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Consuming Kombucha & Side Effects

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consuming kombucha and side effectd

Kombucha is a fermented tea that has been gaining popularity in recent years. While many have heard about it and even tried it, they may not be aware of what Kombucha actually is or the effects it can have on the body. Many have claimed that there are myriad health benefits that come with consuming kombucha thanks to the fermentation and good bacteria that comes from it. Here is some information about kombucha and the effects that it may have on your body when you drink it regularly.

What is Kombucha?

Kombucha is a type of tea that is made using something known as SCOBY, which is a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast. Some people incorrectly describe kombucha as a mushroom, but it is really just the result of this culture coming together to ferment. While the origin of kombucha remains a mystery, most people think that it originated in Northeastern China. Kombucha can be brewed at home but today it is also available widely in commercial markets.

Side Effects

There are some side effects that can come along with consuming kombucha. Some may be positive while others are negative, so it is important to consume it in moderation to see how it reacts with your system.

Alcohol Buzz

Kombucha contains some alcohol, so if you have low tolerance, you may experience the effects that you would receive from having a cocktail. Generally, this won’t happen with store-bought kombucha as the percentage is less than .05, but it could happen with stronger, home-brewed products.

Improved Digestion

Some people have reported that they benefit from a more regular bathroom schedule after consuming kombucha. His could be because of the healthy bacteria that kombucha introduces to the gut. Of course, this should be monitored and taken in moderation.

Improved Mental State

Because of the high level of B vitamins present in kombucha, it could help to improve your mental state. B12 is known to increase energy levels and to help with mental focus.

Lowered Blood Sugar

Kombucha may be harmful to people with diabetes, contributing to low blood sugar levels, so it is important to monitor this if you have diabetes and drink kombucha.

Yeast Infection

For those who suffer from candida, kombucha may be better avoided due to its high levels of yeast. Although it can help with digestion, it may contribute to an increased likelihood of a yeast infection.

Acidosis

 In some cases, people have suffered from acidosis, which is a condition when there is an abnormally high amount of acid in the body. If left untreated, the condition can be fatal.

Liver Damage

 A few rare cases have resulted in liver damage. This is more likely if you are an alcoholic or if you have a weakened immune system. The tea can support the growth of certain bacteria and fungi that can lead to infections if your body is unable to deal with them.

Diarrhea

Because kombucha has caffeine, it may cause diarrhea in people who are sensitive to the substance.

To learn more about Kombucha, check out my new eBook “Kombucha Kickstart A Guide For Beginners here

Until next time!

TBN

 

5 Ways To Sneak Kale Into Your Diet

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If you happened to catch my last blog post about Queen Kale, you read how I wasn’t always a fan of Kale. It took time for me to fully appreciate this glorious vegetable. I found clever ways to integrate it into my diet so I still received the nutrients yet didn’t have to taste it. I’d like to share 5 ways to sneak Kale into your diet.

1. Use Kale leaves for wraps instead of lettuce. Next time you decide to make a wrap try substituting leaves of Kale instead.
2. Kale is a great lettuce substitute. When making a sandwich, opt for Kale over lettuce. Or, try making a kale salad.
3. Chop up Kale into little pieces. This is my favorite way to add Kale into my diet. I cut Kale up into bite size pieces and throw it in my smoothies – you never even taste it is in there I swear! Or, you can throw a handful into the food processor and use in pasta, soups, or chili.
4. Kale on pizza, are you kidding? No, I’m not! Next time you make a veggie pizza scatter a little Kale around your pizza.
5. Make Kale chips. This is a great tasting alternative to other processed snacks. Below is a simple Kale chip recipe to try.

