Alex Ortner, from Raw For 30 Days, has posted two videos to the blog sharing his morning routine. These are great for people who are interested in changing their eating habits, but not really sure where to begin. Watching someone who is living the life lay out exactly what they do can be a huge help in see where you can get started yourself.

So head over, watch the videos, and see if you can incorporate some of his ideas into your own morning routine. You may find that is is incredibly simple and delicious to do!

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For most people, the idea of going vegan is scary. It is one thing to add some delicious vegan smoothies to your every day diet, but to take the plunge into life as a full vegan is frightening.

What do you eat?

What if you miss foods you used to eat?

Do you have to give up taste?

Can I really do it?

This might surprise you, but you can become a vegan and enjoy a wide variety of delicious foods, many similar to your old favorites, and be happy. Yes, you can!

The secret is the transition. The time between your old lifestyle and habits, and the new vegan lifestyle you are moving towards. That transition period can be the hardest time to get through. This is why I spent time putting together a simple guide that will lead anyone through the fears and worry of transitioning to becoming a vegan.

My ebook, How to Transition to a Vegan Diet, is packed full of tips and ideas for getting through cravings and getting through dinner. Plus I added 10 super yummy, and super simple vegan dishes at the end. Foods that anyone can make, and everyone will love.

For only $9.95 you can be walked through the common transition problems, and be given links to websites and cookbooks that will offer you even more information. Plus learn how to make blueberry pancakes, chili, fettuccine alfredo, and more all vegan!

Are you ready to make the change?

photo credit: Lollie-Pop

The Proverbial Medical Disclaimer

I’d like to start of by stating that this information is just my opinion based on the information I have read from expert authors and from the 10+ years living and eating the way I have on a daily basis. Couple that with my twice a year blood work that reveals no deficiencies, I feel this information is valid and very valuable. Perhaps it works just for me, my genetic makeup and my body type, I can’t say for sure. However, just like cigarette smoke could probably affect each one of us with varying degrees of health negatives, the green smoothie diet, I feel, can affect each one of us with varying degrees of health positives. Try it for yourself, after you speak with your natural, or other, health practitioner first of course.

Cut Your Finger And It Will Usually Be Healed In A Short Time

The body is designed to heal itself right? Then why is it that so many people are sick? Perhaps it is in inaccurate statement that the body is truly designed to heal itself? No! The problem is that we a) do not give it the sufficient amount of tools, by way of diet for the most part, it needs to heal itself and b) we bombard it with things that hinder the functionality of the limited tools that we do provide it.

Living On Mars

Another possibility that may seem a bit far fetched and from another planet is that perhaps our beliefs truly do control our lives. For example if we truly, without a doubt, 100% believe that smoking and eating anything that we want contributes to good health, then it will. That’s the theory anyway and I have seen that hold true on smaller scales, like placebos for example, but it’s a difficult concept for most people to wrap their minds around so to speak, so let’s come back to Earth and finish this up.

You Are What You Eat

Here’s a bold statement. One that a lot of people won’t like to hear, and one that is just MY opinion and not to be construed as advice. I feel, we, as humans, don’t need to consume meat to survive. That’s right, the plant kingdom has everything we need to survive and thrive. What about Vitamin D? Get some sun. Plus there are some algaes I believe that provide a source of Vitamin D. What about Vitamin B12? Sure, B12 is abundant in meat, granted, and besides some forms of algae, there may not be a source of B12 in the plant kingdom. However, it is suggested that one of two things may be going on in our favor. First, it is suggested that B12 will recycle itself in the colon so it does not need to be ingested. And another school of thought is that the body will manufacture B12 on its own using other resources that are provided by diet. Who knows for sure, but I’m not deficient in Vitamin B12 myself and I don’t eat meat anymore.

The Best Diet Going

I’m a big advocate of raw foods. The suggestion that heating food above a certain temperature destroying much needed enzymes that are important for digestion makes sense to me. Further, it is suggested that to get the most out of our food we must chew it until it disappears. Our body has troubles handling big chunks of food. Also, I strongly believe that we can survive and thrive off of a diet of mostly fruits and dark green leafy vegetables, with the occasional healthy fats. Healthy fats in the form of avocados, soaked nuts and seeds is all I consume.

