Plant-Based Nutrition is Really Taking Off in 2018

You've probably heard by now how beneficial a plant-based diet really is for you. Do you know why that is? 

Catch me @JoggingwithJewelz

First, a plant-based diet excludes all meat, poultry, fish, eggs and any animal by-products (this means yogurt, cheese, etc). A large number of studies show that plant-based diets can and may lower your body mass index, blood pressure and cholesterol...while also reducing the number of medications needed to treat chronic diseases.  

So many restaurants now offer vegan options and allergy-free menus. Or, they simply just don't use allergy-ridden items at all. Scroll to the bottom to see my favorite common chains that I can eat plant-based and allergy-free at.

People I personally know that have switched to plant-based diets have dropped in weight and have had less reported illness and sickness over time. Plus, from personal experience, I just feel better after eating something that strictly came from a natural, wholesome, cruelty-free, sustainable source. 

This is a mixed berry, granola and banana bowl with coconut milk strawberry yogurt and a toasted oat-milk latte. Whole Foods Michigan featured this on their page! 

This is a soy-free vegan blueberry muffin from WF. 

And yes, vegans can still get their protein through numerous plant-based sources like hemp seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, avocado, chick peas, quinoa, nutritional yeast, nuts and even protein-enhanced nut-milks and vegan powders (notice this... I use NO SOY BASED PRODUCTS!) 

Keep scrolling through to find just how easy it truly is to be majority plant-based (and always soy-free)! 


Here I've made a delicious breakfast bowl consisting of oats, sliced apples, chia, bananas, walnuts, a scoop of natural peanut butter and what does not qualify as plant-based, would be my local honey. I typically don't consume a lot of honey, plus I want to help save the bees. However, honey is great at this time of year to soothe sore throats, and, local honey can help combat seasonal allergies.

Nut-Based Fettuccine with Broccoli 

Purple Sweet Potato with Sautéed Mushrooms, Peppers and Carrots with Garlic and EVOO

Deconstructed Baked Potato Bowl with Endless Veg 

Overnight Oats with Coconut-Based Yogurt, Nut-Milk and Fruit

Ezekiel Sprouted Cinnamon Toast with Brazil Nuts

Even on vacay... aim for those healthier, powered-by-plants options! Fresh salads with nuts and avocado, fruit waters, smoothie bowls (dragonfruit, açai, etc.) Coconut water too!

Make a Pineapple-Boat!

Loaded Veggie Pizza with Herbs and Spices

More Creamy Fettuccine, All-Natural 

Mixed Greens, Arugula and Spinach 

Change it up with Baked Fries (Never Fried, Never Processed)

Healthier Jams and Spreads on an Organic Rudi's Muffin

Almond-based Ravioli by Kite Hill

Homemade Vegan Lasagna! Base: Nuts!

Almond-based Chive Cream Cheese on Rudi's Organic Bagel

Chia Pudding with Coconut Flakes, Blackberries and Pecan MALK

Butternut Squash and Pumpkin-Based "Mac n' Cheese" 

Chocolate Chia Pudding with Bananas and Sprinkled Chia

Detox with Fruit-Infused Water

Indulge with Cacao! + PB Bites with wheat-free granola

And banana sushi...

Mmmm...Top Allergen Free Chocolates (ps. the "thumbs up"... a Butterfinger. Literally. Cleo's/Theo = Reese's. Enjoy Life Crunch = Rice Crunch)

Sunbutter, PB Powder, Allergy-Free Chocolate, Cashews = Power Smoothie

Vegan Cookies with better-for-you ingredients!

Charcoal Bowl! Add coconut flakes, kiwi, other fruits and granola. I ordered this in Toronto, Canada along with a black fair-trade coffee.

Veg on Veg on Veg

You can always make a simple red sauce pasta with herbs and spices. Plus, you can utilize a protein-packed chickpea/gluten-free noodle.

Pies tend to be quite seasonal, but they are able to be made vegan-proof! Check out the "coco-whip"!

VEGAN EGG! This scrambles like an actual egg. An actual egg would not be vegan, so you can make your favorite southwest scramble (fresh cilantro, fresh parsley, fresh tomatoes, chopped onions, fresh garlic) using the Vegan Egg. 

Can you believe all of this is vegan?! 

Fuel your body!

MAINSTREAM RESTAURANTS: 

For instance, MOD Pizza uses sunflower in their dough and red sauce, and do not use soy or milk proteins in their dough or anywhere at all! This is one of my top favorite places! I will get a mini veg pizza, or sometimes the 'pizza salad' with just olive oil and garlic as its base. 

2941 Street Food, a modern Mediterranean eatery, also does not use soy. They use extra virgin olive oil instead (no blends here!). I love to get a fermented veggie bowl with basmati rice, black bean hummus, falafel and cucumber salad.

Chipotle even uses rice bran oil and does not use milk proteins or soy anywhere (except for their obvious cheese and milk-based options). LOVE! 

