Active Vegetarian, Nutrition and Fitness Tips for Plant Based Eaters

Mmmmmmmmmm……………………..Cheesecake! Did you know…… Cheesecake is believed to have originated in Greece more than 4,000 years ago.  It is also believed to have been served to athletes competing during the first Olympic games in 776 B.C. to give them energy. So if it’s good for Greek athletes is good for us, right? Here is a totally vegan [...]

Hi Guys, Today we have a completely new workout for you, and it was inspired by our recent trip to Joshua Tree National Park. It’s simple yet effective. Now go and give it your all! WORKOUT BREAKDOWN 10 burpees 20 Jumping Jacks 10 scorpion push ups 20 jumping jacks repeat 5x for time Enjoy your [...]

You work out hard every day to reach your fitness goals, but do you do it without a workout log? Now it’s time to consider keeping a workout log. While a lot of people think that it’s more important to just work out, it is important that you keep track of your progress. This helps [...]

We picked up some lovely Collard Greens the other day, and didn’t want to simply shred and slow cook them. Collard greens turned out to be excellent for wraps and there are so many possibilities for fillings. This time we filled them with my favorite quinoa dish . Apple Quinoa Curry Salad We prepared the [...]

During our recent visit to southern California Nikki and I discovered not one but three beautiful pink grapefruit trees in the back yard of the house we were staying at. Neither of us are big grapefruit eaters however the fruit was so appealing that we were determined to make something yummy out of it What follows is a recipe for a yogurt cake which ended up to be [...]

Hi there! Today’s workout was awesome! Very intense, and little bit longer then our normal workout. It took us little over 27 minutes to complete. We challenge you to give it a try….I know you will love us for it later So what was this workout all about? It’s a full body time challenge. We did 10 [...]

I am huge fan of cilantro. There are so many amazing health benefits of this powerful herb and it tastes great. I add it to almost every dish, including my green smoothies. Watch our “Tip Of the Week” video bellow to learn more Check out our recipe for Black Bean, Mango, Cilantro and Lime Salad [...]

This weeks recipe is super quick and easy to make. Best of all…no cooking required It’s great to eat on it’s own or for the carnivore’s in your life you can serve a piece of grilled chicken or grilled shrimp skewers with it. Or you can mix it into hot rice. This salad is so versatile and [...]

This workout is just little over 10 minutes long interval circuit training. Set your Interval Timer for 18 rounds of two intervals. The first interval is 5 seconds (rest interval) and the second interval is 30 seconds long (max. effort interval). There are 3 rounds of 6 exercises that you will be doing in a [...]

Bring reusable coffee mugs, and reusable water bottles to work and wherever you go. You are saving a tree from becoming a paper cup that is essentially non recyclable. Many coffee shops now offer you a 10 cent or even more discount for bringing in your own reusable mug. Reusable cups keep your drinks, like [...]

Adapted from Whole Foods Market What better way to leave a good “impression” with friends and family than sharing some vegan thumbprint cookies?  The cookie part of these are not overly sweet; the idea when eating them is to get a little  jam filling with each bite, which makes them taste sweeter Ingredients 1 cup [...]

Have you had an eggplant lately?   There is many reasons why you should include this pretty purple vegetable in your diet. Health Benefits Eggplant is a good choice because its high fiber content helps digestive function lowers risk of coronary heart disease In addition, eggplant contains potassium, Vitamin C, and protein. Fun Facts In [...]

Both lentils and quinoa are very versatile ingredients.  There are so many ways to use lentils in recipes. Although quinoa is great as a side dish, try also using it in place of oatmeal as a hot cereal in the morning.  I have made recipes before using quinoa and lentils but I haven’t combined the two in [...]

Hello Friends! Today we have a recipe for you that even your non vegetarian friends will love.   It will take about 5min to prepare and your slow cooker will do the rest. Give it a try and let us know how you like it.  Make sure to use organic NON-GMO tofu Ingredients: 1/4 cup [...]

