About two months ago my functional medicine doctor tasked me with giving up coffee for at least 4 weeks.

I have been struggling with a very stubborn eczema patch on my right eyelid for the past 5 years and after trying ALL of the dietary changes, creams, herbs, tonics, acupuncture, sauna, salt caves, etc. I decided to call in reinforcement.

I had a sinking feeling in my stomach that I would have to give up coffee when she politely asked “so HOW much coffee are you drinking a day?” To which I replied, “oh like you know “… while I slid my 32 oz Yeti out of the zoom cameras view.

I knew I was drinking A LOT of coffee, but I LOVE the taste so much. I don’t need coffee to function. I start my day at least 3 hours before I even start to make it. It was a ritual I loved. Something that I looked forward too.

I knew that I was going to have to come up with something to fill the void of the ritual. I also knew that tea (which I love) wouldn’t cut it. So I turned to google and started researching herbal blends.

I bought a TON of herbs, tested a ton of batches, and finally settled on the winning blend.

Today I am going to give you the recipe, and explain the health benefits of this herbal blend.

roasted dandelion root

Dandelion Root is a powerful herb for healing digestive health. I chose this because it has a very rich flavor and is used in tons of coffee substitutes, but also because our gut is the home of majority of immune system. When you are experiencing an inflammatory issue (eczema, acne, chronic sickness) you want to nourish the immune system and the gut. Dandelion Root is also considered a bitter herb and great for cleansing the liver and the blood - two areas that are directly related to skin health.

the ingredients

Roasted Chicory Root

Another herb selected for a multitude of reasons. First helps aid in the rich coffee like flavor and balances the bitterness of dandelion. More so though, it is great for gut health. Chicory Root is mostly inulin, a prebiotic that helps feed the good bacteria in the gut. The more good bacteria we have the less likely it is that we will have a microbiome imbalance. A lot of people also rely on coffee to stimulate their bowels and keep them regular. Chicory and the inulin is a great digestion starter and is shown to help with constipation. Another amazing health benefit is that it can be effective in treating certain types of Candida (which may be the root cause to eczema)

Roasted Cacao Nibs

Then we have Cacao Nibs which we roast to increase the flavor profile ( I have used them unroasted when I was feeling lazy!). Cacao is high in antioxidants and helps to lower inflammation. Again the main goal of giving up coffee was to reduce the inflammation so having an herbal replacement that aids in this healing was a must!

Chaga

Finally we have Four Sigmatic Chaga Powder. To be honest I was really upset about giving up my coffee because of the amazing medicinal benefits of the mushrooms I was consuming. Adding the chaga packet was to make sure I was getting the immune and skin benefits that Chaga supplies ( we are always going back to immune and skin health it seems!). The chaga is not necessary however when I forget to add it in, I notice that it is missing.

recipe

So this will be really simple to create. You can keep your herbs separate and make every day or you can make a big batch and shake it all up.

You basically want a ratio of 2:1:1/2:

2 TBSP Roasted Dandelion Root

1 TBSP Roasted Chicory Root

1/2 TBSP of Cacao Nibs.

If you are making a big batch you can do it by the cup instead of the tablespoon and get the same results.

I add 4 tbsp to my French Press along with a packet of Four Sigmatic Chaga and top with boiling water. I let it sit for 10 minutes, stir, and filter.

I prefer to drink this black, but you can definitely add a coffee creamer or nut milk to your cup!

One of my very favorite tools in my Wellness tool belt is essential oils. I think that in 2020 most of us are familiar with EO’s but just in case, they are highly concentrated liquid derived from plants. The benefits range from immune support, easing sore muscles, and calming and soothing the mind.

I personally only love to use oils topically or aromatically and prefer not to ingest - but some brands are safe for oral consumption- please just make sure that if you are ingesting oils that they are pure and safe!

Now onto my current favorite diffuser blend. As soon as the weather starts to change and we head into cold and flu season, I start diffusing Eucalyptus. A few weeks ago I was feeling a like I wanted a little variety and grabbed a few oils on my nightstand and mixed them all up. After a few minutes of diffusing my boyfriend looked at me and commented about how nice the smell was!

He usually doesn’t notice things like that, so I had a feeling it was a winner!

