A Memorable Memorial Day

Ah yes, Memorial Day weekend is upon us. The weekend that marks the official start of summer with blockbuster movies, cookouts and tossin' back a few drinks ; ) It's a weekend of fun and sets the tone for the next 3 wet, hot, sunny months. So with all the temptations of fatty food and alcohol filled events, here a few tips and recipes to keep you swim suit sexy all summer long!

• Make sure you wear sunscreen!! You don't want to be spending you first weeks of summer battling nasty peeling and pain, along with a lifetime fear of the big skin "C". It's so not hot ; )
• Sunglasses are key to keeping your eyes protected. Sure, be stylish but make sure they have the proper UV protection. Do you homework and you'll see that you can be chic and safe all at the same time.
• Eat lighter foods like fresh fruit and salads. The feel and taste great on hot summer days and also contain a high water content to keep you hydrated throughout the day.
  
• Be sure to have water with you at all times. Staying hydrated during the hottest months of the year keep you healthy and fresh, inside and out. It's also a great way to curb hunger and stave off "wastedness"!
• Keep up your healthy diet, vitamin taking and workout regimen. Just because you have time off doesn't mean the calories don't count or that it will be easy to get back on track. Consistency is key and you will be happier for it. Come Labor Day, you still want to look good and not have to break out sweats for your Fall wardrobe ; )
• Whether you are hosting or attending parties this weekend and throughout the summer, try some of these naughty tasting but nice feeling treats:

Carnivore Approved Big Mouth Mushroom Burger

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 lb mushrooms, roughly chopped (combination of crimini, shiitake, and Portobello)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 6 cloves minced garlic
• 2/3 cup rolled oats
• 1/3 cup shredded soy cheese
  
• 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 egg replacer eggs
  
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, or 1 tsp dried parsley flakes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Heat 1 tbsp oil in large saucepan. Saute the mushrooms, onions and garlic over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or until the liquid boils off, and the mushrooms begin to saute.

In large bowl, add mushroom mixture to oats, soy cheese, breadcrumbs, egg replacers, parsley, oregano, salt and pepper. Mix well. Allow to sit for 15 minutes to develop the flavors. Shape into patties. Heat 2 tbsp oil in large non-stick skillet, over medium heat. Fry patties, cooking about 5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.

Serve on a toasted bun and top with grilled onions, avocado, lettuce, pickle and tomato.

Crispy Sumi Salad

1/3 cup tamari (wheat free for gluten sensitive folks)
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp fresh maple syrup
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
1/2 head red cabbage – shredded
1/2 head white cabbage – shredded
4 large pieces of your protein of choice (tofu, tempeh, faux chix, etc) - chopped
1 tsp soy sauce (low sodium)
1/2 cup sliced almonds – toasted
2 tbsp sesame seeds – toasted
2 tbsp canola oil
1/2 lemon
salt and pepper to taste

In a small mixing bowl, combine your tamari, rice wine vinegar, maple syrup and whisk in your sesame oil. set aside.

Add your canola oil to a pan and bring to about 350 degrees. Add your chopped up protein choice and 1 tsp soy sauce. Stir fry until crispy on the outer edges. Set aside to cool.

Shred your cabbage into thin strips in a large mixing bowl.

Toast almonds and sesame seeds in a small pan. Then toss seeds, almonds and protein into the the cabbage bowl. Toss in the tamari/maple dressing, salt and pepper. Squeeze in 1/2 of the lemon and stir together. Set in the fridge to cool for approximately 1 hour.

Almond Strawberry Spinach Salad

• 3 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries
• 1/4 cup sliced honey-roasted almonds
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon agave nectar
  
• 1 1/2 teaspoons raw sugar
  

In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries and almonds. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the vinegar, agave and sugar; shake well. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Vegan Colada

• 1/3 cup pineapple chunks
• 1/2 cup vanilla almond milk (lowfat if you like)
  
• ¼ cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 oz organic rum
  
• 4 ice cubes

Place all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Serve in a chilled glass and garnish with cherry garnish and umbrella ;)

Gooey Vegan Brownies

• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

My folders:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Pour in water, vegetable oil and vanilla; mix until well blended. Spread evenly in a 9x13 inch baking pan.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top is no longer shiny. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting into squares.

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day and welcome to Summer!!

Mexic-Angeles

Growing up in South Florida, Cuban food was my vice (even though I'm Colombian). When I go home, it still is even though I have found some pretty good Cuban fare here in town to quench my fix. But in LA, Mexican is the way to go because nothing beats killer guac and a big ass marg! Oddly enough I'm probably as close to Mexico where I live now as I was to Cuba in when I lived in Miami, haha! So whether you're a local or planning a visit to the city of Angels, I've compiled a list of my favorite taco, burrito and enchilada spots in town that are not only boss, but healthy too! Get your GPS's ready and map out your taco crawl!

