Facebook

A friend of mine suggested I make a facebook page just to help motivate health, nutrition, and exercise. Maybe incorporate some challenges, share recipes, etc.  I thought it was a great idea, so I got the page up and running yesterday. Feel free to add me on fb!

http://www.facebook.com/GoVeganGoGreen

My Vegan Body

A day in the life...

My daughter had some bad dreams, and ended up in bed with my husband and I.  I woke up to find this:

We got ready and took my son to school. He recently turned 10, and I can't believe how fast time flies.  I always knew it would, I heard it from every parent I had ever met.  The best quote I have ever heard about being a parent is, "The days are long, and the years are short." Enjoy every moment while you have it.  It's fleeting.  

Yesterday we were talking about the green olives at Whole Foods, so my daughter and I decided to take a trip over there.  We found a lot of yummy vegan goodies, and she is taking very well to the whole idea.  Again.  Unfortunately I had everyone happy, healthy and vegan - and then I let everything get horribly off track.  So we're basically starting from scratch.  We are having conversations about animal cruelty that go something like this.

My daughter on seeing the above picture: Awww - that's so cute.

My response: Do you know that when you eat a cheeseburger at McDonald's, you are actually eating a cow? And when you drink chocolate milk, they are taking the milk from the momma cow and giving it to you?

My daughter: Actually they look like mean cows.  

My daughter on seeing the above picture: Aww - look at the little pigs!

My response: Did you know that when you eat bacon, you are eating a pig?

My daughter: Yeah - but I just like bacon, so it's okay.

I didn't want to traumatize her, or scar her for life in my responses.  So they were carefully worded.  I don't want to guilt her into being vegan, and I don't want her to feel wrong for desiring to eat meat.  We live in a society where it's supported, and she shouldn't feel ashamed of it.  I did want her to be informed though.  We shield our children from the simple fact that the chicken they see in their books, and the chicken nuggets in their happy meal box are in fact the same chicken.  I want her to know exactly what she's putting into her body.  We also talked about how it is digested by your body, in comparison to other foods.

Then we had the following conversation:

She started with the question, "... what if you digest yourself?"

I said, "That's called cannibalism, and it's highly frowned upon"

She replied, "Well.. okay, except it's just that when I lick myself, I taste good."

I also talked to her about moderation, and that is when she started to get interested.  I told her "You know how when you want to eat food that isn't good for your body, I always say things like 'well, you can have ONE' or 'no, not right now' and things like that?" She clearly was familiar with the phrases, and agreed.  I said, "When it is fruits and vegetables, and things that are good for your body - I don't tell you to only have one.  You can eat as many as you want.  If you are hungry, eat them."  Then she wanted to look at pictures of fruit.  She loves, loves, loves fruit.  Also the reason this topic even came up, is because she is the one who frequently tells ME that she wants healthy food - when I was on a regular routine of stopping at Dunkin' Donuts and getting her a donut with my coffee. She was sick of it. 

So we are back on track with vegan living.  I looked into the raw vegan diet, and while I may eventually take to it - right now, I'm content with vegan. We had mushroom tacos for dinner this week, and it was insanely good. It's like regular tacos, except we use seasoned and sauteed mushrooms instead of ground beef. Topped with baby arugula, tomatoes, onions, or whatever you prefer.  We also love to use avocado, but did not have any at the time.

Life is beautiful.

Cancer Walk, Raw Vegan, and more!

My day:

Brought my son to school, stopped by the gym for a cardio session on the treadmill.

Ate bananas, apple slices, and blueberries.

Went back to the gym to hit the machines, and did some abs, arms, and leg workouts.

This picture was actually taken last night, but I didn't update yesterday with it - so I'm throwing it in today!

The four pictures around the edges were taken today, at my trips to the gym!

Ate half of a watermelon with the kids.

Signed up for the Cancer Walk/Run on June 24th;
Please feel free to donate towards the cause!

I am already feeling much better, more active, and happier!  I'm so happy to be back on track with my health.  Even happier to be reaching out and helping others.

AND! ... renewed my drivers license.  It's been a good day.


---- Update; I've also ate cucumbers, mango and strawberries.

Planet Fitness!

I signed up at Planet Fitness today, and I am in love with the facility!

$19.99 a month includes (unlimited): red light therapy, massage beds, massage chairs, personal trainer, tanning, fitness classes, 12 min ab workout room, 30 min total body workout room, huge cardio section, weights, etc. 1/2 price beverages AND you can charge your iPhone or iPod while you workout and listen to music.


I got in a 20 minute brisk walk/jog.  Some ab exercises. A session in the red light therapy booth.


I signed up for an appointment with a personal trainer next Wednesday night to set up a workout plan for me! I'm so excited!  I'm most excited about the fact that the facility, and all of the above benefits - are available 24 hours a day!

30BaD

I have joined a new group online, 30BaD.  It is focused on fruit.  I have read in several other books, including my beloved Skinny Bitch, that fruit is an almost perfect food.  It digests fast, keeps you hydrated, carries vitamins and minerals, etc.

I purchased and read through the eBook "Go Fruit Yourself" and found it helpful, and it kind of reminded me of my journey here on blogspot.  Except her drive, education, and follow through far exceeded anything I set out to do.  It has inspired me however, and I'm diving head first back into the vegan world.  This time I'm looking at it raw.

I also purchased the book 80-10-10 which is considered a 'must read' to many in the raw vegan community.  I've flipped through some of it on my iPhone, thanks to a friend sending me the pdf.  I'm expected to receive it in the mail this weekend.  I can't wait to get back on track with everything.  Vegan itself is a hard bridge to cross, and I've gotten it down pretty well.  It's not intimidating at all, and I don't miss anything on the other side once I have crossed over.  I feel better, and look better - inside and out.

For those concerned about my health, please know that I have talked to my Doctor about my choices.  I was hesitant at first, because I was somewhat afraid he would debunk my newfound source of happiness.  The blog entries are somewhere on this page, a year or so ago.  Not only was he supportive, but he too was on the vegan path.  He still eats fish, and cheese occasionally.  He checked my B12 levels, because it can sometimes be a concern for vegans.  My levels were more than fine.  My weight was finally exactly where he wanted it to be.  As a result I had less problems with the tendonitis in my knees.  My husband had roughly the same number for cholesterol year after year, and it was within a "normal" range but a concern due to family history.  Our Doctor wanted to see it drop.  When we went vegan, his cholesterol dropped substantially.

So I'm not jumping on a fad diet, I am not lacking in education about health and nutrition, and most importantly... I am me.  My choices, whether you agree with them or not, are for me to make.  I am the one who lives with the consequences.  In this case, benefits...


I started my morning out with a Naked Green Machine.  While it is not as beneficial as eating fresh fruit, it is leaps and bounds ahead of my regular morning coffee; extra cream, extra sugar with a turbo shot, and a bacon, egg and cheese wrap.

Beans!

Pinto beans; kale; onions; garlic; serrano peppers; etc. = So, so good!

Halfway through cooking it, waiting is the hardest part. &


Adding in the onions, so they will still have some texture by the time the dish is complete.

Ready to eat!