Amethyst8

We may be getting another rescue child this weekend. A female basset bloodhound 8 weeks old. We have 8 year old male basset bloodhound named Andy, 9 year old male basset corgi named Casanova, 11 year old sister cats Misty and Coral, and 5 year old boy cats Tony, Trekkie, and Lucky. All either found as strays or adopted from rescue groups. I love my furry children. Mango, banana, and cereal with almond milk for breakfast. We shall see what the rest of the day holds. Fitness with trainer tonight.

I know! That seriously boggles my mind how he can easily go vegan with hardly any changes to the sorts of food he loves... I mean, we've had vegan burgers and fries, both homemade and eating out, and vegan meat and dairy substitutes for everything he already eats. He is only craving the chemicals at this point, which is sick. And on some level, he knows this. AND he loves animals he says. He just can't give it up permanently he says. Okay, fine. I'm not pushing him. I just don't understand the logic or justification behind his decision when it is so easy to go vegan and still have the same old crap style food, just vegan style and without cruelty or poison. To me, that is a horrible addiction. And he is talking like an addict about it with nonsense reasoning. Me? I work in a law office and everyone drinks coffee all day so I have to smell it constantly. Am I complaining? No. Would I like some coffee? Sure would! It's delicious! Do I NEED it? No. Can I live without it? Yeah, but it's not harmful to myself or to other beings, so why give it up? Thank you! I should have the weight off by next week. I know an almost 200 pound woman sounds HUGE! Honestly, I'm a big boned girl and don't look "morbidly obese" at all. I know people like to say that to justify some extra pounds, but it's actually true in my case. I've got large strong bones (never broken a bone), a broad build, and a perfect hourglass figure. Jumbo pelvis and jumbo chest with a small waist. When I was down to 145 pounds a few years ago, people told me I looked sickly skinny. It's just how I'm built, so I don't really want to go lower than 150 even though that is still considered overweight for my height. Whatever, doctors... not all bodies fit the "one size fits all" chart. I'm no delicate gal! I've got real body curves in all the right places.

FOOD Breakfast #1 @ 6am: 1 banana. CHECK Breakfast #2 @ 8am: 1 banana, 1 orange, 1 red apple. CHECK Breakfast #3 @ 10am: Cup of mango peach cereal with almond milk. Lunch #1 @ 12pm: 8 cup bowl of raw veggies including swiss chard, sunflower shoots, carrots, fennel, red and green bellpepper, raw sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Lunch #2 @ 2pm: 3 small cooked red potatoes and 2 raw tomatoes. Lunch #3 @ 4pm: 1 green apple, 1 grapefruit, 1 orange, and 1 banana. Dinner #1 @ 6pm: Big bowl of homemade leek, fennel, carrot, and potato soup with mellow miso. Dinner #2 @ 8pm: 4 cup bowl of raw spinach, tomato, and walnut salad with homemade avocado, lemon flax seed oil, and cucumber dressing. Sip lemon water throughout the day. FITNESS Mindlessly play with kettle bell, dumbells, and weight bar tonight at home while watching TV @ 7-8pm. Yep, that's the plan. 30 DAY CHALLENGE Since giving up coffee, my already slow metabolism slowed further (due to my Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism) and I have gained weight! I'm at 197 and very pissed off about it. The challenge ends on Tuesday and I will be kicking off with a large decaf coffee to give me just a little caffeine to stimulate that metabolism again. The husband has thoroughly surprised me and has stuck to the vegan thing although he complains about missing the nasty food all the time. I tell him to mind his own business in the future about my coffee intake. We're almost there now.

FOOD from last night Ate out in downtown - Bowl of lentil soup and big salad bar bowl full of quinoa, avocado, hummus, tomato, mixed leafy greens, black beans, cilantro, and veggies veggies more and more veggies! Then some white wine with friends. FITNESS from last night I power-walked from work to the bar and back to work to fetch the car. It was a good 10-12 blocks each way. FOOD today Breakfast - cherry almond cereal with almond milk and blackberries. Lunch (and snacking) - 3 tomatoes, 3 ounces of sweet pea shoots, a grapefruit, 2 pitas, and a pint of spicy hummus.

