Hello! Aren’tchyagladit’sFriday?!

Today was awesome. I worked through a tough 5.5 miles in the morning, David and I went to Wet N’ Wild waterpark in the afternoon and David treated me to Carrabba’s for dinner! Perfection!

Check out my post about a healthier alternative to Pop-Tarts over at Megan’s Munchies here!

I measured my PB to see what an actual serving looks like.. turns out I’m pretty close!

I was starving before my run so I munched on bread.

Post-run lunch was reheated carrot soup with a side of microwaved fresh asparagus (which I dipped in ketchup :).

A fruit pop just screams summer! I had the bar right after paying in the park.

And CARRABBA’S!!! I couldn’t believe how easy it was to order vegan! And it was super yummy!

I simply told our server I wanted a pizza loaded with veggies but no animal products like cheese or butter. He confirmed I wanted dough, sauce and veggies.. that’s right! It turned out so flavorful and tasty! I ate four pieces and have two to include with lunch tomorrow :)

David, Dixie and I are heading back into town tomorrow to visit our family. We haven’t seen them since we moved! I’m leaving my laptop behind! I’ll see you all Sunday or Monday ;) Enjoy your weekend!

Are you complicated when ordering at restaurants? What’s your most-used healthy request?

Howdy! Isn’t a big bowl of carby oats a beautiful sight? This morning I ate mine with cacao nibs, a banana, cinnamon and soy milk.

And later an apple with a side of bloody finger :(

 

But mid-morning I was still hungry! I had a piece of toast with a way-too-sweet jam to quiet my belly.

Lunch was leftover vegan Mac N’ Cheese with a big bowl of sautéed veggies (later covered in 2T nutritional yeast).

I almost forgot to photograph my yummy frozen mango that I enjoyed while driving to find new running shoes!

I ended up falling in love with the Asics GT-2140. LOVE. In the store I did a quick search on my blackberry to confirm I was making a good choice.

At 5pm I got home from the store starving! Before exercising I refueled.

David and I enjoyed a long walk and I came home to 25 minutes of tough strength exercises! I have a long run planned for tomorrow :)

Dinner was sweet potato fries and veggies… light enough for a too-late dinner.

This girl is wiped out! Good night!!

Beneath it All
Chase Daylight
Fit Feet
Graduate Meghann
Green Dog Wine
Hangry Pants
Happy Herbivore
Healthy Tipping Point
Itzy's Kitchen
Jackson's World
Joe and Betsy
Lesley Living Life
Lighter Portions
Living Healthy in the Real World
Marathon Val
Meganerd Runs
MizFit Online
Mrs. LC
Off Her Cork
Oh She Glows
On a Lobster Placemat
Run Eat Repeat
Say Yes to Salad
Smoke Training
Soap & Chocolate
Tri to Cook
Trying to Heal

Did you catch tonight’s premiere of the new plus-size dating show More to Love? I’m surely not in love with it.

“MORE TO LOVE, the new dating competition show from Mike Fleiss ("The Bachelor"), follows one regular guy's search for love among a group of real women determined to prove that love comes in all shapes and sizes. The inspirational new series is hosted by iconic supermodel Emme.

Luke Conley is a 26-year-old former college football offensive lineman who stands 6'3" and weighs over 300 pounds. He's a successful sub-contractor and real estate investor who has his sights set on building a long-lasting ...relationship.”

Sounds great, right?

First, let me say women do come in all shapes and sizes. Size is different for all people and in no way does height, weight or shape ever determine a woman’s (or a man’s) worth. Never.

So, with that, I hated this show. I felt More to Love was all about size when there is so much more to focus on. They make these women seem desperate. What bothered me most:

1. Along with the contestants’ names and occupation, their height and weight is shown. Really?? Isn’t the goal that women might NOT be judged by their weight? Is their size that important? Why list their weight on More to Love but not on the Bachelor?

2. Much of the interview segments from the women are them talking about how they’ve been so lonely and sad because of their weight and how it’s affected them. I’m sorry they feel that way but couldn’t we also focus on the positives in their lives? (One woman is a rocket scientist!)

3. When Luke welcomes the girls he basically says “I know it was hard for you to come here because of your weight.” Why is it assumed that because these women are heavy they are automatically insecure? I’d like to believe that’s not the case at all!

Degrading, degrading, degrading. Gah!

Have you seen More to Love? What do you think about the idea of the show?

Anyway… here’s what I ate!

I love the classic- 1/2 c. oats cooked with cinnamon, flax and a banana.. topped with a bit too much PB!

Then Dixie went crazy barking inside the house! Something was trying to get in!

I worked on a freelance project most of the day… Jack did all the work.

Lunch was in three parts… toast, green monster, more toast! I was hungry and busy and this fit the bill!

I was hungry today! Around 3pm I enjoyed a Pink Lady.. and a tsp of PB ;)

Then I went to the gym and ran 5.2 miles! I stopped running altogether after my last half-marathon when I was plagued by shin splints. Working my mileage back up as I prepare for my first full marathon is both challenging and exciting!

The run was awesome (5.2 mi. in 56 minutes- including warm-up and cool-down)… but I came home starving!! I knew I dinner wouldn’t be for a while so I had some blackberries, soymilk.. and another tsp of PB. I’ve never felt like I needed food so much!

Plus lots of rest, ice and elevation after a good stretch!

