Fresh Juice Without A Juicer

I got rid of my juicer about 2 months ago.

*waits for the vegan po-po to snatch my membership card*

In all seriousness, my cheap juicer just didn't work for me anymore. I found it wasteful (the fruit pulp always very wet after extraction) and cleaning the multiple parts got old fast. Plus, I was too lazy to compost the pulp and the subpar juicer didn't like green leafy vegetables.

I've always been more of a smoothie mama anyway, so there's no love lost (or money) since I didn't technically pay for it.  I used my debit card points to purchase but wish I used those points toward a flight. Just saying

Don't get my wrong, I'm not against juicing at all.  In fact, I think juicing is wonderful if you have a picky child or you want to increase your vegetable/fruit intake.  I just have a problem with the inferior juicers taking up space in most department stores. In my opinion, juicers are one of those appliances that you have to spend some serious dough on to get the full benefits.

But I digress.....

Want fresh juice but a juicer isn't in the budget right now?  No worries-your blender can handle that task for you.

You just blend your fruit/vegetables with water and use a nut milk or paint bag to strain it.

Here's a video demonstrating the process....

Maybe one day I will go fancy. *giggles*

Have you had a better experience with inexperience juicers?

The Documentary That Changed Me

I often talk about how reading Skinny Bitch in 2008 planted the seed of veganism; how reading Sistah Vegan helped me transition to plant-based eating; and watching Earthlings kept me a vegan for the last two years.

I was talking to one of my clients last week, and she asked me to suggest a documentary that would shine light on the animal industry as a whole.  She wants to become a vegan for health reasons and feels learning more about the industry will help her transition.  I recommended Earthlings.

This documentary depicts how what we eat and wear not only affects our health; but also other people, the environment, and non-human animals.  Earthlings does an excellent job of addressing nature, animals, humankind and the massive injustices that take place for greed and profit.

I'm not perfect, but watching this documentary helped to make me more conscious of what I purchase and how it relates to more than just my family.  

Here's the trailer....

I also wanted to post the full documentary if you're interested in watching.

Don't let the tame trailer above fool you. This is the most graphic documentary I've ever seen.  It will change you.

Overcoming Doubt & Defining Your Own Success According to Viola Davis

Even though I enjoyed reading The Help, I have no desire to see the movie.  Just like Dangerous Minds, The Blind Side, and Freedom Writers, I don't typically like "white savior" movies.

When that said, I've been a fan of Viola Davis for many years, and I'm so glad she's finally receiving recognition.

I came across this clip where she talks about overcoming doubt and defining her own success.

"All of the things you feel about success has been defined by other people" So profound.  I'm finally okay with my success not being measured by how many bedroomsI have, how much higher education I've acquired, and the cost of my clothing.

I still battle with self-doubt but not nearly as much as I used to.  I'm finally okay with my views not matching the mainstream.  Like Davis says in the video, it's so important to figure out what you want and what will make you happy.

100 Youtube Subscribers! Woohoo!

*doing the Cabbage Patch*

Thank you for subscribing to my Youtube channel.  I'm having so much fun making these videos and will continue to upload them weekly.

Much love to the genius who thought of voiceover, because I would never be able to complete a video with my three little monsters talking (or screaming) during every scene without it. LOL

My plan is to continue to use Youtube as a platform to show how fun, simple, and delicious vegan meals truly are.  

Is there a recipe you want me to make, or a topic you would like me to address on Youtube or on here (food related or not)?  Leave a comment below and let me know. Your feedback is very important to me. :-)

Do you know someone who is thinking about transitioning to vegan eating? Share this blog link or my Youtube channel information with them.  

Thanks again for all of your support,

Monique

If you haven't already, subscribe to my channel below. Thank you.

Flu Shot?

A few weeks ago I saw a sign in my neighborhood for free adult flu shots.

No one wants to be sick; especially when it consists of cold sweats, aches and feeling like you can't breathe. 

"Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. It is estimated that, on average, approximately 5% to 20% of U.S. residents get the flu, and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized for flu-related complications each year. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people." - CDC 

With numbers like that,  I can understand why so many people rush out for the shot.

I used to get the flu shot with the chipmunks yearly until I contracted the flu and realized it doesn't protect you from all strains.

Another consideration for me is that the flu shot isn't vegan yet. 

According to Mayo Clinic, you shouldn't get a flu shot if you're allergic to eggs because they're used in the incubation process (article on how chicken eggs are used).

I read a few articles about the government's plan to make the flu shot plant-based because it is effective and less expensive.

Being vegan or not, getting the flu shot is a personal decision.

If you decide the flu shot isn't for your family, here are a few natural options to get through the season: 

*Tracye McQuirter's Concoction

Tracye recommends taking this at the first sign of a cold

2-3 big cloves of fresh garlic
1 small red onion
1 tomato
1 lemon
1-2 generous dashes of cayenne

Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Drink immediately. Repeat as necessary (and don’t forget the parsley!).

Hot Homemade Lemon Cough Remedy Tea

3 cups water

1 medium sliced lemon, with rind

2 medium sliced oranges, with rind

4 gloves garlic, smashed

1/4 onion, chopped

2 inch sliced fresh ginger root

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

agave nectar

Directions:

1)  Bring water to a boil.

2)  Add all ingredients except agave nectar, turn heat to medium and boil for 15-20 minutes.

3)  Strain through a fine mesh strainer.  I also take a spoon and smash pulp to extract as much juice as possible from all ingredients.

4)  Add 1 cup of the hot tea to a mug and add agave nectar to taste.

*Wheatgrass, spirulina (blue-green algae) and ginger root are excellent ways to build your immune system-Try these ingredients in smoothies

*Consider purchasing a ceramic net pot to combat congestion-Here's a great article on using one

Of course, the biggest preventable measure is washing your hands and keeping them off of your face.

Yay or nay to the flu shot? Let's discuss it. Follow me on Twitter.

Further Reading: A raw vegan's view on the flu shot