BestieTalks

eat

Vegan Goodie Guide for Your Next Shopping Trip!

by 3 Comments

Vegan Food for Everyone

Veganism is a part of our everyday lifestyle but you don’t have to be vegan to enjoy vegan food. If you are vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, carnivore or whatever label you might go by, we have something for everyone. Good food is just that, good food! The vegan food game has changed over the years, and there are countless options available to appease even the pickiest of eaters. If your partner or kids say they don’t like vegan food, some of these items just might change their minds. We are sharing some of our current favorite vegan goodies with you, which just might end up becoming some of your new fav’s too!

Our Current Vegan Crush’s and Obsessions

  1. Vegan Pizza: I have tried quite a few vegan pizzas, and this one became my favorite after the first slice. Sweet Earth knows what they are doing! The crust is made from carrots, cornmeal, and chia. It’s surprisingly different in all the right ways. I top it with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle some Follow Your Heart Parmesan, for a little extra touch. It’s a really delightful and satisfying vegan pizza. I pick mine up at Sprouts. Delish.
  2. Vegan Hot Cheetos: Beanitos Chili Fuego N’ Lime is my go-to chip when I’m craving a spicy crunch. They are what I consider as the “Vegan Hot Chetto” and they hit the spot every time. There are a few major differences between the two the though. Beanitos come with 4g of protein and they are completely dairy free. The beans make me feel less guilty about nearly finishing an entire bag in one sitting. Just the right amount of spicy and ever so crunchy. I have seen these at Sprouts, Whole Foods, and local Dallas health food stores. Try em’ and thank me later.
  3. Vegan Breakfast Burrito: Sweet Earth is making this list again because their food is truly delicious. These burritos warm up great in the oven and in the microwave. These make for easy meals at work too. With some of your favorite hot sauce, you will be in for a treat with this tofu “egg” scramble. They are not the cheapest frozen burrito, so I don’t eat one every day, but I do work them in once a week or so. It’s packed with protein, and will fuel your body with the energy you need to kick your to-do list’s ass!
  4. Vegan Treat: When I pass by these at Sprouts, I can’t help but pick up a package. They are so yummy. They are a sweet treat that you won’t feel guilty about indulging in. They are made from bananas and carrots and are soft baked. I’ve had them for breakfast, an afternoon snack and as dessert. They will make your tummy happy any time of the day.
  5. Vegan Nuggets: These are one of my favorite snacks. They are made from ingredients like spinach, potatoes, onions, quinoa, pea protein, and zucchini. They are a healthy snacking alternative to lots of other common products. Highly recommend these! My toddler nieces even enjoy them! Bonus: they reheat just fine too!
  6. Samosas: These wonderful Indian treats are the best flavors of simple ingredients. Potatoes and green peas wrapped up together in a flaky crust and deep fried. Mmmmm! And all you have to do is take out however many you think you’ll eat, plus one more (trust me) and pop them in the oven!
  7. Rice Ramen: Top Ramen use to be one of my favorite goto snacks before being more mindful of what I eat. Now, I love Lotus Foods individually packaged Rice Ramen. It’s the perfect amount, and if I ever wanna switch up the flavor I’ll add teriyaki or soy sauce and sometimes sesame seed oil.
  8. Baked Crunch Chickpeas: When I’m craving something salty but full of flavor too, these Baked Crunch Chickpeas always come in handy. I found these goodies at the Dollar Store and they had all types of flavors. I am quickly satisfied with about a handful and a half and they must know this because they made the bags resealable. These are great to have in your car for those quick cravings on the go.
  9. Spring Rolls: Another one of my favorite vegan finds at the Dollar Store, Spring Rolls! I buy these in threes LOL. I feel like I can never have enough of these in my freezer. They come in a package of 10 (yea, 10 cents a roll!) and the ingredients are natural. I’ve even baked up a big batch for a vegan party and they were a total hit! Try them with your favorite sauce and you will be in for a tasty treat.
  10.  Fruit & Veggies: Good ol’ natural fruit & veggies will ALWAYS be our favorite vegan treat. You can find fruit & veggies everywhere and incorporate them into your meals and snacks easily. Cut up some cucumber slices or a bag of baby carrots for a quick healthy snack or maybe a banana or apple with your morning coffee or tea. As long as you work them into your daily return is all that really matters!

What are Your Favorite Vegan Goodies?!

Tell us what you’re obsessed with so we can become obsessed too! Our fridges always have more room for new vegan finds!

2+
Wanna Share This Talk?

30 Day Detox Update

by Leave a Comment

2 Weeks In…

It has officially been 2 weeks since the start of our 30-day detox. Now is the time to tell you about how this whole detox is doing in our households. 

Nebeker’s Update

It has been 2 weeks with no meat and I have to say, this has been really easy for me so far. I found some awesome “mock” meat and only one that I wasn’t a fan of. I haven’t really had a craving for meat however, I really enjoy the smell of BBQ in the summer days. Speaking of BBQ’s, we haven’t been to a social one yet. We BBQ at my in-laws weekly and at that time we BBQ’ed a whole tilapia that turned out so good! We just know that when we do show up to a BBQ, make sure we bring our own protein to throw on the grill.

Eating Alternatives

I cook almost every night and I have enjoyed coming up with alternative meals that include seafood or a mock meat. The hardest meal of the day for me is lunch. For lunch, I use to enjoy a little sandwich, tacos, or sticky rice with chicken. Now, I have been turning to tuna and crackers, loaded nachos, or a cheese fruit and veggie platter. Surprisingly, salads have NOT taken over our lives and I know my husband is grateful for that. Evan’s hardest meal has been breakfast. He cooks breakfast every day and usually includes some type of meat. These past 2 weeks, we have eaten lots of different variations of avocado toast, potatoes, and eggs. The only mock meat we didn’t like was an apple, maple breakfast sausage. The texture was similar to dirt once you bit it and the taste was sweet and unpleasant. Definitely not buying that one anymore. We have yet to try all the mock meat I bought at the beginning of this challenge but I am excited to incorporate them into our meals. 

