Burger Crisis Adverted!

This weekend I decided to make a couple batches of burgers so I could freeze them and have them over the next few weeks (convenience people!). I made cooked a pound of beans, which was perfect for making 2 batches of Black Bean Burgers with some beans to spare (still trying to figure out what to do with those).

I also tried out a recipe for a more 'garden burger' veggie burger. So instead of beans being the base, veggies & rice were the base of this recipe, called the Karma Burger, from my latest obsession, The Karma Chow cookbook.

Missy's recipes are SO simple and require minimal ingredients. Also, no exotic way-out there ingredients. Just whole-food, plant based fun!

Karma Burgers
1/2 red bell pepper, de-seeded and cut into chunks
1/2 med onion, cut into chunks
2c baby spinach leaves
3/4c cooked brown rice
1 15oz can chickpeas, drained
1 tsp chile powder
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1/2 tsp sea salt
1.5-2c plain bread crumbs
EVOO

Puree the red pepper, onion, and spinach in a food processor until liquid. Set aside in a mixing bowl.

Ready to blend!

 Mix the chickpeas and brown rice in a food processor until they form a paste (you don't have to clean the food processor in between - its all going to mix together anyways!)

Add paste to the bowl containing the veggie mix. Add the chili powder, tomato paste and salt. Stir together to mix well - use your hands! Mix in the bread crumbs until the mixture sticks together. Form into patties (makes about 8) and cook on a skillet with EVOO until brown on both sides.

Now, a few Laura notes. First off, I miss read the instructions and only add 1/2c of bread crumbs to start and couldn't figure out why my mixture was so wet! I started adding flour, realized I misread the instructions, but I still feel like I had to add a lot of extra bread crumbs/flour to get these to not stick to my hands trying to make patties.

Also, the texture reminded me more of falafel than burger. I'm not saying that is a bad thing. Considering how wet this mixture was, I'm not too surprised. I was really worried that these were just not going to cook through or end up burnt. I think the extra flour helped me from having to throw away the whole mix. Softer texture than I was originally planning on, but still yummy/ If you are looking for a 'meaty' burger though I suggest you go with the Black Bean Burger recipe. Otherwise, serve up the Karma Burger over some greens and top with a dab of chiptole mayo!

Chiptole Mayo - 1/4c nondairy mayo, 1/4tsp chile powder, 1/2tsp agave nectar (and mix!)

Karma (Falafel) Burger!

Another recipe I wanted to share from the Karma Chow cookbook is the Chiptole Cashew Cheeze Sauce. What is it with me and Chiptole lately? :)

2c cashews, soaked in water for at least 4 hours
1/4c nutritional yeast flakes
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp chiptole chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp smoked paprika
Water

Drain the water from the cashews and put all the ingredients into a blender or food processor. Add just enough water to cover and blend until smooth (may take a few minutes).

This sauce is really versatile! I used it at our Mexican-themed Vegan Thanksgiving a few weeks back in a casserole dish and had the left overs in some nachos I whipped up. This time I used it as a sauce on some noodles to make some yummy Mac n Cheeze!

Mac n Cheeze & Greens

Some days, you just crave comfort foods. Yesterday was that day for me! I used some of the cheeze sauce on left over noodles I had, and made a serving of Coconut Greens for a quick meal. Super yummy and filling.

Now you are equipped with some great burger recipes! And a few sauces too! Go out and try the recipes & tell me what you think!

Stay Positive,
L ♥

Black Bean Burgers

A friend of mine has decreed I should start posting recipes of the food I post pictures of and make people drool all over Facebook and IG. As I mentioned yesterday, I had a bunch of black beans left over from Thanksgiving and decided to make some burgers from scratch. I used the recipe in Veganomicon as start and played around with it a bit to make my burgers:

These were actually pretty easy to make & cook up quick. A much healthier & cheaper alternative to veggie burgers offered on the market!

Black Bean Burgers
2 c cooked black beans (or 1 15oz can)
1/2c flour (I used a little less)
1/2c bread crumbs
1 tsp chile powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp ground white pepper
1/4 tsp smoke paprika
1/4 - 1/2 c water
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 cloves garlic

1. Mash up the beans using a fork or potato masher until only a few whole beans remain
2. Add flour, bread crumbs, spices, 1/4c water, tomato paste & garlic
3. Mix everything together first with a fork and then knead with your hands. Add more water if the mixture feels too dry
4. Heat 2tbsp olive oil in a large frying pan.
5. Divide the mixture into 6 balls and then press flat to make a patty
6. Cook burgers, 3 at a time, for 5 min on each side

See, simple! While I was making these, I had some "Ranch Potatoes" in the oven. Its a variation on something my dad used to make. Basically you cut up a bag of baby red skin potatoes, add ranch dressing until they are just coated, and also add 1/2 packet of lipton onion soup mix (dry). Shake it all up in a bag to make sure the potatoes are well coated. Then you bake them for about an hour at 350 degrees on a flat baking sheet. Of course, I don't eat ranch dressing anymore - but I make my own vegan version!

Vegan Ranch Dressing
1 c vegan mayo
1/2c almond milk (or less, if you like your dressing thicker)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
garlic powder
pepper
salt
dill
parsley

Mix the mayo, milk, and vinegar together until you get a dressing consistency you are happy with. I kind of wing it with the spices usually, but you won't want to use more than 1tsp of anything.  I like my dressing to be more dill-y and garlic-y so I add more of that, but just find a balance you like!

