Thursday, December 29, 2016

Look what happened!!!

This is the last blog post of this year! sniff sniff! But thankfully it's all good news!
 
When I look back at 2016, I am absolutely amazed at all we have accomplished in the good food movement. While this year has been full of surprises and a lot of turmoil – there is SO MUCH GOOD to reflect on! Everything from food companies finally listening to us, to a whirlwind book tour, to meeting so many of you... These are the experiences that I never want to forget, and which will continue to inspire me into the new year. I want you to feel inspired and motivated to take on 2017 too! There has been a lot of sadness in the world, but it is important to take the time each day to focus on the good in our lives.
 
 
Read this new post today, share it with your friends and family and ask them to join our movement. We need all hands on deck in the coming new year.
 
Sending much love to you all!
 
Xo,
Vani 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

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Tuesday, December 27, 2016

$20 in organic food? Yes, please!

Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend! There is nothing worse than being hungry after a big weekend of eating treats and opening up my pantry only to find it empty! Having a kitchen stocked up with all the right essentials is key to sticking to a healthy diet, so I do everything I can to make sure that I'm prepared by keeping my favorite staples on hand. But it can be tough during the holiday season when you are focused on so many other things!

That's one of the reasons I partnered with Thrive Market - an online shop that has organic groceries at a fraction of the price found at other stores. Their website allows me to quickly stock up on the grocery staples I love at drastically reduced prices (up to 25-50% off) with free shipping when I spend over $49. Even for someone like me, that lives in close proximity to several natural food stores, the convenience of having organic food delivered straight to my house makes me so happy - especially since it's way cheaper too!

Here are some of my favorite staples I get from Thrive Market (plus many more here)... 

  1. Simply Organic Cayenne Pepper - I use this organic cayenne pepper every morning for my daily lemon water habit. Cayenne is a little powerhouse that can boost metabolism, fight food cravings, and enhance blood circulation. It's vital to only use organic spices like this, to avoid those that have been treated with chemicals and are irradiated. All of the processing that non-organic spices go through diminishes their health benefits!

  1. Yellow Barn Pasta Sauce - I like to serve this over spaghetti squash or organic pasta. These sauces taste like homemade - plus they're organic, biodynamic and taste so good you could eat right out of the jar with the spoon!

  1. Tolerant Lentil Pasta - This tastes like pasta, but instead of using heavily processed flours, it's made entirely out of organic lentils and peas. It goes great with Yellow Barn's pasta sauce! This pasta is extremely high in protein and fiber and is super filling - so it's perfect for a meatless meal. Tolerant pastas can be a bit spendy in stores, but Thrive Market has an amazing price on these! 

  1. Kale Chips - It's no secret that I love kale, but even if you aren't a fan of kale these might change your mind! They make a fun and crunchy snack that is a much healthier alternative to fried chips. They're made with whole food ingredients and these kale chips are also dairy-free but taste cheesy! They come in little bags that are great for traveling or bringing to the office.

  1. Organic Nuts - It's straight-up shocking what some brands add to nuts... like hidden MSG, GMO oils, and preservatives. Nuts are healthy, but not when they are loaded up with ingredients like that! That's why I buy just plain organic nuts - usually raw and always without any preservatives or other nasty additives. I like to add these to oatmeal, make homemade nut milk, or just have them handy for a quick snack! It can be hard to find good quality organic nuts in some stores (especially organic pistachios and pecans!) and Thrive Market has a big selection that is super affordable (one 16 oz  bag will last a long time!)

Pick these favorites up at Thrive Market and see the rest of my favorite pantry staples here!

If you've never shopped at Thrive Market before, they'll give you $20 off your first order of $40 or more - and that's on top of their already awesome prices! No code needed to get $20 off, just go to this link and the coupon will automatically be applied once you've added $40 to your cart.

They'll also give you your first month free so you can try it out and see if you love it as much as I do. The way Thrive Market works is similar to Costco because you need to join to shop, but their membership fee is really reasonable (works out to about $5 month, for which you will be charged annually after your one month trial membership). This increases their buying power, and that is how they can offer these discounted prices. For every paid membership, they give a free membership to a low-income family - which is another reason that I love partnering with companies like this!

If someone just handed me a $20 coupon for Whole Foods I would immediately run to the store and stock up! Wouldn't you?

Use your $20 off Thrive Market coupon here ($40 minimum purchase required)

When it comes to buying organic food, Thrive Market has really become a lifesaver for me. I hope it helps you buy all of the organic goodies that you need to stock up your kitchen with the healthiest foods at a reasonable price. As Thrive Market is a partner of ours, your purchase also supports the work we do here at Food Babe, so thank you!

If any of your friends or family live far away from natural food stores, complain about organic food prices or just need to save time and money, please forward this email to them.

Xo,

Vani

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, you can update your preferences here.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

The worst holiday drink I’ve ever seen.

When I received the ingredient list for Chick-fil-A's new holiday drink - I could not believe my eyes. There are so many controversial ingredients in there and the list is a mile long! It's insanity!

Of course I can't keep this information to myself, so I published the complete list for you. See the scandalous ingredient list here.

I'm not saying you shouldn't have festive treats for the holidays, but it just baffles me how food companies and restaurants fill their food with the WORST possible ingredients in the name of the holidays! The holidays shouldn't be an excuse to poison the public, and you can still enjoy delicious goodies without junky ingredients.

