Vegetarian Zen
550 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 396 ratingsVegetarian and vegan information, tips, recipes, and more presented in a light, conversational, and nonjudgmental manner. We welcome input and feedback from our followers regarding issues you would like us to address as well as ways in which we can improve. Please don't hesitate to contact us and let us know how we can help. If you enjoy and find value in our podcast, we would very much appreciate a favorable review on iTunes. This would help us tremendously. Thanks, and we hope you enjoy Vegetarian Zen.
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Episodes
VZ 049: Fruits and Vegetables That Will Keep You Hydrated
May 25, 2014 14:00 - 30 minutes - 35 MBSummer is nearly upon us. Down here in South Texas, it’s already steamy and hot. We all know that staying hydrated is important, and even more so during the warmer months. But, besides drinking plenty of water, did you know that eating certain fruits and vegetables will help keep your body healthy and hydrated? In […] The post VZ 049: Fruits and Vegetables That Will Keep You Hydrated appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 048: Foods That Seem Vegetarian (But Are Not!)
May 18, 2014 14:00 - 32 minutes - 37.1 MBIf a food doesn’t contain chunks of meat it’s vegetarian, right? Not necessarily. Being vegetarian or vegan isn’t just about going “meatless”. There are some foods that have hidden animal products in them that you’ll want to be aware of if you’re trying to maintain a strictly vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. In this episode, we’ll clue […] The post VZ 048: Foods That Seem Vegetarian (But Are Not!) appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 047: Summer Fruits and Vegetables
May 11, 2014 21:52 - 34 minutes - 39.3 MBSummer is nearly here. A time for picnics, grilling out, spending time outside with family and friends. For many, some of our best memories are tied to summertime and food. When you were a kid did you enjoy fat slices of juicy watermelon out on the porch? How about grilled corn on the cob, seasoned […] The post VZ 047: Summer Fruits and Vegetables appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 046: Can a Plant-Based Diet Help Alleviate Seasonal Allergies?
May 04, 2014 14:00 - 31 minutes - 35.9 MBFunny story: when I was researching the topic for this episode, I went out searching for information about how eating meat could make you more succeptible to seasonal allergies. I thought surely that would be true. I mean, eating meat is bad for your body in so many other ways, right? Why couldn’t it make […] The post VZ 046: Can a Plant-Based Diet Help Alleviate Seasonal Allergies? appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 045: Interview with Farnoosh Brock
April 27, 2014 17:00 - 35 minutes - 40.9 MBIn this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we are happy to be joined by Farnoosh Brock, founder and president of Prolific Living, and author of The Healthy Juicer’s Bible: Lose Weight, Detoxify, Fight Disease, and Live Long. In this interview, Farnoosh shares with us some insights from her newest book The Healthy Smoothie Bible: […] The post VZ 045: Interview with Farnoosh Brock appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 044: Healthy Fats
April 20, 2014 17:00 - 23 minutes - 27.3 MBFat is bad for you, right? Otherwise, why would food companies produce items labeled “low-fat”, “reduced fat” or “fat free”? Despite the implications of many popular diets, we do need some fat in our bodies. Fat helps protect our organs from getting banged around when we move, and the right kinds of fat are important […] The post VZ 044: Healthy Fats appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 043: Sleep Well Naturally
April 13, 2014 14:53 - 37 minutes - 42.9 MB“I have a big report due at work tomorrow.” “Where did I leave my keys?” “I need to pick up the dry cleaning in the morning.” “Where did I leave my keys?” “Kayleigh needs 3 dozen cupcakes for school on Friday.” “WHERE DID I LEAVE MY KEYS?” With all of this going through you head […] The post VZ 043: Sleep Well Naturally appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 042: Herb Gardening
April 06, 2014 14:00 - 29 minutes - 34.7 MBWe love cooking with fresh herbs. They provide amazing flavor for just about any dish you can cook and, if you grow them at home, cost very little. In this episode, we provide a high-level overview of herb gardening. We discuss which herbs are annuals and which are perennials, the benefits of growing herbs in […] The post VZ 042: Herb Gardening appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 041: Our Review of Mayim’s Vegan Table
