the mastery of 3 things: 1) Basic cooking technique: a) Baking/ roasting b) Sauteing/ pan frying c) Deep frying d) Grilling e) Boiling & poaching f) Braising 2) Basic food knowledge a) things that pair well together with each dish, sides, drinks, hors d'oeurves, breads, desserts b) difference between fruits, vegetables, fats, and animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy -when you should use each one, why, and how. 3) Knowing the right blend of herbs and spices a) what blends work best for which type of cuisine b) balance Sadly, I have come to see that all too many people are unaware of the plethora of herbs and spices that are in the world. Americans in particular have been lulled to sleep by either relying on hyper palatable, highly processed foods, rather than exploring something of their own creation using the bounty of flavors mother Earth has blessed us with. I have to caveat this part of my discourse with an obvious fact: there are TOO MANY herbs and spices to accurately mention them all on this blog. Sufficed to say, while attending Le Cordon Bleu, I achieved the highest grade in my class for knowledge of herbs and spices. I scored a whopping 99 out of 100 or 99 percent. So, I know a little bit about the subject. My father and my mother also have inspired my culinary passion, along with teachers, friends, and family...this is not for us to agree on everything, but I am quite confident about my knowledge and palate. Moving on... I think the basic 3 spices that Americans are fond of are the basics of SALT, PEPPER, and GARLIC. Which are all fine and well, with salt in moderation, but what of the rest of what is needed to build exquisite flavors? What about CELERY SEED? BASIL? BAY LEAF? MUSTARD SEED? OREGANO? THYME? ROSEMARY? ONION POWDER? Oh my! GINGER, PAPRIKA, CAYENNE PEPPER, and CHILI POWDER? MARJORAM, DILL WEED, CUMIN, PARSLEY, CINNAMON, CILANTRO, NUTMEG, ALLSPICE, CARDAMOM, and CLOVES? WHITE, BLACK, GREEN, and PINK PEPPERCORNS!!! Sooooooooooo many kinds of CURRY! TURMERIC! GARAM MASALA! Cajun seasoning. Greek seasoning. Asian 5 spice. Taco and fajita seasonings... et. al... Oh so many ways to combine these herbs and spices with foods. Oh, and I haven't even started on the different varieties of chilies and peppers. I'll save that for another blog. The point of all this is to SPICE UP YOUR LIFE!!! Don't just settle for bland and boring. There are stores everywhere selling herbs and spices from all over the planet and some can be expensive, like VANILLA BEANS and SAFFRON, for example. My personal favorite store bought seasoning mixes are ANY of the MAGIC SEASONINGS and TONY CHACHERE'S. Walmart sells a good variety of herbs and spices for cheap and local Winco stores have herbs and spices you can buy in bulk, which can lower your food costs. Beware of paying extra just for a glass bottle and/or a fancy brand name... I hope that all my readers will go out and try a new herb or spice, both, a little bit, a lotta bit, or some combination of flavors...expanding your horizons is paramount in growing and evolving as a human being. Bring some flavors into your meal and SPICE UP YOUR LIFE!!! You are what you eat. Eat CONSCIOUSLY! Live CONSCIOUSLY!

