Coconut chips?!?! Yes you read that right. If you know me well you are aware that I may have a slight chip addiction. Ever since I was little I would devour any and all chips put in front of me. So when I was offered the chance to try Prana's new coconut chips of course I said yes. These make a great alternative to the high calorie, greasy potato chips that we all know. What is even better is that these coconut strips are the perfect choice for a quick gluten-free snack, GMO free, Kosher, Organic and Vegan. Also I love to support Canadian companies and these Organic Dry Roasted Coconut Chips are produced by Prana; a family owned Quebec company that offers a wholesome range of healthy snacks, nuts and dried fruit, as well as chia seeds. Since October Prana Organic Coconut Chips can be found at all major grocery chains, health food stores and supermarkets with healthy living aisles across Canada.
The chips that I tried came in four flavours Jive (Spicy Chilli), Hula (Sea salt and pepper), Charleston (BBQ) and Regular. They all each had their own unique hint of coconut among the flavours and my favourite was the sea salt and pepper. The Jive was ok but I personally am not huge on spice. After all I am from a small town in New Brunswick where the only spice my family used was pepper lol. BBQ was a close second to the sea salt for me and if you love coconut you will love the regular.
I highly recommend this for a healthier alternative to chips. And if you are looking for more info or want to visit the Prana page click HERE
Thanks Prana for the tasty treat!
I’ve heard so many people say that they can eat what they like because they work out. The reason they usually say this is because of the concept that calories in vs. calories out will help you lose weight. While that’s true, what you put into your body really does matter, whether you exercise or not. Let’s take a look at why nutrition is the most important part of health and fitness:
Your Body Composition
While you might technically ‘lose weight’ from exercising and eating what you want, you won’t change your body composition. You’ll probably just become something called skinny fat. This means you still have a high body fat percentage (unhealthy and podgy) even though your actual frame has gotten smaller. When you change your body composition, you lose fat and build muscle in all of the right places, giving you an all round tighter and fitter appearance. You can only change your body composition if you’re eating the right foods at the right times. Organic whey protein powder is a brilliant supplement for after a weight workout. Much better than a burger and chips!
Health
Many people take on an ‘if it fits your macros’ approach. This means they can pretty much eat whatever they like providing it fits into their set protein, carbohydrate, and fat intake. Burger and chips included! While this may work for some people, it won’t work for all. Plus, you need to consider the health aspects of things too. If you want to be healthy and not just look it, you need to eat like it!
Fuel
The food we eat is fuel. It’s as simple as that. It keeps us going and allows us to go about our day with ease. More people need to look at food as fuel, rather than as a way to pass the time. You can still enjoy your food, but its main purpose shouldn’t be enjoyment. Having a treat every once in a while is so much better than having them every day. Each time you eat something, ask yourself whether it’s beneficial to your body. Is it nourishing you and fueling you? If not, you should re-think your food choices.
We all get cravings from time to time. We’re only human! Fitness professionals love chocolate and doughnuts like everybody else. However, the body will get more cravings for what it eats most of. If you get into a consistent routine with vegetables, you’ll find yourself wanting to eat more of them. If you get into a routine with chocolate and crisps, then you’re going to want more of them too. It’s a vicious cycle. You need to break bad habits and introduce new ones to really make a change to your body!
Hopefully, you now see why nutrition is the most important part of health and fitness. Staying active is important, but if your diet isn’t on point you won’t get very far. Don’t listen to people who say they can eat pizza everyday and stay in shape!
CHANGE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD AND THE ENVIRONMENT WHILE FINDING LIFELONG HEALTH AND WELLNESS
THE PLANET FRIENDLY DIET Your 21-Day Guide to Sustainable Weight Loss and Optimal Health
by Cat Smiley January 2016
2016 will be off to a great start as readers begin a journey to optimum health with a unique, all-inclusive program for a greener, healthier lifestyle based on responsible dietary choices. They will be able lose weight, feel great, and minimize the impact of their eating habits on the environment with leading body-transformation expert Cat Smiley and her simple step-by-step program for a complete detox and reboot which can all be found in her new book.
