Valentine's Diet Massacre

Ah yes, Valentine's Day. The day where you either stuff your face with a rich meal, wine, candy and chocolate along with your better half or celebrate single awareness day with quite the same menu. Which ever Valentiner you are, here are some healthy tips to make this "holiday" less guilt ridden ; )

• If you choose to stay in and have a romantic meal, make a delicious salad with arugula and avocado. Make a light homemade honey mustard dressing and toss a few pine nuts on top. Each ingredient in the yummy, healthy salad is an aphrodisiac!
• If you are fighting the dining crowds on V-day, try sushi. Veggie sushi with brown rice and a glass of organic wine will rev up your night without slowing down your metabolism. It's sexy to feed your dinner partner and it too is a proven aphrodisiac.
• Wine is the alcoholic beverage of choice for health nuts as it's the lowest in calories. Opt for a glass or 2 over your usual mixed drink and your waistline will thank you. Especially if you are squeezing into a little bit of nothing later in the evening ; )
  
• Whether you choose to stay in or out, opt for a fruity desert. Strawberries, raspberries, bananas and pineapples are great to help you digest your sensual meal and again, are part of a short, but healthy list of erogenous foods. If you are home, grab some soy whipped cream and make a yummy parfait for 2!
• Go for a romantic walk after your meal. Sitting around after a rich meal slows down digestion which doesn't feel so good come "sexy time". Walk it off on this cool winter night and then get inside with your honey to warm up!
• If you are hot for some good old fashioned chocolates in a heart shaped box, check out Indulge in Chocoalte, Taraluna and Garuda International for their fair trade chocolates. The lack of dairy will keep you from falling asleep and dark chocolate is filled with antioxidants. You won't miss anything from run of the mill Valentine's chocolates but you will taste the presence of full chocolate flavor that will make you purrrr!
• Celebrate with organic and fair trade gifts! The Organic Consumers Association has an extensive list of green, organic and fair trade vendors for all your Valentine's shopping needs. Check them out!

So whether it's a special night for you and your baby or a fun night out with friends, let this Valentine's day be a sexy, sweet and healthy one!

More in Baltimore

After we left the warmth of South Florida, we jumped up the east coast to Maryland. We spent some time in a few different cities, good ol' Baltimore being one of them. I was surprised to see what a nice variety of healthy grub there was as well as some other neat sites.

The evening we arrived, we spent time a walking around downtown. We explored the lovely National Aquarium and got a bit hungry from the workout of walking up and downstairs. There was a whole group of us and we were in tourist central so we ended up at The Hard Rock Cafe. Yep, you can find something healthy there! I usually splurge on veggie burger with a side salad but I only eat half the bread. I've also ordered their fajitas in the past and just asked for grilled veggies instead of meat, no sour cream or cheese but extra guac and salsa! Yumm! See for yourself at the Hard Rock!

Well, poking around Baltimore I didn't think I was in the south. But The Yabba Pot specialized in vegan soul food!! What? Yeah, and tasty too! Can I just say bbq tofu wrap? How about a nice helping of Avocado or "chick-un" salad? Hells yeah!!

Finally, on our way out of town, we hid from the cold at The City Cafe. A very New York feeling vibe, City Cafe was a good find for all of us. My fellow travelers had yumminess of their own while I chowed down on an ridiculously tasty roasted eggplant sammy ; ) They had a nice variety of veggie friendly fare and some super cool atmosphere to boot. Make your way in to The City Cafe.

I will definitely be back for some more in Baltimore ; )

Noshing in Naples

Down in South Florida for the holidays, we drove across the state to the west side to see some friends and do some airboating. There for just a short time, I was still able to scope things out and find some good grub ; )

Rolling into town I needed a snack after the drive. I found the Organic NRG Market where their deli case was chock full o' yumminess. They had a nice variety of veggie and vegan items available as well as a healthfully stocked store. I grabbed a container of tempeh salad and a greek dolma. They have a few locations in Florida, find out more info at the NRG Site.

Just before our airboat ride, we needed to grab a quick picnic lunch. Jason's Deli was a big cafeteria style deli with a huge menu. Big sandwiches, salads, soups and the usual New York deli fare, Jason's also had a nice sized veggie menu. I had a grilled veggie wrap on spinach tortilla. It was quite good and got me pumped to see some gators! All their info can be found online at Jason's Deli . There may be one near you!

After our afternoon thrill ride, it was time for dinner. Our friends suggested we have a nice meal at the Bellasera Hotel restaurant, Zizi. It was quite nice and I was able to enjoy a delicious meal. I ordered the Raspbery chicken salad with no chicken and asked to have a veggie risotto made. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and is just as pretty as the rest of the resort. Check them out at Bellasera.

