REVIEWS

How To Make Edible Vegetable Bouquet {Review and Giveaway} [CLOSED]

by Vegalicious Elena on November 26, 2011

A few months ago, when I was giving away a recipe for my Upside Down Apple Cake to a few of Vegalicious readers, I got an e-mail from Amie Sue. Her signature had a link to her web-site, and, before I knew it, I was clicking around, seeing what Amie Sue was about. What immediately caught my eye was Amie Sue’s Edible Veggie Bouquet eBook. The image on the cover took my breath away, especially when I realized that everything was made from fresh, edible vegetables:

The Review

Needless to say, my jaw dropped and I was drooling.  I had to see more! Luckily for me, Amie Sue offered for me to do just that–take a peak inside, and, if I liked it, tell my readers about it and giveaway a copy of the e-book.  Yeehuh! I did not just like it, I loved it!  I was blown away by her creativity and talent. I sat there, reading through the e-book, making a list of all the gadgets that I now wanted, hoping that one day I would be able to create something equally beautiful.  I ended up ordering only one gadget, which would help to make veggie roses, and gave it a try, to make sure it really worked:

Boy! I was so inspired! I wanted to do a whole bouquet! But… in time I realized that if I were to wait until it happened my readers would never get a chance to see Amie Sue’s art.  So, I finally gave in, and after failing to make a bouquet, as I planned a few more times, because of my preggo belly growing and having no energy, I used what I learned to make my salads prettier:

I still hope, one day, to make a creation as beautiful as Amie Sue’s:

Aren’t these gorgeous?!

Well, Amie Sue created a “HOW TO” guide.  She had filled nearly 60 pages with instructions, stories, tool list, etc.–it is literally fool-proof.  Just imagine making one of these bouquets for a big family dinner, an office party, or a friend’s birthday? Or imagine making it for your fabulous Christmas party ;) . I guarantee that it would become the topic of everyone’s conversation! Not only that, but you can involve children into making these creations, and, trust me, they will love eating veggies then!

Get Your Copy

The best part is that Edible Veggie Bouquet eBook is only $7.99–that is less than the price of a fast-food meal!  All you have to do is click through to Nouveau Raw web-site to get your copy.

Amie Sue’s Edible Veggie Bouquet arrangements resemble bouquets of flowers in bloom. Edible Veggie Bouquets make for an eye popping, jaw dropping, and unforgettable gift for all occasions. No more boring veggie platters for you.

These beautiful bouquets can be made from: carrots, parsnips, beets, turnips, radishes, lettuce, tomatoes and so much more!  You will learn to customize your bouquet and make your edible gift truly unique. There is no doubt that your creation will leave a lasting tasty impression on your friends and family.

Amie Sue’s Caution: possible side effects that may take place when a veggie bouquet is present: vegetables, vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and live enzymes will be ingested and support health! There is a natural gravitational pull that affects those who come into contact with your creation. It causes a widening of the eyes, and for many they will lose the ability to speak for a short period of time and children will just stand in awe. These side effects will gently subside over time, but these bouquets will never fail to make smiles. :)

The Giveaway

Amie Sue was kind enough to offer one copy of her guide to one Vegalicious reader.  Aren’t you excited?

Here is how the giveaway is going to work:

WHEN: Giveaway is open now until Wednesday, November 30th, 11:59 pm EST.

RESTRICTIONS: You have to love eating raw veggies to enter :) !

Rules

[this means that if you don't do these, you won't qualify!]

You have to leave a separate comment for each entry, otherwise only one entry will count!

  1. Subscribe to receive Vegalicious posts via e-mail; come back and leave a comment under this post [winner will be verified to qualify], and tell me why you would like to win this e-book. {NOTE: If you are a current subscriber just leave a comment that you already subscribe [it will be verified], and tell me why you would like to win this book.}
  2. Head on over to Amie Sue’s web-site and subscribe to her blog. Come back to leave a comment.

BONUS Entries

To increase your chances of winning [I will be using a random picker to pick the winner], you can do as many of these as you would like to, and then come back and leave a comment under this post for each one [separately] that you did.