In my new post on the blog, I discuss why to avoid holiday death traps like this shake and give you a round-up of my favorite healthy holiday treats. Read it here.

If you know someone who is still eating at Chick-fil-A, please share this information with them and spread the word! Who knows… maybe someday restaurants like Chick-fil-A will start creating holiday treats that are actually made with real food!

Xo,

Vani

P.S. Don't forget to check out my favorite LAST MINUTE gift ideas - Including offers from my favorite companies that expire this week! See them all here - especially this water filter that is the gift that keeps giving!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, you can update your preferences here.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Beware of this aisle at the grocery store...

If you do one thing this holiday season - avoid what I call "The Holiday Death Aisle" at the supermarket and discount drug stores. That aisle is filled with brightly colored JUNK made with bleached and heavily processed flour, artificial colors derived from petroleum, nasty preservatives, GMO refined white sugars and GMO oils, and conflict palm oil.

Just because it's the holidays, you don't need to subject your body to ingredients like this!

Years ago, I stopped buying packaged holiday candies and cookies and started the tradition of baking seasonal treats with real whole food organic ingredients instead - and I've never looked back!

My new holiday cookie recipe is sure to become a favorite around here, and there's no refined sugar! These Almond Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies look a little fancy, but only take about 15 minutes of your time to put together – quicker than it would take to run to the store! Get the step-by-step directions and recipe here.

Also, if you are in the baking mood like I am around here (nesting until the baby comes!)... Here are some other holiday treat recipes that are favorites of mine. I hope you make a few of these goodies for your friends and family this holiday season.

Feel free to share this list of recipes with your friends and family too! Let's help everyone make healthier treats this year and beyond.

Xo,

Vani

P.S. If you are still looking for last minute gift ideas, you've got to check out my Food Babe Favorites! Our partners have extended some amazing discounts just for you to get the perfect gift.

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, you can update your preferences here.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

9 life changing books!

I've got a brand new post for you today with a round up of my favorite LAST MINUTE GIFT ideas - Including 9 books that have changed my life! Most of these books came out this year and I'm so excited to share them with you. 

See the list here

Your friends and family are going to love these!

Xo,

Vani 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, you can update your preferences here.

Friday, December 9, 2016

Food Babe Gift Alert! Get the toxic chemicals out of your meat.

Today is the VERY LAST DAY that my new partner Butcher Box will give you $25 off a box full of antibiotic and hormone free meat that was NEVER raised on a factory farm. Make sure to enter the code "foodbabe" to get this special offer!

Also when you get your Butcher Box, you can use the good meat to make new recipes like this new one I posted yesterday on the blog. It's an extremely satisfying meal and and you can do everything in just one pan! Get the new recipe here.

If you haven't made the commitment to stop buying factory farm meat, here's why you should:

  • Factory farm animals are crammed together in inhumane living conditions, subsisting on a diet of chemical-laden GMOs and antibiotics, while being pumped full of hormones and drugs to make them grow bigger.
  • Toxic chemicals accumulate in the fatty tissue of animals.
  • These animals are not healthy. And when we eat animals that are not healthy - we become unhealthy
  • Grass-fed and pastured meat is healthier for you - lower in total fat, while being higher in heart-healthy Omega 3's that help to reduce inflammation. It's also higher in some vitamins and minerals.
  • One of the best ways to stop factory farming is to vote with your dollars and support farmers who are doing the right thing - and Butcher Box is a great way to do that.

Get $25 off your first Butcher Box with the code "foodbabe" here - Ends today!

It's not easy to find grass fed and pastured meats that are raised in humane conditions on family farms at grocery stores - especially since labeling can be confusing. That's why I partnered with Butcher Box. They have done the work for you and found small family farms that hold quality and animal welfare as their core values.

How Butcher Box works (and why it's the perfect affordable and convenient solution):

  • Choose which box you prefer from their selection of 100% Grass-fed Beef, Organic/Pastured Chicken and/or Heritage Breed Pork. You can also include delicious add-ons like uncured sugar-free bacon and whole chickens.
  • Set it up so that you'll automatically get a new Butcher Box sent to your house every month, or every 2 months, or every 3 months.
  • Use the code "foodbabe" to get your $25 discount!
  • Butcher Box will ship your box to your house for free. All meats will arrive frozen solid with enough for about 20 individual meals!
  • You can change your schedule or cancel at anytime! No commitments.

There is no better gift than one that promotes health. This holiday season, I hope that you give yourself and your family this wonderful gift and see how much better you feel. It's truly life-changing!

Have a great weekend!

Xo,

Vani

P.S. Remember after today, the $25 off offer ends. Choose your Butcher Box here before midnight tonight, if you'd like to try the service!

 

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, you can update your preferences here.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Revealing My Next Favorite Gift!!!

I hope you have put some of the tips I shared with you last week into action, and if you haven't - don't worry, I've got a solution for you today that will make avoiding factory farmed meat even EASIER!

When you stop buying meat raised on factory farms you will feel SO MUCH better! You'll no longer be eating meats with the accumulated toxins that come from living crammed together in inhumane living conditions, subsisting on a diet of chemical-laden GMOs and antibiotics, while being pumped full of hormones and drugs to make them grow bigger.

This is NOT how we should be raising animals for food, and I know you agree with me.

