Join NYT Bestselling Authors for a life-changing weekend!!!

Dear Reader,

I want to personally invite you to one of the most inspirational and transformational events of the year, organized and founded by the incredible Liz Dawn Donahue. Liz founded Celebrate Your Life 10 Years ago with her late mother Arielle Wolfe, with an intent to help shift the consciousness of the planet one event at a time. I have attended and sponsored this event for the last 3 years and it is my absolute joy to invite you to come along with us for a weekend in Chicago like no other…

Sincerely,

Shayne Traviss, Founder of VividLife.me

Celebrate Your Life is a life-changing experience!

Are you ready to create the life you desire and give it more meaning and purpose?

People travel from all over the world to Chicago to attend Celebrate Your Life – designed to offer you ways to create your best, most fulfilling, meaningful and joyous life from all aspects of your being.

In four inspring days, you will attend life-changing workshops and keynote lectures with over 15 of the country’s top spiritual, personal growth and metaphysical teachers in the world including:

Marianne Williamson Don Miguel Ruiz Neale Donald Walsch James Van Praagh Caroline Myss Colette Baron Reid John Holland James Redfield Michael Beckwith. . . .and MANY MORE!!!

Celebrate Your Life begins on Friday, June 8th and goes until Monday, June 11th and takes place at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center. Stay for all four days or just the weekend! It’s your choice!

CLICK HERE TO SEE A COMPLETE LIST OF SPEAKERS & CONFERENCE DETAILS!!!

READ: 8 Simple Healthy and Green Travel Tips by Carolyn Scott Hamilton

This is the year your going to do it, right? You’ve saved, you picked the place and you’ve even set a date. But you want to travel as healthy and green as possible as it will save you money while also being nice to mother nature. Well, here are a few easy tips to help you get to your exotic destination, the healthy and eco way!

1) Carbon offset credits – Flying is one of the biggest fuel guzzling acts anyone can partake in. And unless you have unlimited time and funds, chances are you won’t be sailing across the globe to see it. Flying is a necessary evil but by purchasing carbon offset credits, you can rest easy knowing that the money will be put to good green use!

2) Bring your own bottle -Always, always, always bring your own water bottle. For health and hydration but also to keep plastic bottles out of the landfills. I don’t leave home without my reusable glass bottle!

3) Eco lodging -Do your best to stay at green friendly hotels. More and more, hotels and motels are going green by providing everything from hypoallergenic, organic rooms and bedding, to dual flushing toilets, etc. Many exotic resorts are super green so relax in green luxury, worry free!

4) Drink your veggies – When traveling, being sure to keep your health and immune system in proper working order is key. Sometimes it’s tough to get in a great salad or big plate of veggies so opt to bring a vitamin packed veggie powder that you can mix in water and drink up. My fave is Go Greens by ToGo Brands as each packet, mixed with 8ounces of water, is the equivalent to 6 servings of veggies!

5) When in room – Instead of having housekeeping change your sheets and towels every day, skip a day or 2 to save on the water and electricity it takes them to wash your not-so-dirty goods. Also, make use of your room and prep meals there by keeping left overs on ice and using your coffee pot to heat up food and soups!

6) Eat veg -Depending where you are in the world, eating vegetarian is easier then other spots. But you can always load up on local produce and fruit for snacks instead of opting for packed junk food like chips and cookies! Get to know local foods and cultures by checking out nearby markets and taste testing their goods!

7) Take walking or bike tours – When traveling, it’s fun to do some touristy stuff and take guided tours. Look for walking or biking tours so that you get some exercise in and steer clear of gas guzzling buses. Good for you and good for the planet!

Don’t break from your routine – Ok, so you might not be able to hit the gym every day or eat as healthy as you like but letting yourself go completely while away makes it much more difficult to return to normalcy upon your return home. If you can squeeze in some stretching, a brisk walk and most importantly, being mindful of what you eat, you will thank yourself later!

Wherever you go on your next trip, make it healthy and green!

