Best of 2009

2009 was definitely the year of the Veg & Green lifestyle.  From Ellen to Oprah, Tal Ronnen to Alicia Silverstone, Gardein to Daiya, the last year of the decade was a veritable vegan, health & eco fireworks extravaganza! So I figured I'd compile my faves of the last year in case any of you missed them so that you can enjoy them well into the new decade ; )

Restaurants

• Veggie Grill -  www.veggiegrill.com - Los Angeles & Orange County, CA -Hands down, Veggie Grill made it's biggest waves in 2009.  One of the best vegan fast food chains, everyone is hoping to spread out nationwide in the new decade.
  
• Pizza Fusion - www.pizzafusion.com - Nationwide - Angelenos were so excited when Pizza Fusion came to town from the North East! Featuring all sorts of pizzas including vegan and gluten free, you can't go wrong here.
  
• Z Pizza - www.zpizza.com - Nationwide - Yet another Pizza chain that has crossed the country and delighting the dairy free folk! Z Pizza switched to the remarkable Daiya Vegan Cheese this year bringing smiles to their new vegan patrons nation wide ; )
  
• Cruzer Pizza - Los Angeles, CA - A local pizza joint that got wise to the untapped vegan market and began offering vegan pizzas, lasagnas, chik'n parms & more! In addition, their first location ditched traditional pizzas and went completely vegan - woohoo!
  
• Locali - www.localiyours.com - Los Angeles, CA -  This awesome convenience store has everything a veggie and/or treehugger could need in addition to a rockin' deli and ice cream cart! So glad they came on the scene strong in '09!
  
• Portobello Trattoria - www.portobellopdx.com - Portland, OR - Having just opened before my visit to this vegan mecca of a town,  Portobello has been filling up  every day since they opened their doors.  And rightfully so, incredible food!
  
• Plum - www.plumbistroseattle.com - Seattle, WA - One of the newer veggie locales in Seattle, it's  chic and cool and stands out amongst the wide variety of veg options in the capital of the great North West.
  
• SAF - www.safrestaurant.co.uk - London, England - The premiere, all raw, vegan joint in old blighty. Classy, gourmet and delish, Great Britain is really picking up speed in the veggie food world.
  
• V Bites - www.vbites.com - London, England - Another new and rockin' veg spot in London Town. Owned by Ms. Heather Mills, whether you like her or not, V Bites is pretty boss ; )
  
• Loving Hut - www.lovinghut.fr - Paris, France - There are Loving Huts all over the world but finding vegan fare in France is next to impossible. They were smart to open up in the city of love in '09 so if all else fails, you know you've got at least 1 spot to chow ; )
  

Hotels

• Kimpton Hotels - www.kimptonhotels.com - Nationwide - Some of the hipest, neatest, artsiest hotels around that are hugely eco, greatly accomodating to veggies & special diest on top of being uber pet friendly. Check them out to see if there is a Kimpton at your next destination - they've got the U.S. covered and continue to grow!
  
• Olive 8 - www.olive8.hyatt.com - Seattle, WA - Brand spankin' new in '09, this is a state of the art eco hotel in the heart of Seattle. So awesome!

Food & Beverage Products

• Daiya Cheese - www.daiyafoods.com - To vegans, this has become the holy grail of vegan cheese. Melty, yummy and totally allergen free, it's no wonder we are all head over heels for Daiya!
  
• Gardein - www.gardein.com - Made most famous by Veggie Grill & Tal Ronnen, this line of mock meats is to die for.  Made with wonderful ingredients and not processy or chemically like most phony bolognas, '09 was a great year for Gardein. We're all excited to see more from their product line as well as finding them pop up in all sorts of restaurants.
  
• So Delicious Coconut Milk Ice Cream - www.turtlemountain.com - Debuting their non-soy ice cream alternative, the pioneers of non-dairy ice cream did it again. And even better if I do say so myself!
  
• Veev - www.veevlife.com - Accai Spirit, great straight or mixed! A great spirit that is eco and even healthy!
  
• Go Max Go Foods - www.gomaxgofoods.com - Vegan Candy Bars! Need I say more??
  

Health Products

• To Go Brands -  www.togobrands.com - One of my fave fins of '09. Packets such as Go Greens that gives you 6 servings of green veggies in 1 pack as well as Green Tea Energy, Vitamin C and more, you can't pick a more healthful option this year!
  
