Nearly two months ago, I made a life-changing decision. I decided to no longer eat meat and become a vegetarian. Now before you roll your eyes and think I’m just another person jumping on this “bandwagon” who will try to turn you into one, I can promise you that I am not here to try to “convert” you to my new lifestyle. Our bodies need protein, and in moderation, meat offers plenty of it and can be very good for you.

 So why the change? It seems to be the number one reason most other people have stopped eating meat – a documentary. I was bored at home, so I picked something random from Netflix, a movie called Veguacated. It is about three Americans who are big meat consumers who are challenged to turn vegan (no milk, eggs, yogurt, or anything else that is an animal bi-product) for six weeks. Within the documentary, the Americans watch a film about the treatment of animals that are killed for consumption purposes. Tears immediately rushed down my cheeks; I was shocked by what I was seeing. I’ve watched some pretty gruesome movies before, but nothing like this. So, from that point on, I decided I couldn’t encourage or take part in that any longer. The characters also lost weight and became healthier than before. If you’re interested, you can have a look at their website here: http://www.getvegucated.com/

I have to admit, it’s been a pretty even split between being very easy at times, and very difficult at others. My mother’s main concern was that I would lack necessary nutrients, which has surprisingly been the easy part. I’ve been drinking green smoothies filled with spinach, fruit, seeds and nuts for almost a year, and though they might not look good, they taste great and are a good source of most of the things you need in a day. On top of that, it turns out fake meat has just as much (and sometimes more) protein and iron than the real stuff. Which brings me to my next point… They make fake EVERYTHING. Burgers, chicken burgers, nuggets, hot dogs, bacon, ground beef, and the list goes on. They’re hit and miss for taste, but they’re generally much better for you and I get a little piece of mind knowing the only thing harmed in the process was a couple of soy beans.

The hard part was thrown at me over this past long weekend. Cottaging means BBQing, and boy did my friends do that. From bacon to deliciously marinated steak and ribs, the smells drove me nuts and almost caused me to break. Habit has been another challenge to overcome; I’ve caught myself going for the meat that is in mine and all of my friends’ fridges, and had to remind myself not to do that. It’s also helpful that Crave Healthy Habits offers a variety of vegetarian options, and even the dishes made with meat can be done without and still taste delicious.

I’m excited to see where this can take me. I learnt the hard way from a six-month attempt at vegetarianism when I was 16 years old that not getting the nutrients your body needs will turn you very pale and make you very sick. Eating grilled cheese sandwiches and potato chips is not the way to go. So here’s to a new lifestyle of hopeful weight loss and healthy eating!

Ashlee Lacasse

 

Now that we’re fully committed and motivated to get healthy and fit, let’s execute a workout plan. As I’ve mentioned before, having a workout buddy is extremely beneficial. They’re there to keep you motivated, push your limits, and throw you a compliment when you need it the most. But it turns out that’s not all they’re good for; having another person around in the gym opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for creative workouts. It keeps things new and exciting! Every time my friend and I get together for a sweat session, we do one or more of these exercises that our dear personal trainer taught us. So grab your bud, read over this list, and get sweating!

Lower Ab Killers: 

Ever notice a little pouch of fat under your belly button staring you in the face when you look into the mirror? That’s because our poor lower abdomen is forgotten far too often while working out. Sure, crunches and Russian twists are great; but neither of those target the right spot. Here’s what you do…

-       Have your friend lay down on a mat.

-       Stand above them, with your feet directly on either side of their head.

-       Your friend should wrap their arms around the back of your leg, and grab your ankle or the back of your shoe.

-       Keeping their legs and knees straight, they should lift their legs to your chest.

-       Hold on to their feet, allow them to stabilize, then lightly push their legs away from you either straight down, or slightly to the left or right.

-       Just before their feet touch the ground, they should return their legs up to your chest.

-       Repeat.

Stability Ball Pass:

Think of this exercise as a game; you’re playing pass with your friend, the only difference is you’re using your body! It’s great for your core and legs.

-       Lay down on a mat, and have your friend lay oppositely behind you, keeping their head to yours. (Legs-Head-Head-Legs)

-       To make sure there is enough space between you, back enough far away that when you stretch your arms above your head, you can just touch their hands.

-       Hold the ball between your feet, keeping your legs straight as you bring it up into your hands.

-       Pass it off to your workout buddy, bringing the ball over your head and into their hands. They will then place it between their feet, bringing it down until it’s almost touching the ground, then repeat.

