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7 Ways to Stay Healthy Throughout the Year
There’s a good chance one of your personal commitments is to stay healthy. With the craziness of the world, all we can really ask for is health and happiness. And there’s no better time to work on your health—both physically and mentally—than right now. But staying healthy doesn’t have to be complicated. We’re all aiming to keep our bodies and minds in tip top shape. That means choosing healthier food options, staying safe, focusing on our mental health, and exercising. The food we put in our bodies has a direct effect on our mental and physical health, so it’s important to nourish your body and make sure you’re eating enough and staying active. Here are 7 easy ways to stay healthy throughout the year: 1. Move your body every day Moving your body doesn’t have to mean doing some extravagant workout and running a 5k, just move your body and get your blood flowing. That can mean going for a walk around the neighborhood with a friend or it can mean doing some yoga when you first wake up. Find a routine that works for you and go from there. Get enough sleep Not getting enough sleep is extremely detrimental to your mental and physical health. You’re going to be less energetic and motivated and more prone to getting sick, which no one wants to be during these times. Build enough time in your schedule to ensure you get enough sleep. And if you have trouble falling asleep, make a nighttime routine that helps. Doing things like reading before bed, limiting your screen time at night, and using an essential oil diffuser are all things that can help you fall asleep. Get new exercise clothing If you’re looking for a way to motivate yourself to be more active in the new year, start by getting new exercise clothing. It’s going to be hard to put off working out when you have a brand new pair of cross training shoes just sitting in your closet, waiting to be used. Invest in some good quality workout clothes and shoes and soon enough you’ll find yourself looking forward to working out. Treat yourself After the year we all had, we all deserve to treat ourselves. Treating ourselves comes in all different forms. For some people, it’s saying no to plans and spending a night at home. For other people, it’s eating your favorite meal every Sunday. Just make sure you set some time in your routine to treat yourself. Drink more water If you’re feeling stressed, drink some water. If you’re feeling tired, drink some water. If you’re feeling sick, drink some water. Drinking water is pretty much the cure to all your problems, and chances are, you aren’t drinking enough. Make it a goal to drink more water this year. If that seems difficult, get yourself a nice water bottle, like a Hydroflask, to keep you motivated. Take your vitamins Make it part of your daily morning routine to take vitamins. Once you build it into your schedule, you’re going to start naturally doing it every day. If you’re struggling with what vitamins to take, a vitamin subscription will give you all the proper nutrients your body needs with one little capsule. Nourish your body It’s crucial to nourish your body...
read moreLayered and Luscious: Vegan Lasagna
We think lasagna is one of the all-time favorite comfort foods. Cathe Olson shares five of her favorite lasagna recipes – traditional, spinach, vegetable, butternut squash, and lima vegetable – plus a delicious vegan substitute for Parmesan cheese you ca make yourself!
read moreDown Coat and Leather Shoes – Can I call myself a vegan?
I have been a vegetarian for 21 years and have now decided to become a vegan. I own a down coat and two pairs of leather shoes. I cannot afford to replace these items. Can I still wear these and rightfully call myself a vegan? I would appreciate your opinion! VegFamily readers reply: Tristtan: Congratulations for choosing a more compassionate way of life. Compassion is not always easy or convenient, but it is infinitely more rewarding. No, I don’t think it is appropriate to call yourself a vegan because the definition encompasses so much more than dietary guidelines. Elsie Shrigley and Donald Watson, who founded the UK Vegan Society. The British Vegan Society defines veganism this way: The word Veganism denotes a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude — as far as is possible and practical — all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals. The UK Vegan Society founders invented the word, this is their definition, then this is what VEGAN means, If someone chooses to live differently to this, perhaps they should invent their own word, and start their own movement. For extra clarification, the following are not vegan: nonhuman flesh, whether terrestrial or aquatic, embryos, milk, honey. The definition of veganism states ALL animals: it does not say mammals, it does not say except fish, nor except invertebrates-it states all animals, including oysters. I’ve heard from other vegans that there’s a myth floating around that oysters are vegan and are being served at “vegan” event buffets. Oysters are not vegan. There are also no exceptions for Bees. Bees are animals, honey does not come from plants, any more than milk comes from grass or grains. It is not possible to use nonhuman animals for any purpose without exploiting them. Just as it is exploitation of people to use them without the consent or paying a wage (it is called slavery), since animals cannot give consent, even if we think they are happy, all animal use is exploitation. zoos. Non-vegan clothing. This means no fur,feathers, leather, wool,or silk.Non-vegan makeup and other products, cigarettes that test on animals. All of these materials, like any other non-vegan products are equally unnecessary and therefore equally cruel. I also considered the cruelty inherent in these “items” and the speciesist message I would be sending if I continued to wear them or have others wear them. The issue of practicality and using the clothing until they wear out would not even be up for debate if the victims were humans. When I became vegan and knew what cruelty is inherent in the making of a “leather” coat” and “down” jacket (feathers ripped off from LIVING BIRDS, over and over again), I could not stand to look at them anymore than if the victims these item were made from the torture/killing of human children whose skin had been ripped off them- many while still alive. I would never consider wearing these materials or feel that I was “wasting” anything any more than I would if...