Technorati Tags: Green travel, healthy travel, travel tips, vegan travel, vegetarian travel

Travel to Kansas and spend 3 relaxing days with Tim Freke and The Mystery Experience

If ever there was a great time to visit Kansas City and enjoy the benefits of being in two different States with one giant step, now is that time! On July 5th, Kansas City is all set to welcome Spiritual Philosopher and Best-Selling Author Tim Freke in what is set to be a most amazing Mystery Experience of all time. Why is this event so special? It will be the only time that Tim will be in the USA for 2012. Promoting his new book, The Mystery Experience, Tim is keen to take you on a 3-day excursion you won’t soon forget.

For one very low price ($375), you’ll be picked up from the Kansas City Airport and transported to the beautiful Savior Pastoral Center, very near the popular Legends Shopping plaza and the KCI Speedway. Located outside of the bustle of the City, the Center provides the perfect spot to unwind and get in touch with your inner spirit. All meals will be provided and Vegan/Vegetarian meal plans are also available. You’ll get to spend personal time with Tim from Friday until Sunday, getting to know him and learning how to tap into your own Mystery Experience. Visit the Savior Pastoral website to see the accommodations.

As far as spiritual experiences go, Kansas City has a lot to offer. Being a hub for different religious sects makes it an interesting place for any spiritual explorer. Many important people have come to our great City to help enlighten others to their own higher good and Timothy Freke is no exception.

Tim’s first appearance,“Two Transformational Events in One Evening”, will be held at Unity Temple on The Plaza , Thursday July 5, 2012. The evening is to begin with an “Encounter with Tim Freke” from 7pm to 8:30pm which includes both a discussion on his new book, The Mystery Experience, and a book signing. The evening tops off from 9pm to 10:30pm with HuDost in concert featuring Moksha Sommer from Montreal and Jemal Wade Hines from New York. The cost for all of this: Encounter with Tim Freke, a copy of The Mystery Experience and HuDost in concert is just $40.

Next, there will be a 3-day relaxed-intensive, The Mystery Experience Retreat at Savior Pastoral Center, 12601 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas. This retreat will begin on Friday, July 6, 2012 at 5pm and conclude on Sunday, July 8, 2012 by 3:30pm. The cost for the retreat is $375 and includes lodging and all meals (Friday Dinner, Saturday Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, and Sunday Breakfast and Lunch). Early-bird discounted tickets are available only until April 15, 2012 for $325.

“When you taste the Mystery Experience you know something which changes everything. It’s like dissolving in an ocean of love. There is such a feeling of relief and well-being. Like coming home. The whole purpose of spirituality is to help us let go into the Mystery Experience. And this is much easier than is commonly believed, because it is simply recognizing our own essential nature, which is always present.”

Find out more about these events by visiting WildJoy! Productions

READ: Where To Dine Healthily in Johnson City, Texas by Carolyn Scott Hamilton

Johnson City, Texas. Just an hour or so northwest of San Antonio, located in the beautiful rolling hill country, this is the small town that president Lyndon Baines Johnson grew up in. Being a history geek, along with my hubby, we took a day trip up to see LBJ’s boyhood home as well as to see the sprawling acreage at his Texas White House about 20 minutes west of there.

A peaceful area, Johnson City boasts a population of 1,200 people. Yes, you read that correctly. So what was I able to find in this little Texas town you ask? Plenty!

If you’re either making the pilgrimage out to check out some American history or just passing through Hill Country, rest assured that there are some veggie options available in good ol’ JC!

The first is at the Silver K Cafe. Super cute and part of what was an old lumber yard, this cafe is an all American gem. Easily veganizable salads and sandwiches, it’s the perfect place to stop for lunch or grab and go to eat on the road. I loved my fresh focaccia grilled vegetable sandwich and was delighted at the variety of seasonal veggies that they packed it full with. It’s small town America with a progressive and delicious menu!

If it’s an ice cold local beer you’re looking for, check out Pecan Street Brewing Company located in the town square. Grab your draft and order up a cheeseless pizza, salad or be naughty with some sweet potato fries. A hip brewery that overlooks the historic town square makes for a neat evening treat!

Pizza is always welcome after a day of sightseeing, especially when traveling with a group of buddies or family. AJ’s Pizza Shoppe is just the place what with their awesome outdoor stage and giant menu of toppings to make the veggiest pizza ever. AND they offer gluten free crust! Order up a big cheeseless pie, load on the veggie toppings and enjoy your slice under the stars while listening to some local jams. Ah, that’s Texas!

