Abby’s Review of Hogtown Vegan

There’s something to be said about going out for dinner alone.  The service is better, and the focus is always on the food.  There’s less mindless food-shoveling, and you can enjoy the little details that are put into your meal.  I took myself out for dinner last Friday to a new vegan restaurant on Bloor Street near Ossington called Hogtown Vegan.  They are described as “vegan comfort food” (check out Marni’s Comforting Vegetarian Feast class in winter 2012 to learn how to make your own!). The space was small and quaint, with someones awesome iPod playlist playing and one friendly server.

Their menu was made up of literally just comfort foods (two of the appetizers are wings and Mac and Cheese), with mains including nachos, tortilla salad, reuban sliders, unchicken and waffles, burgers, and various sandwiches.  They have a handy guide on the menu to indicate gluten-free, soy-free and nut-free items.  Unfortunately there weren’t too many soy or gluten-free options, which is probably the only thing I would change about my experience there.  I got the curry-roasted sweet potato sandwich with baby spinach, toasted sunflower seeds, and house mayo on their housemade chickpea flatbread (originally came with rye pumpernickel, but I subbed it) with a side caesar (other sides included fries and sauteed garlic collard greens).

SO GOOD!  I was expecting comfort “sizes” as well, with a massive sandwich and a dressing-soaked pile of salad, but the sizes were perfect (I forgot to take a picture before I took a bite).  I was perfectly satisfied after my meal, but had to try their dessert (for business purposes).  I went with the chocolate mousse with coconut cream.

It tasted like those chocolate Jello cups with a dollop of coconutty goodness on top.  Basically, it was the perfect ending to a seriously satisfying meal.  Other desserts were a flourless chocolate torte and maple pecan pie.

I love the idea behind this restaurant; it makes vegan food approachable, delicious and satisfying.  The restaurant isn’t trying too hard, or trying to be too “alternative” which many vegan restaurants do.  The crowd there was young and friendly.  Very casual and inexpensive (my whole meal was around $20 with tax and tip).  I definitely recommend checking them out!

Hogtown Vegan: 834 Bloor St. W, Toronto, ON M6G1M2

Check out their Facebook page (click here) for more info.

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Green Beauty Advice from Abby

Since I’ve started down this natural, healthy eating/living path, I’ve learned tons about what NOT to put in your body.  Chemicals, colours, genetically modified anythings and more.  In the last few months I’ve slowly started to extend this way of living into my beauty routine.  I’ve been using naturally based products for a while, but I’ve recently taken things to another level.

Last month my tried-and-true JASON deodorant ran out.  This was the only natural deodorant I’d ever tried and had it work (and I was never a particularly smelly gal anyways).  Standing in the health food store, I noticed a couple of crystal deodorants.  I’d heard a few girls in school talking about them, but in my head I always just assumed that was “taking things too far”.  Come on, who wants to risk being the smelly one at the outdoor wedding this summer?  But I decided to give it a shot.  The label even said, “Yes… It works!” (I got the Northern Harmony brand).

I was shocked – it really does!  I put it on right after a shower and very rarely do I need to reapply later in the day (maybe after a day in the sun, or walking around downtown for a few hours).  Plus one stick is supposed to last up to a year ($7 on deodorant all year? Amazing!)  It’s important that I also stress how when you eat clean, you don’t smell as bad .  You can find it at your local health food store and even Shoppers Drug Mart! Because it’s obviously chemical free, you’ll see some with the “Breast Cancer Society Approved” label on it.  It doesn’t end here.

