With clean ingredients, instructional photos, and a genius palate, Christy’s book is a great addition to an experienced cook’s library – or the perfect gift for a new veg-curious home chef!

Cooking in a way that’s good for you and for the environment—not to mention delicious—doesn’t have to be a pain; in fact, it can be sheer bliss. In Blissful Bites: Vegan Meals That Nourish Mind, Body, and Planet, Christy Morgan shows readers how to make healthy, delicious, animal-product free meals without a lot of effort. It’s been long-accepted that giving up animal products also means giving up easy and enjoyable cooking, but that’s just not true. Blissful Bites is a refreshing introduction to the idea that switching to a plant-based diet that uses locally grown and organic products can be easy and rewarding—for both body and mind.

Blissful Bites includes more than 150 recipes that make eating every meal healthier and exciting.

I’m giving away one copy to a lucky reader, so enter by Friday, 12/1!

Just leave a comment here on my blog about why you want this yummy cookbook, and you could win!

(Contest only open to residents of the lower 48 state, please – sorry Canadian, English, Hawaiian, and other readers!)

(Hint: Part of the answer is in your kid’s trick-or-treat bag)

If you and your family get the flu every year but you’re not so sure you want that flu shot, and you’re sick and tired of getting sick, then you’ll want to read Joel Fuhrman’s newst book Super Immunity.

Laying out the science behind sickness, Dr. Fuhrman’s latest offers the do’s and don’t checklist everyone should know about cold and flu prevention, lists of easy super foods for strengthening your immune system, and over 85 recipes and dialy meal planning guide to get you started. (Yes, there are even desserts!)

I have 1 copy to give away to a lucky reader!

Here are 2 ways you can enter to win by Friday 10/11:

1. Like my page on Facebook and leave a comment about why you want to win a copy of Super Immunity.

2. Leave a comment here on my blog about how you’re sick and tired of getting sick.

* If you know you want this book (and I think everyone in America should get a copy!) get your copy here today!

More Great Good Dairy-Free Desserts offers delicious recipes filled with natural ingredients and free of common food allergens, dairy and eggs.

I make some of the Currant Scones this weekend, and they’re perfect with a nice cup of tea, all-fruit spread and a little Earth Balance or peanut butter.

vegan scones from more great good dairy-free desserts by fran costigan

(Actually, I was out of currants so I used dried cranberries and raisins instead and it was delish! Just be sure you use a 1-for-1 swap if using other small dried fruit)

Currant Scones

Yield: 12 scones

2 tablespoons dark whole cane sugar

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1 cup unbleached white flour, plus more for kneading

1/2 cup light natural cane sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup 1 tablespoon ice-cold canola oil (place measured amount in the freezer for 45 minutes)

7 tablespoons ice-cold soy milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup currants

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1. Blend the dark whole cane sugar in a blender for a minute until fine. Place a wire mesh strainer over a medium bowl. Add the pastry flour, white flour, sugar, dark whole cane sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to the strainer. Tap the strainer against the palm of your hand to sift the ingredients into the bowl. Stir with a wire whisk to distribute the ingredients, and make a well in the center.

2. Whisk the oil, soymilk, and vanilla in a small bowl until well blended, and pour into the center of the dry mixture. Stir with a rubber spatula only until combined (any longer and the scones will be tough). Gently stir the currants into the dough. Dust the dough with flour and turn out of the bowl onto a flour-dusted counter or board.

3. Divide the dough in half with a dough scraper or sharp knife, and work with one piece at a time. Flour your hands and knead by lifting the farthest edge of the dough toward the center. Press it into the center, turn the dough a quarter turn, and repeat until the dough is no longer sticky, using only as much flour as necessary. Pat each piece into a square about 1 inch thick, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the gluten to relax.

4. While the dough is resting, position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat.

5. Remove one pice of dough from the refrigerator, unwrap, and cut into four triangles.  Repeat with the second piece. Place the scones 2 inches apart on the prepared sheet. Brush the tops lightly with maple syrup. Bake for 9-10 minutes.

