Hoff Hit: Tension Headache? Try this!

When experiencing a tension headache (feels like your brain is being squeezed), down a glass of fruit juice.  You should be good as new within 10 minutes!

Tree Hugger's Cafe Opens in Oberlin!

Treehugger's Cafe

Opens in 

Oberlin, Ohio!

I love the Tree Hugger's in Berea, OH & now they've opened a second location in Oberlin, OH!

Tree Hugger's Cafe is a fantastic local, organic cafe/restaurant offering vegan, vegetarian and overall good for you food (they have chicken, turkey and fish as well).  The owner, is also the chef and she creates fantastic food combinations with as much locally, organically grown food as she can get her hands on.  It's super yummy and the staff is very friendly!  A certain peace and calm overtakes you when you enter this cafe and it makes you want to be a healthier, better person.

You can count on Tree Hugger's to always have an assortment of hot and cold teas on hand (black, green and white).  They have an organic espresso bar and organic, certified fair trade Hoot Owl Coffee.  Like smoothies? They got'em!

You must try the sweet potato fries with honey dipping sauce.  The Great Egret Zucchini Parmesan Panini is fantastic, so is the Marbled Murrelet Mushroom Panini (substitute the mozzarella for avocado - to die for!). Their salads are so fresh and GINORMOUS - I recommend the Strawberry Kiwi Koala Salad (how can you not love the names of these dishes)!  And the fresh baked vegan bakery, don't get me started (Lemon Cookie!)  I've eaten here a lot, but there is so much more I need to try, check out their awesome menu.

Gluten allergy?  Tree Huggers can handle that.  They even have gluten-free bakery!

One last pitch - they have no freezer!  That means you are guaranteed a seasonal, fresh meal every time!

Support our local vegan movement & eat at Tree Hugger's in Oberlin:
55 East College St, Suite 1, Oberlin, OH 44074

Check it out!

Hoff's Sweet Potato Chips

Hoff's Sweet Potato Chips
Serves: 2

meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free

Ingredients:

• 2 Sweet Potatoes (peeled)
• 1 tbsp Honey/Maple Syrup
• 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 2 tsp Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Using a Mandolin on the thinnest setting, cut Potatoes into chips
2. Place Chips into a large Ziploc bag with Honey/Maple Syrup & Seasonings
3. Toss to coat
4. Line the glass turntable of your microwave with parchment paper
5. Spread Chips out (do not overlap)
6. Microwave for 8 minutes or until crispy

New Vegan Restaurant Coming To Cleveland!!!

Earth Bistro Cafe

To Open Soon!!!

I'm super excited to announce a new vegan/vegetarian restaurant using plenty of organic, fresh & locally sourced ingredients is coming to the west side of Cleveland!  Woo hoo!

Earth Bistro will be located at 11122 Clifton Ave, Cleveland OH 44102

Rumor has it that they plan to open their doors at the end of July...umm, that's in five days.

No official open date has been released to the public at this time.

Whenever they open their doors, they will be a welcome addition to the Cleveland vegan scene.

I can't wait to check out their vegan tacos, roasted vegetable panini sandwich or tofu burger with cucumber slaw and butter lettuce!!!

Welcome Earth Bistro & Good Luck!

5 Minute Meditation

5 Minute Meditation

Dr John McDougall: Precocious Puberty

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BBQ Cauliflower Wings

This recipe is an adaptation of PETA's Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower 'Wings' recipe.


BBQ Cauliflower Wings
Serves: 2

meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free


Ingredients:

• 1 small-medium head of Cauliflower
• 1 cup BBQ Sauce
• 1 cup plain Almond Milk
• 1 cup Flour
• 2 tbsp. Nutritional Yeast
• 1 tsp. Liquid Smoke
• 1 tsp. Onion Powder
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp. Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees
2. Cut Cauliflower into large "wing size" pieces
3. In a shallow dish whisk together Flour, Yeast & Seasonings
4. Mix in Almond Milk & Liquid Smoke, add water if too thick
5. Dredge Cauliflower through mixture, shake off excess
6. Spread out "wings" on a parchment lined baking sheet
7. Bake for 18 minutes
8. Pour BBQ Sauce over "wings" to coat
9. Bake an additional 9 minutes

Hoff Thoughts: Use Buckwheat Flour to make this recipe gluten-free.