It is best to let the dressing sit for an hour or two before using, to let the flavors come together, but if you can't wait, that is ok too!

-----------
I hope everyone is having a relaxing Sunday. The weather is still great here, so I took my dog for a long walk & then did some yoga for my workout today!

Stay Positive,
L ♥

Experimenting in the Kitchen

I took some vacation time this week from work since I had a few more days to use before the end of the year. With my extra free time I've been able to sleep in, go to the gym with Jon (a nice change from going by myself) and do something I love - experiment in the kitchen!

Being a vegetarian since early college, and more recently a vegan, I can't tell you how many times I've heard "so where do you get your protein?" Depending on my mood you'll get a sarcastic or informative answer! Truth is, I have no issues getting enough protein from my diet, because I eat a variety of whole foods. Yes, protein makes up a lower % of my calories as opposed to protein or carb percentages, but I promise I am in no danger of a protein deficiency!

When I am working out and trying to build muscle, I will include a protein smoothie into my eating plan. Sometimes though I would love to EAT my protein and not DRINK it...especially in the cooler, winter months. Enter the protein waffle. I first heard of these through Jon, who gets a powder mix for waffles from an bodybuilding store, adds water, and boom - protein waffle. I've also seen other people on Instagram make protein waffles/pancakes, but had never tried myself.

If you know me, you know I bake from scratch. The same applies to waffles/pancakes - I haven't used an Aunt Jemima mix in years. So I just had to figure out how to tweak my own recipe in order to get the right consistency of the batter with the inclusion of my vegan protein powder. My final inspiration came from the blog The Guiltless Life.

Ta-Da!

This was a chocolate chip protein waffle with a peanut butter sauce & bananas. Yum! I found the waffle to be a little sweet (I think from the Stevia) and I had to use a lot more almond milk than what TGL calls for. Next time I think I will omit the Stevia and this should be perfect! I used Vega Sport Vanilla protein powder as my protein of choice - vanilla goes with anything!

Jon and I rented some movies to watch over the long weekend so I thought I would make a snack for us to enjoy while we watched. Remember this post? I love the mix of sweet - salty - crunchy but the marshmallows were a little overwhelming to me. Smaller marshmallows or bigger chunks of chocolate may balance the mix better, but I thought I would try a rice krispie treat concept this time around.

Mega RK Treat!

I think my balance of marshmallow to other ingredients was still unbalanced, but it was a step in the right direction. The cinnamon flavor from the cinnamon toast crunch really pops in this mix! A great evening/movie snack. I ended up rolling the mix into a log and cutting into individual pieces for grab-and-go convenience.

Today my plans include taking advantage of the mild weather we are having here and going for my long run OUTSIDE!! I can't believe it's December 1st and we are getting into the 50s today. Also, I have some black beans left over from Thanksgiving cooking so I'm going to try to make some homemade burgers from those to eat tonight & also freeze for later. I will post on how that experiment goes later!

Stay Positive,
L♥

Thoughts & Budgeting

Do you ever wonder what other people are listening to when they work out? I mean, sometimes their music is SO LOUD you can basically hear it through their headphones, but when I'm on the treadmill and my mind is wandering sometimes I look across the gym and imagine what these macho men are jamming to. It keeps me entertained...

 
Nothing motivates like the Biebs. 

This week is a little abnormal for me, so my workouts may not follow my half-marathon training plan. Sunday is an 'active rest' day though and I am really lucky the yoga studio I love offers a $5 community class on Sundays. I honestly can't afford the 'normal' classes right now and all the money they collect through the community classes is donated to a different charity each month. It's a win-win in my opinion! Love kickboxing but hate the bill? Need to de-stress through yoga but can't stomach the price? Scope out deals like this in your area! Most places offer community classes once a week or student rates that can save you some cash. I have even found a few Groupon deals that have worked out great! Do your research and you can still enjoy your favorite activities, even on a budget!

Back to Blogging

Life can be exhausting some times! So much has happened between my last post and now, I'm not sure where to even start! Wedding planning & online classes for my master's degree have sucked up all of my free time. The wedding is over though now, and one of my 'resolutions' for the new year is to commit more time to blogging & online coaching because, well simply, I really enjoy it!

I find New Year's resolutions a bit laughable. I mean, why do you need a new year to commit to bettering yourself? I know its a good reference point in time, but I think if you have a good idea you should just run with it, no matter the calendar date! For example, I was going to start training for the half-marathon I signed up for in January (the race itself is in May) because all the training plans I can find have you on about a 16 week plan. But why wait? I have lots of excess energy from sitting at a desk all day & need some outlet to burn my stress off! Plus, I'm just excited about FINALLY getting around to a half-marathon, so I'm trying to ride this good feeling. I know there will be days I won't feel like running the 13.1 miles I committed to, so this gives me some cushion room for training!

Back to blogging...I do need somewhere to keep track of my workouts & what I am eating & all the random fun fitness things I find on the web. In the past I've always used my blog as a place to store inspiration, so what better reason to start blogging again. As I say, my goal really is to inspire others as I have been inspired too!

So what is your New Year's resolution? Do you really need to wait until Jan 1 2013? Get started today!