Here’s a little about the oils that go into this blend and why it is a great blend for 2020 and the current season we are in!

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is an antimicrobial oil that is used to help breathing, asthma, and fight off the common cold and respiratory ailments. It is also a great immune stimulator. I find that it helps me stay healthy BUT also avoids the dryness that comes with the use of heat in the house during the cold months.

Pink Pepper

Another favorite oil of mine is Pink Pepper. For the longest time it was my go to for dry brushing, if you are looking for a sweet scent that gives you all over body tingles this is the oil for you! Then I stumbled upon the amazing health benefits. Pink Pepper is an antiviral, and great for respiratory health as well. It is a very uplifting oil, so be mindful of how this effects you if you are diffusing at night!

Lavender

The last oil in this blend is lavender. Lavender is a great relaxing oil, and is used to treat anxiety, and promote sleep. Since I was diffusing this blend at night I thought it would be a great counterbalance to the stimulating Pink Pepper.

In my diffuser I blend 5 drops each of Eucalyptus and Pink Pepper + 3 drops of Lavender. Depending on the size of the room or diffuser you are using you may want to adjust.

The oils I use are by doTerra, but any 100% Essential Oil brand would work!

The past few weeks I have been seeing a lot about Oatly...and none of it has been good. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
There have been articles with titles like " Oatly: the New Coke" and "Some Plant based eaters are boycotting Oatly" ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Today I wanted to break talk about some of these headlines and offer up my two cents. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
So here's a little backstory - Oatly is a Swedish brand that was founded in the 1990's due to a large part of Swedish population unable to drink milk, or not wanting to support the dairy industry. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
In 2012 Oatly hired a new CEO who re-branded the milk alternative and brought it over to the US. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The re-branding placed a HEAVY focus on both health and the environment - two of the main issues they are under fire for right now! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

So Here are some things that stuck out to me

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1. Oatly adds Rapeseed Oil to their product ( AKA Canola) - we know this is highly inflammatory and linked to Alzheimer's, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and more. ⠀ After a little digging and flipping over multiple brands of Oat Milk in the grocery store - added oil was in every single store bought Oat Milk I saw. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2. There is evidence that how they create the oatmilk and the enzyme they are adding to break down the fiber turns to maltose - which effects the blood sugar levels in the same or worse ways as HFCS. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
3. Oatly is not organic, and oats are DIRTY! A study done on oats found 7 different pesticides on them ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
4. About 10% of Oatly was recently purchased by a company that has a major impact on the Amazon Deforestation- Oatly's response was "we're convinced that if we’re to progress in the shift towards plant-based we have to involve governments and private equity firms, and steer more global capital into green investments." ⠀

So now we have almond milk that is unsafe for the bees, and Oat milk that is unsafe for us - what do we do?

We make our own.

Oatmilk in my opinion is the easiest nut milk to make. There is no soaking required and the straining process is light on the muscles!

Some things to note before buying oats:

I always look for certified GF, Organic oats (see point 3!). Oats are naturally gluten free but can become contaminated during the processing part. Bob’s Red Mill has certified GF and Organic oats.

How to make Oat Milk

1 Cup GF Organic Oats

4 Cups Filtered Water

High Speed Blender

Cheese Cloth or Nut Milk Bag

Put oats and water in blender and blend on medium - high speed for 30- 40 seconds. This is important because over blending will result in a gummy milk

Pour the milk into a nut milk bag, and squeeze gently to release all the water.

Store in a glass jar in the fridge for about 1 week.

Easy!

Let's talk about take out.

I have to admit that sometimes after a long week of prep I have 0 energy to cook for myself. I recently got stuck in a bit of a rut where I was eating out more often than not.

Then one night I ate at a nearby Indian restaurant and I woke up the next day with an extremely swollen eye lid. I was in full on panic mode, but started fasting, and lowering the inflammation and within a few days the swelling had subsided. At this point I didn't know what was causing the swelling, I wasn't able to pinpoint anything specific ( I had eaten at this Indian spot before)

Then a few weeks later, my mom and I ordered take out from that restaurant. 10 minutes after I finished my dinner I felt the hives forming.

It was undeniable that whatever was being used in this food was not agreeing with my body.