April 01, 2014 01:52 - 29 minutes - 33.7 MBAcclaimed actress, accomplished neuroscientist, awesome mom and full-time vegan Mayim Bialik has now created a vegan cookbook, aptly called Mayim’s Vegan Table. Packed with over 100 recipes plus four chapters full of helpful tips and guidelines, this book is easily a must-have for every vegan kitchen. Join us in this episode as we offer […] The post VZ 041: Our Review of Mayim’s Vegan Table appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 040: Meal Planning 101
March 24, 2014 15:24 - 32 minutes - 38.2 MBTwo of the biggest obstacles to eating healthy meals during the week are time and effort. How often do we come home tired from a long day at work and end up eating pre-packaged, easy to cook foods or take-out fast food? In this episode of the podcast, we offer seven meal planning tips that will […] The post VZ 040: Meal Planning 101 appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 039: Meal Prepping Shortcuts
March 16, 2014 17:57 - 42 minutes - 49.1 MBOne of the biggest arguments against eating fresh, wholesome, healthy foods involves time. After a long day at the office and a long commute home, many people say it’s just too late to make a healthy meal and still eat at a decent hour. It’s much easier and faster to go through a drive-through, pick […] The post VZ 039: Meal Prepping Shortcuts appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 038: Discussing the Documentary “Super Size Me”
March 09, 2014 21:02 - 43 minutes - 49.7 MBDid you know that when “Super Size Me” was filmed back in 2004 only seven McDonald’s menu items (hash browns, sausage, chicken McNuggets, coffee, tea and diet coke) did not contain sugar? How about the fact that a today’s ten-piece order of chicken McNuggets contains 470 calories, 30 grams of fat and 900 milligrams of […] The post VZ 038: Discussing the Documentary “Super Size Me” appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 037: Vegetarianism & the Environment
March 02, 2014 23:58 - 33 minutes - 38.9 MBRaising animals for human consumption has a tremendous negative impact on our environment. Grazing animals such as cattle, sheep and goats release harmful gases into the atmosphere as part of their digestive process. The estimated number of cattle currently being farmed worldwide is 1.5 billion. Add to this number billions of other grazing animals, both […] The post VZ 037: Vegetarianism & the Environment appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 036: More About Juicing
February 23, 2014 21:27 - 33 minutes - 38.9 MBSo, you’ve been juicing for a while now (like we have), and you love it (we do too). But how do you know for sure you’re “doing it right”? Are you prepping your fruits and veggies correctly? What should you peel, and which peels are okay to leave on? Which foods are beneficial for which […] The post VZ 036: More About Juicing appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 035: Breakfast Protein Options for Vegetarians
February 16, 2014 19:39 - 37 minutes - 43.7 MBOne of the questions most persistently asked of vegetarians and vegans is “How do you get enough protein?” As any veg*n will tell you, this question gets old fast. But how do we, especially at breakfast, which really is “the most important meal of the day”. In this episode, we discuss how some traditional breakfast […] The post VZ 035: Breakfast Protein Options for Vegetarians appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
Bonus 01: Bonus Episode – Health Benefits of Cacao & Chocolate
February 14, 2014 17:03 - 18 minutes - 21 MBWhat’s that, you say? Chocolate is good for you? Okay, okay…before you go out and load up on Whitman’s Samplers at the grocery store, there are a few rules. Many children (and I was one of them) long for the “I can eat anything I want” aspect of adulthood,imagining, perhaps, swimming pools full of Skittles and […] The post Bonus 01: Bonus Episode – Health Benefits of Cacao & Chocolate appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 034: Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux
February 09, 2014 20:24 - 32 minutes - 37.3 MBI’m sure many of you have had that ugly, burning feeling in your stomach or throat. You know the one, where it feels like acid is burning holes in your gut. This is a fire that water doesn’t put out, and don’t dare drink milk, which is a notorious acid-producer! Of course modern medicine has […] The post VZ 034: Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 033: Reasons to Eat Less Dairy
February 02, 2014 20:19 - 32 minutes - 37.7 MBDespite the decades-long campaign that milk and other dairy products are essential for a healthy body, current evidence shows exactly the contrary. The fact that humans are the only species that drink the milk of other animals should be a pretty big clue that it is not meant for us. In-depth research has proven that […] The post VZ 033: Reasons to Eat Less Dairy appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 032: Fight Illness and Allergies Naturally