Monday Mantra - Give It All You Got

I was traveling for work last week and a friend who lives in town invited me to a hot yoga class she has been going to. First off, I was ecstatic to get back to hot yoga since I had not gone since completing The Ultimate Reset. More importantly, the yoga teacher said something interesting that I will keep with me for a long time. More or less, she pointed out a workout only lasts "x" number of minutes. Give it all you got for that time period and leave knowing you couldn't possibly have done more. If your mind is elsewhere during your workout or you only give half an effort, you will leave feeling unsatisfied.

I think that is a great piece of advice! So often I find my inner voice complaining or whining and I give in. Before I know it, the workout is over and I *know* I could have given more. I tried to apply this 'give it all you got' mentality to my run the next day. I knew, total, I only had to run 25 minutes, and then I would be done with the workout. I ended up cutting about 10 secs off my normal pace! And by having this mentality on a consistent basis, I know I will only get stronger. This can apply to any workout or challenge you are taking on right now - push yourself! You can do it, I believe in you!

Snack Time at the Movies

"I don't know about you, but whenever I go to the movies I really crave s'mores!"

Ok, so maybe I was lacking a bit of sleep this past weekend since I was watching after my 1-year old nephew, but I'm pretty sure I heard this quote right. I was expecting "popcorn" or "candy" to come at the end of that sentence. S'mores? I want to know what movie theater this person goes to!

I cannot remember the name of the show or the host for the life of me (I blame a sleep deprived Laura!) however I do remember the concept of her show was to come up with reduced cal versions of foods we all love. Since she loves to have s'mores while at the moves (still trying to figure that one out) she came up with this alternative:

2 c popped kettle corn
10 chopped up tootsie rolls
1/2c cinnamon toast crunch or similar cereal
1/2c mini marshmallows

Basically you put everything in a bag and shake it all up and keep on hand or sneak into the movie theater with you. I made a few tweaks:

2 c popcorn (not kettle)
1 tbsp dark chocolate chips
1/2c cinnamon toast crunch
1/2c mini marshmallows

It is a very tasty treat, not too high in calories if you are watching that sort of thing, and a lot less messy than a real s'more if you would like to indulge while watching your favorite flick! Enjoy!

Travel Tip Tuesday - Visit a Grocery Store!

As a young professional, I was pretty excited to land a job which requires me to travel to other shops & suppliers from time to time. However traveling can make it difficult to stick to your regular workout & meal plan. I travel up to one week per month, and needed to find ways to travel while on a fitness plan. Tuesdays I will share with you tips & tricks I've picked up along the way!

Visit A Grocery Store

One of the things I find most difficult when traveling is sticking to a meal plan - especially traveling as a vegan! Unfamiliar grocery stores & planned business dinners make it hard not to blow your meal plan. My tip this week is to head up to a grocery store after checking into your hotel. Most hotel rooms have a fridge & access to a microwave. You can pick up items from the store, like fresh fruits & veggies, to make a healthy breakfast & lunch each day.

For instance I spent less than $20 on this:

Spring Mix, Instant Rice, Nuts, Salad Dressing

in order to make this:

Lunchtime Salad: 380 cal / 8g fat / 60g carb / 12g protein / 10g fiber

I have enough for 4 servings - it may be repetitve, but I have lunch covered for the week! I also picked up almond milk to mix with my Shakeology and fresh fruit & some granola bars for snacks.

If you're anything like me in the morning, you are slow to get moving. Pack Shakeology and bring a shaker bottle and breakfast can be done in less than 2 minutes! If you don't have to worry about luggage size, you can even pack your Magic Bullet, pick up some fruit, and make a quick smoothie in the morning - the perfect way to start your day off right!

Monday Mantra : 6/11/12

Newsflash - we were all created differently! That is the beauty of the human race! I am tired of women - especially teens & young women - comparing themselves to an unrealistic standard that popular culture has set. Do not look inward to find your flaws. Look inward to find what makes you uniquely you!

 Repeat these words to yourself:

Photo: gettyimages.com

YOU are strong. YOU are beautiful. Remind yourself of that daily!

Things I Love Thursday: Teeccino!

If you are looking to cut back on caffeine (maybe because you are starting BB's Ultimate Reset!) there is a great caffeine-free alternative on the market. Teeccino is an herbal tea blend that is roasted and ground just like coffee. You can even brew it like coffee, or use the convienent individual-serving tea bags!

There are 18 flavors divided into two flavor lines - Mediterraenan and Maya. There are also 3 roasts - light, medium, and dark. My personal favs is the Maya Chocolate, because I don't like my coffee too sweet! With all the options avaialble, I am sure you can find one you love too!

Iced Chocolate Mint Coffee
1 c Maya Chocolate Teeccino, chilled over ice
1/2c chocolate almond milk
1 tsp mint extract

Have you tried Teccino? What is your favorite flavor?

Monday Mantra: Small Changes

I know we have all heard it, but small changes really do add up! Here are 2 examples:

1. Swap Greek-style Fruit Yogurt for Fat-Free Fruit Yogurt. On average, Greek Style yogurt has 2% LESS sugar than non-Greek style. The American Heart Association recommends that women get no more than 100 calories per day from sugar, and that men get no more than 150 calories per day from sugar. Despite these recommendations, most Americans average more than 350 calories per day from sugar (Livestrong.com). Many studies have shown decreasing your sugar intake can reduce your belly fat (& lead to a healthier heart!) so try to keep your sugar intake within the recommended daily limits!

