This colorful mixture of pineapples, strawberries, bananas, and blackberries creates a look that resembles "cotton candy", while tasting even better and sweeter. Healthy, filling, and deliciously sweet, like candy in a cup! Instead of succumbing to over-processed candy, you can easily make your own healthier and sweeter versions.






Ingredients
Frozen

• Pineapple chunks
• Strawberry
• Blackberries
• Bananas

*Not all of the fruits have to be frozen, but I find the bananas are best in smoothies when frozen.





This smoothie is high in Vitamin C, Vitamin B-6, Manganese, Magnesium, fiber, and Potassium.
And a pretty good source of Calcium, Iron, Selenium, Vitamin E, and Zinc-- among many other amino acids and naturally-occurring essential Omegas. No need for supplements when you can just blend fruits, and sometimes vegetables, into a nutrient-dense smoothie!

The smoothie that packs a punch of nutrients!

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup Frozen Pineapple
1 Cup Mixed Berries (Raspberry, Strawberry, Blackberry, etc.)

1 Cup Water
A few Bananas (frozen will make a more ice cream consistency)

I know it has been quite a while since the last post, aside from being somewhat busy, enjoying the break from school, then having another semester start up soon, I'm still trying to process all the photos I've taken for recipes and in-between a few film reviews. In this post, I will discuss the recent shift regarding changes to my diet and outlook on health and nutrition.



I've been following a vegan diet for about six years, have recently gained an interest in raw foods for the past year, and continue to learn more and more about veganism, raw veganism, and other health-related information. The more I learn, the more I strive to be closer to being in a state of optimal health, something that is made out to be more difficult than it needs to be (especially in our current society). This is an issue that persists considering the never-ending expansion of fast-food and widespread health-compromising foods that cause a series of severe health problems all leading to an unfortunate downward spiral. Not to forget it is the reason for the growing rates of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and even certain** cancers, etc. It is the reason why people cannot live healthy, happy, energized lives. 

** I recently noticed a bag of frozen fruits from New World Farms that quotes The National Cancer Center says, "Diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce risk of some types of cancers and other chronic diseases." 

I'm often glad that I found veganism at a young age so that I could continue on to a path that would later lead to improving my overall health. Too often, I see people constantly struggling, frustrated, unhappy and unhealthy. I also see those constantly looking and striving for the "secret" or answer to weight/fat loss and a way out of their current situation, when the answer is extremely simple: eat healthy, eat a whole foods plant-based diet rich in fruits and vegetables! Cut out the meat, the dairy, the eggs. And forget the unsustainable fad diets that promote a high-fat, high-protein diet that tells people to decrease the amount of fruits and vegetables (which I think is insane).   Food is the main source and root of everything that affects the body. So when you change your diet, you are changing your life.

There are many types of vegans and variation within the vegan lifestyle. From vegans who consume a high-processed, "junk food" diet that may or may not include adequate amounts of necessary fruits and vegetables to fruitarians and raw food vegans who follow a diet that is abundant in the consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Raw Vegan Vegetable-filled Rolls

In the event that I recently realized I could easily be a high-carb, low-fat vegan and incorporate the 80/10/10 philosophy as a vegan who isn't currently able to be completely raw, I started to do it. By 80/10/10 I mean, a minimum of 80% daily calories from carbohydrates, with maximum of 10% or less from protein, and 10% or less from fats- a method derived from Dr. Graham's The 80/10/10 Diet.

Over time, I have gone from the high-processed with fruits/vegetables vegan diet (junk-food vegan) to a more fulfilling diet that consists of largely raw fruits and vegetables along with carbohydrate-loaded foods such as rice, potatoes, and minimally packaged/processed foods. I feel that the high-carbohydrate, low-fat, vegan diet is the way to go! I like this way because I am someone who eats a lot, likes to eat a lot, and has always done so.

Banana Ice Cream with Coconut Sugar - Coming soon

80/10/10 is something that is often discussed and recommended in the vegan community. Following 80/10/10 on a regular vegan diet is, in my opinion, easier and more affordable to do as opposed to going completely raw vegan. Unfortunately, fruits and vegetables are more expensive especially when your diet relies on an abundant amount.