From the mountains of emails I've received, I see that many of you desperately want to stop buying meat from factory farms, and that's why I have a new partner here at FoodBabe.com that will help you (and everyone you know) do just that!

Butcher Box is a home delivery service that provides a convenient and affordable solution that will make it easy for you to kiss factory farmed meat goodbye FOR GOOD. You don't even need to leave your house!

Butcher Box's meats are 100% grass-fed and grass finished, antibiotic and hormone free, and NEVER raised on a factory farm. Not only is their beef, chicken, and pork better for you and the world we live in - but they will ship it directly to you!

Get a very EXCLUSIVE $25 off of any Butcher Box when you use the code "foodbabe"- this week only (expires Friday, 12/9/16)! This offer is not available anywhere else and is just for Food Babe email subscribers and your friends.

Get Your Butcher Box Here.

Not only am I now using this service, but I've got my team and some family members on board too! Here's why we love them:

  • They have done the work for you and found small family farms that hold quality and animal welfare as their core values, who never use hormones or antibiotics and grass-finish their cattle. No more scrutinizing labels at the store and searching high and low for farms that you can trust!
  • Each Butcher Box comes with your choice of dinner-ready 100% Grass-fed Beef, Organic/Pastured Chicken or Heritage Breed Pork, with enough for about 20 individual meals! If you need some inspiration, they include recipe cards with every box too.
  • You get to choose which type of meat you and your family prefer. For instance, if you don't eat beef you can choose their new chicken and pork box + delicious add-ons like uncured sugar-free bacon and whole chickens.
  • It's a flexible subscription service, depending on how much meat you and your family eat on a regular basis. You can set it up so that you'll automatically get a new Butcher Box sent to your house every month, or every 2 months, or every 3 months + you can change the schedule or cancel at anytime! No commitments.
  • The selection varies every month so you won't get stuck in a rut!
  • Choosing only grass-fed and pastured meat is extremely beneficial to your health. These meats are lower in total fat, while being higher in heart-healthy Omega 3's that help to reduce inflammation. They are also higher in some vitamins and minerals.
  • When we met the founders (Mike & Mike), we immediately saw that they share the same values in wanting to fix our broken food system. One of the best ways to make a difference is to vote with your dollars and support farmers who are doing the right thing and Butcher Box is a great way to do that.

Let's show the meat industry that we don't want to buy their factory farmed meat any longer!

Try Butcher Box now and get $25 off with code "foodbabe". This code expires this Friday, December 9th so don't delay!

This is also one of my Food Babe Favorite Gifts of the season that makes the perfect gift to your loved ones (and yourself). There is no better gift than one that promotes health. I hope that you give yourself and your family this wonderful gift and see how much better you feel. It's truly life-changing!

See The Butcher Box Gift Options Here.

Every purchase helps to support the work and investigations that we do here at Food Babe, so my team and I thank you very much for the support.

Xo,

Vani

P.S. If you know anyone who would love access to grass-fed and pastured meats, please forward this email to them! We're changing the way the industry produces our food together - and we need everyone on board!

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, you can update your preferences here.

Friday, December 2, 2016

This should come with a warning label - but doesn’t!

Wow, what a response from my last email! It is clear that you are concerned about the meat you eat out in restaurants and buy to cook in your home. I received so many questions about how to identify factory farmed meat when shopping at the grocery store, what kind of labels to look for, which brands to avoid, etc.

These are ALL excellent questions and I want to share my favorite tips with you today!

Meat and dairy companies often use pictures of grassy farms and terms like "Natural", "Humanely Raised", and "Cage Free" on their packaging. Don't fall for it! Most of this is just marketing.

Below is a list of popular labels you'll find on meat and what they REALLY mean.

Even if you've been buying the same brands for years and think it's safe, check it again and really examine the labeling on the package to make sure you know what you're getting. They do try to trick you!

Meat with unverified labels like these could have been (and likely was) raised on a factory farm and is not usually the best choice:

  • Natural - No artificial ingredients or added color and it's only minimally processed. May still have been given hormones, antibiotics, drugs, and raised on GMOs in a factory farm. This label doesn't mean what it should and is essentially meaningless!
  • Humanely Raised or Raised in a Humane Environment – The term "humane" is not properly regulated and there are no USDA standards. Brands like Simple Truth and Harvestland brands – have been caught raising their chickens on factory farms although they were labeled this way.
  • No Added Hormones - No hormones were given during the animal's lifetime, but they may have still been given antibiotics or other growth promoting drugs. This is a common label on poultry and pork, but it means absolutely nothing because the USDA does not allow hormones to be administered to poultry or pork anyway! This is a shady way to mislead customers.
  • Raised Without Antibiotics - No antibiotics were given during the animal's lifetime. May have still been administered hormones (if not poultry or pork) or other growth-promoting drugs such as ractopamine in turkey, and may have been fed GMOs on a factory farm.
  • Vegetarian Fed - Not fed any animal products. May have been fed grains, GMOs, antibiotics, or given growth hormones.
  • Free Range - Animals had access to the outdoors, but it is possible that they never stepped outside. May have still been administered hormones, antibiotics, or other growth-promoting drugs such as ractopamine, and may have been fed GMOs on a factory farm.
  • "Cage Free" on poultry - This label on poultry is misleading because only chickens raised for eggs are typically caged.
  • Grass fed - Unless 3rd party certified (see below for more info), this term is not properly regulated and the USDA allows this term to be used on factory farmed meat. May have still been administered hormones, antibiotics, or other growth-promoting drugs such as ractopamine.

