WHERE DO VEGETARIANS GET THEIR IRON?
Written by Miss Bliss on June 16, 2008 – 3:54 pm -Dearest Bliss Girls,
One of the most common questions I am asked when people discover I am vegetarian is, “Do you take an iron supplement?” As many of you know, I am not a fan of vitamins and supplements. I prefer to eat my vitamins and minerals by eating a variety of whole foods. My pretty and chic dark-haired neighbor writes for a California health magazine. She believes many vitamins are toxic and may even contribute to the development of cancer. So, if you are a vegetarian with a family history of cancer, you may want to replace your bottle of iron capsules with good old fashioned whole foods rich in iron.
1. WHICH VEGETARIAN FOODS ARE RICH IN IRON?
Many vegetarian foods are high in iron, including beans and peas, silken tofu, tempeh, kelp, wheat germ, pumpkin and sesame seeds, blackstrap molasses, dried prunes, miso soup, parsley, nettles, dandelion root, amaranth greens, and almonds
2. ISN’T IT EASIER FOR YOUR BODY TO ABSORB THE IRON IN ANIMAL PRODUCTS?
There is a pervasive myth that the only iron our body can digest comes from animal products. There are two forms of iron: heme and non-heme. It is true that the heme form of iron found in animal products is more easily absorbed than the non-heme form found in plant foods. However, the key here is even iron in animal products is BETTER absorbed when eaten with Vitamin C. To ensure you get the most iron out of your vegetables, seeds, and nuts, eat them with foods rich in Vitamin C, like lemons and limes. The Vitamin C will help your body to maximize iron absorption and you will have no need for the heme form of iron.
3. ARE THERE VEGETARIAN FOODS RICH IN IRON AND VITAMIN C?
Yes! Save yourself some time and eat these vegetarian foods that are high in both iron and Vitamin C: dried fruits, beets and beet greens, chard, spinach, prune juice and grape juice.
4. COPPER CAN INCREASE IRON ABSORPTION, TOO
These foods are also good to pair with iron rich foods to increase iron efficiency: legumes, nuts, dark dried fruits, molasses, avocados, brazil nuts, and soybeans.
5. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO ENSURE I AM GETTING IRON?
Darling, girls, the simplest way to make sure you are getting enough iron is to cook in iron pots. That will up the iron level of all of your veggies and grains.
RECIPE SUGGESTION FOR A VEGGIE IRON BONANZA: SPINACH SALAD WITH TEMPEH CROUTONS
From Judith Benn Hurley’s wonderful cookbook, Savoring the Day.
4 ozs. tempeh cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 clove garlic, minced
1 T toasted (dark) sesame oil
1 t. honey
dash of hot pepper sauce, or to taste
1 T lemon juice
1 t. reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 1/2 t. grated fresh ginger
3 cups spinach leaves, rinsed
1 cup torn pieces romaine lettuce
2 scallions, minced
To make the croutons, heat the tempeh in a large nonstick saute pan on medium high, stirring constantly, until lightly browned, 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. Remove the croutons from the heat and let them relax while you prepare the salad.
In the bottom of a salad bowl, combine the garlic, sesame oil, honey, hot pepper sauce, lemon juice, soy sauce and ginger and whisk well. Add the spinach, romaine and scallions and toss until all of the leaves are lightly bathed with the dressing. Serve the salad on chilled plates and garnish with the croutons.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
BLISS WARRIOR
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THIS SATURDAY AT 2 PM: COME TO HIGH TEA WITH OTHER EXCEPTIONAL BI-GIRLS. E-MAIL ME AT BLISS@BLISSWARRIOR.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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Posted in NUTRITION, STDs, Uncategorized, boyfriends, iron, vitamins |
ASK MISS BLISS - MEAT MADE MY BODY SICK AND I NEED HELP BECOMING VEGETARIAN
Written by Miss Bliss on May 14, 2008 – 10:23 am -
Dearly loved Bliss,
I recently became very ill and, as a result, had to have my body COMPLETELY flushed. As a result, I am having a really hard time dealing with “normal” food. Even before my illness, I had been considering becoming vegetarian for health reasons, but never really saw it as convenient. I was willing to tolerate my problems with food in exchange for yummy stuff! The more I research it, though, the more I am realizing I don’t have to trade taste for health, but can combine, thanks in part to your lovely blogs about a decadent and healthy lifestyle.
Now more than ever (and because of my illness) I am very seriously considering giving up meat. If you get a chance, I would love your opinion on it, tips on eating healthily, anything. Also…is your delightful husband health-conscious as well? My fiance is an amazing chef who delights in creating wonderful things with food, but he’s never tried cooking anything without meat. I think this could be a challenge for both us - more for him, honestly, because he does all that cooking (I know, I’m totally spoiled. :D).
I guess all I’m asking for is your input. I know living in California and New York probably makes it easier for you because you have more top-quality produce available to you, but here in Atlanta, it seems people haven’t yet discovered the meaning of the word health. 
I know you’re a terrifically busy woman, and if you never get a chance to get back to me, I understand. But I would love to hear your thoughts, maybe glean a bit of wisdom from you.
Love from afar!
Sick of Meat
Dearest Sick of Meat,
I very much understand how scary it must be to know that you no longer have a choice when it comes to food. Due to weak health, you have to dramatically change your diet to return to your vibrant self and the implications of this change do not only affect you, but affect your partner, as well. In a relationship, it can be hard to have different dietary needs, especially when one partner is the primary cook.
When I first became vegetarian six years ago last week (my veggie anniversary), my partner panicked. A dedicated carnivore, he liked very few fruits and vegetables and since I was the primary cook, he knew immediately, that my choice to stop eating animals would affect his life, too. At first, I thought it would be easy to continue as we had eaten before. When we stopped at Burger King, I ordered the veggie burger. At Subway, I ate the “veggie delight” sandwich (which basically is a cheese sandwich with lettuce, tomato, pickles, olives, etc.). I ordered pasta with marinara sauce at Italian restaurants and asked for salads without the meat in more traditional places. Basically, I tried to adapt without affecting the way my partner ate because I always saw my vegetarianism as “my choice” and never wanted to push it on my love or anyone else in my life.
