Hi everyone! So I said that I’d be sharing my recap of my trip to New York City, but that is going to have to wait because something very very exciting happened earlier this week that I just can’t wait to share! But before I jump right into it I’m excited to announce the four lucky winners of a $25-gift certificate from Restaurant.com for the restaurant of their choice. Congratulations to Ivanna, Claire, Janelle, Jim!!! I will be e-mailing you with an official congratulations and further information. I’d love to hear about your dining experiences in the D.C. area! Bon appétit my lucky friends.
Earlier this week I flew in from New York, and I was anticipating the next day back in Florida already! Want to know why? I’ve mentioned Brendan Brazier and his book “Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life” on my blog a few times. He’s someone that I look up to, and am amazed by how he’s informed himself of not only the science of nutrition, but how it impacts things from our bodies to the environment. Somehow he manages to bring all of this information to the table in a way that just makes sense. No nonsense. Anyway, I saw that he’s been on tour giving lectures and lucky for me he was stopping by my town! Not just that, but at the local health food store… of all places! As soon as I found out I signed me and my mom up right away.
He actually brought up a topic that I’ve recently discussed on here: hormones. As I’ve noted I’ve recently gone off birth-control, and I really just want to rebalance myself naturally. So far I’ve found that my skin has cleared up tremendously. Funny because that’s one of the reasons why I went on the pill anyways. Birth control for breakouts? What was I thinking? When I initially came off the pill I felt moody, but I reminded myself that it may have just been a symptom of stopping the pill. Anyway, Brendan mentioned something else that may be contributing to my off-kilter hormones. I’m an avid long-distance runner, but I honestly can’t remember the last time I really gave my body a break. Running helps me relieve mental stress, but that doesn’t mean that my body doesn’t feel the physical stress it endures from pounding out the miles. Running is something that I’d like to be able to do for the rest of my life, but my overall well-being is what will allow me to do that in the end. So after hearing Brendan’s own story about how over physical exertion affected his health, I came to the decision to lay low from running for a little bit. I’m hoping that my body will have time to really recover and get a break from the physical stress. This morning I went on a brisk walk with a book in hand. T’was a nice change. It’s hard not to break out into a leap and stride though because sometimes that’s exactly what I want to do. I just love running! But it’ll be back in my life soon, and I’ll be feeling better than ever.
- After the lecture we got to try samples of the Vega products.
- They had some drinks made with water, coconut water, or almond milk.
The surprising mixture was the chocolate flavored Vega formula with coconut water, but it tasted good! Have any of you tried these products before? I saw them all over Canada. Not just in regular grocery stores, but even at restaurants as a smoothie add-in.
- Like any good fan I made sure to bring my book to get it signed!
It’s not everyday that you get to meet someone you look up to. I think he’s making great advancements in the fields of health, sports, and the environment. He’s even dubbed as an inventor, and has been nominated for the Manning Innovation Awards.
- If only I had more time to pick his brain!
On the topic of “thriving”, I made some things that could have a life of their own!
- Yummy treats inspired by Nutella.
- The undeniably delicious combination of chocolate and hazelnuts…
- With coconut butter kisses
Chocolate and Coconut Hazelnut Medallions
These no-bake treats are simple to make, and add a flavorful note to your day or night!
Makes around 24
Ingredients
20 Medjool Dates
1/4 cup Old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup Hazelnuts
1/4 cup Shredded coconut
1 tsp cinnamon
3 tbl Chocolate chips
1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
Pinch of Sea salt
Coconut butter (optional)
1. Pulse the oats and hazelnuts in a food processor, but not too much because you still want them to add texture to this treat.
2. Mix in the dates, vanilla extract, cinnamon, sea salt and pulse again. Then throw in the shredded coconut and chocolate chips into the paste and chop for a few seconds.
3. To make a medallion take about a tablespoon size of the batter and roll into a ball, then flatten down to desired thickness. This part is optional but you can imprint your thumb in the middle of the medallions and drizzle a pool of coconut butter in the imprint.
4. You can enjoy them right away or leave them in the fridge to set.
- Once again inspired by Brendan Brazier I decided to make one of his recipes.
The Mango-Coconut Energy Bars called my attention as I was browsing through the recipe section of his book.
- Taking a satisfying bite into a macadamia nut.
These are dense and full of electrolytes, which are great for recovering from a workout. Or even if you’re just feeling low on energy. Last summer I almost fainted from being overheated, but I believe that my mind-power and bottle of coconut water kept me from being a damsel in distress. So this would probably be a good thing to have during these months where the heat can get intense!
- This was a recipe I threw together keeping these two things in mind: vitality and the lovely Lauren.
Awhile ago Lauren reminded me of one of the yummiest salad pairings I’ve had to date: avocado, mango, and beans. I’ll share my “recipe” with you guys, but it’s very loose. I’m just estimating how much I used since I prepare mostly by eye and on how hungry I am at the time.
Mango, Avocado, and Bean Kale Salad
Serves 1
Ingredients
4-5 Kale leaves, chopped
4 grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 pearl onion, sliced
1/4 mango, cubed
1/2 avocado, diced
1/2 cup pinto beans, cooked
1/2 cup quinoa, cooked
Dressing
1 tbl Extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
Splash of lemon juice
Sea salt to taste (*tip: mix the salt and balsamic together before you mix in the oil)
1. Massage the kale leaves with the dressing.
2. Throw in the rest of the ingredients, toss, and enjoy!
- Oh these are the salad days.
