Skinny on the Sun: Coolibar Review. ZnO Split Rock Hoodie. Vampires need to go outside too! Meet Little Rebel.

Coolibar Zno Split Rock Hoodie
From Coolibar
UPF 50+
Cotton Blend with Zinc Oxide.
Limited Time, Save your Skin & Money.  30% off SiteWide.

I am a vampire, but occasionally have to see the light of day.  And my skin dreads it.  While I adore the "feel" of sun on my body, I really overdid it when I was little & need to take special care now.  So usually I have to bathe in these disgustingly white sports sunblocks to go running, walking the dogs, or whatever else brings me out to play in the solar universe.  I hate the stupid sunblock.  Most of it it totally white & gross & greasy.  The stuff I really like, isn't for sports or water or anything active.  It is just for "everyday" use.  So I am still looking for some halfway decent, halfway normal looking (so I am not actually painting my body white!!! Or I should just go for the goth look maybe!!) sunblock, that actually performs in the sun!!


From Coolibar

Coolibar was awesome enough to send me one of these Bamboo blend summer hoodies to review.  I am always in search of "sun clothing" that actually "lasts" & isn't completely dorky.  Although I have some non-sun specialty brands as well, I never really "trust" the UPF unless it is coming from a company that actually specializes in it.  Sometimes places even "apply" a UPF that "wears" out of the clothing after multiple washes.  Not Coolibar!  The other problem with "sun clothes" is that they are usually made for much older people, who actually pay attention to this stuff, because they have already experienced some form of skin cancer and/or they have lived long enough to truly know that our body has to carry us through this whole life.  We don't get another one if we wear the first one out.  So the clothes tend to be geared toward a more mature crowd.  Coolibar kind of breaks this "mold" and truly creates a line that could appeal to any age.  They have countless sun hats/suits/glasses for the little ones.  Surf Shorts & all sorts of other active clothing for your man.  And loads of styles for "girls" 18-80. And they have many "seals of approval" from the Skin Cancer/Dermatology Peeps.

Think some of these long sleeve shirts might make nice "shirt jackets" to throw on for driving & walking in sunny parking lots!

Coolibar

Coolibar

Gotta keep your man protected too.

I love that they have a multitude of fabrics from which to choose!!

Zno Suntect-Cotton & Bamboo/spandex (just a bit for stretch) blend.  Light & Breathable & doesn't get smelly with multiple wearings!!!!  ::))  This Zno Split Rock Hoodie is a pullover sweatshirt that is for summery weather.  Eighties super comfy.  Nineties fine if not exercising a ton.  These aren't the ones designed for "extreme" heat, but they do "breathe" super well & I think I like the bamboo blends that are just slightly heavier-in comparison to the Poly blends.  I think the top is pretty cute & love that it has a hood.  So if you get stuck in the UV without your hat, you can at least protect your scalp a bit & provide a little more shade.  This retails for $59.00 which is also a deal for "Real UPF".  Seriously, some of these clothes are a little pricey, but SO much cheaper than constantly applying truly environmentally friendly, healthy, safe sunblocks!! Which don't even "fully" protect us!!  I adore the hoody & will be looking into their other bamboo blends!!  I had tried on the "Active" Pants in the past, which are basically Yoga Capri Swim trunks-but they were not as I expected.  The waist was too high and the stye was a little mature for my taste right now (at age 40!).  

Aqua-Quick Dry UV for the water

Lite Suntect-Poly blend that is lightweight

3d dri-for extreme heat, Poly.

Aire Suntect-Light & Silky.  Blend ofg Poly & Spandex.

As for their Sizing-I take XS.  It seems these places generally size larger.....So I personally wouldn't go up from my normal size.  They don't do "teen" sizes and pretend it's normal!  But I have no boobs, so if you have big boobs, your normal size may still fit, but you might have to refer to their sizing chart just to make sure!

Most of our men will never apply sunblock.  But these board shorts & jacket make it easy.  The jackets are very light & come in many colors.  Think the board shorts look "totally normal".
Coolibar

This little girl got saved today!!

