Accumulating Health

Your friend Edamame Bean here, sharing my tips on how to gain health in a sickeningly temptatious society. Let us combat toxicity more each day by using cleaner products, adapting a plant-based vegan diet, consistently doing physical training, taking deeper breaths, and sleeping sounder. All in the pursuit of: #AccumulatingHealth

[accumulatinghealth]

Vegan Cookie Dough vs Nestle Toll House

Upon my boyfriend's request for chocolate chip cookies, I recently made Vegan Richa's gluten free no bake cookie dough bars.

I remember when I used to eat raw cookie dough straight out of the tub as a kid. My parent's warned me that consuming raw egg in the dough posed health risks, but I cared more about the delicious flavor than the possible hazards.

Now that I've learned the importance of caring about my own health, and the planet's health, I realize the need for finding plant based alternatives. These are the perfect solution. They're soooo delicious and addicting!! My boyfriend asked me exactly how much healthier these were than a typical cookie dough, so I decided to make a comparison chart:

*I used My Fitness Pal to make these calculations. *I omitted salt from my recipe, hence the 0 sodium. I recommend this, it's really not needed. *I presume my cookie dough bites are approximately equal in size to the Nestle dough I compared them to. *Also note that the Nestle numbers are likely rounded, whereas mine are not.

Notice the vegan cookie dough has more potassium, calcium, and iron, while having fewer calories. Not to say these are necessarily "healthy," but generally speaking, I would say they are "healthier," not only because of nutritional values, but also because of the reduced risk of getting a bacterial infection from eating raw egg. Moral of the story? Try vegan cookie dough. 

[accumulatinghealth]

Organic Granola Bars Review

A while back I went to a specialty store and bought a few organic snack bars to try, and I'm finally reviewing them. Simple Squares Organic Snack Bar - Coffee flavor

This was my favorite bar of the three I tried. The coffee flavor was there but not overpowering, and the consistency reminded me of the granola bars they used to handout in elementary school.

Raw Revolution - Spirulina Dream

This bar tasted as disgusting as it looks. Now, I know everyone's flavor palettes are different, so I'm not writing off the flavor for everyone. But personally, this bar didn't do it for me in taste, looks, or consistency.

Green Superfood - Sweet and Savory Nut

This bar wasn't too bad, but wasn't that great either. I only took a few bites and decided it just wasn't worth continuing to eat.

I really went into trying these bars with an open mind, especially because they are all organic, and the ingredients list of each contain foods I know and like. But, the results were not great.

Overall, I deem the purchase of these bars a waste of money, even for the yummy coffee bar. The fact of the matter is, you can make a way more delicious, fresh, and personalized granola bar at home for way cheaper.

So in the future, rather than relying on pre made "superfood" organic granola bars, I will simply make my own! And I encourage you to do the same.

Here are a few granola bar recipe ideas: OhSheGlows' Feel Good Hearty Granola Bars The Rawtarian's Raw Granola Bars  Minimalist Baker's Healthy 5-Ingredient Granola Bars  There are tons more recipes around, so you can find the perfect  homemade granola bar for your dietary desires. Happy eating folks!

[accumulatinghealth]

TAF Challenge #2 - Back of the Lot

With the holidays just around the corner, we've got to kick training up a notch. Not by going to the gym more, or straining ourselves, but just through some small steps.

Today's easy-to-incorporate-exercise is simply parking in the back of the lot.

That's right, instead of parking in the spot closest to wherever you're heading, I challenge you to do the exact opposite - park as far away as possible.

If you don't have a car, no worries - you probably do enough walking as it is. If not, you can try getting off a bus stop further from your usual stop, or pump your arms when walking to burn extra calories!

Remember, the farther away you go, the more calories you'll burn. So, have at it!

And if you try this TAF challenge, be sure to tag it and share for everyone else to see! 

[accumulatinghealth]

Oh, sweet, delicious grapes, how you satisfy my belly so.

[accumulatinghealth]

You Don't Have to be Vegan to Eat Vegan!

Although this blog is dedicated to all around health, you'll probably notice an overarching emphasis on following a vegan, plant-based diet. Implementing a high carb vegan diet has truly changed my quality of life, thus why I promote it so heavily.

BUT, as my carnivorous boyfriend proves, I think there's a place for increased plant consumption in ALL diets. In other words, you don't have to be vegan to enjoy a vegan meal every now and then. 

Check out these meals my boyfriend and I have recently indulged in, and both loved!

A quarter of Amy's vegan roasted vegetable pizza with a side of organic spring mix lettuce (I got a second helping of this with much more greens, sooo yummy)!

Amy's dairy-free mac-n-cheese (from freezer section), over a bed of organic sweet peas. 

Most recently, we enjoyed these veggie riblets! I had mine with a side of rice and lettuce, while the boyfriend enjoyed his on a bun.

Check out this awesome blog post from jessunit's Tumblr for more ideas on DIY vegan fast food! 

Vegan restaurants are also a great option if they're available near you, offering delicious, meat-eater-friendly meals that will leave one saying, "Wow, that was really vegan?" 

Take for example this vegan lasagna with a garlic roll on the side. All vegan, all delicious. 

