We’re all busy during the holiday season. Buying and wrapping gifts, making cookies, attending and/or hosting parties, making airport runs, keeping the kids busy, and so much more. With so much going on, sometimes pets can fade into the background a bit. Not that we don’t love them less during this busy time, of course, […] The post VZ 027: Keeping Pets Safe & Healthy During the Holidays appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Dec 15, 2013•31 min
It’s official…we’ve published our very first Lift Coaching Plan, aptly entitled “Eat More Vegetables and Fruits“! We’ve discussed the Lift app before on our podcast, and Vickie wrote a comprehensive blog post, “Three Reasons I Love the Lift Habit-Tracking Application for iPhone”, back in October explaining exactly what Lift is and how it works. Recently […] The post VZ 026: Our Lift Coaching Plan to Eat More Vegetables & Fruits appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Dec 08, 2013•28 min
We all want to protect our kids from harm. We teach them to not talk to strangers and to look both ways when crossing the street. We feed them healthy foods and encourage other healthy habits. We want them to be happy and entertained, so we buy them fun and educational things they want to […] The post VZ025: Tips for Avoiding Toxic Toys appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Dec 01, 2013•25 min
When we come together to celebrate the holidays, food is,usually the focal point around which we gather. Further, the centerpiece of most of our holiday meals is meat. Turkey for Thanksgiving. Turkey or goose for Christmas. Ham for New Year’s and Easter. Barbecue for Memorial Day, Labor Day and the Fourth of July. We can’t […] The post VZ 024: Thanksgiving Tips for Vegetarians appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Nov 24, 2013•37 min
Even the most dedicated fitness fanatics sometimes find it challenging to get the job done. For those who don’t enjoy it in the first place, the challenge can sometimes be overwhelming! In this episode, we discuss tips to help keep you motivated and moving toward your fitness goals. We include a wide range of exercise […] The post VZ 023: Exercise Hacks appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Nov 17, 2013•43 min
Unfortunately, GMOs (genetically modified organisms) have become pervasive in our society today. Often under the guise of increasing crop yields, drought tolerance, or nutritional values, biotechnical companies have created “Frankenfoods” that have delivered on none of these promises. Instead, the primary advantage of these genetically engineered crops is that they are resistant to the […] The post VZ 022: Oh No! GMO! appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Nov 10, 2013•40 min
“Buy organic” seems to be a popular buzz phrase these days. With all the talk about genetically-modified foods, the overuse of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, and the connection of these chemicals with deadly diseases such as cancer, understanding the importance of buying and consuming organic foods is crucial. In this episode, we explore […] The post VZ 021: The Importance of Buying Organic appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Nov 03, 2013•41 min
Kids love candy, adults love candy…Halloween is awesome! We all know that candy and other sweet treats are not exactly nutritionally valuable, so in this episode we discuss ways to make Halloween activities a little more healthy for you and your family. From trick-or-treating strategies to healthier candy options for giving (as well as […] The post VZ 020: Tips for a Healthy Halloween appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Oct 27, 2013•32 min
The Fall season brings us a bounty of wonderful, healthy fruits and vegetables. From the many varieties of winter squash (including the Halloween vegetable mascot, the pumpkin) to apples, pomegranates, cauliflower, root vegetables and dark, leafy greens, Mother Nature provides us an endless supply of healthy meal and snack options. Join us on this […] The post VZ 019: What’s In Season? Fall Fruits and Vegetables appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Oct 20, 2013•43 min
It’s all too easy to blame our moods on purely external circumstances beyond our control. A bad day at the office caused you to be irritable. You’re tired because you didn’t sleep well last night, or maybe you’re just bored. Even positive moods are generally thought to be caused by things that happen to us […] The post VZ 018: Food and Mood appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Oct 14, 2013•36 min
Beans and other legumes just may be the vegetarian’s and vegan’s best friends. Pinto, kidney, red, pink, Great Northern, lima…no matter which one you choose, you’ll be picking a winner. Beans — as well as other legumes such as peas, lentils and peanuts — are amazing sources of protein, fiber and complex carbohydrates as […] The post VZ017: All About Beans appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Oct 06, 2013•30 min
National Kale Day is coming up on Wednesday, October 2, and Vegetarian Zen is on board to celebrate it. As NKD ambassadors, we are spreading the word about kale far and wide. To that end, this episode of the podcast is all about kale and its special day. We introduce listeners to the brains […] The post VZ 016: Let’s Celebrate National Kale Day! appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Sep 29, 2013•35 min
Are foods derived from animals the only source of protein for humans? Is drinking cow’s milk necessary for humans in order to get enough calcium? If you answered “no” to both of these questions, you would be correct. You would also be among a small segment of the American population who agrees with you. These […] The post VZ 015: A Review of the Documentary Film Forks Over Knives appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Sep 22, 2013•40 min
