Hemp Seed 'Ranch' Dressing

INGREDIENTS

• 2/3 cup water
• 1/2 cup hemp hearts
• 2 TB olive oil
• 1 TB apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp Himalayan salt
• 1/2 tsp dried parsley
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp dill
• 1/8 tsp tarragon

Blend all ingredients until completely smooth - works best in a blender or food processor vs shaking in a mason jar to really pulverize the hemp seeds. This is what creates the creaminess factor. Refrigerate for at least an hour to allow it to thicken. 

Top 5 Summer Travel Tips

It's August 1st and for a lot of us, this month includes some precious time off. How can we keep our healthy habits rolling while we're away from home? Read on for our top tips we try our best to stick to when vacations come a-callin'. 

#1 GIVE YOURSELF A HEAD START
The day you ink in your vacay on the calendar, count three days out and plan on rocking a mini Reset. Kick the processed foods, load up on fresh veggies and aim for a Green Juice each day. You’ll be way ahead of the curve come take-off time.

#2 PACK SNACKS
Snacks, snacks, snacks - we love snacks! Basically a daily mantra around here but one we really get our pompoms behind when we’re set to travel. Unfortunately, gas stations and vending machines haven't quite caught up so we hit the bulk section of the grocery store before we hit the road. Seek out easy proteins that don’t require refrigeration: low sodium or unsalted nuts and seeds being top choices. Add a baggie of baby carrots and snap peas to the mix and we’re willing to bet you’ll have a few folks joining you for snack time. Two of our favorite prepackaged snacks that travel exceedingly well: 

• Go Raw Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds
• The Goodbean Roasted Chickpeas

 #3 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO 
Once we have our basic itinerary planned, we looooove heading over to Google Maps and letting the “Search Nearby” feature find local restaurants, cafés, grocery stores and even juice bars close to our hotels and areas of interest. Helpful keywords include: co-ops, vegetarian, vegan, farm-to- table, organic, local grocery. These terms return results we may have not thought of and we’re able to plan for at least a meal or two. Hint: Breakfast is often the time of the day it’s easier to squeeze in a meal on the healthier side of the spectrum. At a roadside diner? Opt for some fresh fruit and load your omelet up with veggies. If everything else that follows leans towards indulgence, you can feel good about kicking off the day the right way. 

#4 INDULGE...GUILT-FREE 
Hey, this is your vacation! If you want to indulge, go for it and check the guilt at the door. If you deny yourself to the point of feeling punished, it can be near impossible to enjoy your time away. So go ahead! Savor every bite of that creamy fettuccine and relish every drop of your favorite glass of Pinot. Know that when you get home you can get right back on track (plan on it) and indulge with a smile - you’re in control. 

#5 PUSH THAT RESET BUTTON 
Ahhh, you’re home and back in the driver’s seat. After a vacation, we’re often toting a few extra pounds (hello fettuccine + Pinot), maybe dealing with some bloating and not feeling 100% in the energy department. Use these body signals as motivation to get back into your groove. But with all that laundry to do and emails to answer who has time to make a healthy meal? Here’s the trick: make a quick veggie soup or batch of beans BEFORE your trip and freeze so you have a wholesome meal waiting for you upon your return. Bonus points for ordering a CSA basket to arrive the day after you do so you have a rainbow of veggies to Reset with. 

Sugar cravings are also often at their peak after a few days of carb loading and cocktails (read: sugar begets the want for more of the same). Take a deep breath and be sure you're hitting protein timings throughout the day - this will help you tell sugar who's back in town.

HAPPY TRAVELS!

Laura Goes Way Beyond a Cleanse

LAURA CAPES TERRY
Marketing Director, Push Pedal Pull
Hobbies: Running around Austin with my 2 year old son

NEW FAVORITE FOODS
This breakfast is an energy powerhouse for me: quinoa with avocado and scrambled eggs. No better way to start the day.

FOOD  DISCOVERIES

• Dairy: Causes congestion and sneezing
• Gluten:  Causes bloating and breakouts
• A glass of Green Alkalizer first thing in the morning is better than any cup of coffee or energy drink for me!

THINGS I CAN DO NOW I COULDN’T BEFORE:
I have more consistent energy throughout the day... no more need for that extra shot of caffeine in the middle of the afternoon.

I also lost 5 pounds and no longer have a bloated tummy so my clothes fit much better.

Finally, I have more skills in the kitchen! I've learned how to cook healthy, whole, clean foods for myself and my family. I'm excited that my son will grow up learning how to do it for himself too.

MORE FROM LAURA:
When I signed up for this program, it was because I just came off a week of "partying" with family to celebrate my son's 2-year birthday. Normally I'm a very clean eater so a week of eating junkie foods left me feeling yucky and depleted of valuable energy.

Since it’s a significant financial and time commitment, I took the program very seriously and followed each step of the program to a T. All I can tell you is that I got way more out of it than I expected. I joined the program to clean up my diet and gain more energy but along the way I also lost those "last 5 pounds" and my skin has never looked better! I've spent tons of money on dermatologists and fancy skin creams over the years....the biggest thing I took away from the program is that if I give my body the nutrient-rich clean/whole foods that it craves, my body does the rest.

If anyone is on the edge about whether or not to do this program, I'd tell you it's a commitment... but it's worth it. If you put yourself into it 100%, it will give back to you 10x and your life will never be the same again. - Laura