Is Trader’s Joe’s Mochi Really Vegan?

January 18, 2018 By Gina Bonanno Lemos Leave a Comment

Is The Mochi At Trader Joes Truly Vegan?

Is Trader Joe’s non-dairy, mochi truly vegan or is it just plant-based?

While that may sound like a distinction without a difference to most people, to vegans it’s a very important distinction that carries serious consequences for all living beings and the health of the planet.

Why?

Well, although Trader Joe’s mochi desserts contain no animal products, they do contain an ingredient that is considered harmful to animals and humans – palm oil.

Therefore, a hard-core vegan would not want to consume products containing palm oil.

What Is Palm Oil And Why Is It Not Vegan?

Palm oil has become synonymous with rainforest destruction, orangutan extinction, and human exploitation due to the cruelty involved in its production. And, because manufacturers are now using this oil to replace the rightfully vilified trans fats in most snack foods found in the United States, the negative impact of “conflict palm oil” is increasing rapidly.

According to the Rainforest Action Network (RAN), increased demand for palm oil is responsible for the following:

Child labor
Modern day slavery
The forced removal of indigenous people and rural communities from their homes and land
Rainforest destruction
Near extinction of Sumatran Rhinos
Near extinction of Sumatran Elephants
Near extinction of Sumatran and Bornean orangutans
Increased climate change

How To Avoid Palm Oil

If you’re concerned about the issues above then please share this article, and purchasing only those products without palm oil or its derivatives in the ingredient list.

Below, you’ll find a list of plam oil ingredients provided by RAN. As you’ll notice, some ingredients do not explicitly contain the words “palm oil” so it’s best to take the list with you when grocery shopping. The easiest way to ensure you’ll always have it handy is to type the list into a note on your smart phone, because we would never be caught dead or alive without our cell phones 😉:

Vegetable Oils (Palm or Palm Kernal)
Palm Kernel Oil
Palm Kernel Stearin
Palm Kernel Olein
Sodium Laureth Sulphate
Partially Hydrogenated Palm Oil
Fractionated Palm Oil
Organic Palm Kernel Oil
Palmitate – Vitamin A or Asorbyl Palmate/Palm Oil
Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS or NaDS)

The RSPO Label And Sustainable Palm Oil

But what about the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) label or products labeled as “sustainably-sourced”? Does this mean that it’s a safe product to purchase?

According to RAN, the answer is no. The RSPO and other companies have failed to enforce standards which prevent the deforestation which leads to animal extinction and climate change, or rules which would prevent human rights violations. For this reason, RAN created the Palm Oil Innovation Group which hopes to establish set guidelines for how palm oil manufacturers are allowed to extract and produce their products.

Want More Food Industry Secrets And Information About How To Live A Vegan Lifestyle?

Grab Your Ticket To Your Plant-Based Guide Conference Before Prices Increase:

Last Minute Vegan Christmas Stocking Stuffers

December 21, 2017 By Gina Bonanno Lemos Leave a Comment

Last Minute Christmas Shopping For Vegans On Your List?

If you’re like me, then you’re probably going to spend these last few days before Christmas running around and frantically searching online, to find the perfect last minute gifts and unique stocking stuffers. And, you may have one or more plant-based friends or relatives that you find very difficult to shop for.

If so (or maybe you’d just like a few new ideas for yourself), then check out the Facebook Live videos below, which I recorded today on my 360 Health Connection business page. I split this up into three videos, and included four items in each one. You’ll find some really yummy food items as well as literally life-changing Christmas gifts for both vegan and omnivore men and women.

The Best Christmas Gifts For A Vegan Or Omnivore

SPOILER ALERT: The third and final video contains THE MOST incredible and crazy deal I’ve ever offered, and would make THE PERFECT Christmas gift or stocking stuffer for the long-time or wanna-be vegan on your shopping list!

They’re also items that you’ll want to share with anyone you know who’s struggling with a disease or illness, especially the last item that I mention below. You quite literally can change, and possibly save someone’s life this holiday season!

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: This offer ends at 11:59 p.m. PST because I literally can’t afford to offer it any longer than that. Soooo, you may want to skip to video number three right now and then come back to watch the others before the one-time offer expires.

Click on the links below to watch Twelve Days of Vegan Christmas Stocking Stuffers (in one day and three parts☺):

Facebook Live Video number 1 of 3

Facebook Live Video number 2 of 3

Facebook Live Video number 3 of 3

Want more plant-based health, fitness, and nutrition information?

Check out Your Plant-Based Guide Conference and secure your seat before prices increase:

New Plant-Based Sausage From Beyond Meat

December 19, 2017 By Gina Bonanno Lemos 1 Comment

Beyond Meat Launches A Plant-Based Sausage

The company who brought us the incredible, vegan Beyond Burger is at it again, but this time they’ve used their mad lab skills to whip up a plant-based sausage that looks so much like the real thing, it’s crazy. And, if it tastes anywhere near as good as their sausage crumbles (sold primarily to restaurants, to be used on pizza) then I’m already drooling.