In no special order (as they all have rockin' choices):

• The Taco Spot in Eagle Rock - offering a bunch of veggie and vegan options, the Taco Spot has choices like soyrizo, tofu, sauteed veggies and/or potato filling for their tacos, burritos, enchiladas and breakfast items. The rice and beans are all vegan as they do not use lard and everything is veganizable if you just ask for no cheese or sour cream. They've got traditional food as well so it's a great place for a mixed crowd as no one will be left out and no one will leave hungry!
  
• Hugo's Tacos (2 locations) - Not your typical taco stand, Hugo's boasts fresh, organic food for all types of hungry folk. For the greenies, we have a few delish options of fillings such as veggie or soy chorizo with potatoes. The Torta Ahogada can be veganized and at the Atwater Village location, they've got soy cheese for quesadillas, etc. You get a choice of heat on your meal, from wimpy to the flames of hell! oh, and the Atwater location has soy soft serve ice cream!!!
  
• Mexicali in Studio City - This place is great for a night out with a group of pals for fun, celeb watching and margatinis. Yeah, I said it right ; ) Those are awesome and their regular margs are pretty close to perfection too. They too are very veggie friendly with veggie burritos and potato tacos along with some large, veganizable salads. The best night to go is Monday for their 30% off the entire menu and bar happy hour, all night long. Find them at 12161 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604 (818) 985-1744
• Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks - Best margs in town and they are great for the long waits to get in this joint. It's a fun vibe and the secret yum dish here is their vegetarian Mexican pizza (veganizable by holding the cheese and then slathering on a ton of guac). With a little vegan manipulation, their spinach enchiladas are incredible with green sauce. I ask for no cheese or sour cream, extra everything else. This, like Mexicali, is a place to see and be seen but the food and libations are what draw out the Angelenos ; )
  
• Tacos at Real Food Daily (2 locations) - Some of the first vegan tacos I ever had, were these. They are a vegan classic in my book. Melt in your mouth seitan taco meat with fresh veggies, vegan cheese, stuffed into an extra crispy hard shell and a side of their ridiculous guac - dude! I dare you to just eat 1. I don't think you can ; )
  
• Machos Tacos in Los Feliz - Another taco stand to be reckoned with. The veggie taco and burrito are pretty standard and veganizable but the sweet potato taco will knock you off your feet for sure. Check them out at 1670 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 665-6677
• Pure Luck Cafe in Hollywood - Ok, the whole damn menu is fantastic here but since we're chatting Mexican food, the picks here are obvious. The jackfruit carnitas or tofu tacos are phenomenal but man can they do a great faux fish taco, their baja taco is to die for. All of these can be made as burritos as well so get over to Pure Luck with an empty belly!
  
• Sky's Gourmet Tacos in West LA - Their newly added veggie menu is also vegan. No lard, vegan cheese, 100% tasty goodness. Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tortas and burgers with all of the fixin's, Sky's is one of the best choices in town for South of the Border scrumptiousness!
  
• Alegria in Silver Lake - A full on healthy Mexian restaurant, Alegria is a cute diner with an innovative menu. I'm a sucker for the vegan tostada; prickly pear cactus sauteed in cilantro, garlic, onions and tomatoes served on crispy tortillas, vegan beans and salad. Soooo yummy! The tacos and burritos can all be veganized and the veggies there a mega fresh as is every dish that comes out of Alegria's kitchen ; )
  
• Leonor's Vegetarian (3 valley locations) -Leonor's is a great place but if you're vegan, you need to let them know as their soy cheese is not vegan and some of their soy meat dishes aren't either. But you can still have awesome meals there like their burgers and tacos, the broccoli or spinach empanadas are great and their pizzas are delectable. You can visit them at 1 or all of their valley locations and make sure to ask before you order if you're vegan ; ) You'll be very happy you did!
  
• El Torito (various locations)- I know, it's sacrilege to do chain Mexican in LA but sometimes you gotta go and it ain't so bad. I happen to think the fresh, table side guacamole is some of the best in town. And their veggie burrito is no joke as it is fully stuffed with spinach, mushrooms, squash, zucchini, and avocado and served with vegetarian pinto beans. That all goes down really well with one of their icy margaritas ; )
  
• El Cholo (several locations) - Somewhat of a chain, El Cholo is an LA staple. ANother place with yummy table side guac, they have a yummy veggie fajita plate (veganizable when you hold the cheese and sour cream). Not a sizzling heap of filler veggies either, it's quite the harvest on a smokin' skillet. Not to be missed!!

Love, Peace ad Taco Grease - and a happy belated Cinco de Mayo!!