Dinner was hearty and healthy! TONS of spinach, broccoli and grape tomatoes sauteed in a lot of garlic and a tsp of olive oil- served with a crapload of nutritional yeast. Served with one of my trusty frozen Veganomicon black bean burgers :)

Dessert was a special treat that I’ll share tomorrow :)

Good night, friends.

Hello!

I've talked before about the yummy vegan carrot soup recipe I found on AllRecipes.com. But the way I make it is so different from the original that I thought it deserved a new post.

I love this soup. It's definitely one of my favorite meals. It is healthy, tasty and so filling. I like to make a huge batch and freeze in individual bowls. It reheats perfectly!

So here is my carrot sweet potato soup recipe (adapted from allrecipes):

INGREDIENTS

* 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
* 1 medium onion, diced
* 3 cloves garlic, minced (I used 2.5 T minced garlic)
* 8 large carrots, cut into large chunks (I leave the skin on)
* 2-3 sweet potatoes, cut into large chunks (I leave the skin on)
* 2 cups vegetable broth
*1 cup milk alternative (I used vanilla soy)
* 2 teaspoons cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon curry powder
* 1 teaspoon paprika
* salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook oil, onion and garlic, stirring often until onion is translucent. Add carrots and potatoes, and cook for just a few minutes.

2. Pour the vegetable broth into the pot, and add seasonings. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until carrots are tender.

3. Puree soup in small batches* using a food processor or blender, or if you have an immersion blender, it can be done in the soup pot. Reheat soup if necessary, and serve or freeze.

The weekend is over… already!?

Tonight will be a quick recap.. and pictures from tonight’s blogger potluck!

I spent my Saturday with Big Bertha, my new 14 cup food processor. The hummus above was just one product :)

(I’ll post a good hummus recipe once I make a good hummus recipe!)

The weekend involved a few Clif Zbars  :)

 

Some lounging around…

And plenty of banana soft serve!! (Directions: Whip the heck out of a frozen naner. Top with too much PB. Lick bowl clean.)

 

Maybe a few chips & salsa snuck in there :)

And pink lady apples with MORE PB!

 

…and more lounging around!

Until tonight’s blogger potuck at my house with Meghann, Kelly and Megan!

The girls brought amazing yucca fries, summer salad, cookies and special veggies! I made Snobby Joes from Veganomicon… these were so yummy I’ll definitely be making them often! (Lentils were the main ingredient.)

Along with the four of us we had three puppies. I think the dogs had as much fun as we did! They will sleep well tonight :)

     

Thanks girls for coming over! I (and my belly) loved it!

See you tomorrow!

What do you usually bring to potlucks? Any recipes to share?

Happy Saturday! Isn’t the weekend just wonderful?

I am happy to report that yesterday I ran a decent 5 miles! I took so much time off from running after my shin splints that getting back into it has been slow and challenging. I need to be able to run a comfortable 6 miles by the middle of August for my marathon training. I can do it!!

LOL- and I tripped and jammed the treadmill toward the end of the run! Smooth :)

I was excited to start the day off with a Publix multi-grain  bagel with PB on one side and Smart Balance and jam on the other- served with a side of fresh blackberries!

Soymilk :)

Post-run some peppers and mint tea…

At Chili’s I ordered a Southwestern Vegetable soup (minus the cheese) and a side salad (minus the cheese) with a side of balsamic dressing. Perfect. It was super-easy to order vegan at Chili’s because I found they have an awesome Vegetarian menu online! (Although now that I look at it the croutons might not be vegan…)

After lunch I was craving something sweet… Edy’s Fruit Bar- Strawberry

A pink lady :)

Plus a scoop of peanut butter!!

Around 4pm I had to run some errands and enjoyed a Zbar on the way. My trusted vegan Ryan informed me these are vegan- I was so excited! Clid Kid Zbars are a nutritious way to fill a chocolate craving!

Dinner was light considering my massive amount of snacks… a reheated black bean burger, steamed veggies (umm, and a Zbar!).

Let me introduce Big Bertha!!!!! I found this Kenmore Elite Heavy Duty 14 c. Food Processor on craigslist. She retails for $175 but her previous owners didn’t use her… so they sold her to me! I love her!

Obviously banana soft serve was first on my must-make list! Two bananas with a hefty spoonful of PB. Yes, I ate like a man today.

And I’ll leave you with my Jack… or his feet anyway. He hides under the bed all the time, but obviously he’s not the best hider!

In place of my regular post about today’s eats, I’d like to talk about what veganism has been like for me so far.

Almost three weeks ago I decided to go vegan (after being a vegetarian for 9 years) after a good talk with Ryan. The week after my decision I saw Food, Inc. which really made going vegan so much more important to me.

I don’t have any doctor’s results to share, and it has only been three weeks, so here is my casual review of what veganism has done to me so far.

Stomach- One of the main reasons I changed my diet was the horrible stomach pains I had been experiencing. All stomach pains went away within a few days of eliminating animal products.

 

Food- My food has been so much more fresh, healthy and whole. I’ve tried amazing  vegan dishes in my own home and out that I would have never tried otherwise.

Cooking- Before I had a few dishes I would rotate. Now, I am using cookbooks and my own creativity to come up with yummy meals and snacks. I don’t think I’ve had the same meal twice!

Freedom- This  might seem contrary to what veganism is, but by removing all animal products from my diet, I actually feel more free. I feel empowered when I cook and eat food and I’m getting more excited about it now than ever before.

