The quest for Vitamin B12 - Brewer's Yeast vs Nutritional Yeast

I just bought this super-duper Brewer's Yeast that is guaranteed to give me super powers, cure all my ills and make me live forever. Or something like that. 

Vegan senses a-tingling, I couldn't wait to get it in my shopping bag.

I reckon the people at Earth Foods of Southbourne saw me coming ... again.

Sadly, it doesn't taste the same as the cheaper Nutritional Yeast I normally buy, which is a little disappointing. Why am I such a slave to my taste buds?!

If you're vegan, or even vegetarian, chances are you have a tub of Nutritional Yeast in your cupboard. I honestly can't live without the stuff. It was an instant love story (thank you Lindsay for introducing me to it!)

Nutritional yeast gives your food a lovely cheesy-yeasty-ish flavour, and you get your B-vitamins. What's not to love?! 

Vitamin B12 is a big deal for vegans - we have to supplement it in our diets. Watch any vegan get excited when they see B12 on a food label.

Not all Nutritional Yeast contains the magic B12 though, which is why I decided to try the all-singing, all-dancing Brewer's Yeast instead.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm vegan and I don't eat cheese. I don't even want to eat cheese anymore, but the flavor of Nutritional Yeast is a bit special. It has a comfort food quality, and I find myself sprinkling it on pretty much everything with the exception of soya ice-cream.

This Brewer's Yeast is a bit different though. The terrifyingly impressive nutritional content list takes up most of the label. It gets the job done with minerals, amino acids, all your B vitamins and some other stuff I've never heard of, but it tastes of virtually nothing. 

"No aftertaste" the label boasts. Well, I kinda wanted some flavour actually...

I'm darned well going to eat it all, because it set me back £24! That's $37 US for my friends across the pond.

The tub should last me a few months, and by then I'll presumably be some sort of vegan super-hero, able to scale buildings in a single bound, and rescue hundreds of battery chickens in one "fowl" swoop.

I'm all for supplementing my diet, but I'd really rather it tasted of something a bit more exciting than brown sawdust. Regular Nutritional Yeast may not be quite so packed with the good stuff, but it is yummy.

Maybe I'll just stick to eating Nutritional Yeast for the yumminess along with the other food love of my life Marmite, which does contain the magical B12, and save my pennies.

Does Going Vegan make You Thin?

Since becoming Vegan earlier this year, a lot of people have approached me and tentatively asked whether they can lose weight by going vegan? Does being vegan make you thin?

Well I'm afraid the short answer is NO. Vegan does not automatically mean Thin.

Don't get me wrong here, I love being vegan and I really enjoy my food. I cook all my meals from scratch as far as possible and use all kinds of exciting flavours, and I have a very healthy and nutritious diet. 

Yes, it is very easier to avoid saturated fats, and you tend to gravitate towards fresh fruit and vegetables which helps you to make smart choices, but it's not a quick fix for being overweight.

I find it incredibly sad that almost every woman I know is unhappy with her weight or appearance for some reason or other.

However gorgeous she is, most women think if only they could lose a few more pounds or have fuller lips or a smaller waist... Sound familiar?

The "beauty" industry seems to do everything it can to make women feel inadequate in order to make them buy their products.

Air brushed models grace page after glossy page of every magazine, pushing an unrealistic and narrowly defined image of female beauty. Sadly, women and girls are coerced from an early age into trying to achieve this unrealistic target by TV, magazines and the so called "celebrity" culture that is shoved down our throats. 

At the same time, we are surrounded by ever more restaurants and fast food outlets selling us unhealthy lifestyles as "cool" and "fun."  Are you lovin' it?

It's no wonder that the Diet Industry is so huge in the Western world & we're all so obsessed with size.

At the same time depression and obesity are at all time highs - a coincidence? I think not.

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that I get asked this question so frequently, because I am vegan and pretty thin. Everybody's looking for an easy way to feel better about themselves, but going vegan probably isn't going to do that.

I became a vegan on ethical and moral grounds, because it felt right and authentic for me, not because I wanted to try yet another faddy diet and lose weight.

So I'm afraid that I have to announce that no, going vegan isn't a magic diet to make you thin, despite the hype.

It may help you to adopt a healthier lifestyle, but to be honest it's very easy to be an unhealthy junk-food vegan, and I know plenty of vegans who are overweight.

Being vegan will not make you skinny - only you can do that.

5 Good Reasons to Pee in the Shower

Come on, we've all done it at some point. Yes, even you over there shaking your head!

But why I ask do people recoil in horror at the thought of peeing in the shower? Obviously, you're not going to do it in a communal shower - that would be weird, but in the privacy of your own home, why not? You don't have to tell anybody!
 