But soon, I became bored of icky-tasting veggie burgers and cheese sandwiches. I didn’t want to get fat on carbs and dairy by making the mistake many vegetarians do of overindulging in macaroni and cheese and margherita pizzas. I knew that I had to learn how to cook if I was going to be a happy and healthy veggie girl. And, if I was going to be a vegetarian chef, my man’s diet would have no choice but to change, as well.
WAYS TO HELP TURN YOUR PARTNER ONTO A VEGGIE LIFESTYLE
1. FAKE MEAT HAS NO CHOLESTEROL AND DOES NOT CAUSE HEART DISEASE
Many transitional vegetarians feel confused as to what to eat to replace meat. In the beginning, I could not imagine a meal that did not have some kind of “protein”, so I tried to make my favorite dishes with “fake” soy meats because I had not learned to enjoy tofu and seitan yet (that took a good couple of years) and I also hadn’t realized how many marvelous dishes there are just veggies and grains. I made my man tacos with ground soy “meat”, and stir-fried veggies with soy “chicken” strips. For breakfast, we would make scrambled eggs with soy “bacon”. Even though it was not as satisfying as meat, we learned to enjoy how little cholesterol we were eating and my man got behind the idea that we were lowering our heart disease risk and losing weight. I encouraged him to continue cooking meat for himself, but he did not feel comfortable doing this, and so I tried to think of vegetarian dishes that were “almost” like his favorite foods – all with soy meats.
2. BEING VEGETARIAN IS THE BEST WAY YOU CAN FIGHT GLOBAL WARMING
Goveg.com reports that “A 2006 United Nations report found that the meat industry produces more greenhouse gases than all the SUVs, Hummers, cars, trucks, planes, and ships in the world combined.”
So tell your man if you both reduce your meat intake, you can help stop global warming and ensure there is a beautiful world for your future children and grandchildren. To read Fight Climate Change with Diet Change, CLICK HERE.
3. LEARN TO ENJOY VEGETARIAN MEALS BY EATING IN ETHNIC RESTAURANTS
For some transitioning vegetarians with meat-eating partners, the best way to find new veggie dishes you like (and that he may like, too) is to visit ethnic restaurants that serve both veggie and non-veggie entrees. Indian, Thai, Chinese, and Italian restaurants all have vegetarian options. He can order the flesh meal, and you can try veggie entrees and have him taste them. He might just prefer the meal you chose!
4. ASK HIM TO KEEP THE MEAT ON THE SIDE
Many home-cooked meals can easily be modified to be vegetarian. If he cooks pasta with meatballs, ask him to keep the meatballs on the side so you can have veggie pasta with marinara sauce. If he’s making chicken with a salad, ask him to make an extra large salad for you and augment its protein by adding nuts or cheese. Or, have him pull a soy chicken breast from the fridge and cook that for you. At first, this can seem like a drag, but soon enough, it will get you helping him in the kitchen which can be a lot more fun and good for your relationship.
5. THE BEST PRODUCE IS AT THE FARMER’S MARKET
Even in California and New York, the best produce is not found in the grocery store, but at the Farmer’s Market. And, guess what, darling reader? There are Farmers’ Markets even in Atlanta, Georgia. CLICK HERE to see the many markets in Georgia. Shopping in Farmers’ Markets supports local farmers and also helps stop global warming because you are purchasing food that was not packaged or shipped, wasting precious natural materials, gas and oil. Plus, at the Farmers’ Markets, the prices are cheaper, the produce is fresher, and you get to taste food before you buy it. I personally find it moving to meet the people who make and harvest my food and it is easier to get good, non-pesticide-sprayed organic foods at the Farmer’s Market. Many markets also have musicians, fresh flowers and are a wonderful way to spend a Saturday or Sunday morning with the person you love.
6. WHEN HE FEELS MORE COMFORTABLE, GO TO VEGETARIAN RESTAURANTS TO FIND NEW ENTREES YOU BOTH LIKE
When I did a quick google search of vegetarian restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia, many options came up. So, when you are feeling ready, do a search and explore some new places and new foods in your area.
7. GET ONE NEW BIG VEGETARIAN COOKBOOK
I rarely cooked before I became vegetarian. But when I grew bored of the three or four veggie dishes I knew how to make, I finally purchased Marilyn Diamond’s massive cookbook, The American Vegetarian Cookbook From The Fit For Life Kitchen. With over 400 pages of recipes, you can find some dishes you will both like. And, since they are healthy for you, your new entrees will help you both be thinner, fitter and healthier while not denying you yummy taste.
7. BE GENTLE HELPING YOUR PARTNER TO ACCEPT YOUR NEW DIETARY HABITS
After six years of my being vegetarian, my man is now a vegetarian 26 days of the month. I have never tried to force him to be veggie and understand that sometimes his body needs meat. When it does, we try to purchase clean, organic meat in restaurants we trust. He understands that I will not cook meat and he does not feel comfortable bringing animal flesh into our home, but that is his choice, not mine. The number one thing to being successfully vegetarian is to notice how your body feels when you eat veggie dishes. As your body becomes healthier, you will naturally reach your ideal weight and trust me, your partner will want to be more like you!
XOXXOXOXOXO
BLISS WARRIOR
Posted in HEALTH, NUTRITION, RELATIONSHIPS, body size, boyfriends, natural health, soy, vegetables, vegetarian |
CHOCOLATE PUDDING THAT IS DAIRY, WHEAT AND NUT-FREE
Written by Miss Bliss on April 24, 2008 – 9:43 am -
My darling childhood friend recently found our that her nine-month old baby is allergic to dairy, wheat and nuts. Since she is still breastfeeding, this means she cannot eat dairy, wheat or nuts either!
“What I miss most is fat,” says Sonia. “I’m starving and just want to eat chocolate! Do you have any dessert recipes that are dairy, wheat and nut-free?”
