Jenny Natural's Daily Journal

[Jenny Natural]

Day 1 of our Challenge!! Hooray!!
My name is Jenny, I am proud to be involved with the New Year's Resolution program that will help ALL of us kick start 2012 with a commitment to getting into our BEST shape YET!!

For my full profile, please go to: http://veganbodybuilding.com/?page=bio_nicol

Here I will post my daily workout routine and some super delish recipes and simple food ideas! Please share your recipes with me also, I'm a big FAN of eating well!! Truth be told, I'm constantly eating!!

Today's Breakfast:

Vega Vibrancy Bar- Wholesome Natural Flavor and a Berry-Avocado-Energy Shake

Berry-Avocado-Energy Shake:
300ml Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
100ml H2O
1/2 small Avocado
1/2 small Banana
4-5 small of fresh or frozen Strawberries
1 very small handful of fresh or frozen Blueberries
2 tbsp Chia seeds
2 tbsp Hemp Hearts
1 tbsp of Flax Seeds
1 tbsp of Cinnamon
Add a few cubes of ice if desired and Blend
*Purchase Organic ingredients whenever possible

For more info on the above noted seeds: Chia, Hemp Hearts and Flax...
READ MY ARTICLE: viewtopic.php?f=74&t=27165

Today's workout is VERY simple!!
I am attending a YOGA class to stretch out after a HARD week of training in preparation for January 1st, DAY 1 of the New Year's Resolution challenge .

Stretching is just as important in achieving fitness and endurance goals as Blasting your muscles! Don't underestimate the power of Yoga!! If you want to Run, Cycle, Swim and Train HARDER... Start Stretching MORE!!

LET'S DO THIS!!

[amandagracewing]

Hi Jenny! It's Amanda - I'm also working as a mentor for the 2012 VBBF program! I'm excited to get to know you and follow your goals! Happy New Year! I'm so pumped for 2012!

[Jenny Natural]

Thanks Amanda! This is going to be FUN!! Nice pipes girl!! Looks like you've been hard at work, getting those arms in great shape!!
GIRL POWER!!


http://jennynatural.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/jennynatural

[robert]

Awesome to have you here, Jenny!

Thank you for your wonderful support!

Looking forward to checking out your updates!

[viciousvixenx]

Hey Jenny! I can't wait to follow your posts!

[John V]

I appreciate your endorsement of yoga. Have fun.

[Jenny Natural]

My Dinner tonight: Pasta with Beans & Veggies and a Fresh salad

Kamut Pasta with Coconut Oil and lightly sauteed Garlic, carrots, onions, red & yellow peppers and zucchini. Then added black soy beans and hemp hearts once plated.... Super yummy and packed with protein!!

Salad: Baby arugula with strawberries and almonds, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar

100% Organic

[Jenny Natural]

Good Morning ALL!!

DAY 2

The very first thing I do in the morning is down a big glass of water with fresh squeezed lemon, then I take my dog for a quick walk. (He is a chihuahua so he doesn't make it very far in the winter)
Upon our arrival back home I spend a few moments stretching out my body (5-10 mins) Which REALLY helps wake up the body and get the blood flowing throughout the muscles.

My Breakfast: Vega Vibrancy Bar (Chocolate flavor) and a Protein Smoothie

Hemp Protein Smoothie
300ml Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
100ml H2O
1/2 small Banana
1 very small handful of fresh or frozen Blueberries
2 tbsp Chia seeds
2 tbsp Hemp Hearts
1 tbsp of Flax Seeds
1 tbsp of Cinnamon
30g of Hemp Protein

Add a few cubes of ice if desired and Blend
*Purchase Organic ingredients whenever possible

My day is rather hectic today, so I will hit the gym this evening for a 3-4 mile run and abdominal work.

How are YOU spending DAY 2??

LET'S DO THIS!!!!

[Jenny Natural]

DAY 3

Hello EVERYONE!! How is Day 3 going??
It is sooooo cold here in TORONTO today! The low for the day and night was over -20 degrees Celsius!!
On days like this I want hearty, warm foods to keep me nourished.