FOOD from last night I took 1 onion, 2 tomatoes, 2 slices rice vegan cheese, and 1 small package of ground vegan bits stir-fried until the cheese melted and the onions cooked a little. I served it over a big fist full of fresh sweet pea shoots and had tofu tamales on the side. Non vegan husband was licking the plate clean. FITNESS from last night 15 minutes on the elliptical at level 10. 20 Inclined crunches. 25 seated crunches with 105 lbs. Burn out on the Quad machine at 25 lbs until fatigue. I still feel very weak from the stupid medication, but I'm climbing back up slowly. FOOD for today All day snacking at work: 1 banana, 1 apple, 1 orange, 1 grapefruit, 2 pears, 1 mango, 1 pint of blueberries, 1 red bellpepper, 1 green bellpepper, 3 tomatoes, 1 lemon, 12 ounces of strawberries, 3 ounces of sweet pea shoots, and some cherry vanilla cereal with unsweetened almond milk. 30 DAY CHALLENGE update I'm fine and dandy. I don't even crave coffee or tea. Husband is counting down the days like a prisoner and planning his first day as a non vegan. I think he said he would start breakfast with donuts and sausage/cheese kolaches, Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich with waffle fries and Dr. Pepper for lunch, and some sort of fast food red meat burger with more fries for dinner. He is going to make himself absolutely sick while I sip my coffee and/or tea. RANT mini "Ew! How can you eat that?" Yeah I get that a lot. The short answer is, I am more afraid of needles and surgery than I am of eating healthy food.

Back on track. Feeling so much better this week. My body does NOT like antibiotics. I think I felt sicker on the medicine than actually being sick. Yesterday I puttered in the front yard for an hour weeding, trimming, and cleaning up the plants. I count that as my workout because I'm incredibly sore today. FOOD Breakfast - 32 ounce fresh juice from wheatgrass, sprouts, apple, pear, carrots, beet, ginger, orange, and mixed baby greens. Lunch - 4 cup bowl of homemade vegetable quinoa soup (quinoa with scallions, tomatoes, garlic, zucchini, squash, carrot tops, green bellpepper, red bellpepper with salt and pepper to season). Snacks - Banana, orange, red bellpepper, green bellpepper, 4 tomatoes, and 4 ounces of blackberries. Planning on a healthy dinner and awesome workout tonight.

No unfortunately it's not caffeine withdraw. I had to take antibiotics and they make me feel so sick. Nausea, dizziness, fatigue, fever off and on. I tried going to work today but only made it halfway. Yes my progress is stalled out right now. I want to feel good again. Like NOW. My no caffeine is going just fine. He has been missing burgers and BBQ all week but he is sticking with it. Surprised me for sure.

I've been sick all week. Ugh.

30 DAY CHALLENGE Day 5 and I'm doing just peachy keen without caffeine. I don't even notice it. He is now craving cheese and fast food. LOL! He even texted me today that Chick-Fil-A has vegan french fries. I said I wouldn't trust that. Fast food anything is just gross and probably cross-contaminated with animal products. Who's the addict here? I am impressed that he's made it this far already. Maybe it will be good for him. Oh and he says he is pooping every couple of hours. He said he doesn't know how I can stand that! I said, I don't, but my body isn't going through detox right now. The proof is in the pudding. FOOD I've had a green smoothie every day for breakfast this week. Today was kale, wheatgrass, sprouts, frozen strawberries, frozen mango, and strawberry banana soy milk. I made a yummy pasta with marinara and nutritional yeast and green peas the other day for dinner and ate the leftovers last night for dinner. Lunches have been a 2 cup bowl of beans and a couple pieces of produce. FITNESS Haven't been to the gym since Sunday. Boo, I know. I have an issue with both eyes this week. My glands are blocked and it is causing them to burn and itch and swell. Eye doctor gave me drops and medicated wipes to clean my lids with. Gross, I know... so I've been soaking in hot water and going to bed early all week to help my body heal itself. 2 other co-workers had similar issues recently so I think it might be the air in the building we work in. Eye doctor says it is not contageous, so something must be in the air. Happy Valentines Day to you all. Honestly, in my humble opinion, I hate the holiday because it's dumb. You should appreciate people all year round. Not just on one scheduled day a year. And I hate how it can be depressing if you have no one to share with. So here's a hug for you if this day sucks for you from me. And here's a hug for you if you don't think it sucks, just because from me.