• Vega - www.sequelnaturals.com/en/vega -I know vega has been around for some time however, it has gotten some big attention this year by so many veggie advocates. it is THE best whole food supplement out there being allergen free and full of the best stuff on earth ; )
  
• Psi Bands - www.psibands.com -  I used these all years for all my crazy road trips and they rule! Acupressure wrist bands for the relief of nausea due to morning sickness (pregnancy), motion sickness/ travel, chemotherapy, and anesthesia. They are stylish, drug-free, adjustable, comfortable, waterproof, reusable,  and affordable.

Lifestyle Products - Home

• GameWhys -  www.thegreenboardgame.com -Anotehr one of my absolute favorites of 2009. The prettiest, smartest, most entertaining & beautifully messaged games I have ever played.  I love the board games as well as the card games. Fun for all for years to come!
  
• Wow Green - www.wowgreen.net -I fell in love with these enzyme based household cleaning products this year and so will you. Eco friendly, safe for your family & pets and the best part is that they really work!
  
• Ionator - www.activeion.com - The coolest, eco & money saving cleaning product ever! The ionator is a powerful appliance that uses ionizing technology to convert tap water into a safe, effective cleaner and sanitizer.
  
• Pillo1 - www.pillo1.com -  It's unique design is built for side and back sleep and gives ultimate neck support which keeps your back aligned all night long.  Great sleep equals great days, health & productivity.
• Pong - www.pongresearch.com - After much research, the Pong Iphone case came out this year to keep us safe from cell phone radiation. Coming soon for blackberry, this stylish case reduces over 85% of "hot spot" radiation, redirecting the flow of energy away from the head. And it's the only FCC certified case on the market!

Lifestyle Products - Travel

• To-Go Ware -  www.to-goware.com - Fabulous utensils & containers to take with you anywhere you go! Made of bamboo and recycled materials, a To-Go Ware set is the perfect stocking stuffer for the eco person on your list. Definitely in my top 5 fave finds of the year!
  
• Love Bottles - www.lovebottle.net -  The rage is BPA free bottles and the slick aluminum ones with neat designs. But drinking from glass is the best way to imbibe your daily H2O and Love Bottles has the neatest designs around.  Carry your healthiest water in style and be the envy of all your work out friends ; ) I use mine every day!
  
• Select Wisely Cards - www.selectwisely.com -The neatest thing for travelers with dietary restrictions. Affordable, portable and smart - select wisely!!
  
• Green Garmento -www.thegreengarmento.com - This eco bag is a hamper, laundry bag, duffel bag and also a great way to pick up your dry cleaning without wasting so much plastic.
  

Fashion

• Annatarian -  www.annatarian.com -Again, this line has been aorund but in '09, their PeaceLoveEarth eco jewelry line took the cake.  Gotta love the 7 wishes bracelet no matter what time of the year.
  
• Matt & Nat - www.mattandnat.com -  For luxury, vegan & eco handbags and accessories, you can't go wrong with anything from Matt & Nat.  Super chic bags, no one will know they aren't fresh off the European runways. From clutches to diaper bags, introduce your gal to accessorizing the eco way! (they've got some nice goodies for men too!)
  
• Espe -www.espe.ca - I found them this year as well - 100% vegan, cruelty free accessories such as wallets, cell phone pouches, computer bags and more, their colorful and handcrafted designs are great for gals of all ages. And they too have not forgotten about their male counterparts. Super cute stuff!!
  
• Beyond Yoga - www.iambeyond.com -  Their new organic line is beautiful! From yoga pants to jackets, built in bra tops to wraps, they've got it all. For your work out or you night out, Beyond Yoga helps you strike an organic and stylish pose ; )

Books

• The China Study - www.thechinastudy.com - It will change your life, enough said. Best book of '09!
  
• Why We Don't Eat Animals - www.wedonteatanimals.com - Adorable, sweet and thought provoking.
  
• Quantum Wellness: A 21 Day Essential Guide to Healing Your Body, Mind & Spirit - www.kathyfreston.com - Kathy explains her ideas so well and in an easy to understand fashion that anyone can grasp how to help themselves live better. With help from lots of health pros, this is just a great read with tons of helpful advice.
  

Cookbooks

• The Conscious Cook - www.talronnen.com - One of the yummiest vegan cookbooks around
• The Kind Diet - www.thekindlife.com - A nice intro to veganism from beginners to advanced plant eaters. Filled with delish recipes too ; )
• Vegan Cookies Take Over Your Cookie Jar - Dude, how can this brand new book not rock with a title like that!
  