So moving on with the recipe for today..

MANGO KALE SALAD




This salad is raw vegan, super easy, simple, and loaded with Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and several other important nutrients.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 - 1 cup : Kale
• 1/2 - 1 cup : Spinach
• Carrots
• Mango
• Any other raw vegetables/fruits

With fruit as a topping, you don't really need a salad dressing.

Bridesmaids and Miss Congeniality are both funny female-dominated films but even more hilarious and insanely funny is The Heat. This brilliantly hilarious and completely outrageous buddy-cop comedy has Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy breaking female stereotypes, which is still scarce to the film industry.

Sandra Bullock. Melissa McCarthy. The Heat. Dir. Paul Feig. 20th Century Fox. 2013.

Melissa McCarthy. Sandra Bullock. The Heat. Dir. Paul Feig. 20th Century Fox. 2013.

Melissa McCarthy is the tough and outrageous local Boston city cop while Bullock portrays the uptight, always correct and labeled "arrogant" FBI agent who have to learn how to work together in order to solve an important case. Bullock and McCarthy are absolutely hilarious leads in this action-comedy as they bring something new to the film industry one joke at a time. This something that audiences don't really get to see enough is women at the focus of the film, not as mere accessories in the background told to do "pretty", but as talented and hilarious women in the forefront who work hard and are the best at their jobs.

Despite the fact that there are many, usually dramatic, films with leading actresses depicting strong and powerful women, the majority of people these days seem to go more for light comedies and action as opposed to intense, powerful dramas (depending on the names of the leading actresses/actors). And this film is exactly that; it is both an action and comedy genre. The only difference between this and the majority of action-comedy films is that the main characters are female.

Sandra Bullock said, "I’ve always wanted to do a female buddy film, the kind the guys get to do. This didn’t have anything to do with getting a guy, and it didn’t involve shoe shopping. It was about two human beings who are great at what they do..." Director of The Heat, Paul Feig has said, ''I would love to erase the term 'chick flick." While on late-show Jimmy Kimmel Live, Feig exclaimed that The Heat is a "female buddy-cop comedy with Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy, which you can't go wrong with!" 

This film is honestly the funniest movie or show I have seen in a long time and really does give headway to doing away with the overused and sexist term "chick flick." It has the action, comedy, a great leading cast of two hilarious women, and cannot be underestimated as that terrible sexist term "chick flick." There really should be, just as there is a need, for more films like this.


REDBAND TRAILER



I don't think the those super-short trailers on television give the film real kudos and show how funny it really is. The Heat was so good and entertaining, I can't wait to see it again.

After investing in a blender, I have been experimenting with several fruit combinations to find amazing and healthy smoothie drinks. This topical smoothie is a very easy mixture that is both incredibly healthy and provides a great topical feel for any day. This smoothie is filled with fruits that all contain B Vitamins, Vitamin C, Potassium, and are abundant in several other nutrients.




Ingredients*

Most: Oranges
Medium: Strawberries
Least: Banana
(Optional) least: Spinach or Kale

* The majority of the smoothie should be of oranges to create that tropical taste
- Any other sweet fruits or low amount of greens may also be incorporated into this



Although I may post a lot of vegan desert recipes and other sweet treats, it is definitely not the majority of my diet. I make sure to get my proper and needed nutrition by eating mostly whole plant foods. So here's a great smoothie filled with nutrients and refreshing goodness.

• Oranges are known mainly for containing high levels of Vitamin C, but also consist of Vitamin B1, Vitamin A, Potassium, and Calcium. 

• Strawberries are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Strawberries are not only high in Vitamin C, but they also contain Vitamins A, D, E, K, along with several other B-complex vitamins.

• Bananas are one of the best and super affordable fruits- one of which, I manage to eat on a daily basis. Every time I go grocery shopping, I get about 2-5 bunches of (usually organic) bananas depending on the amount I already have. Bananas are also high in Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Manganese, and Potassium. Bananas provide an abundance of benefits.