Here are some pretty good reasons why you should pee in the shower...
 

1. Saves Water
Flushing a toilet uses between 3-6 litres of water. What a waste!


2. Saves money
If you have a water meter in your home, you're probably aware of the benefits of using as little water as possible. And toilet paper isn't free either!


3. Saves time
Multi-tasking by peeing and shower at the same time saves valuable minutes when getting ready for work!


4. Cleans your bathroom
Urine from a healthy person is a sterile substance and contains urea, an ingredient often found in household cleaning products. There's urea in the daily shower spray product I use,  so you're not making the bathroom dirty by peeing whilst showering - you may actually be helping to clean  it!


5. It's bad for you to hold it in
You can potentially get a urinary tract infection or cause yourself permanent damage if you hold it in for too long when you need to pee. If you need to go, you should go!

 And if you still don't fancy it, you could always save water by showering with a friend  instead ;)

Fail #1 - "Natural" Deodorant

Well the trial of using the Fresh Apricot scented natural deodorant made by Tom's of Maine didn't go as well as expected.

It smells nice, but certainly doesn't keep you fresh and odour free for 24 hours as the packaging boasts. I would say 6-8 at a push, and only if you don't get hot or do any exercise.

It was an expensive purchase at over £4 but I was impressed with the environmentally responsible claims made on the back about sustainability, recycling and how the product contained no artificial nasties, no aluminium and how they source all the products.

The big problem for me was that after using the product for a week, the skin under my arms started peeling. I was a little surprised, because that's never happened before. I didn't appear to have a rash as such, but the skin kept peeling off leaving the remaining skin red and raw.

I had a look on the internet trying to find out why this might be. Various sources suggested that it might just be my body "adapting" while others suggested an allergic reaction.  I spoke to a friend who is an experienced complimentary therapist. She looked horrified and simply said

"If something takes your skin off, that's not a good sign!"

It reminded me of something my dad told me when I was younger - just because something's natural, doesn't mean it's good for you. Remember, stinging nettles are natural and so is Deadly Nightshade!

I finally went on to the website www.tomsofmaine.com and read the reviews on the product. It seems I'm not alone, and this rather unpleasant side effect is a known problem.

I'm a little disappointed, and for now I've switched back to my regular anti-perspirant. It may not be perfect, but at least my skin will be intact!

Going "Natural"

I went on the WWF website today out of interest to see how much my carbon footprint has changed since I last filled out the questionnaire a couple of years ago. It's definitely lower because I'm now a vegan, and I haven't been on any flights in the past 12 months, but I was disappointed with my score of  1.8.

The score basically means that I'm living as if I had the resources of 1.8 planets instead of 1.

Ideally your carbon footprint should be 1 or less.

Easier said than done.

As part of my new project, trying to live in a more natural and eco-friendly way, I've started looking for smart ways I can reduce my carbon footprint and protect myself from dangerous chemicals, without losing any modern conveniences.

I've been a fan of the Ecover range of ecologically responsible household cleaning products & detergents for years, but I've never gone as far as to change my toiletries. 

I've started gradually replacing all my toiletries with more natural ones that are cruelty free, don't contain any animal products, biodegradable, free from parabens and SLEs, and that have the least impact on the environment possible.

I've even started to use completely natural products such as virgin coconut oil and essential oils in my beauty regime, and I have to say my hair and skin are looking pretty darned good!

Every hairdresser I have ever spoken to has said that if you want decent, affordable shampoo, you're best getting a nice herbal one at the health food shop.

The likes of Pantene, Elvive, Tresseme etc are full of silicone and other slimy goop to make your hair appear shiny and "healthy".  One hairdresser told me she wouldn't wash her floors with the stuff! It was herbal shampoo, or proper professional  shampoo all the way!

Herbal it is then!

A sticking point for me however is deodorant (or should that be a sticky point?)

All the natural deodorants are aluminium free which means they don't stop you sweating.

The aluminium salts are supposedly harmful but without them, well, you sweat!

All well and good, but despite the old adage that "ladies only glow" sadly, I sweat like a horse in the Grand National. I just have to think about exercise and I break a sweat!

How am I going to cope without the trusty aluminium salts to avoid embarrassing armpit stains?!

I've purchased a deodorant stick made by Tom's of Maine which promises that I'll feel "confidently fresh all day!" Hmm, well we'll sees about that.  I'm not brave enough to try it at the office just yet.

I'll let you know how I get on... 

Health Challenge #1 Natural Cold Remedies

I was going to wait until the weather got a bit colder to post this, but everybody around me seems to have succumbed to the common cold in the past week, and now I have too!