-       Remember to not let your feet or the ball touch the ground as you lower your legs. Work those core muscles, I know you can!

Excruciating High Fives:

Who doesn’t love high fives? We’ve all been giving them out since we were what. Three years old? This one is fun and challenging, but I must warm you now, you might not be able to look at the fun hand gesture the same way again…

-       Get into push up position. Your pal will do the same, facing you.

-       Ensure there is enough space between you by lifting one hand off the ground and stretching it in front of you. You’ll be good to go if you can easily reach your friend’s hand when they’re stretching theirs out, too.

-       Make sure you are both using the same hand (right and right, left and left), simply clap hands, then alternate.

-       Just like a regular high five, you should never leave your friend hanging.

Challenge yourselves with these workouts. They’re fun, effective, and not at all time consuming. Count how many each of you can do in each set, and try to beat that number every time. Get creative, make up your own. As long as you’re sweating and hurting in the right places, you’ll know they’re working!

Crave Healthy Habits!

By Ashlee Lacasse

Staying on track with a healthy diet and regular exercise can be hard… Very hard. It’s no surprise that chips and ice cream (for the most part) taste better than broccoli and brussel sprouts, and laying on the couch watching your favourite TV show is a lot easier than sweating like a pig and feeling like you may die during a 5K run. And if you’re anything like me, turning down a piece of triple chocolate cake can feel very similar to a breakup… So how do some people make staying motivated look so effortless?

The first and most important step is to recognize that being healthy is not a fad. The word “diet” should not exist in your vocabulary; commit to the life-changing world of healthy living and you’ll already have made this challenging experience a little bit easier for yourself.

Next, find somebody who will hold you responsible for what you eat and how often you’re exercising. Ideally, you will spend a lot of time with your healthy buddy, pushing each other during workouts and pulling them away from the fast food joints they so badly want to go into.

Get yourself a food journal to hold yourself accountable for when your friend may not be around. Write everything down. Your starting weight and goal weight (if you have one), what you’re eating and how much, what you’ve done in terms of exercise, and how you’re feeling that day. It might seem silly in the beginning, but re-reading your entries will either make you feel very good about the progress you’re making, or, on the flip side, will make you realize you have some changes to make if you want to achieve your goals. 

Remember why you’re doing this: whether it be for the long rewarding life, or the hot summer body you plan on showing off for the four months of Canadian warmth. Search before and after pictures on the Internet and believe that hard work can get you there, too. Choose a healthy lifestyle and imagine how you will look and feel if you do not give up on this.

These are some ways I stay motivated, how do you?

 

By Ashlee Lacasse

Crave Healthy Habits

Happy Friday, Cravers!

As a healthy take out boutique, Crave Healthy Habits uses ingredients that not everybody is familiar with. Looks of confusion often cross our customers faces while reading over the menu board, curious to know what certain things are.  Today, I want to put that confusion to rest and explain some of the unique items we use - and more importantly - why we use them.

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah)

I have never heard so many variations of this word before we opened our doors. This is an option to be used as the base of your salad or hot box. 

What is it? Considered a super grain that dates back long ago.

Why do we use it? 

- High in protein and fibre 

- Filled with many essential vitamins and minerals

- Reduces risk of diabetes

- Lowers cholesterol 

- Helps with weight loss

Goji Berries

A recent addition to our menu, dried goji berries do a lot more than add a pop of colour to the Golden Rhythm. 

What is it? Also known as a wolfberry, it is an orange-red berry that is native to China

Why do we use it?

- High in antioxidants 

- Improves eyesight 

- Assists with weight loss

- Reduces risk of cancer and heart disease

Napa Cabbage

Don't let the word cabbage scare you away! This ingredient is used in our two most popular dishes, Chisaya Mama and Californication. 

What is it? Though it looks like iceberg lettuce, it is a sweet, crunchy type of cabbage that is dense in nutrients.

Why do we use it? 

- Very low in calories

- Reduces risk of cancer 

- Strengthens immune system 

- High in vitamin C

We've put a lot of thought into making our dishes the best they can be, allowing you to feel confident about what you're consuming when you eat at Crave. 

Remember - Eat cleaner, feel better! 

By Ashlee Lacasse  

 

 

Toronto: The city of go-go-go. The place where everybody is in a hurry to get from point A to point B, where rush hour is a nightmare, and making time for life’s essentials (food, sleep, socializing) can be tough.