THE PLANET FRIENDLY DIET[January 2016, $29.95 US / $29.95 CAN] motivates, educates and empowers readers to kick start their change with clean eating and easy-to-follow recipes. Targeted specifically to those who know it’s time to make a change but unsure where to start, the book opens with an all-inclusive 21-day meal plan which enables readers to dramatically cut back on meat and animal by-products while working towards a leaner, healthier self. They will then be able apply all they learned during the program to everyday life using the accompanying nutrition guide to transform short-term success into sustainable, lifelong results. The diet is meat, dairy, wheat and gluten-free, and comes with a weekly shopping list to ensure zero-waste. The book includes all single-portion recipes and every meal shares the following benchmarks:
Designed to eliminate food waste
Fresh, every day ingredients
Costs less than $5
Is under 500 calories
Takes no more than 20 minutes to prepare
All meals fit a variety of healthy lifestyles including diabetic, kosher and halal dietary needs
Fully illustrated with mouthwatering images of each internationally inspired recipe, it's like having a dedicated nutrition coach and a personal chef while you not just learn how to cook, but also how to understand the science behind your food choices. Whether readers are looking to give their eating patterns a complete makeover or start a change towards a healthier life, THE PLANET FRIENDLY DIET will help them lose weight, get fit and feel great – while contributing to the wider good of our delicate planet as well!
About the Author Cat Smiley, is an award-winning body transformation specialist and owner of Canada's popular weight-loss retreat for women, Whistler Fitness Vacations (The Planet Friendly Diet is the official nutrition plan for her retreat). A former world-class skier, Cat has been named as Canada's top trainer three times by the International Sport Science Association, and is a renowned body transformation specialist. She is a popular fitness and weight loss expert for many publications, and her fitness column Kick Start was nationally syndicated across Canadian community newspapers. Her goal is to inspire and educate people to find their happy size and live a healthier life through empowering them to make their own nutrition choices. Please visit Cat’s website, www.catsmiley.com for blog posts and videos about lifestyle, recipes and nutrition, fitness workouts and travel.
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THE PLANET FRIENDLY DIET Your 21-Day Guide to Sustainable Weight Loss and Optimal Health by Cat Smiley New Society Publishers
January 2016
$29.95 US / CAN
Original Trade Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-86571-811-1
Toronto's first modern Pierogarnia restaurant, The Saucy Pierogi is now open
Dundas West restaurant now serving full dinner menu, share plates, premium vodkas, cocktails and craft beers
Toronto, ON - After dominating the Toronto food scene for over two years as a pop-up restaurant and festival favourite, The Saucy Pierogi (TSP) is now open on trendy Dundas St. West (1282 Dundas St. W.). The restaurant pairs creative Pierogi dishes with a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere.
“This menu is without a doubt Polish in its DNA but since we’re in Canada, we wanted to celebrate its ingredients in our dishes,” says Konrad Obara, owner. “I wanted to blend traditional Polish cooking techniques with “out-of-the-box” flavour combinations in a cool venue with good vibes.”
Meant to be shared, the dinner menu features pierogi stuffed with gourmet fillings like braised beef, pulled pork, jerk chicken, and classics like cheddar potato. Pierogi and all other menu items are made in house; including soups, stocks and schnitzel. The cocktail and beer menu features signature cocktails, founded on the classics as well as a rotating craft beer menu and both premium and rare vodkas.
TSP blends a standing cocktail bar and sit-down restaurant, serving through to late night, offering house creations inspired by traditional polish Pierogarnia. The lively atmosphere is suitable for a quick after-work snack or a top spot to end an evening on the Dundas and Ossington strip.
TSP’s 1000 sq. ft. interior seats 77, with 10 comfortable stools at the bar. Boasting floor-to-ceiling front windows that slide open for the summer, and wood finished accents under candle lit table tops; the venue draws a warmth and rustic balance to the contemporary design, which, displays Polish-street art and photography throughout.
TSP will also feature a retail section offering take home goods, including soups such as Cabbage and Bacon, or their vegan Potato and Leek, house-made sauces, grab and go dinners, cabbage rolls, and frozen pierogi dozens for home preparation.
The Saucy Pierogi is open from 6pm until Late, Tuesday through Saturday.
The Saucy Pierogi is Toronto's first modern Pierogarnia restaurant. Established in 2013, The Saucy Pierogi has sparked a passion for delicious and innovative pierogi. The Saucy Pierogi features modern handmade pierogi filled with delicious ingredients like jerk chicken, braised beef and pulled pork, all accompanied by unique and inspired sauces and salads.
