Vegmom Moments

Friend Finishes the Veg Challenge

I'm very proud of my bestest friend for avoiding animal flesh for 30 days... She even avoided it the days prior to some extent. And so many animals were unharmed thanks to her trial.

In her words (copied from comment on prior post). This is how she feels about the whole thing on her last day!

"Today is 03/31 and at midnight, I will have fulfilled my 30 day veg challenge and with only one little slip up by finger tasting chicken gravy!! EVERYONE keeps asking… “Do you feel different? Do you feel better?” I’m not so sure that I notice any change.

Honestly, I don’t think I did a very “healthy” 30 day veg run, I have felt bloated and as if I have gained weight. BUT- none the less, I have done it! And while not eating meat has been inconvenient, the urge to do so hasn’t been overpowering, except that one night last weekend when some one was grilling bacon.

OH!! BACON!!! So, with that… tomorrow’s dinner will be a great big fat BLT sandwich! Hey, it’s only a fourth meat, 3/4th is still veg, that’s gotta count for something! ;)"

Needless to say, going Veg did not have the impact on my friend that I had hoped....haha... But we'll see AFTER that BLT how she feels. :-)

That said, she did not give up dairy... And I really think the cheese is her downfall. BUT I know from experience you can eat Veg and still not eat healthy. There is a distinct difference.

But in the end, she tried new foods and liked them, started reading labels, cooked more variety, and enjoyed it, ate lots of veggies, got others to try new things, forced a second friend to go Veg, saved a bunch of critters,and avoided a family tradition dinner that probably makes this whole thing worth while. Haha

So from the side lines it certainly wasnt a loss...and maybe some day we can try the cheese challenge..THAT would make her feel better.

Thanks Friend-A for playing along and being such a great sport...You are the best!!

Where did the bruises go?

I used to get bruises all the time... Didn't even remember how I got them, but they were always there. To the point that my midwife was worried and ran extra random blood work.

If a dog jumped on me, I'd get little paw pad bruises. My shins were always covered from leaning in to something, arms, hips...everywhere!!

Well... You see, I started this post with "Used To".... Since adding green smoothies and more raw plant foods to my life, I no longer get bruises. I realized tonight that I haven't had a bruise since I broke my toe.

Who would have thunk it?

Raw Vegan Cupcakes With Pudding

I made these tonight as my new try for the week and the only problem was the wait... I couldn't wait a few hours to eat them...

I maybe lasted about 30 minutes... Soooo good, I'm sure they will be even better tomorrow!

All Raw, All Vegan and All Delicious!!!  (sorry about the phone pic)

The recipe is from Ani Phyo Raw Desserts....It is the "Raw Vegan Lemon Pudding Filled Coconut Cupcake" Recipe.

OH MY YUM!!!  My only variation was that I used Macadamia Nuts for the pudding instead of Cashews.

The "Pudding" is banana, yet lemon'y, and oh so creamy...

The "Cupcake" is Pecans and Coconut with other goodies that make them stick and sweet....

I'll definitely be making these again!  Hubby even snagged one before they were done...

 

 

Marathon Prep - Look what I made

Getting so close to the Marathon, which means I'm eating lots of salads this week, lots of greens... lots of anti-inflam foods, from pineapple to parsley... Juices, Smoothies, and lots of Water...  Also good proteins and good carbs... I'll be as pumped and ready as one can be....

Also taking care of my feet this week as if they were little babies.   Shower scrubs, Lotion Rubs, and soft night time socks...

And .... I'm so excited... You see, I was pondering what I would do for fluids on Race Day.. It has been bugging me for months.... Hubs said, "Why can't you drink the water they have at the water stations"  And I said... "Because it isn't coconut water"..

I NEED MY Coconut Water and Lemonade for electrolytes, energy, swelling and recovery... I can have water at the stops for fluids.. but won't survive without my Coconut Water... Then Hubs said... "Why don't you use the belt you have"...

And I said... because if my skin bleeds all over just from a shirt and boulder holder from 20 miles, can you imagine what a BELT for 26 miles will do to me....  Not to mention the splish splash splosh of the fluid in those bottles will drive me NUTS!!. 

The belt is great for walking, and I know lots of people use them for running, but I can't... not with my body shape....just Can't Do it!

So my friend and I put on our thinking caps last month... we discussed using the Foodsaver and making my own "Fluid Packs".. problem being, I couldn't open them on the trail unless I carried scissors or something.

Tonight, I decided to give it a try... LOOK LOOOK..... Little 2x3 Pocket size leak proof Coconut Water pouches...

With a tiny slit... I was able to tear it open... just enough for a swig...