And the SunnySpot in my day......Gateway Pet Guardians (www.gatewaypets.com) was able to trap Rebel today.  Pj & GPG go every single day of the year to East St. Louis (and now Washington Park, Illinois-USA) to feed the stray dogs & cats.  They are fed, cared for, and rescued.  They always need foster homes, money, volunteers, and love!!  Rebel has a terribly embedded collar & is super skinny now.  She is very shy, yet was getting pretty close to one of our volunteers today-because she is starving.  So happy that Rebel will get a new chance at life.  I don't know if she will have to have the collar (tied in knots) surgically removed or not, but now she is a bit of a mess.  Poor thing.  Such a sweet doll.  We only saved one today, but for Rebel, that means the world.  It is heartbreaking that others are not saved.  It is heartbreaking that we cannot save every single plant, animal, human that is suffering.  But we can save one.  And there is some joy in that.  Rebel is going to get all fixed up, get adjusted a little bit, and then probably be looking for a foster & forever home.  If you are in the St. Louis (or nearby area) Missouri (USA) area-let us know if you are interested in meeting Rebel!!

She now has a collar on, a collar tied in knots and embedded in her skin.  She was just bones..........

Little Rebel getting her "ride" to a new life.  

www.gatewaypets.com

Watch Full CNN Show. The Last Heart Attack. Esseltyn, Sanjay Gupta, Bill Clinton.

Sacha Vida: Sacha Inchi Seed Review & Giveaway

Sacha Vida sent me some Seeds to try in exchange for an honest review.  I LOVE seeds! And this is my new Favorite Seed.  I adore nuts, seeds, and anything sweet, salty, and with fat.  These new "wonder" seeds fit the bill.  Touted  They pair wonderfully with my Yerba Mate.  Both very earthy tasting, and totally addictive.  I tried out the roasted, roasted & salted, and chocolate covered.  They look like peanuts/almonds and was totally anticipating something pretty mild & run of the mill.  However, was totally surprised and delighted that such a small seed packs in such a great amount of flavor!  They are pricer than other seeds, however, I have cut way back on my fat intake & so will probably indulge in these from time to time.  

Some Highlights of this WonderSeed

• From the Peruvian Amazon.
• Good source of Omegas 3.6.9
• Has Happy Tryptophan
• Calcium, Zinc, Potassium, Fiber
• Digestible Protein (seed is comprised of 25-30% protein)
• Cultivated by indigenous people for centuries.
• Sustainable.

The flavor is indescribable.  Hubby said "earthy".  That's the best I could come up with as well.  But they seem to be saying "Savor Me".  Can a seed be "robust"?  I think a great snack for wine or mate.  Uber Healthy & has that happy thing going on with the tryptophan!

Sacha Vida also would like YOU to try their products-Enter to Win below!

Enter to Win.  3 boxes of snacks.  1 of each flavor, or you choose. Yum Yum.

Facebook, Blog, and Twitter entries.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bring Out Your Inner Punjabi! Recipes for Spicy Nights. "Vegan Indian Cooking" by Anupy Singla. Cooked Vs. Raw Broccoli. Chop Your Broccoli!

Bhindi Masala (crackling okra).  Besan Poora (gluten free chickpea flour bread).  Methi Palak Aloo (Fenugreek Spinach Potatoes).  All from "Vegan Indian Cooking".

Vegan Indian Cooking: 140 Simple and Healthy Vegan Recipes

You guys know how much I loved Anupy's first book, "Indian Slow Cooker".  Nearly all the recipes were vegan & easily oil free.  Gluten Free.  Delicious.  Well, her second book is equally as amazing & all types of recipes! I have already blogged about a few of the dishes I have made, but included my Amazon review just to give a general idea of the entire book.