Energy- Before I was so tired all the time. Now, I have much more energy and have no problem staying awake in the evening. I sleep better, too.

 Skin- My skin seems brighter and more even-toned.

Complexity- Eating vegan has been unbelievably simple. The transition was definitely easier for me since I was already a vegetarian

Cost- Vegans win :) A can  or bag of beans will always be cheaper than yogurt, cheese or meat! Although I have been spending more on quality produce, so I think it evens out.

David- David has been eating so many vegan and vegetarian dinners. The food is whole and filling and he seems to like it.

 

Weight- My weight has not changed.

Cravings- I have no cravings for animal products. A while ago I did eat some cheese (and my stomach hated me for it) and it was out of habit, not craving.

Overall- Veganism has been great. I feel better, I am eating better and my actions are good to animals and the environment. I am most surprised at how easy it has been. I plan on continuing eating a vegan diet.

How do you and those you live with handle cooking/cleaning chores? If you make the dish, do you clean up as well or expect your partner to clean?

These sweet cows live right off the bike trail near my house. Last time I visited them, the one above (who I named Betsy- no offense, real Betsy) licked my hand! Her nose was so soft, too! It was like a puppy’s underbelly.

It might be weird, but for as long as I’ve been a vegetarian, I feel like I have a special bond with all animals I see. After all, I don’t eat them and my everyday choices respect them. I <3 cows.

I ate a big bowl of naner/PB oats before babysitting this morning. It was so early that I forgot I was a food blogger!

Lunch was packed: organic PB & blackberry preserves on a multi-grain bread.. served with an amazing Pink Lady apple.

Mid-afternoon I remembered to take a photo of my half-eaten endamame (all gone!) and grape tomatoes. Refreshing and filling!

..although not filling enough because I came home starving. I enjoyed 1/2 banana and PB with a small glass of OJ.

Dinner was about three things: simple, CHEAP and healthy. I think this fit the bill!

Jasmine rice, side salad and a spinach/bean dish I made up. Sooooo satisfying and flavorful.

Ashley’s Spinach-Bean Dish:

In a frying pan:

- tons of garlic

- 1 tbsp. olive oil

- tad of teriyaki sauce (optional, but I love it!)

- splash of lemon juice

- a few grape tomatoes sliced

- tons of fresh spinach, torn to pieces

- can of kidney beans (rinsed and drained)

- toss some sliced almonds in toward the end

Let it simmer until yummy! I will definitely make this again.

I can always go for something sweet and enjoyed an Edy's Strawberry Fruit Bar (review to come)!

Don’t forget about the question up top! Enjoy your night!

I’m stalking all gyms in my area in hopes one will hire me (to any position) so I can earn my rent money while learning the ropes of how a gym operates. And nothing is happening on that front yet!

So meanwhile I’ve managed to get hired for a great babysitting gig one (long) day a week. And tomorrow is my first real day.. and I am way past my bedtime in order to be well rested! So this will be quick… and doesn’t yet include the last few hours!

I took a very rushed photo of my am oats.. before going to COSTCO!!

Carolina John, are these the animal crackers you rave about?

Cheap nut butters!!!

My loot (and some things for David I won’t be eating!):

 

Look at the size of this bag of carrots!! I have an awesome recipe for these!

With all this fresh produce, lunch was an easy decision: have it all!

After lunch I still felt like I needed a little sumtin’… so I tested out my new PB! Delicious and oh-so-creamy!

As I run off to bed I will leave with you with one of my many “Dixie Marks.” She (accidentally) gave this to me Saturday when I took her to the dog park and she was so soooo soooooo excited that she just had to jump on me… and take half of my thigh with her! Yes, it hurts :)

Like these posters I just ordered to hang in the master bedroom? I’m thinking of painting the wall gray, too!

Yesterday David and I rode 35 tough miles on our bikes. Even though I ate quite a bit yesterday to make up for the deficit, I woke up hungry! Oatmeal hungry!!

Banana oats with flax, cinnamon, raw cacao nibs and sliced almonds. Made me happy!

Lunch was 3 parts eaten pretty close together while I studied more NASM! Random rosemary crackers, a 20+ ounce (!!!) green monster and yellow pepper with blueberries!

After lunch I was craving cookies.. so I hard grits!? Weird.

Dinner was a stir-fry with jasmine rice and a spinach “salad” with ginger dressing. Easy, healthy and perfect!

…and a wonderful dessert of frozen mango with blueberries while watching a less-than-expected "Bachelorette Men Tell All” episode. Blah.

Here’s to another great week! Good night!

____________

Last summer's NYC Half-Marathon was a huge success and the Fresh Air
Fund-Racers raised more than $125,000. We are also still in need of
Friendly Town hosts for next month. Host families open their hearts
and home to a NYC child who would not otherwise have the opportunity
to escape the hot, crowded city streets.

Check out The Fresh Air Fund to learn more.

Is there anything cuter? Dixie thinks she is one of the cats… she steals the string from Jack all the time!

I’m all about oatmeal, but in this hot weather all I want is a green monster and toast! (Toast seen here x2) I wonder if I’ll ever get tired of it? :)

After breakfast we packed the car with beach towels and yummy food and drove the hour to Wekiva Springs… only to be greeted by a closed sign. They were already full :( So we enjoyed the hour drive home and ate lunch in the kitchen!