It sure would be nice if factory farmed meat had a big giant WARNING LABEL on it, but unfortunately it doesn't...

That's why I prefer to obtain meat directly from local farms or sources I trust where they are transparent about their practices. Knowing the source of my meat, gives me peace of mind that the animals truly had a "free-range" life and weren't kept in a crate and pumped with antibiotics in some Big Ag operation. Ideally, I want all the meat I buy to come from a healthy, contented animal that grazed on an open, green pasture its whole life.

One of the best ways to do this is to connect online with farmer's markets or use subscription-based Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) to purchase organic and grassfed meat.

Yes, this meat may cost more than what you find in an average supermarket. But rather than judge the value of food in terms of dollars, think of its value in terms of nutrition – and your health. Toxins accumulate in animal tissue - we want the meat we eat to be as healthy as possible!

When shopping for meat in the supermarket, there are a few labels out there that are meaningful and 3rd party certified which tell you quite a bit about how the livestock was raised. Take some time to remember what these various labels below mean, so that you'll recognize them when you see them!

Look for these labels to avoid factory farmed meat:

  • Animal Welfare Approved - This 3rd-party certified label ensures that the animals were raised on sustainable pasture-based family farms that treat their animals humanely.
  • American Grassfed Certified - A 3rd party certifying program that ensures meat and dairy comes only from animals that ate nothing but their mother's milk and grass their whole lives, and that they didn't come from a feedlot. No hormones or antibiotics are permitted.
  • Global Animal Partnership (Only steps 4, 5 and 5+) - A 5-step animal welfare rating program that outlines specifics on how animals are cared for and raised. Steps 4, 5, and 5+ require access to pasture.
  • USDA Certified Organic - This will help you avoid the worst factory-farmed meat, with exceptions. Sadly, organic meat may be raised in factory farm conditions and this label does not ensure they were raised much more humanely than conventional animals. Growth promoting drugs, hormones, antibiotics, and GMOs are prohibited from their food, and they are fed only organic food. They also must be given access to the outdoors.

When you're dining out, ask your server where the restaurant purchases its meat. If the answer is something like Smithfield, Tyson or Perdue (instead of a small local farm), that indicates the meat is probably processed to the hilt. That's why I often choose to eat vegan or vegetarian dishes at restaurants.

You will be more likely to find meat that wasn't raised on a factory farm in natural food markets like Whole Foods Market, Earth Fare, Sprouts, etc., but you still need to check labels and ask questions.

If you don't have access to grass-fed and pastured meats like this in your area or want access to be more convenient, I have a life-changing solution for you in my next Food Babe Favorite Gift coming out on Monday! I can't wait to share it with you!

Make sure to check Monday's email - you are going to love this!

Xo,

Vani

P.S. Whether you eat meat or not, please share these tips with your friends and family and ask them to subscribe to the Food Babe newsletter here. (Forward them this email!) We need everyone to know this life changing health information!

 

 

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, you can update your preferences here.

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Stop eating this immediately. PLEASE!

After investigating how food is produced and raised in this country, one of the first commitments to my health I made was to completely stop eating "factory farmed" meat. Whether I'm eating at home, at a friend's house, or at a restaurant - I try my best not to eat meat unless I know that it didn't come from a factory farm.

I even actually went vegan for a while in my 20's just to survive a grueling work schedule traveling to cities with little options for organic food. At home and in an environment I can control, I eventually realized that some meat in my diet is beneficial to me personally. Although I'm not a huge meat eater (compared with the amount consumed by the average American) I do eat pastured organic meat on a weekly basis with an abundance of plant-based foods.

I have many friends and family members who are vegans and vegetarians that I respect greatly, but I believe each person should evaluate their needs to find the right balanced diet that works for them and makes them feel their best. That's why I don't label my diet and why I remain flexible so I can give my body the nutrients it needs.

We all have different biochemistry and there's no exact diet for every human on the planet - however, there are many universal eating principles and habits that work for all humans - like avoiding toxic chemicals in our food and especially meat!

Toxic chemicals accumulate in the fatty tissue of animals - so if you do one thing this upcoming new year, make a resolution to stop eating factory farmed meat!

Just as I am fighting against the corrupt food system that we have here in America plagued with processed foods full of synthetic additives and food crops that are contaminated with harmful pesticides - if you are a meat eater, I am fighting for you too.

For the past two years, I've been working on several campaigns with some of the most respected non-profit groups, targeting the largest food companies in America to stop the routine use of antibiotics on the farms that raise their meat and encourage them to adopt sustainable humane practices. Many of you have signed the petitions we've started and shared this critical information - so thank you!

I cheer loudly when companies stop this practice and create policies that provide healthier living conditions for farm animals. Big brands are starting to improve their standards - from Subway, to Chick-Fil-A, to Panera Bread - but this is just one step towards a truly sustainable food system and we still have a long way to go.

I'm an animal lover, so when I found out about the stomach-curdling practices of raising animals at "factory farms," I was incensed. Animals grown in factory farms subsist in horrific conditions. For example...

