scarlet

Wow...six?! Congratulations! I'm sure you'll bounce back in no time and I can't wait to see your progress.

Glad you like the quinoa.

Her'e a recipe my family (a mix of veg. and omni's) loves.

Quinoa and Black Beans

1 t. veg. oil

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped 3/4 c. uncooked quinoa (rinsed well in a strainer)

1 1/2 c. veg. broth

1 t. ground cumin

1/4 t. cayenne pepper

salt and pepper to taste

2 (15oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 c. chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Rinse quinoa

Heat oil in pan over med. heat. Saute onion and garlic until lightly browned.

Mix quinoa into pan and cover with vegetable broth. Season with cuminm cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a biol. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer about 25 minutes.

Mix in black beans and cilantro (if using).

I've been lurking around for the past couple of days and decided to come out and say hi! You seem to be a knowledgeable and friendly bunch, not to mention inspiring!

I'm a 36 yr. old mother of two from the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. I became a vegetarian on a whim in 1996 but found it somehow cured the respiratory problems I had suffered since childhood so I stuck with it. I occasionally eat local fish and venison when it is available. I've tinkered with veganism in the past and have come up with a balance that works for me. I am basically lacto/ovo veg. in the fall and winter months and switch to a largely vegan (about 75% raw) diet for the spring and summer months.

My problem is with my body. I'm 5'7" and currently weigh 147lbs. I'm most comfortable and feel I look my best at between 130 and 135lbs. Last year I did the Body for Life challenge and got down to 134lbs. and built a fair amount of muscle. My arms and legs looked good and my ass lifted back up after a drastic descent southward. My stomach was better...not large, but not as tight and flat as I would like. While I wasn't eating meat protein, I used a lot of whey protein and Boca burgers for my protein. I would like to change that to less processed foods and no dairy. I was working out six days a week - cardio three days a week and weights three days. All said and done, I looked and felt much better, but I seem to gain muscle while still holding on to some fat, so I would like a leaner, toned look.

Unfortunately, I somehow fell off the wagon and over the winter managed to go back to my pre-fitness state. I feel I look worse now than I did before. I have been doing cardio and some strength training with low weight for the past two weeks and feel some difference in my arms and legs, but I feel like my stomach sticks out more than ever. Summer is close and I like a much more vegan/raw diet but worry about how to get enough protein for building muscle and cutting my carbs enough to lose my belly.