In a setting like this, making time for a tasty, nutritious meal your body is craving is nearly impossible. So what do we do on our lunch break? Generally, we do one of two things. Either we grab the romaine lettuce salad that is filled with water and holds no nutritional value, topped with a high-fat dressing that will end up making you hungry three minutes after you eat it. Or, we opt for the greasy stuff. The burger and fry combo that is cheap and conveniently waiting for you the minute you step foot into the restaurant. The problems there are the weight gain from consuming your recommended calorie intake in one sitting, stomach pains, and instant regret.

At least this is how things used to be…

On May 21st, 2013, Crave Healthy Habits opened its doors at 145 King Street West as part of the Toronto Path. Three young entrepreneurs decided to put a stop to the unhealthy food choices people were making by offering a restaurant option that is quick, healthy, and delicious. With the introduction of par-steaming, Crave found a way to prepare a meal in three minutes or less, sending their customers out the door quickly to face the rest of their jam-packed day with a full, happy belly.

The salads and hot boxes are made with fresh ingredients that are highly nutritional and are topped with dressings that are prepared in house, preservative-free. Customers have the choice of quinoa or brown rice as a base for their meal, and may add protein including oven roasted chicken or turkey, smoked salmon, or tofu.

Don’t be shy – Come by, say hi, and try our Californication, Summer Breeze or Chisaya Mama (we’ll help you with the pronunciation on that one!)

We promise you’ll come back again, craving more.

by Ashlee Lacasse

We are proud to announce our first store opening. Crave has secured a location with the help of Oberfeld Snowcap in Downtown Toronto at the financial district. we will be located at 145 King St. West. on the concourse level. Thrilled and excited to make way for our way of life to be introduced to the public. 

let the games begin, we are going to start construction soon, keep you guys updated.

Crave is proud to announce its participation in Toronto’s International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC). We have been selected along with a hand full of other selected vendors to showcase our brand at this very exclusive gathering.

Founded in 1957, ICSC is the premier global trade association of the shopping center industry. Its more than 55,000 members in over 90 countries include shopping center owners, developers, managers, marketing specialists, investors, retailers and brokers, as well as academics and public officials. As the global industry trade association, ICSC links with more than 25 national and regional shopping center councils throughout the world. For more information, visit www.icsc.org.

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in Canada and around the world. With their “Mo’s”, these men raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer.

On Movember 1st, guys register at Movember.com with a clean-shaven face. For the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery. Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts.

Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November. Through their actions and words, they raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

At the end of the month, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas celebrate their gallantry and valor by either throwing their own Movember party or attending one of the infamous Gala Partés held around the world by Movember, for Movember!

For all the Cravers out there, lets be apart of this great cause and grow a Craving Moustache!!

The Movember Effect: Awareness & Education, Survivorship, Research

The funds raised in Canada support the number one male cancer, prostate cancer.

The funds raised are directed to programs run directly by Movember and our men’s health partner, Prostate Cancer Canada. Together, the two channels work together to ensure that Movember funds are supporting a broad range of innovative, world-class programs in line with our strategic goals in the areas of awareness and education, survivorship and research.

For more information on the programs we are funding please visit the following:
Prostate Cancer Canada
Awareness & Education
Global Action Plan

Crave is proud to participate in running a food drive for “The Stop Community Center”, in an attempt to move our society towards a healthier future. ”The Stop” is a food center  that serves low-income, homeless or marginally housed and socially isolated community members who live between Bloor Street (south), St. Clair Avenue (north), Dovercourt Road (east) and Runnymede Road (west). These different groups are brought together by a lack of adequate income with which to purchase nutritious food that ensures good health. For example, the median after-rent income per person per day for our community members is $5.80 and 66% of our participants report that they have no money left for food or any other expense after they have paid rent. The Stop is a critical resource for many of the most vulnerable people in our community.

These days corporations are thriving to bring down their carbon footprint, while some are just doing so in a manner thats just on the surface, we at Crave have decided to go the extra mile to keep everything a step ahead of the green movement. By using biodegradable materials in our Caterings and Stores, we will make sure that the good mother earth is treated just the way she deserves. From the little stuff like napkins to all the serious equipments used in our kitchens, we made sure to have environment friendly materials and equipments.

Like our Facebook page under Crave Healthy Habits, and follow our Twitter @Cravehealthy to get the inside scoop on whats going on.

Be kind, love the earth and make sure our grandchildren get to take as much advantage from it as we did.

Long Live the Healthy,