Roasted Kale Chips

One 1-1/2 pound bunch organic Kale
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
¼ teaspoon sea salt -I use this salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • Preheat the oven to 350F degrees and set out 2 ungreased baking sheets with sides (so the Kale doesn’t overflow).
  • Rinse the Kale under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. It is important the Kale is completely dry so it gets crisp when in the oven.
  • Remove and discard the stems then chop Kale into bite sized pieces.
  • Toss the Kale leaves into a large bowl. Sprinkle in the olive oil, pumpkin seeds, salt and pepper ensuring to coat all the Kale pieces. Then arrange the leaves onto the baking sheet. Cook 7 to 8 minutes or until the chips are crisp. If they are not crisp enough to your liking, you can put them back into the oven for a little longer. After the chips are finished in the oven let them cool.
  • Then eat and enjoy!

Serving (2 cups): 126 calories, 17g protein, 17g carbohydrates, 5g fat (0.8 g saturated), 7mg cholesterol, 3g fiber, 240mg sodium

The above article was written via the inspiration of the book, “50 Shades of Kale”. Click here

How fun it is to think you are being sneaky yet you are really being good?!

Until next time.

Cheers,

Easy and Quick Vegan Recipes Ideas – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinners For The Busy Vegan

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With veganism becoming increasingly popular nowadays, many folk on the vegan diet are in desperate need for quick and easy vegan recipes to accommodate their busy lifestyle. Fortunately over the past couple of decades an abundance of vegan recipe ideas and information has emerged to cater for the needs of this ever-growing veganism lifestyle. Below are some quick and easy vegan recipe ideas for your breakfast, lunch and dinners.

Easy & Quick Vegan Breakfast Recipes & Ideas

Pancakes

Stir together in a bowl: 1 Cup flour, 1 Tbsp. sugar, 2 Tbsp. baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Add 1 Cup Soy/Rice/Coconut milk and 2 Tbsp. oil. Mix ingredients together until batter is smooth. In a hot, oiled frying pan, spoon in large spoonfuls of the mixture. Flip sides when bubbles start to appear (approximately 2 minutes per side). Add more oil to frying pan as needed. Serve pancakes with maple syrup, agave nectar, molasses, soy yogurt, fruit, berries, or another topping of your choice.

Fruit Smoothie

For those who have a blender, making a breakfast smoothie is a super easy and quick vegan breakfast option. Simply blend together your choice of a mixture of the following ingredients: soy/rice/coconut milk, soy/coconut yogurt, berries, bananas, dates, raisins, maple syrup, molasses, agave nectar, cacao powder, grated vegan chocolate, flaked/slithered almonds, crushed brazil nuts, flax seeds, LSA mix, oats, ice-cubes. Serve in a tall glass.

Easy & Quick Vegan Lunch Recipes & Ideas

Tofu & Vegetable Stir-Fry

Cook tofu-nuggets in a hot oiled pan over high heat for 3 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Remove from pan. Next, stir fry (in peanut oil, for taste) some sliced carrots, baby-corns, snow-peas, broccoli or another vegetable of choice, on high heat for approximately 1 minute. Next add a few large Tbsps. (up to ¼ Cup) of vegetable stock liquid to pan, continue tossing vegetables, and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add tofu back to pan and continue to stir-fry for 1 minute more. Add salt and pepper, plus 1-2 tsp. sesame oil to taste. Eat alone or with rice or noodles.

Crackers with Many Toppings

For the very busy vegan, you can’t get an easier lunch than crackers. But don’t assume that just because you’re eating crackers means lunch has to be boring. Firstly, find in your supermarket or health store some gourmet vegan crackers and crispbreads. Buy an assortment of them. Next, know your topping options. Suggestions are as follows:

1. Avocado, salt & pepper

2. Soy spread, tomato, salt, pepper

3. Tomato, vegan “cheese”, salt, pepper

4. Peanut butter, almond spread

5. Tahini, maple syrup

6. Vegan hummus dip, beetroot dip, sun-dried tomato dip (from health shop, supermarket or home-made)

7. Soy spread, salad

8. Soy spread, sun-dried tomatoes, olives

Easy & Quick Vegan Dinners Recipes & Ideas

Pasta With “White Sauce”

Cook your pasta and vegetables as per usual. To make a tasty vegan “white sauce” heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil/soy spread in a frying pan, plus 1 heaped tsp. plain flour or cornflour. Stir on high heat for 1 minute. Next, add salt, pepper and dried herbs to taste. Next, you will be adding your soy/rice milk to the mixture – a little bit at a time, stirring constantly. Once desired consistency has been achieved, turn off heat and taste to serve. Adjust seasonings as necessary. Serve on top of pasta and vegetables. Top with grated vegan “cheese” if desired.