For more information, interviews or high-res images, please contact: Noah Parker, at info@thesaucypierogi.com or 416.516.1361
It is universally agreed that a balanced diet is the best way to meet nutritional requirements. All the vitamins and minerals your body needs to function at an optimal level can be found from natural sources. This cannot be disputed. The subject of nutritional supplements, however, brings more polarising views. For those with deficiencies, they are absolutely required to give their body the boost it needs. Others see them simply as a marketing gimmick, cashing in on the health conscious generation.
With so many contrasting views to wade through, it can be difficult to understand the possible benefits. Just what is the truth about supplementing? Well, for starters, let's make a few things abundantly clear. Supplements are NOT to be used as a substitute for clean eating. Their makeup is simply not designed to replicate the micronutrients and essential dietary fibre of whole foods. But when consumed alongside a well-planned diet, there are health benefits to be found in supplements.
So, who are the kind of people that may find the most benefit from supplements?
Vegans, for example, may lack Vitamin B12 as this can not found from plant-based sources.
Pregnant women are advised to take folic acid and iron supplements as a means of increasing their daily intake.
Those with eating disorders or a lack of appetite may need to supplement their nutrient intake to remain healthy.
People whose bodies struggle to break down or absorb nutrients in food.
Bodybuilders and gym goers may need protein supplements for muscle growth and repair.
You should always seek medical advice if any of these issues affect you. Consult a dietician about how supplements may be helpful in maintaining good health. Speak to your doctor about introducing them into your regular diet.
So, you've decided that you'd like to give them a try. What next? Most reputable supermarkets and health stores stock a wide range in powder, liquid and tablet form. You can even find supplements online very easily. Remember always to read the label carefully. You want to look for products specifically designed to provide all the essential nutrients your body needs. The best supplements generally supply an even amount of your recommended daily allowance for all vitamins.
Some supplements contain many different kinds of multivitamins. You may instead choose to take a specific product depending on your needs. You can buy a variety of pills that are specifically targeted towards certain vitamins in which you may be lacking.
Be careful about taking in too much. If you normally have a good diet, you'll likely get a good variety of vitamins and minerals from your food alone. Supplements are designed to give your intake a boost and maybe make up for areas in which you are already lacking. Watch what you eat and adjust your consumption accordingly. Food products like fortified cereals have added vitamins and minerals. Taking too many could be harmful. An overdose of iron, for example, could cause unpleasant side effects such as nausea and vomiting. Always consume supplements before their expiration date.
I absolutely love what uber is doing #uberhungerto check out below what they are doing to help hunger in Toronto.
At Uber, we want to do our bit to help - and help in a way that only Uber can. That's why we've partnered with local restaurant The Goods, along with food rescue organization Second Harvest, to bring meals to those in need on what we're calling #UberHUNGERTO day.
Here's how we kicked it off:
Pay it forward by popping open your Uber app between 11am-2pmtoday on Friday, September 25th, to order a meal through UberEATS. We'll match your order and will ensure someone in need receives lunch.
This is not a one day thing. Uber is committed to aid hunger relief by donating any extra UberEATS meals to local food banks daily.
Silk Meatless Monday Night - Take the Challenge! #MeatlessMondayNight #SidelineMeat
Hey Everyone! Its Alicia Bell here from Train It Right! This post was sponsored by Silk but the opinions are solely my own and do not represent those of Silk. It has been a long wait but it is finally football season! Get ready for NFL Monday night football with your family and friends by hosting a Meatless Monday Night. Myself and Silk are inviting you to take the challenge along side of me. You can use this to kick start a family tradition, and you also can win a giveaway from www.silk.com when join the challenge.
Why join the #MeatlessMondayNight Challenge?
My personal reason for trying the Silk #MeatlessMondayNight Challenge is this football season is because plant based foods keep you active during sports, fitness events and day to day living. There are many benefits of plant based foods but some of the most interesting benefits have been known to include:
1. Lowering your blood pressure
2. Helping with blood sugar levels
3. Lowering your risk of developing cancer
4. Lowering cholesterol
5. Linked to weight loss
And I think those are all good reasons to increase the amount of plant based foods in my diet and so should you. For my very first Silk Meatless Monday Night #MeatlessMondayNight I plan on making a smoothie. You can make your own Silk #MeatlessMondayNight recipe or make mine. Make sure to post your photo and recipe and hashtag #MeatlessMondayNight
Train It Right's Silk Meatless Monday Night Smoothie
Ingredients:
2 Cups Silk Almond Milk (unsweetened) Or Silk Product of Choice
1 Cup Kale
1/2 Frozen or Unfrozen Banana
1 tsp Matcha Powder
1 Scoop Vanilla Protein of Choice (I use Sun Warrior)
1 Cup Ice
Instructions:
Pour Silk Almond milk in first and add in all other ingredients with protein being last. Blend all ingredients into a blender until smooth. And serve with or without a straw!
