Author: Eve

Internet addiction is real: the journey to recovery

Internet addiction is real: the journey to recovery

When your real-life has been taken over by your online life, you have an internet addiction! Is everything lost?

Vegan and Keto? Review of The Key Dough

Vegan and Keto? Review of The Key Dough

Keto is referring to a diet that is low in carbohydrates but high in protein. While originating as a medical diet, it’s popularly associated with weight loss.

8 Impressive Health Benefits of Snow Peas And How to Sauté Snow Peas

8 Impressive Health Benefits of Snow Peas And How to Sauté Snow Peas

Crunchy green snow peas are a type of pea that you eat whole, shell and all. Snow peas are not to be dismissed, as they have impressive nutritional benefits not to mention, they are delicious too! Let’s explore 8 health benefits of snow peas and then jump into how to saute snow peas. Spoiler alert: It’s quick, easy, and delicious!

Immune system

The immune system helps our body prevent and fight illness. It’s important to continuously build our immunity, especially in preparation for winter and the flu season. 1 cup of these peas provides 70% of your recommended daily amount (RDA) per cup of Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps the body produce white blood cells to prevent illness.

Cancer

Since snow peas are rich in vitamin C, consuming them helps neutralizes free radicals, the main cause of mutating cells, oxidative health, and chronic illness.

Heart health

Snow peas contain high amounts of potassium and vitamin C, which protects the heart from disease. Potassium lowers blood pressure. Vitamin C repairs arteries and blood vessels, which helps prevent coronary heart diseases.

Diabetes

Snow peas are low on the glycemic index (0-35), which categorizes food by how fast it turns into sugar in the body.

The lower the number, the slower the process, therefore, the healthier it is. Low glycemic food helps regulate blood sugar, which is key for people with diabetes. High glycemic food on the other hand spike blood sugar levels.

Weight loss

1 cup of these crunchy snow peas is only 35 calories! This makes them a tasty and crunchy vegetable for weight loss and maintenance. To boot, snow peas are completely fat-free. They also contain 2 grams of protein.

Digestion

Snow peas contain 2 grams per cup of dietary fibre. Dietary fibre helps the body digest food. It also stimulates the peristaltic motion, increases nutrient absorption, and lowers gut inflammation that can cause stomach aches.

Bone mineral density

Snow peas contain iron, potassium, manganese, and other minerals that increase bone mineral density. Even with small amounts present, it can still decrease the risk of osteoporosis.

Snow peas also contain calcium as do all green vegetables, especially dark leafy greens. Calcium is needed to build bone health.

Vision

Vitamin A is an essential antioxidant in eyesight, as it blocks oxidative retina stress. Overall, it can hold back on cataracts caused by age-related macular degeneration.

Snow peas make a great side to many dishes!

Make sure to check our Ghana oil rice recipe to which the snow peas are a great addition!

Sources:

Health Benefit Times

Everyday Health

Healing 4 Soul
Diabetes Meal Plans
sautéing snow peas

Simple Sautéed Snow Peas

Eve
Naturally sweet and crunchy, snow peas are seasoned simply to perfection. This snow peas recipe is easy, delicious, and a great side to oil rice or ''Angwa Mo'' which you'll find on the recipes page.
We are always told to eat our greens, but sometimes, they don't taste how we want them to. Using spices is the best way to make vegetables tasty. Snow peas are naturally sweet, so it's a great way to have added nutrition with your meals.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine North American
Servings 2
Calories

Ingredients
  

  • 227 g snow peas olive or vegetable oil
  • 1/2 tbsp oil olive or vegetable
  • Sprinkle crushed cayenne pepper use just a little if you don't like heat
  • Pinch of sea salt or Himalayan salt

Instructions
 

  • Wash the snow peas
    2. Heat a pan on medium, add a drizzle of oil (you can use water if oil-free)
    3. Add the snow peas and a dash of salt and pepper.
    NOTE: If you also use a cast-iron skillet, heat it and add the oil and the snow peas. If the skillet is hot and is cooking the snow peas nicely, turn off the heat and it will continue to cook. You don't want to overcook snow peas. Once they turn bright green and still a bit crunchy, they are done!