The Grandiose Garden Salad

If you are sick of salads, maybe you should start to gourmet them up a little more. Nobody can get tired of eating a proper, sustaining and mighty-flavorsome salad. To make the Grandiose Garden Salad, add the following ingredients together in a large bowl: 1 large packet of spinach and rocket leaves, chopped vine-ripened tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, a few spoonfuls of finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, pitted olives, 1-2 chopped avocados, 1 finely sliced large cucumber, 1 cob of corn (either cooked or raw) – kernels removed and added to salad, ½ very thinly sliced red onion, tinned baby beetroot, and ½ cup of walnuts. To make the dressing, add together 2 Tbsp. olive oil, 1-2 tsp. lemon juice or balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Gently stir dressing into the salad. Enjoy the salad by itself, or with some toasted sourdough bread.

The above recipes are merely samples of some of the many thousands of ideas for quick and easy recipes for the vegan diet.

Get more vegan recipe ideas and information at ” The Vegan Diet [http://www.fortheloveofrawfood.com/#!the-vegan-diet/c18xo]: Save Our Planet – Lose Weight – Glow With Health” for further information on the vegan diet. Find out the amazing health benefits of the vegan diet, why weight loss is so easy on this lifestyle, where to get your vegan recipes from, recommended vegan recipe e-books, and what to do if you are unsure about going vegan!

Alternatively, read about the raw food lifestyle at [http://www.fortheloveofrawfood.com/] for great information and ideas on raw food recipes and weight loss on the raw vegan diet!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Loren_Antonios

Starter Recipes For Vegans

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If you are catering for a buffet or a sit down dinner for a mixed group, you might find yourself catering for vegetarians or vegans, in which case you are perhaps unsure of what to make. A vegan does not eat any animal products so that eliminates meat, fish, cheese, eggs, milk and cream.

If you are looking for vegan starter recipes there are plenty of dishes you can make. Fresh vegetables can be used to make tasty starters, as well as pulses, nuts, grains, fruit and more.

You can make mushroom pate instead of meat pate or use tofu to replace fish, poultry or meat in other starter recipes. Big juicy portobello mushrooms can act as a meat replacement and you can grill or barbecue these to make really nice starters or main courses.

Portobello Mushrooms, Exotic Salads and More

In fact, if you are making hamburgers on the barbecue for the meat eaters, what about barbecuing whole portobello mushrooms for the vegetarians and vegans? They are so full of earthy flavour and amazing with salad, relish and cheese (even vegan cheese!)

A mixed salad is great as a vegan starter recipe and you can combine vegetables, fruit, nuts and even some vegan cheese or grilled tofu cubes. Marinate the tofu in a delicious sauce before grilling it and it will have an amazing flavour.

Vegan food never has to be boring and a little knowledge about what do vegans eat and what do vegans not eat means that you can make the most delicious vegan starter recipes.

Recipe for Vegan Empanadas

This delicious vegan starter recipe makes six empanadas. Whether or not you are catering for vegans everyone will love this recipe for vegan empanadas. They are baked rather than deep fried. These make a filling starter recipe or a delicious lunch or vegan snack.

You will need:

10.5 oz (300g) all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon chilli powder

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

2 oz (60g) applesauce

4 tablespoons soy margarine, in 1/2 inch cubes

1 minced clove garlic

4 oz (120g) cooked black beans

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 chopped onion

2 chopped bananas (or bell peppers, spinach or corn)

1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon ground cumin

Non-stick cooking spray

Spicy tomato salsa, for dipping

How to make them:

Sift the flour with the chilli powder and salt. Add the margarine, rubbing it with your fingers until it is like fine breadcrumbs. Whisk the vinegar, apple sauce and 2.5 fl oz (70ml) of water together in another bowl, then add this mixture to the flour mixture, combining it until you get a dough.

