Vegan research

I am starting to get excited about the vegan experiment. I spent a few hours yesterday doing research - finding recipes, reading up on balancing a vegan diet, etc.

I don't think I'll have a problem finding foods to eat. I love whole grains and veggies, so it will be easy to find meals to make.

My challenges will be:

1. Being prepared. Taking time to prep meals so that I'm not having to rush and pick unhealthy choices. I need to spend time prepping grains, fruits, and veggies each week.
2. Making sure I'm getting balanced nutrition. Will need to plan out menus, to make sure that I'm getting all that I need in a day.
3. Figuring out how to eat vegan on the road. I have two major vacations within the month I am planning the cleanse. Not great timing, but I was asked to join a group with plans already in place. Will have to determine if I will try to do the vegan on the trips, or just try to be good. This is a cleanse, not a lifestyle choice, so I feel I can make those determinations.

I have a lot of foods/recipes ready to go. And my shopping list is ready as well. I am really getting pumped. Starting to wonder if I need to wait until April 1st, with the group, or just start now... Maybe when I run errands today I'll pick up a few of the things I wanted. No hurt in starting to incorporate it early/!!

a vegan experiment

A friend has asked me to join him in a vegan experiment, or cleanse of sorts - one month of vegan eating.
I am very excited about it. I will continue to make normal food for the family, only introducing them to vegan options here and there. I am lucky, because I can honestly cook for myself. And I am so excited about it~!

So today I am researching....thinking of meal ideas, and creating a grocery list. We are not beginning until April 1st, so I have a couple of weeks to figure out what I need, and start weeding the non-vegan products out of the house.

I am a huge fan of whole grains, so I am very excited about reintroducing them into my daily diet. And i love ALL veggies, so that will be fun to experiement with as well!

So here's to a vegan cleanse!

Meditation experiment - day two

So yesterday I started a 21 day meditation program. I've always wanted to try one, and was glad to see this come across my email.

Day one - I really enjoyed the message. And I enjoyed the relaxation. But at the end, I was told to "bring my awareness back into my body". I'm pretty sure mine never left... It was relaxing, the deep breathing and all, but I'm PRETTY sure my awareness was right where I left it when I started.

Day two - today. Again - I really enjoyed the message. Today, knowing what to expect, I went into the spare room, turned down the lights, and got comfortable. Staying focused on the meditation seemed much easier today. Only a few times did I need to return to the mantra to center myself. And honestly, today felt SO much different than yesterday. Today, my eyelids got very heavy, and I truly think that I started to enter a different plane of awareness. I felt amazing after today's meditation. While I am not sure that my awareness left my body, I was definitely in a deeper state than yesterday. And my progress excites me for what is to come in the next 19 days.

Years ago, I spent time at an Aveda spa. I think it's time to really dig into the study of Ayurveda. Living wholly - may be my next step.

Namaste.

zumba update

So because of teaching confirmation, I've only been able to go to one zumba class a week, but as of this week, I am again free to do both Mondays and Wednesdays.

But the real update - I finally have found that with most of the songs, I am comfortable enough with the moves, that I am actually concentrating on isolating muscles, and pushing myself.

I'm not just following along to keep up. But at times, I'm pushing myself to make myself sweat.

ah, it's good, people. It is GOOD.

WOW. A rude awakening

This is a blog where I am brutally honest with my ups and downs of weight loss and health. And yesterday was a DOWN.

Went to a public event with a friend of mine. She is a couple years older, but tall, slender, and healthy. When we went to pay admission, the lady asked her if she was paying for her mother also. (Meaning me.)

Ok. I have never felt I look old. I am obviously starting to notice changes. I am almost 43. But WOW. It hurt. It hurt a LOT.

Beginning a wholistic overhaul

While I'm so very proud of the changes I've made, and weight loss to this point, I am definitely not on my game right now. So tonight I did a little research, and am going to turn it up a notch - by doing some more wholistic therapy.

Tonight I started with an all natural detox bath. Epsom salts, baking soda, and ginger.... to increase circulation, increase my magnesium levels, and detox. Not to mention - taking time to relax in a bath for 40 minutes is priceless!

Years ago I did an all natural detox, and for the life of me, I cannot find it. But I know the basis of it. I need to increase water, reduce/eliminate caffeine, stay away from refined sugars, processed foods, and fats/proteins. Increase consumption of fruits, veggies, and grains.

Not rocket science. Not by any means. But in all reality, I do not do any of this enough. And I know that in the end, this will give me more energy, better sleep, and in the end, better health.

So my jumpstart of the detox bath was my little kick-off to my wholistic renewal. Here's to whole health!

some "not so good" experiments...

I have to say, that not all culinary experiments go well. Still trying to make some small changes in our family diet to help us ALL. This weekend I've had two FAILS.

First, I made whole wheat pancakes. They are just not the same. And they are too different for my boys to approve. I need to find a yummy healthy alternative. We don't do pancakes often, but I'd love to find a good option.

And this afternoon, I made a cookie out of frozen bananas, mashed, cinnamon, and quick oats. Very bland. DS was not impressed. I think there might be potential there - and what a ridiculously healthy option. So I might play with that one some more. But as they are, he wouldn't eat them again.

Oh well. Not every recipe can be a winner~!