These scones turned out really well! They’ve kept nicely for 3 days in an air-tight container, although they won’t make it another day – ’cause we’re gonna eat ‘em!

You can win a signed copy of Fran’s book

More Great Good Dairy-Free Desserts!

Leave a comment here on my blog by 9/22 and you’ll be entered to win this awesome book filled with vegan recipes!

To get yourself copy of Fran’s delicious book, go here:

Learn more about Fran Costigan here!

Check out my video review of how it works, like it on YouTube and leave a comment, share it on FB or Twitter (with #deliciousdetox) and you could win one of your very own, compliments of Delicious Detox & Fomentek:

When you sign up for the Go for the Gold or All-Access Platinum memberships in my Delicious Detox program, you’ll receive your very own Fomentek bag!

Past clients have used it at work to keep them comfortable in too-cold offices,
over their belly during PMS cramps or digestive upset, and even
over arthritic knees while flying, traveling and working.
These bags are just the coolest thing since sliced bread!

In less than a month Morgan gained over 24 pounds, his cholesterol shot up 60 points, his blood pressure was high and his liver was so sick he was eating himself into non-alcoholic hepatitis.

The only mistake we made with that movie?

We didn’t show how changing Morgan from a fast-food diet to a plant-based diet actually cured his health problems. And it did – after 2 months on a whole, vegan diet, Morgan’s blood pressure, cholesterol, liver function and blood sugar levels all returned to normal, healthy levels.

Forks Over Knives, a new documentary and now cookbook, has taken the Standard American Diet to task by showing the health promoting effects of putting sick people on a plant-based diet.

Following Drs T. Colin Campbell and Caldwell Esselstyn, Jr., Forks Over Knives documents several success stories of patients with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Where the movie shows you the why of eating a plant-based, or vegan, diet, the new “Forks Over Knives: The Plant Based Way To Health” cookbook, gives you the how.

The introduction, personalized “success stories,” and tips for transitioning to a plant-based diet are inspiring and valuable for any newbie or recent plant lover.

I’ve tried several of the recipes, and they all worked out well. The editors chose a wide variety of styles and flavors with recipes from many well-known vegan cookbook authors and chefs.

I personally liked the Easy Quesadillas that use a cheese-like paste made from chickpeas, nutritional yeast flakes and spices to create a savory, kid-foolin’ filling. The Raw Dream of Tomato soup is an amazing spin on gazpacho that uses ground sun dried tomatoes, chipotle powder and shelled hemp seeds for protein.

I also liked the new take on old favorites: oil-free sweet potato fries use a slightly different oven method and are great for those who need to lower their fat intake. Crispy, microwaved potato slices help a recent convert to the plant-based style of eating to enjoy family gatherings while avoiding the fried potato chips.

Other recipes I’m looking forward to trying include squash pudding, easy banana ice cream, polenta pizza, a gluten-free creamy golden gravy, creamy corn chowder, and a low-fat pea guacamole.

Some recipes are written for families of 2, 4 or 6, while several are written for yields of 10-30. If you’re not comfortable dividing recipes into half or even quarter yields, I recommend skipping those recipes until you get more comfortable in the kitchen.

Overall, the recipes are easy, delicious, and straightforward. Very few use exotic ingredients, and beginning home cooks will feel comfortable with the directions.

The new Forks Over Knives cookbook effectively answers the call for easy, delicious recipes that will help many Americans transition away from a diet of disease fueling foods.

Can’t wait to try out some of these recipes?

Enter below and you could win a copy from Alex & Delicious Vitality.com!

To learn more about my upcoming Delicious Detox & Reboot Tele-Course or to sign up for the September 13th start, go here: http://deliciousvitality.com/services/reboot/

Just Like my new page on Facebook and leave a comment between Tuesday August 2^nd and Friday August 5^th and you’ll be entered to win!

or

Leave a comment here on my blog about why you want to win this book between Tuesday August 2^nd and Friday August 5^th and you’ll be entered to win!