Cooking Products

• 360 CookWare -  www.360cookware.com - Vapor cooking technology in beautiful, eco-friendly pots and pans that are not only durable and sustainable but healthy ; )
  
• Eat Cleaner - www.eatcleaner.com - This is a great, affordable and health promotion gift. The coolest is the "Wash & Dryer" kit for veggies!
• Green Pots - www.greencookingpots.com - Giving La Creuset a run for their money, these eco-enamel pots and pans are the healthiest, most stylish way to cook ; )
  

Shopping Websites

• Cosmo's Vegan Shoppe - www.cosmosveganshoppe.com -A virtual vegan market
• Allison's Gourmet - www.allisonsgourmet.com - Who can deny that the gift of killer chocolate isn't on their top 5? Allison's offers a wide variety of scrumptious vegan confections and cookies that are available as single items, gift baskets or "of the month" club deliveries.
  
• Herbivore -  www.herbivoreclothing.com -Vegan clothing, books, accessories, nick knacks and more!
• Vegan Collection - www.thevegancollection.com - Guys get left out a lot when it comes to shopping, especially for vegan clothes, shoes, etc.  Not anymore thanks to these guys!
  
• Healthy Voyager Wine Club - www.healthyvoyager.com - Featuring organic, biodynamic & sustainable wines, delivered to your door, every month!

Resource Websites

• VegNews.com - www.vegnews.com - Their new and improve site offers up everything from great recipes to veg celeb gossip - great stuff!
  
• VegWeb.com- www.vegweb.com - Sister site to VegNews, this site is chock full of great recipes and other veggie goodies ; )
  
• PCRM.org - www.pcrm.org - Physicians Commitee for Responsible Medicine is one of the best resources of 2009. From their 21-day vegan kickstarts to directories of holistic physicians, PCRM is the place for ultimate health.
• Vegetarian Times Magazine – www.vegetariantimes.com - Eat green, live well
  
• Ecofabulous – www.ecofabulous.com - All you need for a chic, sustainable lifestyle
• EcoStiletto.com – www.ecostiletto.com - Making your carbon footprint small & fashionable
• FitMenu – www.fitmenu.net - Find low fat, low cal, healthy, meals a your favorite eateries

Movies & TV

• Food Inc. - www.foodincmovie.com - You'll never look at dinner the same way again!
  
• The Cove - www.thecovemovie.com - An unabashed look at what goes on when big business meets the deep blue sea
  
• Planet Green - www.planetgreen.discovery.com - The station for everything Eco
  
• Sea Shepherd - www.seashepherd.org - On Discovery as well as Animal Planet, this groundbreaking show has made a big splash in prime time ; )
• District 9 - www.d-9.com - I loved this movie just for pure entertainment value but it's also such a great illustration of spec-ism!
  

Celebs

• Ellen Degeneres - www.ellen.warnerbros.com - Coming out as a vegan this year and launching her Halo brand of food for pets gets her tied for my #1 spot.  People love Ellen and I love what she is doing for the health of her viewers ans their pets. Keep dancin' girl!
  
• Tal Ronnen -  www.www.talronnen.com - Tied with Ellen for 1st place is my buddy Tal.  Helping Gardein become the yummiest meat substitute around, helping Oprah with her 21 day vegan cleanse and writing and insanely awesome vegan cookbook all in '09? I can't wait to see what he's got up his sleeve in 2010 and beyond ; )
  
• Dr. Oz - www.doctoroz.com - Getting his start from the queen of daytime, Doc Oz has shed light on healthier living and knows how to get folks to listen. Taking us all to the emerald city of health & eco-ness!
  
• Alicia Silverstone - www.thekindlife.com - Making her big comeback in the most positive of ways was former teen sensation, Alicia Silverstone.  Launching her Kind Life blog and her beloved new book, The Kind Diet, she sure knew how to make her re-entrance ; )
  
• Kathy Freston - www.kathyfreston.com - Another gal who made her way into our healthy zeitgeist. She has aligned herself with the health world's top people and been able to connect with the top celebs to get the healthy word out. Keep on keepin' on!
  
