veganmama

those in-between times are the worst... that's how we got stuck

I hope other ppl are buying stuff/chiping in for you! good luck and try to enjoy yourself despite the stress, I'm thinking you are not the type of person to let stress get you down.

I am totally broke-ass right now (esp after an unexpected trip to the vet yesterday) but I am sending $10 via paypal in the hopes that other people can find $5-10 to send??? If everyone who reads this sends a little- hopefully it will help?? No need to send anything when you get back. I just want to help. Last November I got stranded outside of Las Vegas on the way home from my sister-in-law's wedding (we stopped for gas and our debit card got declined...eek!). We had to turn around and beg money off of my husband's family, we also had to sleep on a hotel room floor So I hope this will help!

Now, if only they had tofu pups at the theater....

haha, I love this! I sooo wish they did! although, I have to admit that I haven't been to a movie theater in a very long time

great blog! keep up the good work!

I have had food issues too... though more with overeating after restricting my diet and in times of stress than ever under-eating. I was a chubby kid too with many self esteem issues, my dad used to make me peanut butter and BUTTER sandwiches for lunch, who does that?! needless to say I didn't have very good role models for healthy living growing up. We can rise above it, though!

Thanks for the support!

Ok, so I don't have any specific goals although losing 20 lbs (I am 5'7" and 160lbs, was about 154 before I started weight training about 3xweek, not sure if that is coincidence or muscle ) seems like a good goal, as does feeling strong. I have never quite lost my baby weight, though I feel healthier and am more comfortable with my body than I ever was before I had kids. I will also keep my food log here because normally I write it down, but sometimes it is faster to type than to write. Thanks for reading and any and all comments/suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.

Ok, so!

7/20/09

breakfast:

Candy's chickpea flour "omelette" (OMG so delicious!! Thank you Candy!) w/ bell peppers, spinach, garlic, and tofu.

1/2 avocado.

lunch:

green smoothie- 2 pears, kale, mint, water + ice= 1 quart of deliciousness.

dinner:

Japanese food- brown rice, seasoned seaweed, edamame

snacks:

afternoon- bell peppers w/ edamame hummus

post workout- protein shake (almond milk, hemp protein, raw cacao, ice)

WORKOUT: total- 1 hour

Cardio:

15 minutes treadmill

15 minutes of a cardio machine that I can't remember the name of- but LOVED, tried for the first time tonight and I am totally hooked... a cross(?) anyone know?? Kind of like eliptical but not really... got me sweating, that's for sure!

Strength:

3(sets)X20(reps) of each of the following, at various weights (none above 75lbs):

ALL machines:

seated leg curls

leg extensions

hip adduction

hip abduction

arm curls

arm extension

Today was a good day, the only thing I would say is that I ate a little too much... I probably could have done without dinner as I was still full from my green smoothie and snacking on hummus. Great workout, I went to the gym for yoga but the instructor didn't show (boo for flaky gym instructors!), but I am kind of glad because I really liked that new cardio machine I tried. It's always fun to try new things and find out you really like something, right??

I am so sorry to hear about your cat. I don't have any experience with kitty UTI but I know it must be painful for him

I would definitely seek a second opinion, it seems like they should have said something about how to prevent the stone, or at least let you know that there might be a problem so that you could have started saving for whatever treatment he may eventually need. I am actually taking my kitty to the vet today as he has a mysterious leg injury. My husband lost his job in Feb. so I am hoping that it is nothing serious. In light of our broke-ass situation I spent a good chunk of time yesterday trying to find financial help for penny-less pet parents and found this website that might be helpful to you if you need to raise funds... it is http://www.fundable.com I didn't research it extensively or anything because I have an emergency situation so it won't really work for me. Just thought that it was worth mentioning though.

good luck!

you didn't sound too harsh I knew I was getting in over my head w/ the science when I started it.... I am actually kind of relieved that you called me on it.

Johan, I guess the difference in my mind is that chloride is something that mother nature thought up and chlorine is something someone synthesized in a lab.

Wha? Chlorine is a fundamental element. Chloride is anionic chlorine. Mother nature thought up both of them, just like she thought up arsenic and mercury.

ok, I guess this is the point where I fess up and admit that I went to an art school and didn't take much chemistry. The point that I was *trying* to make is that I would rather avoid POTENTIALLY dangerous artificial sweeteners vs. less processed natural alternatives. This is my personal feeling about food. Sorry for sounding uneducated dumbass. I think that BW said it best:

Artificial sweeteners started coming out when I was a kid. It seems to me like I've read articles in the news about every single one proving to be unhealthy if used regularly. The only benefit they have over natural sweeteners is that they are lower in calories. You can compensate for that by using natural sweeteners less, eating less overall and exercising more. You can also learn to enjoy many foods unsweetened. If you give it a couple of weeks your tastebuds adjust.

