Today's Vegan Preach (or Useless Random Share) is:

[samanthashorkey]

The Ultimate "Black Friday" Vegan Fitness & Nutrition Deal

'Sup vegan fit crew! I’m sure (much like me) your inboxes and social media feeds are being flooded with annoying emails promoting various “Black Friday” sales. And well, I fully admit that the shopping addict inside of me both loves AND hates to see ’em. Truthfully, “Black Friday” isn’t as big of a thing here in Canada. Nevertheless, I’m getting in on the action and wanted to share a sweet deal with you if you’re looking for new meatless meathead-approved recipes and meal ideas. So here goes! The good peeps at No Meat Athlete have put together a “Black Friday Vegan Fitness Bundle” and asked if I'd contribute my fine eBook. I’m assuming most of you already have my eBook in your possession (you should anyway!) But what’s cool about this year’s bundle package is that you get mine PLUS 31 other vegan eBooks including fellow vegan bikini competitor and coach Crissi Carvalho’s “Vegan Fitness Food” and the GODFATHER of vegan bodybuilding: Robert Cheeke’s Shred-It! eBook! 🙂 Sooooo many famous vegan peeps have contributed to this eBook extravaganza like hottie & celebrity chef Jason Wrobel, High Carb Hannah and the Martha Stewart of veganism: Dreena Burton! There’s even “The Vegan Muscle and Fitness Guide to Bodybuilding Competitions” written by my fellow Plantbuilt teammate and World Naturals Vegan Men’s Physique Pro Derek Tresize & his jacked wife Marcella! Literally fitness & habit guides, meal plans and cookbooks from 31 of the biggest and baddest vegan authors, chefs, coaches and experts from around the globe. Anyway, I don’t want this to come off as a big sales pitch. But in all honestly, I’m super impressed with the quality of resources included (valued at over $1,500) and yours for just $95. If interested, click here for more deets. 🙂 And just a heads-up, this sale ends forever on Monday November 26th! Click me - you know you want to. That’s it for now! Happy Black Friday, vegan fit crew and here’s hoping we can all maintain sanity when braving the malls this weekend. 😉 – Samantha Shorkey, Jacked on the Beanstalk

Oh boy! Have I got the ULTIMATE vegan Black Friday deal for all you vegan health and fitness freaks! Check what No Meat Athlete and I are up to!

[samanthashorkey]

Podcast #37: Interview with Vegan Coach / Fitness Model Kelly Schlegel - Jacked On The Beanstalk - Vegan Coaching

Just look at those happy, healthy, vegan faces! Yeah I’m kinda in love with this week’s podcast guest: fellow vegan coach and fitness model Kelly Schlegel of Kelly O. Fitness. You see, Kelly and I have been inter-friends for a couple of years now. Inter-friends who exchanged private messages from time to time (not the …

Recently I visited New York City and two cool things happened. 1) I came home with a giant suitcase full of Trader Joe's High Protein Vegan Burgers (sadly not available in Canada.) And 2) I interviewed fellow vegan coach & fitness model Kelly Schlegel of Kelly O. Fitness and discovered that we are actually the same person therefore instant BFFs. I loved this bad ass vegan babe so much that I knew she'd make for a great podcast guest. So here 'tis my totally unplanned, last-minute interview with my new vegan bestie Kelly.

[samanthashorkey]

Podcast #36: The "Who Gives a Shit What You Think" Episode - Jacked On The Beanstalk - Vegan Coaching

This week's podcast is inspired by an apparently controversial meme I posted on Instagram last week. And due to the uproar, we thought it only appropriate to discuss "people pleasing" and more specifically, how we all need to chill out and accept that we can't please everyone on the internet.

Apparently a lot of people took offense to my dislike for men who wear a certain fitness apparel brand. And because of this shocking uproar which occurred on my Instagram, we thought it only appropriate to discuss "people pleasing" on this week's podcast episode.  And more specifically, how we all just need to chill out and accept that we can't always please everyone ESPECIALLY random strangers on the internet.  Nor we should go out of our way to TRY and please everyone! It's a short episode but a good, little discussion we hope you'll enjoy.  And if you don't... Well, we don't really give a shit! ;)

[samanthashorkey]

PMS Relief in Dessert Form! Prune Squares with Vanilla Tofu Pudding - Jacked On The Beanstalk - Vegan Coaching

Today I share what is perhaps my most disgusting yet informative post yet! But hear me out, ladies! 'Cause these "Pre-Period Prune Squares with Vanilla Tofu Pudding" are the antidote to your out-of-whack hormones! Plus they taste oh-so-good. And did I mention high protein / low carb? No guilt. All taste and PMS relief.

I’ve FINALLY been able to relieve some of my PMS symptoms via eating certain foods and more specifically, this delicious dessert!