Or this vegan, soy-based chocolate milkshake!

I don't recommend eating meals like this multiple times a day, but they are great options for satisfying any possible craving you could have! And every meal vegan is saving the planet! Check out this post from Sasha's (sashanic72) Instagram:

So go ahead, give it a try. I promise, the food won't bite.

[accumulatinghealth]

CHEF Solutions #2

It doesn't get much cheaper or easier than this - potatoes, carrots, peas.

If you can boil water, you can make this recipe!

Carrots and potatoes can usually be bought in bulk (and can often be found organic), and peas are available fresh and frozen. To prepare:           ~Boil water (adjust amount according to portion size). Throw in potatoes. After 8-10 minutes, throw in chopped carrots. After another 3 minutes, add in frozen peas. Cook 6 minutes. Strain and serve. Feel free to add any seasonings to this that you wish - onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, cilantro, oregano, chile, cayenne, or whatever else floats your boat.

Lettuce is a great addition as well - it adds some "saltiness" and freshness to the meal.

[averymuether]

Ever since I was little I was told I need to drink a glass of milk with dinner and that milk is best source of calcium. After doing some research it is easy to see that there are obviously other sources of calcium other than dairy and that those sources are better for you in the long run.

[accumulatinghealth]

Loved this post too much to not reblog it:

Plants will give you all the nutrients you need without any animal torture, harmful added preservatives, or unnatural hormones! 

In addition to going to greens, beans, and fruits, for calcium, you can also replace the beloved milk in your cereal with a healthier alternative like rice, almond, coconut, hemp, oat, flax, or soy milk.

And to comment on the last point in this picture, "diets with large amounts of dairy products have an increased risk of osteoporosis," this is so because cow's milk is acidic in the human stomach. Our bodies like neutral foods, and in order to neutralize them, calcium is needed. However, the milk doesn't provide enough calcium to do this, forcing our bodies to turn to stored calcium (mainly in bones) to neutralize the milk.

Everything they told you growing up about needing cow's milk was a lie. 

Sorry, not trying to be mellow dramatic. But in a way, it's kind of true. And when you really think about it, it makes sense that milk is not ideal to consume. Biological evidence shows that no other mammal, that's right, not one single other mammal, continues to drink milk after infancy. Nor do animals drink the milk of other species of animals. So why do we drink cows' milk? I'm sure as hell not a 400 pound calf, are you?

[accumulatinghealth]

TAF Challenge #1 - Sitting Jitters

***A segment committed to finding easy ways to add more exercise into everyday life***

It has been suggested in studies that jittering can burn hundreds of extra calories during the day.

It makes sense, right?

        Moving = Burning Energy (A calorie is just a measurement of energy)

            Now, what exactly do I mean by jittering? Tapping your feet on the floor or your nails on the desk, pacing back and forth when standing, shaking your legs or knees, or simply just moving your body around rather than sitting still.

So go ahead, tap your foot to the beat of the song, or wiggle around while standing in line. Jitter those extra calories away!

And let us know if you take the TAF Challenge!

[accumulatinghealth]

Exercise benefits the brain as much as the body, so go out and play!

Found this on http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-15269/this-is-your-brain-on-exercise-infographic.html

[accumulatinghealth]

CHEF Solutions #1

Today's solution is a recipe: 

Cinnamon Banana Oatmeal with Peaches and Pecan Pieces 

I used:

~ 1 Microwave oatmeal packet           *Feel free to use stovetop oatmeal (it’s healthier!) ~ 1 Sliced banana           *Make sure it’s spotted (like these) for optimum flavor

~ 1 Diced peach ~ Dash of pecan pieces ~ Sprinkle of cinnamon ~ Pinch of organic coconut sugar           *Optional; feel free to use other organic sugars Cook oatmeal as directed, and then apply toppings. Simple and delightful!

~ Also try replacing peach with other fruit, like blueberries and raspberries.

[accumulatinghealth]

Natural foods store splurge. Reviews coming soon!

[accumulatinghealth]

Cleans your hair and your floors?

I am talking about this 18-in-1 line:

http://fontsinuse.com/uses/1663/dr-bronners-magic-soaps

 Dr.Bronner's Magic Soaps!

If you have tried this stuff, you already know how incredible it is. If you have never heard of Dr.Bronner’s, let me tell you some reasons why it is the best soap I have discovered yet:

+ It is organic[1], so no GMOs, no pesticides, and no other harmful chemicals are used when growing the lavender, olives, hemp, peppermint, and other ingredients that are later made in to oils for the soap.

+ It is certified Fair Trade[2]. This means every person who contributes to the production of the soap is given a fair monetary compensation. Farms inside and outside the country hire at despicable wages, or force children to work in extreme conditions[3], so fair trade is a noteworthy quality.

+ The packaging is 100% recycled.

+ They have a wonderful selection of scents. So far I have tried the peppermint bar soap, and the tea tree, almond, and lavender liquid soaps. Every single one smelled better than I expected: the peppermint isn't overwhelming, but refreshing; the lavender is strong, but smells natural; the almond is sweet and nutty. They also offer an unscented soap if you are sensitive to fragrances, or simply don't prefer them.