My goal each day is to eat plenty of raw ripened fruits and greens. The best way as far as I’m concerned, in order to consume enough and to help my body with digestion is to drink green smoothies throughout the day. Finally, I am creating a body that has ALL the tools that it needs to heal itself and give me the energy, mental clarity and vitality that I need to get through my day.

One Major Hurdle: Cravings

Some people worry about the green smoothies tasting bad. That’s before they try them. Others worry about losing the “social” aspect of eating. Get over that or be creative or stay sick OK? Another hurdle is cost. Eating unhealthy is cheap that’s for sure. But we’re just talking about produce here for the most part. If you can’t afford to grow your own or to buy organic at first, don’t. Eventually, as you heal and feel better, if you are like me, you will start to become more productive and more energetic which could eventually lead to the desire and motivation to grow a garden or even earn more money to buy organic foods. I’m not kidding!

Another hurdle for some, and a big one for me was fighting unhealthy cravings. Just like a person addicted to drugs or alcohol must go through a detox to heal, we essentially have to do the same thing. Our cells are made up of stuff from the food that we have consumed in the past. The body may crave more of the same unhealthy foods that contribute to the contents of the individual, sick cells in our body. For drug detoxes, often times, sauna therapy is used to sweat the drugs out of the system. That generally helps eliminate the physical drug cravings allowing the individual a better chance of staying sober. For us, improving our eating will trigger the elimination of toxic foods as well which can be naturally removed in stool, sweat and urine. However, we still might crave those foods while some of the toxic elements in our cells are still present.

I, myself, have found that immediately after having the first drink of my green smoothie the cravings for greasy foods, meat, sweets, salt, etc started to subside. After I was done drinking the smoothie, the cravings were gone completely and I’d be content. The problem then was that the cravings would come again as I became hungry. What I did was make sure I was on top of it and have a green smoothie ready and waiting before the cravings would reoccur, or shortly after they reared their ugly heads. The unhealthy cravings eventually subsided for good as I cleaned out my body. Suddenly I began to crave greens instead!

Be Proactive

How many small kitchen appliances do you see collecting dust? People use them once and since they don’t like to clean them, they avoid using them again. Please don’t attach that negative feeling to this process and to your life saving smoothie blender! What works for me is, I make a smoothie, pour it into a mason jar, and then immediately rinse out the lid and the blender and set it on a dish rack to dry. It’s then ready to go for the next time around. Just take it apart to clean at the end of the day, not for each use! Forget that noise! Plus, give your jars a good rinse after drinking to avoid having to scrub them later. You may be eating a lot of smoothies at first as your body heals. Eventually, though, you’ll likely require less and less, but still maintain the same vitality, energy and ideal weight!

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Many people choose a vegan diet to help them lose weight. Choosing not to eat meat and other animals products can be a great way to lose excess weight. Vegans and vegetarians eat an average of 500 calories less each day than the typical meat eaters. However, there are still ways to gain weight on a vegan weight loss diet. A balanced, low-fat diet along side regular exercise is the best way to ensure that you will meet your weight loss goals.

People opting for a vegan diet to lose weight need to become adept at checking labels. Some food companies make up for a lack of meat flavor by adding extra fat or sugar to their foods. This can end up giving you the opposite effect, by causing weight gain and poor health. Sugars have also been known to be addictive to some, meaning foods with excess food can make you want to eat more and more.

Some people replace their meat habit with too many grains and soy based “fake meat” products. This unbalanced approach can make any vegan gain weight quickly. Instead, choose plenty of whole fruits and vegetables. Drinking daily vegan green smoothies is a great way to get the recommended amounts in your diet. Follow the vegan food pyramid to ensure that your diet is balanced and healthy for the best weight loss.

Changing to a vegan weight loss diet can take a lot of discipline, but it can be very worth it for anyone looking to lose weight and get healthy.

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Changing your diet to a raw smoothie one can bring amazing health benefits, yet it is not always easy to do. For most, this is a completely different way of eating than they are used to. With that difference means a lot of adjustments. If you want to try a vegan smoothie diet, but fear it may be too hard, here are some simple tips that will help you succeed.

