The Man Behind The Endless Array

The Good Bean

Garbanzo bean, chickpea, chi chi bean; no matter what you call it it's a staple of a good vegetarian diet the world over. This versatile bean is packed with protein and fiber and is low in fat.

Unlike falafel, which is a deep fried chickpea conglomeration that sits in my stomach like a spicy brick, the Good Bean chickpeas are slow roasted and easy to digest. It's perfect for traveling or a protein pick-me-up between meals.

The first thing that I noticed when I opened a bag was the size and shape of the chickpeas. They were much smaller than the ones I was used to eating. I did some research on the Good Bean site and discovered that they use a different variety of chickpea called the "Desi" chickpea. This variety has three times the fiber and half the carbohydrates as the ubiquitous (vocab points!) "Kabuli" chickpeas which are the variety used in cans. Another advantage unique only to the Desi variety is that they have a low glycemic index so they are suitable for diabetics.

The second thing I noticed was that the beans looked like they may break my teeth upon impact. They looked very similar to the shape and size of dried chickpeas that you would buy for soaking. I tossed back a few and was relieved to bite into a very tender and delicious treat. I was hooked!

I have tried three of the four flavors: cinnamon, sea salt, and cracked pepper. My favorite was the sea salt.  I'm looking forward to trying the smoky chili lime.

Rhythm Chips (The rhythm is gonna get you)

My previous experience with a different brand of kale chips was one I hoped to forget. Flavorless kale shards is what they should have called them. So I was hesitant when a broker for Rhythm chips asked me to try a sample. He kept insisting they were great, so against my better judgement I tried them. I could not believe how tender and flavorful these kale chips were. We almost devoured the whole bag while we worked.

These chips are addictive. The only thing that stops me from going on an all out Rhythm chip gorge-a-thon is the price. A bag will cost you about 6 bucks. You have to remember that these are high quality, nutrient-packed chips that are good for you. So it's worth it. 

Rhythm chips are raw. They are dehydrated at a low temperature which keeps the living enzymes intact. They are also vegan, gluten free, cholesterol free and GMO free. They come in three delicious flavors: Kool Ranch, Bombay Curry, Zesty Nacho, Texas BBQ and Mango Habanero.

For more info please visit their site:


 http://rhythmsuperfoods.com/

Thrive Fitness

I have just finished reading Brendan Brazier's book Thrive Fitness and I have found it to be extremely helpful in fine-tuning my diet and exercise program.
Brendan is a professional triathlete and fellow vegan who has written a very informative and inspiring book.

If you feel apprehensive about your fitness level and question whether the training program in this book might be too advanced for you, don't. Brendan has included an adaptation phase for people who are just starting out. I considered myself to be in good physical shape before reading the book but my cardiovascular health was below average.

I have been trying to incorporate running into my life for the past couple of summers to improve my cardiovascular health but have been unsuccessful due to injuries. I have had problems with my shins, knees and ankles which would ultimately become so bad that I would have to quit running. I discovered through Brendan's book that I was training beyond what my body was physiological capable of. Like most new runners, I ran too often and increased my mileage too soon. A typical result of too much enthusiasm and not enough knowledge. After reading the book, I cut back on my running and felt much better. Brendan also included exercises to ward off shin and knee pain which have also helped me to become a better and more consistent runner. I have noticed a drastic improvement in my cardiovascular health and feel more energized than I have in a long time.

What I really enjoyed about Brendan's approach to exercise was his efficiency. He recommends only exercises that have significant results in minimal time. This is great news for a culture that believes that there is never enough time in the day to do the things we most want to do. This approach is also true of his diet. He recommends high net-gain foods that put minimal strain on your digestion but offer superior nutrition. These nutritionally dense foods fuel your body efficiently. Highly processed foods offer little nutrition for a lot of digestive effort and could be considered low net-gain foods.

Whether you are just starting out on your fitness journey or have been on the path for years, I believe Brendan's book will be of great help to you. His years of knowledge are conveyed concisely and his enthusiasm for health and well-being is contagious.

