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Friday, September 28, 2012

September Vegan Swap

First time participant in the Vegan Swap, and it was FUN!!

If you would like to participate, head on over to the registration page.

Here is what my goodies looked like:

Note from Jannifer, Zico Chocolate Coconut Water, Kamut and Quinoa Pasta, Jalapeno Salt, Seasnax Seaweed, Peanut Butter filled pretzels, and Bobo's Oat Bar

I told her nothing about personal preferences (because I LOVE surprises), and she did fabulous!

Brianna told me, "Mom, if you knew this girl for real, y'all would be friends."  This is solely for the Jalapeno Salt, since I'm a spicy junkie ;)

I loved this opportunity and had a lot of fun participating.  

I cannot wait to read everyone's post about this swap.

Thanks Jannifer for making my first experience wonderful.  Apparently she's not a blogger though, sorry I can't share her with y'all!

Update:  Click here to follow the September Swap and all participants!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Today! 8 Week Challenge Begins


Thanks for those of you that have already signed up!

Look for your Week 1 e-mail to arrive soon.

During this 8 week challenge, I will provide a 'guide', and will be here to assist you...for FREE!

Come join us!

I look forward to working with all of you :)

Join here!


Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

It was like Christmas yesterday!

Two packages in the mail!

First, I got my Vegan Nail Polish from Maria.

Then...my package came from my first Vegan swap.  It was actually fun preparing the one I sent, but I must admit, I liked opening mine too and not having a clue what to expect!

I've already written the post, but you can check it out on Friday!

I wanna do some kind of challenge for these weeks up until Thanksgiving...it will start on Thursday ;)
Ideas welcome until then!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Learning to Meditate: 5 Simple Steps

Learning to Meditate: 5 Simple Steps

Check out my article at the link above!


Confession:  Remember that time back at the beginning of 2011...I had these lofty writing goals?
Well, I'm sure you realized, but I failed.  In fact, I only wrote 6 things for all of 2011.

So, now it's September 11, 2012...and guess how many articles I've written this year?  Well, that was the 3rd one...geez...slacker!

I want to do better, need to do better, love it when I write...

So, support me, show me some love, and send me 'Healthy Living' article ideas ;)

Tuesday Trade--Cat's September Vegan Swap

Okay, so I'm participating in a Vegan Swap this month!  Cat, over at The Verdant Life organizes this.

I'm very excited!  I've already gotten my recipients information...gluten-free Vegan (she's trying to make me work) and I've given my information to my sender.

I'll be blogging about this later this month when I receive my goodies ;)

In the meantime, I wanted to take some time and check out some of the blogs of the participants, and I thought that it would be a great opportunity to share with all of you!

Sharing the 'about' section (if present, 1st 2 lines) from the blogs:

The Verdant Life
Cat is a writer who really loves to eat. In fact, she's relentless in her passion for good food, environmentally friendly food practices, and wholesome, organic ingredients. She's also a budding photographer...


The Only Vegan I Know

The Snarky Chickpea

Veggie Next Door
Hi, I’m Diana. I’m not a nutritionist, a chef, or even a very good cook for that matter. I’m just a twenty-something Chicago-area girl-next-doortrying to cook up a quick meal after work, or looking for a...

Hello! I am a 27 year old vegan librarian living in Seattle, WA. Being kind to animals, which to me means not eating them (among other things) is important to me. I am trying to navigate being a vegan in a...

I love to travel and write about it. I spend a lot of time cooking and have a blog devoted to my favorite cooking appliance my stand mixer. I am currently adapting to a plant based lifestyle and have...


I am in love with expressing one's personal style at home through decor and design, entertaining, food and drink. I also love writing and great photos (and have a special fondness for parentheses and italics).

I'm a nuclear engineer by degrees, but more of a reliability engineer by practice. I research empirical methods for health monitoring of complex engineering systems. I'm also vegan. These pages will chronicle...

Welcome to my blog! I believe that whatever you do to make yourself happy is worth it. I am always trying to better myself and here you can find goodies that will hopefully help you too!


Have you ever put all your energy into creating something in the kitchen for others only to have them turn their nose up the instant they find out it’s vegan? Recently, I have been cooking for people more...

I'm a vegan, manga addicted, hockey obsessed, video game playing, music nerd with body...


I am a loving wife, mother of 4, grandmother of 3, who loves to cook and eat good vegan food. I became vegan in February 2011 after being vegetarian for 3 years. In addition to my "human" family members...