This cream cheese is unbelievable! We used it for our “sushi” rolls. Ingredients: 1 cup raw cashew nuts, soaked 1/4 cup almond milk pinch of salt freshly ground black pepper 1tsp ground cumin zest of one small lemon juice of 1/2 small lemon (2 tbsp) Preparation: Soak the nuts in plenty of water for a [...]

I LOVE sushi! However today we decided to take a challenge and make sushi without the rice. This “sushi” recipe is super easy to make. We prepared a vegan cream cheese in advance and stored it in the fridge until dinner time.   Assembling this meal is a piece of cake In fact, you can get your [...]

The Silent Killer, Sugar! Are you bloated, lazy, moody, depressed, overweight, obese? How much sugar do you consume? I honestly believe that Sugar is not fit for human consumption. Literally every single organ in the body is negatively affected by sugar. Get this, It’s been said that one teaspoon of sugar lowers your immune systems response [...]

 These Sweet Popeye Truffles are simple, sweet, and perfect fuel before and after workouts. Try packing them for a healthy snack in your kid’s lunch box Ingredients: 1 cup raw almonds 1 1/2 cup oats 3 ripe bananas 2 cups fresh spinach 3 TBS cocoa powder 2 serving of your favorite protein powder (we used Vega Sport Performance Chocolate) [...]

Try a new potato salad tonight! Roasting the sweet potatoes first brings out their rich flavour, and the add ins give it crunch and zip! Simply Delicious! Ingredients:  2 large yams, cut into small cubes 1 TBS extra virgin olive oil 1 12 oz bag frozen organic shelled edamame, thawed 2 small shallots,thinly sliced 1/2 cup toasted almonds [...]

  Happy New Year Friends! Why not start this year with a great glute workout? Give it a shot and let me know how you did. Instructions: Set your Interval Timer for 8 rounds of 15/45 second intervals. You will be doing a circuit of 4 exercises that you will go through 1-2 times in a row. [...]

It’s the season of giving. Yes, it is. This Christmas season, give the gift of all-natural yummy goodness – Homemade Granola Bars. You can wrap them up and surprise your coworkers, friend and family members. I love sharing these with my clients as it makes a perfect after workout snack. Also a healthy addition to your kids lunch bags, quick [...]

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] In this episode, Zuzana and Nik talk about enjoying the holiday season while still sticking to your healthy lifestyle. Also you will learn the importance of training your glutes – stay tuned for a short workout video for a strong sexy booty   Download the Episode Here! (15min – [...]

Hi all! Christmas season is officially here people! With this time of the year we get invited to tons of Christmas functions. Work parties, neighbor parties, family get-togethers, friend’s Christmas brunches…..you get the point right? Most of the time we are asked to bring a dish – so today I would like to share with you this croud pleaser – [...]

I woke up this morning feeling little under the weather…luckily I had just the thing to nip it i the butt. My go to delicious remedy- detox smoothie. Yep, there is such a thing as tasty detox smoothie So next time you wake up feeling little sluggish or you just want to start your day right give [...]

Eating For Energy is a program that focuses around Raw Vegan Foods. The program’s creator – Yuri Elkaim does a fantastic job of showing you which raw foods to emphasize for vitality and healing. This is not just a book about losing weight or restrictive dieting …it’s about increasing energy, vitality and strengthening your immune [...]

I am a big fan of homemade veggie burgers. You can pack them with tons of nutrients and make them into a complete meal. Because burgers are a very convenient ”on -a- go” food, I tend to double the ingredients and make extra to take to work for lunch. They are great on their own, with [...]

Black Bean Guacamole 1 large ripe avocado Juice of 1/2 lime 1 tomato, chopped 1/2 can black beans, drained and rinsed 2+ Tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped Salt & pepper to taste Cut the avocado in half and remove the seed.  Scoop out the inside and place into a medium sized bowl.  Smash the avocados to [...]

Good news! You don’t have to work out in a gym to get in shape. Why not take advantage of the nice summer weather and take your workouts outdoors. Exercising in the open air is just as effective, can be more fun, and has some appealing advantages. Being outside will boosts your health and fitness, [...]