My very own Energy drinks.... Granted they won't hold enough to really hydrate.  So I'll still need water from stops.  But these will give me the extra boost.....along the way... while others are chugging "GEL"... I'll be downing some yummy healing goodness.... (not that there is anything wrong with Gel... I just can't bring my self to use it)

... Sooo Excited!!!!

I'm ready now.  I can DO THIS..... I think I can.....I think I can....

Just a few more days..... Eeeeeekkkkk!!!

**UPDATE**  Hubby helped me figure out how to make long skinny pouches, once sealed they fold in half... still fit in my pocket, but I get an extra serving per pouch....

Things I've learned while training for a Marathon

• I can actually move the distance of 20 miles in ONE outing
• I can actually burn 2000 calories in one session and not lose a pound (dang metabolism)
• My feet can actually drop a half size by the end of training..(is this normal? I have no idea... But when none of my shoes fit, it is quite an unexpected pain)
• Coconut Water + Lemonade makes me feel all better
• Lemon juice shot before a warm day run will keep my fingers from swelling
• Parking my car at the 5 mile point means I always have a water stop
• I sleep really really good while training except on long run days... Can't sleep for nothing those days.. Who knew?
• Shirts do come with built in mittens...and I love shirts that have built in mittens..
• Good winter running gear makes winter training a LOT easier
• I can run on snow and ice and NOT bust my rear (or front for that matter)
• One can sweat so much that their skin just dries and there is no more fluid
• Strategically planning my training runs before a meeting, makes me run a lot faster as to not be late for said meeting
• Strategically placing my short training runs before dark, makes me go a lot faster...(I'm afraid of the dark)
• When friends meet me on the trail, it makes the time go by a lot faster
• Stress relief happens
• Garmin watch can be my Best friend
• Marathon Training takes A LOT of time from your weeks (months)
• Back pockets are better then front pockets..and zippered pockets are even better
• Wearing the wrong clothes can cause skin abrasions in places I didn't know existed on my body.
• That life happens and some times you have to give yourself a break
• Running with dead iPod really Stinks.

 Last and most important thing I've learned....I can do Anything I set my mind to.. I may not do it well, I may not like it some days, but if my heart is in it, then I can't lose.

Even if I lose!!

Kale My Friend Part 2

Maybe the reason I like Kale so much is because it is the only thing I can grow in the garden... *smile*

Even if it took 8 months...

Just picked that today... So pretty, isn't it?

Adventure Day with the VegKid

Long ago, my Aunt sent my Mom and I on a little weekend trip..

She said that a Mom should always find a way for one solo adventure with her Daughter before they are teenagers and no longer want to be around their Mom's. 

She said that phase comes fast and before you know it the teen is grown and gone... But those memories of that one adventure will stick for ever.

My Mom and I took that trip, along with a couple more that I will never forget.  And to this day, that has stuck with me. 

You see, just as predicted, I did get to the teen age years (and wasn't so nice) became too busy, Then quickly married and moved on... but the Mom and Me adventures have always held a special place in my heart.

Even though I don't have a daughter, I try to have Vegkid and Me adventures as much as possible. 

They are becoming far and few, but still exist.  While he may not hold them as near and dear as I do.. the memories of these days will forever be in my brain.  And something I think Every parent should try to do.

ONE ON ONE time with their kids... it is easy for me, because I only have one... but away from Hubby, Dog, Friends, Problems, House chores and Work... that is a little harder... especially when life catches up with you in a big way.. 

Yesterday, Veg and I had an Adventure Day...He may not remember it when he is older, but I will... *smile*

Especially when he looks at new things with such wonder:

And even when he says things like "Mom, do your friends think your weird?"   Why yes... Yes they do! 

Or when he says.... "Well I think your weird, your taking pictures of a salad for goodness sakes"

Yes, Yes I am!!

Adventure Lunch salad:

Adventure Dinner Salad:

And even more so, when I take pictures of Vegan Peanut Banana Cupcakes (Oh my Yum)

And when I stop for pics of the mountains:

...and The Sunset:

Or when he says.. "That would have been funner, if we could do everything more then once"... Why you.......Ungrateful little..... Oh never mind *smile*

We had tons of fun... Rides, Slides, Putt Putt, Arcade, Aquarium...Stroll along the river, The view was beautiful, the food was great....

And the Memories, worth every bit of checking out of life for an Adventure Day. 

I highly recommend it!

 

 

A walk at the Park

My Sweet boy is getting so old, but his new favorite thing is a walk in the park....

Actually, it is hard to tell who likes these walks more?  Me or Him.... With the harness and short lead (which double as a seat belt) he doesn't pull or tug, or choke or mark his territory.  It is GREAT!