I called the restaurant a few days later to do a bit of detective work and found that they use canola and soybean oil (both inflammatory, deodorized with hexane, and oils that easily go rancid). I started calling a few nearby restaurants to get an idea of what they are cooking with - and every one of them said canola or soybean.

These oils are CHEAP!

When I am shopping for my oils they are often 3x cheaper than the option I am selecting. When you order takeout you have very little control over the ingredients that are being used.

Here's what is very common among restaurants:

Oil

Most restaurants are using cheap oils, the kind that go rancid and create inflammation in the body, These vegetable oils are highly processed with chemicals.

At Hungry Hippie we use clean and healthy oils, and we use them properly. We understand smoke points, and do not use low heat oils (olive oil) above their smoke point.

---

Produce

Most restaurants are choosing conventional grown produce and not even paying attention to the clean 15/dirty dozen list. This leads to exposure to herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and genetically modified ingredients.

At Hungry Hippie we choose organic and local whenever possible, almost 95% of the meal plan is organic! If we are not using organic produce we are making sure we reference the Dirty Dozen/Clean 15

---

Added Sugar

In restaurants most salad dressings, soups, and batters contain sugar, and large amounts of it! This is due to our increasing desire for sweet and less of a palette for bitter foods.

At Hungry Hippie we don’t use any refined sugar, and the natural sugars we use are used sparingly. The benefits of natural sugars is that they are not chemically processed ( table sugar is bleached!)!

---

Cross Contamination

Working in the city I would pop into a deli for breakfast - one morning I noticed that they were cooking the meat and the vegetables on the same pan without washing. This is true about gluten, nuts, and other common allergies.

At Hungry Hippie if we have a client with a special diet or food allergy we make sure to clean and disinfect all tools before proceeding. We take cross contamination very seriously

---

HFCS/Corn Syrup

Most restaurants are not making sauces, condiments, and dressings from scratch. These products notoriously contain HFCS and/or Corn Syrup. HFCS is a processed ingredient made that hits the blood stream and the liver ( may be the cause of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease).

At Hungry Hippie we NEVER include HFCS or Corn Syrup in any of our meals or products. We spend our time to make sauces and condiments from scratch!

---

Another point with Take out is that it can be really expensive, even though they are not using high quality ingredients. At The Hungry Hippie we have been able to take organic produce, high quality oils, and make delicious and affordable meals.

If you have so much on your plate that you are finding it hard to cook for yourself, or if you never have time to pack lunches or make breakfast, than I want to help.

As we are inundated with FLU, COVID scares, and global issues like diabetes and obesity it is more important than ever to put our nutrition first.

Reducing inflammation, and supporting our immune system with food is one of our first lines of defense!

Two of the things that have made the most benefits to my health have been meal prepping and building my pantry.

Considering I have you covered in the meal prepping department today I want to focus on the 5 things that I always have in my pantry. 

Oats

Oats are super versatile, they are a great source of fiber, can be added to a smoothie, made into a treat (overnight oats!), A quick breakfast or the base of gf bread. 

Quinoa /Beans/Legumes

I always keep a grain and some beans on hand (quinoa and lentils are usually it). Quinoa is usually my go to because it is a complete protein (meaning it has all of the essential amino acids) and takes just 15 minutes to prepare (it also freezes well!) I add quinoa to salads, tacos, oats, or mix with veggies for a quick dinner I can throw together in just a few minutes. In addition I keep dry beans and lentils on hand as well to add variety and protein to any dish!

Coconut Milk

The kind in the can to be exact. I love it because it is shelf stable, and it is the base of my vegan creamer, but can easily be turned into coconut whip cream, or pudding. It can also mix with some spices and a nut butter and become a delicious sauce for quinoa and veggies

Frozen Greens + Fruits

I love to have frozen veggies on hand. They are much healthier than canned (they are frozen when their nutrients are at their peak), and have a longer shelf life than fresh (I always have fresh greens as well!) They can be made into a meal or mixed into a smoothie for an extra dose of your daily greens

Nut butter

Nut butters are high in protein so I always have some at home. I usually rotate my options and mix them up so I don't get bored of the tastes! The only requirements is that they can only have 1 (maybe 2 if it's salt!) Ingredients and that's the nut! I add nut butters into my oats or smoothies,  make sauces, or enjoy with an apple as a snack.