• Jason Mraz - www.jasonmraz.com - The vegan songster has done it again with a new hit record and tour (named after a raw vegan restaurant in San Fran). He's just fun and uplifting and so I thought I'd give him some props for a good show in '09 ; )

Cities

• Los Angeles - Having lived here as a vegan for more then a decade now, I saw LA blow up the vegan landscape this year like no year that preceded it. My few options are now almost to many to choose from!
  
• Portland - I've said many times before that Portland is Vegan Heaven. And having freinds in the area over the years, I know that this year it held on to its title by continuing to add more for us health nuts ; )
  
• London - England has always had a bad reputation when it came to its cuisine. I'm here to say that that they have overcome that with flying colors and this year, the advent of even more Veg friendly options and eateries puts London in my top 10 best cities to dine ; )
  
• Bogota, Colombia, S.A. - I never thought I'd see the day that my home country of meat, potatoes and rice would be growing into it's own little vegan paradise.  I've seen so many veggie spots pop up there this year and I'm so very proud!
  

Charity

• HOW - www.helpinghow.com - Growing exponentially this year, HOW is a wonderful organization. Check in to how to donate time or money to helping orphans all over the world.
  
• Talk About It - www.talkaboutit.org - Founded this year and helped along my Hollywood's elite, this organization is doing wonders for those who suffer from epilepsy. Help those who have trouble coping with epilepsy as well as helping spread awareness.
  
• Generation Rescue - www.generationrescue.org - Jenny McCarthy's loud mouth helped this foundation quite a bit this years. Help families affected by autism by donating time and money to help promote therapies, awareness and more.
• Twitter-A-Critter -  www.adoptapet.com - Also launched this year as a spin off of adoptapet.com and using the booming social networking site Twitter to its advantage.  A quick and easy way to help an animal in need, genius!
  

I urge you all to look into these products, services, places & people as they are all helpful in living a healthier and happier life. I'm sure 2010 will be even bigger and for that, I'm uber excited!!

Healthy New Decade

We have not only arrived at a new year but a whole new decade, welcome 2010! I'm sure many were more then happy to bid 2009 good riddance and are looking to the teen years of the 21st century to bring us all better luck.  There is also plenty we can do to help move our lives into more positive, happier and healthier places this year so that by this time next, we can look back and know that we did our best to make it a great one ; ) Here are a few things that might help kick start the new year on a good note!:

• Do the best you can to adopt healthier eating habits.  Food is your medicine and watching what you eat both in portion size as well as what is and isn't on your plate is the best way to stay healthy.  Try to increase your veggie intake on a daily basis as well as whole grains and complete proteins while decreasing your sugar, fat & animal product consumption. Your body will thank you as will the earth!
• Fit in fitness wherever you can.  Be it a 20 minute walk after dinner or a dance class a few times a week, find ways to get the blood pumping and it will help you cope with stress and might even be something you look forward to every day. Especially when you make your exercise social like a class our group hike!
  
• Go green as lightly as you can. Some people are able to go green easier and faster then others but every little bit helps. Recycle bottles, cans and bags at home; watch your water and electric usage and try to carpool, ride your bike or walk when you can. Making a difference doesn't happen over night and no one expects you to live completely off the grid - yet ; )
  
• Watch your spending. 2009 was a financial bust for many so let's learn from that and make 2010 a more financially responsible year by implementing healthier money habits at home. Cut down on impulse buys and services you don't really need or use; make a list of what you can and can't do without and find alternatives (i.e. quit your Starbucks habit & make healthier lattes at home - you can save up to $150 a month this way!); see how you can barter services and/or items for things you need (i.e. baby sitting for house sitting, etc). Get creative and see the savings!
• Make this the year you go for what you love. 2009 also taught us that sometimes we need to adjust our lives depending on our finances. Many folks lost their jobs and used that to their benefit to start their own business.  If you've always wanted to be a chef, look into affordable classes. If you want to start a home business, make time to do the research on what you need to get started - and don't be afraid to ask for help. Be the Phoenix that rises from the ashes of 2009!
• Surround yourself with a good support system. No matter what you situation, nothing is worth having without being able to share it with people you love. Remember what is truly important in life & no that when times are tough, you have people to lean on & that you can be supportive to others. Bad times shall pass and we can all be, and use, a hand to hold for better or for worse; )
• And as Ghandi once said "Be the change you want to see in the world"
  

Here are some sure fire ways to not only implement your best resolutions but also how to keep them!:

• Be realistic - The surest way to fall short of your goals is to make them unattainable.
• Plan ahead - If you wait until the last minute, it will be based on your mindset that particular moment & might not afford you the time you need to make it happen.
  