“Actually, girl, you are in luck! Did you know you can make an amazing chocolate pudding out of ripe avocados?”
“Shut up,” says Sonia with a laugh. “You are not serious.”
“Really! The avocado is a great creamy base for the pudding and the chocolate masks any avocado taste. Plus, you get lots of really great fats and vitamins from the avocado. Not only will it satisfy your cravings, it will make your skin glow and your hair shine.”
“Send me the recipe. I’m starving for chocolate.”
RAW VEGAN CHOCOLATE PUDDING
2 T organic chocolate
1 cup water
1 t. vanilla extract
1/4 t. cinnamon
10 pitted dates, soaked in water for 5-10 minutes and drained
1 avocado, ripe
strawberries
1. In a food processor or high-speed blender, process all ingredients except strawberries, dates and avocado.
2. While the food processor is running, alternate dates and avocado until the entire mixture is smooth.
3. In a wine or champagne glass, alternate mousse and sliced strawberries to create a layered decadent dessert.
TIP: If you use more water this makes a wonderful chocolate sauce to pour over your favorite vegan ice cream or a dipping sauce for fruit.
This recipe was slightly altered from Robyn Boyd’s amazing raw (and some cooked) vegan cookbook, Rawsome Recipes.
XOXOXOXOXOX
BLISS WARRIOR
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IF YOU ENJOYED THIS BLOG, YOU MAY ENJOY READING:
DRINK YOUR VEGETABLES
GET SKINNY WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
SHE SIPS SAKE
GET SKINNY EATING DECADENTLY (with a recipe for vegan chocolate pudding made from fresh coconut)
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HOTEL BLISS UPDATE:
We approved 100 applications to join Hotel Bliss yesterday, and today even more applications were received. The feedback from users has been great and it is wonderful to see so many bi and bi-friendly girls coming together for friendship, fun and empowerment. Want to join the slumber party? E-mail me at bliss@blisswarrior.com. Only e-mails with pictures or a link to a myspace page will be accepted. If you would like to learn more about Hotel Bliss, please CLICK HERE.
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Posted in GUEST BLOGS, NUTRITION, Uncategorized, cheating, dieting, femme, heterosexual, pearls, pregnancy, raw food, recipes, vegan, vegetarian |
THE GREAT VITAMIN DEBATE
Written by Miss Bliss on March 31, 2008 – 6:31 pm -Do you take vitamins? I rarely - if ever - take vitamins. When I do, they often give me a stomach ache, and as I become healthier, I listen to my body. If a food or supplement makes me feel sick, that tells me I should not eat it.
When you become vegetarian, everyone asks the same questions, “How do you get protein?” and “Are you taking enough vitamins and supplements?” It is hard for many Americans to believe that one can stay healthy eating fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds and nuts alone. When I tell them I get my protein from veggies and nuts and the occasional egg, and never take vitamins, they look at me like I am crazy. “What about the B-vitamins? Vegetarians have to take B-vitamins!”
SHOULD VEGETARIANS TAKE VITAMINS?
A couple of years ago, I started going to a wonderful chiropractor in New York’s West Village. In the early 1980s, he participated in a longitudinal study researching the effects of vitamins on the body. After five years of medical doctors, researchers, and holistic practitioners studying patients and recording data, he said the only vitamin that the body absorbed in pill-form was Vitamin C. “Vitamins,” he told me, “are best absorbed into the bloodstream and the body when they come from whole, unprocessed food.”
Many friends I know swear by vitamins and say they give them more energy and make them more immune to colds and flus. Many medical doctors say that it is always a good idea for adults 40 and over to at least take a multivitamin daily.
For my birthday, my man gave me a copy of Michael Pollan’s new book, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto. Pollan argues that prevailingly scientific research has not improved our health, but made us fat and diseased. For decades, scientists have supported “nutritionism”; the theory that health does not come from whole food, but the individual nutrients within food. It is not the orange that is good for you, but the vitamin C within the orange. In “nutritionism,” then, vitamin C can be removed from the orange, be made into a pill, and be considered equally as “nutritious.” But what if there is something else within the orange that helps humans to absorb the natural vitamin C?
IF I CAN’T GET VITAMINS FROM PILLS, WHAT SHOULD I BE EATING?
1. “Eat mostly plants, especially leaves.” From interviewing numerous nutritionists, Mr. Pollan says that the best place to get Vitamin C and many other nutrients necessary for vibrant health, is to eat leaves. Obviously, when he says “leaves”, he means salad: lettuce, spinich, kale, mustard greens, chard, mixed greens, etc. One thing scientists do agree on, he says, one can never eat too many greens.
2. Where do I get vitamin B12? Vegetarians need to be concerned about Vitamin B12 because the only natural source for it is in meat or bacteria. However, Mr. Pollan points out, humans need only a very small amount of B12 and vegetarians may get enough from eating fermented produce or fermented teas, like Kombucha. The Vegetarian Society disagrees with this statement and argues that “the only reliable unfortified sources of vitamin B12 are meat, dairy products and eggs.” They recommend that vegans eat food fortified with B12. One egg a week will supply a vegetarian with enough B12 to not need to take supplements.
3. Juicing! If you missed my blog, Drink Your Vegetables, I recommend checking it out. Juicing fresh, organic vegetables is a great way to inject pure vitamins and minerals directly into your bloodstream.
DO YOU TAKE VITAMINS?
Once again, many people have many different opinions about what vitamins you should take when. I would like to hear from you, darling readers. What vitamins are you taking? Do you feel better than when you aren’t taking vitamins? Let me know!
XOXOXOXOXOXO
BLISS WARRIOR
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IF YOU ENJOYED READING THIS BLOG, YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY READING:
THE ONLY ZERO CALORIE SWEETENER THAT WON’T CAUSE CANCER
GET SKINNY EATING DECADENTLY
BLISS, HELP US BECOME VEGETARIANS!
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Posted in HEALTH, Uncategorized, chiropractic, dieting, natural health, vitamins |
IS YOUR WATER DESTROYING YOUR COMPLEXION?