Jen C. and Jen G. came up with the idea of starting a meal share group to alleviate the pressure of cooking for our households one or two nights per week as well as build community. We've also enjoyed using...

Hi, I’m Hindy! I started this blog as a place to catalog all of the goodies I was cooking up. I love to experiment in the kitchen, and rather than continue pestering all of my buddies with food photos...

Hi there, My name is Nicole. I’m a young professional living in NYC. Back in January 2012, I challenged myself to live a healthier life. Since then, I’ve lost 15 pounds, competed in a half marathon, and become...



Two of my greatest passions are eating good vegan food and traveling the world. I created this blog not only to display the good eats and amazing sights I encounter, but to inspire me to never stop moving. Meat-free...

I’m obsessed with all things plant-based, delicious and beautiful. I make videos about cooking, eating well and travel. When I grow up, I want to have wings.

Hiding out in suburbia – posing as a domesticated housewife. We live in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains and Mt. Rainier National Park in Washington State which helps feed our love of the outdoors.

Kathryn Lovett's Blog
I was a vegetarian for two years before I became vegan in January of 2010. I live near Austin, TX with my non-vegan husband, our French Bulldog, Siberian Husky, two parrots and a variety of saltwater fish. I...

Hi I'm April.  I live in Central Massachusetts with my small family and our dog. I originally lived in Wyoming, and moved to Massachusetts in 2008. I enjoy new hobbies and some would say I am a serial hobbyist...


Hi, I’m Caren, founder of Voodies.com and author of Voodie Girl. I’m Canadian, but I decided to stop doing “the snow thing” in 2006. Now I live in Los Angeles with my husband, coco the pug and a mutt...


Hi there! I’m Barbara, a 30-something Coloradan who enjoys snowboarding, hiking, reading and (obviously) cooking. I’m married to Jason- a wonderful man who, although clinging to omnivore...

A born and raised Minnesotan who defected to Iowa. Welcome to a little glimpse into the good life that Iowa (yes, Iowa!) has to offer. Life in a small town has found a place in my heart and there is always...



Kelly is a 20 something yarn junkie, foodie, gardener, cake-decorating-addict, book-worm, baking queen, who cannot get enough of the outdoors. She has been vegan since early 2009. Since then, she has lost...


I am: Vegan, Wife, Mother of Two, Working full time, Nutritionist, Wanna be Writer, Wanna be Runner
Don't know what I want to be when I grow up...I have a side business as a Nutritional Educator...
Haha!  Slipped that one in on you! ;)


I'm a 24 year old vegan living in Washington DC. I became vegan three years ago when I still was living in Tennessee. There weren't many options for sweets in the town so I taught myself how to make what I...


I'm an artsy fartsy, animal loving, kitchen destroying, movie freak, and a total crazy cat loving weirdo living in the Tampa Bay area of Florida with my boyfriend and furry feline friends.


Welcome! This is a new blog for a new chapter in my life. My previous blog – whereonearth was a travel diary of my adventures and mishaps throughout the world – mostly on a boat, but also on bike, foot, ...


Dianne "Veggiegirl" Wenz is a Holistic Health Counselor, Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Plant Based Diet Nutrition Specialist, as well as an avid cook and baker. She offers group and individual nutrition and...


During college, I waited a whole lotta tables at various restaurants. It was then that I became familiar with the term “86,” which means to remove, end usage, run out of, or take something out or away. For example, ...


Friday, September 7, 2012

Friday Facts--You Tell Me--Why Vegan?


E-mail me at apr897@yahoo.com

or

Comment below if you so desire.

I wanna know why you went Vegan and what is your motivation for sticking with it.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Tuesday Trivia--Celebrity Tribute

Okay, first the answers to last weeks trivia:  Jared Leto!  That's his band 30 Seconds to Mars...all Vegan!

I think I will take this Celebrity Tuesday to acknowledge Michael Clarke Duncan.


Duncan is most widely known for his role in The Green Mile.

Now, are you wondering why in the heck I would want to mention Michael Clarke Duncan on my blog?!

This...this is why!

I bet no one ever asked him where he got his protein?!

Read the full article and watch the video here: Michael Clarke Duncan: 'I Am a Vegetarian'

My friend Maria

So, let's go back...