Maggiano's is a scratch-kitchen, so you can literally order anything you want, exactly to your liking. I will usually order a delicious gluten-free pasta with fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, seasonal squash, zucchini and carrots! Or, I can change it up with a lemon, garlic and extra virgin olive oil scampi (no butter needed!).

There are a lot of restaurants now that strictly serve vegan food and allergy-free food! They are based all around the metro area... Ferndale, Utica, Birmingham now too...You can find these places on my food-insta feed! @JoggingwithJewelz 

IN CONCLUSION...

Don't give up, it's easier to transition to eating majority plant-based than you may think! You just have to take the first step, and your taste-buds will adjust and you'll probably end up loving it.  When you're searching for products, read labels, read the panel, make sure you know what you are eating! 

Be careful, you can still be vegan and not get proper nutrients. Sure, you can have vegan donuts and chips and candy all you want and still be vegan, but that won't help improve your health! However, it is up to you to choose, to each their own. Always feel free to reach out if you have any questions, want recipes or need more inspiration. 

Thanks for 'Jogging with Me'! 

Welcome the new year with a new attitude and grace. 

Until next time, - J

12/04/2017

Final Edits: 01/08/18

Happy New Year!!

(Article Next Up: Vegan Eats in 'The Burgh')

Preview:

Oat Milk Latte 

A Week of Trader Joe's Fall Inspired Recipes

It's that time of year again when a chill in the air returns, the days get shorter, the leaves start to change colors and the endless sound of the crunch-crunch-crunch beneath your cutest pair of fall-approved boots is ever-lasting until the first snow fall. 

That also means apples, butternut squash, pomegranates, mushrooms... any food and every food that reminds you of October, November and Thanksgiving is totally appropriate to start cooking with! 

Say goodbye to light summer dinners, and hello to healthy, warm, filling fall dishes. 

I gave my followers a taste of what it would be like to make a meal exclusively from Trader Joe's for one whole week! Here are the results, it turned out pretty exciting. 

Fall Recipe Inspo 1: 

Butternut Squash Macaroni Elbows (yes please!) 

This isn't cheese...it's a take on vegan mac! This literally tastes healthy, but honestly, the good kind of healthy. Full of spices like paprika, dijon, pepper, turmeric, nutmeg... even raw cashews for added texture, this dish proves to be a fall favorite! 

I used a gluten-free noodle and bought pre-cut squash from TJ (Trader Joe's). If you prep this ahead of time, it makes for a great couple of weekday lunches/or weeknight dinners. Plus, it is loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber!

This recipe was adapted from The Doctors.

Fall Recipe Inspo 2:

Who doesn't love the typical-flavor-fave of Pumpkin Spice?! I can't say I always have, but I am liking the TJ take on it!

 Add this almond-based creamer to your homemade coffee lattes for a festive morning cup or a delicious afternoon pick-me-up. 
(P.s. How cute is this Yates mug?! Sometimes you got to get a souvenir from your local favorite places, you never know when life may take you on a move!) 

Fall Recipe Inspo 3: 

Pomegranate-Vinegar Spinach Salad with Peppers, Red Onion and Blackberries! 

Oil & vinegar is *always* a great option when aiming for healthier salad dressing. I always make sure to use a 100% extra virgin olive oil (some oils are blends of different oils, like soybean/canola, watch out!) when cooking and/or consuming. Trader Joe's has a fabulous Spanish EVOO. 

I also added a small baked yukon gold potato with broccoli just for a little something extra on my plate!

Fall Recipe Inspo 4: 
Pumpkin Shells "Zucchette" Pasta with Nut-Based Sauce!
Think garlic...basil...parsley...

YUM. YUMM. YUMMM. I don't know how many times I can say it, because this is seriously just so, so, so good. And, how cute are the little "pumpkins"?!?!! I used a blend of cashew and macadamia, and oh, it is...like, bliss. Creamy fettuccine sauce that is completely dairy-free and loaded with fiber, healthy fats and minerals. 

There are a handful of nut-based pasta recipes out there to choose from. Pick one that suits you!



Fall Recipe Inspo #5

TJ's White-Bean Chili with CORN BREAD CRISPS!

 We are loving these over here... if you like corn bread, you're bound to like these! Addicting just by themselves! 

Finally, everyone has been raving about Trader Joe's "Everything but the Bagel" seasoning, so I thought to pair it with this bomb avocado toast on organic 7 grain by Ezekiel! (Next to my pitaya dragon fruit bowl with hemp seeds, pepitas and cacao!)

Rudi's Organic English Muffin with Egg (Vegan Egg available!)+ Hot Sauce + EBTB Seasoning 

When you finish envisioning how you will get everything you need to create these delicious fall-inspired Trader Joe's eats, get out there and enjoy the cooler weather! It is my favorite weather to run in. Use it to your advantage to take a jog... perhaps with me, @JoggingwithJewelz! 

For the Fashion Lovers: 

( Girl I got you! ;) )

Workout Jacket: Under Armour 

Running Shoes: Under Armour 

Workout Pants: Lulu's (I also love my 90 Degrees!)

Sweatshirt: Calvin Klein 

 Thanks for Jogging with Me! Until next time. - J