Written by Miss Bliss on March 10, 2008 – 7:26 am -
“You make all of your skin care products at home?”
Telia, a professional make-up artist, vegan chef, and dear friend, nods. “With skin care the number one thing is how pure your water is.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, the water in Los Angeles is bad - you’ve tasted it. After you cleanse your face, any chemicals in your water supply will be on your face. So after I cleanse, I use rose water to rehydrate my skin while removing any residual chemicals. Then I add a moisturizing essential oil to seal all the moisture in.”
Telia is a little older than I am, and her skin is simply flawless. Many of the women who work with her say they cannot get over how gorgeous she is. So if there is someone to trust when it comes to natural skin care, Telia is the girl in the know.
My skin is always worse in LA then when I am in New York, which made me think Telia might just be onto something. Luckily, my man bought a bottle of Keihl’s rosewater the year before, so I already had the necessary materials to test Telia’s technique.
After using Suki’s all-natural, vegan, non-allergenic Lemongrass cleanser, I rinsed my skin with tap water, dried then re-moistened and cleansed my face with Keihl’s rosewater. Afterwards, I took the soaked cottonball, added a few drops of Suki’s essential moisturizing oil, and again, swept the cottonball over my face. I repeated this process for a week, and my skin got clearer with each day.
If you don’t want to change your products or your skincare regime, here’s one more tip:
The more water you drink, the better your skin will look. Often in the winter, we drink more caffeine and less pure, clean water. Dehydration can be causing your skin to show more fine lines or be making you break out more often. So drink another bottle of water! Your skin will glow because of it.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
BLISS WARRIOR
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If you enjoyed this blog, you may also enjoy reading:
THE ONLY ZERO CALORIE SWEETENER THAT WON’T CAUSE CANCER
AN APPLE A DAY, KEEPS FAT AWAY
SILKY, SOFT, SMOOTH SKIN - THE NATURAL WAY
GET SKINNY WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP!
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Dearest Readers, As many of you know, I am very busy building the new community site for bi-girls, Hotel Bliss. In the next few weeks, I will begin beta-testing the site and am looking for volunteers to help me build a community of foxy, fierce, brilliant bi-girls and their girl friends. To volunteer as a tester, please email me at bliss@blisswarrior.com. This is one party you do not want to miss!
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COMING UP THIS WEEK -
WEDNESDAY - JUNGLE JANE RETURNS WITH HER SECOND BLOG ABOUT BEING A BABY BI-GIRL
FRIDAY - FRIDAY NIGHT BEDTIME STORIES RETURN WITH PART ONE OF “CAPTIVATING THE COLLEGE GIRL”
Posted in BEAUTY, skin care, vegan |
DRINK YOUR VEGETABLES!!
Written by Miss Bliss on February 19, 2008 – 6:36 pm -
“What do you eat?”
“Well, I obviously eat a lot of salad,” I say, gesturing down at the salad in front of me.
“What do you eat for breakfast, for example?” Irina asks. Tall and beautiful with big, clear, blue eyes, Irina is making me and the other bi-girls around her laugh. “I mean, I read your blog and I wonder, how does this girl eat?”
“I know,” says tiny, pretty Anne. “Every time I cook a meal I think, opps, there’s cheese in it - she couldn’t eat this. Or, opps that has eggs, another meal I couldn’t serve Miss Bliss.” She winks at me with a smile.
Bi friends are in town from Hawaii and New York, so we are out eating, talking and celebrating.
“You are all going to laugh at me, but I make a lot of juice.”
And, as predicted, the table erupts in laughter. That is, until Irina tells the table, “Well, I have had her freshly-juiced sake cocktails and I have to say, they are amazing!”
The table looks at Irina and then back at me, as each friend silently thinks to herself, “I wonder what happened after drinks?”
Dearest Readers,
A year ago I went ahead and bought my first juicer, the Breville JE95XL. The Breville is dishwasher safe and easy to clean, and after one year of almost daily usage, I cannot recommend a juicer more.
Each morning, I make fresh organic vegetable juice for me and my man. When I drink fresh juice first thing in the morning, I have more energy and often lose the desire to drink caffeine. Juice takes all the amazing vitamins, minerals, and enzymes in fruits and vegetables and injects them directly into your bloodstream. When I am juicing, my skin becomes clearer, I work out longer, and I eat better foods throughout the day.
The next time you feel tired in the morning or in the afternoon and want to drink coffee, make juice instead! See how much more awake you are after your body is filled with yummy veggie and fruit juices.
BLISS WARRIOR’S FAVORITE VEGETABLE JUICE RECIPES
CARROT- KALE JUICE AKA MY MAN’S FAVORITE JUICE
Juice 3 washed organic kale leaves and 6-9 organic carrots (use more carrots for sweeter juice).
Kale is high in calcium, iron, folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin A, which makes it a good supplemental juice if you are no longer drinking cow milk.
APPLE-CARROT-CELERY JUICE AKA THE FIRST TIMER’S FAVORITE
Whenever I pass by a fresh juice bar walking around in New York City, I stop and order an Apple-Carrot-Celery Juice and always feel energized to walk for another hour or more.
Recipe: Juice 1 apple, 2-3 carrots, and 2 stalks celery, bases removed.
APPLE-BEET-CELERY-KALE-LEMON-GINGER AKA POWER FOR THE POWERFUL
Nalalia Rose’s cookbook, Raw Food: Life Force Energy, recommends this vegetable juice to cleanse the intestines each morning and fill your body with energy and strength for the rest of the day.
Recipe: 6 to 8 kale leaves, 2 apples (or stevia), 1 whole lemon, 1 whole medium sized beet, 1 head celery and 1-2 T fresh ginger (optional)
Based on her detox plan, I made this juice every other morning for a month and my energy levels really went up!
GREEN JUICE AKA SALAD IN A GLASS
Raw food enthusiasts claim that one glass of green juice a day will help fight cancer and even cure depression. It is an acquired taste, but the more I drink it, the more my body craves it. Now, when I drink Green Juice it tastes a lot like a yummy low-salt version of V-8.