A few months ago I started to get breakouts around my neck and hairline, and determined it must be my new Aveda shampoo and conditioner.  So I switched to ones by Giovanni, a natural organic line that’s been around for years.  I was pretty happy with them.  That is until a few of weeks ago when my friend Emily told me she’d stopped using these products all together.  This friend of mine is not the hippie/”natural” type that I thought would stop using shampoo.  It’s summer, there are events to go to and humidity to battle!  But she insisted that her hair didn’t feel greasy, have that “dirty hair smell”, or feel weighed down – it actually had the natural volume she’d spent tons of money on buying products for, and took less effort than ever.  Okay, I thought, I’ll give it a shot.  The benefits are huge – fewer chemicals in our water system, fewer bottles to fill with hair product, plus the whole idea of shampoo and conditioner is simply supply and demand (I’m pretty sure there wasn’t a stone age Pantene Pro-V line).  By washing our hair all of the time, we’re stripping our scalp of its natural oils.  These oils are there to moisturize our hair and give it pliability (that’s why your hair is always easier to style the day after you wash it).  It’s also why you need conditioner if you use shampoo – to add moisture back into your hair after stripping it all away.  Shampoo is basically just detergent for your hair.

And if I wouldn’t put it IN my body, why is it going ON my body?

It’s been about two weeks now.  I’m still kind of in the initial gross period while my scalp is figuring out to how much oil it should be producing.  I’ll wait as long as I can to use 1 tablespoon of baking soda (my new “shampoo”) followed by 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (my new “conditioner”)  on my hair in the shower.  Let me tell you – this stuff works!  I was skeptical.  I had my little Dixie cups in the kitchen, measuring out my “shampoo” and “conditioner”, wondering when I’d turned into such a granola.  I mean I still sport form-fitting Lululemon shorts, wear bras and shave my armpits, but here I am, turning into a green beauty ambassador.  I work out 5-6 days a week, sweat, go out at night, and work 2.5 jobs, and I’m confident enough to tell you all that these natural remedies really do the job.

Update: try using coconut vinegar instead, and use a little less than a tablespoon!

If I’m being honest, I still have one green-beauty faux pas – my make up.  I am making some good steps though.  I found this awesome lip balm line called Crazy Rumors.  They make vegan lip balm in fun, Bonne Bell-type flavours like Black Cherry Soda Pop and Gumball.  I haven’t seen it in Canada, but I order from iHerb.com (use RUL924 to get $5 off your purchase).  Do you guys have any tips or product suggestions to help ease the transition to natural makeup?  Have you tried going without your favourite chemical beauty product – deodorant, shampoo, whatever?  Comment below!

Abby

Abby’s Review on Boku Protein, Superfood and Bar

Anyone that has tried Vitaminerals knows that the ingredients are nothing but the best.  Boku has been formulated by the same brilliant man, Jameth Sheridan.  Several months ago, Boku was kind enough to send us samples of their protein and superfood supplements as well as their snack bar, and I thought I’d share my opinion.

The protein was definitely well-sourced, and the ingredients were all pure and delicious.  It gave our smoothies a hearty, healthy taste.  It’s one of the best brown rice proteins out there, but I’m a SunWarrior gal!

The superfood powder kept me powering though the hectic holidays.  It has a very impressive ingredient list, including blue-green algae, probiotics and mushroom blend to name a few!  I included it in some delicious breakfast bars I made, and it hides nicely in smoothies.

The bar was probably my favourite item, it was delicious! It gave me the perfect energy boost before a Bikram class.  The taste was great and I felt great eating it.  No complaints, A+ Boku!

Try the Boku smoothie Marni and I made:

2 cups rice milk

2 scoops Boku protein

2 scoops Boku superfood

1 banana

2 tablespoons coconut oil

2 tablespoons goji berries

1 package of acai berry juice

Handful of frozen berries

Blend together and enjoy! Serves two.

Check out and purchase Boku products here: http://www.bokusuperfood.com/

Abby’s Review on Holy Basil Tea

I love tea.  When I say I love tea, I mean I was at David’s Tea three times this weekend, and I drink it every single day (I’m drinking Chocolate Chili Chai right now!).  I drink it to wake me up and to squash my sweets cravings.  Sometimes I just drink it because I’m cold (which is pretty often, I’d probably walk around in a blanket if I could).   So when Marni introduced me to Holy Basil tea, I was game to learn about it.  She came back from the Longevity Conference talking about it, so it had to be good, right?