Did you ever have someone that you went to school with that you 'just weren't sure about'?...they were different...weren't like you...and you didn't quite know how to take that?

Then...you find out that you're going to be learning something from them and having to spend time with them...and you're still just not real sure about all of this...

Then...you get to see a different side of them...

So, let me tell you about my friend Maria :)

That was her...she was 'that girl'...the one I wasn't sure about, the one that didn't fit it, the one that was so different from me...

So, let's fast-forward to today, and go backward...

  • She's has my blog on her blog for a contest, and I've already gotten traffic from it...so I want to share too!
  • I learn more and more things we have in common everyday
  • We're both Vegan...heck yeah
  • She is so freakin' beautiful, and she doesn't even know it 
  • She is wicked smart, and I am thankful that I got to learn from her, had an opportunity to know her, and have re-connected with her
My FAVORITE picture of her...and she had this before it was 'cool'...


Just beautiful!

I've also never told her these things...so...hope you don't mind honey!

Remember...the point of all my rambling...go follow Maria!!  Win cool stuff too!!




Thursday, August 30, 2012

Thursday Tidbits--Bit of Bragging

It's my blog, I can brag a bit, right?!

Well, I'm gonna anyway...and of course, it may not even be anything that you care about or understand...but whatever!

The Yahoo! Voices website that I write articles for developed an online academy for it's writers.  I just finished the entire thing, and it was amazing.  I feel like I learned a lot!

You can click here to go check out my new 'Level 3' badge!



You know you're jealous ;)

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Wellness Wednesday--People Impact You

We go through life everyday.  
Most of us are busy.
We affect people everyday, though we may not know.
We are affected by people everyday, though we don't tell them.
It's hard to take time to slow down and appreciate all that it around us.
All of the wonderful people that we are surrounded by in this crazy, busy world.

Taking a moment to appreciate someone (copy and pasted as originally written)...

  • This man has taught me so much in my life time. He is my rolemodle and has been a father to me. He always see's the good in people never the bad and is always there to give a helping hand to anyone in need. Just like in this pic. he is helping build my patio. He has work like a dog his whole life and had just retired. This man has tought me to love,play, fish, take time for the little kids and get on there level, be kind,not to talk about people, help everyone, and smile even when your down, and don't give a crap about a doller bill, if someone need's give it to em, and respect people. I love him more that life it's self, and if God would take me and not him, I would die for him. He has suffered with RA since the age of 33 and he is 64 now. His life has been racked with pain for so long, it just doesn't seem right for him to have more pain. So if you guys can, please say a little prayer my big brother. He's my superman and always will be!!!

  • He is my rock, he has taught me everything I know! He taught me how to ride my first bike how to ride my first motorcycle how to drive my first car. He was my tooth fairy! He taught me to love everyone, to be kind to everyone and if someone is in need help them! I find a lot of him in me everyday.
Those thoughts are about a family member of theirs.

A family very dear to my heart has lost a great man.

I love them, and my heart is heavy today.

At the same time, I am thankful that he is no longer suffering and in pain.


Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Tuesday Trivia--Who's that celebrity?

It seems that I've not made it over to this blog lately.  Life happens!

I realized I didn't even post a trivia question on last Tuesday's post, just gave the answer to the previous week?!  Oh well, forgive me.

So, let's start this Tuesday off with some pictures!

Do you know who this celebrity is?



...or that his entire band is Vegan?


Pretty cool I think!

I'm not going to make excuses, I'm just going to admit that I've not been here on my blog!  I have been working on some 'classes' so that I can get back in gear on my writing!  I updated my profile and picture, and I am looking forward to doing that honestly.  

You can check it out here:  Leslie Reese, NC

This past weekend, we took some time to de-stress (supposedly).  I did have a good time though, so all is well.  
Bryson likes to help drive the boat.

Brianna cannot leave the minnows alone!

We got to see a beautiful sunset.

This is dedication to reading right here!

The second night brought another beautiful sunset.

All-in-all we had a great time.  I didn't feel well Saturday.  It's weird drinking hot green tea and eating soup when camping at the lake in August!

I thought I kicked it, felt okay Sunday, but then yesterday it hit me again.

My evening cocktail was this:

It only has 1200% Vitamin C!!  Then I read...per serving....and it was 2 servings!

Beat that stupid cold, allergy, sore throat crap!!

Here's to feeling better!  Have a great day!














Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Wellness Wednesday--Procrastination



I did it again! Missed two days. I'm not sure where they keep slipping off to, but they sure do get away fast.

So, confession...I'm a procrastinator! People close to me know this and I always like to joke about being able to function better under pressure and deadlines. One of my favorite quotes is 'I put the PRO in procrastination'.

Is that a goal? Is that something to be proud of? Am I really helping myself or producing unneeded stress?

I want a new perspective, I want a new quote, and I'm going to share my potential ones that I hope will shape my views on procrastination.

"Until you value yourself, you will not value your time.

Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it." ~ M. Scott Peck 

"If you want to make an easy job seem mighty hard, just keep putting off doing it." ~Olin Miller 

"You may delay, but time will not." ~Benjamin Franklin 

"Someday is not a day of the week." ~Author Unknown 

"A year from now you may wish you had started today." ~Karen Lamb


Friday, August 17, 2012

Friday Fact--I missed Wednesday and Thursday--BANANAS!

Life happens, no excuse...

When you feel like you're going bananas...here's some trivia:


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Tuesday Trivia--Answer to last weeks Celebrity question

Okay, crazy day, and lots going on over here...but...a week is a long time for those of you waiting on an answer...you know who you are...

So, the answer to last weeks trivia question is...

Alicia Silverstone

You can check her out over at The Kind Life

I'll try to post more later, or you can just hang out on my Eat4Health FB page ;)

Monday, August 13, 2012

Friday, August 10, 2012

Random because I can...

I posted something all week!

Yes!

Okay, continue on...my Friday work day is almost complete.

Have a great weekend ;)

Friday Facts--Vegan for Health

I'm gonna be honest!  I don't know who put that fact sheet together, but I love it!  Just wanted to share :)
Happy Friday Y'all



Thursday, August 9, 2012

Thursday Tidbit--Vegan misconceptions



I read an article today that was published on Fox News' website.  Yes, I know this is not the best source of information...but it's out there, it was related to Veganism, and I read it.

What's the beef about eating vegan?

I'm just going to share a few of the pieces of the article that, frankly, pissed me off:
  • faddish hype of veganism
    • hype?! really?!
  • their public image is militant as they preach the sins of consuming animals and their by-products for commercial, dietary or environmental reasons
    • funny, I've been Vegan for 5 years now...and I've never done this
  • “Vegan food is lousy,” says Planck, author of the popular Real Food (Bloomsbury USA) cookbook series. “They have bad taste in food.”
    • poor thing has never expanded her taste palette...my food doesn't taste bad at all...actually the opposite...I know what food should taste like and don't have to mask it with sauces, fats, etc
  • veganism is harmful to health
    • amazing that she had nothing to back this claim up with

So, maybe this was a bit of a rant today...but one should never assume that everyone is the same.

Everyone's stories and passions are different.  As a Vegan, my story is different from the next, etc.  

So, let's turn back to positive...I LOVE this article I found on The Elusive Vegan Man.
She says:
  • For me, the characteristics of morally principled and decidedly masculine go hand in hand. 
  • Caring about something greater than yourself, standing up for your beliefs and not being afraid of how you are perceived make a man truly attractive

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Wellness Wednesday--Stress



We all get stressed, right?!  Family, life, work, school, money...you fill in the blank and name it, it's there.

Stress affects our body tremendously.

I've been feeling this lately with things going on in my life...and with the way things are going at work, I hear it constantly from others.

So, in the spirit of stress...and especially as it relates to food (yes, I heard you today stress eater)...I just wanted to share.






Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Tuesday Trivia--Vegan Celebrity Quotes, Round 2

I didn't hear from anyone about last weeks trivia question...does that mean that no one knew the answer?

Well, the answer is Ellen DeGeneres!



How about some more Vegan Celebrity Quote Trivia?!


  • Nothing`s changed my life more. I feel better about myself as a person, being conscious and responsible for my actions and I lost weight and my skin cleared up and I got bright eyes and I just became stronger and healthier and happier. Can`t think of anything better in the world to be but be vegan.

  • I don`t have any understanding of a human being who doesn`t respect the beauty of life and that goes for all creatures that have thoughts,feelings and needs.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Monday Madness--Veggie Olympics and Rambling

In the spirit of the 2012 Olympics, I just wanted to share a picture with you.  So many people think that you cannot be healthy on a veggie lifestyle.  This is a visual to show you that some successful athletes are Vegetarian and/or Vegan.