Recipe: 6-8 Kale leaves (or Swiss Chard or a combination of both), handful of parsley, one lemon, and one apple (or stevia).
Parsley is high in chlorophyll (what raw foodists say fights depression), vitamin C, and vitamin K (which keeps your skin tight and firm!).
BEET-APPLE-LEMON AKA WHEN YOU’RE CRAVING A SUGARY DRINK
My bi-girl friend from New York sips the Beet Lemonade I just juiced for it. She savors the taste for a moment and looks up at me with a big smile. “Oh my God! It’s delicious. I would never ever think I would like the taste of beet juice but this is amazing!”
Juice 1 medium sized beet, 1-2 apples (more for sweeter “lemonade”), one lemon.
Beets are an excellent source of potassium, iron, calcium, and vitamin A.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
BLISS WARRIOR
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I would like to give a special thank you to Do It In The Dirt for hosting another amazing event in San Diego! You are an inspiration!
Another special thanks to Nikki and the marvelous bi-girls in Miami. They also enjoyed another wonderful event this last weekend that was incredibly successful and fun. Thank you all for creating so many wonderful opportunities for bi-girls to meet for friendship and community.
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Posted in NUTRITION, Uncategorized, bisexual girls, juice, raw food, recipes, vegan, vegetables, vegetarian |
ASK MISS BLISS - IS RICE MILK RIGHT FOR YOU? & CAN MY TODDLER BE VEGAN?
Written by Miss Bliss on February 4, 2008 – 6:23 am -
Hi Bliss,
I know that Rice Milk doesn’t pack the protein punch of soy or almond milk, but how does it fare nutritionally? Better or worse than soy?
Yours,
Dairy Free
Dearest Dairy Free,
There are three types of dairy-free milks sold in most health food stores today: (1) soy milk, (2) rice milk, and (3) almond milk. All three come in various flavors including plain, vanilla, chocolate, unsweetened, and sometimes, carob. (Carob unsweetened almond milk is hard to find, but one of my personal favorites. Add a little agave nectar and it is just dreamy!)
SOY MILK
Soy milk is the only vegan milk that is comparable to cow milk in terms of protein content. Cow milk has 8 grams of protein, and soy milk can have between 8 and 11 grams of protein per serving. So if you are concerned you are not getting enough protein in your vegan or vegetarian diet, you may want to include soy milk as a part of your daily diet.
As I mentioned in my blog, Is Too Much Soy Dangerous?, soy may be dangerous for non-Asian women with family histories of breast cancer. However, soy milk is safe if you limit total daily soy consumption to one glass of soy milk a day and one serving of tofu (or other traditional soy product).
RICE MILK
Dearest Reader, you are correct when you write that rice milk does not have the protein and good fats that soy milk has. Rice milk is packed with carbohydrates and should not be considered a nutritional replacement for dairy milk because it lacks the fat and protein found in other milks. Most rice milk brands are sweetened with brown rice syrup or evaporated cane juice, which ups the sugar, carbs, and calorie content. However, its sweet taste does make it an excellent replacement for dairy in baked goods.
Rice milk is also low in protein content, having 1 to 2 grams of protein per serving. So why would you choose rice milk over soy, cow and almond milk? If you have nut allergies, are lactose-intolerant and/or have a history of breast cancer in your family, rice milk may be the right vegan milk for you.
ALMOND MILK
Believe it or not, store-bought almond milk is NOT high in protein. Most brands of almond milk sold in stores have only 1 gram of protein per cup. However, “what sets almond milk apart is its high vitamin E content. According to Blue Diamond Growers’ specifications, one cup of almond milk (240 ml) contains 14.99 IU of natural vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol). In contrast, the USDA nutrient database reports one cup of soymilk has 3.31 mg alpha-tocopherol and 1.35 mg vitamin E added” (click here to read “Thoroughly Modern Milk”).
If you make almond milk yourself, and do not strain out the almond pulp, you may get up to 5 grams of protein per serving. Raw vegan enthusiasts say it can be easy to make your own almond milk. Take a cup of raw, organic almonds, soak them in purified water overnight, drain and rinse them in the morning, then blend with four cups of water in a high-speed blender. The milk will be chalky when it is not strained, but it will be full of all the protein , fats, and nutrients almonds are famous for. According to sixwise.com, “Almonds are one of the healthiest nuts you can eat. They’re rich in magnesium, potassium, manganese, copper, the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium, and calcium. Almond milk, then, may be one of the more nutritious milk alternatives on the market.”
Vegan milks have no cholesterol or saturated fat and are lower in calories than milk. They are lactose-free, environmentally sustainable, and do not harm animals when produced. Based on your protein needs and your personal family history, I am sure you will find the vegan milk that is right for you.
XOXOXOXOXO
BLISS WARRIOR
Dear Miss Bliss,
I am making the slow transition into veganhood, if you will. My daughter is only two, though. I do not give her meat, but obviously she consumes a lot of other dairy products, mostly milk. I was wondering if you knew any healthy alternatives to cow’s milk for a thriving two year old toddler?
XOXOXO
Vegan Mom
Dear Vegan Mom,
After your child is six months old, almond milk can be used instead of cow milk. Raw food enthusiast, Gabriel Cousens, M.D., recommends breastfeeding your child for the first six months, and then introducing almond milk as a breast milk supplement.
Soy milk and soy products should be avoided as soy is already being overused in baby food and processed foods to up protein counts. Many health advocates say that more research needs to be done to see how high levels of soy protein affect children. According to the Vegetarian Resource Group, “Soy milk, rice milk, and homemade formulas should not be used to replace breast milk or commercial infant formula during the first year. These foods do not contain the proper ratio of protein, fat, and carbohydrate, nor do they have enough of many vitamins and minerals to be used as a significant part of the diet in the first year.”