Hoff's "Tuna" Pasta Salad

Hoff's "Tuna" Pasta Salad
Yields: About 9 cups
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. Whole Wheat Pasta
• 1 cup Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds
• 1 cup Vegenaise
• 4 oz. Tempeh
• 1 15 oz. can Cannellini Beans (rinsed & drained)
• 1 cup Frozen Peas
• 1/2 Red Onion (chopped)
• Juice from 1/2 Lemon
• 2 tbsp. Mustard
• 1 tbsp. Kelp

Directions:

1. Steam Tempeh for 10 minutes, then cut into tiny pieces, set aside to cool
2. Cook Pasta to al dente according to the directions, drain and run under cold water
3. Meanwhile, defrost Peas by running under cold water
4. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, place in fridge for a few hours to chill

Hoff Thoughts: Feel free to use any shape pasta you like, I tend to favor the spiral kind for this recipe. The kelp delivers the "fishy" taste of traditional tuna.

Dr John McDougall: Protein & Osteoporosis

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A Lesson In Patience

Recently I visited to the beautiful shores of Presque Isle in Erie, PA to celebrate my birthday.  I visit this quaint little town yearly to soak up the rays on their one of their eleven pristine beaches!  It's a very relaxing, laid back couple of days devoid of the nagging, "We have to see that, we have to do that..."  Because frankly, there is little to be done, but just enough to keep things interesting.

But, that's not what this piece is about...

Last year I took up tennis - I love it!  I love it so much that I play it every day I can regardless of the weather.  So naturally, I did some Google research before leaving on my getaway to scout out the local tennis courts.  Luckily, Erie is a tennis town!  So much so that everyone plays tennis - everyone!  On our first day in town, the first two locations (12 courts total) we attempted to play at were packed!  While, I had a lengthy list of courts to choose from, my annoyance level was high and escalating!  "Don't these people have jobs - I'm on vacation, dammit!"

Now, these were really nice courts, courts I would have loved to play at, but that wasn't going to happen.  So, I picked a random court on my list and plugged it into Helga, Helga is my personal GPS system (don't ask).  Anyway, Helga took us into some very shady and questionable area of town.  I instantly felt at home because it looked like the backstreets of Cleveland, where I once resided.  My boyfriend on the other hand has never lived in Cleveland and was questioning my sanity and our safety.  Where the hell was Helga taking us?

This is where Helga was taking us!  A modest little, weed ridden tennis court overlooking the best view of my tennis life!  I doubt there are country club courts overlooking a view like this and this one was free!  While working on my backhand, I got to watch giant sail boats drift by and feel the gently breeze blow off the lake.  It was awesome and an experience that I would have missed had the other courts been available.  Who knew such a gem was tucked away like this? Great birthday present!

Patience, sometimes life leads us in directions we can't understand until we get there.

Blow Your MIND Tomato Basil Pasta!

Original recipe found on Facebook via Simply The Best You...Healthy and Happy

Throw it all in one pot, INCLUDING the uncooked Pasta and cook!  The starch leaches out of the pasta and makes a rich, warm sauce for the noodles. The other ingredients cook right along with the pasta.

Blow Your MIND Tomato Basil Pasta!  No Straining, just Stirring
Yields: 5-6 servings
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. Whole Wheat Pasta
• 4 cups Vegetable Broth
• 1/2 cup Water
• 1 15 oz. can diced Seasoned Tomatoes with liquid
• 1 15 oz. can Black Beans (rinsed & drained)
• 1 2.25 oz. can sliced Black Olives (rinsed & drained)
• 1 cup Spinach (chopped)
• 1 Red Pepper (chopped)
• 1 large Sweet Onion (cut in half moons)
• 1/3 cup Nutritional Yeast
• 2 large sprigs of Basil (chopped)
• 4 Garlic Cloves (diced)
• 1 tbsp. Italian Seasoning
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp. Onion Powder
• 1/2 tsp. Himalayan Salt

Directions:

1. Place Pasta, Tomatoes, Black Beans, Black Olives, Spinach, Red Pepper, Onion, Nutritional Yeast, Garlic & Basil in a large stock pot
2. Pour in Vegetable Broth
3. Mix in Seasonings
4. Cover pot and bring to a boil
5. Reduce to simmer and keep covered, cook for about 10 minutes or until almost all liquid has evaporated, stirring every so often

How to Meditate Anywhere

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The Best Vegan Pasta Alfredo!

The Best Vegan Pasta Alfredo!
Yields: 5-6 servings
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Pasta
• 1 cup Cashews
• 1 1/2 cup unsweetened plain Almond Milk
• 2 Garlic Cloves
• 1/2 Lemon
• 2 tsp Sea Salt
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• Pinch of Nutmeg
• Pepper (to taste)

Directions:

1. Cook Pasta according to directions
2. Meanwhile place Cashews, Milk, Garlic, Juice of Lemon & Seasonings into a Vitamix
3. Blend for 6 minutes
4. Combine Pasta with Sauce and indulge!