Add more water if need be but add it slowly. Knead the dough then form it into a ball, cover it in cling-film and put it in the fridge overnight or for an least an hour.

Heat the oil in a frying pan and saute the onion for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and beans, turn the heat down to medium and cook them for 3 minutes. Stir in the cumin, ground coriander, cayenne pepper and bananas and cook for a couple more minutes. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the hot pepper sauce and fresh coriander.

Divide the dough into 12 pieces. Spray the cooking spray on a baking sheet and roll out each dough ball to a 6 inch (15cm) round which is 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured chopping board. Fill each one with 2 tablespoons of the filling and brush water on the pastry edges.

Fold the dough circles in half and crimp the edges with a fork to seal them. Put them on the baking sheet and chill them for 20 minutes in the fridge. Preheat the oven to 400 F or 200 C.

Bake the vegan empanadas for 20 minutes then let them cool for 5 minutes before you serve them. You can serve some salsa for dipping with these vegan enchiladas if you want.

Find plenty of mouthwatering recipes at www.VictoriaHaneveer.com – dishes for every palate and occasion, including this vegan quinoa salad recipe.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victoria_Haneve

Nutritional Yeast: A Delicious and Nutritious Choice for Vegans

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Usually sold as small, light flakes, nutritional yeast can be a very important part of a healthy diet for two reasons: its excellent nutritional value and its characteristic flavor.

The taste of nutritional yeast is usually described as “nutty” or “cheesy.” It is frequently found as an ingredient in recipes that require a cheesy taste, such as vegan versions of macaroni and cheese, risotto, and various sauces. It also makes a delicious topping for popcorn, salad, or any pasta dish.

A vegan version of parmesan can be easily made by combining equal parts of nutritional yeast and the nut or seed of your choice – such as walnuts, blanched almonds, or sesame seeds – in a food processor and adding salt and garlic powder to taste. (Adding salt makes the flavor “pop” nicely.) This condiment can be stored with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator for quite some time.

Many vegans find nutritional yeast to be a superb source of vitamin B12. This is important because vitamin B12 occurs naturally only in meat, dairy, and egg products. Vegans, who do not consume any animal products, must eat foods fortified with vitamin B12 or take vitamins containing B12 in order to maintain healthy levels of this nutrient in their bodies. B12 deficiencies carry significant health risks, so this is an issue of some concern.

Most – but not all – brands of nutritional yeast have more than enough B12 to meet the dietary guidelines of 6 micrograms (mcg) per day, so it is important to check the label for nutrient information. Although not very common, some brands may also contain whey, a dairy product, so do read the ingredient label carefully.

In addition to being an excellent source of vitamin B12, nutritional yeast is a powerhouse of other B vitamins, protein, and fiber. Different brands contain different amounts of these nutrients. Red Star Vegetarian Support Formula is a particularly good source of vitamin B12, containing 130% of the USRDA (recommended daily allowance) per heaping tablespoon, which is considered one serving. That serving size also contains a remarkable 8 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, and an abundance of vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B6.

Nutritional yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a fungus related to the mushroom and is grown on a combination of cane and beet molasses. B vitamins are added in order to help the yeast grow, which is why it is such a good source of various B vitamins.

After harvesting, the yeast is heated in order to deactivate it. So unlike active yeast, nutritional yeast will not cause bread dough to rise or liquids to become frothy when beaten. It is also different from brewer’s yeast, which has a very bitter flavor.

Nutritional yeast is most commonly sold as flakes, though it also comes in powder form. If you are using the powder in a recipe, only use about half the amount that the recipe specifies, since it is much denser than flakes.

Click here for some vegan recipes that use nutritional yeast.

