by janine | Mar 24, 2015 | Blog
I have been making these balls (am I the only one who still giggles at that word?lol) for quite some time now. I’ve given them many different names: vital bites, energy bites, energy balls, almond/date balls etc. But I never called them “vegan balls” because unless something has to be “veganized” it doesn’t need a ‘Vegan’ label as far as I am concerned.
But lately I have had a few people call them Vegan Balls, and I think it’s funny. Because like I said they don’t need that label, there is nothing about these that would make them not vegan.
However, I am going to go with it and just leave that in there.
I make these balls on a weekly basis and they are so great to have on hand for before or after a workout or yoga class, or mid-morning or afternoon snack.
They’re so delicious it’s hard to believe they aren’t bad for you but with no added sugars and the only sweetness coming from the dates they’re actually an excellent healthy option.
These take little time to prepare and make and will last in the fridge for a few weeks, if you don’t eat them all first.
This is the base version and you can spice them up however you like:
Ingredients:
1 Cup of Raw Almonds
2 Cups pitted dates
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut
3 Tbsp Cacao Powder
Optional:
1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
Add Almonds to food processor and pulse into tiny crumbs
Add dates, coconut & cacao (and coconut oil if using)
Pulse until it forms almost a dough like texture.
Remove from processor into a bowl
Roll into 1/2-1″ size balls and place on plate or cookie sheet
Place in the freezer to set about 15 minutes
Store in the refrigerator
I usually consider 2 balls a portion size, approx 160 calories per 2 balls (not that I am counting calories!)
Enjoy!
Lots of Vegan Ball Love
Janine XO
by janine | Mar 22, 2015 | Blog
Eat What Serves Your Body.
Do What Serves Your Soul.
Think What Serves Your Mind.
An apple a day…
“In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.
In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile.
In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.
I realized, through it all, that…
In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer”
-Albert Camus
Let Food Be Thy Medicine
by janine | Mar 18, 2015 | Blog
Lately I have been seeing WAY too many body builders & fitness fanatics on social media promoting out their supplement sponsors like it’s their job (because it is), and it’s driving me a little nuts.
PLEASE whatever you do, do not take supplement or nutrition advice from someone who is not certified or qualified, no matter how chiselled their abs are!
I understand that some of these people design an excellent meal plan for themselves, supplements and all and they look great! But have you ever for a moment thought about what is going on inside their bodies? For awhile I am sure there may be no side effects from the massive over consumption of synthetic, isolated vitamins, pills, powers, gels & liquids but I assure you, over time there will be a breaking point.
You have to ask yourself, are you building a body you want for longevity or for just for right now?
And I will tell you this much, I am all about living in the “now” and not worrying too much about the future, but I know for certain that if I am going to make it to the future I am not doing it on synthetic supplements that probably didn’t have many standards to pass before they were labelled in shiny pink and blue bottles and sent out to the masses since dietary supplements do NOT need FDA approval.
I urge you, if you are looking for nutrition and supplement info please seek the advice of a qualified, certified nutritionist or supplement expert and don’t just stop there, do your research. You will see that most of this pre-workout junk is detrimental to your health and well being. There are many more natural, clean alternatives to choose from.
Will it be expensive? Well, you get what you pay for. So many of these commercialized supplements are at such a discounted price that doesn’t come close to the value of your health.
So please when it comes to supplements and nutrition advice, do your research, seek out an expert, always ask questions and don’t fall for the first “before & after” pic you see, look for quality over discount pricing, and figure out what your ultimate goals are before purchasing.
Lots of whole hearted Love from me to you
Janine XO
For Nutritional Coaching
Contact Janine @: info@janineaf.com
by janine | Mar 11, 2015 | Blog
I know that title sounds a little bossy, and that’s because it is!
Here’s the thing, Spring is coming up and we are finally shedding the winter blues for Sunny days!
It is natural and typical to all of a sudden be excited, inspired, motivated & ready for action and that is amazing.