While I made more black bean burgers to freeze, I enjoyed a packet of Quaker Weight Control oatmeal. I had a coupon and picked up this box a while back. I love how it has a heartier portion than regular packets (for 160 cal.) but it tastes like chemicals!

We had plans to go bowling with Meghann and Kelly but had to cancel since we both had pounding headaches. The rest of the night was lazy and easy! Dinner was 1/2 block of baked tofu served with wraps, salad and a peanut sauce mix. Yummy.

Blogger ate my photo so I have to give you this icky one :(

Enjoy your Sunday night!

Happy Saturday! Have any fun plans for this weekend? I am itching to do a long bike ride. We will see! But first what went down yesterday!

Working on more consistent eating, I started my day with a big green monster and toast (with Smart Balance and jam).

Later on a yummy glass of soy milk :)

And a balanced lunch! Leftover vegan Mac n’ Cheese, cherries and a salad with tons of veggies, sliced almonds and a ginger dressing.

Such a satisfying lunch…

Later I attempted my first batch of dry black beans. When I saw ten servings of organic dry black beans were $1.99 at Whole Foods and a can of 3 servings was about %$1.30, I went the cheap route.

Mid-afternoon  got a hankering for some chocolate… so I made a cookies and cream shake! This under-200-cal. snack included soy milk, dark cocoa, sugar, raw cacao nibs and 1/4 scoop of soy protein.  So, so, so good!

My afternoon treat fueled me wonderfully for a 4 mile run! This is the longest I’ve gone in a while and it felt so good. My shins are a little sore but I’m hoping icing, foam rolling and rest will make them 100% again.

Dinner was Veganomicon’s black bean burgers!  I never follow the recipe so for seasonings I used paprika, pepper and garlic salt; and I added chopped bell pepper, nutritional yeast and a tablespoon of salsa.

I stuck them in the freezer for 10 minutes and then seared the burgers on the grill. I can’t describe how tasty these were. So flavorful!

Served with sweet potato fries (heaven!!) and cherries (more heaven!!!)! I don’t think I’ll ever buy frozen burgers again!

 

What is your favorite “from scratch” recipe?

You see a lot of Dixie, but Jack is my baby, too. Jack sleeps with us in the bed and is so cuddly all night long. I love this guy!

Staying home alone in the house all day makes me so snacky! To make it even worse, my makeshift desk is really a part of the kitchen. I love snacking- but I hate when I don’t have an appetite for my main meals!  

x2

umm, I definitely ate more bread than that :)

No, I didn’t drink vinegar! I did recycle an old kitchen cleaner bottle and turn it into a gentle kitchen cleaner (inspired by this post).

 

Homemade chocolate milk while watching House Hunters: soymilk, cocoa and a bit of sugar…shaken!

Wow, that’s a lot of food! Tomorrow I’m looking forward to more balanced meals and fewer snacks!

Do you snack? How do you keep it in control when you’re bored?

 

Have I mentioned how much I love my Dixie? I love Jack, too. Maybe tomorrow you’ll get a photo of his handsome butt!

My 3-part breakfast included soy milk, a green monster (soy milk, Amazing Grass, blueberries, flax, spinach and ice) and some cereal. Perfect :)

Around 10am I took a break from organizing the closets to head out for a run. I brought a small bottle with water and a bit of OJ for a little boost.

It was wayyyy too hot out! I had planned 4 miles but instead got in a tough 3.2 run. Please refrain me next time I try to run when the sun is shining.

And then I had cheese. Cheese wha?! Yep, the vegan spontaneously had a tablespoon of this (delicious!) cheese.

I don’t want to eat more cheese because it’s important to me to give this vegan thing a chance. Also, my stomach has hurt all day since that cheese. All the stomach pains that went away when I went vegan came back as soon as I had this cheese. Lesson learned?

I also ate some leftover grilled asparagus before meeting Ryan and Megan for lunch at Dandelion Communitea Cafe.

Since going vegan I’ve been all about trying new things. I ordered the Fakin Lettuce & Tomato.

The sandwich was like a BLT although with yummy tempeh instead of bacon! I loved the flavors of this sandwich!

 

We also stopped by Whole Foods for vegan chocolate chip cookies!! I savored every yummy, cruelty-free bite!

While whipping up vegan Mac N Cheese (I didn’t really follow the recipe… but have I ever?!) I snacked on some crack/garlic bread.

Dinner:

I’m off to study more NASM. Still loving it! Soon I’ll begin sharing fitness information with you :)

Happy Wednesday! The weekend is approaching quickly!

Happy Monday folks! Thanks for reading… today especially all of you made me extra happy :)

To fuel for our big day of wholesale I had the standard oats:

WE CHOSE COSTCO!! Honestly, your comments on my Costco v. Sam’s post convinced us right away. We didn’t even check out the competition!

The customers waiting for it to open were too funny: about 20 people armed with carts and serious faces… they were ready to shop!

Inside we were like little kids. Everything was HUGE and most of it was so cheap!! We wanted to buy everything but our wallets told us to slow down a bit. Luckily I get to go back another week and get even more!!

See that huge spinach? Although not organic, it was $4.99!!!

I was really impressed by the amount of organic products. From produce to chips to meats and cheeses, there were some great, cost-effective options. If there was an organic option, we bought it.

Day 1 at Coscto cost us $136- which I think is great for everything we got!!