CANDY, SOOOO amazing!! also, SOOOOO inspirational!! Keep up the good work and thanks so much for sharing your first hand experience and the insight that you have gained.

I still have some "baby weight" to lose (about 20 lbs) even though my "baby" is 2 years old, so I am always looking for inspiration... you have definitely provided me with some!!

I actually envy your chest... it is much nicer than having the sad shells of boobs that I have after 2 pregnancies and about 5 (combined) years of breastfeeding. So enjoy those small tits while you can! haha. I only wish I could go bra-less without frightening the people around me!!

Johan, I guess the difference in my mind is that chloride is something that mother nature thought up and chlorine is something someone synthesized in a lab. To me there is a difference... and I generally try to avoid "food" with additives that that were synthesized in a lab. Call me crazy I am not trying to sound uppity but I just think that if given the choice between Splenda and a tiny bit of real evaporated cane juice or other natural sweetener, I'd go for what nature gave us.

Is regular salt (NaCl) also bleach? Do you not drink water that's been chlorinated?

I don't know about salt... I don't eat table salt EVER... only sea salt if needed, but hardly ever.

And I don't drink water from the tap, only spring water... I don't know if that is chlorinated though, to be perfectly honest.

I am just not a fan of putting non food items into my body,

Yes, I have salba seed oil (aka chia seed, right?) It is supposed to be similar to flax only like... super-flax. ha

I don't have any complaints, nor can I say it is the best supplement ever or anything.

Sorry, that's not very helpful but if the question is have I tried it? the answer is yes.

I can't wait to try the new Vega bars! yay.

I don't use splenda because I am not a fan of drinking BLEACH. Ok, that is an exaggeration. But splenda (sucralose) is basically just sugar w/ 3 CHLORINE (yes, CHLORINE) atoms bound to each molecule in place of 3 hydrogen-oxygen groups. So basically, your body can't digest it because it is unrecognizable as a food. IMHO that can't be good. Ditch the artificial crap and use something natural... just tiny amounts of real unrefined sugar (evaporated cane juice) or stevia if you are diabetic(I can't stand the stuff myself though) or maybe some agave nectar?? That's just my two cents.

Hi Tom, I have been reading your thread and just wanted to offer my support.

Over the last 2 years I have seen my brother go through much of what you are going through now.

He used drugs to get through every day of his life for about 8-10 years.

Watching him learn how to deal with real life has been really painful for me, I am sure infinitely harder for him.

He struggled a lot the first year but over the last 9 months has had to grow up really fast because he is going to be a father (any day now).

I see so much of what he has been through echoed in your posts.

I hope that you have more good days than bad ahead of you.

You obviously have a strong community here and are taking the right steps to get yourself to where you need to be.

This may be too personal, but as someone who has been married for 7 years... may I ask what you and the wife argue about the most?

Definitely don't feel obligated to answer that if you don't want to : )

peace.

-megan

thanks!

Hello all! I don't know how many of you remember me from last summer... I think I posted a fair amount, had the same screen name.

I stopped posting because I had some body issues and thought that obsessing over food/fitness was contributing to those issues becoming a huge problem. I have spent much time looking inward to see where those issues come from and working on overcoming them.

I am happy to say that I am in a much better place now, mentally speaking : ) I am working out without obsessing over the amount of time spent at the gym, eating healthfully without counting calories and generally just enjoying life and all things vegan.

I have been reading some posts and am happy to see that not much changes on this site! Good to see you all again!

So for those of you who don't remember me or new people that I haven't had the pleasure of "meeting"... here is my mini-biography : )

I have been vegetarian since I was 12 (for 15 years) and vegan for the last 13 months... I am so happy being vegan and feel like my body is at a new level of health without cheese, milk, etc. I have struggled with body issues (yo-yo dieting, general dissatisfaction with my body shape)in the past but I feel like with age (I am 27, in case you didn't do the math) and a little bit of inspiration in all things being a girl from women I look up to (see www.bust.com), I have come to terms with myself and loving and appreciating this body that has given me 2 beautiful children. I love working out and have become really consistent with my fitness routine. I love to cook all things vegan and am a huge fan of Sarah Kramer's cookbooks. I have recently started eating more raw food, I would say at least 50%... I love to make green smoothies from Victoria Boutenko's book 'Green for Life' (it make eating raw so easy!). As I mentioned, I have 2 pretty cute kids... Ella is 5 and Finn is 2 so, of course, they are the center of my universe.

hmm... I think that is about it. Thanks for reading and I look forward to being a part of this community again!