Punjabi Style Cabbage Recipe Here.  (Band Gobi)

My Amazon Review:

You NEED this book in your life.I just got this book a week ago, and have made at least a dozen recipes so far! I didn't think I could love any Vegan Style Indian book more than her first one (The Indian Slow Cooker), but this is just as great! SO excited about this ALL VEGAN book!! So many veggies including kale, okra, sweet potatoes, cabbage. Soups & Breads. Salads that sound amazing-think spicy fruits, carrots, daikons! Slow Cooker & Stovetop recipes. Can't wait to make the South Indian Crepes. The dishes are already very healthy with emphasis on whole foods & dried beans. Anupy uses small amounts of oil and salt. I have found that you can skip both of those and still have great food. Last night we had the Kale Pizza breads-a super quick snack. Oh, and it has Anupy's best on the planet Chai recipe. And the drink section includes Iced Coffee & Green Drinks-for those of us who don't just do one or the other! Very inexpensive on Amazon and a lifetime of Indian food. Ingredients are inexpensive. Now should I whip up another dish with the cabbage before hubby comes home....decisions.....

Fenugreek Spinach Potatoes.  Look for Methi at your Indian Food store.  Dried version is easiest to find.

Just a few of the recipes I have tried so far....Besan Poora (Chickpea Flour Crepes), Street Corn Salad, Jeera Aloo (Cumin Potato Hash), Punjabi Khardi (Chickpea Flour Curry with Veggies), Band Gobi (Punjabi Style Cabbage), Samosas, Cabbage with Mustard Seeds and Coconut, Methi Palak Aloo (Fenugreek Spinach Potatoes), Bhindi Masala (Crackling Okra), Sweet and Sour Potatoes, Spicy Plantains, Jeera Chawal (Cumin Rice), Tofu Curry, Mock Keema, Masala Tofu Scramble, Chickpea Poppers...

I made this with zero added oil & zero salt.  Of course you can add salt to your taste.  But I find that Indian food is so rich in flavor, that I don't really miss it. 

Looking forward to trying the homemade yogurt (vegan of course!), Dosas, Spice Mixes, Chai, Chana & Split Moong Dal with Pepper Flakes, Panchratna Dal (5 lentil stew), Brown Rice and Adzuki Bean Dhokla, Tandoori Tempeh, Pomegranate Chaat, Tofu Pakora, South Indian Tomato and Tamarind Soup, Mattar Paneer, Curried Winter Melon, Lemon Brown Rice, and the list continues. Chutneys, Breads, Salads, Legumes, Dips.

Next Up: Bhindi Masala. 

Gluten Free Chickpea Flour Crepe.

Fenugreek, Spinach, Potatoes.

Curried Tofu.

OH. Fabulous thing about slow cooking is that you cut up all those great things like cabbage, garlic, onions, etc...and then it takes time for the slow cooker to heat. This is perfect because that way we actually get those immunity boosting compounds out of the food. Either eat them raw or cut them up and let sit for 40 minutes. This book has both slow cooked & stovetop. And it seems like every ingredient is a REAL superfood. Affordable, everyday superfoods.

Eat your medicine!! Cumin, Fenugreek, Chiles, Lemons, Ginger, Cilantro, Mustard, Onions, Garlic, Cardamom, Cloves, and more. All touted to be supernaturally high in antioxidants & healing powers...........Side Effects? A Belly Full of Healthy Food!

     Lay Flat Binding makes it so inviting. And Anupy spells all the "Indian Jargon" out, making it simple for first timers to flirt......

Flirt all you like, but I am ALL in!! Husband VERY happy with his Spicy Nights! (Obviously, you can adjust the spices.....But I'm experienced :)

Mushrooms & Peas. Yum!!

From NutritionFacts.Org

We all hear about "the enzymes", right?  Tim VanOrden was the first person (followed up by evidence outlined in Brenda Davis's book) that alerted me to the fact that raw foods are truly better for us because of what we are NOT getting.  The PAH's, the AGE's, and other nasty stuff that happens to our food (and the toxins on it), when exposed to heat.  Not to discredit the "enzyme" theories, and both may be true.  However, we have real scientific evidence regarding AGE's and PAH's and not as much about Prana or a consensus on what happens when food hits our gut.  However, the raw fooders seem to be "right" about the enzymes on certain foods.  And in that group"  Cruciferous Veggies.  You know those "C" fighters?  Well they may not fight the "C" very much, UNLESS prepared properly.  Bummer, because NO ONE I know cuts their broccoli and waits 40 minutes prior to preparation. 