Much of this is for David… see if you can pick out what belongs to who :)

David also got his first taste or organic meat after seeing Food, Inc. I was so proud!  (that was already in the fridge)

David likes his Eggos!

This organic edamame? $4.99!

By the time we could eat lunch we were STARVING so the meal was quick and simple.

  

I enjoyed a green monster with blueberries, soymilk, soy protein, Amazing Grass, spinach, flax and ice. I didn’t have any ripe bananas :(

Along with the smoothie: endamame and several pieces of fresh garlic bread topped with Smart Balance. It was the most delicious carb overload.

I spent the afternoon putting away the last few boxes and studying my NASM materials. I ran out of time to run so I’m calling today an off day.

Dinner was simple, too. A salad with endamame, corn, peas, chickpeas, blueberries, shredded carrots and a ginger dressing. And hot sauce! ;)

With more bread…Just look at that!!!

This girl is in carb overload. I can’t wait for a fresh day tomorrow filled with less bread and more exercise!

 

Good night!

Yesterday my eats were all over the place! I have photos of the first half of the day, but I'm going to skip it to spare you the we-need-groceries random food post. Instead here's my review of the EAS Myoplex Strength Formula shakes!
I was lucky enough to receive samples of the three flavors from EAS on my big moving day! I was exhausted from all my lifting and running around so I sipped the Vanilla Creme throughout the day. The Chocolate Cream and Strawberry Cream I had after two long workouts.

My preference flows this was: Strawberry Cream--> Chocolate Cream--> Vanilla Creme

From the website:

• EAS Myoplex Strength Formula is a refreshing shake that fitness enthusiasts can rely on within 30 minutes of a workout to help refuel and rebuild lean muscle.
• EAS Myoplex Strength Formula shakes feature a combination of carbohydrate and pro tein to help provide sustained energy as well as support lean muscle recovery and muscle energy replenishment following physical activity.
• With 25 grams of protein, EAS Myoplex Strength Formula shakes complement the existing line of Myoplex powders, bars and ready-to-drink shakes, such as Myoplex(R) Original shakes with 42 grams of protein, that help meet the nutrition requirements of other types of athletes.
• Myoplex Strength Formula shakes are available in grocery stores, drug stores and mass stores. EAS sports nutrition products are also available at www.eas.com and www.AbbottStore.com.

My opinion!

GOOD:
- yummy! I honestly enjoyed all three flavors!
-keeps me full and satisfied
-convenient 14 oz. bottle
-is perfectly balanced to help me recover from my workout (takes the guesswork out!)
-210 calories is a steal for 14 oz. of richness!!

BAD:
-long ingredient list


If I wasn't avoiding dairy now, I would buy these to have every once in a while. I prefer whole foods but sometimes my body craves a satisfying, balanced and tasty product!

I am definitely interested in wholesale options like Sam's Club and Costco (the two in my area) but am having a tough time deciding which would be best.

Ryan did some searching around and found that Costco has Larabars and organic spring mix while Sams had Zbars and organic spinach... so they are different!

Happy Sunday!!

Morning started with a bowl of PB-naner-oats followed by a fast 16-mile ride… but let’s just get to the important stuff!

Ryan and I drove to Woodlands USA (weird name for an Indian restaurant) to meet up with some great bloggers for lunch!

We  shared an appetizer sampler filled with lentils and other things I either can’t pronounce or have never had before!

 

I’ve never had Indian cuisine so I was a bit apprehensive. I decided to order #53: Baigan Bartha- an eggplant dish with rice. Most of the table ordered the same thing! It was delicious and just a bit spicy!

Gloria (no blog-yet!) made 9 new best friends by bringing (vegan!!) Super Charge Me cookies!!

Group shot! Caitlin, Amanda, Megan, Jessica, Gloria, Lindsay, Meghann, Kelly, me, and Ryan.

It was almost 4pm by the time I got home from lunch! I was a tad hungry and ate most of my leftovers :-P 

Then David and I drove  one hour to try to catch the shuttle launch… which was postponed again…

Between my big lunch and second lunch of leftovers I wasn’t too hungry for dinner. I settled with a green smoothie (with Amazing Grass!) and two pieces of toast. Perfect :)

  What was your favorite dish this weekend? Have you ever had Indian food?

Almost nine years ago I stopped eating all meat and have been apologizing for it ever since. Seeing Food, Inc. left me feeling empowered and proud of my food decisions now and nine years ago.

My decision to first change my diet happened when my family had a small farm. We had chickens, ducks, geese, goats, pigs, turkeys, lambs, cats, dogs and a horse. The animals were a result of my love for animals and I was so happy to have them. One day I went out to feed my chickens after school and was startled to find my favorite chicken, Fryer, mangled in pieces. It had been attacked by some intruding animal. Sure, what happened to Fryer was natural, but to a 12-year-old girl it is traumatizing.

One week later my mama goat Noel died after several days of (very loud) suffering. The moment I found out was the moment I stopped eating meat: October 3, 2000. I made that decision because I couldn’t justify being so upset when my animals died and then causing other animals to be killed for my dinner. It didn’t make sense to me.

My Nana told me no boys would take me out on dates. My mother said it was too inconvenient and too unhealthy. My dad bet it would only last a year.

