The Year of PICKLES!!!

This year has been awesome for my garden - it's the first year I grew cucumbers. I don't know why I never planted them before.  We have been inundated with cucumbers.  So, what does one do when they have a gazillion cucumbers on the counter??  Make pickles!!

Here are some pictures of my harvest along with the pickle recipe I've been using (YUM):

What's in your pantry?

There was this great article the July/August issue of our Experience Life magazine suggesting items that you should keep stocked in your pantry, titled "The Healthy Pantry".  These are great go-to items and with the exception of group #2, it's an awesome way to stock your plant-based pantry too!

Weight Loss Progress Update - Week 5

I weighed in Thursday morning at 135.8 lb. and 23% body fat. That's 1.3 lbs. lost since last week and 5 pounds lost since I started this challenge on May 2! I've also hit another milestone with this weight, I'm exactly 20 pounds lighter than I was in July 2012!!!!

I'm very happy with my progress over the past week.

 Only 9 days left to meet my goals!  

Weight Loss Progress Update - Week 4

Weekly status update: I've lost .7 lbs. and .8% body fat since my weigh-in last week and 3.3 lbs. since I started this challenge on 5/2/13.

So, I'm down to 137.1 lbs and 22.2% body fat. I've almost met my body fat goal of 22% but I'm still 12 lbs from my goal weight. I'm 14 days from my goal date (i.e. my 32nd birthday).

Weight Loss Progress Update - Week 3

I've lost 2 pounds and .4% body fat since last week!  

My 6 week Fitness & Weight Loss Challenge!

On May 2nd, my fabulous trainer challenged me to set some goals (I've got goals!) but then she asked me to set a date that I planned to achieve those goals by. Yikes! How intimidating?  What was at stake? Three weeks of free training if I could do it. 

Stats as of 5/2/13:

Weight: 140.4 lbs.; Percentage Body Fat: 24.1% (I've been "stuck" at this weight since March after losing 17 pounds.)

Goals:
- Weigh 125 lbs.
- Percent Body Fat: At most 22%
- Feel good in a bikini this Summer

In order to reach my goals, I plan to do the following:
- Exercise 5-6 times per week (working out with V a couple times)
- Keep my calorie intake at 1200/day (even on the weekends - BIG CHALLENGE FOR ME)
- No sweets, no wine, no excuses! (I'm only allowed one latte a week!) :)

As of 5/15/13:
Weight: 139.8; PBF: 23.4% (I lost 1/2 a pound and .7% body fat)

Not much lost but it was a loss, so that's good.  This weekend should be easier because there won't be as many temptations as there were last weekend - we had a big family get together to celebrate Mother's Day, my Mom's birthday and my parents 41st Anniversary and there was a lot of good food present!  I'll be posting weekly updates on my success.

Super Inspiring "Sexy" Chick

Recently, I read an article about Kris Carr and I was inspired, to say the least.  On Valentine's Day in 2003, she was diagnosed with a very rare, Stage 4 Cancer.  Since her diagnosis, she's changed her lifestyle and started listening to her inner voice.  She follows a completely "plant-passionate" diet and has a recipe book titled Crazy Sexy Kitchen.  I haven't checked it out yet, but I plan to ASAP. 

My Progress!

I'm excited to share the before and after pictures below showing my progress over the past 7 months.  Since July 2012, Josh and I have been following a plant-based diet as well as exercising three to four times each week.

Just Leave Our Food ALONE!

Plant-Based on a Budget!

Thinking about a implementing a plant-based diet?  Concerned about the cost of adding all of those delicious organic veggies to your shopping cart?  Don't be!  We actually decreased our grocery bill by eliminating meat, seafood, cheese and other dairy products.  Good quality meat is much more expensive per pound than beans or vegetables.

Here are some ways to shop smart on a plant-based diet:

1. Shop the Whole Foods Bulk Section - this way you can buy as much or as little as you need of most any rice, beans, nuts, grains, legumes, dried fruit, etc.  This saves money because if you only buy what you are going to use, you won't have any waste.  In addition, I've compared pricing on many of the bulk food items to the packaged items elsewhere in the store and you really get a lot more for your money when you buy it from the bulk section.

What do you mean you don't eat meat?

I get asked this question or some variation of it pretty often... 

So, you don't you eat milk or cheese either?  Then, what do you eat?  Oh, I could never do that.

Today was no exception.  So, I thought I'd post about it tonight.

EWG's 2012 Clean Fifteen

Here's the list of the top 12 safest fruits and veggies. These are the fruits and vegetables that you don't have to worry about buying Organic, i.e. the lowest in pesticide residue.

EWG's 2012 Dirty Dozen

Here's the list of the top 12 fruits and veggies to buy Organic.  It is recommended that you purchase these items organic because they are the 12 most pesticide contaminated fruits and vegetables.

Interested In Going Plant-Based?

Join the Whole Foods Engine 2 Diet Challenge...

Sign up now through January 20th! Check your local Whole Foods for details! 

My New Meal Planning Tool

I finally tackled this project over my Christmas vacation that I've been trying to work on for the past several months. My MENU BOARD!!

Mediterranean food is amazing!

Couldn't resist posting my plant-based lunch from Mediterranean Deli. That place is so amazing - it's definitely one of my Top 5 favorite restaurants in our area! They have tons of Vegan options.

 

 This is what I ordered from the top clockwise: Mujaddara, Pita Bread, Jerusalem Salad with tahini dressing, Ful Mudammas and Sauteed Eggplant, ... Mmmmmm!

STOP - Read These Very Compelling Statistics!

The Facts About Eating Animal Products
These were too good not to share... I put the most interesting ones in BLUE.

The Hunger Argument:
Number of People worldwide who will die of starvation this year: 60 million
Number of people who could be adequately fed with the grain saved if Americans reduced meat intake by 10%: 60 million
Human beings in America: 296 million
Number of people who could be fed with grain and soybeans now eaten by US livestock: 1.3 billion

Fast Plant-Based Meal - Vegan Maffe

On a recent shopping trip to Whole Foods, they were sampling some food and to our surprise, it was something Vegan!  It was a local company that sells yummy bottled sauces that make a quick Vegan meal.  It was super delicious when we tried it at the store and couldn't wait to make it at home! 

Yummy Plant Based/Vegan Snack

These seaweed snacks can be found at Whole Foods and they are delicious.  They are not very filling, but they are perfect for that salty craving.  There are a couple different brands available, but this one is my favorite. If you're a big fan of sushi, you'll probably love this snack.  If you are not a huge sushi lover, the taste and consistency might throw you off a little.  It has somewhat of a fishy taste...

Old MacDonald had a .... WHAT?

Up until recently, I lived in a super naive world. I don't think I ever thought twice about where my food really came from.  I'm technically a City girl, so I have no idea how a farm operates.  I had this vision of happy little cows grazing in a field until they grew old and were ready to be sent off to slaughter.  This idea must stem from the childhood "Old MacDonald" nursery rhyme or something.  The documentary, Food Inc. was a very enlightening film.  Did you know that on many of these farms a baby chick is ready for processing in just 49 days?  The chickens' breasts are so big that their legs can barely hold them up.  Something is very wrong with this picture.