Just a nice leisurely stroll... The Pup and I....

When did 10 miles get Easy?

Winding down the running/walking for Marathon prep... It's getting close... Today was "only" 10 miles...

TEN miles... Ha, easy peasy *smile*.

Ok, not really... But compared to 20 it was a piece of cake. And I did it with 90% running...and feel good!! I was dragging up the last hill, won't lie, but it felt good just the same.

Before that, mind you, I took the canine to park for our leisurely stroll. He has gotten so good in the car and on a short lead, that I'm trying to take him every week now. His feet and hips aren't so good, so we walk slow and short distance. It is a perfect warm up for my long runs.

Needless to say, I have absorbed quite a bit of vitamin D!

Staying motivated in this final stretch is difficult ....but I'm determined to finish what I started!

Next goal...when I get all this time back to my weeks that has gone to training, I'm going to do massive raw food prep, I can't wait to have my fridge full of body friendly goodness and ready to eat with no effort!

That is my plan anyway... Maybe I'll take a nap first :-)

Ok..Now its time for a different kind of marathon... laundry marathon...

Happy Spring everyone!!

Kale My Friend

Ever since I found this Dehydrated Kale Crisp recipe, I have been in love...  I never thought you could be in love with food, but you will hear me say that a lot these days.

Food used to be something I ate to eat...now I Eat to Live!  And I LOVE IT!!!  :-)  Kale is one of those foods that are light, versatile, nutritious and make me feel good when I eat it... But dehydrated with the right flavors makes it taste sooo good...

And it probably takes the least amount of time to Dehydrate out of anything I make... But what I didn't know all this time, was a hidden gem is in the creation of my dehydrated Kale.

At the point that I add, Lemon Juice, Sea Salt, Agave, & Olive oil, then massage....if by chance all the kale doesn't fit on my Dehydrator trays and I happen to put the rest in a sealed container for lunch the next day.... OH MY YUM!!!

I have discovered Marinated Kale... It is the best thing EVER!!!  Now I make just that without dehydrating...And pop in on my salads each day of the week, or just eat by itself. 

Its Easy, could be 100% Raw (depending on marinade), and Vegan.... A totally plant based delicious addition to my tummy!

I'm going to try the same thing with other greens this summer.... I'll post if I find anything equally as Delicious!

 

Almost forgot to renew this

Whoops.. I hadn't been checking my email very well lately and just realized that Typepad was trying to tell me that I had the wrong credit card date.

Within a couple days, my blog would have been no more... I wonder if anyone would notice??

Green Smoothie for Dinner

I've never put Broccoli in a smoothie before, but I wanted to Pump my active boy with lots of good green stuff...  So I gave it a try!

Don't judge...:-)

Natural Choco Nut Butter, Frozen Organic Broccoli, Frozen Organic Spinach, Dash of Sweetener, Wheat Grass, Hemp Seed, Apple, Banana, Coconut water and Ice.

YUM!  It was Thick like a shake, and Sweet like Goodness....Green Goodness!!

Hubs is eating More Vegan Foods

It is True.. It is... really!!  Only took like 10 years to get him to fully switch to a Vegetarian diet... And now..A couple more years later. He is 90% Vegan and I'd say about 40% Raw

BUT this time, it is not my doing... You see he got caught up in a non-healthy Vegetarian diet, eating mostly cooked, processed foods, a lot of Junk and believe it or not, very little Fruit or Raw veggies.  Outside of my Smoothies, he only ate my other good stuff once in a while, and would usually whip himself up something else.. found himself staying up till 3am snacking on cereal, etc.

Yes.. Vegetarian is still better then the Standard America Diet, but, the junk, was catching up with him. As was his stagnant lifestyle.. no exercise and too much Gaming...When the weather turned cold, Hubby's Gout came back.

20 Mile Training - The day after

So I thought I would just want to sleep all day. Especially with the time change...But I'm up and ready to go!!!
With lots of house work to be done..having energy is a good thing!

Although I feel like a dehydrated prune. Clearly didn't drink enough water the day BEFORE my training which I think is critical. I drank so many fluids yesterday, that the only way I could feel dehydrated today was by not prepping well the day prior.

Of course that is not medical advice, it is just how my body seems to work. And a good learning note for My Marathon week.. Sleep and fluids alllll week!!

Anyway..the stiffness I was feeling last night is gone. All the skin messes from clothing are scabbed over...nothing hurts today, which is pretty awesome. My feet are even holding up and not screaming at me. They do feel HOT though, it is a very weird sensation.

