Interview by Cyprus In Style
When Cyprus In style contacted me for an interview about vegan food, I didn’t expect to see myself on the cover, so this was a really cool surprise! It’s such a great magazine for the people on this island, as well as tourists coming here. I enjoyed reading it with a cup of Cyprus coffee and handmade Vegan Chocolate pralines with a ‘hint’ of Zivania. Zivania is a Cypriot pomace brandy known as the national drink of the island. It dates back to the 14th century when the island was under Venetian rule and is still made in the same tradition today. It’s made of a mixture of grape pomace and local dry wines. The chocolate is from Lambouri Winery situated in the beautiful Troodos mountains range. A must visit when coming to Cyprus. Thank you Cyprus In Style for this feature. You can read the whole article here
I´d like to share some links and science behind a vegan whole food plant based diet in this blog post. The medical profession and health organisations around the world are starting to see that a well-balanced, plant based diet has many health benefits.
I don´t think of myself as an influencer like how we look at influencers that reaches big crowds. I do like to inspire people and I think I can make an impact on a smaller scale…more like a micro-influencer. We are all micro-influencers ranging from influencing the people around us, to a more broader sense. Anyway… It´s a nice written article by Cyprus In Style and I´d like to add that being vegan is so much more than what we eat, and some might eat a whole food plant based diet, others might do a combo or just eat vegan junk food. That’s a choice every vegan makes. Even though I’m vegan for the animals, but I also care about my health and the health of the planet, so I try to eat mostly a whole food plant based diet and focus more on seasonal, local food, but I also like to eat some unhealthy treats too, like Beyond meat Burgers, chips, pizzas, cakes, ice cream, cookies (all vegan of course). You can be an unhealthy vegan, same as you can be a unhealthy meat eater, or unhealthy vegetarian. So it doesn’t make sense with research that puts vegan and vegetarian in the same category as vegetarians may eat a lot of cheese and other dairy products. And being vegan can either be healthy or unhealthy depending on what you eat of course. And how active you are. And the level of stress in your life. Pollution and other environmental toxins. And your thoughts. Time spent in nature and other things that brings wellness. So how healthy a diet is depends on quite a lot of factors.
A whole food plant based diet is rich in nutrients and can reduce your risk of many of today’s top chronic diseases, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer, obesity, various metabolic health issues and more
It´s no wonder quite a few top athletes around the world are turning to a whole food plant based diet when they notice the difference in their healthy, energy levels, performance and recovery. I’m not an athlete, but I’ve noticed a lot of positive changes after turning vegan a few years ago. For me, it has proven to increase energy levels, improve mood, my skin is clearer, I sleep better and my digestion is perfect (no kidding!) When transitioning to a more plant based diet, it´s important to know a few things about plant nutrition, as you’ve been taught all your life how to eat a certain way, it required some effort to learn new ways. But the reward is greater – for me; an alignment of words and actions. I say I love animals, I say I’m against animal cruelty, I say I care about the planet, I say I want to eat healthy, but balanced with treats. This alignment is healthy and feels good. And it might be the best diet for the health of our planet too, with a few variations depending on what foods you choose and where it comes from.
Here’s some great info and science when it comes to a WFPB vegan diet:
What are the Health Benefits of a Vegan Diet?
Vegan diet: Benefits of a plant-based diet now backed by science
Plant-based health professionals, UK
Clinical Research on vegan diets by PCRM
If you didn’t read the interview, here’s some healthy, yummy, vegan raw bars
Super good and healthy vegan protein bars
I tasted some really good raw protein bars at The Vegan Fam Festival in Cyprus, made by @vivolifecy and decided to get the protein powder and try myself. I’ve made lots of raw cakes before, but no one with protein powder and I’m loving the Maca Caramel one. Anyway…the recipe is made with inspiration from @vivolifecy @greenlifecyprus
- 20 dates
- 1 cup Koko dairy free milk
- 1 scoop of VivoLife salted Maca Caramel protein powder (you can use peanut butter or anything you like, just less plant milk)
- 2 cups organic oats (I mixed one cup porridge oats, one cup rolled oats)
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup desiccated coconut (not the super dry white type)
- 1/2 cup hulled hemp seeds (to either roll protein balls in or sprinkle on top)
- Optional; Chocolate layer with desiccated coconut
Soak dates in hot water until soft. Put pitted dates together with 1 cup of Koko dairy free milk in a food processor on high speed. Add the protein powder in this before adding oats, walnuts, desiccated coconut. Transfer the mixture to a baking tray with baking paper. Press down to make an even layer. Transfer to freezer for about 15 min. Take out and slice into about 10 bars. Or roll into balls.
Chocolate Layer (optional)
You can either use vegan chocolate and melt it together with a little plant milk, or make chocolate from dates, raw cocao powder and plant milk.
You’ll Need:
- 10 soft dates
- 1 tablespoon of raw cacao
- A little dash of plant milk
The Method:
Soak dates, pitt when soft. Put in a food processor on high speed with a little dash of plant milk. Add one tablespoon of raw cacao poweder. You can add a drop of wild orange essential oil/carob syrup/maple syrup for sweetness. Mix. You can also add small bits of dried berries like goji for the extra taste and texture. Pour the blend over the raw cakes and place in the freezer until ready.
ENJOY!
“One to change a few. A few to change many. Many to change the world. Starts with one.” -Anonymous