If you're like me, you probably get sick of eating the same thing all the time. I try to keep a variety of healthy snacks in my house at all times just in case. A good snack is one that takes less than 5 minutes to prepare, is easily portable and fills me up. These are my favorite most convenient healthy snacks:

 A handful of raw almonds: I like to keep a zip lock baggy full of the protein filled nuts in my purse, just in case hunger strikes while I'm out and about. Being vegan makes it very difficult to find food on the go, so it's best to be prepared.

 A bowl of fresh fruit: I use a variety of fruit found in my kitchen, slice it up and put it in a Tupperware. Fruit is full of filling fiber and sweet tooth satisfying all at the same time.

 Veggies and hummus: Studies have shown that veggies lose nutritional value when they're cooked, so eating them raw with hummus is great for you. I like to use baby carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower and zucchini. On top of that hummus contains all 9 essential amino acids for a complete protein.

What are your favorite quick and healthy snacks?

I'm constantly raving to friends and family about the positive effects of doing yoga and eating a vegan diet. And to my satisfaction I've found a tidbit of evidence supporting my case:

If you are a vegan-yogi, you are already well on your way to fighting prostate cancer. Researchers found that this combination "seems to switch on genes that fight disease, while effectively turning off others that can promote cancer," reports the U.K.'s Telegraph. The findings were reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by Dr. Dean Ornish, working with Dr. Christopher Haqq and Prof. Peter Carroll. How has a vegan diet and yoga affected your health?

SOURCE: Yoga Journal

I know that too much of anything is never a good thing, and the same goes for soy products. Since becoming vegan, I've noticed that nearly every meal I eat contains some type of soy product. In the morning I'll have a bowl of cereal with soymilk and fruit almost everyday and I'll generally have tofu or some other soy-meat product with my lunch or dinner meals. On top of that, my freezer is stocked with my favorite "healthy snack"; frozen edamame beans. Although most of these products vary in look and taste, they're all coming from the same plant. And after doing some online research I've learned that what I thought of as healthy diet choices, could actually be harming me.

THE FACTS: Non-fermented soy products contain phytic acid, which contains anti-nutritive properties. Phytic acid binds with certain nutrients, including iron, to inhibit their absorption. This is a direct, physical effect that takes place in the digestive system. Their ability to bind is limited by the milligrams of phytic acid present.

Products using non-fermented soy include:

• Fresh green soybeans
• Whole dry soybeans
• Nuts
• Sprouts
• Flour
• Soy milk
• Tofu

CHOOSE FERMENTED SOY: Many studies have shown traditionally fermented soy--which is the form that is very popular in many Asian cultures--aids in preventing and reducing a variety of diseases including certain forms of heart disease and cancers.

Products using fermented soy include:

• Natto
• Miso
• Tempeh
• Soy sauces
• Fermented tofu and soymilk

CUTTING BACK: The next step for me is to switch things up without eliminating soy products completely. I'm going to start using almond or rice milk instead of soymilk with my breakfast cereal. I will also try to avoid eating tofu and soy meat products as regularly as I have been. Instead of tofu I'll opt for tempeh. To fill the spaces where the soy-meat products once were, I'll eat a variety of beans, nuts and legumes for protein.

SOURCE

Musicians Leona Lewis and Anthony Kiedis were voted the sexiest vegetarian celebrities of 2008.

Kiedis recently went vegan after learning about the worldwide depletion of fish in the oceans and after a doctor recommended a healthy vegan diet for his son. "Soon after I [went vegan] I saw some documentary footage of what happens in the factory farming of cows …. It sealed the deal," says Kiedis, who documented his earlier hard-partying ways in his autobiography, Scar Tissue.

By contrast, Lewis—whose album Spirit made her the first British artist to top the U.S. Billboard chart with a debut album—has a squeaky clean history. And when it comes to the dirty business of animal abuse, she's a woman of action. "I am vegetarian so I don't have clothes, shoes or bags made from leather or suede or any animal products. … I'm on a mission," she says.

SOURCE: Peta

Are you debating on trying Oprah's 21 day cleanse diet? If so you may want to know that her diet is based on the book Quantum Wellness: A Practical and Spiritual Guide to Health and Happiness by Kathy Freston. The cleanse is more than just a diet, but it will help to improve both your physical and mental state.

THE DIET: Stay on this program for as many days as you can, up to 21 days, as your ambition, willingness, and ability allow. Just do the best you can and don't worry about perfection. The first time around, you may go just a day or two. That's fine. Just give it a try. Take one day at a time. Don't look too far ahead. Who knows? You may surprise yourself when you find yourself on day 14!

For the next several days, up to 21, please avoid the following:

• Caffeine
• Sugar
• Alcohol
• Gluten
• Animal products

DIET RESOURCES:

• Read an overview
• Buy the book
• See Oprah's menu, blog and more!

I"m actually thinking about trying the cleanse, because it sounds amazing. Alcohol would defiantly be the hardest thing to give up in the summer because of all the beaching and BBQn'. I'm interested to know what all of you Be Hollywood Fit readers would have the hardest time giving up.