Popping in to Say Hello!

Hello!
It's been some time since I've posted.
A lot of factors playing into it, like summer, gardening, mucho family time and the launch of Vegan News Magazine. If you haven't yet picked up a copy or heard of it, I suggest you go to the website http://www.vegannewsmagazine.com/ for more information about this great publication. It's not only vegan (that's right not vegetarian, 'veg' in hopes of appealing to both vegans and vegetarians or not offending one or the other, but VEGAN) it's both Canadian and free!
Working on the magazine has taken up a big chunk of my time as the response to it has been bigger and faster than every anticipated. Hence the reason I've been away from blogging for so long.
How has your summer been going?
I've been enjoying the heat!
I've also been enjoying cooling off with ice cream. I think that my ice cream maker has been one of my best investments. Maple walnut crunch, blueberry, strawberry, cherry and chocolate peanut butter have been some of my favourite ice creams so far. I think my thighs would agree. For the first time (being pregnant not included) in my adult life I'm looking at either going up a pant size or working out a little harder (No I am not cutting back on the ice cream! :-))
The Garden of Vegan (http://www.thegardenofvegan.ca/) has also made it's return.
I'm finishing up a few fitness classes and Weight Loss Challenges for groups.
All of the things things have really been eating up time and though I love doing them all I realize I can't do everything I love to do 100%.  So, that being said I'm in the middle of juggling all these hats and seeing which ones are going to be shelved for a bit and which ones must go on.
Next month is September and I'll also be busy teaching a few cooking classes! I hope you can come out and join me for these they are bound to be tons of fun. You can register at 237-8130 or 667-6193. The classes are taking place at different parts of the city so register for the one closest to you. They will run for 5 weeks and include a shopping trip. Also, this hands on class will take you from appetizer, soups, entrees and desserts!
So it's been a busy life and now it's time to figure out if I have time to run out the door and join everyone at the vegan meet up taking place in less than a half hour.
Have a great day and a great summer and I hope to be back sooner rather than later!

Vegan Peace & Love,

Sonia

Finally! Introductory Vegan Cooking Classes!

Learn how to make delicious meat-free dishes.


If you are new to vegan cooking, want to learn new recipes, or how to turn your favourite meat dish into an amazing animal free one, the please join us for one of our introductory vegan cooking classes this summer.

A hands-on educational class including a grocery shopping field trip*, you will learn how to make appetizer, soups, entrees and desserts. This class will run for 5 evenings. By the end of the series you will be able to entertain throwing a great vegan dinner party from appetizer to dessert with everything in between.

Take home heart healthy, cruelty-free recipes your family will love!

*The field trip outing gives you an opportunity to navigate the aisles with new eyes. Finding healthy alternatives to meat, dairy and eggs. Students will have to opportunity to purchase products that night if they so desire. The grocery shopping field trip date and location will be announced at the first class.
Call 237-8130 to register today as space is limited and filling up fast!

Forks Over Knives

As many of you may know Forks Over Knives hits Winnipeg this Friday, June 10th.
I think this is probably the most important movie you could watch this year!
As the Ambassador and Team Leader for the film in Winnipeg I encourage you to check out the following trailer for the movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7ijukNzlUg

I would also like to give you the opportunity to win free double passes to the film. All you need to do is head over to Vegan News Magazine's Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vegan-News/190243747677799?ref=ts
 
Finally if you'd like to join us opening night at the Globe Cinema we have a group going which gives you a group discount on the movie. You are also invited to join us for dinner before the film at Affinity Vegetarain Restaurant. To join either or both group outings simply leave me a message on my Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vegan-News/190243747677799?ref=ts#!/profile.php?id=539430597
or leave us a note at the Forks Over Knives Winnipeg Meet Up Group webpage at: http://www.meetup.com/Forks-Over-Knives/Winnipeg-CA/150701/#initialized
 
Another great part about coming to the film on opening night is Sequel Naturals and Vega will be handing out free samples and information! So this is a night not to be missed! Remember this film could save your life or that of some one you love!
 
See you on Friday!
 
Vegan Peace & Love

Whole Foods To Thrive!

If there is one book you should read this year, this is it!


“Whole Foods to Thrive” is one of the few books that I can say will appeal to all readers as it addresses concerns that affect us all.

In a world where so many people have health issues or dietary related diseases, where animals are being abused and slaughtered and where our environment is rapidly deteriorating this book brings solutions and hope!

An easy and informative read “Whole Foods To Thrive” is the latest book by best-selling author Brendan Brazier, the formulator of Vega.

As a vegan, fitness professional and cook, I didn’t think there would be much for me to gleam and take away from this book. I was pleasantly surprised to find I was wrong. This book kept me captive and I devoured it in one afternoon!