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] In this episode of Active Vegetarian we discuss 5 essential tools every vegan/vegetarian kitchen should have. We put together a list of kitchen essentials we personally use on daily basis to help you create healthy and nutritious meals without wasting your money and kitchen counter space. Download the [...]

Joe and I have recently moved across the country (that might explain the lack of updates and podcasts). As our house back in Ontario was sold with all the furnishing we decided to pack only a few of our most important belongings to make the move as easy as possible. I believe that we are [...]

Just in time for summer, this pie will make a great light snack or dessert. I am super excited about this pie! And here is why: 1. It’s healthy- so healthy you can even enjoy it for breakfast 2. It’s easy and quick to make – all you need is a food processor and a pie [...]

Hey Everyone! Few of you have been asking for a recipe with quinoa….so here you have it… Print Recipe Here Ingredients: 1 cup cooked quinoa 1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats 1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries 1/2  cup almond butter 2 chia eggs (2 tbsp chia seeds mixed with 6 tbsp warm water, let [...]

While Quinoa(pronounced keen-wah) is considered by most people to be a grain because it cooks up much like a grain would, it is actually a seed. When cooked it has a wonderful nutty flavor. It is very versatile and can be used as a main dish, side dish, baking or breakfast.  It can easily be [...]

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Hello! Sorry it’s been so long (again). We get asked about healthy weight loss more than anything else believe it or not. So in this episode we share 3 ways to make sure you are successful in losing weight and keeping it off! I’m also going to warn [...]

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] With so many celebrities and high profile people going vegan lately we discuss whether or not we feel it’s best for the average person. In our fitness tip we teach you how not to fall victim to the next useless fitness craze. WARNING: I did very little editing [...]

One of the things we hear most is that people don’t feel motivated. Understandable …I feel that way quite often. A huge myth is that people who are the most fit, healthy and strong are also the most motivated. WRONG! Often they are the most dedicated and disciplined, but that’s a separate thing from motivation. [...]

This post is part 2 in a series we are doing about stopping Yo-Yo dieting and sharing strategies to maintain a healthy weight. Last night we recorded the second part of the podcast, but when I awoke this morning  I discovered that evil computer goblins infiltrated my hard drive and erased half of the recording. [...]

In the video below I will explain how you can be totally lazy, and still make a highly nutritious lunch that’s packed full of protein. I eat this almost every day, and it gives me lots of fuel to workout hard. Anybody that thinks Vegetarians and Vegans can’t get enough protein is out of their [...]

www.freevegetariangift.com Here’s a quick 5 minute lunch that will provide plenty of protein to give you lots of energy.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] In this episode of Active Vegetarian we discuss how to maintain a healthy weight, and stop the cycle of Yo-Yo dieting forever. And in the fitness tip, we talk about how to add pull ups and chin ups into your fitness routine, even if you can’t do a [...]

There are many reasons why people decide to live a plant based lifestyle. From health benefits, recovering from heart disease, religious believes to ethical reasons. Today I would like to pick your brain and find out what made you commit to the vegetarian /vegan lifestyle. Here is a great short video of Ellen DeGeneres  explaining [...]

This is an easy dessert that is a favorite for all ages. Although this could easily be classified as comfort food, this version of apple crisp is light and healthy and can be enjoyed without guilt Serve warm, topped with  vegan ice cream, for the ultimate flavor combination. This will test your thirty-minute capacity as it depends on [...]

Zuzana made this quick video explaining the best way to get all of your recommended vitamin B-12. Check it out below. A lot of people are struggling with getting their Vitamin B-12, so if you have any Vitamin B-12 tips, please leave them in the comments below. Best, Joe

www.activevegetarian.com Zuzana from Active Vegetarian shares a quick tip to help you get 100% of your daily recommended amount of

This is an easy recipe which provides you with a complete meal. I used a light coconut milk and no added fat making it a very light and easily digestible dinner. Print Recipe Servings: 4 2 cups water 1 cup brown basmati rice 1/2 cup coconut milk 1/2 tsp turmeric 1/4 tsp salt 1 piece cinnamon stick [...]