Golden Buckwheat Breakfast

This is one of my favorite breakfasts. Contrary to what its name may lead you to believe, buckwheat does not contain wheat. It is considered a pseudocereal, a broad leaf plant that is not a grass but used in a similar way. Gluten-free and containing 15% protein, these little triangle-shaped powerhouses are brimming with nutrition. Buckwheat also supplies vitamins A, B, C, and E, calcium, iron, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium and amino acids. It's a heavyweight food that even Rocky and the Terminator would be proud to eat.






Ingredients:

1 cup dry buckwheat groats
2 apples - peeled, cored and cut into chunks
(I like to use one McIntosh and one Gala.)
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1/2 tsp of vanilla extract

Directions:

Soak one cup of buckwheat groats in water for 30 minutes to an hour. (This will start the germination process which brings the dormant seed to life. This process makes the seed more digestible and more nutritious. Buckwheat has one of the shortest germination times because it absorbs water so rapidly.)

Drain the groats and rinse thoroughly. The soak water should be thick and starchy. Keep rinsing the groats until the water runs clean.

Blend the groats in a food processor until smooth.

Add the peeled and chopped apples, cinnamon and vanilla into the mixture and blend.

Top with chopped walnuts or slivered almonds. Raisins and chopped dates also work well with this dish if you prefer something sweeter.

Makes approximately 3 servings. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Creamy Dill Cucumbers

This refreshing cucumber dish is best served cold on a hot summer's day. Enjoy!

















Ingredients:

2 large cucumbers
3 tbs Vegenaise
2 tsp white vinegar
1/4 tsp sea salt
Pepper to taste
Finely chopped dill

Directions:

Peel the skin off the cucumbers and cut into very thin slices.

Lay the slices on a paper towel to wick moisture away. Leave the slices in the open air for an hour to dry off. (This is a crucial step. The cucumbers will soak up more of the dressing if they are allowed to dry.)

Put the cucumbers in a bowl and add the salt, Vegenaise, and vinegar.
Mix until dressing is equally distributed.

Finely chop the dill and blend into the salad.
(I use one small sprig of dill but the quantity of dill is up to you.)

Add the pepper last. You only need a very small amount.

You may need to alter the amount of dressing depending on how thin the cucumber slices are and how long they were allowed to dry for.

Refrigerate overnight to ensure that the flavors blend.

New Products From Sambazon

Sambazon has introduced three new exciting products: Vanilla Acai Protein, Chocolate Acai Protein and Acai with Orange Juice.

Manitoba Harvest hemp protein is used in both protein smoothies. It is is an organic whole food protein, not an isolate which is manufactured using chemicals. The blend of soy milk and hemp yield 10 grams of protein per bottle.

Sambazon's creators discovered the acai berry during a 1999 surf trip (pretty cool) to Brazil. The Amazon berry is high in antioxidants and omega fatty acids.

The taste profile on the protein drinks is surprisingly good. Why surprising? Because hemp protein can be gritty. Sambazon has crafted a very drinkable hemp smoothie. The vanilla is, in my opinion, the best of the two. It's like drinking a vanilla milk shake, without the milk of course. If you feel decadent and bold then try the chocolate. It knocked me out it was so strong. I had to ration it through out the day so my blood sugar didn't spike too much. Both have over 20 grams of sugar per bottle.

Another surprise is how well orange juice compliments acai berry! This drink would be perfect for breakfast. This orange juice drink is bursting with vitamin C and all of the amazing benefits of the acai berry which makes it a healthy way to start your day.

All three products are excellent additions to the already expansive acai line by Sambazon. So, like the Sambazon marketing team says: Get with the purple Berry!

C20 and Taste Nirvana Coconut Water

There's nothing better than a coconut water on a hot summer's day. It's the perfect thirst quencher. It contains electrolytes, potassium and minerals which makes it a great drink to hydrate with after a workout. While nothing replaces the experience and taste of cutting open a young green coconut and drinking the water within, there are some advantages to buying coconut water in a can. First is consistency. Fresh young coconuts are unpredictable. Sometimes the water is rotten or just bland, but when it's good it's amazing. Secondly, young coconuts don't have a pull tab and are a bitch to open. (You better own a machete.)


There are two brands which I think come out on top of the coconut water wars.  First is Taste Nirvana's. It is "Happiness in a bottle" or so it says on the lid. The taste is light and sweet. I love the fact that it's in a resealable glass bottle. The only disadvantage is the size and the price. I wish there was more in the bottle for less!

