Veganism 101

    In my New Years post I said that I had made the decision to go vegan. The longer I am vegan the more I learn about it and the better I can share it with others. Veganism is becoming more and more popular, but for those of you who have know idea what veganism means, I wanted to share an overview of it. Whether you are vegan or not, it helps to understand what it means so that you can better understand the reasons other people are vegan. Knowledge of what veganism means is beneficial, vegan or not, in helping you understand the health and wellness world!

What Does Veganism Mean?
According to Wikipedia( I know I know, its the internet, but hang with me!): Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly in diet, and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals.^[9] A follower of veganism is known as a vegan.

I find this to be a great definition of what veganism means and what a vegan is! To go into more  depth, a Vegan is someone who does not consume anything that comes from an animal or is the by-product of an animal. A few of the basic and most known food items that vegans do not take part in are- Dairy Products( Butter, Milk, Yogurt, Whey, Cheese...), Meats( Beef, Chicken, Pork, Duck...), Eggs, and animal by-products( Animal Lard/Fat, Gelatin, Honey...). Vegans also avoid products that are processed using animal products. Some sugars are processed using charcoal that sometimes come from animal bones. Alcohol also is not always vegan. Some brands use eggs, egg whites, gelatin, and other animal products to process their alcohol.  There are a few more chemicals, additives, and ingredients that are not vegan, and they have more scientific names. Most vegans soon memorize the non-vegan ingredients and can pick them out in a flash!
Vegans also do not buy or wear products that contain or use animals in anyway. This means leather, down feathers, wool, angora, and fur. There are also a few cleaning, cosmetic, and personal-hygiene products that contain or use animals. Vegans love to use products that are not animal tested and do not contain animal products. Thankfully, these options are becoming more and more available! As to the fur, leather, feathers, and wool, some vegans chose to do without all together. Others wear fake fur and faux leather. Now, you might be thinking, "Isn't that a big waste, to through out all those things when you go vegan?". I had the same question! Most people who go vegan solve this problems by either donating their non-vegan items, selling them, or simply wearing them( with respect) until you no longer can. And when you go to replace the item, choosing a vegan friendly option.
You might be thinking that vegans 'miss out' on a lot of things, but really we don't. When you understand the reasons behind veganism, then it really is a joy to do without these things!

Why Go Vegan?
People go vegan for a variety of reasons. And every reasons is wonderful and personal to the individual. The overall message of veganism is to not contribute to the harm of animals, but not all vegans are vegan for the animals.
Environment- A lot of people go vegan for the environment! It is crazy how much the animal industry effects the environment! 1 hamburger requires 660 gallons of water to produce! 1 pound of butter takes around 2,044 gallons! 1 pound of pork requires 1,630 gallons of water and the production of cheese takes 896 gallons of water per pound! These are just a few examples of the effect that animal production has on our environment! If you would like some more info, check out these links!
Vegan.org   , VeganOutReach.Org, Vegetarian Times.

Animals- Most people are vegan for the animals. It is heart-retching to learn about the harm and cruelty used in the animals industry. I won't go into the details( its pretty graphic!), but here are just a few facts: For every 1 pound of Shrimp sold in the store, and average of 26 pounds of unwanted fish are killed and tossed back in the ocean. Dairy cows have their babies taken away from them after only a few hours so that the milk can be sold in stores. Pigs in the Pork industry are kept in tiny crates, and the sows with babies usually don't even have rom to stand up. Like I said, this part of veganism is pretty graphic and hard to take in. If you would like to know more about this, here are a few links-
Vegan.org, Choose Veggie, and I suggest searching YouTube for information!

Health- Some people are vegan simply for their health. So many studies have been done showing the positive effect veganism has on your health! I mean, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and legumes, how is that not healthy? One study showed that eating meat increases your risk of dying from heart disease by 50%! People with severe acne and skin problems can find relief in a vegan diet, mostly lower in fat. By not eating animal products, your body has fewer chemical to process and get rid of. Also, most people who go vegan lose weight and body fat, and even gain muscle. Everyone who goes vegan will experience more energy, clearer skin, more alert mind, and better overall health! Check out the links below for more information on this!
Vegan.org, VeganHealth.org, NursingDegree.net

How Do People Go Vegan?
Its really very simple, in theory. It seem simple and easy to just stop eating and consuming animal products, and for some, it is that simple, but for others it isn't. Some people find it very hard to rid their diet of the non-vegan items, while others 'go-vegan' overnight. Whether people go vegan overnight, or take a few days, weeks, or months to transition, it is rewarding in the long run!

