Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Recipe: Cashew Sour Cream

Here is another new recipe that I tried recently in my attends to slowly improve my diet to a more vegan state. It is more delicious than sour cream, but still it's own distinct flavor. Give it a try when you feel like something new.

Ingredients:

Servings:8
1 cup raw cashews (must not be roasted or salted)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 -2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 small lemon, juice of
Directions:

1. Cover cashews with water and soak for a few hours, or overnight.
2. Pour off all water, and place nuts in food processor.
3. Add 1/4 cup cold water, salt, vinegar and lemon juice.
4. Puree for 3-4 minutes or until completely smooth and creamy in consistency.
5. Use in any recipe that calls for sour cream.
6. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a week.


Read more at: http://www.food.com/recipe/cashew-sour-cream-non-dairy-sour-cream-alternative-substitute-204512?oc=linkback

Monday, January 21, 2013

Recipe: Vegan Parmesan Cheese

Vegan Parmesan Cheese:

Non-dairy topping that is good for you as well as being tasty

Minutes to Prepare: 4
Number of Servings: 10

Ingredients

1 oz (25g) nutritional yeast flakes
1oz (12g) blanched almonds
1 tsp salt

Directions:

Grind all ingredients in coffee grinder or food processor until they resemble fine breadcrumbs.

Use the same as you would non-vegan parmesan cheese.

This mixture can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and can also be made in larger batches.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Running Infographics

In the summer of 2011, after finishing my masters degree, and while looking for a job, I took up running. My motivation was mostly to get in shape, but then turned into a stress reliever. On the infographic below you can see what other people's are for running. Thanks to the wonderful people at http://blog.visual.ly for this great post of infographics. Don't forget that June 5, 2013 is National Runner's Day!


And for added interest, check out the gender differences, which are becoming more and more nonexistent, though still interesting.


Source: http://blog.visual.ly/12-infographics-about-running-to-motivate-you-out-the-door/

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Active Isolated Stretching

I'm in the middle of reading a few food-related health books right now. One of them is Scott Jurek's "Eat & Run." I am still in the beginning bits of the book when I came across Active Isolated Stretching. Has anyone tried this?

Apparently something unique about this method is that you only need to hold the stretch for 2 seconds at a time. This is in some direct contrast to the usual deep, long holds of Bikram Yoga, where I get my stretching fix normally.

Jurek gives some examples of stretches that I am looking forward to trying out. On page 34 he gives some instruction for stretching the hamstring.
1. Lie flat on your back
2. Loop a belt or robe around the ball of one foot, holding the rope in your hands
3. Keep leg straight and life roped leg
4. Kepp lifting until you can feel it in the back of your thigh
5. Hold for 2 seconds
6. Relax and lower down leg
7. Repeat 5 - 10 times

I'm looking forward to trying this one, because a PT friend of mine has told me that I have tight hammies. As the method proclaims, I imagine that this would be a safer stretching method than longer holds; however, I don't think it will replace my monthly Bikram class. Good to have a daily option though.

Introduction

This is a new blog interested in sharing new health-related research with others. I am an artist that is inspired by public health issues, and enjoy reading about new research, or just discovering something for the first. Enjoy!