Unfortunately, just as the Beyond Meat company did with their famous burger, the Beyond Sausage will be rolled out in only one test market initially. The plant-based sausage will initially, and only, be available at the Whole Foods Market Pearl Street location in Boulder, Colorado. And, as with their revolutionary vegan burger that “bleeds,” Beyond Sausage will originally be placed in the meat section of grocery stores, once it launches nationwide.

The Vegan Beyond Sausage Contains More Protein And Less Fat

The 100 percent plant-based sausage will be offered in three flavors: Hot Italian, Sweet Italian, and Original Bratwurst, and is primarily made from a combination of fava beans, as well as pea and rice protein. As for the casing, that’s also completely plant-based and formulated with algae, which is a far superior and a healthy alternative to the pig’s intestine used to make traditional sausage products.

What’s really exciting is the nutritional benefits found in this vegan meat alternative. The vegan sausage wins over pork sausage in every category with:

14 percent more protein
43 percent less fat
38 percent less saturated fat
26 percent less sodium

Reduce Your Risk Of Disease With This Meat Alternative

This plant-based sausage is also hormone, antibiotic, and GMO-free, which is VERY hard to find in any type of animal-based sausage product on the market. And, it’s important to note that traditional sausage has been proven to be a direct cause of disease, including cancer.

As a processed meat, sausage is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization, meaning that there is “sufficient evidence in humans” to show that this type of meat product causes colorectal cancer, and is as dangerous as smoking cigarettes, in regard to cancer risk.

If you happen to be or live in the Boulder, Colorado area, please swing by and try the Beyond Sausage, then leave a comment below and tell us how it you liked it ☺

Want more plant-based health, fitness, and nutrition information?

Check out Your Plant-Based Guide Conference and secure your seat before prices increase:

Gluten-Free And Plant-Based Pizza Crust

December 15, 2017 By Gina Bonanno Lemos Leave a Comment

Plant-Based And Gluten-Free Pizza Crust

Thankfully, I don’t suffer from gluten sensitivity or gluten-intolerance. However, I’m always on the lookout for awesome, gluten-free products to share because I know that a tremendous amount of people are not as fortunate, and do struggle with these conditions.

That’s why I wanted to give you the scoop on something that I think is Ahhhhhmazing – CauliPower!

This incredible pizza crust is not only gluten-free, it’s also plant-based and made with the disease-fighting superstar, cauliflower!

Caulipower also sells pre-made pizzas with cheese made from dairy, if you happen to be vegetarian or omnivore rather than following a strictly plant-based diet.

The Health Benefits Of Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable. Vegetables that fall into this category contain some of the most powerful disease-preventative compounds on earth called isothiocyanates, including benzyl isothiocyanate, phenethyl isothiocyanate, and sulforaphane.

Isothiocyanates have been shown, in study after study, to protect cells against the oxidative damage, to which we’re all subjected on a daily basis.

In general, isothiocyanates trigger specific events in your body, which cause rogue cancer cells to spontaneously die. And, these incredible compounds prevent the metastasis of cancer as well as the growth of tumors. The most important thing to note is that isothiocyanates, such as sulforaphane, have been proven effective in killing even the most resistant and widespread forms of cancer, including melanoma, leukemia, colon and breast cancer, and many other forms of this terrifying disease⁽^1-3).

In addition, cruciferous vegetables, such as cauliflower, have been proven to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes – two of the top three causes of death in America⁽^4-5).

Have Your Gluten-Free Pizza And Eat It Too

Now those with gluten sensitivity or gluten intolerance can have their pie and eat it too.

These CauliPower gluten-free pizza crusts can be found at numerous stores including Ralphs, Vons, Walmart, Whole Foods, and more. They’re also available on Amazon. Check out their site to find a store near you.

As for me, I’m heading to Whole Foods to pick up this gluten-free pizza crust and Miyoko’s vegan mozzarella, and mama’s makin’ vegan pizza this weekend.

References

Shang, Hung-Sheng, Yung-Luen Shih, Ching-Hsiao Lee, Shu-Ching Hsueh, Jia-You Liu, Nien-Chieh Liao, Yung-Liang Chen, Yi-Ping Huang, Hsu-Feng Lu, and Jing-Gung Chung. “Sulforaphane-induced apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 cells through extrinsic and intrinsic signal pathways and altering associated genes expression assayed by cDNA microarray.” Environmental Toxicology 32, no. 1 (February 02, 2016): 311-28. doi:10.1002/tox.22237.
Arcidiacono, Paola, Francesco Ragonese, Anna Stabile, Alessandra Pistilli, Ekaterina Kuligina, Mario Rende, Ugo Bottoni, Stefano Calvieri, Andrea Crisanti, and Roberta Spaccapelo. “Antitumor activity and expression profiles of genes induced by sulforaphane in human melanoma cells.” European Journal of Nutrition, September 01, 2017. doi:10.1007/s00394-017-1527-7.
Liu, Kuo-Ching, Ting-Ying Shih, Chao-Lin Kuo, Yi-Shih Ma, Jiun-Long Yang, Ping-Ping Wu, Yi-Ping Huang, Kuang-Chi Lai, and Jing-Gung Chung. “Sulforaphane Induces Cell Death Through G2/M Phase Arrest and Triggers Apoptosis in HCT 116 Human Colon Cancer Cells.” The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 44, no. 06 (September 15, 2016): 1289-310. doi:10.1142/s0192415x16500725.
Blekkenhorst, Lauren C., Catherine P. Bondonno, Joshua R. Lewis, Amanda Devine, Kun Zhu, Wai H. Lim, Richard J. Woodman, Lawrence J. Beilin, Richard L. Prince, and Jonathan M. Hodgson. “Cruciferous and Allium Vegetable Intakes are Inversely Associated With 15‐Year Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease Deaths in Older Adult Women.” Journal of the American Heart Association 6, no. 10 (October 24, 2017). doi:10.1161/jaha.117.006558.
Wang, Ping-Yu, Jun-Chao Fang, Zong-Hua Gao, Can Zhang, and Shu-Yang Xie. “Higher intake of fruits, vegetables or their fiber reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis.” Journal of Diabetes Investigation 7, no. 1 (January 22, 2015): 56-69. doi:10.1111/jdi.12376.