Rambling...

So, I know I haven't posted since Wednesday...but life got crazy for a bit:

2 extra children--aged 4 and 6 mo
Cleaning
2 extra children--aged 4 and 6 mo
Cooking for almost 30 people
2 extra children--aged 4 and 6 mo
Funeral
2 extra children--aged 4 and 6 mo
Middle School Open House
2 extra children--aged 4 and 6 mo
Elementary School Open House
2 extra children--aged 4 and 6 mo
School Supply Shopping
2 extra children--aged 4 and 6 mo
Grocery Shopping

It's been hectic!  Did I happen to mention that I had 2 extra children--aged 4 and 6 mo ;)

I loved it, but whew!  I've not had a baby at my house in a long time!

I would say, things are settling down...but I feel like today is my one day break...because tomorrow is the first day of school!

Pushing thru!!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Wellness Wednesday--Black Pepper



I must admit, I learned something new today.

So, did you know that black pepper is a good source of manganese, Vitamin K, and iron?!

I found that very interesting.

Also good for improving digestion and intestinal health.

My favorite thing about pepper was making my baby sister sneeze when we were younger.  She just sounded so darn cute.  I knew enough to not do this when my mother was around though.  :)

No, really, I love black pepper on lots of food.

There is a fantastic write up here if you would like more information.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Writing Accountability



Is there like a service for this?!

I have none.

I 'want' to, but I don't...

I checked my contributor page...6 articles for all of 2011 and only 2 so far for 2012.  Jeez, slack!


Year

Articles

Percentage
2008

20

21%
2009

29

30%
2010

39

41%
2011

6

6%
2012

2

2%


So, based on these figures...I need to write at least 38 more articles before the end of the calendar year in order to have a 'more successful' year than my previous most successful in 2010.


Year

Articles

Percentage
2008

20

15%
2009

29

22%
2010

39

29%
2011

6

4%
2012

40

30%

That works out to 1.8 articles/week...so, if I can do 2 articles/week:


2008

20

15%
2009

29

21%
2010

39

29%
2011

6

4%
2012

42

31%


...it doesn't make a big difference...

However...3 articles/week:


2008

20

13%
2009

29

18%
2010

39

25%
2011

6

4%
2012

63

40%


...looks pretty good ;)

It all sounds good in theory...I just need to do some...period!


My first Competwition

I must say, it went well considering I really didn't know what the heck I was doing!


I received a total of 8 entries...so I put those in a 'random' generator...

Here are the results:

List Randomizer
There were 8 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
1.     6
2.     3
3.     4
4.     2
5.     1
6.     5
7.     7
8.     8
Timestamp: 2012-07-31 15:08:17 UTC

So, the winner...#6 is:

@jailhousegurl


Congratulations!  Sending you a message on Twitter!





Tuesday Trivia--Vegan Celebrity Quotes



First, let's talk about last week's question:

Do you know what vitamin Vegans do not get through their diet and must be supplemented either with fortified foods or a supplement?


If you said, B-12...You got it!!


Unfortunately, the best place to get B-12 is in animal products.  So, if you're Vegan, this is obviously a problem.


For Vegans, the best way to get B-12 is through enriched and/or fortified foods (such as non-dairy milk and yogurt) and supplements.  I also like Nutritional Yeast to get some extra B vitamins ;)


If supplementing, I recommend a complex B vitamin.  It will be good for your mental health and metabolism. Don't worry, excess B vitamins are excreted through urine!  Our bodies are wonderfully made.



On to this week, thought we could have some fun with trying to identify the Vegan Celebrity that said the following:


  • "I read Skinny Bitch first and then I forced myself to watch a documentary called Earthlings.  It's inside footage of factory farms and dairy farms.  And you just see that and you go 'I can't participate in that, I can't be a part of something that is suffering'."
  • "I'm healthier for it, I'm happier for it.  I can't imagine that if you're putting something in your body that is filled with fear or anxiety or pain, that that isn't somehow going to be inside of you."
  • "I'm not an activist; I don't look for controversy.  I'm not a political person, but I'm a person with compassion.  I care passionately about equal rights.  I care about human rights.  I care about animal rights.  Above all, I strive to be the best I can --  to be better than I was yesterday and better tomorrow."
  • "I want everybody to be happier.  I would love for the world to be happier.  I think it's our one thing that we all share.  We focus so much on our differences and that is creating, I think, a lot of chaos and negativity and bullying in the world.  And I think if everybody focused on what we all have in common --which is--we all want to be happy."