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] In this episode of active vegetarian – we give you a full 4 week workout program for free to help you reach your fitness goals. We also discuss how to deal with the social aspects of being a vegetarian – such as living with a non-vegetarian, and how [...]

To Download the 4 Week Turbulence Training Workout Program – just click the link below. Download the program HERE Once you open the PDF File …simply save the file to your computer! If you have any questions about the program …leave them below in the comment section, and we’ll be happy to help you through [...]

You can probably tell from my recipes that I ♥ SWEETS. I love everything about them – preparing them, the aroma of baking a cake or muffins in the oven, and of course eating and sharing them. With all that LOVE I also understand the danger of excessive eating. Sweets should be treated as a treat. I do not [...]

On our last podcast I promised you a chia seeds breakfast recipe and here it is! This will take about 10 min of preparation the night before however the next morning you will have a super healthy and delicious breakfast waiting for you. I swear this tastes just like dessert! Print This Recipe This is what you will need: SERVES 2 1/4 cup chia [...]

I have been asked for a good hummus recipe a lot lately. Hummus is super simple, however you can fancy it up according to your own preference. In this case I had a tons of organic sweet potatoes at home so I decided to be creative.  I am a big fan of sweet potatoes. Joe is a big [...]

By: Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS www.TurbulenceTraining.com Recently, I was in Tampa, Florida, at a seminar. Between sessions, a physician from Georgia stopped me in the hall and said, “Hey Craig, you were right about those crosstrainer machines. I’ve had your program for a few months now and I’m getting better results with the bodyweight circuits.” [...]

I have been making protein balls for quite some time now. Each time I change the recipe just a bit, however I think this time I found a winner! At least Joe seems to think so This is a quick and easy snack. You can double up on the ingredients and store it in the freezer. [...]

www.freevegetariangift.com

The Gymboss interval timer will give your workout the discipline and structure necessary to take your workout to the next level. This easy to use timer will allow you to control intensity and allow you to focus on the workout to get the best results possible! Muscle strength, size, and endurance Fat loss Anaerobic endurance [...]

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] The number one question people ask plant based eaters is…”So where do you get your protein?” In this episode we address this question …and reveal some shocking information about how much protein you really need, and the best sources for plant based protein. And in this fitness tip [...]

www.freevegetariangift.com

www.freevegetariangift.com

This smoothie is sooooo delicious! Don’t let the ingredients fool you :-) Give it a try and find out for yourself. Kale Spinach and Pear Smoothie 1 heaping cup spinach leaves 1 heaping cup chopped kale leaves 1/2 pear 1  banana 3 tablespoons hemp protein (or your favorite protein powder) 1 tablespoon spirulina powder (optional) 1 1/2 cups cold almond milk (or [...]

Funny thing…I hated tomato soup as a kid. But something has changed. These days I find a hot bowl of tomato soup very comforting. I adapted this recipe from Martha Stewart to make it 100% vegan. What makes a big difference between good tomato soup and great tomato soup like this one …is the tomatoes. Go figures huh? No seriously, if [...]

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] In the first podcast of 2011 we will be sharing some great tips about eating healthy on a budget. We’ll also share the one fitness tool we could never do without …and everybody has access to it! Download the episode Here! (17:20)

Hit me with your best shot.  Fire awaayaay. Here’s a great workout tip for you ….exercise to music that motivates you! It can be any kind of music, as long as it works for you. Yesterday Zuzana was about to start her 8:00am Kickboxing class – she put on some Smashing Pumpkins and I could [...]

I had a conversation with somebody yesterday that I must share. They told me that they couldn’t work out for the past 2 weeks because of the weather. They just had a major snow storm. I asked them if they closed the gym because of it ….and this is where the conversation took a turn [...]

There is a saying: ” Tell me who your best friends are, and I will tell you who you are.” If you associate with positive, motivated, driven people it can only rub off on you and make you more successful in anything you do. If you surround yourself with bunch of unhealthy, negative friends that pretty much says that you [...]

Where the hell is the fitness industry headed? It’s a shame that the fitness industry is much more focused on profits rather than people. Let me tell you a little story. Yesterday Zuzana met with a couple of friends at the gym. They asked her to help them out and show them how to use [...]