  • Factory farm animals live a life of cramped conditions, ill health, and injury or death during transportation, and they face the risk of not being properly stunned before they are slaughtered for human consumption.
  • Most U.S. cattle are raised on grain so that they bulk up faster for mass production and earlier slaughter. The process is helped along by hormones and antibiotics – a system fraught with numerous environmental and health problems.
  • The majority of broiler chickens are raised in sheds, with sometimes as many as 100,000 crammed into one building.
  • Pigs are given no anesthesia when their tails are cut off
  • Cows are given hormones that cause their udders to get so big that the animals can barely stand up on their own.
  • There are many animals that never see the sun or feel anything but concrete under their feet. Many become crippled and feeble; others are unable to reach the feed or water and die.

These animals are not healthy! And when we eat animals that are not healthy - we become unhealthy!

That's why I love to make my own homemade broth at home. soup at home. Store-bought chicken broths can be pretty nasty! They're usually made from the bones of factory farm animals and spiked with sugar, flavors, and hidden MSG additives. 

Fresh homemade stock is full of valuable nutrients and is very simple (and cheap) to make! I have two new recipes for making either chicken or vegetable stock on the blog this week. Get the homemade stock recipes here.

If you want to change the food industry, your body, and get healthy you have to make the commitment to stop eating factory farmed meat.

In my next message to you, I'm going to help you make the commitment to get factory farmed meat out of your diet for good. I'll give you some of my favorite strategies so you can get started ASAP.

Let's make 2017 our healthiest year yet!

Whether you eat meat or not, ask your friends and family to make this resolution along with you and to subscribe to the Food Babe newsletter here. (Forward them this email!) It's so much easier to stick with your resolutions when you have the support of your loved ones!

In the meantime, I'd love to hear from you if you have already given up factory farmed meat - what inspired you and what tips do you follow to maintain this habit? Leave a comment on the blog for everyone to learn.

Xo,

Vani

P.S. Also, I'll be announcing the next Food Babe Favorite Gift of the season soon! If you missed the last one, catch up on the emails I sent over the weekend, there are still some awesome deals extended through this week from our partner for clean, fresh, toxin-free water!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, you can update your preferences here.

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Last few hours! Food Babe Favorite Gift Ends Tonight.

Quick reminder!!! For this weekend only, my partner Aquasana is offering any shower filter, countertop water filter and whole house filter at the lowest price this season (50% off!).

Again, filtering my water was one of the least effort things I had to do to improve my overall health, hair and skin - but one of the most rewarding! I'm so thankful I figured out why a simple commitment to clean water (drinking and bathing) is so beneficial to health. It's truly a gift to yourself and/or others that keeps on giving and that's why a water filter is my first Food Babe Favorite gift of the season.

Whatever you decide to do, get your filters soon, this partner deal expires this evening and this will be the lowest price all season. Best of all, they have a 90-day return policy if for any reason you don't like the filter...you will have enough time to see if you notice a difference, I can't wait to hear your experience. 

Get your filters here

Xo,

Vani 

P.S. Stay tuned for Food Babe Favorite Gift #2 Coming Soon!

P.P.S. Here's the my detailed experience with Aquasana in case you missed it yesterday:

I kick myself almost every day for not doing this sooner. My hair and skin have never been the same and I'm so thankful for figuring out this simple trick out so everyone can reap the benefits just like me! And it's super affordable and is one of the best gifts you can give someone (or yourself) this year.

Having access to clean and unpolluted water is very important to your health. You can eat the best organic food on the planet, but if you are drinking water that is full of toxins, that effort could be compromised. Tap water can be full of pollutants like arsenic, aluminum, prescription drugs, chlorine, fluoride, disinfection byproducts, and a host of other substances that are known carcinogens (things that cause cancer and diseases). One of the sources of tap water that I was being exposed to daily, and neglecting for a long time, was my shower water.

It wasn't until a company called Aquasana contacted me, and asked me to try out their shower filter, that I finally stopped ignoring my conscience and better judgment. Given that your skin is your largest organ, and your body absorbs what you put on it – bathing with clean water is crucial for your health.

After receiving the Aquasana shower filter, I opened the box and immediately thought – "Oh no, is the filter going to affect the water pressure?! Do I really want to install this? What am I doing?" All I could think about was that my hair was going to take forever to shampoo and condition. The installation only took 2 minutes - I turned on the faucet and much to my surprise, the water pressure was so good! I haven't missed my old showerhead for even a second.

And to be completely honest, if the water filter reduced the pressure, I would have probably taken it down and tried another brand – have you seen how long my hair is?!

After a couple of months of using the shower filter, I could tell a noticeable difference between taking a shower at home vs. at a hotel when traveling.

When I get out of the shower at home now, I use less oils and moisturizers on my skin – which is pretty incredible. I have noticed a significant change in the softness of my skin and hair. Though, the real magic happens in what I can't see – the reduction of the daily toxins I was being exposed to that could accumulate and cause disease in my body over time.

I noticed such a huge difference in my appearance, I eventually decided to filter my whole house! But the shower filter is where I started and it convinced me to do the rest. I wanted every faucet to have clean running water…

I dedicated Day 4 in my book The Food Babe Way to this important health tip. In the book, I go into even more amazing benefits of filtering your shower water, including the story of my hairdresser of over 10 years freaking out at the sudden thickness of my hair :)

Get your filters here. Happy shopping!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, you can update your preferences here.