Video

Notes

Notes: Add your favourite spices (ie. herbs, paprika, curry, chopped garlic, etc.)
Replace the cayenne with black pepper if you don’t like spicy food.
Watch the video to see how to make this recipe!
Keyword how to cook snow peas, how to make snow peas, how to sautee snow peas, Sauteed Snow Peas, Snow Peas, snow peas health benefits, snow peas recipe, snow peas side, snow peas stir fry, snow peas stirfry, vegan sauteed snow peas, vegan snow pea stir fry, vegan snow peas recipe

Tried this recipe? Mention @veganverymuch or tag #veganverymuch!

Ghana oil rice, ”Angwa mo/ Anointed rice”|Vegan African Recipes

Ghana oil rice, ”Angwa mo/ Anointed rice”|Vegan African Recipes

If you are curious and want to try an easy African vegan rice dish to serve alongside your favourite veggies and vegan protein, I urge you to try this one! Nourish your belly! It will thank you!

We are new Toronto Food Not Bombs volunteers

We are new Toronto Food Not Bombs volunteers

”Toronto Food Not Bombs is a grassroots organization dedicated to providing food security and dignity one meal at a time”.

Boost your immune system while social distancing

Boost your immune system while social distancing

Probably by now, many people have done a fair share of staying home and practicing social-distancing. But how do you boost your immune system during these changing times?

It is a little known fact that humans (even introverts) need to have people around them to be well…human! We are not meant to be alone. Babies who are devastatingly starved of socialization do not develop healthfully. Prisoners in solitary confinement even for hours come out mentally changed from when they went in… We are not any different from them as during quarantine and social distancing times, we need to boost our immune systems to make it.

Based on a true story film that we just had the opportunity to watch, Just mercy, a wrongfully convicted Walter “Johnnie D” McMillian suffered life-long repercussions after solitary confinement and 6 years on death row, till he died long after his release. The human spirit needs positive socialization in order to support life. While our social-isolation during this global panic-attack is a far cry from what people on death row. (Did you know that at least 1 of 9 are wrongfully convicted due to poverty and race?) Endure, we still need to maintain or immune system to ward off illness and maintain hope that things will be OK.

Here are 5 ways to boost your immune system during these challenging times.

Eat whole foods to boost your immune system

While others scramble mostly for pasta, rice, canned food, and toilet paper…as a vegan, stock up on fresh fruits:

  • lemon,
  • orange,
  • kiwi,
  • kumquat,
  • berries,
  • banana,
  • apple, etc.

and vegetables:

  • carrot,
  • eggplant,
  • spinach,
  • tomato,
  • pepper,
  • cucumber
  • zucchini and other squashes etc.

You can cook, steam, bake, stirfry, and freeze them if needed. Ensure that you eat colourful fresh produce and limit refined starch that will surely add your waistline especially if you’re not active. Whole foods also include whole-grains, legumes, healthy fats like (extra-virgin olive oil, virgin coconut oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds. These foods contain vitamins and minerals such as the following:

Vitamin C

Vitamin c is the main vitamin that boosts the immune system.

Foods that contain vitamin c: orange, lemon, kumquats, sweet peppers

Vitamin B6

Foods that contain vitamin B6: Leafy greens, chickpeas)

Vitamin E

An antioxidant that fights off infections.

Foods that contain vitamin E: Spinach, nuts, and seeds.

A variety of fresh foods that help to boost your immune system.
Try to consume more fresh produce, the wider the variety, the better.

Limit stress and anxiety to boost your immune system

Stress weakens your immune system, so whenever you’re feeling stressed, ask yourself this: “Can I do something about this right now?” If so, make a plan on what you will do about it. If you answer no, then rub your hands together and shake it off your hands.