  1. Follow Vegalicious on Twitter, come back and leave a comment telling me that you did it; if you already do, leave a comment as well;
  2. Like Vegalicious on Facebook, come back and leave a comment telling me that you did it; if you already do, leave a comment as well;
  3. Tweet about this giveaway.  Come back and leave a link with a comment, make sure to include @fitvegantrainer in your tweets! You can use this text: Enter to win “Edible Veggie Bouquet” eBook #giveaway hosted by @fitvegantrainer at http://bit.ly/tSwS3v #vegan #raw.  OR You can Tweet it directly from the post on the site–htere is a link at the top and the bottom of the post, all you have to do is CLICK on it and share! Once tweeted, come back and leave a comment that you did it, leaving either a link to the tweet or your Twitter name so I can confirm.
  4. Facebook post about this giveaway [come back and leave a link with a comment].  You can use this text: Healthy eating had never been this fun. Enter to win “Edible Veggie Bouquet” eBook giveaway hosted Vegalicious at http://bit.ly/tSwS3v.  OR You can FB share it directly from the post on the site–htere is a link at the top and the bottom of the post, all you have to do is CLICK on it and share!
  5. If you have a blog, blog about this giveaway on your blog, then come back and leave a link with a comment.
All the best to you, friends! May the hungriest for health reader win :) .

Winner has been drawn:

The winner is comment #20–Nancy, congratulations! Make sure to e-mail me to claim your prize.

Eat Vegan on $4.00 a Day {Book Review and Giveaway} [CLOSED!]

by Vegalicious Elena on November 3, 2011

In the last month and half of my pregnancy I was barely getting any sleep at night.  The fact that I am not a napper made day-to-day living even so much harder. I truly slept like a baby–you know they wake up ever couple of hours for feeding… well, I woke up 4-8 times a night too… just not for feeding :) .

Last night, however, I finally felt like I got a good night’s rest, waking up only three times!  That was a miracle, so I am in a happy mood today.  And, since I am happy, I like to make others happy :) .  While munching on my freshly made raw kale chips

I came up with a grand idea… See, I was going to post a book review today, but then I thought: “Why not, having reviewed the book (I am going to tell you all about it in a second) give one of my readers an opportunity to win it?!”  I have a plenty of recipes of my own, so sharing only makes sense!  See, getting a good night’s sleep really is a good thing :) .

Eat Vegan on $4.00 a Day {Book Review }

I received a copy of the book from the Book Publishing Company about a week and a half ago.  The title alone had me intrigued.  I personally know how to save, but I also know that doing most of my shopping at a local Whole Foods [I call it it WHOLE PAYCHECK] instead of a local organic farm, like I did in the past, saving money on groceries became more of a challenge.  Given, I know that a part of it is my fault.  When I lived in Washington state, I was a part of a Co-op=BIG money saving when you buy bulk, and belonged to a local CSA=EVEN BIGGER money saving.  When I moved to Ohio I became so caught up in restarting our life in the new place, getting fitness certification, etc., that the time got away from me and… well, I slacked off.  I knew what to do, I just was not doing it.  When I became pregnant and started to feel yeecky the thought about moeny/time saving was a distant one.  The little book, though, Eat Vegan on $4.00 a Day, helped to bring my priorities back in focus.  I know that we can, and should, eat affordably, without giving up our kids’ education :) .

Synopsis

Not only can a plant-based diet be good for your health, it can also be easy on your budget! Discover how to give your shopping cart a makeover, learn how to forgo expensive processed foods and get the most flavor out of delicious, high-quality basic ingredients. Ellen Jaffe Jones, an award winning reporter and journalist, has scoured the shelves of popular supermarkets and big-box stores and calculated exactly how it costs to eat healthfully and deliciously for $4 per person per day—less than an average meal at a fast food outlet. Each recipe is accompanied by the cost per serving. And from soups and salads to entrées and desserts, the flavors are as impressive as the savings.

Tips on financial planning for food shopping, a basic review of plant-based nutrition and cooking, and a look at the hidden food-industry politics behind grocery store pricing and product placement gives readers the tools they need for planning wholesome, inexpensive daily and weekly menus. And because these meals are healthful, there will be additional long term savings by reducing future medical expenses for treating diet-related diseases.