+ It lasts forever. We usually purchase a one gallon (128oz) container, which lasts weeks for three people who use it as hand soap, dish soap (we clean all dishes by hand), shower body wash and shampoo, laundry detergent, and for cleaning surfaces and the floor. *

+ The variety of uses goes beyond those just mentioned, including washing fruits and vegetables and even making homemade toothpaste.

+ It cleans my skin so well, and leaves it feeling soft and not dried out. This moisturizing characteristic is intentional - check out this page on the company’s website that thoroughly explains how the soap is made, and why the process is beneficial to the product's quality: https://www.drbronner.com/our-story/legacy/quality-soaps-explained/.

+It makes buying cleaning products easy and time efficient – no more specialized products, just this one, simple, natural solution.

+ The bottle is full of meaningful messages. I’m that bizarre person who enjoys reading everything on labels, and Dr.Bronner’s actually provides a label worth reading! It is jam packed with poetically written inspirational quotes, political news relevant to health, and interesting information about the soap itself. 

http://blog.seattlepi.com/videoblogging/2013/07/17/dr-bronners-gmo-info-label-educates-consumers/

There are a couple notable down sides to this holy grail of soap though:

- This product is relatively expensive, especially if you are not buying it in bulk. As I mentioned, it does last a long time and has multiple uses, but the certifications of Fair Trade and organic do inherently carry an extra price.

- It doesn’t bubble up quite like the chemically abundant products do (this is actually a sign of superior quality because it shows that there are not a bunch of toxic agents added to the product). The soap does create a thin foam layer when concentrated enough, but for someone who enjoys a lathering sensation (like when shampooing) it’s a bit lacking.

http://www.rentexhygiene.co.uk/soap-dispenser-rental-services-yorkshire/

Dr.Bronner’s liquid soaps make life easier and improve your health. Improve health? Yes. Soaps that are full of unrecognizable ingredients can damage the skin and potentially cause allergies and diseases by disturbing the balance of microscopic organisms on the hands[4] (Please look at the article linked this footnote!). 

Dr.Bronner’s organic oils clean the skin much more gently than do average soaps, and it is made with completely food-safe ingredients. If it is known that typical dishwashing liquids are toxic when consumed directly[5], why wash eating utensils and surfaces with them? Even if you don’t choose this brand in particular, any organic, food-safe soap is a worthwhile investment for improving your well-being.

* This soap is very concentrated, and dilution with water is recommended. Adjust water to soap ratio according to intended application.

[1] http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=organic-agriculture.html

[2] http://www.fairtradeusa.org/what-is-fair-trade

[3] http://nfwm.org/education-center/farm-worker-issues/children-in-the-fields/

[4] http://bulletin.kenyon.edu/x293.xml

[5] http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002729.htm

[accumulatinghealth]

"I'll take the sauce on the side, please"

That wasn't exactly what I said when ordering the sushi pictured above, but this meal was specially requested, and I must say, absolutely divine:

The shore-front fishery restaurant featured a short sushi menu, but all of the options were either fried or coated in creamy spicy mayonnaise. They did have a salad menu, and I had a backup raspberry-walnut salad in mind, but I decided to simply ask the server if the chef was willing to prepare a vegan sushi roll. Not only did the chef accept, he asked if I would also like a rice wrapper instead of the typical seaweed! The roll included tofu, carrots, broccoli, spinach, cucumber, and white rice.

The moral of the story is: Don't be afraid to ask for what you want at restaurants. The worst thing that can happen is the say no, but often times the chefs are happy to accommodate your nutritional preferences for no extra cost.

In the picture below, I asked the kind waiter to request that the cook use less sauce on my noodles. He happily replied "yes," and I watched him jot an extra note down on our order. It was so delicious, I ate every last bite - flat rice noodles, peppers, spinach, snow peas, bok choy, onions, chives, mushrooms, and bean sprouts tossed in a garlic-soy sauce. 

You can go out and eat delicious food without compromising your health! All you need is kindness, and a willingness to ask. 

[accumulatinghealth]

An Introduction

Take a moment to think about everything you've put on or in your body so far today: the shampoo you scrubbed into your scalp this morning, the McDonalds cheeseburger you grabbed for lunch, the deodorant you applied so generously to avoid reeking up the office. Materialism in our society has normalized the reliance on these cheap foods and products, but these items are destroying our bodies inside and out. We can acquire a new VITALITY by distancing ourselves from these unnatural, chemical-laiden creations, and moving towards ORGANIC alternatives.

Gaining health takes TIME. It's a process of growth that takes careful consideration, nurturing, and support. It requires mental, physical, and spiritual vigor. So rather than jumping into a fad diet that won't last, or using an acne cream that leaves behind terrible scarring, let's invest in NATURAL foods and goods that will build up our well-being, not diminish it. This channel is dedicated to exploring and reviewing PLANT-BASED products, as well as sharing interesting information and research about fitness. My goal is to encourage you to take small steps towards health, and ultimately to HAPPINESS. So come, learn, enjoy, and comment what you think. Let's grow!