Lasagna with mozzarella; eggs, bacon and cheese; pizza; greasy hamburgers with all the toppings; meat and potatoes- this is the food I was raised to believe is normal. It’s normal to buy what meat is on sale at the grocery store. To be a bit healthy buy low-fat. This is what is normal. So by avoiding certain products because of personal convictions I made myself abnormal. And so I entered into nine years of defense and apologies.

From the moment I decided to save animals by the way I eat I have had to defend myself. I defend myself in restaurants when I want to know how the food is cooked; I defend myself to the many people I encounter who are certain I must not be healthy; and I defend myself to my boyfriend’s parents who want to be sure that I won’t make a vegetarian out of their son. Adopting a vegetarian diet has been all about doing the unnatural and defending myself for it.

I decided to also cut out dairy and go vegan one week ago mostly for my own health. Defending myself for being vegetarian is nothing compared to defending myself as a vegan.

Watching the movie Food, Inc. definitely turned the tables. I watched chickens deformed by growth hormones, too unstable to stand or walk. I watched injured cows be prodded by a trailer. I watched the chickens, who don’t have room to move at all, be kicked and thrown into a truck to be sent for slaughter. Watching the cruelty before my eyes was almost too much for me to handle. From that moment I decided no longer will I apologize for living cruelty-free and no longer will I consider the unregulated, horrific practices of mass food production normal. Never again.

The decision to eat meat and animal products or abstain from it is entirely personal. But the decision to support farms where animals are treated with respect is entirely necessary.

With every meal you support how your body is nourished, how a corporation is run, how a chicken is handled and how a farmer is paid. Your choices do count and after watching this movie I hope those choices are handled with radical care.

Happy weekend everyone!

Today’s star dish was definitely dinner at Ethos Vegan Kitchen with Ryan, her boyfriend Evan and David.

The atmosphere at Ethos is warm and welcoming. It’s open enough that an omnivore could feel at home.

David ordered the Pumpkin Seed & Pesto Penne Pasta: Penne pasta sautéed in a creamy pesto sauce and tossed with tomatoes, squash, zucchini, and topped with roasted pumpkin seeds. It was good, but neither of us would order it again.

Per Ryan’s suggestion I branched out and ordered the What's the Dilly, Philly?- Sautéed marinated seitan with onions, red and green peppers, mozzarella cheese, and veganaise. 100% vegan, this was the greasiest, most delicious and most satisfying meal I’ve had as a vegan, vegetarian or carnivore. Amazing!!!!

After dinner at Ethos we headed out to see Food, Inc.

This movie was way more than I expected. It strengthened my commitment to veganism, deepened my feelings of how others eat, made me outraged by politics… and so much more. Really, I just don’t know what to say now. I simply came home and loved on my Dixie thanking God nobody will ever hurt her. More on this later.

The rest of the day’s eats:

Our fridge is in need of restocking so I had no idea what to make for lunch. That led to an interesting combo of vegan Mexican spring rolls! (inside was spinach, refried beans/salsa, carrots and pieces of chopped tomato)

Apparently they were pretty good since David actually asked to have some of his own for lunch! Another vegan, nutritious meal for David!

Around 4pm David and I snuck out of the house for a quick 13 mile bike ride. Mid-ride I had two Clif Shot Blocks. Love those :)

Have you seen Food, Inc.? What have you read/watched/heard that changed your way of thinking?

I am proud of myself right now.

All day I had planned on a long afternoon bike ride. That ride was delayed when David asked me to wait until he got home from work…. and then the pouring rain kept us from going at all! Sitting in sunscreen and ugly bike shorts I was pretty bummed and decided to just skip working out. Well, 30 minutes later I stood up and said “That’s it! I am going for a run!” I enjoyed a wonderful, rainy 2.7 mile run in 27 minutes to the grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner. Perfect.

Glorious oats with flax, cinnamon, naner and way too much natural PB.

I am also proud of myself because all my food today was 100% vegan, homemade and delicious. Seriously, I ate so well!

Spring rolls like these are perfect to use up leftovers. My three had sweet potatoes, black beans, mango, spinach and carrots. They were dipped in a peanut/teryaki combo and served with a side of fresh cherries!

Mango for dessert :)

And a few spoonfuls of

All day I was thinking about homemade pizza. Usually making pizza is super time consuming and expensive, but my vegan version was cheaper and much quicker to put together! It was super yummy, too!

My half had a minced garlic base topped with tomato sauce, sliced tomatoes, basil + pepper, balsamic vinegar, fresh spinach and carmelized onions. YUM! I ate every bite (of course) and still felt great afterward.

I enjoyed a Yogi Tea while watching Frost Nixon with David! It was a great movie!

Thank you all so much for your supportive comments about my ventures with veganism! You inspire me!

Some of you have mentioned having great vegan recipes for this and that. Please forward your favorite vegan recipes to healthyashley dot gmail dot com to be featured on the blog!

        

My favorite thing since I went vegan last week is all the yummy, whole foods I’m enjoying. Avoiding animal products forces me to try new things, most of which are deliciously nourishing!

Breakfast was quick as I was running out the door to get some work done on my car… the last of my iffy homemade waffles with Smart Balance and jam!

David was home for a rainy day lunch. I wanted something nourishing and homely- black beans and brown rice with tons of veggies!

Yummy. More Whole Fruit Sorbet for dessert :) Yum! Served with a side of GoLean Crunch…

Unpictured snacks: tons of GoLean Crunch!! Ahhhh!!!