Listed below are Ellen’s top ten money-saving tips:
• Use your head, not your heart (or stomach) when you shop
• Check the unit prices
• Buy in bulk ─ within reason
• Shop the circumference of the store
• Check the entire supermarket shelf-up, down, and all around
• Buy store brands when possible
• Pay with cash (guarantees that you won’t buy more than you can afford)
• Keep your receipts (sale prices may be applied retroactively)
• Track prices (to know if an “on sale” item is really a savings)

My Verdict

I give this book two thumbs up!  Filled with concise, accurate and helpful information, it avoids all the fluff and gets to the point, quickly transitioning into meal planning and recipes–fabulous recipes.  The only think that I frowned on is that Ellen mentioned using a microwave in a couple of her recipes.  As you know, I am totally AGAINST microwaves [read why you should be too: Microwaves... Why Not].  Ellen also uses tofu and soy substitutes in her recipes more than I like, but not excessively.  This book is a great started for ANYONE wanting to eat and live healthier… ON A BUDGET!

Ellen places estimated cost, per meal, with each recipe–a true eye opener, especially for everyone who thinks that eating healthy is expensive.

Recipes

Ellen’s recipes are simple and don’t require a college degree to decode them, and that is a huge plus for every cook!  You will find enough recipes in each category:

  • Breakfast
  • Soups
  • Salads
  • Salad Dressings
  • Entrees
  • Spreads and Sides
  • Desserts and Snacks

to keep your whole family happy.

The Giveaway

Now for the giveaway, while I am feeling generous.  Here is how it is going to work:

WHEN: Giveaway is open now until Monday, November 7th, 11:59 pm EST.

RESTRICTIONS: Open to US residents only.

Rules

[this means that if you don't do these, you won't qualify!]

You have to leave a separate comment for each entry, otherwise only one entry will count!

  1. Subscribe to receive Vegalicious posts via e-mail; come back and leave a comment under this post [winner will be verified to qualify], and tell me why you would like to win this book. {NOTE: If you are a current subscriber just leave a comment that you already subscribe [it will be verified], and tell me why you would like to win this book.}

BONUS Entries

To increase your chances of winning [I will be using a random picker to pick the winner], you can do as many of these as you would like to, and then come back and leave a comment under this post for each one [separately] that you did.

  1. Follow Vegalicious on Twitter, come back and leave a comment telling me that you did it; if you already do, leave a comment as well;
  2. Like Vegalicious on Facebook, come back and leave a comment telling me that you did it; if you already do, leave a comment as well;
  3. Visit Book Publishing Co. web-site and tell me what other titles, published by them, you would like to read;
  4. Tweet about this giveaway.  Come back and leave a link with a comment, make sure to include @fitvegantrainer in your tweets! You can use this text: Enter to win “Eat #Vegan on $4.00 a Day” book #giveaway hosted by @fitvegantrainer at http://bit.ly/tpSqHI.  OR You can Tweet it directly from the post on the site–htere is a link at the top and the bottom of the post, all you have to do is CLICK on it and share! Once tweeted, come back and leave a comment that you did it, leaving either a link to the tweet or your Twitter name so I can confirm.
  5. Facebook post about this giveaway [come back and leave a link with a comment].  You can use this text: Healthy eating had never been this easy and affordable. Enter to win “Eat Vegan on $4.00 a Day” book giveaway hosted Vegalicious at http://bit.ly/tpSqHI.  OR You can FB share it directly from the post on the site–htere is a link at the top and the bottom of the post, all you have to do is CLICK on it and share!
  6. If you have a blog, blog about this giveaway on your blog, then come back and leave a link with a comment.
All the best to you, friends! May the hungriest reader win :) .

Product Reviews: Garden of Life Raw Meal and Pines Wheat Grass

by Vegalicious Elena on October 4, 2011

I have gotten so preoccupied with happy baby news that I had little time to catch up on all of my other delicious events.  But, having gotten very little sleep last night, I think it is pregnancy hormones, I had made a list of things to catch up on.  This is one of them.

In the last couple of months I was a happy recipient of a couple of samples from two different companies–Garden of Life and Pines Wheat Grass.

Garden of Life

Raw Meal

I have already been using Garden’s of Life Iron Supplement, as needed, and really like it, especially because it is made from real foods and is vegan.  This time around I got to try their RAW MEAL, packed with nutrients and vitamins.

I have been faithfully adding it to my smoothies… until morning sickness set in.  I can tell you this, however, that I was VERY happy to have it in my fridge especially then.  Once my food aversion began, I did not want to be making green smoothies [let's hope that changes soon!], but my hubby still had to eat.  Every morning he made a shake for himself, using a couple of scoops of Raw Meal.  It really gave me a peace of mind, knowing that he wasn’t going hungry and was still getting all of the important nutrients.