January 26, 2014 19:14 - 41 minutes - 48.2 MBThe season of nasty colds, ugly flu viruses and winter allergies is upon us. Coughing, chest congestion, itching and achiness conspire to make us miserable. Television, magazine ads and conventional medicine have taught us to rush to the drugstore and load up on cough syrups and drops, pills for congestion,itching, sniffling and sneezing, medicines to […] The post VZ 032: Fight Illness and Allergies Naturally appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 031: Lessons Learned in a Year of Being Vegetarian
January 20, 2014 05:29 - 34 minutes - 40.3 MBThe beginning of a new year is a good time to reflect on the wins and losses of the previous year. Because this month is also our one-year Veggie-versary, we thought it would be the perfect time to record a retrospective episode of sorts. We discuss the things we think we did well as new […] The post VZ 031: Lessons Learned in a Year of Being Vegetarian appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 030: Coming Out As A Vegetarian
January 05, 2014 15:00 - 30 minutes - 34.9 MBBecoming a vegetarian or vegan is a big decision, one which family and friends may or may not agree with. In the end, of course, it is completely personal but as with any major life change, having the support of those around you can make the transition easier. Certain stereotypes about vegetarians and vegans exist […] The post VZ 030: Coming Out As A Vegetarian appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 029: New Year’s Resolutions
December 29, 2013 20:17 - 36 minutes - 42.1 MBFrom the time we are kids we hear about New Year’s resolutions. Adults make them…and break them. Kids emulate their parents and make them…and break them even faster! What kid wants to actually keep a resolution to clean her room or be nice to his little brother? Although the practice has its origins in pre-Christian […] The post VZ 029: New Year’s Resolutions appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 028: Tim Paige Interview
December 22, 2013 19:55 - 34 minutes - 39.5 MBThis episode features our very first interview, with none other than the voice of our podcast intro track, Tim Paige! Besides being a fellow vegetarian, Tim is the co-host, with John Lee Dumas, of the Love Your Leap podcast. Love Your Leap is focused on helping individuals make the transition from a corporate job to […] The post VZ 028: Tim Paige Interview appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 027: Keeping Pets Safe & Healthy During the Holidays
December 15, 2013 19:28 - 31 minutes - 35.9 MBWe’re all busy during the holiday season. Buying and wrapping gifts, making cookies, attending and/or hosting parties, making airport runs, keeping the kids busy, and so much more. With so much going on, sometimes pets can fade into the background a bit. Not that we don’t love them less during this busy time, of course, […] The post VZ 027: Keeping Pets Safe & Healthy During the Holidays appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 026: Our Lift Coaching Plan to Eat More Vegetables & Fruits
December 08, 2013 20:26 - 27 minutes - 32.4 MBIt’s official…we’ve published our very first Lift Coaching Plan, aptly entitled “Eat More Vegetables and Fruits“! We’ve discussed the Lift app before on our podcast, and Vickie wrote a comprehensive blog post, “Three Reasons I Love the Lift Habit-Tracking Application for iPhone”, back in October explaining exactly what Lift is and how it works. Recently […] The post VZ 026: Our Lift Coaching Plan to Eat More Vegetables & Fruits appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ025: Tips for Avoiding Toxic Toys
December 01, 2013 22:18 - 24 minutes - 28.6 MBWe all want to protect our kids from harm. We teach them to not talk to strangers and to look both ways when crossing the street. We feed them healthy foods and encourage other healthy habits. We want them to be happy and entertained, so we buy them fun and educational things they want to […] The post VZ025: Tips for Avoiding Toxic Toys appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 024: Thanksgiving Tips for Vegetarians
November 24, 2013 22:52 - 36 minutes - 42.6 MBWhen we come together to celebrate the holidays, food is,usually the focal point around which we gather. Further, the centerpiece of most of our holiday meals is meat. Turkey for Thanksgiving. Turkey or goose for Christmas. Ham for New Year’s and Easter. Barbecue for Memorial Day, Labor Day and the Fourth of July. We can’t […] The post VZ 024: Thanksgiving Tips for Vegetarians appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 023: Exercise Hacks
November 17, 2013 22:02 - 43 minutes - 50 MBEven the most dedicated fitness fanatics sometimes find it challenging to get the job done. For those who don’t enjoy it in the first place, the challenge can sometimes be overwhelming! In this episode, we discuss tips to help keep you motivated and moving toward your fitness goals. We include a wide range of exercise […] The post VZ 023: Exercise Hacks appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 022: Oh No! GMO!