Friday, July 27, 2012

Friday Fact--Protein Choices?!

I enjoyed the visual from last week and I think many of you did as well, so I'm trying it again.

Here's a great side-by-side comparison of your protein choices.  I know what I choose!  Glad it's the right one!


Thursday, July 26, 2012

Thursday Tidbit--Ticks turning people Vegetarian



Okay, that headline caught your attention, right?  I thought it was pretty interesting myself.

Now, you can read the article here.

It's a sign...it's got to be!

Go Vegan ;)

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Wellness Wednesday--Health Assessment

This opportunity is now closed, but you can still get your health assessment here.



Followers on my Facebook, Twitter, and this blog...and yes my audience varies.

So, I didn't wanna leave anyone out!

Win your personalized health assessment here!

I also recommend all you business owners try that site out!

Here's to your health!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Tuesday Trivia--Supplements

Who got last weeks question?  If you said 'B--1/2 cup tofu'...you got it!
1/2 cup cooked broccoli:  35 mg calcium
1/2 cup tofu:  258 mg calcium
1/2 cup whole milk:  150 mg calcium
1/2 cup cooked kale:  61 mg calcium

Do you know what vitamin Vegans do not get through their diet and must be supplemented either with fortified foods or a supplement?

Friday, July 20, 2012

Friday Facts--Why Vegan?

There are various reasons why people go Vegan.

Lots of people learn with pictures too!  Just thought I'd share ;)



Thursday, July 19, 2012

Thursday Tidbit--Vegan Stories

It's really wonderful to read about how people transform their lives.  People are addicted to makeover type shows, so the desire to know and to learn these things is there.

I enjoy watching and learning about other people in many aspects.

The link below shares a few stories about the profound health effects that Veganism had on these peoples lives.  I just thought that I would share that with you.

Veganism Saved My Life!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Wellness Wednesday--Cinnamon


Quick list of the health benefits of cinnamon:


Health benefits of cinnamon:
  • Anti-inflammatory food
  • Prevents unwanted clumping of platelets in the body
  • Anti-microbial
  • Blood sugar control-slows the rate that the stomach empties after meals which reduce the rise in blood sugar after eating
  • Powerful antioxidant
  • Scent can boost brain activity
  • Calcium and fiber in cinnamon can help with colon and heart health


Here is the full article:  Healthy Spices:  Cinnamon




  

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Tuesday Trivia--Calcium

Okay...who got last week's question on protein? If you said 'A--One cup of peas'...you got it right!
One cup of peas:  9 g protein
1/3 cup walnuts:  5 g protein
1 oz cheddar cheese:  7 g protein
2 TBS peanut butter:  8 g protein

Which of the following has the most calcium per serving?


A.  1/2 cup cooked broccoli


B.  1/2 cup tofu


C.  1/2 cup whole milk


D.  1/2 cup cooked kale

Monday, July 16, 2012

Monday Madness-Rambling

So, if you haven't noticed...I'm trying to post more.  Yeah, I'm not making any promises...my intentions are always good though!

I've got to figure out if I'm messing up 'scheduled' posts because Friday's didn't show up, and it happened once before too.  I'll figure all of this out!  So yes, I just posted Friday's post...whatever!

Today makes DAY 4 of my friggin HEADACHE!! Ridiculous.  I'm so over this!

No fun stuff to report for the weekend mainly due to working on Saturday and above mentioned headache.  I slept most of the weekend away, but I wasn't miserable then.  Win-Win I guess...catch up on some sleep and not feel miserable while doing so...maybe I shouldn't complain.

Saturday evening the kids and I did manage to go out to dinner and buy some groceries.  We had a good time.

On a totally random note...Hot and Spicy Claussen pickles are absolutely delicious and addicting...and they are almost gone...one pickle spear is a serving, ha!

Lately, I've had a lot of questions/concerns come up all around me...from my website survey and from family and friends.  I love being asked questions even if I don't immediately know the answer...having to research something is fun to me...nerdy, I know!  The satisfaction that brings me, to know that people really are curious and care...is simply wonderful.

So...Thank You!

I'm also going to come up with another survey!  Because...that was fun and feedback was wonderful!

Happy Monday Y'all!!