read moreTransitioning from Vegetarian to Vegan
The more I read the more I am convinced that veganism is the best diet and lifestyle. Do you have some suggestions for me to help me through the transition to vegan?
read moreChocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies
These pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are a MUST try this fall! Perfectly soft & chewy pumpkin chocolate chip cookies without being cakey.Take pumpkin, pair it with chocolate chip cookies, and there’s no doubt it’s a winning dessert recipe
read moreThe Wonderful World of Vegan Yarn!
Thinking of taking up knitting or crocheting but pausing at the thought of being limited to boring cotton yarn? Fret no more! Jenn Wisebeck explores the world of luxuriously soft, chunky funky, handspun, and naturally dyed vegan yarns.
read more5 Vegan-Friendly Products You Need to Try
Fall is here, and that means it’s cozy season. Everything warm, snuggly, and pleasurable defines this time of year. Between the falling gold leaves and crisp wind, you just want to curl up on the couch with a bowl of something melty and delicious. Some would argue that you can’t have cold-weather comfort without cheese—but as vegans, we know otherwise. From faux leather bags to delicious plant-based mozzarella, we’ve got the new products that every vegan should buy this season. Kick your autumn into high gear and read on for five vegan-friendly products to check out! #1 Vegan Yarn Oh, the weather outside is frightful…or maybe just a bit chilly. Either way, it is prime knitting time, and quality yarn makes all the difference. It can be tough finding vegan yarns that aren’t just bland 100% cotton. But now, many yarn makers are producing quality vegan products out of a variety of materials, from recycled plastics to linens to even fruit fibers. Some of our favorite vegan yarn options: Flora Fibres – An eco-friendly choice made from extracted pineapple leaf fibers Darn Good Yarn – An excellent linen selection with a variety of colors Wool and the Gang, New Wave Yarn – Another eco-friendly selection, where each yarn ball uses three recycled plastic bottles Each line has a range of beautiful colors for your liking. So go ahead and knit that chunky sweater, cruelty-free style. #2 Vegan Protein Bars With quarantine forgoing the gym for the living room floor, home workouts have become the new standard. And after that online Zumba class, you need proper vegan fuel to aid your recovery process. Protein, or a lack thereof, is a topic constantly thrown in vegans’ faces. But science shows that natural vegan foods actually contain plenty of protein. If you are looking for a quick protein fix, however, bars can come in handy. Chalky texture? Icky taste? These vegan protein bars kick those stereotypes out the door: Sunwarrior Sol Good Protein Bars – Four flavors of all-natural and low-sugar goodness Garden of Life SPORT Bars – A filling bar with healthy fats and plenty of fiber Raw Rev Glo Bar – An excellent raw diet option Rather customize your own bars? Try out a delicious recipe to save a buck or two. #3 Vegan Faux Leather Leather can be a testy subject for vegans. Oftentimes, we can be conflicted over keeping the non-vegan clothing that was purchased or handed down to us before our plant-based lives. While that decision is personal, we can still choose to make ethical vegan choices for our fall fashion. From vegan underwear to vegan handbags, you can find high quality clothing options across the web. Check out a comprehensive eco-friendly brand list by PETA for a few more options to fill your virtual shopping cart. #4 Vegan CBD Want to make your weekday spa night a little more relaxing? CBD may be the answer. CBD has earned gold status in the wellness world, and for good reason. It has been praised for its array of possible health benefits, including pain relief, reduced anxiety, and lower blood pressure. CBD comes in a variety of forms, including oils, balms and gummies. While gummies are a great (and delicious) way to first try CBD, vegan gummies were recently...
read more4 Mistakes People Make When Going Vegan
Unfortunately, some people jump right in without much knowledge and soon find themselves living less than optimally. This article lists the top four mistakes people make when going vegan and offers ways to make a smart transition.
read moreWhen Others Dis your Diet
IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. ..Someone will question your plant-based diet in a manner that makes you feel uncomfortable.
read morePopsicles: A Summertime Favorite
A bonus of our pop-making hobby is that our kids have learned a lot about nutrition. We talk about what ingredients we’ve chosen and why. They also love to help us “shop for pops,” and making them together is a family affair.
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