Los Angeles On The Go

One of the coolest things about living in LA is the access to unique services and just plain old cool stuff. People visiting LA normally hit up tourist spots and restaurants mentioned in their guide books. But to really experience LA, it's best to follow the advice of a local, as they've got the skinny on the secret spots and things to do. For instance, LA boasts some rockin' mobile food and I've got all of the info for you be you a tourist or an Angeleno!

One of the newest, coolest and biggest things to hit the LA scene is The Kogi Taco Truck. It's not your typical roach coach and nothing comes close. Be prepared to stand in mega long lines at their secret locations that are shared with salivating customers via twitter. You can also find their weekly stops on the Kogi BBQ website if you want a leg up on the crowds. This Korean BBQ Mexican fusion phenom has taken LA by storm and there's no sign of it slowing down. And it's not just hype cuase the food kicks ass! For the vegan, no need to fret, they've got Kogi Tofu tacos and Kogi Tofu Burritos. They are kogified in the marinade that the tofu is prepped in and they are filled with delicious kimchee. They are definitely worth the wait but plan your day and get to the locations early so you are sure to get a taste of killer Kogi!

Another boss mobile eatery is Franken's (also lovingly referred to as The Frankenstand). A 100%, horror themed, vegan hot dog stand with selections like The Wolf, The Witch and the Franken. From vegan beer brats to tomato basil awesomeness, there is something for everyone at this gouhlishly great wiener cart! They got all the fixin's and sauces too that will turn your dog into carnival in your mouth. Check out the Franken's site to find out where it will materialize next, oooooooooooohhhhh!!!

Tourist or not, The Melting Pot Food Tours are a fun way to spend an afternoon. With a route starting at the famous Farmer's Market on Third and Fairfax and coming soon, an Old Town Pasadena tour, this is a great way to taste the different flavors of LA in a neat fashion. It's super neat as your tour guide tells you all about the history of each place you visit and you are able to sample items from each of the locations. Another great aspect of the tours is that they are all on foot so you really get to savor being in each place as well as walking off all of the goodies you taste so you can make room for more. It's a great treat for a local as well as anyone blowing through town. Make your reservations today and hop on the next Melting Pot Food Tour!

The New HealthyVoyager.com is Here!

Hi everyone!! Just wanted to to take this week to invite you to visit the new HealthyVoyager.com!! There are still a few tweaks and additions that need to be made but it's almost there and I invite you to check back often for new recipes, videos, info and more.

I so look forward to all the new things coming in 2009. I'm very excited to officially launch the new site and hope you and your friends bookmark it and check in frequently!!

Thank you Gina from Jamhouse Design, Michael Borys and my honey Dan for hooking it way up!

This Earth Day, Going Veg Can Help Save You AND the Planet!

On this Earth Day 2009, what have you done to "Green" your life? Maybe you have started recycling, using less water in the shower or garden, using energy-efficient light bulbs, bringing your own bags to the market, buying locally-grown foods, or riding your bike to get around town. All these things applied to your daily life can help a great deal but did you know that nothing will benefit the planet nearly as much as switching to a vegan diet? Yeah it helps you get healthier like no cholesterol, low fat, easier digestion AND you reduce your carbon footprint! If you feel you're not ready to take the plunge just yet, or ever, even adopting a vegan diet for a few days a week, or 1 meal a day, you could dramatically improve your health as well as helping out mother earth. You may even be able to keep driving that SUV - it does less to the earth then the following:

• A United Nation report in 2006 claims that the “livestock sector” generates more greenhouse gas emissions than all the cars, trucks, trains, ships, and planes in the world combined. This industry is one of the largest sources of carbon dioxide and the single largest source of both methane and nitrous oxide emissions. Nitrous oxide is considerably more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. According to the U.N., the meat, egg, and dairy industries account for an eye opening 65 percent of nitrous oxide emissions.

• As mentioned, cutting back on animal product consumption can help combat climate change. Chris Weber, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, says that not eating red meat and dairy products is the equivalent of not driving 8,100 miles in a car that gets 25 miles to the gallon. While buying local meat may sound like it may help, only five percent of food-related emissions come from the actual transportation of the product.

• Environmental Defense has revealed estimates that, “If every American skipped one meal of chicken per week and substituted vegetables and grains … the carbon dioxide savings would be the same as taking more than half a million cars off of U.S. roads. … If every American had one meat-free meal per week, it would be the same as taking more than 5 million cars off our roads. Having one meat-free day per week would be the same as taking 8 million cars off American roads.” Who needs ethanol now?
  