For healthy vegan children, the Vegetarian Resource Group recommends the following diet plans:
| Table 17: Diet Plans for Vegan Children | |
| TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS (AGE 1-3) | |
| FOOD GROUP | NUMBER OF SERVINGS |
| GRAINS | 6 or more (a serving is 1/2 to 1 slice of bread or 1/4 to 1/2 cup cooked cereal or grain or pasta or 1/2 to 1 cup ready-to-eat cereal) |
| LEGUMES, NUTS, SEEDS | 2 or more (a serving is 1/4 to 1/2 cup cooked beans, tofu, tempeh or TVP; or 1-1/2 to 3 ounces of meat analogue; or 1 to 2 Tbsp. nuts, seeds, nut or seed butter |
| FORTIFIED SOYMILK, ETC | 3 (a serving is 1 cup fortified soymilk, infant formula, or breast milk) [I PERSONALLY RECOMMEND ALMOND MILK] |
| VEGETABLES | 2 or more (a serving is 1/4 to 1/2 cup cooked or 1/2 to 1 cup raw vegetables) |
| FRUITS | 3 or more (a serving is 1/4 to 1/2 cup canned fruit or 1/2 cup juice, or 1 medium fruit) |
| FATS | 3 (1 tsp. margarine or oil) (use 1/2 tsp. flaxseed oil or 2 tsp. canola oil daily to supply omega-3 fatty acids) |
| CHILDREN (AGE 4-13) | |
| FOOD GROUP | NUMBER OF SERVINGS |
| GRAINS | 8 or more for 4 to 8 yr olds; 10 or more for 9 to 13 yr olds |
| PROTEIN FOODS | 5 or more for 4 to 8 yr olds; 6 or more for 9 to 13 yr olds |
| VEGETABLES | 4 or more |
| FRUITS | 2 or more |
| FATS | 2 or more for 4 to 8 yr olds; 3 or more for 9 to 13 yr olds |
| OMEGA-3 FATS | 1 per day |
| STARRED FOOD ITEMS | 6 or more for 4 to 8 yr olds; 10 or more for 9 to 13 yr olds |
Notes: Serving sizes vary depending on the child’s age.
Congratulations, wonderful reader, for choosing a healthier life for you, your child, and our environment.
XOXOXOXO
BLISS WARRIOR
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HAVE A QUESTION FOR ASK MISS BLISS? EMAIL ME AT bliss@blisswarrior.com.
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Posted in ASK MISS BLISS, HEALTH, NUTRITION, almond milk, breast cancer, cow milk, dairy drama, raw food, recipes, rice milk, soy, vegan, vegan children, vegetarian |
IS TOO MUCH SOY DANGEROUS?
Written by Miss Bliss on January 14, 2008 – 6:00 am -
“You can’t eat any more soy?”
“Nope. My doctor told me to stay away from soy.” Emily is staring down at her menu and I study her chin-length hair and the light shimmer on her eyelids.
“Why not? What’s the problem with soy?” Being a vegetarian for over five years, and off cow milk for four, I have heard stories that soy may not be the health food scientific research claims it to be.
“My breasts were getting huge,” Emily exclaims, lifting her black-lined eyes up to mine. “Enormous! I went up two sizes to a double D and almost an E, and I was already big to begin with!”
“Big? I prefer to call you perfect and gorgeous.”
She laughs sarcastically and then says, “It was painful! I had the worst back pain. You can’t imagine! So I went to the doctor and he told me to get off soy, and you know I love soymilk! But I’m off soy for three months now and I’ve lost weight and my breasts are nearly normal again. Well, normal for me.”
“Perfection, again,” I say flirting, and she looks at me with a wicked smile.
After lunch, I walk away a little down. Giving up cow milk was hard enough; now I have to give up soy, too? Or do I?
IS SOY DANGEROUS?
1. DOES SOY HAVE HEALTH BENEFITS?
YES- Scientific research has proven that soy can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglyceride levels which decreases the risk of heart disease. Scientists also agree that when soy is used to replace animal protein, less calcium is lost from the body.
NO - Most of the studies demonstrating soy’s positive effects were sponsored by the soy industry, making it difficult to determine whether the positive effects were soy-based, or simply because the study participants were eating less animal products and, therefore, less cholesterol.
THE END RESULT? If you have a history of heart disease in your family, switching to soy from animal products will lower your cholesterol. But then again, switching to a vegetarian diet without soy will do the same!
2. DOES SOY CAUSE BREAST CANCER?
YES - Soy is full of phytoestrogens which many call “plant estrogen”. Some believe phytoestrogens in soybeans can act like human estrogen and cause hot flashes or promote estrogen-sensitive breast cancers.
NO - There is no definitive data to prove that soy contributes to breast cancer. Doctors do, however, stress that non-Asian women should consume less than 25 grams of soy protein per day. This is about one glass of soy milk and one cup of tofu, only! So if you are drinking a soy latte with your cereal and soy milk, then having a soy burger for lunch, soy chicken stir-fry for dinner, and topping it all off with soy ice cream, you may be increasing your risk of breast cancer. If your man is a soy consumer, make sure to let him know he can rest easy: science has shown that soy does not cause vegan men to develop breasts.
THE END RESULT? If you have a family history of breast cancer, it is in your interest to limit your daily intake of soy protein to less than 25 grams per day, or avoid soy altogether.
3. ARE SOME TYPES OF SOY FOODS HEALTHIER THAN OTHERS?
YES - The American Cancer Society approves up to three servings of traditional soy products for breast cancer patients. What are traditional soy products, you ask? Miso, natto and tofu. Now, I don’t even know what “natto” is and I’ve been a vegetarian for over five years. Tofu, as many of you know, is a great form of vegetable protein. Miso is fermented soybean paste and known for its many health benefits, including the reduction of breast cancer cells.
NO - The soy industry argues that any kind of soy protein is equally beneficial.
THE END RESULT? Medical researchers warn consumers that non-traditional soy-based processed foods, (including soy milk, soy ice cream, soy burgers, soy chicken, etc.) are to be treated like all processed foods and are to be eaten in moderation ONLY!