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] In this episode we will be sharing 5 ways to get your fitness and nutrition back on track after the holidays. And in the fitness tip we discuss how to make a plan for 2011 to help you reach your fitness goals. Download the episode Here! Please leave [...]

Today we had our last family Christmas get-together at our house. When Joe’s mom offered to bring a lasagna all of I sudden had a big craving for a pasta dish myself. It’s been a while since I made a pasta meal. Mostly because I couldn’t find a good vegan substitude for cheese, and pasta without [...]

I hope that everybody is having a great day! Yesterday was Christmas Eve and what an awesome day Joe and I had! I have been living here in Canada for 10 years however I am still trying to keep some of my Czech traditions alive. One of them is celebrating Christmas and opening presents on Christmas Eve. But… …let me start [...]

I can’t believe it’s already December 23rd. It seemed like just yesterday it was Spring time and we were enjoying the sun and warm weather. It just goes to show you how important it is to live in the now. As Santa will be approaching all of our homes in the next little while, Joe [...]

Homemade chocolate - hazelnut spread As most kids in north America grow up eating peanut-butter sandwiches in Europe we have a similar tradition. However its much more tastier than peanut-butter (my biased opinion) Its called Nutella. This creamy hazelnut chocolate spread is absolutely heavenly! When I first introduced Joe to this jar of rich velvet awesomeness it was a love at first taste. But… …then I read the ingredients list…sighh The fist item (which [...]

If I had a scoop of Vega for every time someone told me they don’t have time to work out …I’d be a happy dude. (Admittedly I’m a little strange) All you have to do is find 4 minutes, set your timer (we prefer Gymboss Timers)  - and we did the rest. Here’s exactly what [...]

www.activevegetarian.com – This is a quick tabata interval workout that will surely kick your butt if you put your all

One of the questions we are asked about all the time is how to make “easy” veggie meals. Well, here’s the good news …it’s just as easy to make delicious healthy vegetarian meals as it is any other kind of food. Here are some of our favorite breakfast options: Delicious Oatmeal – click here for [...]

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] In this episode of Active Vegetarian we discuss how easy it is to make your own healthy Vegetarian meals. In the fitness tip you will learn 3 things you must do if you want to make progress in your fitness program. Resources: Recipes Mentioned On Podcast Easy Veggie [...]

Mashed and pan-fried or baked chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, make a delicious veggie burger. This recipe is for 4 burger patties and takes only 20 minutes to make. Ingredients 2 tbs olive oil 1½ c onions, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp ground cumin 1 cup carrot, finely chopped 1 can drained chickpeas 1½ tbs [...]

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Done Vegan Oatmeal (porridge) is one of the healthiest, most economical and most versatile breakfast staples. When choosing oatmeal go for the old fashion oats, steel cut oats, spelt or rye flakes. (you can find these in your  local bulk store or online HERE) Avoid Instant Oatmeal! Yes, those little packets of instant oatmeal are [...]

I am not a fan of commercially produced dips. Yes, I will admit, that there are some companies out there that make absolutely sensational natural vegan dips that are available at health food stores. However they often come with a high price tag. I am more referring to the dairy laden, colon clogging, “run of [...]

www.activevegetarian.com

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] In this episode we uncover some secrets about why you need to be drinking enough water. We answer an email question about how to maintain a healthy weight on a Vegetarian diet. And in the Fitness Tip we give you a complete fat burning workout, that can be [...]

It’s that time of year again!! It can be hard to shop for health minded people as stores tend to be filled with unhealthy gifts. I can’t tell you how annoyed I get when somebody gets me big box of chocolates…..pay attention people!!!! Ok …sorry a small holiday rant Buying health and fitness oriented gifts [...]

This common fat loss tip has been around since the 90’s. And that tip is that you should eat 5 or 6 small meals per day (once every 2-3 hours) instead of the more typical diet which consists of 3 large meals. I have to admit I did fall for this craze as well. For [...]

I’m just going to write a brief intro to this post as the video contains the real information. I just wanted to preface the video by explaining why I warm up this way …and why I recommend you do the same. Why do we warm up anyway? Most folks will tell you it’s so you [...]