November 10, 2013 17:28 - 39 minutes - 46.1 MBUnfortunately, GMOs (genetically modified organisms) have become pervasive in our society today. Often under the guise of increasing crop yields, drought tolerance, or nutritional values, biotechnical companies have created “Frankenfoods” that have delivered on none of these promises. Instead, the primary advantage of these genetically engineered crops is that they are resistant to the […] The post VZ 022: Oh No! GMO! appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 021: The Importance of Buying Organic
November 03, 2013 18:28 - 40 minutes - 46.9 MB“Buy organic” seems to be a popular buzz phrase these days. With all the talk about genetically-modified foods, the overuse of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, and the connection of these chemicals with deadly diseases such as cancer, understanding the importance of buying and consuming organic foods is crucial. In this episode, we explore […] The post VZ 021: The Importance of Buying Organic appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 020: Tips for a Healthy Halloween
October 27, 2013 18:31 - 31 minutes - 36.8 MBKids love candy, adults love candy…Halloween is awesome! We all know that candy and other sweet treats are not exactly nutritionally valuable, so in this episode we discuss ways to make Halloween activities a little more healthy for you and your family. From trick-or-treating strategies to healthier candy options for giving (as well as […] The post VZ 020: Tips for a Healthy Halloween appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 019: What’s In Season? Fall Fruits and Vegetables
October 20, 2013 19:46 - 42 minutes - 49.1 MBThe Fall season brings us a bounty of wonderful, healthy fruits and vegetables. From the many varieties of winter squash (including the Halloween vegetable mascot, the pumpkin) to apples, pomegranates, cauliflower, root vegetables and dark, leafy greens, Mother Nature provides us an endless supply of healthy meal and snack options. Join us on this […] The post VZ 019: What’s In Season? Fall Fruits and Vegetables appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 018: Food and Mood
October 14, 2013 00:30 - 36 minutes - 42 MBIt’s all too easy to blame our moods on purely external circumstances beyond our control. A bad day at the office caused you to be irritable. You’re tired because you didn’t sleep well last night, or maybe you’re just bored. Even positive moods are generally thought to be caused by things that happen to us […] The post VZ 018: Food and Mood appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ017: All About Beans
October 06, 2013 21:23 - 30 minutes - 34.9 MBBeans and other legumes just may be the vegetarian’s and vegan’s best friends. Pinto, kidney, red, pink, Great Northern, lima…no matter which one you choose, you’ll be picking a winner. Beans — as well as other legumes such as peas, lentils and peanuts — are amazing sources of protein, fiber and complex carbohydrates as […] The post VZ017: All About Beans appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 016: Let’s Celebrate National Kale Day!
September 29, 2013 22:27 - 35 minutes - 40.6 MBNational Kale Day is coming up on Wednesday, October 2, and Vegetarian Zen is on board to celebrate it. As NKD ambassadors, we are spreading the word about kale far and wide. To that end, this episode of the podcast is all about kale and its special day. We introduce listeners to the brains […] The post VZ 016: Let’s Celebrate National Kale Day! appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 015: A Review of the Documentary Film Forks Over Knives
September 22, 2013 17:29 - 40 minutes - 46.5 MBAre foods derived from animals the only source of protein for humans? Is drinking cow’s milk necessary for humans in order to get enough calcium? If you answered “no” to both of these questions, you would be correct. You would also be among a small segment of the American population who agrees with you. These […] The post VZ 015: A Review of the Documentary Film Forks Over Knives appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 014: Our Favorite Myths About Vegetarianism
September 15, 2013 17:36 - 31 minutes - 36.9 MBIn this episode, we take on some of the most common myths about vegetarianism and veganism. Before becoming vegetarians, we actually held some of these beliefs ourselves. Once we made our lifestyle changes, we began to learn how mistaken we were. For example, we’ve learned that these common misconceptions just aren’t true: Vegetarians do not […] The post VZ 014: Our Favorite Myths About Vegetarianism appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 013: This for That – Healthy Recipe Substitutions
September 07, 2013 17:42 - 28 minutes - 33.2 MBCommon sense tells us that skim milk is healthier than whole milk, correct? Less fat equals healthier. But what is healthier than skim milk? How about plant and nut milks: soy, almond, hemp, rice, or coconut? Generally lower in fat content (although coconut milk has a high fat content, it is plant-derived, not animal) […] The post VZ 013: This for That – Healthy Recipe Substitutions appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 012: Tips to Avoid Being a Junk Food Vegetarian
September 01, 2013 17:02 - 26 minutes - 31.3 MBWhen we first became vegetarians, we simply stopped eating meat without changing our other bad eating habits. Consequently, we discovered that we did not initially feel as great as we thought we would. We had fallen into an all-too-common trap…we had become Junk Food Vegetarians! Healthy vegetarianism and veganism are about more than just […] The post VZ 012: Tips to Avoid Being a Junk Food Vegetarian appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 011: Surviving Football Season as a Vegetarian