Some people( mostly non-vegans) like to say that vegans don't get enough protein, calcium, iron, B12, and so on. This is not true. If a vegan is eating a diet rich in plant foods( maybe with vegan-junk-food every once in a while) they will be getting every nutrient that the human body requires.

Most vegans chose to take a B12 vitamin because getting it in your diet is hard! Even most meat-eaters are low in B12! One way a vegan can get B12 is trough Nutritional Yeast, which is amazing!

Protein isn't a problem either! A vegan gets plenty of protein from dark leafy greens, nuts and seeds, legumes, and grains. Actually, one should be more worried about a protein over dose instead of being low in it!

Calcium can be found very simply in just about all store-bought non-dairy milks like almond milk! Also plants like artichokes, bean sprouts, bok choy and spinach are high in calcium! No need to take a baby cow's milk away from him to get in our calcium!

Iron comes from dark leafy greens! Also, it can be found in soybeans, sesame seeds, lentils, chickpeas, lima beans, Quinoa, and pumpkin seeds!


I hope this post gives you a better idea on what it means to be vegan and they different ways and reasons people choose to go vegan. I understand veganism isn't for everyone, but learning about veganism can help you better understand those who are vegan.
If you have questions, please leave a comment for me!

Please share this post and my blog with your friends and family!

You can follow the blog via email, Google, Twitter @SpinachisGood, Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett, and on Tumblr @ justrunningforfood!

I post every Friday!

Keep Healthy and Safe!
H. Banana

5 Diets Explained

   There are so many different diets and food-lifestyles out there right now! It can be hard to keep them straight, or to even know what they mean! People change their diets for many different reasons, like for health issues, beliefs, to challenge themselves, to make a statement, become healthier....and so on. When talking to someone about their diet or lifestyle, its important to understand just what their diet means.  No one wants to offend anyone or be stuck with their foot in their mouth!

For me, I love to learn about different diets and ways of life. I don't follow a specific diet or food-lifestyle, but I do incorporate a few parts from a couple of them into my own.

Vegan
Going Vegan and being Vegan has become super popular! There is a growing number of recipes tailored for those following a Vegan lifestyle. But what exactly does Vegan mean? I was confused about it for a little while before I looked it up. Vegan means not abstaining the use of animal products. This means that what Vegans eat, drink and even wear, doesn't contain any animal products or byproducts. Why do people go Vegan? Most people are Vegan because they dislike the idea of animals being killed, but some go Vegan for health reasons, whether they are allergic to meat or another animal-based products. Others go Vegan simply because it is a healthy way of life, if you can live without meat!

Vegetarian
Vegetarian isn't as popular as Vegan, but there are still plenty of info out there on going 'Veggie' and what it means. I used to get Vegan and Vegetarian mixed up, but now I have it straight! Vegetarian, or 'Veggie' means not eating any meat( Chicken, fish, red meats, or the flesh of any animal). So Vegetarians still eat some byproducts of animals, just not the meat or flesh it's self. Some people are Vegetarian because of religious beliefs, others because of Animal Rights, and still others are 'Veggie' because it, like Veganism, is a healthy lifestyle.

Paleo
This is another popular diet right now. I personally like using Paleo recipes because they tend to be the recipes that use unprocessed products and natural products and ingredients. A Paleo diet or the Caveman Diet means eating only things that our ancient ancestors would have eaten, like meats, nuts and berries. This means that a lot of today's foods aren't on a Paleo diet. Most people adopt a Paleo diet because it is a very healthy way of life, but some use it because they have allergies or health issues.

 

Raw
A growing number of people are 'Going Raw' and I see more and more recipes for eating raw. What does Raw mean? It means eating only raw, uncooked and unprocessed foods. For most people following a Raw diet, this means being very Vegan and/or Vegetarian as well. This diet is mainly used as a healthy diet and way of life. Some people do Raw till 4 or any other time in the day. This means that up to a certain time in the day you eat only Raw foods and then after that time you can eat non-Raw foods.

Fasting
Fasting is a general term and there are many different types of Fasting Diets. They are simply diets where you go for a certain period of time without eating. Some are fast-by-the-hour diets, others are days and some even are weeks. But, these diets can be dangerous if not done properly and carefully. Make sure you do your research and you know your body before trying to fast. Some people fast for religious reasons, others for the healthy benefits, and some use it to detox their bodies.