Right indeed, this tea is like a prescription in a cup!  As soon as I drank it I felt it in every cell.  Holy Basil tea is made from the leaves and blossoms of the tulsi plant.  It has hundreds of phytochemicals that include antioxidants, anti-bacterials, anti-virals, and immune enhancers.  Drinking it balances the metabolism, builds stamina and promotes mental clarity.  It is an adaptogen that helps the body deal with stress, and contains vitamin A, C, calcium, zinc, iron and chlorophyll.

Also, it helps to lower cholesterol and high blood pressure; it also promotes respiratory health and improves stamina.  As if this wasn’t enough, it helps with digestive and gastrointestinal problems, helps the liver function properly, reduces cell and tissue damage from sun rays, radiation therapy and relieves inflammation from arthritis and other diseases.

Holy Basil tea used to be shown as a sign of affection and hospitality.  It’s been an important part of Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.  Who knew thousands of years ago that a tea would help neutralize dangerous chemicals that contribute to cancer, degenerative diseases and premature aging?

You can find different kinds of Holy Basil tea.  It can be made from any of the three tulsi plants: Rama, Krishna, and Vana.  We tried the Organic Traditions brand, it was fantastic.  Try some, let us know what you think!

Abby’s Review on Bunners Bakery

When you start to ween yourself off of white sugar and refined flours, your taste buds change (actually, they change every three weeks!).  I’m not sure how I’ve been in the natural health field for almost three years and never heard of Bunners Bakery in the Toronto junction.  Their vision is awesome: a vegan bakery full of yummy goods without the use of eggs, butter, milk, wheat, soy or refined sugar.  What could be better?

A few weeks ago they were promoting their vegan cream eggs.  Now, for a lot of people when Easter comes around it’s all about the Cadbury Mini Eggs.  For me, it was always the Creme Eggs.  I would buy two at a time and enjoy the fondant centre as slowly as I could manage before popping the whole chocolate shell in my mouth.  Heaven.

Once I learned about the not-so-heavenly ingredients in the eggs, I bid a sad farewell to my much-loved Easter treat.  Clearly, I had to make a trip to the junction to try these novel vegan eggs.  They were good!  I think I had this idea that they would taste just like the Cadbury version, and obviously they didn’t, because they used real ingredients.  While it wasn’t quite everything I’d built it up to be, it was still delicious.

My girlfriend and I tried a few of their other items as well: Chocolate Chip Creamie (two chocolate chip cookies with vanilla bean frosting in between), Supersonic Gypsy cookie (oats, seeds, raisins, chocolate chips… definitely my favourite!) and the Vanilla Bean Cupcake.  They were all yummy, even my non-holistic friend agreed!  I have to admit that I found the icing was bit too sweet, but for those of you who are still on the white-sugar kick I’m sure it’ll be perfectly satisfying! They use agave nectar there, which I suspect has something to do with it.

All in all, I’d definitely recommend checking them out.  The staff are super friendly and helpful (especially if you have no idea where you’re going and need some help figuring it out.. which is exactly what happened to me).  It’s a bit out of the way, but if you have an afternoon free, make the trip.  The junction is a great up-and-coming area in Toronto.  There are lots of natural or organic stores and restaurants popping up over there!

- Abby, the Assistant

3054 Dundas W St (in the Junction), Toronto, ON M6P 1Z7
Email: info@bunners.ca
Phone: 647-352-2975

http://www.bunners.ca

Abby’s Cleanse Review

Read what Marni had to say about her cleanse…

I’ve done cleanses before.  We’ve all seen them advertised in the front of health food stores, with intensities ranging from 3 to 30 days.  I’ve experimented triphala and cascara sagrada, and sometimes fancy myself some cleansing tea.  But this Health Force cleanse was something else!  Reading the description, I thought “Three days, that’s nothing, I can do that.  Twelve pills per serving? Piece of cake”

There was no cake.  This was probably the hardest three day-cleanse I’ve ever tried.

Marni and I got really excited to start it too, we were going to do a raw diet along with it and get ourselves prepped for spring.  My first day I barely had an appetite.  I don’t know if it was the supplements or all the water I was drinking, but I hardly touched the raw meals I’d made.  Later that night I felt so sick.  It might have been the uncooked onions in raw soup I made, but I was asleep by 9 simply because I didn’t want to move.  I ended up having a cooked meal for dinner to try to settle my stomach.

