StevenC

It seem like you have a good plan there for building muscle, I would just say incorporate a few servings of fruit and veg in the mix too. Which could be as as simple as following the above diet plan but replacing one meal with a green smoothie. And slowly build up your skills for cooking by trying one or two new recipes a week.

Peanut butter and blueberries. I just fill a bowl halfway with blueberries then mix in a couple tbsp of peanut butter and eat with a spoon. Or put the mixture on toast, that too.

You should check out the 80/10/10 diet (fruit as the primary staple along with lots of leafy green vegetables). It may help your problems.

I personally know a lot of people that have had issues on 811, myself included when I attempted it. Heres a reference of people that followed either the 30BAD version and/or 811 by DG:

http://30bananasadaysucks.com/2012/04/request-for-data-in-support-of-the-claim-that-30bad-advice-is-not-working/

I use and drink almond and coconut milks mainly. Prefer to avoid soy milk since its unfermented.

Looking at the different plant milks available to us, has anyone researched which form of calcium is best absorbed and used by the body? Because Ive noticed some brands use calcium carbonate and others use calcium phosphate.

I have cut back on certain fruits even eliminating some all together like bananas. Trying to only eat as local as I can as well as staying away from hybridized fruit like bananas and seedless grapes, watermelons etc... so my fruit intake is not as high as it use to be. Eating lots of berries right now though.

If you have replaced the higher calorie/higher carb fruits for berries and youre not getting in more elsewhere, that could be part of the problem. Add in a few extra servings a day of things like potato, sweet potato, grains, legumes, etc if avoiding too much hybridized fruit and see if you feel better.

Ive also found occasionally taking spirulina helps with my energy levels and regulating them if Im feeling a bit low.

a gorilla doesn't eat meat and he is big and strong.What more proof do you want?

That may not be exactly true, came across this article recently:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/03/100305-first-proof-gorillas-eat-monkeys-mammals-feces-dna/

Also applying the reasoning "Hey this species doesn't eat meat and they are big and strong so we can be too" isn't necessarily a valid one in my opinion because we ARE different. Am I saying you cant build muscle and be strong on veganism? Of course not. But I am suggesting it should be presented to others in a more scientific and applicable manner.

Kik Alicha(Ethopian Split Pea soup) recipe:

Ingredients:

3 cups water

Vegetable broth, as necessary

1 cup dried yellow split peas, rinsed

1/2 medium onion, chopped

1 inch chunk of fresh ginger, peeled, and finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

3/4 – 1 tsp sea salt

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

Black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Place water and the split peas in large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; and cook about 30 minutes, just until tender.

2. In a frying pan, add some vegetable broth(substitute: water or healthy cooking oil) and bring to high heat. Add onion, reduce to medium high and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add more broth as needed. Add the garlic, ginger and turmeric; cook another 5 minutes.

3. Once done, add the mixture to cooked peas; stir in salt and pepper. Simmer until peas are very soft, and almost mushy about 30 minutes more. Taste test; adjust seasonings if needed. Add more water if necessary and stir occasionally.

Roughly 700 calories per recipe .

Thanks everyone for replying! Has helped me quite a bit and gave me ideas.

I also came across this today and was wondering what other people thought of these workouts? http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/top-5-home-workouts-from-forum.html

I really like Vitamineral Green in water, smoothies, etc.

 

Is this the product you're talking about: http://healthforce.com/shop?page=shop.product_details&flypage=garden_flypage.tpl&product_id=6&category_id=1 Kind of pricey but I've tried another one of their products before, was good stuff.

Yep thats it! Sort of on the more expensive side but good to have in my opinion when you cant get in enough fresh greens or veggies.

I really like Vitamineral Green in water, smoothies, etc.

So Im wondering how hard it would be to gain muscle at home with no/limited equipment?

I only really have a pull up bar and cant really afford much else at the time. Been looking at different body weight exercises but not sure how to exactly make an effective program. Any ideas?

I dont eat much soy besides tempeh a couple times a week, but I wanted to say that I notice a fluctuation in my weight if I eat too much fatty foods. So I tend to stick to a lower fat program(around 10-15% of my calories from fat).

Id suggest trying out making green smoothies at breakfast - a great way to start the day and get in a lot of nutrition. I make huge smoothies that are generally 1,000 calories worth(from fruit) and as much greens as I can fit in the blender(kale, collards, spinach, etc).

Hi everyone,

I finally decided to join the forum after browsing around it for a while.

Im Steven, Im 17, and from rainy Washington state. Went totally vegan in March 2011, so almost a year now.

Anyway hope to start posting a bit here!