As you can see all of these ingredients are so versatile, can work together for so many different combinations and options,  are high in plant based proteins,healthy fats, and a range of vitamins and minerals. 

They can also be added to the hungry hippie meals to meet your individual needs each week. If you had a longer day and need more protein a quick boil or quinoa will work well with almost all of our dishes + you can never go wrong with adding more greens!

Having a healthy digestive system is one of the most important foundations for overall health . 

Healthy digestion is a body free from gas, bloating, and inflammation, and the ability to have complete bowel movements to eliminate toxins. 

While what we eat plays a role in our digestion there are some other things that you can do to make sure you are assisting your body during its intricate process.

1. Follow the 20/20 Rule. When we start to smell or even think of food our bodies start to secrete fluids that contain digestive enzymes. These enzymes are responsible for breaking down the food, and are easily washed away when we drink. So following the 20/20 rule  - no fluids 20 minutes before, during, or 20 minutes after eating - will help to keep these intact. 

2. 100 Bites. Swallowing food almost whole makes the body have to work that much harder to digest and absorb it. Taking smaller bites and chewing until it is broken down will help you body.

3. Slow down. Eating fast will cause excess air to be swallowed leaving you bloated and gassy. Try to put your fork down in between bites 

4. Take a few deep breaths before eating. Our nervous system is either in rest and digest or fight or flight. Both have their place, but only one belongs at the dinner table. Getting into a rest and digest state is critical for digestion, so take notice of where you are eating your food, and your emotions before you start eating. If you’re at work eat away from your desk, take a few deep breaths, and smile before eating.

---

If you do experience any gas or bloating here are 3 things you can use to find relief fast!

1. doTerra - DigestZen. You can apply this topically or take it orally. It’s a combination of gut friendly herbs like peppermint and fennel that work to sooth digestive discomfort.

2. “L” Massage - Laying down - starting at the lower right of your belly apply gentle pressure while you move your hand to the upper right of your belly, move you hand to your upper left , and to your lower left, - you can add Digestzen if you are using that and repeat

3. Laying on the floor twist your legs to the left side, hold until you feel ready to move, and move to the right side. If you feel any pain or discomfort you should stop.

Have you ever had an “Aha” moment that you wanted to share with the world? It happened to me last week. I was sitting in my backyard working on my Spirit Daughter Full Moon book and one of the questions really hit home. It was about what you do to elevate yourself and your vibration and she asked specifically about the type of foods you eat.

I had just started my descent on a family situation that had me stressed out and not taking care of myself.

I realized I was gravitating towards pizza, and pasta, and bagels. Dead foods. I paused for a second and thought how interesting that was. I was eating these low vibration foods, and I couldn’t shake the feelings of sadness and oncoming depression.

It started to make sense to me and I decided that as tired as I was the next few days I was going to cook for myself and see how I felt.

If you don’t believe food has an effect on your energy I am begging you to give this a try next time you are sad, or feeling down. I’m not saying this is a CURE for depression - I am saying that by changing what I was eating helped me to get out of that state enough to start adding other things back into my routine.

If you’re looking to eat to raise your vibration here are a few guidelines

• Choose Organic and Local whenever possible - these foods are known to have higher concentrations of vitamins and minerals

• Focus on eating real whole foods! Fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds!

• Eat raw vegetables or cook below 70 degrees - I added lots of salads to my meals

• Eliminate soda, cereals, breads, and other packaged foods from your diet

• Drink water - add in some lemon or trace minerals to raise the vibration

• Practice gratitude before eating your meals

• Prepare your foods (plate your meals if you order Hungry Hippie! ) yourself. Connect to your food on an energetic level.

• Remove alcohol from the diet until your vibrating at higher frequency

• Avoid refined oil and sugars.

• Replace coffee with herbal teas

These tips are not meant to replace your doctors advice or prescriptions. These are not meant to be taken as treatment for depression or other illnesses. If you are under a doctors care please consult your doctor about any or all of the above tips before beginning.

Being plant based for decades had me hyper focused on protein. I’ve tried everything from tofu and tempeh to hemp seeds and spirulina to make sure I’m hitting my RDI.

Spirulina might be one of my favorite protein sources for sure! Not only is it a fun color, and can naturally dye foods a pretty aqua hue, it has amazing health benefits.