Johnson City is a great little town somewhat frozen in time. But as I just proved, no matter where you might be, metropolitan or not, The Healthy Voyager can always find vegan, gluten free and healthy eats!

Technorati Tags: dining, gluten free, healthy options, Johnson City, Lyndon B Johnson, museum, sightseeing, Texas, travel, vegan options, vegetarian options

READ: How to Order Vegan, Gluten Free Or Healthier Options at National Restaurant Chains by Carolyn Scott Hamilton

Expanding on last week’s post on healthier fast food finds, I’ve compiled a list of popular restaurant chains that can be found nationwide. You never know when you are heading out for a meal with a group and need to do the best you can with the menu you are given. No matter where you may be in the U.S. (and Canada), you should have no problem finding a decent meal at any of the places on the list below. So fear not my little health conscious foodies, you may eat, drink and be merry in mainstream dining establishments!!! In no particular order:

• P.F. Chang’s – 3 words, veggie lettuce wraps! OMG, I LOVE these darn things. Tofu sauteed in a delicious soy sauce (gluten free people, have them sautee the tofu in rice vinegar and lemon) served with crunchy rice noodles and crisp lettuce “tortillas”. They are great about offering steaming vs frying, brown rice and lots of veggie dishes. Tofu can be substituted for most of the meat entrees as well. Chow down guilt free at PF Chang’s!
• Chili’s – I want my veggie meal, veggie meal, veggie meal….Yeah, order up the portobello & steak fajitas and have them hold the steak. They will add extra mushrooms and veggies like broccoli, onions, peppers and more!! Make sure, vegans, to ask for extra fixin’s to make up for the loss of the cheese and sour cream. Don’t forget extra chimichurri! Their black bean burger is also a great veggie and healthy hit, although not vegan. Also opt for their veggie tacos, hold the ranch sauce for a satisfying meal. Their salads are all modifiable but be sure to ask about the dressings as that’s where the naughty ingredients like to hide ; )
• California Pizza Kitchen -This place rocks for vegans, veggies, gluten free peeps and more! Vegan split pea soup, asparagus soup with no croutons and their grilled veggie salad are to die for!! Their hummus (with neopolitan crust instead of pita) is a winner for any diet type and the guacamole is a hit too. Salads can be modified to fit your special diet, the balsamic vinaigrette is vegan. Pizzas made on neopolitan dough are veganizable when ordered without cheese. I kill for their veggie or tricolor salad pizza!
• Houston’s -I know, what can you get at a steak house that’s healthy or even vegan? How about the best damn veggie burger ever!! A homemade black bean and brown rice patty smothered in a sweet soy bbq sauce. Order it without cheese and check out one of their vegan sides like steamed veggies or black beans with brown rice. You can also opt for a soy latte, a veggie sushi roll and a side salad. Insane!
• The Cheesecake Factory – This catalog for a menu always has something for all discerning orderers ; ) Tons of veganizable salads (choose a balsamic or citrus vinaigrette and nix the black beans as they are soaked in beef juice). Naughty fried zucchini, crisp artichoke hearts  and the best, avocado egg rolls. A healthier fire roasted artichoke dip is a great start choice as well edemame and guacamole. That dang bread the serve will come in handy for satiating the carb demon as the pastas and sauces are not vegan. And lastly, the grilled portobella on a bun is yummalicious without cheese and mayo!
• The Olive Garden - Italian is usually simple enough for a health nut ; ) Their minestrone is vegetarian, make sure they do not garnish it with cheese or throw in to many pasta shells. It’s hearty and tasty when paired with the all you can eat salad. Ask for oil and vinegar as the dressing as the house Italian contains Parmesan. The bruschetta appetizer with no cheese is a doozy too. Gluten free folks can ask for a separate menu that lists acceptable items as it is part of their new garden fare menu for those looking for the lighter side of the garden ; )
• Applebee’s – Try the veggie patch pizza appetizer with no cheese or spinach (it’s creamy). Change up any salad by omitting unwanted items and tossing it in their balsamic dressing. Go for the chicken portobello sandwich without the chicken with a nice side salad. Those of you on weight watcher’s, they’ve got the points values of everything on their menu so you don’t have to guess!
