Kris Carr discovered health, wellness, energy and vitality the way people typically do: by getting it wrong. At 31, she was living fast and hard as a “party hound and stress slut” until the day piercing abdominal cramps revealed she had a rare type of inoperable liver cancer.

But Carr’s battleship, or at least her attitude, is unsinkable. Thanks to her wicked sense of humor she kept her spirits up, shifted into research mode and switched to an anti-inflammatory vegetarian diet that incorporated loads of raw, fresh green foods to rebalance her body’s pH. Aside from full remission from a disease the doctors called terminal, she came out the other side feeling joy, lightness and renewed “sexy spark”.

Now her mission as a Wellness Warrior is to share her secrets with us.

Film footage of her treatments became the acclaimed TLC documentary Crazy, Sexy Cancer and she later married the film’s editor. Now she’s a motivational speaker, blogger, and New York Times bestselling author.

Her book Crazy, Sexy Diet is a charming and comprehensive manual on how to get your “god pod” into an optimum state of bliss. Aside from great recipes and fascinating scientific nuggets, the book includes a 21-day adventure cleanse.

It’s introduced by Dr. Dean Ornish, who says, “I love Kris Carr, she glows…. Consider this not a diet book, but a guide to living fully; not a meal plan, but a road map to self-empowerment, adorned with Kris’s unrivalled enthusiasm, humor, and compassion. By the time you finish this book, there’s a good chance you may love Kris, too.”

It’s a brilliant move to include brainfood from Ornish and 14 other superstar guest authors and doctors (and 40+ more on her website, including Vancouver’s own raw vegan Ultra Marathon champ Brendan Brazier.) These expert witnesses widen the breadth of knowledge and let us experience their expertise in their own words, which adds a nice variety to the book’s distinctive tone.

Her cheeky writing style makes this such a fun read that you forget your learning the secrets to vibrant health. Chapter 5, Go With Your Gut, starts with a warning that “we’re gonna talk shit” and follows with her twist on, you are what you eat: “…you’re also what you don’t poop. If you’re haluin’ around garbage in your cells, tissues, or colon, you’re literally waste-ing your vibrant potential.”

Not only does Carr teach you how to “dine with the divine” but covers sexy sleep, supplements, skin care, essential oils, meditation, the economics of eating animals, and how to deal with negative nellies who are threatened by your new-found success.

Get your keys to this very vivacious wellness Carr at http://crazysexylife.com/ – or pick up Crazy, Sexy Diet. Chances are good you won’t be able to put it down.

Who doesn’t love party food? Any shindig you’ve ever been to where you had to shove your way through the packed kitchen just to reach the last crab cake as someone else snatches it from right under your nose, can answer that question.

We love to fill our bellies—and parties—with all manner of tasty treats: Bite size morsels with varieties of flavors to delight each of your tastebuds, fruit and veggie trays, and all manner of dips and spreads to make crackers and breads even more scrumptious.

These recipes for three simple three-ingredient spreads take minutes to make. Whip up one, two or all three (if you’re really going for the WOW factor) for your next get together. They’re made from ingredients you can find right in your pantry—perfect for a gathering of unexpected guests. Of course, there’s no harm in making them just for you, (and not sharing) either.

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One of my favorite afternoon (well, anytime really) treats is the Power Cookie from Whole Foods. They are packed with all kinds of delicious goodness, and even come in a vegan option without the chocolate chips. Recently, I have been on the search for a recipe that replicates these tasty little morsels. I came across this recipe on All Recipes this morning and I can’t wait to give it a try. It has Cannellini Beans in it, so it should be interesting!

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Heck yes these are made with beans! They are gut happy and guilt-free, and no one will ever guess the magic ingredient. Super tasty and easy to make, serve them on their own, roll the batter into little truffle balls and coat them in your favorite topping (toasted nuts, coconut, whatever you like) or have them with my absolute favorite Vegan Coconut Ice Cream.

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As the local food scene bourgeons, one man takes the concept to completely new heights. Chef John Mooney is one of the few notable chefs in NYC that doesn’t get most of his produce from the local farmers’ market. Instead, he is growing 60 percent of his produce on the rooftop of his new West Village restaurant, Bell Book & Candle, a pioneer in his own right.

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This week’s vegan-friendly recipe comes from Vivian and Katherine at Plant Based Health. Their unique take on a traditional holiday favorite makes these delicious treats a great option for vegans and vegetarians.

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This week’s vegan-friendly recipe comes from Courtney Johnston. Courtney is an advertising guru by day, and renegade jewelry designer by night. She run’s her jewelry business, Telly Designs, out of her Vancouver, BC apartment and is a permanent fixture on the the craft show circuit. In her very limited time, she seeks out fabulous new recipes and develops her own unique creations. Her Vegan Lentil & Spinach Burger recipe actually caused her meat-loving boyfriend to consider abandoning a life of beef.

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As we quickly approach the season of indulgence, here’s a delicious Chocolate Pudding recipe that won’t leave you feeling guilty. Made with avocados, this delectable dessert is vegan friendly. This recipe comes from Rachelle, who works in our Southgate location in Edmonton, Alberta. Thanks for sharing with us, Rachelle!

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As summer winds to a close and we approach the final long weekend before the fall, it only seems fitting to spend these final sun-drenched days relaxing on a patio with loved ones and embracing all the beauty that the changing of the seasons has to offer.

One of my favorite accompaniments to a deck chair and lazy afternoon is a Mojito. I have spent many hours testing variations of the classic recipe (all in the name of science, of course) and I’m happy to share my favorite Mojito recipe.

Give it a try, and enjoy the last few days of summer in perfect minty bliss. If, however, you find this recipe too impossible to resist you may want to take a look at our all natural hangover cures below. No one wants to spend the long weekend in bed nursing a hangover and these products from Saje will get you back to good health in no time. (more…)