Cheer up! Cause I said so.

Mmmm veggie bean soup. It's a very nice cold front! Well, cold for Texas. He is doing good so far. He substituted vegan versions of everything that he already ate so it wasn't as traumatic on his psyche. He says he feels fine so far. We are both guessing for each other that 5-7 days in we will start feeling some cravings, but who knows. I doubt he'd be honest about that because he wants so bad to be right! Either way, this will get him off my back about the coffee thing for a while, so yay.

You inspired me this week to try more green smoothies and juices. Thanks!

I've always been too chicken to try Hemp protein. Or any protein powders for that matter! Does it give more energy?

FOOD Dinner last night: Made a red and golden beet soup including the beet stems and added tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, jalapeño, and onion. Sweet and spicy and served with corn chips. Also had some leftover beans and rice on the side with a mango salsa. Breakfast: Sweet green smoothie (about 28 ounces) with kale, wheatgrass, sprouts, frozen strawberries, frozen peaches, and strawberry banana soy milk (I found this in the store yesterday. Silk brand Fruit and Protein). Also a vegan burrito. I get really hungry after several lifting days in a row. Lunch and snacks packed for work: 1 green apple, 1 red apple, 1 orange, 1 lemon, 1 avocado, 4 cup bowl of leftover beet soup, and 2 cups of mixed red beans and northern beans. The general food plan this week is to do a LOT of smoothies and juicing and raw fruits and veggies. WATER Goal is 1 gallon (128 ounces) before I leave work and at least 32 ounces after workout tonight. 30 DAY CHALLENGE This is Day 2 of no caffeine. I feel FINE! You know, since I was never addicted in the first place, contrary to the belief of my husband.

FITNESS I got up early full of energy. I walked the dogs and did grocery shopping and hit the gym. I did an easy 10 minute warm up on elliptical at level 10 and then hopped onto the Quad machine for my 100 reps at 25 lbs to work on my knees. I did tricep pull downs and bicep pull ups, worked my back and pecs and called it an easy Sunday. FOOD Today begins the 30 day challenge in our house. Me going without caffeine and him going vegan. Seeing as how I woke up with tons of energy, I think I'm already ahead. Breakfast: Homemade cereal with soy milk. Snack: Kombucha. Lunch: Glass of soy milk and a vegan grilled cheese sandwich. Dinner: I'm thinking beets and a green salad.

Great job!!! You go girl!

Holy veggies! I must follow you! Your recipes look amazing.

FITNESS Worked with trainer last night and did the whole body. Even special exercises for the joints. The body feels so awesome today. That perfect amount of sore that constantly reminds me that the effort will pay off. Patience! FOOD So far today I've only had a bowl of homemade organic cereal with soymilk - oats and flax seeds and dried fruit and nuts and seeds. Later today, I'm going into town to get some yummy vegan buffet for lunch/dinner from Pepper Tree Veggie Cuisine in Houston. I will probably over eat like a pig. Oink oink!!!!

Thanks! I am a big fan of combining colors to make my food look pretty and appetizing. I am also raw vegan curious. Maybe I will go raw this year? Who knows. I really like hot soup though. I am trying not to hurt myself with the weights, but I honestly didn't fully understand the situation until last night. Even though I can lift the weight with my main muscle groups easily, I can't do it safely until the tiny muscles around my joints get stronger. Trainer also showed me some exercises to help strengthen my knees. My homework is to do the Quad machine on very low weights and do 3 sets of 100 reps in slow motion 3 times a week. Also, I need to practice lunges with my feet closer together almost in a squat position with knees holding steady at 90 degrees for at least 10 seconds each rep. Until I can do that easily, I cannot increase my weights. Boo! I will get there though. WATCH OUT!