Each fruit in this smoothie contains plentiful amounts of very important nutrients and that is without listing all of them. So those non-veg people who claim vegans/vegetarians are either low in B-vitamins or have a deficiency, should know that B-vitamins have several sources most of which are from fruits/vegetables. Here's a list of vegetables that are great sources of B-vitamins, most of which I eat on a daily basis. And with the inclusion of kale or spinach, nutrients will just continue to skyrocket for better health.








Sources
WHFoods
Livestrong

For a good while I had been wanting cinnamon rolls but not just any regular cinnamon rolls, I wanted the particular cinnamon rolls from one of my favorite vegan restaurants, Dulce Vegan Bakery and Cafe. Unfortunately, I was not able to make the trip so instead I picked up a box of Chebe's cinnamon roll dough as I was walking though a natural foods store.

The mix contains a tapioca flour and cinnamon mixture for the dough. After that, the filling and icing is up you. I used bananas (to replace egg), brown sugar, and cinnamon in accordance with instructions, baked in muffin pan for a few minutes, added my own icing and the result wasn't bad. The cinnamon rolls tasted great but they are not going to have the gooey, doughy texture of a bakery cinnamon roll. They were more firm, but still moist, sweet, and sugary.


For my icing I melted together:

• Raw turbinado sugar
• Sometimes brown sugar
• Almond/coconut milk
• [Small amount] Corn starch (for caramel result) or flour (for icing consistency)*

It's best to mix flour with water before adding it into the pan with the sugar to prevent clumps of flour in the icing. Powered sugar would be much easier and faster to melt/break down than raw sugar, which is why it is most commonly used for a light glaze or icing.


Considering the fact that the list of ingredients in the product are only tapioca, cinnamon, and salt, this product is definitely not worth the price when one could probably easily make the whole rolls from scratch much cheaper.

Vegan crumb cake. Blueberry muffin crumb cake.




INGREDIENTS

Muffin:

• 11/2 cups - flour
• 1/2 cup - raw turbinado/organic sugar 
• 1/2 - 1 teas - baking powder (sodium-free)*
• 1/8 teas. - a pinch pink sea salt 
• 1 cup - nondairy milk (I like coconut-almond milk)
• 1/4 cup - banana or coconut oil* 
• 1 cup - blueberries

* I use the full 1 cup of nondairy milk since bananas are used in place of oil
If you want to use oil, instead of banana you can do that-- the banana helps to keep the recipe lower in fat
**IF you are watching your sodium intake, try sodium-free baking powder.


Makes a dozen muffins.


Topping:

• 1/4 cup - Brown Sugar or Coconut Sugar***
• 1/8 cup (2TBS) Flour
• 1 TBS Melted Earth Balance (or oil of choice)
• 3/4 teas - Cinnamon**

This makes enough topping for half a dozen muffins
**The amount of brown sugar and cinnamon can be increased to add more to the topping and more flavor.
*** The last time I made these muffins (after publishing this post) I used coconut sugar instead of brown sugar for the topping and even halved the coconut sugar with raw sugar for the muffins, which turned out fine and well.




METHOD

The method is the same as my last blueberry muffin post:

Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients: flour, organic sugar, baking powder, pinch of sea salt.
 Step 2:  Add in wet ingredients: coconut-almond/non-dairy milk substitute and mashed banana/can blend the banana in blender with coconut water or nondairy milk.
  Step 3: Fold in blueberries
    Step 4: For the crumble topping, lightly mix in brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted earth balance.

Set oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 25-35 minutes.
Just be sure to watch them as they're in the oven. I have a double burner toaster oven since I live in a suite-dorm that does not have a kitchen, so the cooking time takes longer for me and will greatly differ among different types of ovens/stove tops.

Also, I found the topping recipe from comparing google search results, which led to vegan websites and blogs that had similar ingredients for it. But I noticed the amounts are good for six muffins so if you are making a dozen, you might want to double the amounts for the topping.