Friday Fact--Water


It takes more than 2,400 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of meat, while growing 1 pound of wheat only requires 25 gallons. You save more water by not eating a pound of meat than you do by not showering for six months! A totally vegan diet requires only 300 gallons of water per day, while a typical meat-eating diet requires more than 4,000 gallons of water per day.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Thursday Tidbits--Eating for Beauty

Today's post is brought to you as inspiration to get out there and try new things!  

Hungry for Change  is an inspiring documentary that you should watch!
On top of this, they are sharing inspiring information from others.

In the list below you can see some of the top ‘beautifying foods’ recommended by David Wolfe his book ‘Eating For Beauty:
Aloe Vera – Believed to be a food of long-lasting youth and rapid healing. The anti-inflammatory power in acute inflammation is one of it’s best known actions. The gel of the Aloe Vera can be used topically or add to your daily juice.
Coconut Oil – Contains a number of health giving properties including being high in antioxidants, control blood sugar levels, assist the thyroid gland and repair the skin. You can eat it straight, blend into smoothies, use in cooking and on the skin.
Cucumbers – Fantastic for cleansing our bodies. The skins of cucumbers are high in silicon although are often grown with pesticides and waxed in stores so it is best to choose organic.
Figs – Super high in calcium and other minerals. They are also contain large amounts of fiber and therefore beneficial for our digestive system. They have been described as being the most alkalizing if all dried fruits.
Hemp Seed – One of the most nutritionally complete foods containing all nine essential amino acids making them exceptionally high in protein whilst also high in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and minerals. Eat them as a snack, add to a salad or use the hemp oil in your smoothie.
Macadamia Nuts – Contain high levels of selenium needed to build the body’s most powerful enzyme. The macadamia nut’s overall combination of fatty acids and zinc makes it wonderful skin beautifier.
Pumpkin Seeds – A wonderful source of B vitamins, many minerals (including zinc), phytonutrients and fatty oils. All of these contributing to their ability to produce clear and glowing skin. They also have anti-parasite properties.
Turmeric – Considered a restorative food, with strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-microbial characteristics. Well known for its ability to purify blood which is essential for clear skin.
Source: Eating For Beauty by David Wolfe - For the complete description of these beautifying foods and to see the rest of the list have a read of David Wolfe’s book ‘Eating For Beauty’. 



Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Wellness Wednesday--Garlic

Yeah, some of you don't like it...and I know the smell is pungent, but there are some health benefits to garlic!

Garlic:
Lowers blood pressure
Anti-oxidant
Anti-fungal
Anti-microbial
Lots of vitamins and minerals

Let me know if you would like more information on this!

Tuesday Trivia--Infamous Protein

Sorry, it's a day late...not sure why this went to DRAFT?!

 How do you get your protein has got to be the MOST asked question EVER when people find out that I'm Vegan.

 No one asked me about my protein consumption before this ;)

 So, trivia question:

  Which of these foods has the most protein per serving shown? 
 A. 1 cup of peas 
 B. 1/3 c. walnuts 
 C. 1 oz. cheddar cheese 
 D. 2 TBS peanut butter

 Send me an e-mail with your thought or respond below.

I hope it makes you Google!

Knowledge is power!

 apr897@yahoo.com

Monday, July 9, 2012

Monday Madness-Vegan Man with Guitar-Jason Mraz

The World As I See It... I'm Yours... I Won't Give Up... Beautifully written songs I love this post made by Jason Mraz and his reference to being on a plant-based diet. Kudos to you Jason! Just wanted to share.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Vegan Blog Network: Random Vegan

I'm back on the list! After much procrastination, I must've got all of my things into them correctly! So, click below to check out some cool Vegan blogs...or just to see mine listed because that's so cool ;) Vegan Blog Network

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Veganism and self-discovery?!

"Veganism is more than a lifestyle; it is one of the many inner quests to self-discovery."


I love to hear and know how others became Vegan, and this girls story and perspective are beautifully written. 



An Invitation to Self-Discovery through a Vegan Lifestyle





Austin, TX

No reason to have a desire to go here...except this girls blog post makes me feel like I'm missing something!

If you're Vegan and headed to Austin, TX...read this!


How do you know if someone is Vegan?


So, not sure how anyone else feels about this.

I disagree!

I usually do not tell anyone that I'm Vegan and especially not right off the bat.  Most people find out because someone else told them.  Others find out because it is a food situation or food discussion and so many questions are asked that I just have to tell them.  Others find out because of my business Eat4Health.