I started my day with a Vega Vibrancy bar (Chocolate flavor) and a piece of Ezekiel sprouted bread topped with organic coconut oil (instead of a fake butter or margarine, I use coconut oil)

I went to the gym at lunch time, attended a fantastic "Power Yoga" class then ran on the treadmill for 2.5 miles.
It is important when running on the treadmill to change up the terrain, if you keep the treadmill at zero incline it is nothing like an actual run, as the road or sidewalk is NEVER perfectly flat... So I set my workout at a 'Random' setting which will increase and decrease the incline slightly and ultimately simulate what it would be like to run outdoors.
No need to set the percentage of incline high... even at 0.5-1.0% incline will do wonders for the Run!

Lunch was YUMMY! I had an apple as soon as I returned home, and a small Bean burrito. Later in the afternoon I had a banana and a handful of raw almonds.

For dinner I made a super DELISH 100% Organic Veggie-Bean and Kamut Pasta soup.
I always stir in a teaspoon of coconut oil into the soup once bowled... I find it makes the taste a little richer and this way the soup is a complete meal with my Carbs-Protein and Fat.

Don't forget healthy fats such as coconut oil, avocado and nuts are OK (in moderation) We need some good fat in our diets!!
If I add a little fat to my meals, I find it much easier to stick to my diet/meal plan.

**Please purchase ORGANIC foods whenever possible!!

Looking forward to DAY 4!!

So proud of all my participants!! WE ARE ROCKING THIS CHALLENGE!! YAY TEAM!!

Great Work: Ronnie, Sarah, Andrea and Lindsey!!

Rest well everyone! ☺

[viciousvixenx]

You too Jenny!!

[robert]

Hope you're staying warm!

Keep up the great work and thanks for all your support.

You rock!

[Jenny Natural]

DAY 4

Good evening Friends!!

I started day 4 with a bowl of Organic Oats topped with Cinnamon, flax seeds, almonds and apple. Was sooooo Yummy!!

My exercise routine today was a mixture of cardio and core. I attended a KILLER spin class then completed push-ups, crunches with the medicine ball, assisted chin-ups and dips.
I was running around all day, so for lunch I ate a Vega Vibrancy Bar an apple and banana.

For dinner I went to one of my favorite vegan restaurants, enjoyed Lima bean and veggie stew with brown rice and Kale salad.

I was VERY hungry today so this evening I had edamame (soy beans in the pod) a kiwi and 2 dried figs for dessert.

I'm soooooo tired today, will head off to bed soon... Must get enough rest to be able to CRUSH it tomorrow!!

Also it REALLY IMPORTANT to Note:
Tomorrow's NEW YORK TIMES is featuring a story on body builder Jimi Sitko and The Vegan Body Building.com website!! Look in the Sports section of the newspaper.
HOORAY!!!
Props to founder Robert Cheeke!!
AMAZING work my friend!!
Soooooo incredibly proud of you and truly honored to be a member of the team!!
Congrats!!

In case you miss the opportunity to pick a physical copy of the TIMES tomorrow, please check out the story online:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/05/sport ... ref=sports

WATCH OUT CARNIVORES!! THE VEGANS ARE TAKING OVER!!

[robert]

Hi Jenny,

Thanks for the enthusiastic shout out. Very much appreciated! Hope you get a chance to grab a copy of the paper! Jimi used to be one of the most active people on the forum. He's back in school now so he has been spending time finishing his degree, but he's still a major part of our online forum family.

Have an awesome Thursday!

Thanks for your support!

-Robert

[Jenny Natural]

Hello ALL!
DAY 5

Did everyone get a chance to read the article the NY TIMES featured on Jimi Sitko, Robert Cheeke and the Vegan BodyBuilding website?? If not... Read the Story here: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/05/sport ... ref=sports

WE SHOULD ALL BE PROUD TO BE APART OF THIS AMAZING ONLINE COMMUNITY!!

Today is my REST day!! Yay!!
I still rolled out my yoga mat and stretched for 20 minutes... this helps me to relax and recover from my workouts.
REST and STRETCHING are a very important part of achieving any and all fitness goals.

Will keep my post short today, as I am wiped! Long day.

Looking forward to DAY 6!!

Goodnight Friends!

[robert]

For the record, you were the NYT cheerleader of the day! I wasn't online much, was out and about, didn't even see the actual paper until 10PM when there were just a few left, but you were lighting things up online all day.

Thanks for all your support, not only of me, but for this whole community. Glad we connected on Twitter and I could introduce you to our community here. You're a great addition and I appreciate all of your contributions.