2. Park further away. Another suggestion that we all hear on a regular basis. Maybe because it works! A good goal is to get 10,000 steps a day in. You can pick up a cheap pedometer from your local sports store to help keep track of your progress throughout the day. I recently purchased a Nike+ Fuelband and it really does encourage me to get up and moving from my desk at random times during the day. I take the long way to the water fountain and park farther away from the door just to sneak in some extra steps! They add up!

What small changes have you made recently? Let me know in the comments!

Beachbody Ultimate Reset - The Results

If you have been following my blog, you know that I wrapped up Beachbody's Ultimate Reset this past week. There were definitely high & low points of the experience, and commitment to the program took more discipline than I was expecting! Many thanks again to my support team for being with me every step of the way.

Let me tell you it is TOUGH to share before and after pictures of yourself, especially when you aren't exactly proud of your "before" state. I choose to share these pictures & results though because I am PROUD that I finished this program and recognize this is just another step on my journey towards lifetime health and fitness.

So here you have it...my before and after pics and some highlights of what I accomplished in just 21 DAYS!

What's next for me? I have been slowly ramping up my workouts again after being off for 3 weeks. I have a 5k scheduled for June 30th and will be starting up another Beachbody program soon (most likely TurboFire). And of course, I will keep blogging! I have always enjoyed sharing health & fitness tips with others, and I think this blog is a great avenue to do that through.

Thanks for following along. And please let me know if you have any questions - about the Ultimate Reset, about a vegan diet - or anything else you may have on your mind. Signing up to be a Beachbody coach means I'm committed to helping YOU on your health & fitness journey as well! Stay positive :)

------
Questions? Use my website to contact me! Click Here!

Things I love Thursday! Amy's Mac n Cheese

Sometimes, you just crave comfort food. Remember those splurge calories I talked about? This is a great time to use them!

I am a big fan of Amy's products. I have been eating her dinners & wraps well before I went vegan because I love the company's commitment to using organic ingredients and producing products that are great tasting and good for you!

When I discovered Amy's had a Vegan Mac n Cheese, I jumped for joy! I have a few of my own vegan mac n cheese recipes I fall back on, but the convience of this is great. It is also soy-free, gluten-free, tree-nut free, and kosher! I think just about anyone could eat this!

Proudct Page Link

Splurge Calories

Let's talk 'diets' for a minute. First off, I advocate lifestyle changes as opposed to fad diets. Think 'going vegetarian' or 'cutting out processed foods' as opposed to 'Atkins' or 'Nutrisystem'. Diets always made me feel constricted which just made me want to rebel agaisnt the diet!

It takes time to learn what works for you. For me, it is having a certain calorie limit each day, and trying to maintain a good balance of carbs, fat, and protein. Even when you figure out what fuels you well and keeps you healthy, who doesn't like a treat from time to time? For some people it is a "cheat meal" once a week, for others it is a piece of chocolate or glass of wine each night. For me, it is what I call splurge calories!

Each day I allot 100-150 calories of my calorie limit to what I call "splurge calories". Some days, I just want some pasta with my lunch. Some days, I just want an iced latte after work! Planning these calories ahead of time allows me to enjoy my little splurges, without blowing my calorie limit for the day! And if I don't have a workout planned for the day, the splurge calories go away! It helps to not deny yourself of the things you enjoy - plan for them - and you won't overindulge later.

There you have it, splurge calories! How will you spend yours? Let me know in the comments!

Beachbody Ultimate Reset - Day 22: Life After the Reset

Day 22! I graduated! First of all I want to give a shout out to my support team, Hazel, Katie, and Sean - without y'all I would have thrown the towel in early on! Thanks for being rockstars :)

I am meeting with my personal trainer later this week and after that I will be able to post all of my final results. I like to have her measure me since so that the measurements are consistent. I can't wait to share my final results & before/after pics! Ok, maybe I'm not super thrilled about the 'before' pictures but hopefully sharing my story will inspire others to take on a health challenge of their own. That's what its all about - sharing the information I have gained & hopefully inspiring others to do the same!

To be honest, I was a little nervous about going into this week. The UR guide gives general ideas of what to do in weeks 1, 2, etc after the reset but I was so worried about undoing all the hard-work I have done the past 21 days! I am also gearing up for starting a TurboFire/Chalean Extreme hybrid program, and want to make sure I am incorporating the optimum combination of fat/protein/carbs. Anyways, here is what I ate today!

Started off the day with some steel cut oats with 1/2 a banana, agave nectar, and cinnamon. This was my first try of steel cut oats and I give them a thumbs up! I made enough for my parents and I since I was home for the holiday weekend. They are looking to shake up their eating habits so it was great to be able to share this meal with them! They also got to see me prepare some of the UR meals this weekend - and liked the idea of eating less foods that are processed! How cool!