Now most books out there that touch on diet, health and our planet’s depleted resources are depressing and leave readers feeling hopeless and depressed. This book is quite the opposite! “Whole Foods to Thrive” is life changing and restores a feeling of empowerment! It puts the power back in your hands to improve your health, save animals, and help the environment! It encourages you that as one person you can make a difference and a big one!

Canada’s Professional Ironman Triathlete Brendan Brazier teaches us in this book how we can reduce stress by good plant-based nutrition. As a vegan who tries to eat as close to the earth as possible I found out from this book that this is not enough. Just because I was eating whole foods didn’t mean I was getting the nutrients I thought I was. Why? As Brendan delves into we have destroyed our planet so much that even the soil our food is grown in can be devoid of nutrients! So if our soil has little nutrients so does the food growing from it! To some that may seem like no big deal, but if our soil lacks minerals and our food is deficient, then we tend to eat more as our body craves more food, as it hasn’t been satisfied nutritionally. For the first time the lights went on for me to start consuming more organic food for the reason of consuming more nutrient rich foods.

Aside from talking about the importance of “Nutrient-to-Resource Ratio” (a term coined by Brendan himself) and alkaline forming foods this book is chalk full of recipes! Not just any recipes either! This book features top chefs of some of the best restaurants in North America. These recipes will take you from appetizers to desserts leaving out nothing in between so that you can create your own 5 course meals for you and your family or for entertaining.

Dishes like Pumpkin Gnocchi with a Jerusalem Artichoke Puree or West African Yam and Bean Patties show this is no boring plant-based menu. In fact the recipes in the book reflect foods from around the world! …And with desserts like Key Lime Pie or White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake with Chocolate-Almond Crust no guest is going home disappointed!

As a cook myself I can’t wait to try every recipe in this book and I’m sure some of them will make appearances in my vegan cooking classes.

There is so much more I could share with you about this book, but the best is the advice to go out and get yours, I promise you will not be disappointed.

Congratulations Brendan Brazier you have just released a book that will change the world!

Thank you!

Vegan Peace & Love
Sonia Lemoine

Hemp Week May 2-8

Have you been doing anything exciting for Hemp Week?
I have!
I've been wearing hemp clothing, using my hemp body lotion, I made hemp milk ice cream for the family (yes from scratch and yes I'd be happy to share my recipes with you just ask) and of course drinking my favourite hemp milk by Manitoba Harvest!
Did you know that hemp could be used for so many things?
I use hemp protein powder on a weekly basis after my workouts and was just given a lip balm made out of hemp and even received a hemp journal for my birthday in March.
Today I did a corporate display with chocolate hemp milk. The response was amazing! People fell in love with it! Many never knew such a thing existed and it was their first time tasting it. For some it was decided it would be an acquired taste and  the majority planned to run out and buy some this week-end!
A lot of  taste testers were lactose intolerant were thrilled to know they had another option out there.
..and can I just add that hemp milk has as much or more calcium than dairy milk and is so much better for you!
It also contains protein, omega 3 & 6 and did I mention  Manitoba Harvest hemp milk is organic!?
So great was the response I was asked to return next week and make chocolate hemp smoothies for everyone! I can't wait!
So may I suggest you go out and try something hemp this week and let me know just how much you enjoyed it too!

Vegan Peace & Love

Sonia

Fork Over Knives

If you have a dietary related disease, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure or high cholesterol this film could be life changing!
Check out the trailer below

http://www.forksoverknives.com/media/videos/

Vegan Peace & Love

"Better Than Shamrock Shakes"

St. Patrick’s Day might be over but ever since posting on Facebook my “Better than Shamrock Shake” drink yesterday I’ve had a lot of people asking me for the recipe. I was out of town yesterday afternoon so this has been my first opportunity to post it for you.


So here it is for you to enjoy, not just on St. Patrick’s Day but any day you choose!

It’s healthy and tastes great!



A handful of shelled pistachios (with the pistachios there is no need for green food colouring!)


2 cups of almond milk

2 scoops of vanilla vegan ice cream

1/2 teaspoon pure mint extract

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract


Blend and enjoy!

For another healthy alternative either substitute an avocado for the pistachios or add one in to the recipe above.

Vegan Peace & Love

Zumba

Zumba! Zumba!
Who doesn't like to shake their stuff and have some fun?
Zumba class is a great way to do both.

It's fun, it feels great and it's perfect for all ages and stages.

I love to dance and love international beats and those are just some of the reasons I became a Certified Zumba Instructor years back.

My latest class has us taking our passports around the globe for stops in Columbia, Greece, Jamaica, India, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic with our great music and dance styles.