Grilled veggies and sweet potatoes on the menu for dinner. Fantastic.

I didn’t feel hungry at all but enjoyed every bite!

David came home from work to dinner on the table… served with a side of fresh-brewed mint tea!

And a late night dessert of more sorbet, cereal and fresh cherries :)

Coming soon: My opinions on the vegan diet and how it’s changed me.

When Ashley asked me to post my proudest healthy moment so many thoughts went through my mind. I love living a healthy life and each time I finish a race or a new sporting event I feel so proud. From finishing my first 5k in high school, my first 10k in law school, and my first 1/2 marathon when I was 25, I've always felt so proud of what my body can accomplish. Although I run about 4-5 races a year, my proudest healthy moment would have to be what I accomplished on my bike.

My senior year of college my mom bought me a new bike, and I started into a routine of biking a lot. My new found love of biking and the fact that my best friend's mom was diagnosis with MS convinced me to sign up for a MS 150 bike ride from Altoona, Pennsylvania to State College, Pennsylvania and then back to Altoona. In most MS 150s, you ride 150 miles over two days. So roughly, the ride is 75 miles a day.

The first day went pretty easy and my legs didn't get too tired until the end. Although I enjoyed day 1 of the ride, I was happy to get to my hotel room, enjoy a great dinner and relax before my 6am start the next day. The 2nd day of course was harder and the last 20 miles on the second day seemed to go on forever - my legs were killing me. Riding into the finish line, I received a metal from a woman confined to a wheelchair because of her battle with MS, and instantly I forget about my pain.
Lesson to take away from this healthy moment: Love your body for what it allows you to do. The next time you don't feel like going to the gym, think of it as a privilege that you have legs that allow you to work out, because there are some people that are not as lucky to be able to.

I enjoyed my first MS 150 so much that when I was dating my now husband, I convinced him to complete an MS 150 with me. We really hope to sign up for another one soon, and I highly suggest you check out the MS 150 website. There is no better way to see a part of this earth than by riding a bike. You can stop and take pictures and enjoy the landscapes in a way you may not if you were just driving by in your car.
In case you wondered about my bike, today I have a road bike that is light weight and made of carbon, during my MS 150 I used a cheap, heavy hybrid bike. My husband rode the MS 150 with a very cheap Wal-mart mountain bike. So any bike can work, although a road bike would make it a lot easier.


- Healthy Lawyer Aimee

For breakfast I wanted something light since last night’s dinner and dessert (banana and PB) left me waking up full. A waffle (with Smart Balance and jam), cherries and a banana/PB it was!

Mid-morning I met the awesome Ryan at Blanchard Park here in Orlando for some bike riding. The park offers fun cruiser bikes for rent. The trail was gorgeous. We enjoyed a slow one hour ride. Love hanging out with her :)

For lunch Ryan and I went to the Hummus House near UCF. The photo below might look small, but this hummus was HUGE! You can see the size difference with the water cup at the top.

Holy yum! We both ordered an 8-inch falafel pita with homemade roasted red pepper hummus and tons of fresh veggies. It’s safe to say we both loved our lunch! (unpictured: heavenly fresh pita chips)

After lunch snack was something new: Whole Fruit Sorbet in Mango. YOU MUST TRY THIS! It is out-of-this-world delicious. It was sweet and smooth and ultra-refreshing.

   

And later some more Kashi GoLean :)

…and more snacking (after the fact), fresh cherries!

This afternoon I scored some Dixie snuggling!

This is the view I enjoyed most of the time..

Between my big lunch and heavy afternoon snacking I was craving something simple for dinner.

Banana PB oats!!

Dixie is always willing to help in the kitchen :)

YUM!

What is your favorite lazy night meal?

I don’t normally post my meals so I’m not used to wanting my meals to be awesome for you all to see! It’s a good kind of peer pressure :)

I wish my first vegan meal post would be more interesting but we are low on groceries and I am unemployed… so I’m working with what I’ve got!

I started the morning off with vegan cinnamon-flax waffles.

They were gross- otherwise I’d share the recipe. Next time I will use less whole wheat flour.

But I ate a huge one anyway (see above: unemployed) with some Smart Balance and maple syrup.

A few hours after breakfast I headed out for a 4.3 mile walk/run (it was too hot to run!) and came home to some strength and stretching.

Workout followed by two spoonfuls of Sabra Roasted Pine Nut Hummus (review: AMAZING!!!) and some fresh watermelon straight from the bag.

Lunch was a spring mix salad with black beans, carrots, red onion, ginger dressing and BacUns. Plus another 1/2 waffle in effort to finish the batch (with Smart Blance and all-fruit jam).

Yum!

Afternoon snack included a few handfuls of Kashi GoLean…

…and fresh strawberries and cherries!

  

Dinner was sweet potato fries (with sunflower oil, paprika, hot sauce, Country Bobs and garlic salt) and a mix of endamame, corn, peas and black beans over fresh spinach.

So satisfying! I am itching for something sweet; maybe I’ll have a banana and PB now :)

There’s one simple, satisfying and healthy vegan day. See you tomorrow!

I've decided to go vegan!

With all the issues I've been having lately (stomach pain, lack of energy, etc.), I know I’m not supposed to live like this!