Hearty Breakfast

My fiance and I were going to go out to lunch today to celebrate the end of the Reset. In the plan they say if you have to eat out, find a vegan/vegetarian restaurant because these types of places will be most likely to accommodate your dietary needs. That works for me - I have lots of favorite vegan restaurants in and around Detroit (where I was visiting this weekend). Unfortunately they were ALL closed for the holiday - all 3 of my favorites! Instead, I decided just to make my favorite meal from one of the restaurants - Enchiladas Calabaza. These enchiladas are squash or pumpkin filled and seriously are so yummy! I have made this dish before, but never when I was vegan. I was able to find Daiya (the best vegan cheese!) to make this dish completely vegan friendly!

Enchiladas Calabaza

Lastly dinner - and a tip! I find cooking to go much smoother if you just have everything prepped and ready to go. This way, you won't be scrambling around for missing ingredients while your creation is burning on the stove-top.

Let's do this.

Today's dinner was pretty simple, I was really just craving some fresh veggies! I did a stir-fry with broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, and red pepper. I used about a tablespoon of coconut oil to caramelize some onions, added the veggies with some garlic & ginger and then finished it off with Bragg's & Nori Gomasio! All done in about 7 minutes!

Stir-fry Veggies

 Be sure to check back tomorrow - my Reset Graduation present to myself is scheduled to arrive! I can't wait :)
I hope everyone had a great memorial day weekend and that you were able to spend some time with family and friends! Most of all thanks to those who have served so we can enjoy all the freedoms of this great country we live in. I am PROUD to be an American!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Interested in Beachbody's Ultimate Reset? For more information click here!
http://myultimatereset.com/LauraLou831

Monday Mantra - Opportunity

Finishing up the Ultimate Reset has taught me you never know what you can accomplish until you try! What challenge will you take on this week?

Beachbody Ultimate Reset Day 20 - Plan Ahead

Day 20 is now complete and I am officially one day away from completing the Reset! Although some days this week have felt like they were dragging on, I can't believe how fast the entire  3 weeks has gone by!

Today was my nephew's first birthday party. Where I was faced with this. My kryptonite. The almighty cupcake:

I wanted to eat one so bad. This situation is a great example of how crucial a tool like a support forum is when taking on a new fitness/diet challenge. While idly helping set other things up for the party and sending lustful gazes towards the cupcakes, I posted to my support group on Facebook what I was feeling. Within 5 minutes I had a response from one of my fellow team members, 'One more day, hang in there!'. And that one small sentence of encouragement snapped me back into reality and made me realize I did not want to throw away the past 20 days of hard work and discipline for one cupcake! (Thanks Hazel!)

I believe this to be a common dilemma. You are committed to a fitness program for x amount of days and there always seems to be a birthday/wedding/BBQ/aunt's dog graduated puppy kindergarten/party that you MUST go to. My best advice is simple, plan ahead. For starters, don't show up hungry. The food choices at most gatherings are subpar and probably not on your plan (unless you hang out with dietitians on a regular basis, in which case - kudos to you!). Eat a small meal before you/ arrive, and take a bottle of water with you. Drink lots of water, it will keep you full. If you feel like you must eat at the party to be nice, go for fresh veggies or fruits, avoid sweets and processed carbs.

Even better, bring your own dish to pass! Summer is a great time for fresh veggies that can easily be incorporated into a stellar salad. Or whip up one of your favorite recipes from your current meal plan - just make about 4x the amount. You can share your food - and nutrition tips - with others, without feeling like you have to starve at the gathering.

Another tip I have is just to keep yourself busy and away from anything that might be tempting you. Is cake your downfall? Offer to take in the main course serving dishes to wash or collect plates & cups that people are done with to keep your mind off of desert. Is the chip bowl calling your name? Leave the room and find some kiddos to play a game with - they love the attention!

Today I'm proud to say I made it through the party without a single slip-up. I brought over my Jicama-Avocado salad and got to talk about jicama with my soon to be in-laws. How often does that ever happen!? :)

One last though along the lines of planning ahead. Day 21 is soon to be upon us and I will have officially graduated from the Reset. I have been dreaming of the things I will eat on Day 22 this entire time. However, I don't want to just throw the last 3 weeks of clean eating & redefined habits out the window. If you know me, you know my love of coffee. And I honestly can't think of what drink I will get on Day 22 now that I am 'allowed'. I'm not really craving it. The post-Reset guidelines say to wait 4 weeks before reintroducing caffeine. So maybe I'll try a small (super tiny) glass of decaf and see how I feel.

I have decided to start up a hybrid Chalene Extreme/TurboFire schedule 2 weeks from the end of the Reset. I have been going through their meal plans to gather info on how they recommend you fuel your body to power through the workouts. I'm then finding recipes in 2 of my vegan cookbooks, Let Them Eat Vegan! by Dreena Burton and Appetite for Reduction by Isa Moskowitz. I have always admired Dreena for sticking to what I consider the vegan basics. Eating whole foods - veggies, grains, legumes - in their unprocessed forms and making them taste great! Simplicity at its best. And Isa has been a longtime favorite cookbook author/vegan rock-star of mine. One of the first vegan cookbooks I owned was Vegan with a Vengeance and it changed my life. Isa (&Terry) taught me what the heck to do with a bock of tofu and how to veganize the comfort foods I held near to my heart! Hopefully I will be able to share my meal plans over the next few weeks as I start up my new exercise program!


For me, its all about structure, about planning ahead. What works for me might not work for you, but maybe give it a try and see what happens!

ONE MORE DAY! Cheers!