In this episode, we take on some of the most common myths about vegetarianism and veganism. Before becoming vegetarians, we actually held some of these beliefs ourselves. Once we made our lifestyle changes, we began to learn how mistaken we were. For example, we’ve learned that these common misconceptions just aren’t true: Vegetarians do not […] The post VZ 014: Our Favorite Myths About Vegetarianism appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Sep 15, 2013•32 min
Common sense tells us that skim milk is healthier than whole milk, correct? Less fat equals healthier. But what is healthier than skim milk? How about plant and nut milks: soy, almond, hemp, rice, or coconut? Generally lower in fat content (although coconut milk has a high fat content, it is plant-derived, not animal) […] The post VZ 013: This for That – Healthy Recipe Substitutions appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Sep 07, 2013•29 min
When we first became vegetarians, we simply stopped eating meat without changing our other bad eating habits. Consequently, we discovered that we did not initially feel as great as we thought we would. We had fallen into an all-too-common trap…we had become Junk Food Vegetarians! Healthy vegetarianism and veganism are about more than just […] The post VZ 012: Tips to Avoid Being a Junk Food Vegetarian appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Sep 01, 2013•27 min
Football season is once again upon us! Whether you’re an NFL fan, a college follower or both, you’ll need to have good strategies in place to maintain your vegetarian or vegan lifestyle while attending tailgate parties, fantasy draft parties, or the games themselves. You can even play host to a party or two yourself without scaring off […] The post VZ 011: Surviving Football Season as a Vegetarian appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Aug 25, 2013•30 min
Getting ready for back-to-school is hectic, no doubt. Lots to do, too little time to get it all done. Summer was too short (for the kids, anyway!). On top of shots, new clothes, school supplies and convincing the kids that this year is going to be GREAT, you want to ensure that you feed […] The post VZ 010: Back To School the Healthy Way appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Aug 18, 2013•28 min
When we first became vegetarians, we also became juicers. We did a lot of reading online, of course, but the first book we bought was Farnoosh Brock’s The Healthy Juicer’s Bible: Lose Weight, Detoxify, Fight Disease, and Live Long. It quickly became our go-to reference for all things juicing, from selecting a juicer to […] The post VZ 009: Why We Love “The Healthy Juicer’s Bible” appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Aug 11, 2013•28 min
Tofu…often the first thing that comes to the mind of an omnivore when introduced to a vegetarian; as in, “So, do you eat that tofu stuff? What exactly is that stuff, anyway?” In this episode, we demystify those little white blocks by providing a short lesson about how tofu is made, the different types […] The post VZ 008: All About Tofu appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Aug 04, 2013•27 min
“If you don’t eat animal products, how on earth are you getting enough protein in your diet?” This is one of the most commonly asked questions regarding living a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. Meat, eggs and dairy products provide the majority of protein for omnivores. In Episode 007, we explore this issue, focusing on […] The post VZ 007: Getting Enough Protein as a Vegetarian or Vegan appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Jul 28, 2013•27 min
In this episode, we discuss two favorite pastimes during the summer season: vacationing & grilling. We offer some great tips for grilling vegetables and fruit, such as marinating, grilling times, and other techniques. We also discuss ways to maintain a vegetarian lifestyle while on the road, including making the most of a great online […] The post VZ 006: Vacationing & Grilling, Vegetarian-Style appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Jul 22, 2013•32 min
In the previous episode, we discussed the differences between juicing and blending, and reviewed the juicer we use, the Omega VRT350. In this episode, we offer a review of our blender, the Vitamix 1365 CIA Professional Series. The Vitamix does so much more than what a standard blender or smoothie-maker does. Tune in to this […] The post VZ 005: Living Healthy with a Vitamix Blender appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Jul 15, 2013•23 min
This episode of the podcast is all about juicers and juicing. Vickie explains the differences between juicing and blending, and why they are both important, albeit for unique reasons. We go on to discuss the different types of juicers, exactly how each type works, and the benefits and shortcomings of each. We then launch […] The post VZ 004: Juice It Up! appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Jul 07, 2013•32 min
One of the most often-used excuses for not living a healthy, active lifestyle is that “there’s not enough time”. In this episode, we offer lots of helpful, time-saving tips for healthy eating, fitting exercise into your daily routine, and being more productive at work and in your personal life. Larissa presents some simple ways […] The post VZ 003: Time Is On My Side appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Jun 26, 2013•50 min
In the first part of this episode we discuss the many benefits of spices and herbs and the ways they can be used. Although we mention others, we focus specifically on four: ginger, cinnamon, rosemary and lemon balm. We talk about how using herbs and spices has helped us to keep our diets interesting […] The post VZ 002: A Life of Spice appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Jun 26, 2013•40 min
Wow! It’s finally here…the very first episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, aptly entitled “Here We Go!”. We’ve been working hard to pack each episode with amazing, informative and entertaining content for you, so here goes! In this first episode we introduce ourselves (and spill a little secret!). We share our journey to becoming […] The post VZ 001: Here We Go! appeared first on Vegetarian Zen ....
Jun 25, 2013•18 min
