Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Longevity.
A Vegan Thanksgiving to Make Carnivores Jealous
There’s one holiday meal each year that I just always kind of dread. It’s not Easter, with the ham and potatoes and luscious spring-themed desserts; it’s not the Fourth of July, with the burgers and lemonade and homemade ice cream. It’s definitely not Valentine’s Day, with the fancy chocolate desserts of your romantic dreams. It’s...Thanksgiving. I know! So American, right? But there’s something about staring at a monochromatic plate of turkey (tastes like turkey), mashed potatoes (am I supposed to be excited?), rolls (yum, but still bland), stuffing (mushy reconstituted bread what?), and gravy (it’s brown...again) that just doesn't do it for me. Everything that I do enjoy about Thanksgiving tends to be made of plants - the bright, tangy cranberry sauce, the green beans or asparagus or brussels sprouts, the complex, spicy pumpkin pie. So when it comes to creating a perfect vegan turkey-day feast, I’m all about ditching any lame tofurky poultry substitute and walking on the wild side. See if these brilliant vegan Thanksgiving switch-it-up meal ideas don’t have your meat-eating friends and relations turning sneaking forkfuls from your plate and asking for the recipe.
By Sarah Quinn9 years ago in Longevity
Holy Crap I'm 40: Clothing Edition
Fashion at 40, where to begin. The most important rule of thumb being, if you were able to wear it the first time it was in style, it might not be the best idea to be wearing it when it comes back in style. Unless you have a lot of confidence, or you just don't care, or you are a professional model. Even I looked good in a miniskirt in the 80s, but now I would just scare people. It is important to know when to say when. There has got to be a happy medium between the woman who dresses to kill every day and the woman who looks like she is homeless... I am still trying to figure that out, as I am the one who favors the latter. It helps that I only have boys and they love me no matter what I am wearing. I get the feeling that if I had daughter's, it would be an entirely different story. I sense I would get a lot of eye rolls and door slams.
By Banji Ganchrow9 years ago in Longevity
Simple Methods to Creating New Friendships
Studies have shown that being social and having friends is good for your over-all well being. Making friends isn't always easy, especially when most of your days are spent at work and you have little time for anything else. When the quality of your time becomes more important than the quantity of your time, it is important to have some sure fire ways of getting people to like you and then, subsequently, forging friendships. Unfortunately, some people simply do not like people. And they don't care if people don't like them. They are arrogant, braggadocious, and just plain not nice. Whatever their issues may be, those folks are on one end of the spectrum. Weeding out those people can be quick and easy.
By Banji Ganchrow9 years ago in Longevity
The Most Incredible Vegetarian Tacos
When I was a kid, tacos always meant ground beef cooked up with some McCormick taco seasoning served in a flour tortilla with cheddar cheese and iceberg lettuce. Only I never ate the iceberg, because, you know, vegetables. Not exactly the first thing you think of when you’re trying to eat whole foods, or more veggies, or less fat. But today tacos are a concept borrowed by every possible food subculture imaginable, and this especially applies to vegetarians. Ditch the original “tacos” of your childhood for spicy sauces and salsas, a hundred different delicious veggie and bean and cheese combinations, and all kinds of crunchy, crispy, flavorful toppings that will make you wish every day was Tuesday (and that there was a taco truck on every corner).
By Sarah Quinn9 years ago in Longevity
Gluten Myths People Still Believe
For most people, a life without warm bread and starchy pasta is a kind of unimaginable hell. I harbor deep sympathies for those diagnosed with the three conditions that require strict avoidance of gluten (the proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley that give bread that heavenly elastic quality we’ve come to love). If you’re not one of those people who has been told my a certified health professional that gluten is slowly killing you from the inside out, but have instead chosen to jump on the gluten-free bandwagon by choice, I hate to break it to you, but your deprivation (probably) isn’t doing you any good.
By Alysha DePerna9 years ago in Longevity
Herb Magic
Think of Halloween and what comes to mind? Jack O' Lanterns, black cats, witches riding their brooms across a Sana moonlit sky, bats? Not too far-fetched, actually. Many traditions that we use to celebrate the autumn holiday comes from superstitions and the medieval use of herbs and charms to ward off evil spirits used for centuries.
By Jillian Spruce9 years ago in Longevity
Cleaning Tips to Make Your Life Easier
Cleaning is an acquired taste. Some of us find it cathartic; We clean when we are stressed or anxious. Others only clean out of necessity-when the gunk in the toilet takes on a life of its own or the sheets begin to smell like something died in them. Dishes pile up and spill over, the sticky substance on the counters starts spreading down the cabinets... not a pretty picture.
By Banji Ganchrow9 years ago in Longevity
Fresh Asian-Inspired Vegetarian Salads and Slaws You'll Want All to Yourself
Do you go through the Phases of Salad Enjoyment like I do? Here’s how it works. I realize I haven’t eaten a vegetable in two days and I’m like “Who am I? What am I doing with my life?” I get all excited about salads and start making them again. But after a while, salad boredom strikes and I feel like if I see one more tomato or cucumber on my table, I’m going to toss them out the window and watch them splat in vengeful satisfaction. Unfortunately, this leads me back to the part when my diet is sadly lacking in vegetable-rich nutrition. When you, too, reach this unfortunate point, you need something to get you motivated. I suggest Asian-inspired salads like these, fresh, crispy, crunchy, refreshing, spicy, and oh-so-flavorful and textured - just what you need to get you back in the swing of feeling amazing and eating well.
By Sarah Quinn9 years ago in Longevity
Forget Pokémon Go, Fitocracy is the Fitness RPG Site You Never Knew You Wanted
Has your Pokémon Go gotten up and gone? Are you tired of endlessly hiking the harsh (and occasionally paved) terrain in search of both rare Pokémon and getting swole, but finding neither? Still, if you’re a little geeky and like to combine your workouts with your nerd-outs, Pokémon Go’s the best program for that. Right?
By Anne St. Marie9 years ago in Longevity
Super Delicious Vegan Sandwiches for Fall
Back in college, my BFF Karen’s then-boyfriend, now husband Eric was part of a Sandwich Club. It had only two members: Eric, and his friend Brian. I don’t know why, but for some reason, I pictured this guy as a chubby, sweaty Dungeons and Dragons kind of guy complete with awkward facial hair and zero social skills. Imagine my surprise when I eventually met this “Brian” and he turned out to a strikingly handsome, very funny guy with perfectly rolled up sleeves and high cheekbones. Also my future husband. Uh...who’s awkward now? (The answer is: me, for judging people I don’t even know and then totally eating my words by marrying them.) ANY WAY, the only way you could get into the Sandwich Club was by marriage (or so Eric and Brian said), and that was definitely a plus. I always forget about how healthy and texturally amazing sandwiches can be. They’re the perfect vehicle for all your crispy, crunchy, chewy, creamy, fresh, and flavor-filled favorites. Just shove your favorite edible goodness between two slices of bread (or lettuce, if that’s the way you like it) and mash your face into it. But if you need some sandwich-making confidence or just new ideas, read on for a list of seriously delicious vegan sandwiches that are perfect for fall.
By Sarah Quinn9 years ago in Longevity
Best Detoxifying Rituals
With each new season comes reflection—including reevaluation of your health and habits. Maybe you’ve thought about improving your overall health by eliminating those toxins accumulated by breathing and eating in an industrialized world. Or maybe you just need to end a weekend of splurging and overeating.
By David McCleary9 years ago in Longevity