• Outline your plan - Decide how you will deal with the temptation to skip that exercise class or have one more cigarette.  Find positive ways to reward yourself when you meet your goals (try your best to not make them food or over spending related!)
  
• Make a "pro" and "con" list - It may help to see a list of items on paper to keep your motivation strong. Visual aids help you stay accountable.
  
• Talk about it - Don't keep your resolution a secret. Tell friends and family members who will be there to support your resolve to change yourself for the better.
• Track your progress - Keep track of each small success you make toward reaching your larger goal.
• Don't beat yourself up - Obsessing over the occasional slip won't help you achieve your goal. Do the best you can each day, and take each day one at a time.
• Stick to it - Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new activity, such as exercising, to become a habit, and 6 months for it to become part of your personality. You can do it!
  
• Keep trying - If your resolution has totally run out of steam by mid-February, don't despair. Start over again! There's no reason you can't make a "New Year's resolution" any time of year.

Here's hoping 2010 is a great one and that we can all look back fondly on the beginning of this new decade next year!

Healthy Voyager Holidays!

Here we are again, another year behind us and a new decade just days away. Sure we've been inundated with holiday spirit since the latter part of November, but we still have a few weeks to go until we kiss the festive season goodbye until next year. As I have in year's past, I have compiled some tips, suggestions and recipes to help make these next few weeks brighter, happier and healthier. They are my gift to you in wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season and an even better new decade year!

In years past, I have written about eco, healthy and affordable holiday ideas and you can check them all out here: 2006, 2007, 2008.

But this year, i thought I'd share a few tips to just make this joyful, yet stressful season, a little lighter.  Seeing as how 2009 has been a rough year for many, we should close out the year on a high note so that we can all enter the new year happy and optimistic ; ) I hope that some, if not all of these can help make your, and those around you, holidays merry!

• Let go of a problem you can't solve. Enjoy the season ; )
• Don't despair if you are short on cash. Be creative. Sometimes thoughtful gifts are better than store bought ones.
  
• Organize a neighborhood holiday dinner. Have appetizers at one home, the main at another and dessert at the next!
• Remember our feathered friends! Roll pine cones in peanut butter and bird seed and hang them out side a window where you can enjoy them feasting on your treat.
• Don't wait until the last minute to wrap gifts or write all your cards. Wrap as you buy and divvy up your cards to do 10 a night until they are done. Don't make yourself work harder then you have to.
• Sing!
  
• Give your loved ones, friends and everyone you encounter the gift of a sweet disposition ; ) We are all stressed over the holidays to some extent but try to be the first to spread the holiday spirit! a person wrapped up in himself is a very small package.
• Give instead of receive. Pick some charities you would like to help out and try to donate some time or funds to help those less fortunate.
• Remember the best solution for holiday blues is to do something nice for someone else! Give anonymous gifts and be kind without expectations.
• Start collections of recipes and decorations for your children, adding one to each collection every year. When they are all grown up, they will have a nice collection to get them started along with wonderful memories attached to them.
• Plan ahead, be prepared and keep it simple.
• Curl up in front of a blazing fire with someone you love.
• Take the long way home and enjoy neighborhood lights.
• Start your own traditions, however small they may be ; )
• If you have the time, bake double batches of your holiday goodies to share with friends. Having extra baked goods is also great to have as an impromptu gift to take to a party. 
• If you have children, have a decorations craft night and help them decorate their room for the holidays.
• Dance!
  
• Get the names of local military personnel and send holiday cards thanking them for their service. Do the same with nursing homes and find out who doesn't receive much mail. Send them a card and sign it "Love, Santa"
• Have hot cocoa, apple cider ans popcorn on hand for unexpected guests ; )
• Give yourself the gift of slack. No one expects perfection, especially during the holidays. Even Santa needs helpers!
• Make sure to make time for yourself to enjoy the season, to reflect on the past year as well as some goals for the new one ahead.
• Remember the best gift is a person filled with love & understanding ; ) 

And enjoy the flavors of of the seaon!! For  a hearty and healthy holiday meal, try some of these recipes! If you're in search of seasonal sweets, be sure to visit my recipes page on my website for some yummy ones under holiday, beverages and even the sweets page ; )

Cranberry Chutney

8 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (2 pounds)
2 shallots, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups red-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
2 tablespoons whole mustard seeds
1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons salt

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. Simmer, uncovered, stirring often, until the cranberries have broken down and the mixture has thickened somewhat, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely and serve or store in glass jars.