What is Spirulina

Spirulina is a form of algae that grows in mineral rich and alkaline waters. It is one of the oldest life forms on Earth and dates back to the Aztecs and African natives as their daily food source.

The Low Down on the Protein

Dried spirulina contains about 60 - 70% protein by weight, making it the food source with the highest protein content gram for gram of any food on the planet. It is also a complete protein - meaning it contains all 8 essential amino acids - plus an additional 10 amino acids. Amino Acids are important for overall health and well-being. The functions of AA are:

• Cell Metabolism

• Detoxing

• Tissue Regeneration and Repair

• Influences our nervous system, cardiovascular system, hormones, and muscles

other health benefits

In addition to the incredible protein benefits Spirulina is a homerun food for other reasons including:

• Being rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, E, and K

• Contains enzymes, phytonutrients and cofactors that our body needs to absorb and use the vitamins above

• It contains phycocyanin an antioxidant that gives spirulina it’s blue color and has been proven to have the ability to trigger stem cell production. Stem Cells have the ability to become any cell that the body needs

• Helps to aid weight loss and lower body fat

• High in nutrients like Zinc, Managanese, EFA (Essential Fatty Acids) and GLA (Gamma Linoleic Acid)

• Contains anti-viral, anti-cancer, and anti-aging properties

how to buy spirulina

There are lots of products out there so it may be hard to know which one is the best quality product. Here are some tips to help you buy a high quality product.

• Look for ethically sourced spirulina - the package should read any of these : Spirulina, Spirulina Platensis, Arthrospira Platensis

• If you are buying tablets they should contain 98% Spirulina, Powder should be 100%

• Color - dark green and matte - there should not be a lot of dust

• There should be a slight smell - if the odor is too strong it has oxidized

how to use spirulina

• Smoothies will help to mask the flavor - try mixing with nut milk, 1/2 a banana, blueberries, and almond butter

• Add a 1/4 tsp to warm water with lemon

• Add to Guacamole

• Make into Protein Bites

• Salad dressing - lemon/olive oil/salt/ pepper

• Add to grains like rice, quinoa, millet

• Add to pesto

Photo Cred: AREKULIASZ / GETTY IMAGES

A few weeks ago we celebrated Winter Solstice. This is the darkest and longest night of the year. I celebrated this with great friends at Remedy 11 where we shared a vegetarian potluck, vegan cheese, and this Winter Sangria Mock-tail.

A few years ago I gave up drinking, and as much as it doesn’t bother me to be the only one drinking seltzer when I go out, sometimes I want something a little more fun! This mocktail is a little bit spicy and a little bit sweet. Make it at the beginning of the week and enjoy for around 3-4 days. The longer the juices sit the more flavor you’ll get!

Winter sangria mocktail

What you need

• A large pitcher

• Ginger Seltzer

• 3-4 Cinnamon Sticks

• 1/2 Pear

• 1/2 Apple

• 1 - 1 1/2 Cups Cranberries

directions

• Wash all of your produce

• Cut the pear and apple into 1/2” cubes

• Place all ingredients into the large pitcher and let sit in the fridge for 2-3 hours before serving

When I was 10 years old I decided that I wasn’t going to eat meat anymore. My parents had NO CLUE how to feed a 10 year old vegetarian in the 90’s. Plant based lifestyles were not nearly as common as they are now and I survived on lots of carbs.

In the last 20 years I have tried multiple times to move into a vegan diet and had lots of unsuccessful attempts.

The first time I tried it I reverted back to eating bagels and tofu cream cheese for breakfast, the second time I got through the mid afternoon slump by picking on snacks from the vending machine, and then there was that time where I had no energy and felt pretty crappy.

I wanted to share some of the things I picked up along my plant based journey with you so you can have the most successful veganuary.

Keep your protein sources clean.

it might be really tempting to cook up vegan hot dogs, and soy nuggets every night of the week, but it’s really important to keep your protein sources clean. There is a lot of controversial information about the effects of soy on the body, and my personal experience with processed soy was not great. I had major digestive issues, and acne. I haven’t deleted all soy from my diet though. I do indulge once a month on some high quality tempeh.

Some of my favorite protein sources are: lentils, beans, nuts and seeds, nutritional yeast, quinoa, and ORGANIC NON-GMO Tempeh.

meal prep or sign up for meal delivery.