I was so lucky to be born with a mom who was into yoga.  I remember leaving for the school bus while mom practiced on the floor while watching “Lilias, Yoga & You” on PBS.

(and I was so excited to meet Lilias herself, who is STILL teaching, when I was at last year’s World Peace & Yoga Jubilee!)

I developed scoliosis (a spinal curve) in my early teens, but because I knew about yoga, and was encouraged to use chiropractors and massage periodically, my back has stayed in pretty good shape all these years.

So I’ve been doing yoga for almost 30 years…but I’ve never used a mat like this before!

Fellow Institute for Integrative Nutrition graduate Heidi Woschnak created MY MAT MY YOGA to help busy people who want to practice yoga on their own time, in their own space.

This extra thick mat is made from a high performance, extra quarter inch thickness, which my crunchy knees immediately appreciated!

The simple, elegant pose designs on the mat prompt you through a series of moves that allow you to enjoy the benefits of yoga no matter where or when you decide to practice.

I laid out the mat for my 4.5-year old son Laken and he immediately, instinctively started copying the pictures and created poses!

Laken does yoga on My Mat My Yoga

Kid Corps Pose

Heidi has gracious offered to give away one MY MAT MY YOGA to a lucky Delicious Vitality reader! (US residents only please)

Simply leave a comment here on my blog about why you want to win this awesome mat (by Friday, July 1st at 12pm EST) – and only enter if you haven’t won a prize from me in the last 6 months…gotta’ share the wealth!

If you loved the look of MY MAT MY YOGA, Heidi is offering readers of Delicious Vitality a reduced price of $69.95. This price is available until Friday 8 July, simply email info@mymatmyyoga.com and mention ‘Delicious Vitality’ in the subject line and you will receive an online invoice for $69.95 to pay. That’s $10 off!

Click Here To ReTweet This Blog & You’ll Be Entered TWICE To Win!

I discovered that dairy really doesn’t do my body good back in 2000, and ever since I’ve been looking for new dairy-free products to spice up my menus.

Many of my clients find they feel and look better when they remove dairy from their diets, so in the interest of market-research I get to spend a lot of time in health food stores, scanning the shelves for new products.

(I wrote an article for the super-glamorous CoCoEcoMagazine last month about going dairy-free to improve adult acne and eczema…)

Also, my 4.5 year old son is really into yogurt, and I like feeding it to him: it has those great live cultures like acidophilus, bifidobacterium bifidum, and other lus-es and um’s and us-es…all those unpronounceable words that mean your digestive system is getting the healthy bacteria it needs to keep your entire body running smoothly.

Non-dairy yogurts are also an easy snack that offers protein, calcium, and healthy fats, but it’s hard to find one that’s lightly sweetened.

I just discovered Amande yogurt from Cascade Fresh, and I couldn’t be happier! Laken too!

(Do you see that grinning face above?) 

Amande is made from almond milk, fruit juices, and truly natural flavors and colors. No hidden MSG or toxic colorings here; instead, they use annatto, purple carrot, and elderberry juices.

Almonds are highly regarded in traditional medicines for supporting the digestive tract and nervous system, and are the only nut that helps to alkalinize an overly acidic body pH. According to Ayurvedic medicine, almonds strengthen the bones, nerves, and reproductive organs.

This stuff is so free of dietary problems (unless you’re allergic to almonds) that almost anyone can enjoy it: dairy free, soy free, lactose free, no refined sugar, gluten free, no casein, vegan, and kosher…

Amande is great for people who prefer or need both dairy-free and soy-free foods. It’s also good for people who need to avoid too many sugars. So that’s pretty much everyone!

You could win some free yogurt! If you want to try a free sample of Amande, enter my blog contest here by leaving a comment before Friday, June 24th at 12pm EST.

Tell me why you want to try this awesome new product line! And be sure to ask your local grocer to start carrying Amande and other great dairy-free options so that you, and others, can get healthy, delicious foods to enjoy.