Cranberry Spinach Salad

1 (6 ounce) package fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup olive
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons red wine or balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon sour cream
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

In a bowl, combine the spinach, pecans and cranberries. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the remaining ingredients; shake well. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat; serve immediately.

Holiday Shepard's Pie

Filling:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 1/2 pounds ground soy beef (boca, ives or sub with marinated tempeh)
16 ounces canned tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups cooked mixed vegetables (peas, diced carrots and corn)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Mashed Potatoes:
5 russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
1/2 cups unsweetened soy milk
1/2 cup vegan butter
1/2 cup vegan sour cream
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Cornbread Crust:
1 (12-ounces) boxed cornbread mix (follow instructions but sub eggs with egg replacer, butter with vegan butter & milk with unsweetened soy milk)

Directions
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, saute the onion in vegetable oil. When the onion is soft add the soy ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon and brown. Stir in tomato sauce and mixed vegetables. Season with salt and pepper.

In a pot of boiling, salted water, cook the potatoes about 20 minutes or until fork tender. Drain well and return to the pot. Whip the potatoes with an electric mixer until moderately smooth. Add milk, butter and sour cream and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Adjust consistency with more milk, if desired.

Follow directions on box to make cornbread batter.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Lightly grease 6 (8-ounce) ramekins with nonstick cooking spray.

Spoon the mashed potatoes into the bottoms of each prepared ramekin, spreading them evenly with a rubber spatula. Then add the meat filling, spreading that evenly over the mashed potatoes. Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the meat layer in each ramekin.

Bake for about 30 minutes until the cornbread is cooked through and golden on top.

Butternut Squash Rice Pilaf

2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, halved and seeded
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large red onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 parboiled brown rice
1 3/4 cups water or 1 14-ounce can vegetable broth
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup chopped fennel fronds (leafy tops)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
1 teaspoon salt
Pinch of cinnamon
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Grate the squash through the large holes of a box grater.

Heat oil in a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until soft and lightly colored, 10 to 12 minutes. Combine 2 tablespoons water and tomato paste in a small bowl and stir it into the pan. Add rice and stir to coat. Add the squash, in batches if necessary, and stir until it has reduced in volume enough so that you can cover the pan.

Increase the heat to medium-high, pour in 1 3/4 cups water (or broth) and wine, cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, covered, stirring once or twice, until the rice has absorbed most of the liquid and the squash is tender, 25 to 30 minutes.

Add fennel fronds, oregano, salt, cinnamon and pepper; gently stir to combine. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.

I wish you very happy & healthy holidays as well as a wonderful new decade! See you in 2010!!

Healthy Voyager Radio - Holiday Gift Guide

Listen to the Healthy Voyager Radio right here!! Featuring my Holiday Gift Guide Picks as well as picks from Ecostiletto.com's Rachel Sarnoff:

Healthy Voyager Radio

Next show, Holiday Cooking with Celebrity Vegan Chef, Tal Ronnen & Animal Love with Earthlings director, Shaun Monson!

Wishing You Healthy Holidays And An Excellent 2009!!

The holiday season has officially arrived and all the comes with it is in full swing. From the shopping to the tv specials to the smorgasboard of sugary and savory treats, this time of year is a time to let the worries of '08 slip away and enjoy our friends and family. As 2009 quickly approaches, many breathe a sigh of relief in hopes that this year brings us new opportunities and washes away some of the difficulties many endured this last trip around the sun. As I head off to spend the holidays and next month with family, my last post of 2008 will be one of sentiment and a few gifts ; )

I've complied some tips that may help to make this holiday season happy, eco-friendly, budget concious and stress free for you and yours. No matter what, remember to enjoy the season as the love and cheer during the holidays should be cherished. In fact, try to harness it this year and bring it in to 2009 ; )