You truly forget you are getting a workout as we dance the time away with fitness incorporated moves to build muscle strength and  flexibility. The cardio is a no brainer, but speaking of the brain it gives your mind a workout to as you learn new dance steps and fitness moves to tempo.

Don't think you have to be a dancer to groove along or gym rat to keep up with the fitness component. You just need to like music and love to have fun.

If you can't make it out to one of my classes you can do Zumba at home. Today's giveaway contest is giving you the chance to win your own Zumba book and DVD!

This book and DVD combo normally sells in most bookstores for $29.99 CAD.
Now a copy can be yours. All you have to do to win yours is  3 things. 1)"follow" our blog (http://www.sonialemoine.blogspot.com/) 2) correctly tell me who the author is of the book ("Zumba  Ditch the workout, Join the Party! The Zumba Weight Loss Program") I'll give you a hint, he's also the founder of Zumba and 3) tell me why you love Zumba.

You can email, text, tweet or post your answer. The contest closes Monday at noon and our winner will be announced by Wednesday morning at the latest.

Till then keep dancing!

Vegan Fitness Workout

Hello Friends!
I have a wonderful fitness program for you!
My dear friend Barry Lovelace has created some amazing workout DVDs for a total body home workout!
Are you looking for a workout that really works!?
Barry Lovelace is an internationally recognized fitness professional. Known for working with Athletes in America, and for his many books on fitness and vegan lifestyle.
No matter how busy your schedule, this workout promises to deliver results and requires less than 30 minutes a day! This is a workout I approve of. It doesn't require a gym or a bunch of equipment you might not own. This really is a workout for everybody! Male, female, beginner or advanced, vegan or omnivore.
If this isn't enough, when you purchase this 2 part series 10% of the funds go to the animal Farm Sanctuary.
Can I mention another bonus? There is no waiting for your DVD to arrive in the mail! Once you purchase this workout you can download it immediately and start your workout today!
...and I forgot to mention! ...by clicking on the link below you will not only get this amazing two part work out series but you will also receive over a $130.00 worth of amazing bonuses that you will get to see when you click the link. So what does this work out cost you? Are you ready for this? Only $29.99!!! When was the last time you got over $160.00 worth of health and fitness videos and books  for just $29.99? !
This is a great gift for yourself and anyone you know who enjoys a good workout and great value! Whether you give this as a gift or keep it for yourself you'll feel good know you are getting expert advice from such a well know fitness professional and in supporting the Farm Sanctuary.
So click on the link below and purchase yours today because I don't know how long this amazing special will last.
For more information on Barry, his workout series and the Farm Sanctuary please click the link below.

http://tinyurl.com/5ue763n

Black History Month

February is Black History Month, a remembrance of events that took place in the history of Black people. It's a great time to read some wonderful novels by Black authors or to read the history of Blacks in Canada or America. I've attached a link for a Black History learning tool.
http://blackhistorycanada.ca/education/LearningTools.pdf

Black history month is also a great time to eat some African, Southern or Caribbean cooking. So to help celebrate I've got a recipe for collard greens!

Vegan Collard Greens:


4 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 carrots, peeled and thinly diced

1 scotch bonnet pepper

1 cup vegetable stock

6-8 cups chopped collard greens

A few drops of Liquid smoke

Sea salt, to taste

Directions:

1.Heat the oil in a stock pot over medium heat. Add the onions, cooking until they are translucent, and soft about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly as not to burn the garlic.

2.Add carrots and pepper and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Turn the heat down to low and add vegetable stock and collard greens. Cover pot and allow to cook just until the greens are cooked and tender. Salt to taste. Serve as a hot side dish.
 
So celebrate this Black History by throwing on some Bob Marley and dance around your living room, maybe watch a Sidney Poitier movie, and have some good eats!


Vegan Peace & Love

Sonia

Happy New Year

It's the end of January.
For those of you who made New Year's Resolutions how are you doing? Still making those positive life changes?
How many of you celebrated Vegan Pizza Day on January 29th by making a delicious vegan pie?
So much seems to be going on in the vegan world and we are still in the first month of the year!
Next month proves to be keeping up the momentum as Oprah and her staff of 378 plan on going vegan for a week. It all begins tomorrow, and how great that someone with such a huge following is bringing this healthy lifestyle mainstream to  millions of viewers.
Seems the world is slowly going vegan or at least providing more services to it's vegan customers!
I was in Jamaica just a few weeks ago and was amazed at how much veganism has exploded on the island. Already known for a strong vegan and vegetarian culture, especially amongst the Rastafarians, and a new health conscience generation. I was thrilled to see that all restaurants from the local fast food (and surprisingly healthy) to the most upscale restaurants were all offering a wide variety of vegan options.
We have a lot of exciting things we'll be sharing with you this year too!
So stay tuned!
Vegan Peace & Love!

Sonia