Beachbody Ultimate Reset Day 18 - Finding the Positive

One of my motto's has always been "Sunny is a state of mind, not a weather pattern!". I once wrote it down at work one day, put a happy carebear sticker on it, and gave it to a co-worker who was in a bum mood. She still has it up in her cube!

The point is that your mood is what you make it. I have had a lot of things thrown at me lately, especially at work, but I can't let these things get me down. I have the choice to react to a situation in a positive or negative way. I can only control my internal reaction and not the external factors surrounding me.

I have said it earlier in the Reset, but I am really noticing how I comfort myself with food when faced with a stressful situation. Whether it is wanting to go get the largest latte I can find, or taking an extra half hour at lunch to go eat out instead of what I brought, I run to food a lot more than I realized. I am super happy with my physical results on the program so far (down 10lbs!) but even if this wasn't the case, I am learning lessons that I can take with me even after the Reset is done!

So what are your triggers? How do you react? Remember your mood is how you make it! Choose to be sunny - it definitely rubs off on others!


Day 18 Pictures

Dinner - I wasn't sure how I would feel about roasted fennel reading the recipe. It does have a licorice-like flavor, but in a good way. Steamed asparagus & broccoli are good as always!

My perfect-tea maker came! If you have been following me on this journey, this was one of the gifts to myself for completing the reset. I realize I am only on day 18, but I decided to buy something I have had my eye on for awhile to celebrate the end of the Reset. It should be here Tuesday! Can't wait to share what it is :)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Interested in Beachbody's Ultimate Reset? For more information click here!
http://myultimatereset.com/LauraLou831

Beachbody Ultimate Reset Day 17 - Hitting a Wall

Day 17. Today I hit my wall.

I'm tired of eating just fruit for breakfast.
I'm tired of eating a salad. Every. Day. For. Lunch.

And I'm the one who was vegan BEFORE the reset even started!

Week 3 has been the toughest for me. There was a point today that I wanted to throw the towel in, leave work, drive to Starbucks get a iced latte, and then drive over to my favorite vegan pizza place downtown. But to do that would be throwing away all my efforts of the last 2+ weeks. I don't want this post to be completely negative. Today I learned a lesson of balance.

My motto I repeat to myself when I have these urges is 'keep strong and keep moving on'. I feel like that may be a quote, or perhaps a mix of quotes, but it works for me. It reminds me of how far I have come on this cleanse. How much I have improved my health, even in a short period of time. No one ever said it would be easy. In recent memory, this is one of the hardest things I have done mentally. A great deal more self-control is required that I imagined.

It's hard when your roommate is cooking pasta and you just want a little bowl to yourself.

It's hard when your whole family is enjoying cupcakes & coffee for mother's day and you are sucking down herbal tea.

It's hard when it seems like every person at work is ordering french fries and you are stabbing your fork at - wait for it - a salad!

It's in these moments I have to center myself and collect my thoughts and remind myself the things I've learned through this process. To listen to my body and what it needs (lately - sleep!). To appreciate the flavor and completeness of food in its simple, whole form. And to balance.

I miss playing around with recipes to make them vegan. There is such a vast variety of things to eat (I see about 20 vegan cookbooks from where I sit right now) and I feel so limited on this plan.It is encouraging to see people on the message boards want to adapt a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle after the cleanse is complete. I hope they seek out resources to keep their kitchen lively & entertaining. There is so much potential in the world of vegan eats and I hope they don't get stuck in the rut I feel I am right now. Weeks 1 & 2 were easy; there were new recipes and I felt like I was actually cooking things. Not like now where I  just steam a huge pot of broccoli and roast an entire squash and call it a meal.

Day 17. 4 more days of the reset to go. I  have heard some people hit their wall on days 10 or 11, so I am grateful that at least mine came later. I took a long walk today, to clear my thoughts, get out of the house for a bit, and just be free. It was quite therapeutic :)

If you are on this journey with me or simply reading along, I encourage you to 'keep strong and keep moving on' whenever you hit a roadblock in life. The greatest rewards in life often come through hard work and perseverance. In the end, I know the effort will pay off!

Beach Body Ultimate Reset Day 15 - Graduating to Phase 3!

Weight Day 15: 148.2 (-10.2 lbs) 
Feeling: Energized, despite 0 caffeine for the past 2 weeks!

I am officially into Phase 3: Restore! I have been loving the amount of energy I have, especially around 2pm when everyone else is having their mid-afternoon crash and running out for coffee! Will I drink coffee after the Reset is done? Sure, but the important thing is I have learned to not depend on it as an energy source. Sleep people! It cures all :)

Another perk of this 'minimalist' cooking as I like to call it is that I really notice the true flavor of things. Most vegetables on this plan are either steamed or quickly sauteed. Seasonings include a little bit of oil, a little bit of salt, and not much more. Simple. Amazing.

A few dishes from recently:

Dinner Day 14 - Roasted Corn & Edamame Salad

Part of Day 15 dinner - Garlic Veggies (I ate the sweet potato too quick to get a photo!)

 I'm excited for this week, also a little worried about how things will go when I lack a structured plan. I have never stuck to a meal plan this long, and I enjoy the shopping lists and recipes all laid out for me. I also need to think of what my next workout program will be. It is getting nice out in Michigan and I would like to run a 5k or 2 this summer, but I also want to work on toning up. I am getting close to my goal weight, but would really like some muscle definition! I am thinking about a hybrid Turbo Fire / Chalene Extreme plan to supplement my yoga & running. Now I just need to find time to fit it all in!