My throat started to feel dry and scratchy on Friday, and I'm now wheezy and seriously in danger of losing my voice!  Since I quit consuming dairy products in January this year, my colds have dramatically lessened in severity and nasal congestion is a thing of the past.  

Logically therefore, my first tip to beating a cold is...

1. Stop eating Dairy!

 

By dairy, I mean, milk, cheese, butter, cream, basically anything made from or with cow's, ewe's or goat's milk.

Milk and dairy products are considered by doctors to be mucus forming, and significantly worsen the catarrh associated with the common cold. Cutting them out while you have a cold is a smart move, and one recommended by the NHS as well as other online resources.

2. Eat yourself well

Lots of Fresh, Organic (where possible) fruits & vegetables, especially ones containing vitamin C and Zinc will help your body to fight the infection.

Onions and Garlic are often recommended for their strongly antiseptic, anti-viral, decongestant and expectorant properties.

This may not sound very exciting, but it's a nice, easy and cheap way to beat that cold.

3. Drink lots of water & fluids

We all know this one, but not everybody understands why it's so important. Yeah, yeah we say, I know I need to drink more water, but I don't feel like it!

Well the good news, is that you don't just have to drink cold water. Hot fruit infusions, ice lollies, coconut water, fruit juices, soups and broths are also on the menu.

When your immune system is fighting an infection or illness, your white blood cells have a lot of work on their hands. They capture and neutralise the bugs and send them into the urinary system to be expelled when you next have a wee. Now the problem is, in order for them to flush these nasties away down the tubes, they need extra water to do it. 

Consuming plenty of fluids with also help to stop any mucus secretions from thickening (Ewww! Yes, I know!), making it harder to breathe.

4. Ease your Airways

Take a hot bath to relax muscles & release taut airways, just make sure you don't get cold afterwards.

Keep your environmental air moist & humidified, take gentle outdoor exercise & get fresh air.  Remember to wrap up warm.

Personally, I like to use a simple tea-light oil burner in my home. I fill the dish with water and add a few drops of Eucalyptus essential oil which is an excellent decongestant.

 

Other essential oils that you may find helpful to add to your oil burner include:

Peppermint - Another great decongestant

Pine Needle  - A strong germ killer, excellent for viral infections

Clary Sage -  Mildly antiseptic, uplifting and relaxing

Thyme - Useful for headaches, coughs and colds

This is actually  one of my own oil burners!

5. Hot Mustard Footbath

I have tried this and it's actually quite pleasant. Not just an old wives tale, this does actually work! 

A mustard foot bath can unblock a head cold, help to reduce a fever and soothe a headache. It draws blood to the feet which helps to disperse congestion, increases circulation and eases pressure on the blood vessels in your head.

If you've got an old tin of mustard powder knocking about at the back of the kitchen cupboard, this could be well worth a go. Just be careful not to stain anything with the bright yellow water!

The proportions to use are 2tsp mustard powder to 1/2 pt hot (not boiling) water in a suitable bowl.  Pop your feet in, sit back and relax.

Remember to test the water temperature first - don't burn yourself!

6. Bee Propolis

Made in the beehive and used by bees as a natural defence against infection, I've had much success in the past treating all kinds of viral and bacterial ailments with propolis. 

Make sure you check the label on the jar and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

7. Holistic Therapies

Reiki is wonderful for any illness, and Hopi Ear Candles can be helpful to reduce painful congestion of the ears and nose, but unfortunately no holistic therapist is going to be very impressed if you turn up full of cold and pass your germs on to them, so please stay away!

Distance Reiki Healing is ideal for this, or if you're lucky enough to have somebody living in your household who is trained in Reiki, Hopi Ear candling or another holistic therapy that can help, then great. 

Otherwise this is a no-no!

~

Easy Remedies from the Kitchen

Sage leaf tea for sore throats (suitable for vegans)

You can buy sage leaf teabags at your local health food store for convenience, or fresh sage leaves can also be bought at your local supermarket. You may be lucky enough to have fresh sage growing in your garden.

Make up a large mug of tea using either a Sage teabag or 2-3 Sage leaves and boiling water. Leave to infuse for 3-5 minutes.

You may like to sip this throughout the day, but personally I'm not a fan of a hot drink that tastes like turkey stuffing, so I usually allow the mixture to cool, and use it to gargle with 3-4 times a day.

A Spoonful of Honey

Either taken by the spoonful, or added to hot drinks throughout the day,

Honey is a natural expectorant & antiseptic so it's great for colds, coughs and sore throats. If you take the time to read the ingredients on the side of any cough mixture bottle, you will usually find honey in there!

Acacia honey or Manuka honey are particularly helpful.