Think I'll take the pup for a short walk on this sunny morn and stretch my legs, then start the housework..

Now that I'm past that huge hurtle, I just have to keep momentum for the final stretch. The time commitment has been huge, and I look forward to having those hours back to my week. At the same time, I'll be sad to see it complete.

Training has forced me to take better care of myself (if that is possible) get more sleep, hydrate, eat, exercise to the limits, and make time for ME. No matter what the rest of my schedule looks like or what kind of weather, I've been forced to get outside and find time to get the training done. In doing so, I've been able to see so much that I would have missed while being consumed in every day life.

I've seen snow and rain, sleet, ice, rainbows, geese, ducks, bunnies and flowers, wonderful people, the cutest dogs, little waterfalls, beautiful birds, Horses, Goats, and so much more.

This experience was way more then just a test of agility, it was an opportunity that I could never have imagined when it started.

Happy Sunday!!!

20 Miles Complete

I decided to complete my long run/walk today since It was so beautiful out, Hubby and Veg were golfing, and I rested yesterday on the exercise front.

But I didn't have a fully charged iPod, nor the right clothes cleaned, AND I stayed up too late last night working and panicking about Veg's Spring Break...so I wasn't totally prepared...

I ended up being a little (a lot) tired and had a very hard time finishing.

But I DID it!! And I'll have all day tomorrow to recoup!!

As for hurt spots...I hurt all over tonight but not the way you would expect someone to hurt after moving the distance of 20 miles in one outing.

I hurt under my arms where my new running shirt gave me a nice red patch.. And the lining of my lady bump holder (front and back). Where I now have an engraved out line and peeled skin...

And I hurt In Other spots that I won't share...but to say, in the war of my clothes against skin... The clothes WON!

Good news is, that was my last long training run... Ok long as in twenty miles... The rest will be long by my old standards, but short for my new standards.

My muscles, bones and joints seem to be holding up well. I'm a little stiff, but not sore or achy..still really can't believe I'm doing this and that my body is letting me.

Good night all, thinking I will sleep tight.... Hope you do too!!

And dont forget to turn your clocks back! WHOOPS. Correction, thanks AU?..turn clocks forward... Not backward...*smile*. Guess I was trying to squeeze an extra hour sleep!!

Kale in the Garden

I could go on and on about my lack of a Green Thumb... but I think this speaks for itself...

8... as in EIGHT months ago, I planted Kale seeds in our garden...

8.... YES EIGHT months later... I have enough Kale to actually eat!

Hey... I try right?  That has to count for Something?.....

PS... Super excited that I got to consume fresh Organic Kale from my very own Garden.. even if I had to wait 8 Months to get it.

In case you don't know me, I am NOT a patient person. 

It seems, when it comes to growing veggies, I will be learning how to be patient.

Is it Spring? Or not so much?

Rain, Snow and Flowers all in one day?

I got in my 8 Miles this morning against all the elements and found these very pretty flowers..  Bunnies were hopping about, Birds chirping, Squirrels scrambling for food....

And it was like 30 Degrees...Is it Spring or Is it not???   I just can't tell...

Maybe next week *smile*

Marathon - I registered!

It's Official!!!!

 

26.2 Miles, HERE I COME!!!!  

Mr. Sticker

You shall be mine!

 

Friend Goes Veg for 30 Days Part 2

Alright, it is true that my friend is still eating Cheese... but if you pretend she isn't or Vegan'ify these dishes, they look amazing... She was food prepping Yesterday (Minus Meat) for the week, and Oh My YUM!!!

These are just a Few pics she sent my way.. and YES, she makes all her own sauces..

Eggplant:

Black Beans:

Stuffed Peppers:

She has only been doing this for one week and I already want to go to her house for dinner... Sigh.. but she lives too far away.. I will have to admire from a distance!!!

Meanwhile.. She sent me these pics via PHONE while I was doing this:

18 miles and burned 1600 calories, according to my little handy dandy watch thing!!!   And drooling the whole way, while looking at pics of yummy foods...

Sooooo, not nice!!  *smile*

 

 

Friend Goes Veg for 30 Days

Well it's official..

My Bestest Friend has jumped in with both spoons, and is meeting the 30 Day Veg Challenge.  She started a few days ago and has come up with some pretty yummy things... Check out a couple of her first week pics:

Even better,  that her friend is also up for the challenge....Veg food Everywhere!!! 

Oh But Even better better, is that my Friend said that she could get use to this way of eating... *smile*

<<<Insert Me, doing happy dance>>>

Things I would have Missed

If I wasn't Training for a Marathon right now, I would miss so many things:

Could it be Spring???