• TGIFriday’s – You are pretty much subject to ordering a salad without meat or cheese and going with a vinaigrette. You can indulge in a basket of sweet potato fries though ; )
• Panera Bread – This is one of my all time favorite spots. Fresh salads, soups and breads that work well on any diet. I always go for the pick 2 and get a vegan soup with the classic cafe salad. Go for an apple as your side and you are good to go! The sandwiches can be veganized with proper direction and its worth it as their bread selections are awesome. Soy lattes and healthy meals are the perfect combo!
• Ruby Tuesday – Gluten and peanut allergy sufferers can dine happily here along with us greenies. They have detailed menus of what special diets can order without worry. For me, I can chow on a guacamole dip starter. Then I can move on to a salad I make on my own at their salad bar. Perhaps a homemade veggie burger and some brown rice pilaf or steamed broccoli and I’ve just had one vegtastic feast!
• Fuddrucker’s – If you must, a veggie burger with all of the fixin’s can hold you over. I normally order it protein style, no bread, wrapped in lettuce ; )
• Chevy’s - I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Mexican is a great way to go for all kinds of special diets. Always make sure of the chips and tortillas are made with lard but usually one or the other is ok! Chevy’s has some kick ass guac and salsa! Their veggie fajitas rock as does their veggie burrito. Just save the sour cream and cheese and you are golden! AT a chevy’s the black beans are vegan and the both tortillas are lard free (with the exception of the El Machino flour tortillas) The salsa vinaigrette and Mexican rice are also perfecto!!
• Sweet Tomatoes/Souplantation -You can’t go wrong when you make your own salad at a salad bar! Some of the tossed salads are also vegan such as the mandarin spinach with caramelized walnuts, strawberry fields with caramelized walnuts, thai peanut & red pepper, and the thai udon & peanut. Vegan friendly prepped salads are white bean, arugula citrus, red pepper slaw, Asian pepper salad, bean & cilantro, dijon potato & garlic dill, mandarin noodles w/broccoli, mandarin shells w/almonds, green bean & potato, roasted potato & chiplote chili, southwest pasta, summer barley w/ black beans, tabbouleh, citrus & brown rice, tomato cucumber marinade & 3 bean marinade. gain, it’s safe to stick to the vinaigrettes. Lots of soups to choose from as well, providing they are available on the day you pop in like the tomato onion, ratatouille, black bean, veggie harvest, minestrone and lentil. The bakery and pasta bars don’t have much for vegans but you may get lucky with some of the bread or sauteed veggies ; )
• Hard Rock Cafe – Yep, depending on where you are or who you are with, you just might find yourself at one of these ; ) Fear not as you can grab a tried and true HRC veggie burger, with no cheese or mayo. Have a side salad unless you want to be naughty, then order the fries!
• Boston Market – Love their market salad with no cheese. It is super fresh and tasty! You can also order a veggie carver and indulge in the apple cobbler, Cinnamon applesauce or fruit bowl.
• Denny’s – You know you might end up here one night after a show or a long drive! So if and when you do, know that you can consume a veggie burger and a side salad. Or for breakfast, oatmeal with no milk, a veggie patty with dry toast along with some oj and coffee ; )
• Macaroni Grill – My favorite thing to order here is the create your own pasta in which I ditch the pasta all together and have them saute all of the veggies they have in a garlic and olive oil! Goes down great with a glass of red wine and some of their peasant bread ; ) Vegans can’t do the pasta, pizza crusts or even the red sauce. They are great with food allergies and special diets so don’t fret if you don’t know before you go!
• Buca di Beppo – Start with some bruschetta (hold any sprinkled cheese) and then split a big ol’ mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette. I mess with the menu by ordering the gnocchi with plain marinara and veggies and I’m sure you can do the same with any pasta dish.
• Pick Up Stix – You can’t go wrong with Asian cuisine as you can always get some sort of stir fried veggie dish. Here you can do tofu lettuce cups, tofu and veggies, rice bowls and whole slew of lighter fare. Go for the steamed, not fried items if you can swing it, have some salad, and watch out for the soy and teryaki of you are wheat and gluten sensitive.