• The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook points out that “refusing meat” is “the single most effective thing you can do to reduce your carbon footprint.” Researchers at the University of Chicago have found that going vegan is more effective in countering climate change than switching from a standard American car to a Toyota Prius. 2 other great books about food affecting our bodies and our environment is Food Revolution by John Robbins and Mad Cowboy by Howard Lyman. Both authors lived and worked in the eat and dairy industry making their information and message incredibly poignant.
  

Among the benefits to our climate in adopting a vegan diet, the environmental benefits are just as extraordinary. The U.N. report stated that the meat industry is “one of the … most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global.”

• Almost half of the water used in the U.S. is used by the animal agriculture industry. From watering the crops grown to feed farmed animals, providing drinking water for billions of animals each year, and cleaning the factory farms, transport trucks, and slaughterhouses, the farmed animal industry places a serious strain on our water supply. According Newsweek, “The water that goes into a 1,000-pound steer would float a destroyer.” It takes more than 4,000 gallons of water per day to produce a meat-based diet, but only 300 gallons of water a day are needed to produce a vegan diet ; )
  

• A vegan diet not only helps conserve water, it helps reduce water pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency has found that animal factories pollute our waterways more than all other industrial sources combined. Cows, pigs, chickens, and other animals raised for food produce approximately 130 times as much excrement as the entire human population. Crappy, huh?
  

• A Scripps Howard synopsis of a Senate Agricultural Committee report on farm pollution issued this warning about animal waste: “[I]t’s untreated and unsanitary, bubbling with chemicals and diseased.…It goes onto the soil and into the water that many people will, ultimately, bathe in and wash their clothes with and drink. It is poisoning rivers and killing fish and making people sick.… Catastrophic cases of pollution, sickness, and death are occurring in areas where livestock operations are concentrated.… Every place where the animal factories have located, neighbors have complained of falling sick.”

• More than one-third of all the fossil fuels produced in the U.S. are used to raise animals for food. It takes an exorbitant amount of energy to turn animals into food, so much so that it far exceeds the amount of cars on the road.
  

• Massive amounts of grains and soybeans are grown to feed farmed animals. Close to 1.4 billion people could be fed with the grain and soybeans fed to U.S. cattle alone. The Worldwatch Institute says, “[M]eat consumption is an inefficient use of grain—the grain is used more efficiently when consumed by humans. Continued growth in meat output is dependent on feeding grain to animals, creating competition for grain between affluent meat-eaters and the world’s poor.”

• We could produce more food for more people if we stopped squandering our resources to raise animals. It takes 3 1/4 acres of land to produce food for a meat-eater while food for a vegan can be produced on only 1/6 of an acre of land. For real!!
  

• According to the U.N., livestock production accounts for 70 percent of all agricultural land and 30 percent of the land surface of the planet. The U.N. report explains that the “[e]xpansion of livestock production is a key factor in deforestation, especially in Latin America, where the greatest amount of deforestation is occurring—70 percent of previous forested land in the Amazon is occupied by pastures, and feedcrops cover a large part of the remainder.”

So, hopefully you are thinking of your health as well as the health of our planet. If you would like more information on vegan or vegetarian foods, recipes and nutrition, feel free to visit www.healthyvoyager.com or contact me directly. In addition, there is a page of links and resources where you can find out more about vegan and vegetarianism on the site.

I adopted a vegan lifestyle over 10 years ago now and I did it for health. Health is still my number one reason for being vegan although I am happy that my personal reasons for becoming so have also created a positive impact on our world as well as the animals!

Happy Earth Day everyone and remember, every little change helps a lot!!

Facts, quotes and information from"Meat's Not Green: This Earth Day, Go Vegetarian to Save the Planet" by RaeLeann Smith

Happy 3rd Birthday Healthy Voyager!

Well, the blog and web show are 3 this month but the Healthy Voyager is actually 4 this year since way back in '05, the show was first developed. From that first go round, I knew I was on to something so why not do it on my own and build the brand how I saw fit. So here we are, 4 years later and growing like mad!

From the first word on the first blog post all the way to our new spin off show, The Healthy Voyager: Tour Bus, I'm so grateful to everyone who has helped me with the little germ of an idea I had years ago and gave me the tools and support to get it to where it is now. This year I will be launching the new show as well as the Healthy Voyager Global Kitchen Cookbook, the Healthy Voyager Approved guide (like a zagat guide for products and restaurants who have met my criteria for health, special diet and/or eco excellence), and a line of grab and go snacks!

I look forward to growing and creating new and exciting content and products that are beneficial, educational as well as entertaining. Please continue to check www.HealthyVoyager.com for new blogs, videos, recipes. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and keeping you interested!!!

Thanks for everything everyone!!!!! (Especially my honey, Dan. I wouldn't be here without you!!)

I will be back in early May with new cities and other healthy and green goodies!!
xo