I have a little vegan game I like to play- it's called "show the world how easy it is to avoid animal products." I get a certain sense of pride when friends I have dined with several times don't find out I'm vegan until much later. It helps banish one of the many stereotypes tied to the way I choose to eat.

As a vegan there are only about two places I have trouble getting a good meal: bars full of fried food and little diners who have never heard the word vegan before. Every time I visit my grandparents we visit one of those diners. I usually order an unsatisfying salad and they think I eat that way all the time.

Recently I started getting creative! I ordered a wheat sandwich with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, sliced almonds and ketchup. I also got a side of fruit. Feel free to get creative when ordering out!!

I was home visiting family to celebrate my mom's and brother's birthdays. (Happy birthday guys!!) Never one to miss out on dessert, I made sure to pick up Purely Decadent in Mocha Almond Fudge.

Who says vegans are missing out on anything?!

Now it's time for an awesome giveaway from EAS!

EAS is giving away their new product EAS Peak to FIVE lucky healthy ashley readers!

EAS Peak is "the World's Only Pre-Performance Beverage with P3™ Technology, which sustains energy, increases workout capacity and reduces muscle breakdown. Make no mistake. It's not a drink. It's an advantage."

Now this product is not vegan so I hesitated hosting a giveaway on my blog for it, but I have used the company and believe in it, and you all encouraged me to host the giveaway for my non-vegan readers when I reached out to you via Twitter.

EAS Peak isn't yet available for sale to the public, so it's pretty neat that we get this giveaway now! Leave a comment on the post with one reason why you want to try this product to be entered to win. Tweet "I entered the @EASBrand giveaway on @healthyashley http://tinyurl.com/37dqonm" for an extra chance. Contest closes September 5th, midnight EST.

All Over Yoga launches Monday 8/30!! The launch was delayed with my car accident (and, um, a boy), but I'm back and ready to get this movement started! Check out alloveryoga.com Monday for photos, contests, stories and lots of great things.

It's way past my bedtime so we're going to make this a beautiful post with very few sleepy words. Ready? Go!

Everyone, meet Cliff. We went to Ethos.

Vegan, organic chocolate cake at Austin's Coffee.

Post-yoga lunch with Katy at Dandelion.

Good night :)

After blogging or tweeting about my day full of crazy workouts I often bite my lip waiting for someone to call be obsessed with exercise. It's the one thing I have been scared to hear because I didn't know how I'd respond.

I have the kindest, most supportive readers so the closest I've gotten to that was this comment on the conversational Movement post:

"I started to read your blog a little while ago and I have definitely noticed a change in the content and direction of your blog (which has probably coincided with many changes in you!). While I admire your dedication to fitness it seems to border on obsessional at times, your blog seemed a lot more "balanced" and "healthy" before, when you were blogging about lots of different things, not how many different workouts you've managed to cram into your day."

No big deal if someone thinks I'm a little off-balanced, but this comment did spark some thought and conversation about exercise addiction- what it means and how much is too much.

My exercise habits have certainly changed. Just a year ago I would run 5 miles or take a bike ride and be perfectly satisfied for the day. I was a healthy, normal exerciser.

Then I started to run marathons, fell in love with yoga and met the Ironman. Things changed!

Now I work out a lot because I need to be prepared for some big goals (a full Ironman in October and a 50-mi. ultra marathon in December).

Also, when I see a free block of time in my schedule I think of what other activity I can fit in there. Sweating is just what I like to do most. Running clears my thoughts, cycling tires me out, swimming settles my mind and yoga balances my body.

I should probably mention that fitness is more possible for me thanks to my lack of other things. I haven't had cable in years and even stopped watching shows online earlier this year. Up until recently (woop woop!) I was single.

So as I was justifying my workouts to myself and proclaiming how balanced I really am, a friend made a good point. She said:

"Of course you're mildly obsessed. Would you reach huge goals if you weren't?"

Don't you want your doctor to be mildly obsessed with medicine?

Shouldn't parents be mildly obsessed with parenting?

Maybe an Ironman should also be mildly obsessed with exercise.

Exercise addiction can be a real problem, but not everyone who exercises for hours a day has a problem. I'm working on being proud of my fitness level and future goals, even if they are extreme to some people.

Something to think about :)

Let me introduce you to Austin’s Coffee & Film- my newest favorite place on the planet. Comfy couches, live music, delicious coffee, , open 27/7, a very vegan-friendly menu, vegan cakes and cookies and a fun staff… what more is there to ask for?

The inside is a funky mix with diner-style booths, movie theater seats and mix-matched couches and chairs. It is a good place to dine with friends mid-afternoon or to sip an iced coffee at one of their open mic nights in the evening.

My friend Alex and I visited for their vegan carrot cake and vegan donut after an indulgent lunch at Ethos Vegan Kitchen. Yes, it was a delicious day!

Their pastries come in fresh from a local vegan bakery. The donut was perfect! A definite threat to any Dunkin’ Donuts.The carrot cake? Best I’ve had, hands down. The cream cheese icing was rich and full of flavor. The cake was full of spices and raisins. It was perfection down to the last bite!

Before heading out Alex and I had a fun time checking out the decorative bricks all over Austin’s walls. Some of these made me blush!

I’m not kidding when I say I’m addicted. I was back at Austin’s a few hours later for their hip-hop open mic night with different friends! We drank iced coffee and beers (not me!) and played… Pretty Pretty Princess while enjoying the local hip-hop scene? Haha, yep.

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I’m sure most of you know I work at the lululemon athletica Orlando Outlet. I’ve been with the company for eight months now and have loved every minute. This company is just as focused on helping its guests and employees live healthier and happier lives as it is selling the world’s best black stretchy pants.

Most stores are always on the lookout for great people, but I wanted to share quickly that lululemon athletica is hiring managers in South Florida! You can find out more about working for this amazing company here.