FITNESS -30 minutes elliptical intensity level 10. -Played on the Seated Leg Press for a bit: First set 3 different positions of 30 reps at 130 lbs. Second set 3 positions of 15 reps at 150 lbs. Third set 3 positions of 10 reps at 170 lbs. Fourth set 3 positions of 10 reps at 190 lbs. That's a new personal best for me! I then got in trouble when my trainer saw me doing this because my joints aren't ready for that kind of weight yet. Patience is really not my strong suit. -Quad Raises 1 set of 15 reps at 35 lbs. Then 2 sets of 15 at 40 lbs. -Seated Row 3 sets of 10 reps at 50 lbs. -Shoulder Raise 3 sets of 15 reps at 15 lbs. -Seated Tricep Push Down: Set 1 at 25 lbs. Set 2 at 30 lbs. Set 3 at 35 lbs. I didn't count reps and burned out on each set. -Chest Press 1 set 15 reps at 60 lbs. That's when trainer found me in the gym and chewed me out for doing too much. FOOD I've been doing a lot of raw produce this week. I just keep my 8 cup bowl by my desk at work and snack all day. The more raw, alive food I eat, the more energy I have. http://i50.tinypic.com/ab2gb9.jpg

FITNESS Last night I did 30 minutes on the elliptical at level 10. My knees are still acting up from the fall I took on Friday night, so I toned it down on the intensity. Then did seated chest press at 60 lbs 3 sets in 2 different positions each set. Then did some bicep curls at 20 lbs and went for endurance with longer sets and only a few seconds of resting. Then I did 30 lbs on triceps using the pull down rope until I burned out. I used the stretchy rope to play around while I rested between sets. I also switched the rope to pull up for a few sets. Lastly, I played with the gigantic heavy ropes to finish burning out my upper body. I will probably have to work late tonight so I doubt I'll make it to the gym tonight. So much to do! So little time! FOOD Dinner from last night: 1 red bellpepper, 1 green bellpepper, 1 tomato, 1 avocado, 1 apple, and 1 pear. I sprinkled paprika on the veggies for flavor. Breakfast: Vegan burrito and large decaf coffee with soymilk. Snacks: 2 cups strawberries with kiwi, 2 cups grapes, and 8 cup bowl veggies - mostly raw organic -celery sticks, carrots, green beans, tomatoes, and broccoli - and some pickled - black olives, green olives stuffed with garlic, green olives stuffed with jalapeno, pepperoncinis. Lunch: 3 cup mixed cooked leftovers of Tofurkey, roasted veggies, and black beans with onion.

Thanks. I think the respect is less so than the patience, and that has been worn thinner over the years. I guess I feel like nobody is perfect, but at the same time, I really hate being bullied and controlled, even if, in his mind, he thinks it is coming from a good place. We'll see how he does with the whole vegan for 30 days thing. I just don't see him getting through it very well because he's only doing it to make sure I do my 30 days without caffeine, not because he really wants to be vegan for 30 days. I think he just wants to be right about my "addiction." Did you know that people can also be addicted to exercise? And shopping? And sex? And biting your nails? And adopting pets? And food? And anything at all in the world? Guess what, world? I'm addicted to VEGANISM and EXERCISE and WEARING DRESSES TO WORK and THOR and A CUP OF COFFEE IN THE MORNINGS and TEA AFTER LUNCH and CUTE ANIMAL PICTURES ON THE INTERNET! Wow... that feels so much better admitting all that. I'm healed!

AWESOME!

Try papaya too! It has a very mild flavor and does wonders for the body. It also works well in smoothies.

Have you tried juicing for energy? Lots of dark leafy greens and apples and carrots every day.