So there you go! 5 different popular diets explained. Now I hope you know a bit more about the different diets and ways of life out there and you can better understand each one. If this was helpful to you, please share this with a friend or family member to spread the knowledge and love of healthy living!

You can follow the blog via email and Google, Twitter @ SpinachisGood and on Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett.

New post every Monday and Friday!

Keep Healthy and Safe!
H.Banana

Go Nuts for Nuts!

I love nuts as a snack, baked in cakes, cookies, and breads, tossed in salads, toasted on anything and so much more! Nuts are such a healthy ingredient that can be thrown into just about anything! Knowing why and how nuts are good for you is important for a healthy lifestyle!

Consuming 1.5 ounces of unseasoned nuts a day as a part of a healthy diet can reduce the risk of heart disease. Many varieties can improve artery linings and lower LDL cholesterol, and are loaded with healthy fats and other healthy nutrients!

Almonds
Almonds are the nuts that I eat the most. I love to toast them and top a salad or oatmeal with them, add them to a smoothie or just eat a handful for a snack! There are about 20-24 almonds per ounce with about 160 calories for every ounce. They can help improve skin complexion and skin quality!

Brazil Nuts
I don't eat a lot of these nuts, but they are common in a lot of mix-nut blends you can buy, so I've had them that way. There are 6-8 nuts per ounce with about 190 calories per ounce. Brazil nuts are a great source of selenium, which can help prevent breast cancer and prostate cancer!

Cashews
I love cashews! They are one of my favorite nuts because they are so creamy and flavorful! There are 16-18 nuts per ounce with about 160 calories per ounce. Cashews are a good source of magnesium which helps to regulate muscle tone and nerves.

Chestnuts
Chestnuts roasting by an open fire..... These nuts aren't just for Christmas time! There are 3 chestnuts per ounce with 70 calories per ounce. They are the only 'nut' to contain vitamin C!

Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts are one of the ingredients in the popular hazelnut/chocolate spread we all know and love. All the more reason to gorge on it right? No, all in moderation! There are 18-20 hazelnuts per ounce with 180 calories per ounce. They are a great nut for hair and nut growth.

Macadamia
I've only had these nuts a few times, but they are delicious! Per ounce there are 10-12 nuts and 200 calories. These nuts are great to speed up fat metabolism.

Peanuts
Peanut butter, peanut butter cookies, peanut sauce, there are almost endless ways to enjoy peanuts! There are 28 peanuts per ounce with 170 calories. They surpass many fruits in there level of antioxidants.

Pecans
I love pecans in pie, in oatmeal, in cookies, on salads, in cinnamon rolls, monkey bread...oh man, now I'm hungry! Per ounce there are about 18-20 pecans and 200 calories. They may help lower high blood pressure.

Pine Nuts
These little nuts are great so many ways. You can make awesome crust for desserts, toss on a salad or enjoy by themselves! Per ounce there are about 150-170 nuts with 160 calories. They are great to promote eye health.

Pistachios
These little green nuts are a great snack but they are also a great way to add flavor and color to breads, cakes, granola and cookies! Per ounce there are about 45-49 nuts and 160 calories. They are high in fiber, almost as much as a 1/2 cup of oats!

Walnuts
I love walnuts( I feel like I've said that a lot in this post!) on or in just about anything! Per ounce there are about 14 nuts and 190 calories. They are great to hydrate the skin because they have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

Well, I hope you know a bit more about the food we eat and why its are good for you. Adding nuts, all of them or just a few, is a great way to have a healthy diet! Let me know how you enjoy nuts, and which ones are your favorite! Also, please share this blog with a friend!

Please follow the blog here, on Twitter @ SpinachisGood and on Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett.

Keep healthy and Safe!
H. Banana

Super Foods Facts Part 2

  A few days ago I posted about Super Foods and I had so much fun writing it that I decided to do another one! I love learning about food and the benefits they have for our bodies! In my last Super Foods post I went over Kale, Flax Seeds, Blueberries, Avocados, Dark Chocolate and Almonds. You can find that post HERE . So now I am going to write about a few other popular Super Foods and some that should be popular!