-megan

Yeah, good luck! Hitting the weights can be like meditation, it often is for me. Something to think about

I used to think of weights as something that I SHOULD do... but with my mp3 player playing some Neko Case it has become like meditation to me too (I really never would have thought!). Good for upping the endorphins too I am sure. Thank you for the well wishes!

I will probably peek in and will definitely update... but I don't want to be tempted to compare myself to others in these first few months that I am trying to get over my body issues so I probably won't be spending as much time here...

if you have myspace, add me as a friend there : )

hey y'all. I have decided to quit keeping this blog and to stop obsessively writing down everything I eat... I have come to realize that I have been doing this since age 11and it is out of hand... michael's comment was one of the things that made me stop and evaluate my behaviour, I started to see how wrong it is that I spend so much of my day obsessing over food... I use this obsession to feel a sense of control in my life when so many other things feel out of control. I have come to see how my obsessive behaviours increase in times of transition and stress (going to college, having babies, my dad's health issues). I am now on a journey of self cultivation... I will remain vegan, of course, but I will stop trying to reach some "target weight" or perfect feeling... I will deal with the issues that make me uncomfortable and stressed and stop using the comfort of obsessive behaviour to make myself feel better. I will get to the gym as often as I can because it makes me feel energized and strong but I will not beat myself up if I don't burn a certain number of calories or stay for less than an hour. I know that the road ahead will not be an easy one, but I am hoping to come out of this with a better sense of who I am and a new feeling of love and appreciation for myself and my body (flaws and all). When I was a teenager a family friend died (at the age of 36) of cancer and one of the things she said before she died was that she wished she had spent less of her time on earth worrying about how she looked... I don't want to ever regret the way I spent what should be the best days of my life, so I am going to try to be a little more accepting and have a lot more fun. Thanks to you all for your support. phew... I am feeling better already

I am going to San Diego until the end of the week ( ). I did good w/ working out this weekend and not binging... my weight on monday was 158.5, unchanged- but I think I have probably been gaining muscle 'cuz I've been hitting the weights quite frequently!! I definitely feel stronger. I'm looking forward to this mini vacation, as vacations always help me clear my head and get me back to focusing on my goals.

Saturday 8/2/08

breakfast:

organic raw food bar

lunch:

quesadilla w/ soy feta & avocado

dinner:

snack/s:

soy ice cream sandwich

graham crackers

:::WORKOUT:::

Friday 8/1/08

breakfast:

raw organic food bar

lunch:

http://i36.tinypic.com/289ihs4.jpg

'Amy's' vegetable barley soup

1 avocado

3 tbsp nutritional yeast

dinner:

spicy (siracha) tempeh and brown rice wrap w/ baby romaine lettuce

snack/s:

24oz soy latte

rice noodle soup

soy ice cream sandwich

:::WORKOUT:::

none

Welcome!

It is good to hear that your dad made such a good decision regarding his health, my dad has a myriad of health problems (cancer, stroke, heart disease) and refuses to give up dr. pepper and meat

I too had been a vegetarian for a long time (14 years) before finally giving up dairy and eggs and I feel better than ever before, I am sure you will feel the same way.

Girl, you are too cute! good luck w/ your goals!

Thursday 7/31/08

breakfast:

coffee w/ soymilk

kashi w/ soymilk

lunch:

'Amy's' organic split pea soup w/ 1tbsp nutritional yeast added

and garnished w/ 1/2 avocado and sprinkle of cayenne pepper (yummmm)

dinner:

thai restaurant-

1pc tempura sweet potato

1pc tempura tofu

1 spring roll

glass noodle soup w/ veggies (broccoli, carrots, mushrooms) and tofu

snack/s:

homemade vegan brownie

:::WORKOUT:::

rest day

notes:

we eat out too much. I need to really start trying to be more organized and cook more. Our dishwasher is broken and I hate adding 'washing all of the dishes by hand' to my already extensive list of housework... yes, I know, I am sound like a fcking spoiled housewife princess : )

 

Haha veggie house rocks. Although I haven't been there in ages!!! But I am so thankful there are plenty of vegetarian/vegan places to eat here in phoenix. We even have 2 ethiopian restaurants, an all organic middle eastern restaurant with a vegan menu and even vegan desserts, an all organic bistro/wine bar/yoga stuio...and much more. wow im hungry now.

 

jmoney, have you been to Green??? We went there last week, it is on the border of s.dale/tempe... it was really good! My husband and I have been talking a lot about opening our own vegan restaurant on 7th ave... he is mexican too so maybe you guys could colaborate on that mexican-vegan theme!!!! Seriously though, he is a sushi chef and he makes some KICK ASS vegan sushi rolls..... so maybe a vegan mexican/japanese restaurant??? hmmmm...