Paleo vs. Vegan

                What the Heck are Paleos and Vegans?

Recently I had a friend ask me to do a 30-day Paleo Challenge with her. We both have been working out hard and she thought it would be a great way to try a different eating style, incorporate more healthy eating habits and well, to get rid of those nasty grains.  At first I was a little terrified, not because I didn't want to eat healthy but because lately I have been eating more of a plant-based diet. I eat a whole lot of legumes, which is totally not Paleo.  And did I mention I am obsessed with peanut butter! I thought, I am really going to suck at this!

I thought to myself how am I going to do this? Paleo is certainly different from a plant-based/vegan diet, or so I thought. 

 In the past year I have done a lot of research on how food can really help our bodies and how to live a healthier lifestyle. I’m not an expert by any means; it’s just what I am really interested in.  An article that I came across really got me thinking about the differences and similarities of a Paleo and Vegan diet. Go to this link to check out a great article that I really connected with. 

The Paleo diet consists of mostly organic grass-fed meats, fish and seafood, fresh fruits and veggies, eggs, nuts and seeds and healthy oils such as olive, walnut, flaxseed, avocado, and coconut. The paleo diet stays away from processed foods, potatoes, refined sugar, dairy, cereal grains, legumes (including peanuts), salt, and refined vegetable oils such as soybean, corn, and canola. The main reason people decide to do this diet is to get back to our Paleolithic ancestors.  This is believed to be the diet about 2.5 million years ago. People believe that we are not adapted to eat all of the highly processed foods we have today and that this is the best diet to a healthy strong body. Paleos eat as if they were back in time as a “hunter and gather”.

            The Vegan diet primarily consists of fresh fruits and veggies, all grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and healthy oils such as olive, coconut, vegetable. The Vegan diet avoids all animal products. That means no meat, no dairy, no eggs, and no honey. Vegans are also against using products like leather, silk, fur, wool and even some cosmetics.Vegans believe that our bodies do not need animal products to survive. They are compassionate about all animals and the environment. They believe that this is the best diet for preserving our bodies and the planet. 

What I have learned while doing research, is that the Paleo diet and the Vegan diet are more similar than you think.

What Paleos and Vegans both agree on:

Organic fruits and Veggies are great.

Nuts are good.

Dairy is not good.

Fast food is gross.

Whole foods and food close to its natural state are the best.

Avoid processed foods.

The conventional meat industry needs a lot of changes.

Fuel your body with natural, clean foods!

Now I think the point of all this is that everyone should eat foods that are whole, natural, clean, and organic, when possible. Who can argue with that? The food we eat fuels and helps our bodies do everyday stuff; go to work, do laundry, work out at the gym, fill the car with gas, go to the grocery store, or cook for our families.

I am not saying that everyone needs to choose to be a Paleo or a Vegan. I think that all of us could take some advice from these lifestyles and incorporate more whole and natural foods into our daily meals. Let’s give our bodies the real food they need. Let’s get rid of the standard American way of eating! Don’t drive to a drive-thru, instead drive to a park or the beach and bring your own goodies! Let’s get out and move, and eat good food for our beautiful lives and bodies!

Cinnamon Sugar Breakfast Scones

Cinnamon Sugar Breakfast Scones

These scones were so delicious! They were moist, fluffy and the glaze made them to die for! I never need a good reason to have a warm cup of tea, being the Dutch girl that I am, but these scones go perfectly! 

What you need:  

For the Scones

2 cups of flour 

2 teaspoons baking powder 

1/2 teaspoon baking soda 

1/2 teaspoon of salt 

1/2 cup of butter

1 egg, separated 

3 tablespoons of honey

1/3 cup of whole milk

1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice

For the Cinnamon topping

1-2 tablespoons of granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon 

For the Glaze

1 cup of powdered sugar 

3 tablespoons of whole milk 

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla 

What you need to do:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. 

2. In a kitchen aid mixture, or a large mixing bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. (The butter should be dime sized pieces.)

3. Separate the egg white and yolk. Set the egg white aside. (you will use this later!) 

4. In a separate bowl, mix egg yolk, honey, milk and lemon. Add to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

5. Form dough into a ball on a floured surface. Roll or pat out to half an inch in thickness and eight inches in diameter. Cut into eight equally-sized pieces.

6. Transfer to a greased baking sheet. Whisk the egg white until froth forms and brush over the tops of scones. 

7. Mix sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over egg-white-topped scones. Use as much as you like! 

8. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. I suggest to not cook over 12 minutes, this will keep the scones moist. 

9. Mix together powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until glaze forms. 

10. Drizzle over scones after they bake. Serve warm or save for later! 

Store at room temperature so the glazed scones do not dry out.

Recipe adapted from the moneysavingmom.com 

Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

                

               Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

 I love Quinoa. It's all the hype right now and I approve. It is actually a seed but is similar and tastes like whole grains such as rice and barley. Not only is it a gluten free grain it is also a complete protein. I always buy organic Quinoa. Costco has a huge bag that is great! One thing to always remember about Quinoa before you cook it is you must rinse it in cold water. If you don't the Quinoa after it is cooked will have a very earthy, dirt taste. Don't worry! After it is rinsed all of that funky taste goes away! 

I incorporate Quinoa in a lot of my meals, whether is is a side dish by itself or the main course. And my husband loves it so what more can I ask for! 



What you need:

2 cups of cooked Quinoa 

1 can of black beans, rinsed
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 bushel of cilantro
3 green onion, chopped
3 limes, juiced  
1 pinch red pepper flakes (if you do not like a little bit of spicy you can omit this)
2 tablespoons of olive oil 
   salt and pepper to taste

What you need to do:

1. Rinse and cook Quinoa as directed. 
2. Once the Quinoa is done, let cool until you are ready to use. 
3. Rinse can of black beans and put it into a large mixing bowl.
4. Chop red bell pepper in to bit size pieces and put in the mixing bowl.
5. Rough chop cilantro and add to the bowl.
6. Chop green onions and add to mix. 
7. Add Quinoa to mixing bowl and mix. 
8. Add the lime juice and mix. 
9. Add olive oil and red pepper flakes. Salt and pepper to taste. Mix so everything is evenly coated.
10. Serve cold or warm, however you like it. I prefer this dish to be  served cool. It is so simple and refreshing! 
  Enjoy! 

Orange Raspberry Juice

                                             Orange Raspberry Juice

What you need:

2 large oranges, peeled 

1 cup of fresh raspberries

1 large apple, cut into large chunks

What you need to do:

1. Using a juicer, process oranges, raspberries and apple.

2. Whisk and pour into a glass (mason jars are my favorite!)