Saturday, November 26, 2016

One more day! (Food Babe Favorites: Best Hair & Skin EVER)

This holiday season I am sharing just a few of my Food Babe Favorite Gifts and this is the first one!

I kick myself almost every day for not doing this sooner. My hair and skin have never been the same and I'm so thankful for figuring out this simple trick out so everyone can reap the benefits just like me! And it's super affordable and is one of the best gifts you can give someone (or yourself) this year.

Having access to clean and unpolluted water is very important to your health. You can eat the best organic food on the planet, but if you are drinking water that is full of toxins, that effort could be compromised. Tap water can be full of pollutants like arsenic, aluminum, prescription drugs, chlorine, fluoride, disinfection byproducts, and a host of other substances that are known carcinogens (things that cause cancer and diseases). One of the sources of tap water that I was being exposed to daily, and neglecting for a long time, was my shower water.

It wasn't until a company called Aquasana contacted me, and asked me to try out their shower filter, that I finally stopped ignoring my conscience and better judgment. Given that your skin is your largest organ, and your body absorbs what you put on it – bathing with clean water is crucial for your health.

After receiving the Aquasana shower filter, I opened the box and immediately thought – "Oh no, is the filter going to affect the water pressure?! Do I really want to install this? What am I doing?" All I could think about was that my hair was going to take forever to shampoo and condition. The installation only took 2 minutes - I turned on the faucet and much to my surprise, the water pressure was so good! I haven't missed my old showerhead for even a second.

And to be completely honest, if the water filter reduced the pressure, I would have probably taken it down and tried another brand – have you seen how long my hair is?!

After a couple of months of using the shower filter, I could tell a noticeable difference between taking a shower at home vs. at a hotel when traveling.

When I get out of the shower at home now, I use less oils and moisturizers on my skin – which is pretty incredible. I have noticed a significant change in the softness of my skin and hair. Though, the real magic happens in what I can't see – the reduction of the daily toxins I was being exposed to that could accumulate and cause disease in my body over time.

For this Black Friday weekend only, my partner Aquasana is offering any shower filter, countertop water filters and whole house filters at the lowest price this season (50% off!)! This is a special promotion that helps us here at Food Babe too – so thank you!

These make PERFECT holiday gifts for all your loved ones. It's the gift of beauty and health – it can't get much better than that!!

I noticed such a huge difference in my appearance, I eventually decided to filter my whole house! But the shower filter is where I started and it convinced me to do the rest. I wanted every faucet to have clean running water…

I dedicated Day 4 in my book The Food Babe Way to this important health tip. In the book, I go into even more amazing benefits of filtering your shower water, including the story of my hairdresser of over 10 years freaking out at the sudden thickness of my hair :) 

Get your filters here. Happy shopping!

Xo,

Vani

P.S. Whatever you decide to do, get your filters soon, this deal expires tomorrow evening and this will be the lowest price all season. Best of all, they have a 90 day return policy if for any reason you don't like the filter...which is perfect, so you have enough time to see if you notice a difference! 

 

 

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

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Monday, November 21, 2016

Millions read this because of you.

This time of year I like to reflect on what I'm thankful for, and I feel very fortunate for so many things. As always, I'm thankful for my good health. Without that I wouldn't be able to do the work that I do and it brings me peace. I'm also so very thankful for YOU and everyone in the Food Babe Army who is standing with me in this fight for a cleaner food system. This past week you really showed how absolutely remarkable you are, the latest expose on Food Babe was shared and read MILLIONS of times, proving we don't need traditional media to spread the word. You are helping change the world with me and I couldn't be more thankful!

Although you might be extra busy in the coming weeks, trying to juggle all the cooking, parties, and shopping - I want to do all that I can to help you stay healthy (even on Thanksgiving)! It may sound like an anomaly using the words "healthy" and "Thanksgiving" together, but hear me out! You can still have a wonderful time with your friends and family without putting your health on hold. Here are some tips to make your Thanksgiving a healthy one:

  • Drink a green drink (and don't skip breakfast): Make sure to start your day with a green drink to give yourself a healthy energy boost that will remind you that your health comes first. Several of my favorite green juice and smoothie recipes are on the blog here. Follow this up with a good breakfast too, to keep your hunger in check. You don't want to show up to the Thanksgiving table ravenous, because then you'll eat everything in sight!

  • Seek out raw food first. Fill up your plate with raw veggies and a salad before eating anything else. You'll still have room for more delicious goodies later!
  • Cut out the alcohol (or keep it limited). Your liver is your main detoxifying organ, so if you're trying to lose weight drinking alcohol is your worst enemy. If you want to have a festive drink, bring along your own bottle of organic wine. Have just one glass and then replace it with sparkling water and lime the second time around.
  • Relieve stress. If you are feeling super stressed out, your cortisol levels can skyrocket causing your body hold onto weight (particularly in the waist). Fat accumulates near the stomach because the cells in the stomach are more sensitive to cortisol, and very effective at storing energy. Do some yoga, meditation, or take a long walk either before or after your big meal.

  • Cap off the night with some ginger tea. Ginger can counteract any inflammation, and is effective in calming the stomach and aiding in digestion. Here's how I make it.

  • If you aren't hosting, bring along healthier versions of your Thanksgiving favorites. Of course you should never show up to a dinner empty-handed, so use this rule to your advantage and bring along a healthy dish (or a few). Not only will this ensure that you have something healthy to eat, but you'll get to share a real food dish with your family to show them how delicious healthy food can be! Perhaps you will inspire a new tradition.