If you’re new to the plant based lifestyle and are jumping into Veganuary it is going to be overwhelming. Trying to keep meals interesting, eating a variety of vegetables, and figuring out protein is a lot of work. Preparing each week by creating a “menu” and meal planning, or signing up for a meal delivery like The Hungry Hippie can take a lot of the pressure off.

If you’re in the NY/NJ area and want to sign up for The Hungry Hippie I am offering a special offer for veganuary. To find out more shoot us an email here!

If you’re not local and want to plan your own menu some of my favorite plant based blogs are Deliciously Ella, Oh She Glows, and My New Roots.

GRab a buddy and do it together.

When I went vegetarian at 10, my best friend did it with me. She’s still plant based and we have so much fun sharing meals, trying out vegan restaurants, and feel so much better when we are at parties together. If you can find a veganuary buddy in your existing circle that would be great, but don’t worry if none of your friends want to take the leap with you. Joining a FB community of local vegans is a great way to feel like you are part of a group! They share tons of tips on local restaurants, new product finds, and all kinds of support.

remember this is a process.

Like I shared earlier, going vegan is a challenge. You will probably eat something that had eggs in it at least once during the process. You might not have realized that something was sweetened with honey, or an additive was sourced from an animal. It’s OKAY. Things like this happen all of the time. Be gracious with yourself during this process and use each step of the way as a learning experience. Remember that the most important part of this experience is that you are feeling healthy, happy, and energized. As long as those are the results you are winning.

Get familiar with vegan brands.

The dozens of options at the grocery store is already overwhelming without having to sort through which ones are vegan or not. Getting familiar with brands and products before your head to the aisles will make shopping a breeze. You can even shop from the comfort of your own home with Thrive Market. Thrive has made it super easy to find vegan certified snacks and pantry staples with their filter features. It’s something I truly love and utilize weekly.

Some of my favorite brands that carry vegan products are: Simple Mills, Siete, Food for Live, Hilary’s

keep a stocked pantry.

Putting together a vegan meal doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated. I keep my freezer stocked with vegetables and soup, and my fridge with greens, fruits, and nut butters. I always keep a pantry stocked with lentils, quinoa, and beans that are ready to go in minutes. When you are stuck just try different combinations of veggies with a grain, a protein, and a sauce, or make a big salad. A full pantry will help make things easier on you!

be careful of the processed carbs.

Like I shared above when I first went vegan I was all about the carbs. Pasta and bagels every day were bad habits, and nutrient void foods. Relying heavily or solely on these foods can cause energy crashes, digestive issues, bloating, and even acne. When you’re building your plate fill it with almost all vegetables, a clean protein source, and a healthy fat.

An example of a well balanced meal: Roasted Vegetables with Quinoa and Avocado

Supplement as needed.

I am a believer of the food first mentality ,but there are some vitamins that are hard and/or impossible to get on a vegan diet. There are a few supplements that I take daily and they may be things you want to look into.

Vitamin B12 - this is a vitamin that is not available through whole plant based foods. Meaning it is the one vitamin that you cannot get through a vegan diet. Without B12 you can run the risk of anemia, and damage to your nervous system. You can get some of the daily requirement through B12 fortified foods, or you can supplement. The B12 I use is from Garden of Life which is a spray and the B12 is in the form of methylcobalmin the most bio available form of B12 there is.

Algae Omega - You need omega’s for heart, brain, and immunity. You can get a variety of Omega’s from hemp but I love the added insurance of a supplement, plus my skin glows when I’m taking my Algae Omega. My favorite brand is Nordic Naturals.

Vitamin D - One of the most beneficial ways of getting Vitamin D is through sunlight, so when the fall and winter roll around I start upping my Vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for energy, and is needed to absorb calcium.

One of the things that I do to ensure that I am getting a baseline for all of these vitamins is take Ritual daily. Ritual is a smart vitamin that looks at the most common vitamins women are deficient in, so unlike most multi’s they only have a few key ingredients. They also look at how our body absorbs these vitamins and group them together inside the capsules. They are subscription based and come out to just $1 a day!

If you have any questions about the Hungry Hippie services, veganuary, or anything mentioned in the above feel free to reach out!