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The Golden Banana - Issue #35 - Weight Loss Issue April 06, 2010 |
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| Hi Welcome to the VeganCoach.com newsletter focusing on everyday vegan advice. The Golden Banana Newsletter is dedicated to assisting you with your everyday vegan cooking and nutrition questions. Spring is trying very hard to rear its pretty little head here in Reno, Nevada. But still we are "suffering" with cold winds and SNOW (which probably makes the skiers very, very happy). But in the spirit of wishful thinking, and the realization that summer really IS just around the corner, it's time to turn your thoughts to all those lovely clothes that so many dread: shorts, sleeveless shirts, and above all BATHING SUITS. Not always a pretty thought when you're coming out of your winter hibernation with a nice ol' layer of fat. So this issue is devoted to weight loss. But not just any weight loss. HEALTHY weight loss. Because you owe it to yourself to finally take control of your weight (and your health) and drop those pounds for good this time. How will you do that, by waiting until June 1st and hopping onto a fad diet that will promise you the weight loss you seek in a month, only to revert back to your old ways when that diet no longer satisfies for the long term? No no no! This time, do things differently. Turn to a smart, sensible weight loss program that ensures you WILL lose the weight. And that weight loss program is called a vegan diet. Although the weight might come off a bit more slowly than those fad diets, so what? If you start NOW, you can lose up to a pound per week and be well on your way to the weight you desire by summertime. Look for the Get Down With Sass! "Spring Has Sprung Special", where you can save up to $15 on my 7-week weight loss course. Join others who are on the same path as you. It's fun! It's easy. And it's sane! ;O) The Recipe of the Month, Kale with Tahini Sauce, helps turn normally bitter kale into a dish you will fall in love with. Eat those greens! Each month, The Golden Banana is created by you with the questions you send me. Do you have a question, comment, or something else you'd like to share with our growing community of Vegan Coach fans? Please don't hesitate to fill out the form on my Contact page. I look forward to hearing from you. :O) It is my sincere hope that the information I provide on VeganCoach.com assists you in being the healthiest Vegan you can be. As always, thank you for joining me and for your support of VeganCoach.com. Big hugs to you, IN THIS ISSUE:
Vegan Frequently Asked Questions  Vegan Frequently Asked Questions. Please join in on the fun! :O) Recent questions which have been answered: Recent questions which need answers (please assist if you can): Do you have a nagging question about vegan cooking, general vegan nutrition, or the vegan lifestyle? Then please visit the Vegan FAQ and ask away! Enjoy!  I have always found eating a vegan diet to be one of the best kept secrets for weight loss. There's no counting calories. And it's pretty straightforward -- no "points" to deal with or measuring out your food. A vegan diet is probably one of the simplest and most natural "diets" on the planet, and it might very well be the healthiest too... ...if you take the time to learn how to do it right. So I'd like to share with you what I feel are the 2 most important factors to a healthy vegan weight loss, and why a vegan diet works. Reason #1: The main reason most people are overweight is due to toxins which have become trapped in your body. Your intestines are chock full of these toxins -- they are very lazy and pretty content just hanging around inside your body doing nothing but making you sick and overweight. So what is going to knock those toxins out of there? FIBER. Many people have heard of fiber, but one thing you may not know is that there is ZERO FIBER IN ANIMAL PRODUCTS. And if the food you eat doesn't contain fiber, it's not moving along nicely through your system. So these foods which are devoid of fiber become trapped with all those other lazy toxins that are hanging around inside of you. And when those toxins build up, look out. Because they're the start to all sorts of illnesses and diseases. What you need to do is PUSH those toxins out of there. But how? Some people take fiber in the form of pills or fiber-rich water drinks. And this can help. But if you're just going to continue shoveling all the fiber-devoid food in again, what's the point? You need a plan that works. A plan that will get all that food moving out of your intestines-- that's when you're going to see some noticeable results. Did you know that ALL plant foods contain fiber? So when the majority of your diet is made up of plant foods, such as veggies and fruits, beans and grains, and whole organic soy foods*. you're ingesting a lot of NATURAL FIBER that is going to act like an intestinal broom and push all those unhealthy fats and toxins out of your body. Reason #2: It's important to understand that 3 meals a day just doesn't usually cut it for most people. You'll likely find yourself reaching for something midway through the morning or afternoon, or craving a snack before bedtime. So let's just face the reality and call it 6 small meals a day. Now, imagine for a moment that you're sitting in front of a table that has 6 plates on it. Those plates represent all the meals and snacks you'll enjoy on a daily basis -- and are PRIME real estate. Do any of your plates contain:
These foods represent unnatural and mostly unhealthy and empty calories. And if you want to succeed at vegan weight loss, you simply cannot use up ANY of your valuable "table real estate" on empty calories. You have 6 chances each and every day to eat the foods that will keep you feeling and looking your healthy best -- that doesn't leave a lot of wiggle room because you can only eat so much food in a day! So if even ONE of those plates contain any of the above foods, then you have just squeezed out a chance to eat the foods that will bring you good health and, as a result, the vegan weight loss you seek. It's just SO important to grasp this concept. Because that little tiny snack of chips around 3 pm or that cookie around 9 pm is exactly what's holding you back from successful vegan weight loss.