After researching the benefits and potential harm of soy, and thinking about my sweet friend Emily’s story, it seems there is plenty of evidence that soy should be treated like all processed foods and be eaten in moderation. But to live healthy is to live balanced: eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds and the occasional soy treat will not harm you.
REMEMBER, HEALTHY EQUALS HOT!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
BLISS WARRIOR
[Many of the facts for this blog come from my new favorite magazine, VegNews, and from the excellently researched article by Ilyse Simon titled, The Great Soy Debate. On newsstands today.]
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MISSED THE SAN DIEGO BRUNCH LAST WEEKEND?
11 BI-GIRLS MET IN SAN DIEGO FOR BRUNCH & CONVERSATION
AND HAD A FANTASTIC TIME! DON’T MISS THE NEXT EVENT IN SAN DIEGO!
CLICK HERE to join the San Diego bi women myspace group and never miss an event again.
Not on myspace? CLICK HERE to join San Diego bi women on google groups or email them at san-diego-bi-women@googlegroups.com for more information
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BLISS IS BRUNCHING IN SOUTH BEACH MIAMI THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 19th at 11AM.
WE ALREADY HAVE FOUR AMAZING, SMART, GORGEOUS GIRLS COMING
AND WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN US!
EMAIL ME AT BLISS@BLISSWARRIOR.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION
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Tags: , breast cancer, breasts, soy, soy causes cancer
Posted in HEALTH, NUTRITION, breast cancer, cancer, soy, vegan, vegetarian |
NEW “PAINFUL” HPV VACCINE CAUSING GIRLS TO FAINT
Written by Miss Bliss on January 10, 2008 – 6:00 am -Dearest Bliss Warriors,
As many of you know, and all of you should know, human papilloma virus, or HPV, is the STD that causes cervical and vaginal cancer. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration approved Gardasil’s HPV vaccine for women age 9-26. At first glance, this seems like wonderful news. According to the Center for Disease Control, 80% of all women will contract HPV by the time they reach the age of 50. In 2004, over 10,000 women contracted cervical cancer and 2,900 died from it. A vaccine that will save women from surgery, chemotherapy, and potentially death seems like something we should celebrate. The problem is, Gardasil’s vaccine is not all that it is hyped to be, and may actually be dangerous.
According to msnbc.com the vaccine is so painful, it is causing young girls to pass out in doctors’ offices:
Pain usually brief
The pain is short-lived, girls say; many react with little more than a grimace. But some teens say it’s uncomfortable driving with or sleeping on the injected arm for up to a day after getting the shot.
Officials at Merck & Co., which makes the vaccine, acknowledge the sting. They attribute it partly to the virus-like particles in the shot. Pre-marketing studies showed more reports of pain from Gardasil than from dummy shots, and patients reported more pain when given shots with more of the particles.
Meanwhile, U.S. health officials have noticed a rise in reports of vaccine-associated fainting in girls. From 2002-2004 there were about 50 reports of fainting; from 2005 until last July, there were about 230. About 180 of those cases followed a shot of Gardasil, which came on the market in 2006.
IS THE VACCINE SAFE FOR YOUNG WOMEN?
LifeSiteNews.com reported on September 20, 2007 that the HPV vaccine has already been linked to deaths and severely painful side-effects:
In just little over a year, the HPV vaccine has been associated with at least five deaths, not to mention thousands of reports of adverse effects, hundreds deemed serious, and many that required hospitalization.
Judicial Watch, a U.S. government watchdog, became concerned while noting large donations to key politicians originating from Merck. A freedom of information request from the group in May of this year discovered that during the period from June 8, 2006 - when the vaccines received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - to May 2007 there were 1,637 reports of adverse reactions to the HPV vaccine reported to the FDA.
Three deaths were related to the vaccine, including one of a 12-year-old. One physician’s assistant reported that a female patient “died of a blood clot three hours after getting the Gardasil vaccine.” Two other reports, on girls 12 and 19, reported deaths relating to heart problems and/or blood clotting.
THE VACCINE ONLY PROTECTS AGAINST 4 STRANDS OF HPV
According to LA Daily News, the vaccine only protects against (HPV) types 6, 11, 16 and 18. There are many other strains that could cause genital warts and cervical cancer, but the vaccine only affects the most common strands. So, ladies, do not expect this vaccine to protect you from contracting the many forms of HPV.
YOU MAY HAVE HPV RIGHT NOW AND NOT BE SYMPTOMATIC
HPV is a very tricky STD since it is asyptomatic in men (they are only carriers) and women can have it without showing symptoms for up to 2 years. This is why the pap smear is one of the greatest gifts medical research has given women. Pap smears detect pre-cancerous cells early and when HPV is detected early, it can often be healed naturally. Many natural health advocates advise women with HPV to avoid sugar, dairy, and refined flour to help balance the body and help the body heal naturally. (There are many girls I know who have been successful healing HPV by changing their diet, going to acupuncturists, and doing yoga.) Of course, if you are developing cancerous cells, it is important to talk with your doctor, get second opinions and find HPV support groups online before making any decisions about the best way for you to heal.
ABSTINENCE IS STILL, SADLY, THE BEST WAY TO AVOID HPV
Condoms work (at least for the areas they are covering) but the best defense is to be honest with your partner(s) and get tested every six months if you have more than one sexual partner. Make sure to get regular pap smears and visit your gyn once a year, at least.
20 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE HPV RIGHT NOW
If HPV were symptomatic in men and caused penile cancer, I doubt 20 million people would be affected with this disease. HPV research has been underfunded and much more scientific work needs to be done. As women we need to actively fight for new cures; cures that do not cause young women to die from blood clots. Merck developed the vaccine, threw money around Washington [as they did during the trials for their VIOXX, another FDA approved drug that was pulled off the market after it was linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes], and did not test it adequately.
Please, Foxy Girls and Moms out there, make sure to think twice before taking the vaccine or giving it to your daughters…
Tags: cancer, chemotherapy, fainting, HPV, Merck, natural health, vaccine
Posted in HEALTH, HPV, NUTRITION, STDs, cancer, cervical cancer, condoms, daughters, natural health, vaginal cancer |
BLISS, HELP US BECOME VEGETARIANS!