Bananas
Bananas are delicious and packed full of healthy benefits! They contain Potassium which is helpful for building muscles, and bananas reduce the risk of hypertension, stroke and high blood pressure. Next, Bananas are a great source of Vitamin B6 which helps in the synthesis of the immune system, protein metabolism and functioning in the nervous system. Bananas also contain Vitamin C which helps the body to defend and heal infections. Because Bananas contain 3 natural sugars along with fiber, they offer an instant and substantial boost of energy! For me, eating bananas isn't hard, but sometimes just a whole bananas is boring. I like to bake with them, make Banana Ice Cream, throw them in a smoothie or freeze them and cover them with Dark Chocolate!

Quinoa
I love quinoa! My sister and I like to make quinoa bowls for lunch! Quinoa is actually a seed and is related to the beets and spinach! It contains two times the amount of fiber than white rice. Also, quinoa has all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. A cup of cooked quinoa contains 8 grams of protein, 29% of your daily magnesium needs and four times the amount of iron per serving than brown rice.  Cooking quinoa takes little time at all and you can add almost anything to it! I like to add sautéed veggies and chicken to mine. Also you can bake with quinoa!

Lemons
Lemons help maintain PH balance, are high in Vitamin C  and potassium( which helps boost the immune system!). They are high in pectin fiber which aids in weight loss, and are rich in proteins, calcium, fiber and flavonoids. Lemons hydrate the lymph system and can alleviate constipation and stress. One lemon contains around 17 calories, 2 of which come from fats.  When using lemon juice in anything, try to squeeze your own since this is so much better than the bottled form. I like to have lemon water in the morning, add lemon juice to smoothies, bake with the juice and zest and add it to meat marinades!

Wheatgrass
I know, I doesn't sound appealing does it? To be honest, I have never tried it, but I am curious to. Wheatgrass is all over the health world now! Its the best natural source of chlorophyll, it activates white blood cells to boost your immune system, helps reduce high blood pressure and alleviates stress. Wheatgrass contains beta-carotene which detoxifies your body. Also, wheatgrass is high in vitamins A, B-Complex, C, E, and K. Per serving ( about a tablespoon) Wheatgrass has about 35 calories and none are from fat. You don't eat wheatgrass in large amounts. I mostly see it added to smoothies or juices!

Well, there are a few more Super Food facts! I hope you have enjoyed learning more about you food! I know I did! Please share this post with a friend!

Keep Healthy and SAFE!
H.Banana


Pictures from FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Pilates

 To be honest, I had never done Pilates or even given it much thought until a few weeks ago. My sister had been doing some Pilates videos for her workouts and she finally got me to do one. Believe me, after the first 5 minutes I was dying! I now have a new-found respect for Pilates and those who practice it!
  Now I try to do a Pilates workout everyday in addition to my daily workouts. I have found a wonderful YOUTUBE channel called, Blogilates , where the host, Cassey Ho, teaches Pilates! I love her videos because they are easy to follow, fun to do and super effective! She also has clean-eating videos, motivational videos and she even has her own active-wear clothing line!
The great thing about Cassey's videos is that you don't need any thing  but your body and a good attitude for most of her videos. She chats during her videos which is very entertaining and helps keep your mind off your burning body parts!:)
  Aside from her YOUTUBE channel, Cassey has a great blog where you can find her latest videos, calendars, meal plans and etc. I just printed off some of her 30 day challenges and I hope to complete them this month. I encourage you to go to her website or her channel and check her out. Maybe try a video or a challenge and see what you think. It works more that you would think and if you stick with it, I am sure you will see results!
Alright, so you might be wondering, what exactly is Pilates? Here is what Wikipedia had to say about it.
"........ the art of controlled movements, which should look and feel like a workout (not a therapy) when properly manifested. If practiced with consistency, Pilates improves flexibility, builds strength and develops control and endurance in the whole human body. It puts emphasis on alignment, breathing, developing a strong powerhouse, and improving coordination and balance. Pilates' system allows for different exercises to be modified in range of difficulty from beginner to advanced or to any other level, and also in terms of the instructor and practitioner's specific goals and/or limitations. Intensity can be increased over time as the body conditions and adapts to the exercises...."

Pilates was actually developed in Germany by a man named Joseph Pilates.

   Pilates is a great form of exercise for anyone to try! It is great for those who don't want to do a whole lot of bouncing around, running or jogging. You can do it almost anywhere with little or no equipment. I really hope you will give it a try and let me know what you think!

As always,
Keep it Healthy and SAFE!
H. Banana