Everyone is different, of course, and if you have a very large amount of weight to lose its best to work with a doctor or nutritionist. But if you're one of those people who just have a moderate amount of weight to lose in order to fit into your "skinny jeans", then reach for whole foods to provide the vegan healthy weight loss you crave. But above all remember this: The MOST IMPORTANT thing is to focus on being the healthiest person you can be. Weight loss just happens to be a positive side effect. ;O) My website VeganCoach.com has been created to show you how to prepare vegan whole foods (like veggies, fruits, beans and whole grains) in the easiest way possible so you can stick to your guns and remain a vegan success story. Please visit Sassy's Top 10 Vegan Nutrition Tips to discover the foods that will help you to attain a healthy vegan weight loss -- and keep it off for life! * (Whole organic soy foods include foods such as edamames and tempeh, which are less processed than the soy meat and cheese substitutes that line your grocery shelves). xoxo  Are you vegan and overweight? If so, you are not alone. While most people usually lose weight soon after going vegan, there may come a point when it seems that everything you eat is causing you to gain weight. It can be so depressing. I mean, here you are doing your part to save the animals and the environment and this is the thanks you get? Oy! What you want to discover is a way to lose weight on a vegan diet naturally that will stay off permanently, right? So what is the secret? Wellllll, do you eat a balanced diet? Don't answer too quickly. Some people do not even know what a balanced diet looks like. "Sassy, does it mean to, like, balance the amount of sweets with the amount of veggies?" Ummmm, that would be a no. Here are the foods a DAILY balanced vegan diet contains*:
Are you eating these foods on a daily basis? If not, you MUST. Do those serving amounts freak you out a bit? Have no fears, because a serving might not be as much as you think. How much is a serving?
Also, keep in mind that some foods do double duty. For instance, an orange would be a good source of calcium AND fall into the fruit category. A green leafy salad would fall into the calcium AND veggie category. When your diet is well-balanced, (with a good shot of exercise 4-6 times a week) you WILL lose weight on a vegan diet naturally; a little more slowly, perhaps, but the weight you lose will be long-lasting. * Please note, these servings can be adjusted depending on your energy needs -- if you need to eat more food, do so. But do it sensibly.  Hi Everyone -- By now you may have heard about my 7-week weight loss course Get Down With Sass! Many people who have taken the course are sharing some amazing feedback. It is inspiring to hear, and I thought you might enjoy learning how effective a plant-based diet (vegan) has been for this amazing person, and how it can help you to meet your own weight loss goals. "Your course surpassed my expectations. I was hoping just for some direction and assistance, and this was much more. "I am an Emergency Department/Trauma Department Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist, and I found your course fresh and original - not the same old stuff that I have heard all my life. It was easy to understand and follow, and I started to lose weight after a couple of weeks. I will continue to use the information gained in the future!" UPDATE: "My wife and I are continuing on the program and doing well with it. I saw my doc the other day for my follow up visit (hypertension) and I have lost 30 pounds since starting this. I do feel better. He was very pleased! He was funny - he said that I was kicking butt and that in one year I will be in better shape than I have been in thirty years. I told him that is all well and good, but my goal is to be in better health than I have ever been in my LIFE!. He said we can do it." -- Tom Moran, Cleveland, Ohio Tom is a real go-getter. I am just SO proud of him, I cannot even express. (Keep up the great momentum, Tom!) Vegan Coach VIPs - Summer is right around the corner. Will you wait until the last minute to hop onto a "crash diet"; one that you know deep down inside won't work in the long term? And as happens every time you try a crash diet, the weight will eventually come back (usually with more weight to boot). Or will you finally start a smart and sensible weight-loss program -- where the weight may come off more slowly, but it has a better chance of staying off FOR GOOD. Take advantage of my Spring Has Sprung Special *, where you can take the entire 7-week course for just $65 (you save nearly $15 off the regular price). What are you waiting for? No more excuses! YOU CAN DO THIS! Click here to learn more about Get Down With Sass! and get started today. xo * Special offer ends May 1st, 2010.  