1. Take it slow. You do not have to become a full-time smoothie drinker on your first day. Start with just one smoothie a day, then add more over the course of weeks. This can be frustrating for those looking for fast results, but studies repeatedly show that a slow weight loss plan works better in the long run.
2. Keep plenty of good snacks on hand. It can be tempting to reach for the chocolate doughnut when you hit an afternoon slump, but that one temptation can undo all the hard work you’ve already done. Keep a supply of nuts, fresh fruits, vegetables, and low-fat snacks nearby when you feel temptation creeping in.
3. Be creative! – When it comes to green smoothies, there are no rules set in stone. Do not be afraid to mix things up to your liking. Go ahead and sprinkle cinnamon in your apple-pear smoothie, or add water to thin it out more. The important thing is that you enjoy your smoothie experience.
4. Don’t rely on just smoothies – Despite some claims, you cannot sit on the couch all day long and lose weight by drinking a smoothie now and then. You are going to have to put some effort into your weight and health goals. Along with drinking smoothies, regular exercise will do wonders for your body.

When you are starting out on a vegan smoothie diet, you can feel overwhelmed and not sure what to do. You can succeed though, it is possible to change your life one step at a time.

photo credit: Tim Patterson

A vegan diet can be an excellent option for those wanting to reduce impact on animals or improve overall health. However, great care must be taken to ensure that vegans receive adequate levels of nutrients by eating a wide variety of foods each day.

Think of the base of the vegan food pyramid as being comprised of whole grains. Vegans should look to consume six to 11 servings of these foods per day, such as brown rice; whole wheat bread; whole grains like quinoa, millet or bulgur; and cereals such as oatmeal. Avoid processed grains, such as white rice and bleached flour, which contain less protein, minerals and B vitamins than their pure, unrefined counterparts.

The second tier of the vegan food pyramid should be split between fruits and vegetables, and vegans should strive to consume at least three servings of each per day. Seek a wide variety of colors when selecting fruits and vegetables because often, color indicates a wealth of certain nutrients. For example, dark green leafy vegetables are high in folic acid, calcium and iron, while orange-red fruits and vegetables are high in beta-carotene and vitamin C. Blueberries contain high levels of antioxidants, and tomatoes offer high levels of the antioxidant lycopene, which may protect prostate health.

The third tier of the vegan food pyramid should contain two to five servings per day of such protein-, iron- and calcium-rich foods as legumes, tofu and other soy products, nuts, seeds and fortified “dairy alternatives,” such as nut, grain or soy “milks.” These foods, as a group, are also good sources of fiber, minerals and B vitamins.

Vegetable-based fats and oils are found at the top of the vegan food pyramid, and should be used sparingly. The vegan diet is naturally cholesterol-free, and tends to be low in saturated fat. Certain nuts, seeds and oils, used in small quantities, provide heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids.

Consider supplements a pinnacle atop the vegan food pyramid. Nutrients that may be missing or lacking in the vegan diet include vitamins D and B12, and some vegans may need to round out their diets with fortified foods or dietary supplements.

Vitamin D is found in egg yolk and added to cow’s milk, but is not consumed in the vegan diet. The body does produce its own vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, but vegans who live in higher latitudes or who do not get regular sun exposure should be careful to select dairy alternatives fortified with vitamin D or take a supplement.

Vitamin B12 is not typically found in the vegan diet in adequate or reliable amounts. The daily requirement for B12 can be met if vegans select cereals fortified with the vitamin, add a food supplement, such as Red Star nutritional yeast, or take a B12 supplement.

Whether opting for a vegan diet to improve health or minimize impact on agricultural animals, choosing a well-rounded diet will help to supply necessary vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Remember to select fortified foods or a supplement to supply vitamins not found in the vegan diet, and enjoy a wide variety of foods each day to ensure adequate consumption of other, food-based, essentials.

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The first question many people have about the vegan green smoothie diet is just how many smoothies should they drink each day. There really is no one size fits all answer to this, it’s all about you and your personal needs.

For beginners, one smoothie each day is more than enough. You may want to replace a meal with your smoothie, or drink one during your afternoon as a snack. As you adjust to this new way of eating, you may begin to add in more smoothies to your day. The end result, however, should be what ever is most comfortable to you and makes you feel at your best.

