Wednesday, August 24, 2016

College Foodie Post

...The life of a college foodie. It's interesting. From ordering bread-sticks with marinara from the Pizza House at 3 AM,  zipping down the street to Fresh Thyme/Whole Foods, grabbing the MSU Food-Truck, heading down Trowbridge to Iorio's for a fresh fruit sorbet, or even going to the newly revamped Akers dining caf and coming up with your own mix and variety of cereal and pickles (lol).... the life of a college foodie is unlike any other. 


I am a believer of having everything in moderation, yet it's best to make a choice to live a lifestyle of healthy eating and living. [Eat less, eat better, move more.]

Itinerary:

-Fresh College Foodie Freezer Food
-For the ON-the-GO College Foodie
-Quick and Easy College Foodie Dinners

Background: For me, I loved checking out all MSU's main hubs my first two years up here. The Pizza House Chicago Deep Dish, Conrad's amazing spicy, tator-tot filled wraps, Menna's crazy-good potato dubs and even swiss-burgers from the Peanut Barrel. I also won free Noodles & Co. for a whole entire year once! Then, much like many other people of my generation, I developed some food allergies... (ultimately for the best) and totally had to switch it all around!


I still eat pretty much the same now as I did before having to stay away from two of the top allergens. Check out my "Eat Like a Flexitarian" page and you can do the same!

If you haven't already heard this, modified and hydrogenated soy is really bad for everyone, it's genetically modified, and it's in EVERYTHING. Seriously, just start reading labels. If you can, avoid it!



---> My College-Foodie FREEZER Go To's: Thanks to Whole Foods (and the EL one finally opened!) for not adding milk and soy as ridiculous additives like many main stream products...


(The most amazing little bites of veggies I ever had. Kind of reminds me of fried pickles...but better).
 Fish without harsh chemicals, preservatives or bad oils.
(Tomato Sauce, Veggies, Wheat pasta. Nothing else. That simple. That good.)
 (Soy-Free, Vegan. Tastes Bomb.)

Other College-Foodie GO-TO's!: 


(Soy-Free, Vegan. Kite Hill Ravioli from the refrigerated section of WF. Almond milk 'cheese' and spinach! Added Prego brand tomato sauce!]
(Veggie Wraps!! Fermented veggies on spinach, no dressing needed. Use the extra pickle and banana pepper juice to drizzle over the other vegetables: carrots, cucumbers, olives, tomatoes, mushrooms)


When I'm out...College-Foodie On-The-Go's:

I also like to grab fresh and already prepared food from WF.  They list all of their ingredients on the tab above on the glass.

(Simple Brown Rice and Red-Skin Herbed Potatoes)
(Egg-Free Mayo with Canola Oil, No Dairy/Soy. Cranberry Tuna Wrap with dark Romaine)
(Salad Bar! Tip: Instead of dressing, ask for a lemon or lime wedge to drizzle across the top.)
(Pick up some freshly-ground peanut butter (or almond) and spread on Honey Crisp/Pink Lady apples! The combination is just bomb. My favorite homemade PB is from Nino Salvaggio's Marketplace, but Papa Joe's, Trader Joe's, Fresh Thyme and Whole Foods make their own too. No added oils or emulsifiers.)


For the College-Foodie who cooks: 

Being in college, there really is no time to cook...but if you can...

(Avo is so good, with almost anything! In Brazil, many people just sprinkle sugar (not even salt!) and eat them straight.
My apartment has outdoor grills. It's easy to zip down and use them!)
(Most bomb Cashew-No-Fredo!!! Like an alfredo, but not. Cashew milk, herbs, cashews...)
Spicy mix of brown rice, chick-pea, black bean, firey tomato, onion and bell peppers! And, of course, very spicy chilli sauce! Fun Fact: Spice is not a taste...it is a physiological pain. Though, it has been proven to be good for oneself, clearing the sinuses and speeding metabolism.


When it comes to desserts....


Allergen Free (really good) Treats:
1. Reece Cup... But BETTER. Theo PB Cup.
2. Tastes like a Crunch Bar... but WAY BETTER and SWEETER! Theo Quinoa-Brown Rice Banana Crunch.
3. Avocado-Cacao Pudding...umm, YES!
4. Angel Food Cake with Strawberries!
5. Enjoy Life Products...all so bomb.
6. So Delicious/Coconut Bliss/Nana Creme/Nadamoo 'Ice Cream'. Holy (no) cow!



Theo makes their chocolate using the original source, cacao. 


"Nice Cream" Sundae...! Vegan, soy-free. 


Zevia- clear and non-gmo ginger root beer, with Nadamoo vegan vanilla. Yum!



2-ingredient rolled oat cookies! Just oats, and banana!