• Jason’s Deli - This is a nice spot to pick up fod for a trip or day at the park. Sandwiches and sides for all. Go for the spinach veggie wrap with no cheese or the Mediterranean wrap with no mods.
• Bennigan’s - The usual American fare can be health-ified by veganizing the salads and keeping an eye on the dressings. Same for the veggie burger ; )
• Outback Steakhouse – haha, ok. For non veggies, get your meat grilled and get a side salad instead of that damn bloomin onion! For veg heads, get a salad with the tomato dressing, no cheese. You can also pull out all the stops and get a steamed sweet potato! Their veggies are drowned in butter but you can ask for them steamed and dry. No mushrooms either as they are swimming in beef broth ; (
• Johnny Rockets -Boca burger is your friend here and is customizable to be as fat or as plain as you want it. Fries here are a-ok as they are fried in soy oil. Vegan but not to healthy ; )
• Z Pizza – This organic pizza joint is a hit! Organic crusts, toppings and even vegan cheese and meatless toppings. Pizzas, salads and sandwiches are all made fresh and taste freakin’ great!!
• The Habit – It can’t be healthy and again, these places are supposed to be had once in a blue moon. However, if you find yourself here, get the veggie burger (unfortunately not vegan but ok for veggies), no cheese, on grilled sourdough with cucumber, sprouts, avocado and grilled onions. OMG!!! oh, and they have salads too ; )
• Pizza Fusion – This is what heaven must be like!! Organic salads, sandwiches and VEGAN PIZZA!! Yes!! Gluten free crusts, vegan cheese, a gajillion awesome toppings…Word.
• Daphne’s – Mediterranean rocks for healthy choices. I love their veggie combo plate with hummus and pita, dolmas, falafel and salad. Filling, tasty and no guilt to wasty ; ) I hold the spanikopitas (cheese) and add more of everything else. falafel pitas and salads are good too!
• Pomodoro – I really like the selection here. I go light with a mixed green salad and minestrone. Sometimes I do the melanzane penne pasta primavera ; ) They also have some great side veggies, some even organic!
• Louise’s Trattoria – This place wins for the best minestrone! Ask for it with no sprinkly cheese or crusty cheese bread and it’s still mega tasty! I pair this with a huge Louise’s chopped salad with no cheese and I am elated ; )
• Mimi’s Cafe -A large menu always has some good options for alternative meals. The salads are veganizable with balsamic dressing as is the veggie ciabata with no cheese or pesto. The vegetarian vegetable is a good choice as is veggie burger.
• El Torito – oh yeah, tableside guac – the best in the biz! Go for that and some salsa but make room for their veggie burrito as it is chock full of great veggies. Order it with the vegetarian beans and you will be a happy camper! And if you drop the dairy on the veggie enchiladas, you will be full for days!!
• Acapulco – Similar to el torito, their appetizer guac is pretty good. Check out the veggie fajitas with no cheesey or creamy condiments.
• Chin Chin – Veggie potstickers and minced veggie lettuce cups every time!! But they do have some great veggie noodle and rice dishes as well as being able to sub tofu for meat on most of the menu items.
• Claim Jumper – mmm, fire roasted artichoke (ask for it with ponzu sauce) or avocado rolls to start! Veganize any salad by nixing meat and dairy items and sticking to citrus or balsamic vinaigrettes. Also try to produce bar! For a heartier meal grab a veggie sandwich sans cheese with a veggie stuffed baked potato with no cheese ; )
• El Pollo Loco – I forgot these last 2 guys last week so here they are! If you catch yourself around here, sides are alright. Like a side salad with no cheese, pinto beans and some veggies with no margarine. Slather all your stuff in salsa!
• Pollo Tropical - I am a sucker for Cuban food so the sides here make me very happy! Boiled yucca in garlic sauce, plantains, and some rice with black beans. They also offer the veggie tropichop which is like a cuban veggie rice bowl. Oh so good!

We’d love to hear about your special diet menu secrets at national chains!

Technorati Tags: gluten free, healthy dining, how to order, restaurant chains, tips on ordering, travel, trip, vacation, vegan menu items, vegetarian menu items, wellness

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