This crumble recipe is so good, yet so easy. When I had the very sugary and slightly crumble-topping blueberry muffins at Harry's Farmers Market, I thought it must be difficult to make. But the more I assemble/make, the more I realize these dishes and desserts really are quite easy to create. The only hard part is acquiring all the necessary ingredients and equipment.

I'm not one to watch the CW network unless it syndicates older 90's sitcoms or comedies of the like, but I came across this interesting comedy with a 90's sitcom-style. The First Family is a 2012 series featuring an extended African American family in the White House.

The First Family. Creator Byron Allen. CW. Entertainment Studios. 2012.

At first glance, this family sitcom appears as though it was produced right out of the 1990s, when syndication actually began in 2012. The show gives screen-time to a great cast with very familiar actors such as Jackee Harry (Sister, Sister) and John Witherspoon (The Boondocks; Friday). Even the nonfamiliar or not-so familiar actresses and actors carry out their roles as they cater to a younger audience. Christopher Duncan and Kellita Smith may take on the roles as President and First Lady, but the show creates a nice balance for the several main characters represented in the show to have their own platform. 


Had it not been for my television not having a remote which led to me having to flip channels, I probably would have never come across this wholesome sitcom, something television viewers may not see very often these days with the slight decline in amount of wholesome, popular television in recent years. Either way, The First Family, with its canned laughter, slightly corny jokes, and comedic irony, is like a modern throwback to those popular, irreplaceable 90's comedies audiences love, remember, and never stop talking about.


The First Family airs on the CW channel Sunday nights at 8 P.M. (Eastern time zone).

During the spring and summer months, the usual cravings for sweet and cool foods begin to arise. This three-ingredient decadent ice cream-smoothie is a great snack and an incredible substitute for [unhealthy] ice cream during this time. With ripened frozen solid bananas along with berries and non-dairy milk, this is better and much healthier than the usual ice cream, as a tasty dream created in a blender.




Ingredients

• Solid Frozen Bananas**
• Frozen Berries
• Non-dairy milk, I use almond-coconut*

This vegan, fruit-fulled ice cream is easy, healthy, and basically fat-free especially if coconut water is used in place of nondairy milk.

Topped with chopped nuts and frozen banana chunks

Almost anyone who watches television either knows, or should know, the power behind it. As television viewers and movie-watchers, it is always important to remember that there may be good aspects to media just as there are detriments.

Kilbourne, Jean. Killing Us Softly 4: Advertising's Image of Women. Cambridge Documentary Films, Inc. 2010.

In my recent Sociology course which is both my most favored, yet most infuriating [towards society, inequality], course of this past semester, a documentary was played and viewed by the class. Classmates and I watched Killing Us Softly 4, the latest and most recent installment to the series of documentaries, all titled Killing Us Softly.


The documentary analyzes the severely dysfunctional correlation between media and women. Most importantly, the abysmal way in which media depicts women, detailing the harshly unfair treatment, silencing, violence, subordination, and complete dehumanization of women.  This is never acceptable and should never be tolerated or even considered to be widely displayed and advertized, or universally exemplified but unfortunately, it is. And it has apparently only become worse, increasing in subtle negativity and severity over time.



For decades, women have be told and continue to be told- both directly and indirectly- to be a certain way and fit into these narrow, unattainable standards. Which is the reason for why women will spend outrageous amounts of money, or feel they need to do so, on products that do not and will not work. Not to forget the dangerous and deadly lengths women put themselves through just in attempting to get somewhere they will never be. This often leads to women feeling insecure with a severely lowered self-esteem, depression, and eating disorders. Surprise.

This does not only affect women but men as well, only to circle back and negatively affect women once again.  In other words, these unattainable and drastically unrealistic images and ideals of women play into the minds of men, making them judge women even more harshly they initially would. In addition to this, the usual depictions of men in advertisements are displayed to appear as having these strong, masculine qualities- again, nothing embarrassing, dehumanizing, or subordinating. Instead, much like the major socialization process regarding males, the value of anything feminine or any quality associated with the concept of femininity such as compassion, caring, or the ability to communicate is either ignored or unwanted; thus, devalued. Which leads us to this society where the masculine male dominates and the submissive or passive female does not (in most cases). Nothing good or beneficial can result from ideas like this and it benefits no one. All it does is make the inequality gap wider.