• If you are traveling over the holidays, make sure you "know before you go". Planning ahead is key to stress free holiday travel from researching the town you will be visiting for restaurants, markets, hotels, etc. Spending a little time on the computer at home will save you valuable time that you could be enjoying your short vacation this winter. Check out my Healthy Voyager archives for cities all over the world and where to dine as well as past holiday tips!
• There are many ways to give this holiday season from volunteering at a shelter, a soup kitchen or donating your unused items such as clothing, housewares and electronics. There are many programs where you can drop off such items and receive a tax write off and sometimes a bit of extra spending cash. This time of year there are many added drop off locations for Goodwill and Salvation Army as well as opportunities to give gifts and food to needy children and families like Toys for Tots and many more. Staples allows you to drop off that old phone at any of their stores, as part of the Sierra Club cell phone recycling program. Recycling your old phone prevents hazardous elements like mercury, cadmium and lead from ending up in our landfills.
• Make your own decorations and wrapping paper! With a few simple supplies and a little imagination, you can make great eco-friendly decorations and have a lot of fun in the process. Colored construction paper can be cut or folded into simple decorations, which is great to do with the little ones in your family. Baker’s clay, made from common kitchen ingredients, can be shaped and molded into holiday figures and colored with non-toxic paints or food coloring. In addition, try wrapping presents with old maps, the comics section of a newspaper, or children's artwork. If every family wrapped just three gifts this way, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields! Later, the paper can be recycled ; )
• Buy energy saving LED lights! Now you can decorate your house with LED lights that use 90 percent less energy than conventional holiday lights, and can save your family up to $50 on your energy bills during the holiday season! LED lights are available at many major retailers as well as online.
• Give and/or make green gifts! It is the thought that counts but it's also great to give smart. Make sure you are not buying/making something that will end up in the trash. There are many green holiday gift guides on the internet so it shouldn't be hard to find some good stuff. Really asses what your "giftee" needs or could use. If you are short on cash, make gift certificates and offer up services like babysitting for the new parents on your list or a home cooked meal for a neighbor. Baking and sharing your sweets is always welcomed especially when your treats are healthy ; )
  

And speaking of baking and holiday treats, here are some of my favorites:

Mexican Wedding Cakes

• 1 cup soy margarine
• 1/2 cup powered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
• Powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Cream margarine, the 1/2 cup powdered sugar and vanilla in medium bowl. Combine flour and pecans in a separate bowl. Stir into mixture in medium bowl. Shape dough into 1 inch balls and place on ungreased baking sheet.

Bake in 325 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes until lightly browned.

Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar; cool on wire rack. Roll again in powdered sugar.

Candy Cane Shaped Cookies

• 2 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup margarine
• 1 cup powered sugar
• Substitute equivalent of 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/4 teaspoon liquid red food coloring

Pre-heat oven to 350° F.

Mix flour and salt together, set aside.

In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat margarine until creamy, gradually beat in powered sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy. Beat in egg replacer, vanilla, and peppermint extracts then lower mixer speed and gradually mix in the flour mixture, beating just until blended. Remove slightly more than half of the dough from the bowl and set aside. Add the red food coloring to the remaining dough and beat until evenly mixed and colored.

For each candy cane, scoop out 1 teaspoonful of the plain dough and 1 teaspoonful of pink dough. Roll each dough portion between your hands to make a 4 inch rope. Twist the ropes around each other like a Barber Pole and shape into a cane shape. Arrange cookies on a greased baking sheet, about 1 inch apart. Bake for about 8 minutes until firm to the touch.

Eggless Nog

• 1 16-ounce package of silken tofu
• 1 cup soy vanilla soy milk
• 1/4 cup sweetener
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Rum to taste (optional)

Blend all in a blender until smooth - Chill and serve.

Also check out last year's holiday post for more recipes:

http://healthyvoyager.blogspot.com/2007/12/holiday-treats.html

I wish you a very happy and healthy holiday season as well as a prosperous and hopeful new year. See you mid-January 2009!!!

xoxoxo

Holiday Treats

The Healthy Voyager is off for the rest of the month and will return with new and exciting cities in mid January. Until then, I wish you and your family a very happy and safe holiday season and a bright and shiny new year!!

My gift to you this season is a few delicious holiday recipes from my kitchen to yours!!

Happy Holidays and a Happier New Year!!!

xoxo

The Healthy Voyager

VEGAN HOT COCOA

Using Goodbaker Chocolate Ganache Frosting & Fudge Mix

To make one mug of cocoa, you will need:

*one package Goodbaker Chocolate Ganache Frosting & Fudge Mix
*8 ounces of soy milk, rice milk, almond milk, etc

Measure 3 Tablespoons of Goodbaker Chocolate Ganache Frosting & Fudge Mix into a microwave-safe mug

Add a splash of your chosen liquid, and mix until you have a chocolatey paste. Then add the rest of the liquid, and microwave until hot, stirring every 30 seconds.