Stress ball of light practice

  1. Rub your hands together to create warmth and friction, then open them as wide as you want, to create an energy ball. Do you feel the energy between your hands?
  2. Imagine that your energy ball is made of golden-white light. Now, one by one put in everything that is stressing or worrying you in this energy ball. It can be a colourful ball of light if you want.
  3. Now, release the ball to the sky and let the universe or God or source take care of it, transmuting it into light energy.

Prioritize physical activity to boost your immune system

It is easy to become a couch potato or for some of us, to go on being one, but does this make you feel good? Probably not. While it is good during self-isolation to do nothing and return back to your human-beingness, rather than doing, it is also important to move your body. The energy that flows through your body needs ways to express itself, so exercise is an important way to do this. you can make it fun and follow along to a dance video online.

A friend of ours sent us a dance video which we have enjoyed and I even looked for more. Not only is it fun to dance (you don’t need to be good at it, just focus on getting the moves somewhat). The interesting thing is, when your attention is turned to dancing and how your body feels, you give your mind a break from all pointless thinking, therefore, relieving stress.

You can also go for a walk if your garden or backyard or in nature to walk your dog. Keep in mind that your state police might come looking for you…even if you are not near anyone…This should not last very long hopefully. David Icke’s son, Jamie Icke took his dog for a walk in the countryside and when he got back to his car, there was an office there who questioned him on what he was doing…clearly not about health but about power.

A dorm room door decorated with different computer components.
One way to get creative, while social-distancing. Let your imagination run wild!

Do something creative to boost your immune system

Not that we need expert advice on the obvious, but experts agree that creativity is healthy!!! Creating something out of nothing is a great feeling whether it’s cooking, art, a dance, a story, music. You don’t need to create the wheel, just do something your way or not. Something that gives you a finished product in the end. We are powerful beings on this earth to play with energy and create things. Our creations with the right intentions, fulfill ur spirit and the spirit of all.

I hope you are all doing well during this time. It’s important to do things that light a spark within you. Avoid the news because it is fear-based and will affect your immune system and well-being. Be hopeful that you don’t have to carry anything on your shoulders. Return to this list when you feel negative. It’s fine to allow yourself the space to feel everything without judgment, but don’t dwell there. Come out for some air or open the windows.

It’s darkest before the dawn and

a new day is on the horizon and

it’s bright!

References:

The Scientific Reasons Why Being Creative Can Make You Happier

23 Foods Experts Say Will Boost Your Immune System

3 Vitamins That Are Best for Boosting Your Immunity

Covid-19, the environment and us

Covid-19, the environment and us

Covid-19 is storming our human consciousness, and I hope its impact will not be forgotten. The environment will need conscious consideration even after we move beyond this virus which is having a positive impact on nature.

The high impact of full-time work

The high impact of full-time work

Ever wondered if a 9-5 is sustainable? Truth is, it steals your time before and after you clock in. On Sunday nights, this is when it gets real.

Normalizing fasting for better health

Normalizing fasting for better health

Fasting is as natural as breathing. Imagine how healthy our relationship with food would be if we didn’t give ourselves access 24/7?

From the moment we wake up, we use energy that we are not even aware of thinking of what we’ll eat and when. This time and energy we spend thinking about eating, preparing food, and eating can be used for something else! Perhaps it is time to try fasting?

Let’s first look at the amount of nutrition one needs to stay alive and healthy. Privileged people practice fasting (while many starve…), so there must be a hidden gem when it comes to giving ourselves a break from ALL things food. Give your hands a break from preparing food and your body a break from the hard work of breaking down the food you consume.

What is fasting?

Fasting is quite simply abstaining from eating any food for a period of time that can range from a few hours to a few months (under medical supervision!) The latter end of the range may be extreme. But we naturally fast for at least 8 hours every single day when we sleep. As we sleep, the body is focused on internal housekeeping and night-only repairs, since during the day, it is breaking down food for energy.

In the West where we have 24/7 access to food, we have become addicted to overfeeding ourselves. It’s recommended that we eat 3 square meals every day–breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The word breakfast literally means to break from the fast. We have been taught that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and yet this is the easiest time for some of us to continue fasting. Many people can skip breakfast, but to skip dinner is much harder since we naturally fast when we sleep and falling asleep on an empty tank is hard– again, acknowledge your privilege.