Most experienced green smoothie drinkers say you should drink no more than 80 ounces of green smoothie each day. If weight loss if your goal, you should concentrate on keeping calories between 1200 and 1500 per day. If you feel hungry after drinking a green smoothie you should eat. Sticking to raw foods, such as nuts, can be a great way to keep hunger at bay while still eating healthy.

Some people will feel jittery or stressed when they begin a green smoothie diet. This is perfectly normal as your body is adjusting and ridding itself of toxins that have built up. Within a week these feelings should pass.

Never deprive yourself of food or an adequate amount of calories in order to lose weight. As always, you should consult with your physician before starting any diet to make sure it will not interfere with any medical issues you may have.

Some people may want to detox their bodies before embarking on a vegan smoothies diet. Detoxing is simple eating in such a way as to remove the toxins that have built up in your body over time. Environmental toxins can enter your body from the food you eat, the water you drink, and even the dust you breath in. Doing a detox diet can help rid your body of these toxins so that you begin your vegan smoothie diet in the best possible condition.

The most common detox diet is the one outlined in The Raw Food Detox Diet: The Five-Step Plan for Vibrant Health and Maximum Weight Loss by Natalia Rose. She outlines a 5 step process where people progress from a strict raw diet into a more lenient one. Rose helps people detox at a slower pace in order to reduce the negative symptoms that can come from detoxing.

People who experience frequent fatigue, allergies, insomnia, indigestion, headaches, bloating, and trouble losing weight may benefit most from a detox diet. All of these things can be signs that your liver and other internal organs are full of toxins and need to be flushed.

Here is a simple detox plan that anyone can follow. It is important to begin cleaning your diet a day or two before beginning a detox. This means avoiding drinks such as coffee, tea, and soda. Heavily processed foods and those with white sugar should also be avoided before beginning a detox. This will make the negative symptoms less severe. Some people experience headaches, nausea, and exhaustion during a detox. This is often caused by the toxins being flushed from your body. You should begin to feel better as your detox continues, however it is important to remain well rested and warm during your detox diet period.

Begin with a 24 hour water fast. This means only water for 24 before following the detox. This short fast will help cleanse your body and get the detox moving in the right direction. Follow your water fast with a 7-day fruit diet. This means for 7 days choose only 1 type of fruit at each meal. You can eat as much as you want to feel full, but you cannot eat more than one type at each meal. Drink water with your meals, and a glass of fruit or vegetable juice as a snack. This simple detox will leave you feeling refreshed and cleared. Follow the detox with 30 days of a raw vegan diet and you may be amazed at how great you feel.

Not everyone needs to detox before beginning a vegan smoothie diet. For some people detoxing can be unpractical or unhealthy. Before beginning any diet you should discuss your health with a physician.

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A vegan green smoothie is a healthy and delicious way to lose weight and be vitalized. Some people, however, might not know exactly what a vegan green smoothie is. To help you better understand, let’s break it down into it’s parts.

What is Vegan?

Vegan food is a type of vegetarian diet that excludes all animal products. Going beyond just meat, vegans also do not consume milk, cheese, eggs, and honey. Vegan also will avoid white sugar products, as it is processed using animal products. Outside of foods, vegans also avoid fur, wool, and leather as they come from animals in some way.

What is a Green Smoothie?

A green smoothie is a basic fruit smoothie with vegetables added in, often giving it the distinctive green color. The addition of green vegetables makes these smoothies doubly healthy, while the fruit keeps them sweet and delicious. Blended into a drink, green smoothies make it easier for people to get all of the nutrients out of their vegetables.

What is the Raw Food diet?

Once you begin venturing into the world of vegan green smoothies you may hear this term often. A raw food diet is one where people do not cook their fruits and vegetables before consuming them. Supporters swear that this mostly vegan diet will help people get the most from their food, as cooking can break down and destroy nutrients. Drinking green smoothies is just one part of the raw diet.

Put it all together

Now that you know the basics, you can begin to put it all together. Drinking a good-for-you combination of raw fruits and vegetables will help you feel better, get stronger, and (most importantly) lose weight! This is more than just a diet that you can stop and start, green smoothies can become a way of life.

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