Summary of the Video Above

• Sulforaphane is basically inactivated by cooking.  So the good stuff in your cruciferous veggies.......well, steaming doesn't give the most bang for your buck. 
• One would have to eat 10 cups of cooked broccoli to get the same amount of sulforaphane in 1 cup of raw broccoli.
• OR you can Chop the Raw Broccoli up first, then wait 40 minutes for the enzymes to do their thing, and then you can "cook the heck out of it".  (But who does this??)
• PreChopped Broccoli might be better than the florets, because it has been chopped up & the enzymes have done their job already.
• And in another part of Dr G's Video Series, we learn that Broccoli Sprouts are the cheapest way to get your broccoli!

Get Skinny Staples. Lazy Wives & instagram Quinoa & Veggies lunch. Links to BPA's and Obesity, Vegan Sukha Mattar Paneer, Vegan Beyond Meat Chicken Shockingly real, 82 year old Nuns & security breaches.

Our instagram lunch.

Lazy Wives Club.  Quinoa & Veggies.

Yes, I have every raw recipe book on the planet, nearly.  Yes, I have a shelf of vegetarian/vegan cookbooks.  No, in general, I don't use them.  Other than the Indian Cookbooks (because I don't have the experience/background to improvise wisely on those), it seems that I simply cannot or will not, follow a recipe.  I used to spend hours pouring over books & then make lengthy lists to have exact ingredients.  Now it's basics.  So used to eating a lot of raw food that when I do make cooked food, it is as simple as it gets.  So this is one example.  Which could either be all raw, all cooked, a mixture, and whatever veggies you want.

Hubby's GoTo sauce.  He used to buy the traditional brand of Sriracha, but I would never eat that.  I rarely sneak this either, because I hate that it is in plastic.  But it is delicious & made by Organicville & very expensive for Sriracha.  "Regular" sriracha also comes in plastic AND has Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Bisulfite, and Xanthan Gum.  I am just tired of plastic, BPA's and places putting sht that isn't food, into food.  Just tired of it.  Not like I am a major fan of a** cleansing, so I try not to put too much stuff in my body that requires heavy duty cleaning to get out-if it even comes out.  Heard somewhere that Plastic can make you fat too....So if health isn't a scare, you know I don't want to eat something that encourages fat POST 40!

Can BPA make you Fat? from "Mother Jones"

BPA's Obesity and Diabetes Link Strengthened by New Study from "Huffington Post"

Yes, I have a Salad Shooter.  But it means I can make raw beet, apple & carrot chips like this!

Presto Salad Shooter Electric Slicer/Shredder

 Quinoa & Veggies.  1 cup dry quinoa to 2 cups water in a pot. Bring to boil.  Then cover & simmer for about 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed.  Fluff with a fork.  I grated carrots in the Salad Shooter, cut up dates, red peppers from the garden, 2 hot peppers.  Steamed one bag broccoli and one bag asparagus.  Then I mix it all together.  The only seasoning I put on mine was a small amount of sea salt & a fair amount of cayenne.  Hubby uses sriracha.  And that's it! Of course you could put anything to season, onions, garlic, pepper, no salt seasoning blends, herbs de Provence, sesame seeds or oil.  I just served as is, a mixture of hot & cold.  But it's great all cold.  I prefer to make these things all raw, but I generally don't have quinoa sprouting, and if I do, then I manage to forget it and let it get moldy.  Quinoa is a fabulous gluten free, high protein food.

• Quinoa
• Dates
• Asparagus
• Hot Peppers
• Red Sweet Peppers
• Broccoli
• Grated Carrots
• Cayenne Pepper/Sriracha sauce for flavor.

Ancient Harvest Organic Quinoa, Traditional, 12-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 12)

To do it all raw I would have had sprouted quinoa.  Soak & then sprout until there are "tails".  And I would have the same raw grated carrots, dates, red peppers & hot peppers.  For the broccoli you can put in food processor or cut finely.  Asparagus, the same way.  However, the broccoli is just to fill up.  For the broccoli to pull it's guns out, (according to current studies), it needs to either be eaten raw.  Or it needs to be chopped up, let sit out for about 40 minutes, and then cook.  So who does that, right?  So sprouts are where it's at for cost/benefit value & broccoli.  