Until next time - cheers! Have a coffee for me!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Interested in Beachbody's Ultimate Reset? For more information click here!
http://myultimatereset.com/LauraLou831

Monday Mantra: Love Your Body

I saw this posted by Beachbody. Pretty good thing to focus on!

Beachbody Ultimate Reset Day 14 - Two Milestones

Phase 2 wraps up this evening for me. That means the end of the Detox packets for me! Wohoo! To be honest, the taste did not get to me as much towards the end of the week. I even stopped drowning it in lemon juice half way through the week. Still, I'm glad to be done with the stuff!

A celebration...

3...2...1...AND DONE!

There are some more things for me to celebrate. This week marks two HUGE milestones in my fitness journey. First, I have officially got into the 140s for the first time, seriously, EVER. I am so pumped! Even when I did weight watchers I never broke 155. And I was always starving on weight watchers - not fun!

The second milestone I can celebrate is fitting into a SIZE SIX jeans. A six! A SIX!! I never thought I would be a size six. This week I've noticed my jeans have definitely felt loser. I think I am losing the bloat that used to constantly hang around my stomach. For the heck of it, I tried on some size 6 jeans at the mall yesterday. They fit! Such a great feeling :)

Of course I want to share some food pictures with everyone. Bring on the yummy!

Steamed Veggies and Baked Squash w/Tahini Sauce - Jon shared dinner with me!

Squash soup and a big salad! I took some fattoush salad from a local Mediterranean restaurant and added it to my greens. Finished it off with pumpkin seeds!

Coconut Greens - a dish I was surprised I loved! Adding the coconut milk and caramelized onions is a great trick! 

It's hard to believe it is the end of week 2 already! Although some days have been a mental struggle for me (I just want a cookie!) these 14 days really have gone by fast. See you in Phase 3!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Interested in Beachbody's Ultimate Reset? For more information click here!
http://myultimatereset.com/LauraLou831

Beachbody Ultimate Reset Day 12 - Learning About Myself!

I didn't get to blog yesterday (day 12) but I really wanted to share with everyone things I have been learning about myself throughout this reset.

Yesterday was a tough day for me at work. I came in at 7am (early, with the hopes of leaving early) to an email about an extremely urgent issue requiring a process I had never lead on my own. Of my team of 4, one is out on vacation travel, one does not get in until 9 and one was scheduled to leave at 11am for her daughter's graduation lunch. Immediately, stress hit. To make a long story short, our team forged ahead and got through the issue. Many thanks to them for their hard work and effort to help me learn in this situation.

I noticed something though, during the day. Every time I had a two second mental break I kept thinking "I want a frappuccino"..."I want french fries"....etc. Pre-reset, my Friday 'tradition' was to go to Starbucks after work and get a frappuccino. I used to think of this as a reward or celebration of getting through the week. Yesterday made me realize that stress triggers my cravings for comfort food. This is HUGE for me. In the past however many years of my life (probably since college started) I have NEVER made this connection. And its my commitment to the Reset that helped me realize it.

Another thing I have learned on this journey is to eat when you're hungry. Sure there are a few days that my stomach is growling before dinner, but I drink 8-12oz of water and it helps subside that feeling until it is time to eat. I look at the meal plans each day and sometimes think "that's it??" but really we are getting a balanced diet of 1400-1600 calories each day. That is around what I eat normally, but this is WHOLE foods packed full of nutrients that provide energy and help keep me fuller longer.

I guess my big takeaway is to learn to listen to your body. Going through a Reset is an excellent way to do this. Your body knows whats up, take its advice!

Photo: http://www.theeconomicaleater.com/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Interested in Beachbody's Ultimate Reset? For more information click here!
http://myultimatereset.com/LauraLou831

Beachbody Ultimate Reset Day 10 - Taking Time to Smell the Roses

Get out and smell the flowers!

It may or may not have said that in the Reset book, but that is what I did today. I feel like I make almost daily trips to the grocery store these days because I'm always forgetting something for dinner or something I need for breakfast the next day. If its only a few things I just walk up to the grocery store that is close to my apartment. It is nice to get out and enjoy the sunny weather we have been having lately!

One gripe of this cleanse - I feel like we buy a lot of produce that we don't end up eating. For instance, having to buy a whole head of bok choy and only needing a 1/2c. Normally, I would plan out recipes for the week to use all the produce I buy. So in a way, I am looking forward to planning my own meals again. I will definitely incorporate some of the recipes from the Reset into my reprotiore though. There are some great vegan ones!

Like this one:

Quinoa Lentil Pilaf

Today I was really craving something sweet. I did not have an afternoon snack, because I wasn't really hungry for it. So instead, about an hour after dinner, I made up this treat!

Warm Apples with Cinnamon & Agave

I guess it being the end of day 10, I am officially half way done with the Reset! I am so happy I decided to do this challenge. No regrets!

Be kind to one another :)

Beachbody Ultimate Reset Day 8/9 - Bring on the Detox...