Can also be made on the stove in a saucepan.

variations:

*add a few drops of flavor extract, like peppermint, coffee, coconut, or to taste.
*add flavored liqueur to taste

VEGAN PECAN PIE

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Have ready a 9" unbaked single pie crust (see my low-fat pastry below)

Whisk together:
1 c. brown rice syrup
1 c. Sucanat or brown sugar
1/3 c. melted Earth Balance
1/4 c. water beaten with 2 T. EnerG egg replacer til no lumps show
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
pinch salt
1 generous cup of pecan halves

Pour this into the prepared crust. Sprinkle with pecan halves. Bake about 45 minutes, or til set (will still be a bit jiggly, though-- it'll get more solid after it cools).

Cool on a rack, then refrigerate til serving time.

VEGAN GINGERBREAD COOKIES

3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
3/4 cup unsalted soy butter, cut into small chunks
1/4 cup unsulfured molasses
1/4 cup rice syrup
Ener-G for 1 egg (or any egg replacer enough for 1 egg), prepared as per package directions

Sift flour, baking soda, salt and spices together. Place margarine and sugar in a large bowl. Mix well until smooth. Add molasses, rice syrup, and Ener-G. Mix well. Add flour mixture. Mix well. Take dough out of bowl and shape it into a large disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Chill overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a cookie sheet. Roll out dough to 1/8" thickness. Cut cookies out. Place cookies on the cookie sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes. Cool on sheet for several minutes than transfer to wire rack. When cooled, may be iced if desired.

*Note: If you can't wait until the next day, chill at least an hour or more. Can also be baked in a pan, in one piece.

VEGAN SUGAR COOKIES

4 cups sifted flour
1 cup soy butter
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Ener-G Egg for 3 eggs (or any egg replacer enough for 3 eggs), beaten well
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix & sift flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

In separate large mixing bowl, cream margarine. Add sugar and cream well. Add Ener-G Egg and blend well. Add vanilla and stir in flour mixture. Beat well. Cover with waxed paper and refrigerate for 1/2 hour or overnight.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll on floured board to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out cookies and add any optional decorations. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 10 minutes or until browned lightly. Makes approximately 3 dozen.


HAPPY HEALTHY-DAYS!!!!!!!!

Flying Sans Rudolph ; )

Flying during the holidays is never as fun, efficient or exciting as Santa's once a year sleigh ride. However, here are some tips to help make your airport experiences much more merry, healthy and bright this season!

• Eat before you leave the house!! You should always leave with a full tummy or you will be tempted to nosh on whatever is convenient.
• Know before you go!! Know which airports you will be flying in and out of, laying over, etc. Most airports have websites that show what dining establishments can be found in each terminal. For instance, I know that the Delta terminal at LAX has a Starbucks (for my soy latte) and a CPK express where I can grab a salad or soup for the flight. Most international hubs have chain restaurants or familiar fast food counters that you can order up a healthy meal for your in flight pleasure. From a veggie salad or sandwich at Quiznos to a black Bean Burger at Chili's To Go, there are ways to not give in to bags of pretzels and pounds of danishes to keep you from passing out on your flight ; ) The World Travel Guide site is a great site that can lead you to each city's airport web site.
• Stay Hydrated!! Seeing as how we cannot bring our own food or beverages from home anymore, the first purchase one should make upon entering the appropriate gate is a big bottle of water. Above all else, staying hydrated during air travel is key to cutting down on fatigue and helps fight off the munchies!
• Sleep well the night before travel! That's the toughest with the anticipation and stress that comes with flying during the holidays but it can be done. And if not, invest in a flight pillow, eye mask, earplugs or noise reducing headphones and a blanket. Bring all the comforts of home with you to make your air Z catching easier.
• Plan ahead! Know where you are going directly after you pick up your bags at your destination. Home, hotel, family's house, wherever - map out what is close by in case you need to pick up a snack or a full blown meal so you don't keel over and start your vacation on a bad foot ; )

No matter what, air travel is a pain but hopefully the spirit of the season and these tips will help you get to and from your holiday destinations with a smile on your face!!