This being said, I still tend to call myself a Vegetarian because most people *think* they know what this means and the word Vegan in itself usually raises more questions.

Just a thought

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Vegan is Love

Controversy...I love it!  I must get this book.

Vegan is Love by Ruby Roth


So, that being said...I have NOT read it yet.

I've seen so much 'chatter' about how the cover is so cheerful and there is 'love' in the title, but how that is a deception.

The book apparently shows children (aimed at 6+) wounded animals, lab animals, slaughter houses, and the circus.

Apparently this is a BAD thing?!

Keeping the truth from children?

I don't raise my kids like this!  I'm honest with them.

Why shouldn't they know about animal cruelty and the effect of factory farming on the environment?

Then there is the 'vegan' side of it and how that is not healthy for kids...really?!

Education is key, and I'm not opposed to educating my children on reality and healthy eating!

Just my opinion.

I'll let you know what I think about the book when I get it!

Eat4Health

Friday, April 20, 2012

All talk, no action

I've been eating like CRAP!!  Not being mindful, not weighing, not exercising...what the hell is wrong with me?!  I can give people advice/suggestions all day long, but I can't take care of me?

I need some motivation!...or a vacation!  THAT would be nice!

Monday, April 9, 2012

Quotes that I like related to healthy eating


To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art.
- La Rochefoucauld

He that takes medicine and neglects diet, wastes the skill of the physician.
- Chinese Proverb

Leave your drugs in the chemist's pot if you can heal the patient with food.
- Hippocrates

When diet is wrong medicine is of no use.
When diet is correct medicine is of no need.
- Ancient Ayurvedic Proverb

You are what you eat.
- American Proverb

Let food be thy medicine, thy medicine shall be thy food.
- Hippocrates

Let nothing which can be treated by diet be treated by other means.
- Maimonides

The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.
- Thomas A Edison

One should eat to live, not live to eat
-Benjamin Franklin

Preach not to others what they should eat, but eat as becomes you, and be silent
-Epictetus

Those who think they have no time for healthy eating will sooner or later have to find time for illness.
-Edward Stanley

What is food to one man may be fierce poison to others
- Lucretius.

Monday, April 2, 2012

I have good intentions...promise

It's April...I posted once in March, and that was on March 1st.

I'm slack...I know!  I can't believe that just 'thinking' about blogging doesn't work...shameful!

I'm feeling good today.  As opposed to yesterday, where I felt like I could've chopped my legs off and been happy.  More on that in a minute.

I've kept up with 'monthly' weight loss and without much effort (probably my lack of French fries and sweet tea) I lost 4.8 lbs!  That's good motivation.  Summer is coming fast!

So, I looked back over my numbers today...that brings me to a total of 44.2 lbs lost since start and 33.8 lbs lost since last March...pretty remarkable.  Makes me feel all accomplished!  Plus I'm liking the way my clothes are fitting.

Okay, so...this was supposed to be my year of 'fitness'...lets just say I put the 'pro' in procrastination!

Anyway...March 31st...2 days ago...I took the Insanity Fitness Challenge.  Let's just say, I know why Insane is implied in this workout now...and I haven't even started the workout!
I should've done the first 'official' workout yesterday, but I just couldn't do it...so, it should be today!  My legs were killing me!  I'm not fit...things look so much easier than they actually are, and in my head I think I'm still young and fit...what the heck happened?!

I want to be stronger, more fit...not just be able to jog...

So, here's to 60 days.  I'm tracking my progress (privately) and hope to 'see' some visual results as well as see the numbers on my fit test get better.

If I get progress like I want, I may decide to share when this is over.  For now, I'm keeping it all to myself!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

February is Over...

You know...it's easy to try to rationalize things to yourself...make excuses...whatever you want to call it.

The truth is always easier though, because I really know the truth.

So, truth of the matter is...I was lazy this month!  Didn't exercise like I should have, didn't eat well (sickness backed this point up), and just have lacked motivation.

There are consequences to all choices, so...the scale showed it this month.  Gain for the month of February!

I'm not worried about it, just needed to be honest with myself.

I am in the middle of accomplishing some personal goals related to eating/drinking and I know that the results of that will be positive (hopefully negative on the scale though).

I feel stressed and unmotivated and I need to find the root of these problems so that I can overcome them.