Written by Miss Bliss on January 7, 2008 – 6:00 am -ASK MISS BLISS - WHERE YOUR LETTERS ARE ANSWERED
Dear Miss Bliss,
Will you be having another luncheon this month in the Los Angeles area?
Also, I was wondering if you give chats on vegetarianism. My boyfriend and I recently committed ourselves to being vegetarianism but I’m finding it difficult to maintain a healthy and balanced, nutritional diet 
Have a beautiful day!
-Amy
Dear Amy,
So sorry we missed you at last month’s brunch. There are no brunches scheduled for January in Los Angeles, but my fabulous friends in San Diego are hosting one on January 12th. Ten girls have already RSVP’d so it should be another wonderful success. Click here for information on the San Diego Brunch. We are planning a dance night in LA at the end of the month, so stay tuned for a blog announcing when and where.
Congratulations at making the wonderful decision to become vegetarian. Transitioning to a vegetarian lifestyle is not easy for many, and it was no simple task for me. Five years ago, my diet was not only full of meat, but I ate fast food and junk food at almost every meal. Naturally, I felt “fat” and “old” and was terribly depressed.
Then one day, Burger King announced they would serve garden burgers and I thought, “Okay, now I don’t have an excuse. I can go veggie and live off garden burgers and pizza.” If you have had the opportunity to try a Burger King veggie burger, you know it tastes disgusting. It did not take much time for me to realize that I would need to learn how to cook if I was going to stay vegetarian.
TIPS FOR BECOMING AND STAYING VEGETARIAN
1. LEARN TO COOK VEGETARIAN FOODS
In a world of processed foods, many of us have managed to avoid learning how to cook; instead, we “reheat”. If you do not know how to cook, now is the time to learn. Many people become vegetarian, and try to survive on pasta and macaroni and cheese. As you have learned, Amy, this is not a balanced and healthy way to eat.
Luckily, it is easy to get vegetarian recipes off the web. Some great sites for veggie recipes include: http://vegweb.com/, http://vegkitchen.com/, and http://www.vegcooking.com/.
2. EAT AT VEGETARIAN RESTAURANTS
Many ethnic restaurants serve vegetarian dishes, so start by going out to Indian, Thai, Chinese, and Italian restaurants. For the transitioning vegetarian, vegan restaurants might seem “scary” but I encourage you to go out and try the amazing dishes vegans are creating. It will inspire you to want to try and cook these amazing dishes at home.
3. MAKE CHANGES GRADUALLY AND THEY WILL STICK
The first year I was vegetarian, I ate mostly fake “soy” meats instead of animal products. The second year, my husband convinced me to give up drinking cow milk. The third year, I learned to cook with tofu and began adding more vegan recipes to my repertoire. The fourth year, I discovered raw vegan gourmet cuisine and added more of their desserts and entrees into my diet. And, this year, I have been making the very slow switch from soy milk to almond milk. None of this happened right away. In fact, meat eaters who suddenly go vegan without support tend to go back to eating meat because they changed their diets too radically and too quickly.
4. REPLACE MEATS WITH FAKE MEAT
When I first became vegetarian, I learned how to cook by taking my favorite “meat” recipes and simply replacing them with soy “fake” meat. Instead of hamburgers, we made Boca Burgers. Instead of tacos with ground beef, we used Soy ground “meat”. For breakfast, we cooked scrambled eggs and fried Smarte Bacon. Now, I am NOT claiming this is an ideal way too eat. But when you are in the process of training your body and your mind to not crave animal products, this is a good place to start.
5. WHEN ANIMAL CRAVINGS ARISE, EAT GOOD FATS
Some vegetarians claim that they had to go back to meat because their body was craving “protein”. Red meat is over 50% fat and has less protein than equal amounts of spinach. Because vegetarian diets tend to be lower in fat and in calories, former meat-eaters are not missing protein: they are missing fat! Make sure to eat good fats like avocado, coconut, nuts, seeds, good cold-pressed oils, and olives. It is very hard to crave meat when your diet is rich in good fats.
6. MAKE SURE TO EAT FRESH PRODUCE
The trouble with the American diet is we are not eating fresh fruits and vegetables. Many Americans can go an entire day without eating anything leafy or green. To be a healthy and happy vegetarian, you have to learn to love veggies. So go out to a farmer’s market and fill your kitchen with fresh organic fruits and veggies and you will feel beautiful!
7. BRAINWASH YOURSELF TO NOT CRAVE ANIMAL FLESH
If you are wavering and are tempted to go eat meat, it is time to brainwash your mind with the outrageous and unethical farming practices allowed in the United States. Visit http://www.peta.org/ and see how meat is farmed. You will want to print out vegetarian recipes from the Internet after two or three minutes of animal cruelty videos.
8. EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT TO ANIMAL PRODUCTS
Foods are linked to memories and emotional states. If your parents took you out for hamburgers as a “treat”, it may be harder for you to give up red meat because you associate happy, safe, warm feelings with eating animal flesh. Nutritionists recommend writing about the emotions that come up as you “detox” from a meat-eating diet. This will help your resolve to stay vegetarian.
9. JOIN VEGETARIAN ONLINE RECIPE & SUPPORT GROUPS
http://goveg.com/ is a great site for new vegetarians and will help support you as you change your diet and your life.
Remember, go slow and make small changes. If you are just beginning, eat fish when you crave meat. Add vegetarian meals to your weekly recipes. Listen to your body and it will tell you what changes to make when.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
BLISS
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IF YOU ENJOYED THIS BLOG, YOU MAY LIKE:
CHANGE YOUR DIET, CHANGE YOUR LIFE
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HAVE A QUESTION FOR MISS BLISS? EMAIL ME: bliss@blisswarrior.com
Posted in ASK MISS BLISS, BLISSWARRIOR NEWS, HEALTH, NUTRITION, brunch, los angeles, raw food, recipes, san diego, vegan, vegetarian |