I had planned on eliminating one big thing from my diet each week hoping the elimination process would reveal the underlying cause of the pain. I still think that’s a great idea, but…

Last Friday I had a wonderful lunch date with Ryan of Chase Daylight (Ryan is working on a whole new blog to be revealed soon!) at Designer Greens. It wasn’t until we were halfway through with our salads that I realized she was following a vegan diet. She was just so natural and fresh about it.

We discussed why she went vegan and how it’s progressed. In my mind I realized I always feel best when I abstain from animal products and started thinking taking the vegan leap just might be for me.

I’ve been a vegetarian (only using dairy and eggs) for almost nine years now. I’ve avoided going fully vegan because I was convinced it would be too hard… too weird… and too limiting. But a long, refreshing talk with Ryan certainly changed my mind on that!

So I came home excited about doing something good for my body. I made a few switches in my new big fridge and pulled my copy of Veganomicon off the bookshelf.

I’ve been eating 100% vegan for the past several days and the change has been effortless and delightful. I'm eating nutrient-rich foods and have been feeling great. Goodbye, stomach pain!

I am so excited about this. Veganism really opens my eyes to the possibilities of whole foods since I can’t just fall back on the normal meals I used to make and cover with cheese. I am experimenting with flavors and wholesome foods- all in the name of health.

I know about my B12, protein and calcium needs- so don’t worry about me. :-)

To show the possibilities of eating vegan I will post most of my meals for the next several days.. first post like that coming tonight!

The title of Your Big Fat Boyfriend: How to Stay Thin When Dating a Diet Disaster (by Jenna Bergen)was enough to convince me to order it.

I think women in most relationships agree it is easier to skip workouts and eat junk food when in a relationship with a "big fat boyfriend."

Many nights David and I have indulged in huge meals and then just cuddled on the couch when I would normally be cooking something healthier and then gone out for a walk.

The book was a fun read. It didn't delve into the deepest parts of nutrition or put out anything new or controversial, but it did provice some real-life inspiration to take a harder look at how our relationship affects me.

Overall, this is an enjoyable book that you could certainly live without. Most of the tips and content was similar to what we'd read in a magazine like SELF. It is a FUN book.

I'd recommend the BFB blog! The content is written similarly to the book.

My tips to stay thin in my own words: To stay thin (and healthy!) while dating your own diet disaster, use smaller plates, make healthier choices and find activities you both enjoy!

Changing cities and moving into a new house in Orlando with David has been GREAT!

Not having to worry about a long-distance relationship really frees up our time! I have been active since I came here Wednesday night!!

We've been painting walls...
...and taking bike rides and going to fun parties. Fun!
Eating more meals together and sharing a kitchen has influenced David's meals for the better. I don't think he's ever had so many fruits, veggies and whole grains!

I'm still searching for a part-time job to bring in the money while I study for my certified personal trainer certification (which should arrive today!) but am enjoying a little time off :)

I have a little announcement tomorrow, so make sure to check back. Happy Monday!

- David (my boyfriend!)

- Julie from HulieGoLean.com

Last night I said goodbye to my job, my little apartment and everything I had come to love over the past year. I've got to admit- it was sad.

As I watched the Tampa skyline fade in the background I drove toward my new life. My life with David- and with Dixie and Jack and Kitty. I drove with hopes and doubts about my new ambitions bouncing around my mind.

I am exited to be following my heart and taking risks for me.. but I am still scared silly!

This week I will get caught up on life, start my marathon training, blog and look for part-time jobs I can do while I work on my NASM CPT course. It will be good.

Life is still so so sweet.

When first thinking about my “proudest moment,” I automatically assumed I was going to write about running my first half-marathon. I had the post written in my head – the way I felt mile by mile, the moment I crossed finish line and while recovering.

But it wasn’t the half marathon that was my proudest moment. Yes, I finished the race, and yes – I ran the entire time. But there is a moment I’m even more proud of than the second my foot crossed the finish line. The moment I’m most proud of is when I went online, pulled out my credit card and signed up for the race itself.

A friend of mine told me about the race, and I said I’d “think about it for a while.” At the time, I was struggling with the idea of being a runner and, in fact, I had just written a post about how I felt like an “ex-runner.” I knew I hadn’t run regularly in years. And that’s why I didn’t sign up for the race when my friend first told me about it. How could I run a half marathon? I thought she couldn’t have known how little I was running.

One night, I was getting my apartment ready to host a birthday party for my boyfriend. Everything was ready, and I was waiting for friends to arrive. I started poking around the Pittsburgh Half Marathon site again, checking out the rules and regulations. I’m not sure what happened, but I reached for my purse. I pulled out my orange credit card and started pressing the numbers. My hand moved almost in autopilot, clicking this and that, typing in my address and age. Before I could give it any real thought, I entered the card number and pressed Submit. Just like that, I was signed up for a half marathon. Bill came over and asked what I was doing. “I just signed up for the half marathon,” I said, still staring at the screen. I even started laughing for a minute. I told my friends when they arrived at the party, and they were excited – but also surprised. I’ll admit, signing up for the half right before the party was completely random. And my friends must have wondered about my sanity since it was the first they’d heard me talk about running a race like that.

Even though that moment was so random, so unplanned, I think it was one of my proudest moments. Because that is the moment I decided to be a runner again. That was the moment I decided that I was going to do this. And without that moment, there wouldn’t have been months of training. Without the months of training, I wouldn’t have run that half marathon. And without that half marathon, I wouldn’t have pictures like these or this video to share. I wouldn’t be a runner again.