Who is someone you admire for the contributions they’ve made?
Mango and avocado pair so well! The creaminess of their textures match perfectly. I want that salad! I might have to look into that book now, because I’m really curious about some of the negative impacts of too much physical exertion. Sometimes I think I overtrain, but I crave the feeling of exercise so much that it’s hard for me (mentally more than physically) to give myself rest days! Of course I do take occasional days to lay low and recover, but sometimes I wonder if I still might be overdoing it. Maybe I should just eat a batch of your chocolate and hazelnut medallions! As always, every one of your food photos makes my mouth water.
You should take a break and see how your body feels. I know that it’s hard mentally, but you can just remind yourself that it’s just temporary. Maybe do some gentle things in the mean time like walking or stretching? But honestly… I think a batch of those medallions will do just the trick
but they can only be eaten in my kitchen so that means you gotta get your booty over here!
That is so cool that you met Brendan! Love that book and his inspiring words of wisdom. I just went off the pill about a month ago. I was on it for 8 years so I thought I would have a harder time than I did going off. Surprisingly, I just felt dizzy, anxious and a little nauseous for about 3 days but then it all seemed to balance out. It feels so great to be off of it actually.
I’m so glad that going off the pill wasn’t a nightmare for you
And I’ve been meaning to e-mail you about this topic! I just remembered you told me to.
He is definitely a wise person! I had my notebook and pen in hand while he was speaking.
Oh my, both of your recipes look so awesome!!! What kind of medjool dates do you use? The ones I find in stores are organic (=way too expensive) and otherwise it’s hard to find them.
About the hormones, I actually struggle with them too. I bought myself some maca before, but only had it for a short period of time (again, too expensive), and it left me no noticeable results.
Recently I’m trying to eat more flax and soy deliberately. (and now I’m munching on alfalfa sprouts in my salad) I’ve looked up some estrogenic foods and these are supposedly to be strongest in phytoestrogens.
Funny thing though, is that from what I learned in my Biology class, sex hormones are made from lipids while others are all proteins. Since lipids are body’s “last” solution for anything, I’m guessing that it’s just that much hard to get those hormones going.
Hi Stephanie! I just use regular medjool dates
I’m using maca as well, but in a pill form. Actually, I’m going to send you a link that sells organic raw maca for super cheap (hopefully they still have this deal going on).
That’s such an interesting piece of knowledge. I’m going to send you some more info on hormones and such too!
XO!
Chocolate and Coconut Hazelnut Medallions look beyond amazing! Wow..the white coconut butter…stunning on them!
And the mango and kale salad
you sure know how to cook. And make me hungry
HEY beautiful! all your food always looks BEAUTIFUL! oh my gosh- those chocolate coconut things and that mango/kale salad. it screams summer. you rock
I am so happy that you feel more balanced and thriving! Wish I could go off the Pill — I get pretty anxious/unhappy during certain parts of my cycle — but right now I need it for it’s intended purpose. I’ve found ways to combat these feelings though — bikram yoga has changed my life! I love it.
So exciting that you got to meet Brendan! Have a great weekend!
Wow; it’s so cool you got to meet Brendan!
I’m glad you made your cookies with a surprise inside; foods with surprises inside are just more fun to eat. They look delicious!
In the spirit of Independence Day, I admire all of the men and women in our military, that are selflessly giving up time they could spend with their families to make sure we’re safe at home.
you met him! i’m not even vegan but have mad respect for his lifestyle…he’s easy on the eyes too
loved this recap of seeing Brendan Brazier speak about Thrive! i’m so curious about that book!!
a few things:
(1) i’ve had hormonal issues recently too and the #1 thing my acupuncturist told me to do was to lay off on the exercise for awhile, and really really make sure to rest enough, especially when i’m tired – she told me that physical stress can really mess up hormones
(2) the chocolate hazelnut medallions look awesome
(3) i love mango in salads! perfect for summer!
ahhh so bummed i missed out on this!
glad to have you back in town!
<3
Oooh, love the medallions you made! Yum.
I’m inspired by so many around me… can’t name everyone
girl, you are so reading my mind!
i have totally been reading more about hormones, as mine tend to get out of whack easily, so perhaps i need to pick up this book (which i have obviously heard SO much about) and read a bit more. i’ve also wanted to get tested as well.
oohhh and that quinoa salad! me want!
Building on the preceding comments-
The precursor for all of the steroid hormones, i.e. what the body uses to make them, is cholesterol.
From what I have read, I am convinced that consumption of unfermented soy is detrimental to the balance of endocrine hormones.
Jim
hazlenut chocolate thing looks scrumptious
Agggghhhh!!!! So jealous you got to meet BB!!!
i JUST published my post on the first lesson with Thrive in 30 on stress and diet! I have the SAME story! Years ago I used to train for 4 hours in the gym a DAY an dmy body just kept putting on fat!!! Once I stopped over-training and cut out all the processed “diet” foods (I lived on lean cuisines and south beach meals)..the weight FELL off of me!
Like you said, running/ exercise is good for you, but at the same time it’s stress. you need to listen to your body and take a step back every now and then!!!
girl you and I could chat about this topic for hours I feel!!!
What Jim said above about unfermented soy..that is why I really try to avoid tofu, because it’s a synthetic estrogen. i stick with tempeh most of the time and tofu if I go out to eat or on occasion/ in moderation.
XXOO
We need to chat about this! You ever go somewhere and someone says something that was exactly what you needed to hear? That’s your post for me!