Lemon & Ginger Tea (suitable for vegans)

This is a personal favourite, and I'm not talking about the flavoured tea bags from the supermarket!

Ginger is an expectorant, a warming anti spasmodic, excellent for curing chills and it boosts the immune system.

Lemon contains a number of minerals & vitamins including potassium, and vitamins A, B & C and bioflavonoids.

To make up 2 pints, you will need, 1 large piece of ginger root (about 2 inches long), 1 whole unwaxed lemon & 2 pints of boiling water.

Peel the ginger & grate into the bottom of a large teapot or suitable large heat-proof jug. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze out all the juice using a citrus juicer, and add to the jug. Next cut the lemon skins into smaller pieces and add to the teapot or jug. Top up with boiling water, cover and leave to infuse for 3-5 minutes.

Add Honey or Agave syrup to taste.

~

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but should hopefully provide some easy and practical suggestions for next time you're feeling under the weather.

~ 

Further Reading

Sources used for this article:

Hedley, C & Shaw, W.: Herbal Remedies (2002).

Shreeve, Dr C.: Complete Wellbeing (2003).

Rich, P.: Practical Aromatherapy (2002)

www.nhs.org

www.livestrong.com

www.rdasia.com

Disclaimer

The information and all remedies mention in this article are not intended to be used or construed as a substitute for the professional medical care and advice provided by a physician.

People who take the information and make decisions regarding their health or medical care, which they believe are based on ideas contained in this article, do so at their own risk.

 The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions or information contained in the article, but offer this material as information which the public has the right to hear and utilise at their own discretion. 

Adventures in Vegetarianism

Those of you who have been following me for a while will be aware than I started on a new journey at the beginning of this year.

I finally decided that it was time for me to stop eating meat.

I've always enjoyed vegetarian food, but I've resisted being a vegetarian my whole life for various reasons, most of them centring around the incredibly annoying, holier than thou vegetarian "omnivore bashers" that I encountered as a teenager. I'm sure you've come across them. They are the ones who try to "convert" others, stick their nose in your business, tut loudly and tell you how wrong you are for eating a hamburger, that you're really stupid/evil/bad for eating meat, and come around the school canteen with nasty posters of dead animals as you're trying to eat your chicken salad in peace. (A twisted part of me would still want to eat a nice rare steak in front of them just to prove a point about personal choice!)

I've been through periods of my life where I was focussing very much on my spiritual work, and I ate less meat and animal products, but I'd never made the transition to actually call myself "vegetarian." I just wasn't comfortable with it, and vegan? Well, that just seemed too extreme.

Last October, I was lucky enough to meet a group of new friends at the pagan Wheel of the Year celebrations organised by the wonderful Darci Swift. We were each asked to send out love and blessings to whomever we wanted during the ritual, and one lady, Lindsay, said some poignant and heartfelt words, sending blessings to animals that were to be eaten.

Her words were very beautiful and peaceful, and I could tell that she was coming from a place of love and compassion for life rather than judgement or condemnation towards those who chose to eat meat.

The words resonated with me to such a degree that I finally felt ready to take make the transition to become vegetarian at the beginning of this year.

I spent many hours researching the subject online in order to get to grips with my new lifestyle, and came across a good number of articles about the health risks of dairy produce.  Upon researching in more detail, it became apparent that several chronic conditions I suffer with may all have their roots in an allergy to dairy produce, so I made a decision to drop that from my diet too.

In a nutshell (if you'll pardon the pun), I found myself practically vegan, much to my surprise, and actually loving it! It opened my eyes to all kinds of yummy foods I'd never considered and the dietary adjustment was relatively easy. I've always preferred cooking my meals from scratch, and I don't miss meat at all, nor do I feel the need to rely on "meat replacement" products.

Having removed dairy from my diet, and introduced soya which agrees with me very well indeed, my health and wellness have improved dramatically, and happily my carbon footprint is significantly reduced.

And as an added bonus, I've lost 7 pounds! Woohoo!

The last items on my list were honey and eggs. I've made my peace with giving up honey (once I finish the last jar in my cupboard; waste not want not!) and I've phased eggs out, replacing them instead with flaxseed when baking.

I've never been a hypocrite, and I certainly don't condemn anyone in their choices to eat meat, dairy produce or animal products, nor would I impose my beliefs on others. After all, my cat Evey is a carnivore and she can't survive without meat. Not to mention that in the past I have eaten a large variety of foods ranging from foie gras and lobster to kangaroo steak and crocodile jerky, and I may still squish the odd spider if it startles me in the shower!

But right now, I'm done with meat, fish, dairy and animal products.

Bring on the vegetables! :D