Nutritional yeast has a delicate and delicious cheesy, nutty flavor that can enhance many dishes. It is also nutritionally dense. Its abundance of vitamin B12 is of particular interest to vegans, since they rely on fortified foods or vitamin supplements in order to include B12 in their diets.

More Articles about Vegan Living

If you are interested in improving your health, helping the environment, and taking a stand against animal cruelty, please visit Vegan Journey for more articles about vegan living by this author.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valerie_Toizer_Bloom

Famous Celebrity Vegans – Vegan Motivation and Inspiration For You

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The vegan lifestyle has developed an increasing popularity over the last few decades – and in particular, with the rich and the famous. If there is a particular actor or actress whom you are in awe at due to their flawless skin, sparkling eyes and astounding beauty, it may very well be that this person owes their health and beauty to the vegan diet. In fact, there are so many famous celebrity vegans nowadays that it is hard to keep track of them all, and the number just keeps on growing. Let’s see who these famous vegans are, why they are on the vegan lifestyle, and what lessons you can learn from their lifestyle decisions to likewise gain remarkable health and wellbeing. Observing their lifestyle choices can provide you with motivation and inspiration to try out the vegan diet for yourself.

Famous Celebrity Vegans – Who Are They?

In the music world, some famous vegans are Bryan Adams, James McCartney, Jason Mraz, Prince and Avril Lavigne. In the Hollywood world, some celebrity vegans are Pamela Anderson, Ellen DeGeneres, Anne Hathaway, Michelle Pfeiffer, Natalie Portman, Brad Pitt, Alec Baldwin, and Russel Brand. The world renowned film director James Cameron is also vegan, as well as 10 times Olympic Medallist Carl Lewis.

This is only a selected few famous celebrity vegans, there are in fact thousands more but they simply could not all be named here in this article.

Why Did They All Go Vegan?

Just look at the beautiful skin and svelte physique of Anne Hathaway, Natalie Portman and Michelle Pfeiffer. Their skin is flawless and their faces are glowing with health and beauty. Hathaway went on a vegan diet to prepare for her role as Catwoman, and after the film, decided to stay on the vegan lifestyle for good. She reports that because her body became so dependent on healthy eating, she really felt the negative health consequences if she veered off the diet. Now we know the secret to her peaches and cream complexion! Portman does not eat meat or dairy products for animal rights reasons, and she has been a vegetarian since childhood. With that slim physique and glowing skin, we likewise can attest Portman’s beauty to the vegan lifestyle. Carl Lewis, famous track and field runner, credits his outstanding field performance largely to the vegan lifestyle, and believes that vegan food improves his fitness and track performance.

What Can We Learn From Them?

All of these famous celebrity vegans became vegan for a variety of reasons, ranging from health and beauty, animal rights, and fitness. These celebrities are all aware of the many benefits of the vegan diet, and are willing to remain on this healthy lifestyle for obvious reasons. Some of the most well-reported benefits and positive side-effects of the vegan lifestyle are weight loss, increased energy, increased focus and concentration, flawless acne-free skin, anti-aging abilities, and a reduction of allergies.

The benefits of the vegan diet are obvious, and whether it is health and beauty, weight loss, increased fitness and energy, ability to concentrate better, or for animal rights reasons – you can be sure that the vegan diet will the ideal lifestyle choice. Famous vegans like those mentioned in this article can provide us with an immense amount of motivation and inspiration to make the switch to the vegan diet. Observing the healthy bodies, clear skin and healthy lifestyles of these celebrities are a perfect reflection of what they are eating.

Go vegan today. Visit ” The Vegan Diet: [http://www.fortheloveofrawfood.com/#!the-vegan-diet/c18xo] – Lose Weight Save Our Planet- Glow With Health” for further information on the vegan diet. Find out the amazing health benefits of the vegan diet, why weight loss is so easy on this lifestyle, where to get your vegan recipes from, recommended vegan recipe e-books, and what to do if you are unsure about going vegan!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Loren_Antonios