Which brings me to Sunsweet Natural's c2o. You get more for your money with this brand. The only problem is that it's not resealable. Which means you have to down it all at once or share. (NEVER!)
I prefer the taste of c2o over Taste Nirvana. It has a stronger flavor and satisfies my coconut cravings better than Taste Nirvana's.

Honorable Mentions:

Amy and Brian
Zico

Sprouted Mung Beans- The Perfect Salad Topper

Search Amazon.com for sprouting jar

Sprouting Mung beans is easy. You will need a sprouting jar like the one pictured above. You can find these at any good health food store or on-line.  You will also need a little patience: 2-3 days.








Directions:

Measure 1/2 cup of dry Mung beans and rinse thoroughly (A 1/2 cup of dry beans should yield approximately 2 cups of sprouts)

Put them in the sprouting jar and fill with water until the beans are well covered. I fill the jar at least a third of the way.
 

Let the beans soak for 8-12 hours. It's usually easiest to soak them overnight.

Rinse the beans in the morning and place them in a dish rack at a 45 degree angle so they can drain properly. This is very important! If the beans are not allowed to drain they will mold. Also, make sure that there is room for air to circulate into the jar. (The sprouting jar cap has a fine mesh attached to it so the beans will not fall out.)
 

Every 12 hours the beans need to be gently rinsed and then set back down in the rack at a 45 degree angle.

After 2-3 days your sprouts should have 1/4 inch -1/2 inch tails.



Harvesting: 

Wash the sprouts thoroughly before eating. You can take a portion out of the jar and continue to let the rest grow.  The other option is to let the sprouts dry on a paper towel for a few hours and then put them in a sealed container in the refrigerator. The sprouts should last up to a week in the refrigerator.

After sprouting your own beans or seeds you will most likely never buy sprouts in a store again. You can tell the health of a sprout by looking at the tail. It should be pure white and vibrant. Most store bought sprouts have a dull appearance to them often with the tips of the tails turning brown.

Spinach Pesto Slaw

Intensely flavorful and hardy slaw. Made with shredded broccoli, carrots and cabbage mixed with a rich green pesto sauce.












Ingredients:

2 cups shredded broccoli, carrots and cabbage
(you can buy shredded cabbage mixes at most grocery stores)
2 cups tightly packed raw spinach
1 cup tightly packed raw parsley
1/4 cup chopped raw walnuts
1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1 tsp green powder of your choice
1 tsp balsamic vinaigrette
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/8 cup olive oil
1 small clove of garlic

Directions:

Add spinach, parsley, pumpkin seeds and walnuts to food processor and pulse a few times.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl and continue to pulse until blended.

Add salt, olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette and green powder and pulse again until smooth.

In a separate bowl add 2 cups of the slaw and blend thoroughly with the pesto mixture.

Optional: Garnish with torn dulse strips and chopped cucumber. Spritz with a little fresh lemon and serve.

Serves 2

Brazilian Blast Smoothie

Start your morning right with this high antioxidant smoothie.















Ingredients:

6 oz cup of blueberry coconut yogurt
1 tbsp of hemp protein
2 tbsp of acai powder
1 cup rice milk

Optional: Add fresh blueberries if in season.
Add a banana if a thicker consistency is desired.

Blend all the ingredients together in a blender. Makes approximately 12 oz
( I prefer a hand blender which makes less of a mess.)

Sea and Earth Salad

A robust salad made with root and sea vegetables topped with a delicious tahini dressing.

Salad Ingredients:

Chopped romaine lettuce
Halved cherry tomatoes
Thinly sliced radish
Thinly sliced beet (you can also grate)
Roughly chopped parsley
Whole pumpkin seeds
Torn dulse strips
Cubed tempeh

Tahini Dressing:

Add equal parts flax and olive oil to a small bowl. (1/4 cup total)
Add Bragg liquid aminos and balsamic vinaigrette to taste. (approximately 1 tsp of each)
Add 1/2 clove of finely chopped raw garlic
Add ground pepper to taste.
Add 1 tbsp tahini (add more tahini for a thicker consistency)
Mix thoroughly and drizzle over prepared salad.


On purchasing ingredients: Most of the above ingredients can be found in any good supermarket with the possible exception of dried dulse strips which you should be able to find in a health food store.