Happy #MeatlessMondyNight Challenge
Use our store locator to find Silk products in your area.
This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.
How Jadakiss And Styles P Are Bringing Juice Bars To The Hood [INSIGHTS] I Elite Daily
You don’t have to be a legendary rapper in order to help your community, but it certainly helps.
Jadakiss and Styles P are bonafide hip-hop heavyweights whose careers have spanned three decades, but their legacies may be solidified by something other than their music.
Through their chain of juice bars, Juices For Life, The LOX members are looking to provide a much-needed place for people in low-income neighborhoods to consume something good for them. These neighborhoods are often referred to as “food deserts,” since access to nutritional food is virtually nonexistent.
Styles P said, "In the poorer communities, mostly, the money gets invested in liquor stores and the kind of things we don’t need."
Jadakiss and Styles P are leading by example and looking to put an end to food deserts through their Juices For Life locations, but they aren’t alone.
Jeff Brown, the founder and CEO of Brown’s Super Stores, a chain of grocery stores that offers high quality and nutritional food at affordable prices, said, "What Jadakiss and Styles P are doing, they’re successful, and they don’t need to be concerned about society... They’re deciding to use their success to make a difference for people. I think if we all did that, we’d fix a lot of our country’s problems."
With its three locations, Juices For Life is giving people unprecedented access to nutritional options in the Bronx and Yonkers, New York, with hopes of expanding in the near future.
Producer: Max Grunner
Associate Producer: Shawn Hazelett
Director of Photography: Terence MF Thomas
Camera Operators: Sean H. Horan, Kevin Losani
Editor: John Stish, Kevin Losani
Motion Graphics: Oliver Dudman
Senior Producer: Kevin Losani
Music Courtesy of Extreme Music:
“Mild Shine”
Written by James S. Levine
“Busted Ya Grill”
Written by Matt Smith and Daniel Carl Holter
“Labored Rebirth”
Written by Matt Smith and Daniel Carl Holter
“Hoes Before Bros”
Written by Daniel Suett, Billie Ray Fingers and Bruce Fingers
“Play Your Cards Right”
Written by Daniel Suett, Billie Ray Fingers and Bruce Fingers
What is Elite Daily?
We proclaim ourselves to be the voice of Generation-Y and never disappoint.
As the premier online destination for aspiring men and women alike, Elite offers a forum of peer-to-peer interaction in an increasingly digitalized world.
The site consistently delivers diverse content with a fresh, relevant voice that appeals to the divergent perspectives represented within our ADD generation.
For all video inquires contact: VideoContact @ elitedaily.com
Sacred Lifestyle Magazine
Sacred Lifestyle is a new online community which helps awaken one's spirit, helps enlighten and inspire us while we continue on our journey. They profile Gurus, Spiritual Guides, and Bon Vivants around the world to share their experiences from healing our bodies to enriching the food we consume to personal utopias and sanctuaries + fashion, products and travel. They featured a a bit of our interviews with Julian Lennon, Gotham Chopra, Pamela Anderson to Brigitte Bardot, to Denise Mari from Organic Avenue, etc.
They are also creating an extension to their Magazine, that will be a market called "The Sacred Lifestyle Market."
The Sacred Lifestyle Market
When: Sunday, August 30, 2015
Where: Ashbridge Estate (1444 Queen Street East)
Time: 12Pm to 6pm
The Market includes Vendors of various parts of Lifestyle - Food, Beauty Products, Fashion, Home etc. We will also have Yoga Studios including Union, Lotus Girl and 889 Yoga hosting Yoga classes throughout the afternoon.
Diet is the official nutrition plan for her retreat). A former world-class skier, Cat has been named as Canada's top trainer three times by the International Sport Science Association, and is a renowned body transformation specialist. She is a popular fitness and weight loss expert for many publications, and her fitness column Kick Start was nationally syndicated across Canadian community newspapers. Her goal is to inspire and educate people to find their happy size and live a healthier life through empowering them to make their own nutrition choices. Please visit Cat’s website, 
