How to Live to 100 - Cooking Channel

Did you have the chance to watch the premier of  "How to Live to 100" about 2 weeks ago (re-aired last weekend)?  The Cooking Channel aired this show three times over the last week and if you missed it there is another airing tomorrow, Saturday 1/19 at 12pm EST.  You should check it out but if you happen to completely miss the show here is a quick re-cap . 

Celebrity vegan and raw chef Jason Wrobel hosted this premier about plant based eating and longevity.  Jason is a renown vegan health entertainer, and welfare advocate who has released a DVD called "Simple Vegan Classics," focusing on the preparation of raw foods.  He also hosts a popular YouTube channel and debuted a recipe book in 2012.  Now, breaking into mainstream television with a plant based cooking show he has proven a track record of success with "How to Live to 100" ranking as the highest rated show on premier day! 

Jason featured multiple recipes during the show which you can actually find on the Cooking Channel's website here: 

Cooking Channel - How to Live to 100

These plant based recipes were split up under 3 categories of health:  Immune system, Love Life, and Slim Waist.  Yes, recipes were featured on the show that included plant based foods to eat in order to have a better love life!  Jason's advice was to not only eat coconuts, cacoa, and avocado for a better sex life, but the act of having sex at least three times per week has the ability increase life expectancy by up to 8 years! 

In my opinion the show was a success as Jason was entertaining and very enthusiastic during the entire episode.  Moreover the snacks that he created on the show looked amazing and I cannot wait to try out a few of the recipes posted on the Cooking Channel website.  These recipes include Zucchini pumpkin seed fritters, Cilantro Pine Nut Pesto Pasta, Cacao - Avocado Pudding, Coconut yogurt, cayenne popcorn, and even more! 

Who else watched this show or plans on watching the re-run tomorrow?  What does everyone else think about the show?  I would espeically like to hear from anyone who has personally tried his recipes! 

- Kerry

Jalapeno Poppers

Yes that is a picture that includes meat and dairy on our vegan blog!  This jalapeno popper recipe originally was not intended to be vegan at all but when I was home in Florida for Christmas my brother decided that he wanted to make me jalapeno poppers for Christmas.  My brother and his wife hosted Christmas dinner at their house and planned to make jalapeno poppers as an appetizer with jalapenos, cheese, and turkey bacon .  Knowing that I love spicy foods my brother asked if I had vegan bacon and cheese as he would make a vegan friendly version for me as well.

On Christmas Eve I realized that I had forgotten to buy vegan bacon but I did have vegan bologna and Daiya Cheese.  My brother said it would work and he created 3 vegan jalapeno poppers for myself with the rest for all of the omnivores in the family.  I may be the only vegan in the family but I am very grateful that I have a supportive family!

The picture that I took above was actually taken a few days after Christmas.  I made the jalapeno poppers this time myself but at my parent's house.  I made a few with pork bacon and cheese for my brother and my dad and then a few vegan poppers for myself.  Once again I did not have the vegan bacon as I wanted to finish the bologna before I ended my trip.  The bologna worked well but I used vegan bacon tonight when I made the poppers.  The bacon definitely worked best but bologna made for a good substitute!

For dinner tonight my boyfriend made vegan tacos while I made the poppers.  I wanted to try to make the poppers one more time but with bacon.  These are very easy and the main reason that I wanted to blog about these is that they are great for parties.  Almost everyone has at least a vegetarian friend or family member.  Who says that they can't enjoy the same appetizers as their meat eating counterparts?  This may not be a typical recipe that I would make on a weekly basis but it is great for a meal or party that would include vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters alike.

the first step is to wash the jalapenos then cut off the stem at the top.  Carve out the seeds using a potato peeler or a slicing knife.  load the poppers with cheese, wrap with bacon a strip of bacon, then stick a toothpick all the way through.  The toothpick will hold the bacon wrapped around the jalapeno.

Bake the poppers for about 20 minutes on 350 and then you're done!  As I mentioned this recipe works for both meat and dairy as well as vegan and vegetarian versions. Below is a picture of the poppers and the lovely taco that my non vegan boyfriend made for me.

 These jalapeno poppers are easy and fun to make, and can be served side by side with the non vegan versions.  In my 10 years as a vegan most recipes that myself or my family have made for me while I was visiting on vacation have been vegan versions of recipes that include meat and dairy.  Whether my family makes spaghetti, tacos, or stuffed peppers they have easily prepared me a delicious vegan dinner to coincide with what they were making.  As I mentioned I am very grateful for my supportive family!