Dear Vegan Coach VIPs, Sometimes I answer a question here in the monthly newsletter which prompts a reader to write with additional information or advice to share. Last month, Denise from Redding, California, asked what she might say to someone who asks her where she gets her protein? Here are couple more thoughts on the topic: "Same place that elephants and gorillas get theirs." This answer is also given to the calcium and iron questions. "The best answer for people who ask where I get my protein from is "I don't eat anything with a face." That makes animals more human and they never say anything to me after that." Thanks, Val and Kristine for sharing your thoughts. RECIPE OF THE MONTH  Kale is a nutritional powerhouse, making it an excellent addition to any weight-loss program. But since kale has such a strong flavor, it turns many people off. So try this yummy recipe for Kale with Tahini Sauce. I think you'll love it too. :O) To read the full blog, click here. In a blender, combine... 1/4 cup lemon juice ...until smooth. Pour over cooked kale and toss until leaves are coated. Devour! Get DOWN With Sass! Get DOWN With Sass! The Skinny On Lasting Weight Loss (Vegan-Friendly. Totally.) Get *SAUCED* With Sass!  How To Create Delectable Meat-Free, Dairy-Free and Egg-Free Vegan Sauces without Recipes!
Vegan Diet & Nutrition Coaching: As a Vegan Nutritional Consultant I assist my clients by examining their current diet to figure out areas that might need more attention. It’s nice to have someone you can go to for advice that's YOU-nique. "Working with you, I felt at ease right away. You were very concerned with what I was or was not doing and helping me eat right as a Vegan. I felt like you were a good friend and even a family member."
"Last week Sunday, I began following your advice from our coaching call. There was no feeling of coming home and wracking my brain about what to eat, and then passing out before I even make a decision, going to sleep without dinner. "I've had a fresh and colorful green salad every day, and something good and nutritious to eat in the morning. Thank you so much for your advice. I can literally feel myself getting healthier!"
"You have a bubbly personality and although I have never met you in person, I was very comfortable sharing personal information with the knowledge that you would be able to offer healthful insights. "Reinforcement of the necessity of eliminating sodas was a huge thing for me, as was the guidelines for purchasing organics." If you...
...then working with me, your very own personal Vegan Diet and Nutrition Coach, may be just what you need. For more information about this service, please visit the Vegan Diet and Nutrition Coaching page. Created just for my newsletter subscribers, otherwise known as the Vegan Coach VIPs! ;O) You'll have access to articles and advice that nobody else does -- just my way of saying "thanks for keeping me company in cyberworld". The following pages are "password-protected" and will require a password from you. This password will change occasionally and you will always find the most current password in the most current Golden Banana Newsletter. CURRENT PASSWORD = turnip Seasonal Produce Guide * New * A handy dandy Seasonal Produce Guide to help you choose the freshest (and hopefully least expensive) produce next time you go to the grocery store. A totally personalized and completely simple vegan nutrition test that can help to pinpoint specific areas of your YOU-NIQUE nutrition profile. After taking the above Vegan Nutrition Test, visit this page to understand your results. How To Create A Vegan Diet Menu Plan Discover how to put together an easy everyday vegan menu for you and your family. Stock Your Kitchen With These Vegan Ingredients These basics will help you to create a delicious dish any time -- just add fresh whole foods. The Vegan Mashed Potato Martini Bar A Mashed Potato Martini Bar is an interesting and fun way to provide food at a wine tasting, dinner party, or martini party. That wraps it up for this edition of The Golden Banana newsletter. VeganCoach.com has been created to help YOU. To contact me with questions, comments or suggestions, please fill out the form on my Contact page. Thanks! :O)
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Instead, focus every "meal" on WHOLE FOODS. How will you know if it's a whole food? Just keep in mind, the furthest away from the LOOK of a whole food, the more likely it is that the nutrients have been processed right out of it -- and the more likely it is to contain the empty calories that you should be trying desperately to avoid.
