Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness

I have spent many hours reading through the posts especially on training & nutrition. I believe I have come to understand basic concepts of each topic, yet I am still at a loss on where/how to begin. I require surgery soon & will be unable to lift heavy for 4 weeks. I want to use the 4 weeks to formulate goals/plans/routines, etc.

I am 5'07", 160lbs. Fairly skinny. Fat around abdominal area. Vegan for 3 years ( & for Life ).

The past 3 years were spent at university with summers working for the US Forest Service ( Previously I fought forest fires & was in better shape, but was not vegan, I was vegetarian ( I consumed yogurt, cottage cheese & on occasion eggs ) . I hike frequently & for long periods but have not worked out except for the summer seasons & the past 6 weeks.

My goals: Overall health & wellness
Low body fat
Lower carb intakes
Strength
Increased cardio
Muscle gain
Weight management ( not having large changes due to fat )
All around fit - a balance of strength & endurance ( if a perfect fit exist )

My life ( after surgery & upon returning to grad school & work ) will consist of long periods continuous walking/hiking with loads up to 70lbs, long periods continuous standing & bending, constant lifting up to 50lbs, general physical activities such as gardening ( all by hand ), building ( working with wood ), the once a week competitive sport ( rugby ). I will be returning to Oregon after grad school. I will work my land by hand & help to build my log home. I have found in the past that having strength ( muscle & cardio ) help immensely with day to day outdoor activities. I wish to be as natural as possible ( organic nutrition, vegan ( of course ), nothing synthetic or highly processed, local if possible). I am also an environmental/animal activist. Activism can certainly be physically demanding and being in proper health & shape makes for more positive & reaching activism. I also like to keep things simple. I do not mind consuming the same foods daily & do not want to spend more than 2 hours per day keeping fit.

Please help with a basic training/nutrition plan that I can tweak over the next 4 to 5 weeks. At the moment, I am truly at a loss on where to begin.

Thank You !!!

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Resist Much - Obey Little

High Protein intake - Lower Carbs ( Protein powders being a must ) ... Clean/Natural/Organic as possible

Start with a 5x5 program to build basic strength/muscle ( add a set of push ups one day, pull another & dips on the third ... Abs perhaps as well )

HIIT ( Cardio ) on 3x a weeks to help shed fat

Change routine every 2 to 3 months

I assume this would be a good start ... !?! ...

Which would lead Me to the question of best ' inexpensive ' protein powder ... TrueProteins ... NitroFusion ... Others ... ??? ...

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Resist Much - Obey Little