The next time you are throwing a party and you have vegetarians or vegans invited this would be a great option to serve as an appetizer.  There is always more than just the hummus dip!

- Kerry

A New Year = New Challenges!!

I absolutely LOVE this time of year! With a New Year always comes tons of new health challenges and I love a good challenge or three :).

This week I will be starting two new challenges and, later on in the month, a third one!! I will be blogging about my progress which I hope you find helpful . Nothing is more motivating to start the new year off right than with a good challenge to kick start your health! Soooo wanna know what I'm getting myself into??

The WORKOUT Challenge

Image from Toneitup.com

The Tone It Up chicks just started a new V-day workout challenge!! Every day/week they provide workouts, motivational journaling tasks, and so so so much more!! Prizes are being offered to those who log in everyday and update their progress. It's a huge and very supportive community and the challenges are cutely named and fun to do. Apart from doing the tasks and everyday challenges, the Tone It Up chicks also added an additional challenge: Complete 100 miles before Valentine's Day. That means complete 2.2 miles a day of running, walking, jogging, whatever you want. I cannot WAIT to get started this week and look fabtabulous by (or well, a bit after, since I'm a bit behind starting) Valentine's Day. <3 You can check out the challenge and the posts that have been made so far here, but I will also be posting everything on our Facebook page as well the day before so you know what's ahead.

The 30 Day Smoothie Challenge

Image from Young and Raw

The owners behind Young and Raw, a wonderful online raw food community has just started a 30 day green smoothie challenge. They are providing shopping lists and a daily green smoothie recipe to add to your daily diet. The smoothies are delicious and filled with green goodness. January's challenge group can be located here but I will also be posting the recipes on our Facebook page as well. 

Brad's Raw Food Challenge

Image from Brad'srawchips.com

If you have been following us for a while, you know I am addicted to Brad's Raw Foods; a company that not only makes the best raw kale chips on the planet but also has one of the most supportive raw food community! Every month they hold a one week raw food challenge that challenges participants to eat 100% raw for 7 days straight. There are a few rules that you can check out here. If you pass, you get two products for free!! Isn't that awesome!! The next challenge starts on January 14th and I will be blogging about all my wonderful eats!

So are you ready to jump start this new year with a new you both on the inside AND out!?

-Beth

Happy 2013!!

Happy 2013!!!!!!  Ahh, yes, it’s that time of year again to make resolutions: pesky, mostly weight-loss promises we make to ourselves only to break them a few days later which results in beating ourselves up, eating a tub of (vegan) Chunky Monkey, trying again, and then eventually say “Screw it!!”. You know what I’m talking about. We’ve all been there at least once in our life. But this year, I’m doing something different. No more resolutions!!  No more promises. Instead, I am making a list of lifestyle changes, habits, goals, or, as a fellow blogger called them, skills, whatever they may be, that I would like to incorporate or accomplish this year. Each one will take time; I have no doubts I will fail a time or two; and I may never even get to some of these on my list…but that’s part of the fun right?

Beth's "To Do" List for 2013!

• Focus on The Split Plate –  My number one goal this year is to focus more on this blog. I know last year was a bit silent, but I have the time now so be prepared for weekly posts, recipes and so much more! 

• Get FITter – That’s right. I need to get back into the groove of working out everyday. I’ve put on a few pounds, in sort of a good way, but I need to tone up. Therefore, I’ll be putting my treadmill to work and following Tone It Up’s challenges. They have one going on right now until February! 

• Try a new physical activity every couple of months – I’ve really been wanting to try some new physical activities: yoga, cross fit, rock climbing, biking, dance class, etc. Any others to suggest?

• Learn to LOVE & LISTEN to my BODY - This will probably be the absolute TOUGHEST goal to reach. I've always had body image issues, but I have learned over the last year that I need to appreciate the body that I have been given. It is healthy, it allows me to move and to enjoy the things I do...I seriously can't complain...I love life and I wouldn't have a life if I didn't have this body. It's time to start showing it some LOVE!  

• Break my nail biting habit

• Attend at LEAST one vegan food fest or event outside of my homestate - That's right! Vegan Fair in Texas here WE come!! 
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So what resolutions, habits, changes, or goals do you plan on making in 2013??

Here’s to a successful, healthy, and very Happy New Year!! 2013!!