Despite PMS making you feel like a hideous, bloated whale, your body burns more calories during this time, so it’s expected that you’re going to feel hungrier. And it’s okay to eat a little bit more!  Just make sure you’re indulging in foods that will EASE the PMS symptoms and not worsen them aka my Prune Squares with Vanilla Tofu Pudding on top!

[samanthashorkey]

Podcast #35: How to Lose Weight Based on Your Body Type - Jacked On The Beanstalk - Vegan Coaching

This week on the podcast, we're giving away some tips and calculations for how YOU can figure out HOW AND WHAT TO EAT based on your own individual body type. From ectomorph to mesomorph to apples and pears, it's a lot of math - not gonna lie!

Weight loss and "cutting phase" protocol: always a hot topic among listeners. Well, this week on the podcast, we're giving the people what they want! And that means tips and calculations for how YOU can figure out HOW AND WHAT TO EAT. All based on your own individual body type. We've got every "somato" type covered from ectomorph to mesomorph to apples and pears. It's a lot of math and a lot of incorrect pronunciation of the word "somato..." But plenty of useful info to help you lean down. Grab your pencils, kids! And let's get shredded!

[samanthashorkey]

Podcast #34: How to Treat an "Expectation Hangover" - Jacked On The Beanstalk - Vegan Coaching

We've all experienced an "expectation hangover" at some point . A situation that just doesn't go the way we thought it would. And it leaves us feeling like crap. And this week on the podcast, we're talking all about it. AND explaining why we haven't released a new episode in almost two months.

Unfortunately an “expectation hangover” is the worst kind of hangover because it usually takes more than 24 hours to heal. And an "expectation hangover" reminds us that the whole world doesn't revolve around us and that life is full of surprises.  And this week on the podcast, we're diving right into it.  AND sharing some surprises of our own.

[samanthashorkey]

We really love our mom. And our mom really loves us AND Rod Stewart. Mom REALLY didn't want to celebrate her birthday this year and forbid us from planning anything. Nevertheless, we decided to record our own rendition of Rod Stewart's "Forever Young" video from 1988. Even if Mom hates us for it, we had fun. And HUGE shout-out to our talented videographer, creative director and good pal Stephen Coleman for creating this masterpiece in less than two days. Happy birthday, Mom!

[samanthashorkey]

Podcast #33: How to Dress a Muscular Body (and still look Feminine) - Jacked On The Beanstalk - Vegan Coaching

I'm always left wondering "HOW TO DRESS A MUSCULAR BODY TO LOOK MORE FEMININE?!" And Pinterest is never much of a help! Well, this week on the podcast, I'm finally tackling this topic with my own (strong & calloused) hands by interviewing dress designer/fashion stylist Nataly Vu in our "Fashion for Fit People" episode.

It's no surprise that I love to squat and I'm damn proud of my jacked arms, legs and walnut-crushing arse! I rock a pair of Lululemons like it's nobody's business. But when it's time to get prettied up for a date or a girl's night, I always stress about what to wear. From minimizing my football player shoulders to hiding Sarah's "muffin top," fashion designer Nataly Vu is giving us all the deets on how we can look both hot AND stylish both inside AND outside the gym. We're also covering how to look MORE jacked (or more lean) PLUS I'm calling out the worst offenders in the legging game for camel toe. Yes folks, it's another entertaining, completely random yet very insightful episode you don't wanna miss!

[samanthashorkey]

Podcast #32: Feeling the Pressure to be “Fit" - Jacked On The Beanstalk - Vegan Coaching

How often do you feel societal pressure to be "fit" and/or "pretty?" Thankfully the fitness industry is starting to shift thanks to the "Body Positivity" movement. But in all honesty, how many of us would actually hire an overweight trainer? That's this week on the podcast!

How often do you feel societal pressure to be "fit" and/or "pretty?"  Apparently more than 35% of girls aged 7 - 10 believe that their appearance is more important than their abilities.  It’s another personal development, self-love podcast we're sharing all about the pressures we face in order to be fit.  Enjoy!

[samanthashorkey]

Podcast #31: Using Colour Therapy to Improve Your Life - Jacked On The Beanstalk - Vegan Coaching

We all know that blue is a calming colour and red is a powerful colour. But did you know that having yellow decor in your house can stimulate productivity and organization? Yup, this week's podcast is all about "Colour Therapy" and using colour to help improve your life.

Our very own co-host Sarah actually studied interior decorating and knows a lot about colours and their therapeutic benefits! So naturally, we made it our topic for the podcast this week. And on a completely unrelated topic, I'm sharing my recent experience of getting kicked out of a gym for stuffing anti-fur pamphlets inside fur-trimmed jackets. It's a random episode for sure. But a short one so enjoy!