There are several examples of media, not all, that basically tell women to be, look, and act a certain way, that fits into this narrow and unattainable mold. I do not agree with this and do not accept it, yet alone any other severely negative subliminal messages targeted towards hurting, dehumanizing, and killing women slowly.

This documentary is a good starting point for discussing the issues of media and women, but it manages to leave a lot out intersectionally. Intersectionally, women of color in these magazines and advertisements are altered to fit this same mold and absolute impossiblity to look like white women. Ridiculous. Fortunately, a bit more publicity and awareness has been put on the issue of white-washing/skin-lightening to many women of color in advertisements like Beyonce, Rhianna, and Kerry Washington.  You should really read this piece from Beauty Redefined, that provides a more thorough discussion of "Beauty Whitewashed: How White Ideals Exclude Women of Color."
Another piece at Adios Barbie asks, "Why Are We Still Whitewashing?"

 There are so many issues in the world and our own society where media has some type of influence, sometimes negative through fueling the issue [e.g. discussion of this post] or positive through informing, educating, and bringing awareness to audiences.

The classic NBC cop drama starring Fred Dryer as Sergeant Rick Hunter and Stepfanie Kramer as Sergent McCall, partners who together make Hunter the best classic cop drama I've ever seen.

Dryer. Kramer. Hunter. NBC Universal. 1984-1991. TV.

The first episode, Hunter (Dryer) is shown as a somewhat renegade cop who has had very transient partners, until he's assigned to team up with Sergeant McCall. Sgt. McCall, much like Hunter, has her own unique way of approaching serious cases with force, often battling it out with real bad guys and dangerous criminals while having compassion for those who are in tough situations. The duo then take on a variety of murder cases, often going through great lengths in order to solve cases and serve justice to those who have been victimized.

The depiction of Hunter and McCall as homicide investigators/detectives for the L.A. Police Department, results in this sort of mix between murder mystery and action-drama police series. 

Hunter is a great police series that embodies all the common components of a classic action-drama police series: a catchy, upbeat theme song, classic car chases, pow-punch fist fights, suspense, and the catch-phrase "works for me."

Fred Dryer. Stepfanie Kramer. Hunter. NBC Universal. 1984.

 

If you're looking for a police drama to watch, Hunter is the one I recommend.

It's a show about the cops we wish we had.

Even though I haven't had onion rings in years, I decided to try these out and the turn out was a success.  I'm not one to eat prepackaged foods all the time since they are not really the best option, but occasionally it is a nice change especially when trying something new.

Photo: Alexia Foods

While walking through the frozen section of a grocery store, I noticed these onion rings on sale by an all-natural/organic company. Alexia's onion rings are made without the unnecessary additives, chemicals, hydrogeated oils, animal ingredients, and whatever else used in fast-food chains or other mainstream/cheap prepackaged companies.

For onion rings that are baked, instead of fried, not made in a fast-food chain, and are prepared with less than fifteen ingredients, all of which I can clearly read and understand, they are amazingly good with that crisp, signature onion ring-taste. Not to forget the onion rings even look better when prepared than the photo outside the packaging.

Last March, I did a short television review of Saturday Night Live and Justin Timberlake's guest appearances on the show. In that review, I discussed a few of the hilarious highlights of his SNL appearances. This year, and just last Saturday, Timberlake hosted yet another hilarious episode of SNL, with a series of sporadically catchy tunes, famous comedian cameos, and a segment that musically relates to veganism.



For the fact that it is Justin Timberlake's fifth time hosting the show, he is then granted access into the "Five-Timers Club", a skit which was nicely segued into during the monologue. In this esoteric group, Timberlake happens to cross paths with a few very well-known and hilarious comedians.