We’re feeling great! Given, I always feel pretty good but I have noticed that I sleep better and have more energy throughout the day. I am excited to keep up with this detox challenge and still see it possibly being part of my life. 

Lovett’s Update

We are two weeks in and my husband George has made it without beef! In the 8 years, we have been together I have never seen him go longer than a week without beef, so I am extremely proud of him! Just a few weeks after we started this detox we went to a BBQ and I really thought George was going to cave and eat a burger, but he opted for a vegan sausage instead. He has learned quite a bit over the past few weeks. Cooking more chicken for dinner and replacing his burger fix with chicken options has really opened his eyes to just how much beef he was consuming. He has complained about losing a little weight so he is figuring other ways to get the filling protein his body craves after a workout.  As for me, not eating chips and crackers has been the toughest challenge. Giving up bread was pretty easy for me but I love snacking so I have had to find some alternatives. I have been eating plantain “chips” to get my chip fix and they do the trick. I eat them with salsa and it really fills my need for something crunchy. Giving up desserts has been a piece of cake ( you like how I did that ) but I am looking forward to when I can have a sweet snack after this detox is over. Rice is also something that I miss SO much but I am getting by without it. The first week I was a little more tired than usual. Due to my body not getting that sugar from all the carbs but the second week was much easier. I feel lighter and not as full throughout the day and my energy levels are increasing back to normal.

Almost there…

All in all this detox has been pretty smooth sailing. Aside from a few moments of weakness when I wanted real chips or a big bowl of rice, I’m hanging in there just fine. Last night George said, “ this diet is stupid. I’m going to get a burger.” But he didn’t give in. He was experiencing a hangry moment and was craving a patty but he ended up making something else. He’s allowed to bitch but he knows that if he does give into that burger that I will call him out! Two more weeks to go!! We got this!!

Stay Tune!

This detox challenge is almost up and we can’t wait to share more details and recipes with you! Let us know if you’re doing any detox or diet changes and how they’re going. We are always looking forward to tips and advice as well. Happy eating!

3+
Wanna Share This Talk?

How to Stay Fit While Traveling

by 10 Comments

Exercise During Vacation

We get it. No one wants to exercise during vacation. Taking a vacation usually means some rest and relaxation. However, giving your body five or more days off can completely throw you off your fitness regime. A tip I like to use is “workout without working out.” Explore your destination by walking (if available). You can knock out some miles by walking from shopping spots to restaurants while enjoying a new city. Be adventurous! Do something fun and active. Take a dance class that might be native to the area. Whitewater rafting is an exciting way to see some of the most beautiful scenes while enduring an adrenaline rush. Rent a bike to see sites while feeling the wind all around you. Go on a hike, do some rock climbing if you’re really up for the challenge. Have fun; you’re on vacation! Familiarize yourself with the active life of your destination and don’t be afraid to try something new. Groupon has lots of deals for different destinations. Look ahead to plan and pack accordingly.  

Making Smart Eating Choices

Traveling can be a blessing and a curse when it comes to food choices. Maintaining a balanced diet can be tricky, but if you make an effort, it will pay off. I always pack some snacks and a few apples to keep in my bag. Airport food is not the healthiest or cheapest, so I make a habit of bringing my own snacks. When you get to your destination, it is also smart to make a stop at a grocery store. Pick up some of your favorite foods that you eat regularly and take them back to your Airbnb or hotel room. Cooking for yourself instead of always eating out will help you make smarter meal choices. Even if it’s only one meal a day, it will make a difference in your wallet. We travel and rent AirBnb quite often and always end up doing a lot of the cooking ourselves. It saves time and money!

Of course, it is okay to indulge in some tasty food while on vacation but remember to take everything in moderation. When traveling for work, it can be challenging to stay on a food plan. Eating out with clients and coworkers makes it hard for you to stick to what you usually eat. If you have to go out to a restaurant, it is okay to opt for a salad or a veggie based dish. You don’t always have to go for the huge steak and mac & cheese. Remember moderation! Whenever I am out of town/state for work, I Always stop at Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods and stock up on my usual healthy snacks and lunches. Eating healthy while traveling can seem inconvenient but being bloated and feeling like crap is also inconvenient, so you gotta pick your battles.  

Traveling Repercussions

Traveling is one of our favorite things to do, but it’s no secret that it can take its toll on your body. Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water is crucial. I tend to suffer from bloating while traveling which is why I always bring a Ziploc baggie of magnesium with me.

Magnesium! Highly recommend!

Magnesium is excellent for sore muscles, a good nights sleep and keeping you regular. If you drink some every night before bed, you will find that it’s extremely helpful while on the road. Check out one of my favorite brands here. It’s also smart to bring along some of your normal vitamins. If you drink protein shakes bring along a few servings of that as well. Traveling doesn’t need to take you out your routine. Make an effort to bring along the essentials that make you feel good on a day to day basis. Don’t you want to feel just as good while on vacation right?  So make an effort to incorporate your regular routine into your vacation. 

It’s easy to forget to drink enough water while traveling. But, it should be made a priority ALWAYS!

Travel, Stay Fit, Eat Well, and Have FUN!

Vacation is all about taking a break. However, you should never take a break from your body. These few simple additions or adjustments will make sure you stay on the right track while still enjoying your vacation. The world is your playground! Now go travel, stay fit, eat well and have fun!

What do you do for fitness while on vacation?! Please share your tips/tricks!

4+
Wanna Share This Talk?