Mindo Chocolate Bars are all vegan and allergy-free! They are made in Dexter, MI. This one is Orange Peel! Pick one up at Fresh Thyme on Trowbridge! (EL.)



So, how do you eat as a college foodie?



Contact: spitakularjulia@gmail.com
Insta: joggingwithjewelz













Monday, August 22, 2016

Water Sports and Fitness


If you live in Michigan, you probably know a lot of what we have to offer.  From gorgeous beaches on the Great Lakes, to mile-high sand-dunes, to state parks, waterparks and water sports, we've got it all.  

Especially in the summer months, whose to say we can't make fitness fun while enjoying various aspects of this great state?! 

1. Paddle Boarding/Kayaking
[Sail through the waters while activating the core! Lessons and rentals are available at almost any up-north city, like Grand Haven or Saugatuck. Or, do it locally at surrounding lakes in the Metro Detroit area! Bonus: MSU, Michigan State University, even offers sailing classes and a water sport course on Lake Lansing, for 1 credit!]

Julia S
Kayaking in WB


2. Airtime 
[Can't get outdoors? Rainy day? Fly high to the sky while jumping on trampoline after trampoline, shooting hoops, and diving into a mosh-pit. There are various locations around MI.] Watch the full mash-up video from this summer, 2016, @JoggingwithJewelz



patch.com



3. Football-Bowling (to open soon)
[If you're from the Metro Detroit area, brace yourself! Football-Bowling is just how it sounds. It will soon be coming where "Big Buck", a restaurant off I-75, once was... 10 years ago. There is also another MI location in Hamtramck.] 



fowlingwarehouse.com


4. Michigan Adventure "WildWater" Waterpark! 
[Get in your cardio by running around all day from slide to slide and swimming in the wave pool. Located in Muskegon, MI.]

mayjamesnewmediadl.com

5.  The Adventure Park
[You may have read about this in my Cardio/Climbing/Yoga/Barre article from last summer, 2015, but here it is again! Located in the city of West Bloomfield, complete many of the challenging courses and it will make for a fantastic work-out!] Watch the full video from last summer, @Julzizkoolz


Julia S



6. Ok, this last one isn't fitness related, but it is new to our state! 'Sea-Life' in a whole new way! Sea creatures do live in MI! 
[Aquarium located in Auburn Hills, MI.]




Julia S

Thanks for Jogging with Me! What do you love to do in Michigan?  Drop a note! 



----


In need of an uplift? While we are on the fitness track, go check out my friend Anthony Vogel's blog! As a passionate Yogi, he is determined to help others.



starttheweekstrong.blogspot.com








Sunday, August 14, 2016

Eat Just "Simply"

Have you noticed the "Simply" brands marketing to us in grocery stores yet? Simply Lays, Simply Campbell's, Simply Hershey's Syrup? Well, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal, companies and brands all over the nation are cracking down on eliminating harsh ingredients from our food, therefore reducing the amount of ingredients listed on packaging labels. 

toolsandtoys.net


Hershey's Syrup got rid of 6 artificial ingredients from their original syrup product, and it still has the same great taste for mixing it in indulgent smoothies or topping on ice cream. 


consumerqueen.com


Simply Lay's makes their potato chips with not a mix of canola, corn and/or cottonseed oil, but just pure sunflower oil. 

fritolay.com


Simply Campbell's also rid of the milk and soy in their soup! Did you know you were eating all that... in chicken noodle soup? 

campbellskitchen.com.au


Have you ever noticed that gum is packaged in super bright and eye-catching packaging, and then even looks extremely artificial when you unwrap it after eating a healthy lunch? Try "Simply Gum". 3$ a pack. Non-Gmo. Kosher. Organic. Raw.

Even Haagen-Dazs reduced ingredients from 5 of their ice cream flavors. They actually first did this in the year 2009, but it didn't take off as much as it has now, in 2016. 

General Mills rid of certain oils from their cereals and now use coconut oil instead, making their products more marketable to a wider range of consumers. Maybe Kellogg cereals will rid of soybean oil one day, too? 

Tessemae's All Natural Dressings, Marinades and Spreads are  made organic, also promising a dairy, soy and gluten free indulgence! 

I've also had a lot of luck at Trader Joe's, finding many products that do not have soy lecithin, soybean oil or dairy. [Remember: Soy is not good for any of us! It is in everything.]


~








A lot of products are changing their ingredients, riding of soybeans and even milk proteins! The world of packaged products is changing, and we don't just need to venture to Whole Foods to find them! :)  Check your local Kroger and Meijer in their health food sections and ALWAYS read labels! 

Shop smart. Think "simply". Happy shopping!