In its simplest form, the word meditation refers to mindfulness and healing, but the true meaning of meditation is different depending on who you ask. Seen by many as a useful tool to organize or collect their thoughts, practice mindfulness, and reduce stress, for others it can be very personal and even sacred. While how and why differ, it has shown to reduce stress and proven effective in improving overall health and well-being. What isn't as well-known are how this is possible. Like most things much of this is truly dependent on what someone is doing, how they are doing it, and why. The title of this piece makes understanding meditation sound so simple, and in some respects it is. However, each person is different, and each experience is unique to the person having it...from personal beliefs to how one sits, poses, and if they sing, chant, talk, or hum. Sometimes we get more caught up in this than the act itself, making it difficult to truly be mindful. The keys to meditation are faith, focus, and patience...that's it, your mind and body will guide you through the rest. Let us examine that a bit further, starting with faith. This word is often tied to a religion or divine being, but you can have faith in anyone or anything. That is not to imply that any amount of faith will change someone else's reality, but it is possible for it to change yours! Faith refers to sheer belief, the kind that is strong enough to change your reality and perceptions. It is for this reason that so many religious followers use the word 'faith', because their beliefs are so strong. The mind offers powerful tools within it to better control your thoughts and negative thought patterns that do not serve you. It is for this reason that advanced levels of meditation are known by many as a 'Hero's Journey', through which one can attain enlightenment. Either way, it isn't something most pick up the first time and requires patience, reflection, and often for people to try out a few different types and styles. It might take several sessions before you see results, but this is part of the process that these lessons are learned and changes in reality occur, generally...in a very different form than one would have imagined at the beginning. This is where 'faith' comes in. Meditation can indeed teach you how to do all the things described thus far, and It all starts so simply... through the act of doing nothing but breathing, which many will tell you is directly associated with our life force, souls, feeding out inner flame. While there are different beliefs on the source of this, we will refer to it as 'light energy', which is acknowledged in many ways and in every major religion throughout our world! My favorite distinction is how many describe the difference between prayer and meditation as I have heard many times, 'so as prayer is to asking meditation is to listening' The only major difference in what most associate with prayer versus meditation is their definition of 'Divine'. While prayer helps us connect with a divine being, meditation teaches you how to connect with and tap into your own divinity! There is no one way to do it, the idea is actually simpler than most people realize. While most of us can easily get caught up in what the best methods are, especially when we get flustered things don't go the way we expect them to, there really is no right or wrong way! Some use mudras, which are bodily positioning or hand gestures, even this is not necessary and mainly serves the purpose of aiming our focus, or for symbolism. The same could be said for dance and rituals that are performed for these purposes, as with any ritual that helps us associate a specific intention with an act. Learning how to set intentions prior to beginning is the key, but how you do that is completely up to you. I always recommend researching various ideologies, methods, and styles, don't overthink it, save that energy for focusing on your breath! The biggest challenge I hear about most often is with people getting bored or forgetting to properly breath, which is why my best recommendation is in starting off at just five to ten minutes at first. If you simplify how you think about meditation, perhaps likening it to quiet reflection, free from distraction, it tends to feel less intimidating. Just think of what you want answers to, then stop thinking and instead focus on your breath. It's that simple! Of course, like anything else worth doing, it will take some practice to get good at it, just allow your mind to wander without judging the thoughts that come to mind. Eventually, that breathing you have been practicing will help you get so relaxed that purging all those thoughts swirling around your head will become easier and easier. As much as we think we know about the mind, we are just scratching the surface of what they are capable of, with science and research data finally supporting what monks and gurus have been teaching for millennia! Once you can go longer, you will be able to access deeper and deeper layers of your consciousness while in a wakeful state and in complete control. Hypnotherapists do this for you, in order to help resolve trauma, break unhealthy thought patterns, accessing information, answers, and memories buried deep in your subconscious. Unfortunately, not all of us can afford a hypnotherapist though, so I highly encourage everyone to at least try meditation for themselves. First it will teach you how to relax, then re-center by going back to that place, and from there in allowing us to explore the depths of our minds. Start simply though, no need to rush since every step toward success is a helpful step in the right direction!

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Moist Vegan Banana Bread Ingredients: WET: 3-4 large ripe bananas, mashed 2 flax eggs 1 ½ C sugar ½ C Crisco or other shortening ¼ C almond or oat milk DRY: 1 tsp baking soda 2 ½ C AP flour 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp nutmeg ¼ C crushed walnut pieces Directions: 1) Preheat oven to 325 F. Grease and flour loaf pan. 2) Wet mix: mashed banana, flax eggs, Crisco, vanilla extract, and sugar. 3) Dry: In separate bowl mix together AP flour, baking soda, and nutmeg. 4) Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients, slowly adding in milk. Fold in walnuts. 5) Pour mix into prepared loaf pan. 6) Bake @ 325 F for 60-80 min. Use toothpick to test for doneness

Holistic Living To address the various levels of understanding and needs of everyone reading this, we are going to be covering various aspects from the most basica principles to examples and ideas on how many people are rocking it. What is holistic living? To address the various levels of understanding and needs of everyone reading this, we are going to be covering various aspects from the most basica principles to examples and ideas on how many people are rocking it.