Day two I woke up with an awful headache.  I had a mini breakdown about nothing before I even got to work.  I ate mainly raw that day, and felt a bit better that night.

That last day I was determined to go out with a bang.  I started my day with a juice, which normally keeps be going till lunch.  Midway through the morning, I felt very light headed.   I tried eating something solid to settle things, but it only turned my stomach. My skin was pretty oily too.  I ate mainly raw this day too, with one cooked meal.

So, my review?  The positives:

-       Definitely felt it working! Between the emotional and the physical releases, I really did feel like it was doing it’s job.  It was a very high quality product.

-       It forced me to drink a lot more water than I usually do.  I drink quite a bit as is, but with such a small appetite it was the only thing I wanted.

-       The checklist included is really handy, it can be difficult to remember when to take which supplements.

The negatives (I don’t even know if I can call them negatives, because I know it was all part of the cleanse):

-       Lots of capsules.  They fill you up so much you don’t want to eat that much and you don’t want to take them by the end of the day (however I’d much rather take the supplements in capsule form rather than loose)

-       The emotional side effects.  I didn’t expect them!  I know it’s totally normally to experience them, but it doesn’t make it any more pleasant.  Whatever this cleanse released was clearly necessary.

-       The physical side effects.  I expected these side effects more, the headaches and the somewhat urgent bathroom trips.  They weren’t pleasant but they were tolerable.

If you are new to cleansing, I wouldn’t recommend doing a 3-day intensive cleanse, I’d say do a 30-day gentle cleanse (also available from Health Force).  The products were fantastic quality.  My next cleanse will definitely be a Health Force cleanse!

Working for a Culinary Nutritionist: An Assistants Blog

First, let me introduce myself.  My name is Abby, I’m Marni’s assistant.  I’m also a fresh graduate from The Institute of Holistic Nutrition.  I love Glee, Michael Jackson, whole natural foods, and chocolate.

I first heard about Marni when I was in school.  She was highly spoken of as a great, successful graduate.  While I was in school, my mind took many twists and turns as I tried to figure out what exactly I was going to do with my life.  Yes, I was going to be a nutritionist.  But when you see a website (that I now update) listing accomplishments like Marni’s, you have to wonder, how am I going to measure up?

I candidly remember my first teacher scaring the life out of me.  I went home and tore apart my family’s kitchen cupboards, ranting and raving and preservatives and artificial colours and demanding to know “by which mechanism” does my father have high blood pressure?  Over the two years I was in school, I came to learn a lot about the importance of balance.  It’s really hard to change over night. As much as I wanted (and still would like) to, living at home on a student budget didn’t really allow me to.

I was working as a receptionist at a high end health club during my last year of school, sincerely wondering where my life was going.  As classes finished up, I got a promotion that gave me more money and more hours, and I suddenly understood how easy it would be to let my life keep going in that direction.  Enter Marni.

I began poking my head around, looking for a better opportunity in my field.  Which, by the way, you have to be extremely dedicated (such as Marni) to really be successful in.  It is not an easy field to get into.  After a series of interviews, I got a email from Marni asking me to come in for an interview.  I got the job, but I considered not taking it.  I thought maybe I should just stay a receptionist that happened to have a ton of useful, amazing nutrition information in her head and a regular paycheque.

Let me just say, I don’t think I’ve ever had a job that inspires me every single day to live a healthier, better life.  And I feel so blessed that I get to say that now.  One thing I’ve learned since graduating is to not let yourself be rushed or pressured by others accomplishments.  It’s so easy to be green with envy over some else’s job, achievements, or skills.  Have faith that your opportunity is coming, and it might not be what you expect.

Hopefully, all of you can find your Marni.

On that note, I’m glad I finally got to introduce myself.  I will be posting a blog entry every once in a while, in between confirming class attendees and updating Marni’s website.  I’ll post anything from book reviews to new products, or maybe just what Marni’s up to lately.  If you have something you’d like to hear about, email me at gethealthy@marniwasserman.com!