[samanthashorkey]

Perfectly Prep-Friendly Faux Egg Salad - Jacked On The Beanstalk - Vegan Coaching

Huge thanks to one of my Jacked on the Beanstalk clients for inventing this super easy, super healthy and super high-protein “vegan egg salad” recipe and sharing it with me!

[samanthashorkey]

Podcast #29: My Random "Vegan Hippie" Hair and Skincare Tips - Jacked On The Beanstalk - Vegan Coaching

This week on the podcast, I'm sharing my best, all-natural, vegan skincare tips for preventing wrinkles AND what I've been doing to grow out my hair! The best part is that all of these tips and suggestions include simple & cheap ingredients. I'm essentially all about the essential oils, baby!

We all know how terrified I am of getting wrinkles. We also know how equally terrified I am of putting toxic chemicals into and onto my sacred, lil' vegan bod. Thankfully, I've now mastered a pretty effective "vegan hippie" skin care regimen. And **knock on wood** it's done my body (and hair) good so far! So give this week’s podcast a listen and get slathering, guys!

[samanthashorkey]

Podcast #28: Food Cravings (and what they Reveal about our Emotions) - Jacked On The Beanstalk - Vegan Coaching

Ever wondered WHY you have a brutal sweet tooth? Or WHY you eat an entire bag of chips every time you're stressed? This week on the podcast, we're discussing the emotional tie to our cravings and sharing my best tips and vegan "snack hacks" to help you stay on track and avoid giving into the temptation!

The link between our food cravings and our feelings is HUGE!  And being a vegan trainer and nutrition coach, this is a topic I've always found interesting and have researched a lot over the years. So this week on the podcast, we're discussing the emotional tie to our hankering for all things sweet, salty, crunchy and smooth.  

[samanthashorkey]

Podcast #27: Staying on Track over the Holidays (Guilt, Shame & Gluttony-Free) - Jacked On The Beanstalk - Vegan Coaching

This week on the podcast: practicing moderation and the importance of having a plan in place to avoid holiday gluttony and feelings of guilt & shame.

'Tis the season for giving AND gluttony! But it doesn't have to be all about stuffing our faces and being ridden with guilt and shame afterward.  So this week on the podcast, we're sharing some helpful holiday tips on how to practice moderation at your festive family functions and discussing the importance of having a plan and strategy in place so that you don't wind up eating every shortbread and candy cane in sight.  Our favourite vegan dietitian and eating disorder specialist Susan Macfarlane is also along for the (sleigh) ride.  And of course, it just wouldn't be Christmas without the Shorkey sisters butchering a classic carol (or two.) So Happy Holidays and enjoy!

[samanthashorkey]

Podcast #26: Natural Ways to Boost Fertility and Correct Hormonal Imbalances - Jacked On The Beanstalk - Vegan Coaching

This week on the podcast, we're chatting with Dr. Danika Sicard (a naturopathic doctor) all about NATURAL WAYS to boost fertility and correct hormonal imbalances. And I made sure to ask plenty of questions for both my female and male listeners. It's a very informative episode if I may say so myself. Enjoy!

Our bodies produce dozens of hormones that impact everything from growth and metabolism to reproduction. And yes, our fertility is greatly influenced by age and genetics but equally (if not MORE) important is our bodies' physiological environment. Unfortunately, with the hundreds of toxic chemicals we're exposed to everyday, that means being proactive with our health and educating ourselves on hormonal wellness so that we can all make healthy babies when the time is right! 

[samanthashorkey]

Deck the Halls with Gingerbread Protein Balls! - Jacked On The Beanstalk - Vegan Coaching

How do I get through the holidays unscathed by fatty, sugary treats and gluttony?  Well, it’s a lot easier to avoid feeling like a shameful, sick and bloated whale AND not feel restricted if I bring my own holiday-inspired treats to the party.  Case and Point: My Gingerbread Protein Balls!

[samanthashorkey]

Why You Should NEVER Lower Your Standards + Podcast #25: Interview with Pro Wrestler EC3 - Jacked On The Beanstalk - Vegan Coaching

I'm sharing how pro wrestler EC3 has taught me to NEVER lower my standards when it comes to dating. And he's the interview on the podcast this week!

What does an interview with pro wrestler EC3 have to do with vegan fitness?  In all honesty, not much. Truth be told, I picked him up at the gym last month while he was in town for work.  And due to the fact that he makes his living as a shirtless, perfectly-sculpted, hot stud on television, I thought he'd make for a very relevant podcast interview as he shares the many mental and physical struggles he's faced in order to reach success in the pro wrestling ring. Yes, I'm totally drooling all over the mic this week in a very personal, raw and real interview with Michael Hutter (aka the man behind "EC3.") So tune in and get the low-down on everything from his diet, training, supplement and self-care practices to his thoughts on pursuing dreams and dating vegans.