After we played and stuffed our bellies we headed back to Ft. Lauderdale to stay through Christmas day. Join me next week when the healthy voyager dines in Maryland!

Fair Fairhope, Alabama

On our way to Pensacola from New Orleans we made a pit stop into the quaint little town of Fairhope, Alabama. Minutes from Mobile, Fairhope is a cute community with southern charm as well as some eateries for us health nuts!

We only spent a day there but had enough time for 2 meals ; ) Lunch was a quick one so that we could spend our time walking around the main drag and window shopping. We decided on Papa's Pizza and it was a winner. They had a great variety of gourmet style pizzas as well as Italian favorites like calzones and pastas as well as nice size salads. They offered low fat lasagna and had no problem making me 2 heaping slices of veggie pizza with no cheese. Most pizza places would have me order a whole pie but at Papa's they accommodated quite nicely. My slices were loaded with a ton of fresh veggies and the crust was excellent. Papa's is on the corner of N Church St and Fairhope Ave - 251.990.9600

After walking off our pizzas and shopping for Christmas gifts, we chose Mateer's for dinner. It had a nice vibe with a piano man and wonderful southern hospitality service. Their menu was quite extensive with everything from sushi to steak and were excited to prepare anything I decided to mess with on their menu ; ) I got the Mateer's House Salad sans cheese and it was quite yummy. We also split some delicious veggie sushi rolls and since we were in the south, I had a fried green tomato! Mateer's a a great place for a nice night out in Fairhope and you can find them at 14 N Church St in Fairhope - (251) 928-1714.

On our way out of town, I had a bit of a hankering for a yummy snack and noticed Fairhope Health Food and Sunflower Cafe. It's a great local market with a cafe that is open for lunch and dinner. They offer organic food, wine as well as a wonderful variety of veggie and vegan meals as well as gluten free items and desserts. I grabbed a tempeh and quinoa salad for the drive home as well as some goodies from the market for my breakfast the next day. You can find all of their info at Fairhope Health Food .

Just in case your in this wonderful little gulf town, make sure you add these spots to your tour!

Happy New Year!!

It's 2008 and the Healthy Voyager is back in biz! I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season and are ready to hit the ground running in this new year ; ) I have a smorgasboard of great places I hit up around the holidays but I first wanted to come back and share some tips to keep you healthy, wealthy and wise. It's a new year so we can get started on all kinds of things that can keep us physically, mentally and fiscally healthy into '09! After all, health is not just food related!!

Food & Exercise

• Eat a balanced diet of whole foods—grains, legumes, and fresh vegetables and fruits. Buy wholesome snacks as opposed to convenience foods
• Eat a large breakfast, a medium sized lunch and a small dinner. Consuming most of your food early in the day gives you energy for the day’s activities. Implement stretching and strengthening exercises as well as 30 to 45 minutes of aerobic activity to your daily routine.
• Drink 8 to 12 glasses of filtered or spring water daily. It’s best to consume water first thing in the morning as well as up to 30 minutes before meals. This helps satiate the body and minimize appetite.
• Take time to enjoy eating! Chew slowly and thoroughly ; )
• Forgive yourself for any weight problems or holiday weight gain. Get back on track with low-fat, low-calorie, wholesome foods.
• Find a weight, diet and exercise routine that is right for YOU!! Make long term changes and develop good habits that you can stick with.
• Make good and healthy choices when you are eating out or away from home. A little research, preparedness and discipline goes a long way!

Mental, Spiritual and Fiscal

• Create a plan. Setting a goal without formulating a plan is merely wishful thinking. In order for your goals to be met effectively and completely, it must translate into clear steps that can be put into action.
• Create your plan immediately. If you're like most people, then you'll have a limited window of opportunity during the first few days of January to harness your motivation. It's imperative you begin creating your plan immediately.
• Write down your resolution and plan. Commit your resolution and plan to writing, such as in a notebook or journal.
• Think "year round," not just New Year's Day. Nothing big gets accomplished in one day. Resolutions are set in one day, but accomplished with a hundred tiny steps that happen throughout the year. New Year's resolutions should be nothing more than a starting point. You must develop a ritual or habit for revisiting your plan.
• Remain flexible. Expect that your plan can and will change. Life has a funny way of throwing unexpected things at us, and flexibility is required to complete anything but the simplest goal.

So weather you are looking to change your career, travel the world or start a family, keep it healthy and clear and 2008 will be the best year yet!!

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!!!!!!!!