Healthy Thanksgiving recipes from the blog to try:

If you make these recipes, make sure to post them on social media and tag me! I can't wait to see pictures of all of the beautiful healthy organic meals you serve this holiday season! 

Remember that during the holiday season, your health is something you really ought to be thankful for and prioritize as #1. My team and I wish everyone a HEALTHY and happy Thanksgiving!

Xo,

Vani



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, you can update your preferences here.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Why isn't this FRONT PAGE NEWS?

I am frankly shocked this information is not making front page news right now.

Monsanto will do anything to bury this story... and as of right now, it's working. Not a single mainstream media outlet has covered this appalling new report that shows millions of people being poisoned by a chemical that does not belong in our food.

This chemical is ending up in processed foods like Cheerios, Ritz Crackers, Stacy's Pita Chips and Oreos and being consumed by humans across the world.

The health of millions of people is on the line and this news must go mainstream! That's why I'm calling on every single one of you who reads this post to share this breaking story now

The only way this injustice will be corrected is if enough of us stand up and demand that something be done to stop the poisoning of our food supply.

Read and share the brand new post here.

A big thank you goes to Food Democracy Now and The Detox Project for making this information available to all!

Xo,

Vani 

 

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, you can update your preferences here.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

The #1 thing you should change in your pantry

Cooking oil might be one of the most important things to get right in your pantry.

Did you know that popular cooking oils made with canola, corn, and soybean oil go through an INSANE amount of processing with chemical solvents, steamers, neutralizers, de-waxers, bleach and deodorizers before they end up in the bottle?

During processing, almost all cooking oils (like Mazola and Crisco brands) are extracted with the neurotoxin hexane – the corn, soybeans, or canola is literally bathed in it!

We're constantly being persuaded to believe oils like canola are healthy, thanks in part to the work of the industry funded groups such as the Canola Council and the Corn Refiners Association. In reality, these oils cause inflammation in the body, leading to weight gain and disease. No thanks!

After researching which oils are healthiest for my body and the environment, I always keep Nutiva's Organic Virgin Coconut Oil well stocked in my house (even before they became a sponsor of FoodBabe.com).

Nutiva's Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is expeller cold-pressed, unrefined and never deodorized or bleached. It tolerates cooking temps up to about 350 degrees, so it's great for most baking and medium-high heat sautéing.

If you haven't tried coconut oil before, I have some tips for adding it to your diet and even how use it around the house! But before I get into that, let me tell you about a very special deal just in time for the holiday season.

As I'm a partner of Nutiva, they are offering deeply discounted prices for the Food Babe Army. The prices below are only available while supplies last or until Friday, November 11, 2016 at 5pm EST.

These large gallon sizes of oil will last you a while and will save you big bucks, they are equivalent in size to over eight 15oz. jars. Don't worry about it going to waste though! Look at all the ways you can use coconut oil...

  1. Sauté fresh vegetables
  2. Blend into smoothies
  3. Bake cookies
  4. Pop popcorn on the stove
  5. Use as vegan sub for butter in most recipes
  6. Stir it into your coffee
  7. Whip into a salad dressing
  8. Make my new recipe Vegetarian Pad Thai (It's better than take out!)
  9. Season cast iron pans
  10. Skin moisturizer
  11. Lip balm
  12. Makeup remover
  13. Baby lotion
  14. Shave cream
  15. Blend with nut pulp to make a body scrub
  16. Oil pulling (as a mouthwash for your teeth)
  17. Furniture polish
  18. Massage oil
  19. Deep hair conditioner
  20. Mix with baking soda to make toothpaste

If you haven't tried Nutiva's Red Palm Oil yet, they are also offering (a very limited quantity of) 1 gallon tubs Nutiva Red Palm Oil for $39.99 (regular price $43.80)

Red Palm Oil has a light buttery flavor that is delicious on popcorn, sautéing vegetables, in soups and hummus, and smothering over sweet potatoes!  When you see the ingredient "palm oil" on a product, I typically would tell you to avoid it at all costs. That's because most palm oil production comes from Southeast Asia where it is causing large-scale deforestation, killing animals and destroying the habitat for orangutans and Sumatran tigers – which may both become extinct soon. It's disgusting that Big Food keeps using cheap palm oil in their products just so they can save a few bucks.

That being said - Nutiva's Organic Unrefined Red Palm Oil is completely different than the "palm oil" that you'll find in heavily processed products made by companies like Kraft. Nutiva's red palm is grown on small, organic family farms in Ecuador and is habitat-friendly and orangutan-safe. Not only is it certified organic, non-GMO and fair trade, but they partnered with Natural Habitats to ensure that the growing and harvesting process does not result in deforestation or habitat destruction.

I hope this gives you some inspiration to replace some of the toxic cooking oils and household products in your home with natural alternatives, and to give these two oils a try.

Remember this offer is only available for the next 48 hours or until they run out!

Get your gallon sized Coconut Oil & Red Palm Oil tubs here. (They make pretty awesome gifts for the holidays too!)

Xo,

Vani

P.S. Nutiva is also throwing in a free sample of Nutiva Chocolate Hazelnut Spread with every order! This is just a little treat for the Food Babe Army – so enjoy!