Soon after this is another catchy and outrageous appearance from Andy Samberg and Justin Timberlake as the dynamic 90s-style singing duo. Only this time, they weren't singing in a music video but were singing contestants on a dating game show. And in a new -ville sketch, J.T. reprises his street-advertizing role, and instead of advertizing for Omletteville, Plasticville, or Liqourville, the new place of interest, and song dedication, is Veganville. Dressed as a block of tofu, Timberlake veganizes a few popular songs with some super silly dance moves and even emulates the new cultural concept of the "Harlem Shake" (something that came to my knowledge via the news).




Not to forget, it is "Justin Timberlake week" over at Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.


Photos/Video: NBC Universal, NBC.com

Spartacus: Blood and Sand is the Starz channel original series that extends beyond the implicit to depict the ancient Roman Republic from the perspective of the Thratian native, Spartacus (portrayed by Andy Whitfield), the famous figure of whom lead the slave uprising against the Romans. The first season of the series is the one of which will be discussed in this short review and is the starting point of the series that focused primarily on the severely oppressive disposition of the Roman Republic during the time. Although the historical drama contains an plenitude of graphic violence and explicit scenes of sexuality, it does so in a fashion that attempts to portray the Roman Era in its most brutal and exposed nature with accuracy. Thus the show's sense of story and narrative through such depiction is not lost but is relevant.

Andy Whitfield. Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Starz. 2010.

In the first scene we see an unknown character in shackles beneath the arena floor, anxiously awaiting the punishment of execution: an unconquerable battle against armored men.
The shot flashes to a killing battle in the arena, a punished captive against Roman gladiator, or executor, and then returns to the main character only to depict a flashback scene. Within that scene is recount of the events that posed as causation for such a harsh punishment as well as a glimpse into the life he lived prior to.

It's only after his victory in the arena against execution that the unnamed protagonist is later identified as "Spartacus." As a result of defeating execution a deal is made to train him in the lutus (Roman gladiator training facility) and have him fight as a gladiator, while still a prisoner among other prisoners. In this setting, the oppressive and severe treatment endured by the slaves (gladiators and servants) among the training facility is the center of attention. And within this setting is an exemplified the theme of lost love. Seeing from the circumstances many of the gladiators find themselves- torn from their wives, families, and friends. The Thratian acts as the lead example of this concept, with wife taken from him and condemned to slavery as another instance of further penalty from the Romans.

Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Starz. 2010.

Looking for a series to watch, I immersed myself within the first season of Blood and Sand, and by the end of it was trilled. This was a first season that concluded leaving viewers with a sense of satisfaction or pride for the characters' vengeance for what was endured. Instead of leaving a feeling of disappointment or leaving viewers anxiously waiting for what will happen next season, viewers are left with a feeling of satisfied closure, although fully aware that was an ending.

Lucy Lawless is in it too.

Official Starz trailer.
Contains explicit content.

Ever since I saw that hilarious Belvita commercial, I wondered if the breakfast biscuits were vegan and it wasn't until yesterday I finally tried them out. The crunchy belVitas should be vegan-friendly, unless they changed the ingredients. However, the soft belVitas are not vegan. When buying products from a non-vegan company (or any product really), always read the ingredient list.

On the road, looking for those addictive, yet supposedly healthy nutritional bars such as the Clif, Larabars, Luna Bars, etc. I ended up running into these belVita biscuits. Before trying, I checked the ingredients and nutritional facts, as always, and figured they're close enough to those nutritional bars I used to indulge on. Although I imagined they would taste more like thick oat cookies, they actually tasted more like a healthier version of the pretty unhealthy, but still vegan, Biscoff cookies and a bit like more plain nutritional bars.. Thus, a mixture of which I didn't mind snacking.

I wish they would bring back these actors in a series or something but here's the awesome Belvita commercial I always tell people about:


Source: BelVita, 2012. "BelVita Breaskfast Police Pre-game Commercial." Commercial.



*I have tried the original and blueberry crispy flavors. I'm not sure if the other flavors are vegan as well so if you are vegan, make sure to check the ingredients.