August 25, 2013 15:00 - 29 minutes - 34.4 MBFootball season is once again upon us! Whether you’re an NFL fan, a college follower or both, you’ll need to have good strategies in place to maintain your vegetarian or vegan lifestyle while attending tailgate parties, fantasy draft parties, or the games themselves. You can even play host to a party or two yourself without scaring off […] The post VZ 011: Surviving Football Season as a Vegetarian appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 010: Back To School the Healthy Way
August 18, 2013 16:26 - 28 minutes - 32.5 MBGetting ready for back-to-school is hectic, no doubt. Lots to do, too little time to get it all done. Summer was too short (for the kids, anyway!). On top of shots, new clothes, school supplies and convincing the kids that this year is going to be GREAT, you want to ensure that you feed […] The post VZ 010: Back To School the Healthy Way appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 009: Why We Love “The Healthy Juicer’s Bible”
August 11, 2013 16:00 - 27 minutes - 32.2 MBWhen we first became vegetarians, we also became juicers. We did a lot of reading online, of course, but the first book we bought was Farnoosh Brock’s The Healthy Juicer’s Bible: Lose Weight, Detoxify, Fight Disease, and Live Long. It quickly became our go-to reference for all things juicing, from selecting a juicer to […] The post VZ 009: Why We Love “The Healthy Juicer’s Bible” appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 008: All About Tofu
August 04, 2013 15:55 - 26 minutes - 31.2 MBTofu…often the first thing that comes to the mind of an omnivore when introduced to a vegetarian; as in, “So, do you eat that tofu stuff? What exactly is that stuff, anyway?” In this episode, we demystify those little white blocks by providing a short lesson about how tofu is made, the different types […] The post VZ 008: All About Tofu appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 007: Getting Enough Protein as a Vegetarian or Vegan
July 28, 2013 18:00 - 26 minutes - 31.1 MB“If you don’t eat animal products, how on earth are you getting enough protein in your diet?” This is one of the most commonly asked questions regarding living a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. Meat, eggs and dairy products provide the majority of protein for omnivores. In Episode 007, we explore this issue, focusing on […] The post VZ 007: Getting Enough Protein as a Vegetarian or Vegan appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 006: Vacationing & Grilling, Vegetarian-Style
July 22, 2013 02:57 - 32 minutes - 37.2 MBIn this episode, we discuss two favorite pastimes during the summer season: vacationing & grilling. We offer some great tips for grilling vegetables and fruit, such as marinating, grilling times, and other techniques. We also discuss ways to maintain a vegetarian lifestyle while on the road, including making the most of a great online […] The post VZ 006: Vacationing & Grilling, Vegetarian-Style appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 005: Living Healthy with a Vitamix Blender
July 15, 2013 01:04 - 23 minutes - 26.9 MBIn the previous episode, we discussed the differences between juicing and blending, and reviewed the juicer we use, the Omega VRT350. In this episode, we offer a review of our blender, the Vitamix 1365 CIA Professional Series. The Vitamix does so much more than what a standard blender or smoothie-maker does. Tune in to this […] The post VZ 005: Living Healthy with a Vitamix Blender appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 004: Juice It Up!
July 07, 2013 18:25 - 31 minutes - 36.9 MBThis episode of the podcast is all about juicers and juicing. Vickie explains the differences between juicing and blending, and why they are both important, albeit for unique reasons. We go on to discuss the different types of juicers, exactly how each type works, and the benefits and shortcomings of each. We then launch […] The post VZ 004: Juice It Up! appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 003: Time Is On My Side
June 26, 2013 20:01 - 49 minutes - 57.4 MBOne of the most often-used excuses for not living a healthy, active lifestyle is that “there’s not enough time”. In this episode, we offer lots of helpful, time-saving tips for healthy eating, fitting exercise into your daily routine, and being more productive at work and in your personal life. Larissa presents some simple ways […] The post VZ 003: Time Is On My Side appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 002: A Life of Spice
June 26, 2013 14:35 - 40 minutes - 46.6 MBIn the first part of this episode we discuss the many benefits of spices and herbs and the ways they can be used. Although we mention others, we focus specifically on four: ginger, cinnamon, rosemary and lemon balm. We talk about how using herbs and spices has helped us to keep our diets interesting […] The post VZ 002: A Life of Spice appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.
VZ 001: Here We Go!
June 25, 2013 14:51 - 18 minutes - 21.4 MBWow! It’s finally here…the very first episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, aptly entitled “Here We Go!”. We’ve been working hard to pack each episode with amazing, informative and entertaining content for you, so here goes! In this first episode we introduce ourselves (and spill a little secret!). We share our journey to becoming […] The post VZ 001: Here We Go! appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.