A plant based diet in my opinion is far healthier than a meat based diet. And it’s easy to get super lean while following a plant based diet. Unless, of course, you eat like a lot of uneducated vegetarians. Just removing meat and dairy from your diet doesn’t make you any healthier if you are [...]

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] In this episode you will learn the 5 mistakes that most plant based eaters make when it comes to fat loss. We will also discuss the two types of fitness activities that you must be doing if you want to be lean, healthy, and strong. Download the Episode Here! [...]

“What is the best exercise to lose fat?” Well I am afraid to say there is no single “magic fat loss exercise”. If your goal is to lose excess body fat you should have a plethora of highly effective exercises. …and here is WHY… First you will eliminate mental boredom as well as physical staleness. [...]

www.activevegetarian.com – If you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet, you will love the healthy recipes – and great information

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[Audio clip: view full post to listen] In this episode we reveal how to make “Power Smoothies” that are so packed full of plant based goodness that you wont even believe it. Plus …we teach you the proper way to warm up (most people do this wrong and end up hurting themselves). And find out [...]

I get this question pretty much on daily basis: Where do you get the time to prepare all the meals for you and Joe? …and the answer is… I don’t! We are super busy, and when it comes to food preparation I’m all about efficiency. That’s why I’ve become a master of quick, healthy, plant [...]

You’re listening to Active Vegetarian episode 1. Joe: Hello and welcome to Active Vegetarian, the plant-based eaters’ guide to fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle. For more cutting edge information about healthy plant-based eating and for real fitness advice that actually works, stop by ActiveVegetarian.com. We’re your hosts Joe & Zuzana and let’s get started. Hello everybody, [...]

If the answer is YES, then read on….. …but first ask yourself one more question… Are You Ready to Make a Lifestyle Change? Yes you heard me “Lifestyle Change”! If you want to have a lean, healthy, sexy body it will require more than just a quick fix. While magazines and infomercials make it seem [...]

”Eat your fruits and vegetables” is one of the tried and true recommendations for a healthy diet. …and for good reasons… Eating plenty of vegetables and fruits can help you prevent heart disease and stroke, control blood pressure, prevent some types of cancer, keeps your eyes in good shape and the list goes on. And [...]

Everybody likes brownies right? What if I told you that I have a recipe for delicious brownies and you don’t even have to feel guilty about indulging? Actually you can give yourself a pat on the back for having this treat! That’s because these Healthy Brownies have a hidden vegetable inside. Yes it’s true. This recipe calls for [...]

Improvements and results happen when you do things often. Stopping and starting all the time will kill all momentum needed to succeed on your quest to six pack abs. You can have the perfect exercise routine, the best personal trainer or the latest and hottest piece of equipment …BUT… unless you are consistent – none [...]

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] In this episode, we discuss the KEY to a successful plant based diet (You don’t want to miss this one)  and the importance of staying consistent with your workouts. You’ll learn: * What almost everybody does dead wrong when changing their diet…. * How to never miss another workout [...]

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] In this episode, we will discuss the basic of eating natural food and the importance of enjoying your exercise. You’ll learn: * The BEST sources of Plant Based Protein - WARNING!               ….this may shock you!! * All about “natural eating” and what it [...]

Food and eating has gotten way too complicated in the past few decades.  We have been so brainwashed by fad diets, magazine articles, and advertising that we have forgotten how to think for ourselves and listen to our own body. Few years back I was feeling pretty confused about what I should eat as well. [...]

Anyone who is a vegetarian or a vegan, is likely quite familiar with the infamous question, “But where do you get your PROTEIN?” Most of us veggie lovers know how to answer this common question without skipping a beat. However if you’re not quite sure, and you’re worried about getting enough protein on a vegetarian [...]

Do you enjoy the time you spend exercising? Or are you one of those folks who dreads every minute of your workout? Hoping for the timer on the treadmill to magically skip foreword? Well it doesn’t have to be that way! As mentioned on our first podcast, Joe and I believe that training should be fun. If [...]