Want more plant-based health, fitness, and nutrition information?

Check out Your Plant-Based Guide Conference and secure your seat before prices increase:

Make Vegan Holiday Favorites With Three Substitutes

December 12, 2017 By Gina Bonanno Lemos Leave a Comment

Make Anything Plant-Based With These Vegan Substitutes

It’s that time of year again. Time for good cheer, missletoe, gifts, and all that good stuff.

But how can you eat, drink and be merry when most of what you’d eat and drink to be merry is traditionally made with animal ingredients that you no longer consume?

Well, I have good news, my friends. Or perhaps I should say, “I bring good tidings to all.”

You can make anything plant-based with these easy and affordable vegan substitutes for animal ingredients!

Vegan Chicken Broth For Stuffing And More

I just LOVE this product, made by Imagine brand! It tastes like the real thing, yet it’s a 100 percent vegan substitute. Use this plant-based base to prepare soups and stuffing, or anywhere else you’d normally use chicken broth. You can even make plant-based gravy by simmering this vegan chicken broth with some flour or corn starch, a dash of plant-based fat, and some spices for seasoning.

Unlike vegetable broth, your recipes will come out exactly like they used to, before you became the “weirdo vegan” in the family 😉

Use Vegan Butter In And On Everything

There’s nothing better than a fresh-out-of-the-oven brown ‘n serve roll, but only if it’s smothered in butter. Am I right?

And, although you can find vegan butter at just about any chain grocery store nowadays, Miyoko’s butter takes this fluffy, creamy bit of heaven to a whole new level. The good news is that you can now find it in Trader Joe’s stores. The best news is that it can be used in literally any dish or baked good you can think of.

Cookies? No problem. Frosting? We got you covered (she said to the cake). Mashed potatoes? What time do you want me there?

Use this butter, along with the vegan chicken broth mentioned above, to make your stuffing and gravy, and no one will ever know that it’s not animal-based.

Serve it on a butter dish and watch silently as your meat-loving family members devour every last bit. Then, when they start to make fun of you for your “protein deficiency” or wonder aloud about how you can possibly survive on a diet consisting of “nothing but salads,” fill them in about how you punked them and their buscuits. HA HA!

Make Vegan Desserts With This Plant-Based Substitute

So, we’ve covered the savory side and a bit about sweets, but you can’t possibly bake proper desserts without eggs. And, let’s keep it real, no one is going to go home mad if they don’t get their fill of stuffing. But take away your guests desserts and you’re on the naughty list fo sho!

What’s a vegan Betty Crocker to do?

Make a plant-based flax egg, of course!

Print out the recipe below for this vegan egg substitute, which can be used in recipes requiring up to two eggs, and in just about any recipe or dish. Use it in cornbread, brownies, cookies, cakes, and just about anywhere else you’d like.

One side note regarding flax:

Whole flax seeds will last a loooong time in the fridge, but ground flax seed will not, even when it’s refrigerated.

Once flax has been ground and its outer shell has been breached, it will remain nutritionally viable and safe to consume for only three days. After three days, it is rancid and should be discarded. For this reason, it’s best to use freshly ground flax seed, and to only grind as much as you need at that time.

Vegan Flax Eggs

2017-12-12 16:17:33

Write a review

Save Recipe

Prep Time

5 min

Prep Time

5 min

Ingredients

1 1/2 Whole Flax Seeds
3 Tbsp Water

Instructions

Thoroughly grind flax seed in a high-speed blender or clean coffee grinder until it’s broken down into almost a powder
Warm three tablespoons of water in the microwave, preferably in a glass container (warm, not hot)
Measure out one tablespoon of the ground flax seed and, using a fork, mix with the warm water
Allow to sit for three to five minutes, mixing periodically, until the mixture takes on the consistency of egg yolk
Use in your recipe immediately

Notes

This recipe yields the equivalent of one large egg
Not recommended for recipes that require more than two eggs

360 Health Connection https://360healthconnection.com/