82 year old nun made worst security breach in history!

Vegan Sukha Mattar Paneer recipe. (Peas & Tofu Paneer).

The world is Obese. It costs the US and Canada alone, 300 billion dollars a year.

Meatless Chicken fools people. Beyond Meat is making it's mark.

Punjabi Style Cabbage (Band Gobi) from "Vegan Indian Cooking" book. Gluten Free Chickpea Flour Crepes (Besan Poora). Vegan "ChickFilet" Recipe from PETA. Jane Velez Mitchell, Walmart, Cruelty. Steven Colbert on Dogfighting, CongressMan Steve King, and D-bags.

Punjabi Style Cabbage Recipe Here.  (Band Gobi)

I must have made at least a dozen recipes from this book, "Vegan Indian Cooking" by Anupy Singla, since it first arrived on my doorstep.  Love this one because cabbage is so healthy and also incredibly cheap, even organic.

Vegan Indian Cooking: 140 Simple and Healthy Vegan Recipes

Finished Punjabi Cabbage.  So delicious!

Ingredients for Chickpea Flour Crepes. 

Besan Poora

Think they should be thin crepes, in/on which you can scoop up your dals, chutneys, or whatever other delight you may have in front of you.  I made them thicker because of my attempts at making without much oil and also I really stink at making anything resembling pancakes.

Love that  Bob's has Certified Gluten Free products-not everything, but a decent line.

I made these in a cast iron pan, just because it resists burning that way.  First attempted with zero oil, but then I had to add a touch, just to get the pan oiled a bit.  If you have some spectacular, green, safe non stick type of cookware-then you could probably do it sin oil.

Seitan (Or Gluten Free Tempeh) Mulligatawny Soup

Link to Seitan Mulligatawny Soup post, from "Vegan Indian Cooking"

Other News:

 CNN on Walmart Pork Supplier-with Jane Velez Mitchell

Jane Velez Mitchell, fellow vegan, is unafraid to tackle the big stuff.  No one would touch these types of stories years ago, but with social media and increased awareness, it is now becoming actually "okay" to discus this.  Of course "they" want to make laws that make it illegal to photograph factory farms, and of course do any type of undercover work.  So no photos of the farms please folks, but apparently in the states anyone with any type of mental record or hate group involvement can buy any type of gun/assault weapon.  What I love is that you can't grow sustainable hemp, say anything about the agricultural industry that would affect their profit, or not wear seatbelts in your car.  But green light on the guns.  We are very pragmatic people.

Vegan Chick-fil-a CopyCat sandwich from PETA recipe.

If wanna be Vegans, Wanna be Cholesterol Free Sandwich eaters, Fast Food Addicts, or people who are boycotting the "Eat More Cock" place want a "Chicken Sandwich"-this link is for you. Vegans always boycott Chick-fil-a because of the suffering they cause animals.  So we didn't alter any routines in either direction for the hoopla about "traditional" marriage.  From what I can tell, "traditional" means marriage between a man and a woman.  The man spends hours a day surfing online porn, tweets his privates, gets hookers across the state lines, has multiple mistresses, and hanging out at lesbian bondage clubs on the RNC's dime.  Traditional Marriage of Politicians.  So obviously, all other marriage is flat out wrong.  

 And another Jane Velez Mitchell spot.  Yes.  The ChickenDisaster again.  What is so ridiculous about all of this is that we have a lot of issues going on in our country (U.S.) and that most Americans don't ever protest anything.  But that the largest "protest" that I have seen in awhile, across that nation, that is actually publicized (Democracy Now not included)-is to eat fast food for a day.  It's like drunks "protesting" a vote by drinking a bottle of JB.  But fried chicken suddenly makes everyone an activist.  I think Weight Watchers should have just had free signups right there-to work the line.  Or maybe Dr. Oz could have done his surprise "checks" and get some vitals on the protestors.  Slightly apathetic if "protesting" in the States is to eat at a fast food joint.

And Steven Colbert on Steve King, who appears to be a major D-bag and not really have an issue on dogfighting.  Because as humans, we don't have the ability to want to reduce the suffering of people and OTHER animals.  

The Colbert Report

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