Let me give you an idea of just how nutritious every scoop of the Raw Meal [which is organic, by the way!] is:

While hubby could make a shake with water or plant milk, I had to add my portions to a smoothie, since the mixture does not have a particularly interesting taste.  To each its own :) but it worked for both of us.

Perfect Food

Imagine my excitement, during my food aversion, when I could still down some greens, thanks to Garden of Life’s Perfect Food Super Food capsules! It was easier to push a pill than a drink down last week, that’s for sure.

Filled with raw green goodness, it is a perfect vegan supplement for all pregnant women, especially when we don’t feel like eating.  At least this way we can still get nutrients to our growing babies. This stuff is a saving grace for me during this trimester.

Pines Wheat Grass

At about the same time I received a sample of Pines Wheat Grass powder and tablets.  Although powder makes a great addition to green smoothies, I especially enjoy the tablets, for the same reasons I am enjoying Garden of Life’s Super Food capsules. I can swallow them, knowing that I get a great quality supplement, filled with nutrients, to my growing peanut :) .

With my current food aversion, knowing that just one teaspoonful of PINES Wheat Grass powder, or seven wheat grass tablets, dissolved in water or juice, provides the same amount of nutrition as a serving of deep-green, leafy vegetables, put my heart at rest.  Add the fact that Pines is an organically grown product, and they store their product in dark glass, rather than cheap plastic [and you know how much I dislike plastic!] put my heart over the moon.  Oxygen-free amber glass bottles protect against loss of nutrients caused by the penetration of outside air and humidity into the plastic tubs. The little peanut and I are getting all of the good stuff, even when my body forced me to skip my daily green smoothies.  So, I am a happy, happy Momma.

To give you an idea of the bragging-rights Pines holds, watch this video:

Now, this does not go to say that you should not eat your spinach and other greens! NOPE! You need both. But Pines is a great addition to an improving diet, and it is quiet portable–packaged in tightly-sealed amber glass bottles, you can keep a bottle handy at home, at work, in your glove box, etc. Also, taking a serving of either powdered wheat grass, or the tablets is like drinking a couple of shots of wheat grass juice daily!

Fighting Cancer Naturally

Both Garden of Life and Pines Wheat Grass sent a couple of extra jars of their products to be sent to Gary and Fay, who are fighting cancer naturally.  Gary and Fay have found both to be a great addition to their food arsenal, and are extremely grateful to both of these wonderful, generous companies.

More Goodness

Both Garden of Life and Pines Wheat Grass provide many other organic, raw products. You can find a lot of great raw vitamins at Garden of Life, and superfood mixes at Pines.  So, check them both out.

DISCLAIMER: Even though I did receive these products free of charge, opinions in this review are unsolicited by either company–they are my own and honest.  Trust me when I tell you, if their product sucked, I would have told you so, but it didn’t! :)  

Brendan Brazier’s Thrive Foods {Book Review}

September 6, 2011 MORE YUMMIES

A few weeks ago I was honored by being invited to review Brendan Brazier’s new book Thrive Foods, which is about to be released.  I was psyched!  I already had his Thrive book and have been recommending it to vegans and non-vegans alike, especially those who are into endurance sports or athletes of any kind. [...]

2 comments Click to Continue Reading →

Amazing Grass Product Review

August 8, 2011 MORE YUMMIES

A few weeks ago I received an e-mail from wonderful folks at the Amazing Grass.  They told me about their product and wanted to see if I would want to try it and do a review.  After visiting their web-site, my only natural response was: OF COURSE! Last week I heard a tap on the [...]

2 comments Click to Continue Reading →

SmartKlean Laundry Ball Review {Chemical Free Laundry} [CLOSED]

May 27, 2011 GIVEAWAYS

Hello, loves! This is a third installment of the series on HEALTHY PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS.  You can watch/read first two by clicking on the following links: Natural Skin, Hair, and Oral Care Products {Why It Matters}, and Chemical Free Laundry Options {Living Healthy} This post is a review of the SmartKlean Laundry Ball–a product I personally use. [...]

56 comments Click to Continue Reading →

[CLOSED!] ALO Sports Clothing {Product Review and Giveaway!}

April 28, 2011 GIVEAWAYS

Hear ye! Hear ye!  The giveaway that I have been hinting at on Vegalicious Facebook page is finally here! I am psyched to do this review and host a giveaway! But, let me tell you about it first. A couple of months back I came across a product review/giveaway hosted by another blogger. She featured [...]

69 comments Click to Continue Reading →

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