P.P.S. In other news, I'm doing a LIVE Pregnancy Q&A on Facebook at 5pm EST today and will be in the Boston area on Saturday for the Natural Living Expo - Would love to see you!

 

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, you can update your preferences here.

Monday, November 7, 2016

Just a few short hours and it closes! (12pm EST no exceptions!)

Just a quick heads up that this is the very last day you can get 2 bonus health guides FOR FREE (a $59.98 value) when you join the annual Food Babe Eating Guide Program:

BONUS #1: Real Food Slow Cooker Guide ($29.99 value for FREE with annual membership)

The Real Food Slow Cooker Guide is all you need for healthy, easy and delicious meals that are full of flavor, filling, and can be made in a pinch. There are no more excuses for not having enough time to make a home cooked meal with this handy guide. Over 50 healthy recipes included!

BONUS #2: Healthy Holiday Survival Guide ($29.99 value for FREE with annual membership)

The Healthy Holiday Survival Guide includes everything you need to have a Food Babe holiday at home with recipes for every course of the meal. Whether you are looking for quick and easy appetizers, delicious main courses or mouth-watering desserts, we've got you covered with over 20 recipes and shopping tips - this is the exact guide I use to make my holiday meal and my family loves it every year!

The Food Babe Eating Guide is more than a meal planning service, it will keep you on track, help you lose weight (if you need to) or maintain the healthy lifestyle you may have already built. This program makes eating a healthy diet practically mindless (and delicious)!

If you have any doubts about what it can do for you, just read these stories from members here and here. They are very inspiring!

If you have any questions about the program: Check out the FAQ and feel free to reach out to us by simply replying to this email.

It's time to make all your dreams come true and make your health your #1 priority.

You can start right now here.

Xo,
Vani

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, you can update your preferences here.

Sunday, November 6, 2016

You’ve got an extra hour to do this VERY healthy habit!

Happy Sunday!

There is NO WAY I would be able to stick to a healthy diet if I didn't plan out my meals on a regular basis. So, if you haven't created a meal plan for yourself this week - you can start today with these tips... 

How to plan your meals like a Food Babe:

  • Take a quick tour of your fridge, freezer, and pantry. Write down the ingredients you already have that you can use for meals next week. This can be a huge money saver and prevents food waste!
  • Keep a list of your go-to favorite family recipes. That way you can keep a couple of these in the rotation every week. When you make a new recipe that everyone loves, don't forget to add it to the list!
  • Don't try to plan everything. If you are new to meal planning, just start with one meal a week. As a goal, you'll want to write out your plan with no more than 5 dinners each week. Leave room in your schedule for nights when you just eat leftovers or fend for yourselves with what you have on hand. It's inevitable that there will be a couple nights that you won't feel like cooking, so take the pressure off yourself! I
  • Stick to the seasons. It's less expensive and healthier to plan your meals with seasonal ingredients.
  • Keep holidays, special events, and the weather in mind. The kids have a basketball game after school on Tuesday? Plan to make something quick & easy that night or use a meal that you have stored in the freezer or make a double portion on Monday night to eat for leftovers the next day. If there is snow in the forecast on Thursday, that would be a great night to plan on a hearty soup or stew.
  • Be flexible. If you are too tired to cook one night, simply move that recipe to the next night. No one is perfect and you shouldn't expect to be!
  • Store your recipes in a handy place. Use websites like Pinterest, a recipe app, a handwritten notebook, Google calendar, or whatever works best for you.
  • Use the same ingredients in multiple recipes. For instance, buy a whole chicken that you can use to make two meals with shredded chicken (and you can make homemade broth too!) This is another big money and time saver!
  • Write your shopping list at the same time you schedule your recipes. With your recipes in front of you, make sure to write a detailed shopping list so that you don't forget to pick up everything you need.
  • Don't be afraid to repeat. If you have a meal plan that worked amazing for you one week, save it and do the same meal plan in the regular rotation, such as every other week.
  • Have weekly theme nights. Pick different types of meals that your family loves and assign each one a day. For instance, Sunday can be soup night, Tuesday can be taco night, and Thursday can be veggie stir-fry night. Then all you need to do is pick which soup (or taco, or stir-fry) recipe you want to include in your meal plan each week.
  • Get your family involved. Ask them what their favorite meals are or ask them to flip through some recipes and pick out what they like. Do this with the little ones in your household too! They may surprise you and add some fun and unique meals that you'd never choose on your own.

If this seems overwhelming or if you need guidance to keep you accountable, I can do the meal planning for you in the Food Babe Eating Guide Program.

I created this for all of us to have an easier time deciding what to buy and cook each month without getting bored of the same old dishes! Living in this crazy food world actually can be simple. Here are all the details + bonuses: http://foodbabe.com/eat

As a reminder, I'm giving the Real Food Slow Cooker Guide with over 50 recipes along with the Healthy Holiday Survival Guide as FREE BONUSES (a $59.98 value) to everyone who joins with an annual Food Babe Eating Guide membership by tomorrow Monday, November 7th.

It's time to stop outsourcing your food to the processed food and restaurant industries - and gain control of what you are putting into your body on a regular basis. This is truly going to transform your health!

If you have any loved ones who could use this information, please forward this email to them and ask them to subscribe to the Food Babe newsletter here for tons of free health information.

Xo,

Vani

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, you can update your preferences here.