Weight Day 8: 154.2 (-4.2 lbs) 
Feeling: Slightly cranky!
Water Intake: 104-112oz each day

I have graduated on to phase 2 of the reset, which means I get the pleasure of drinking this awesome stuff 3 times a day:

Yeah. No fun. Makes alkalinize taste like candy! At first I thought it was the texture getting to me, but really I think it is the smell. I can't quite place what is off to me about the smell, but last night (day 8) I contemplated not eating dinner just so I wouldn't have to drink this stuff!

Also I was hoping that this stuff would get things moving! I have felt pretty bloated since week 1 and have not been as regular as normal. Thank goodness for the support groups that Beachbody set up through Facebook. Did some posting & reading on there and feel assured that my problem should go away soon (sorry if this is TMI - I'm just trying to be honest!)

Overall, I am feeling good. From time to time I feel physically tired, but mentally I have felt really alert the past few days. I almost want to attribute being physically tired to all the stress I have in my life now. I need to get to yoga class or get a massage, I just have been short on time lately (and would honestly rather sleep - I love sleeping!). Also, I am accustomed to hot yoga, which seems it would be too taxing on my body right now. I might try to go through some poses tomorrow in my living room just for some deep breathing and mental relaxation.

Food! We all love food pictures :) Here are my dinners from the past 2 days:

Pinto Beans & Rice, Steamed Veggies

Sweet Potato & Roasted Red Pepper Bisque, Grilled Asparagus

The pinto beans & rice meal was not my personal fav, but it did have good flavor. I have seen a lot of people on the message boards say they really enjoy it. Its kind of ironic since I do beans & rice a lot for dinner normally, and these positive reviews are all coming from meat eaters :) It was also the second or third meal I've prepared at my apartment that my roommate has exclaimed 'OMG that smells SO good!' So maybe it does have potential!

I am still enjoying the simplicity of just steaming veggies, adding a little lemon and salt, and enjoying their flavor. I never thought before that steaming veggies is really a quick way to go. I usually buy canned veggies, heat on the stove, and eat. Yes, prepping fresh veggies takes a little more time (and a lot more room in your refrigerator) but I am really digging the flavors!

Until next time! Cheers!

P.S. I really want a cupcake.

Beachbody Ultimate Reset Day 5/6/7 - Weekend Recap

Sorry for the lack of posts over the weekend! I ended up going to support my fiance at his bodybuilding show in Ohio this weekend. I am proud to say he won 2nd in his class (Men's Open Tall) and best abs! He does natural bodybuilding and works very hard to achieve his goals! Have to brag on him a little :)

As far as the reset - I think I can honestly say this is the first time I have stuck to a diet, to a plan, to WHATEVER, when I have gone somewhere other than home for the weekend! There were MANY temptations this weekend (biggest one? French Fries) but I just kept telling myself, "It's only 21 days. You OWE this to yourself! 21 days! You can do it!" It's nice to have the support of my fiance, who is used to carrying his food around and saying 'no' to all the foods you want to eat when everyone else offers them to you. It took a bit more planning than usual, and I had to get over my insecurity of eating in front of people when they aren't eating, but I was able to stick to the plan - even out of state!

A few of my favorite meals from the weekend:

Roasted Root Medley

Zucchini-Cashew Soup with Dill

Today, of course, is mother's day. I got to spend some time with my soon to be in-laws and also got to see my mommy before returning home.

Check out what I started!

Salads for everyone!

I also started thinking about things for 'post-reset' life. I decided I want to reward myself for completing this challenge! I read in the cleanse materials you aren't supposed to pick your coffee habit back up right away. So while at the mall today, I stopped by the Teavana store and picked up some Java Mate (basically tea that tastes like coffee - and has 1/4 of the caffeine!). Right now I have a tea ball, but I think I'm going to pick up one of these to help with brewing. They use them in the store and they are so cool!

I have had my eye on this tank from lulu lemon for AGES. I've been taking a break from all intense working out, including hot yoga, so this will be great when I finally make it back to class!

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. Happy Mother's day to all the mom's I know!

Beachbody Ultimate Reset Day 4 - Energy Levels on the Rise

Feeling: Great!
Water Intake: 80oz

I woke up today feeling really energetic! I actually woke up a full HOUR before my alarm went off, but I'm lazy and hung around in bed sleeping on & off until it was time to get up. If you know me, you know I love sleep!

Breakfast was a medley of strawberries, bananas, and grapes. 1 pc of toast. I missed the fact that we could have a serving of yogurt - more on that later. I really didn't think a fruit salad would keep me full until lunch, but it did!

I switched up lunch & dinner today. I wanted to give the sushi rolls another try, so I thought I would save that experiment for dinner. Lunch worked out pretty well though, and is something I could easily do again. Steamed veggies & some quinoa. Perfect.

Dinner I had a second attempt to make a sushi roll. Here we go...

Ta-da! Thanks to my coach Sean Dorsett for the Saran wrap tip!!

Now for my story of the day. I completely read over the fact we were able to have yogurt with breakfast this morning! I don't eat yogurt normally, but I picked up a couple of these at the health store nearby:

When I got home from work, I popped one of these into the freezer and then enjoyed it after work as fro-yo! This plus my herbal coffee Teecinno was the perfect after dinner treat.

I am amazed at how much energy I have right now. I love the way eating these whole foods is making me feel & how much I am appreciating the flavor of everything in its natural state. Another bonus - I weighed myself this morning and I am down 3 pounds!!

Until Friday :)