Hoff Thoughts: If using a traditional blender, blend Sauce until smooth and then heat through separately.

Dr. Wahls On Macular Degeneration

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Hoff's Vegan Stroganoff

Hoff's Vegan Stroganoff
Serves: 2
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free


Ingredients:

• 8 oz. Radiatore Pasta (because it's fun and holds the sauce well)
• 1/2 Onion (diced)
• 1/2 container Portabella Mushrooms (diced)
• 1 tbsp Arrowroot
• 1 cup unflavored Almond Milk
• 1 1/2 cups Veggie Broth
• 2-3 Garlic Cloves (minced)
• 3 tbsp Nutritional Yeast
• 2 tbsp Bragg's Liquid Aminos
• 2 tbsp Mustard

Directions:

1. Cook Pasta according to box directions
2. Meanwhile, caramelize Onions
3. Add Mushrooms and Garlic and cook until softened
4. Stir in Arrowroot
5. Stir in Milk & Veggie Broth
6. Reduce heat to simmer and stir occasionally until sauce thickens
7. Add Pasta and eat!

My 2 Cents: Sauce will thicken even more if held until the following day.  I'd prefer to make this dish using wide egg noodles, but I have yet to find a whole wheat version minus the egg.

Chipotle Salad

Should you find yourself with leftover Hoff's Chipotle Bowl, don't despair!  Instead, heat it up, throw some shredded Romaine on a plate, top with Hoff's Chipotle Bowl, chopped Avocado, Salsa & some crushed chips and have one mighty fine lunch or dinner!

What's the Healthiest Diet?

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Hoff's Chocolate Ice Cream

Super simple and quick to prepare, the only pain in the ass part is waiting for it to set!

Hoff's Chocolate Ice Cream
Serves: 2
dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Vanilla Almond Milk
• 1 cup Vegan Chocolate Chips
• Pinch of Sea Salt

Directions:

1. In a small sauce pan, heat up Milk & Salt
2. Slowly stir in Chips until completely melted
3. Pour mixture into two separate serving bowls
4. Place into freezer until set
5. That's it!

My2Cents: Try using Chocolate Almond Milk to really intensify the chocolate experience!  Believe it or not, finding vegan chocolate chips are easier than you think.  Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips are in fact vegan (look for the gold bag) and easily found at any grocery store.  Why they won't state this fact on the bag is beyond me.  I wrote to the company and they won't say these chips are vegan, probably because they are manufactured with the same equipment as all their other non-vegan products.  However, PETA does claim these are vegan - you're just going to have to decide for yourself.

Event: Yoga Rocks The Park

Yoga Rocks The Park

A gathering of music, yoga & fun!

The Yoga Rocks the Park series runs on select Saturdays & Sundays throughout the summer in America’s favorite parks, donating 10% of the net profits to local nonprofit organizations. The weekly events feature an all-levels yoga class and kids yoga program (Camp Yoga Rocks The Park), accompanied by live music with some of the top and emerging yoga instructors and musicians in the country, while providing unique experiences with national and local conscious companies and access to innovations in wellness.


When: Saturday or Sunday, June - September
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm (registration 9:30am)
Where: Lincoln Park: W. 14th St & Starkweather Ave. Cleveland, OH 44113
Cost: $12/week in advance or $15 day of

2013 Schedule

More info

*10% of profits donated to Urban Lotus Youth Yoga

Happy 4th of July!!!

Obesity Experts: Consider the Source Before Considering the Diet!

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Event: Wild Ride At The Zoo!

Wild Ride At The Zoo!

A Safari On Two Wheels!

 

Ride your bike inside Cleveland Metroparks Zoo at Wild Ride.

Wild Ride is an after-hours event offering visitors the opportunity to cruise the Zoo on their bicycle! Animals will be out on exhibit and exhibitor booths will be set up on the Welcome Plaza.

The bike community in Cleveland is exploding and in keeping with the Zoo’s mission to connect people with wildlife, we’re inviting the members of this growing community to see the Zoo on two wheels rather than two heels. No other zoo in Ohio has an event like this!

The event also promotes the role bicycling can have as part of a healthy, active lifestyle and how it can help you reduce your carbon footprint.

Rent A Bike For the Night from The Bike Rack. Your bike will be ready and waiting for you - and your Wild Ride - at the Zoo! Call (216) 771-7120 to snag your bike seat! The number of bikes available for rent is limited.


When: August 16, 2013 (Friday)
Where: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo: 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, OH 44109
Time: 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Cost: $12

Wild Ride at the Zoo is a rain or shine event.

Purchase Tickets!

More info!

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