I discovered that dairy really doesn’t do my body good back in 2000, and ever since I’ve been looking for new dairy-free products to spice up my menus.

Many of my clients find they feel and look better when they remove dairy from their diets, so in the interest of market-research I get to spend a lot of time in health food stores, scanning the shelves for new products.

(I wrote an article for the super-glamorous CoCoEcoMagazine last month about going dairy-free to improve adult acne and eczema…)

Also, my 4.5 year old son is really into yogurt, and I like feeding it to him: it has those great live cultures like acidophilus, bifidobacterium bifidum, and other lus-es and um’s and us-es…all those unpronounceable words that mean your digestive system is getting the healthy bacteria it needs to keep your entire body running smoothly.

Non-dairy yogurts are also an easy snack that offers protein, calcium, and healthy fats, but it’s hard to find one that’s lightly sweetened.

I just discovered Amande yogurt from Cascade Fresh, and I couldn’t be happier! Laken too!

(Do you see that grinning face above?) 

Amande is made from almond milk, fruit juices, and truly natural flavors and colors. No hidden MSG or toxic colorings here; instead, they use annatto, purple carrot, and elderberry juices.

Almonds are highly regarded in traditional medicines for supporting the digestive tract and nervous system, and are the only nut that helps to alkalinize an overly acidic body pH. According to Ayurvedic medicine, almonds strengthen the bones, nerves, and reproductive organs.

This stuff is so free of dietary problems (unless you’re allergic to almonds) that almost anyone can enjoy it: dairy free, soy free, lactose free, no refined sugar, gluten free, no casein, vegan, and kosher…

Amande is great for people who prefer or need both dairy-free and soy-free foods. It’s also good for people who need to avoid too many sugars. So that’s pretty much everyone!

You could win some free yogurt! If you want to try a free sample of Amande, enter my blog contest here by leaving a comment before Friday, June 24th at 12pm EST.

Tell me why you want to try this awesome new product line! And be sure to ask your local grocer to start carrying Amande and other great dairy-free options so that you, and others, can get healthy, delicious foods to enjoy.

Add this hemp-based mixture to your morning breakfast drink and I can guarantee that you’ll be feeling satisfied while your body gets what it needs to cleanse easily and gently.

Congrats to Jeanne H, my hemp detox package winner! If you want to try the SoCalCleanse hemp detox protein mixes, they’re offering my peeps a 25% discount from today, Friday, June 3rd to Monday, June 6th! Use my code: ALEX25 at www.socalcleanse.com

My knowledge of dog training ends with a few half-watched episodes of The Dog Whisperer, but I guess it’s like children – you know a well-behaved dog when you see one.

win a signed copy of bad dog a love story from www.deliciousvitality.client.tagonline.com

Martin Kihn’s latest book Bad Dog: A Love Story, is a lovely story about “a boy and his dog” written by a man who has been through his own forms of self-discipline training. Martin became a client of mine a couple of years ago when he wanted to improve his energy, nutrition and productivity while finishing the writing process of this book. He was still working a full-time job and traveling quite a bit, and his publishing deadline was looming. I had no idea the book he was writing would be such a treasure, but I should have guessed it from his insightful, witty, and honestly sweet nature. (Read Martin’s success story here:)

Martin’s latest book follows his personal journey through alcoholism. His dog Hola, a gorgeous Bernese mountain dog, is equally out of control, jumping on people, refusing commands to behave, and finally threatening Martin’s wife Gloria in a particularly frightening scene. Gloria decides to leave the two animals at home to protect her own safety.

What unfolds after she leaves is a sweet, heart warming story of redemption. Martin walks away from the bottle and channels his attention into training Hola for the Canine Good Citizen test. The road is bumpy, and sometimes lonely and sad. But this book is glorious.

Martin has generously given 2 signed copies of his marvelous book to my readers! To enter to win a copy, please leave a comment here on my blog by Friday May 27th:

If you’d like to order a copy for a dog-lover in your life, go here!