Snacking between meals

If we snack in between meals, we are loading our body with more food before it has the chance to digest our bigger meals ”square meals”. In doing so, we are sending the wrong information, which keeps our digestive systems working less than optimal.

It’s not a surprise that as society has become more consumerist, eating more during the day is encouraged and normalized. Snacking has become a serious business. There are many companies that make millions every year selling us snacks full of salt, sugar and saturated fats. What if we started eating our 3 meals a day and nothing else? Would we die of malnutrition? Of course not! Many people don’t know when their next meal is coming.

A plate of vegan cookies - a really hard snack to resist, when fasting.
Don’t keep food near you, when you are fasting, as it is definitely easier to break when seeing goodies laying around.

Why should I fast?

There are many benefits to fasting, both health and lifestyle-related.

  • Gives your body a break so it can heal, repair, and discard defective cells.
  • Get a mind vacation from thinking of food, grocery shopping, preparing and finally, eating.
  • Food can be costly if you are “feed the beast” every few hours.
  • The more you eat your feelings, the more you rely on food for emotional numbness over your plates.
  • Time to explore other interests.
  • It challenges you to meet your friends for something other than food. Your wallet will thank you because you can eat before meeting up.
  • It can provide mental clarity and space to communicate with a higher power.
  • Teaches you discipline, mind over matter.
  • Lose weight.
  • Appreciate the food you eat. When you don’t over-feed, you appreciate the food you eat more.
  • It makes you a better person as you know what hunger pains feel like, so you’re more likely to help those who need it.

Vegans and fasting

Many people reduce veganism to JUST food. This is not accurate for many who enter this lifestyle out of compassion for animals, the environment, and health. While vegan food is great, if we eat mindlessness whenever we want, we step on our own toes. Avocados, for example, use a lot of energy to produce and yet they have become a defining point for online veganism. You can do something about this by not buying avocados because even the people whose native food it is can often not afford it because we are obsessed with it.

My fasting experience

I have done intermittent fasting for many years without knowing. The longest I have ever done so is 1 day, not including fasting during the night. It hasn’t been easy once my stomach starts rumbling and churning, but once I keep at it, it gets easier.

On Sunday night, we watched a documentary on fasting. It educated us on all types of fasting. Including intermittent fasting, water-only fasting, religious fasting, weight loss, chronic disease like cancer, hypertension, diabetes and more. The one that stood out to us was intermittent fasting because this is the one that is most common. Have you ever had to fast before doing bloodwork? This is intermittent fasting because you don’t eat after dinner, then go straight to the doctor when you wake up on an empty stomach. Water is the only permissible drink during such fast.

Giddily after our movie dinner and dessert, we jumped right in and fasted from 7 pm Sunday to 4 pm Monday. 2020 herald a 4 day work week for me, with Mondays off. We worked out for 1 hour 45 minutes including the walks to and from the park.

It was easier than we thought! We continued fasting during the week–after dinner at 7 or 8 pm until lunch between 1:30 to 2:30 pm. On Friday, I finally succumbed to the crepes that my wife had lovingly packed for me as an emergency lunch at work.

A plate of vegan donuts - a hard thing to resist, while on fast.
Thankfully we didn’t have any donuts at home when we started fasting!

My Positive side effects of fasting

  • Not thinking about food so much.
  • Fewer cravings.
  • Body positive – it helps that my stomach stays flat throughout the day as I work off my holiday food of yesteryear.
  • Enjoying food more when I have it.
  • Eating slower.
  • Being satiated with one full serving instead of eating more and more, until I feel like I’m about to explode.
  • Taking my 10k steps seriously and being overall more healthy
  • Drinking more water and herbal teas to cleanse and feel less empty, especially teas in the morning which warms me.

With all the above benefits I have experienced, I will continue intermittent fasting for as long as it feels good for my body as I feel that normalizing fasting for better health is important.