But what happens is that all of this pent up energy and excitement gets you off to such a quick start that you may find yourself getting tired and losing motivation before long.
It’s like running a race, if you sprint off the starting line there is a good chance you are going to fatigue a lot sooner than if you had started slow. “Slow and steady wins the race” 😉
Let me also make it clear that this healthy living journey is in no way a race and instead it is a life long commitment.
All too often people get excited about their new found motivation and they want to jump ALL in.
I love this excitement but I also want you to be smart about it.
(Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely )
The journey to the healthiest life ever is created in baby steps, one healthy habit at a time.
I encourage you to pick 1 or 2 things that are very obtainable in your life at the moment and start implementing them right away.
If you have never been a runner but all of a sudden you have the drive to run, that’s great! But going for a 5k off the bat may set you back longer than the time it would take you to work up to a steady 5k.
If you want to lose 20-30lbs instantly, going on a fad diet or doing some sort of cleanse may help you get there faster but the chances of keeping it off are going to be very small if you don’t develop the healthy lifestyle habits necessary to maintain a healthy weight.
If you want to become a Vegan suddenly only eating plants without knowing or doing much else will find you frustrated and possibly famished!
Everything that is sustainable in life requires time, effort and dedication and of course a level of passion.
If you don’t love what you are doing, no matter what it is, it will not last.
To conclude, slow down. Don’t try to go all in. Pick one or two pieces of what it is you want to accomplish and master them, let them become routine and then add on.
Be patient with yourself but remain consistent.
So, where will you start?!?
Instagram me @janine.fournier or tweet me @janinefournier the new healthy habits you are going to start implementing right now!
If you work better with having a cheer leader, coach, motivator with a tad bit of bossiness 😉 Then contact me to get started on one of my kick-start programs where we can focus on anything from weight loss, gluten-free, vegan, yoga & fitness.
(info@janineaf.com)
Best wishes on your journey!
Lots of love
Janine ♥
by janine | Mar 9, 2015 | Blog
Before transitioning to a Vegan lifestyle, I ate eggs. What’s kind of funny is that for the longest time when I considered myself “Vegetarian” I did not eat eggs. It was only the few years prior to the transition that I started liking eggs.
Eggs are high in protein and therefore a good breakfast staple.
But I chose to stop eating eggs when I realized what exactly I was eating, and when I realized what industry I was supporting by doing so.
Alot of time people ask me, what’s wrong with eating eggs it does not harm the chicken.
I take this opportunity to gently educate that eating eggs does in fact harm chickens.
Mass produced egg laying hens are confined to tiny cages and rarely see the light of day, if at all.
‘Free Range’ doesn’t necessarily mean what the label would have you believe either.
Anyhow, I am all for a traditional type Saturday morning breakfast (or any day really)
so I conjured up this delicious Tofu scramble and I’m not missing a thing!
In fact
Per 100 g of tofu there is:
62 calories vs 155 per 100g of egg
2.70 G of fat vs 10.61G in 100g of egg
6.90G Protein Vs. 12.58G per 100G egg
Yes the protein is a bit less however you can double up on tofu and still have less fat and calories than that of 100g of eggs.
So here it is:
Tofu Scramble
1 Pkg Organic firm tofu (drained)
½ red bell pepper diced
½ onion diced
1 cup mushrooms
1 handful of spinach
1 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp coconut oil
Sea salt & pepper to taste
Tofu Scramble Served with a side of toast with tomato and heart & colon healthy avocado & salsa!
Directions:
1. Drain & press water from the tofu
2. Mash with a fork or potato masher
3. Heat oil in a frying pan on medium
4. Add onions to pan and cook until clear
5. Add pepper and mushrooms and cook until soft
6. Add tofu & turmeric and mix all ingredients together
7. Add spinach & cook until wilted
8. Add sea salt and pepper to taste
9. Serve & enjoy!
Lots of love from my tofu loving heart to yours
XO
Janine ♥
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