Contact: spitakularjulia@gmail.com 
Insta: @joggingwithjewelz 


~


Shout-Out to my fellow blogger and friend, Anthony Vogel! He passionately writes about improving oneself, living positively and always embracing progress and change. His latest article is about "uncovering your inner gold". Check out his blog! 

http://starttheweekstrong.blogspot.com/2016/08/start-week-strong-uncover-your-inner.html




Friday, July 15, 2016

Speciality Cupcakes Made by Om Cafe Ferndale






You know you've made it when someone comes up to you and says, "Hi, are you 'JoggingwithJewelz'?" 

So you can imagine my surprise when Om Cafe of Ferndale responded to an Instagram comment of mine, saying they did use soy in their vegan bakery, but that they would specifically change their recipe to make me a vegan + SOY FREE cupcake! 
@JoggingwithJewelz 

I am so excited that they reached out to me out of kindness, generosity and good business on their part! It is very difficult to find both dairy-free and soy-free products, especially when it comes to desserts!!! 

The cupcake batch they made for the day is a "chocolate" cacao cayenne cupcake with a safflower oil "buttercream" frosting with both kiwi and blueberry drizzle. Nothing but REAL ingredients in this one! The texture was perfect, the cake was super moist. Flavor was beyond ordinary! 

Check them out!




Thanks again, @omcafe_ferndale. You'll be seeing me again real soon!
















Sunday, June 12, 2016

Healthy Hacks!

Soy-Free? Check. Dairy-Free? Check. Good for you? Check. Tasty? Check. 
What will you eat this week? (Mostly Pescatarian and Plant-Based) 

Whether you've got an internship this summer, a full or part-time job, volunteer work, taking courses, have a regular and daily exercise schedule, or are even just sticking to a schedule of your own, conscientious meal preparation is key!


Your grilled protein doesn't "need" a slathered sauce, it just needs some sliced avo! So tasty! (The Bonus: added healthy fats!)


Check out this vertical perspective Asian-inspiried dish, without the soy sauce flare! 

 Omg, yum! Rudi's Organic Vegan Soy-Free bagels (and hamburger/hot-dog buns) taste great (even to people who can eat normal processed buns) with vegan, soy-free ALMOND based CHIVE cream cheese!! Holy (no) cow. 








 Ok, snack time! Wait...butter-tasting popcorn, but not made with butter? That's right. Sunflower oil. 

And hey, you can even make your own (without any oil!) Healthy tasting, but also refreshing. Learn how and read below.



 As the description says, "when you can't Hellman's, you Just Mayo". Or Just Ranch, Just Italian, etc...


 Delicious and probiotic-packed almond-milk yogurt! Non-GMO almonds, also reducing carbon emissions.  Fair-Trade Kirklands (Costco) Coffee with Trader Joe's Coconut Milk Creamer.

Easy meal-prep...






Everyone likes cereal, right? General Mills does an excellent job riding of hydrogenated soybean oil in cereal, and also adds fortified vitamins and minerals. 

Super yum, all-natural peanut-butter filled pretzel snacks by Good Health (also have apple chips!) 


Persian Lime Pie, anyone? :) 





Angel Food Cake! Soak strawberries.



 Choco-Hack! Cacao-Banana Smoothie with Organic Sunbutter and Cashew Milk!



You think this contains dairy, right?

Coco for Cocomel's 


 All-Natural Fig Bars (like Nutri-Grains) made with Sunflower Oil instead of the nasty stuff! Find: Whole Foods Lincoln Park

Always remember, you can make good choices when you go out! This entire dish is soy and dairy free, from Vertical Detroit. Scallops in an almond, olive and sunflower oil sauté! 



Pulsed together fresh baby carrots and red pepper in my ninja blender... Rudi's toasted organic 'everything' bagel with Kite Hill Chive (almond-based) cream cheese.




In summation, it's true... breakfast really can serve as one of the most important and essential meals of the day.  Make it count with Brazil Nuts (metabolism benefits) or Potassium (water balance + electrolytes). Or, try overnight oats! (berries, 'milk', 'yoghurt', oats, nuts) for all day fuel! 






So... there is more to see! There are lots of ways to modify a classic meal or snack and make it way healthier in todays day and age. 
Soy (soybean oil, soy lecithin) especially, is in all our food, and it is so bad for everyone. It is no longer the once thought-to-be-healthy-alternative it once was due to mass production, hydrogenation and modification. Milk proteins can also hamper digestion, and once you cut out dairy, it almost has a different taste once you go back (and it's not pretty!). 
If you're looking for more inspiration, frequently check @JoggingwithJewelz on Instagram to keep up to date with many alternative meals and snacks! Mostly plant-based, flexitarian/pescatarian dishes and snack hacks. Stay tuned on blogspot for more great fitness, food and wellness articles coming your way.
Have a great summer everyone, stay fit, active, healthy and happy!