It was another peachy day in the land of vegan-ism: ) If I had not been doing this challenge, I certainly would have had coffee with 1/2 and 1/2 today. I had a meeting in Denver this evening that the other part was running horribly late for...my usual go to time killer is to hit up a coffee shop, but I wasn't packin' any "legal" fixins like coconut creamer or agave so I just had to wait patiently sans java. Now, you might be wondering why I didn't sub some delightful tea...Well, the truth is I have a serious aversion to tea. I have never liked it and have pretty much resigned myself to be at odds with tea. It's like water that's trying to be something that is simply is not. Anyhoo...
I got a great ride in today powered by coconut caribbean oat bars and left over pumpkin protein pancakes!
http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/01/14/carribean-coconut-oat-
http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/02/06/vegan-pumpkin-protein-pancakes/
I'm going to launch right into the stats for the day - I am bound and determined to get to bed early! I think with the days growing shorter its time to re-set my internal clock!
Food Log
Pumpkin protein pancakes (cold, yummy. I love left overs: )
1 apple
Huge veggie salad with beets, & bell peepers, & baked tofu, & spinch, & & &, etc...
Caribbean Coconut Oat bars
More Pumpkin protein pancakes
Sweet and salty kale chips http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/03/05/raw-salty-sweet-kale-chips/
Smaller veggie salad with all the fixins above...
Decaf coffee w/ coconut creamer (no agave today!)
Popcorn
Activity
Sweet A$$ bike ride! Out my front door and on the trail in 5 minutes!
Energy
6++
Sleep
7, Apparently, I was sleeping so well I didn't hear my alarm for yoga. Grrr. I did, however, get up and do some yoga at home: )
Night ya'll. This vegan gal is hitting the hay: )
Beth McVay, CMT
American Massage Therapy Association member
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
YU+ME=Clean, DAY 3 (part 2)
What a day! I was able to make vegan pumpkin protein pancakes (VPPP) http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/02/06/vegan-pumpkin-protein-pancakes/ this morning and snack on them all day long! No joke, my food log for today is going to look ridiculous because I pretty much just ate them all day.
I noticed an interesting thing when I was on my 2nd serving this morning of VPPP...I think that the agave did, in fact, mess with my glycemic index. My portions of agave are usually just enough to sweeten my coffee but today I used it like syrup on my pancakes...Since I am a sweet-aholic, you can infer than I would drench them. I didn't even put any in the batter with the anticipation of using it as a topping. I switched to agave when I wanted to lower my blood sugar levels and I think it has worked quite well, but today taught me that...well, too much of a good thing... I just noticed that my head felt all sugar buzzy and the base of my neck felt tense (very much like caffeine makes me feel, which is why I drink decaf). These are my personal signs that I have too much sugar in my system.
My refrigerator is pretty bare at the moment so I went ahead and had them for a late lunch too! This time I mixed some agave with Eden applesauce (no added sugar) http://www.edenfoods.com/articles/view.php?articles_id=46, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I think that helped. FYI, I had the applesauce in the fridge from the apple quinoa cereal I made recently http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/01/30/apple-quinoa-cereal/. Totally delish!
You will notice that I didn't eat a great deal today overall, this wasn't intentional or for lack of options, I just was on the go and didn't have time to make much today other than the pancakes. I regret that I didn't get many veggies in, I try to do better than that! I did nibble on my sweet and salty kale chips that I made last night though.....Well, now look at that, I fit some green leafy veggies in today without even giving it a second thought!
Okay, here's the break down:
Food Log
Vegan pumpkin protein pancakes http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/02/06/vegan-pumpkin-protein-pancakes/
Sweet and salty Kale chips http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/03/05/raw-salty-sweet-kale-chips/
(my chips aren't raw, baking them at 250 for 1 hr will do the trick)
2 apples
Popped amaranth crunch http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/09/28/popped-amaranth-crunch/
3 Dolmas
1.5 Nalgene of water
Activity
I really wanted to make yoga happen today but I just didn't make it...tomorrow is another day...
Energy
6+
Sleep
7
If you read my first blog for the YU+ME=Clean you saw that I set some goals for myself:
I noticed an interesting thing when I was on my 2nd serving this morning of VPPP...I think that the agave did, in fact, mess with my glycemic index. My portions of agave are usually just enough to sweeten my coffee but today I used it like syrup on my pancakes...Since I am a sweet-aholic, you can infer than I would drench them. I didn't even put any in the batter with the anticipation of using it as a topping. I switched to agave when I wanted to lower my blood sugar levels and I think it has worked quite well, but today taught me that...well, too much of a good thing... I just noticed that my head felt all sugar buzzy and the base of my neck felt tense (very much like caffeine makes me feel, which is why I drink decaf). These are my personal signs that I have too much sugar in my system.
My refrigerator is pretty bare at the moment so I went ahead and had them for a late lunch too! This time I mixed some agave with Eden applesauce (no added sugar) http://www.edenfoods.com/articles/view.php?articles_id=46, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I think that helped. FYI, I had the applesauce in the fridge from the apple quinoa cereal I made recently http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/01/30/apple-quinoa-cereal/. Totally delish!
You will notice that I didn't eat a great deal today overall, this wasn't intentional or for lack of options, I just was on the go and didn't have time to make much today other than the pancakes. I regret that I didn't get many veggies in, I try to do better than that! I did nibble on my sweet and salty kale chips that I made last night though.....Well, now look at that, I fit some green leafy veggies in today without even giving it a second thought!
Okay, here's the break down:
Food Log
Vegan pumpkin protein pancakes http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/02/06/vegan-pumpkin-protein-pancakes/
Sweet and salty Kale chips http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/03/05/raw-salty-sweet-kale-chips/
(my chips aren't raw, baking them at 250 for 1 hr will do the trick)
2 apples
Popped amaranth crunch http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/09/28/popped-amaranth-crunch/
3 Dolmas
1.5 Nalgene of water
Activity
I really wanted to make yoga happen today but I just didn't make it...tomorrow is another day...
Energy
6+
Sleep
7
If you read my first blog for the YU+ME=Clean you saw that I set some goals for myself:
My food goals for the next 10 days:
1) Be vegan, no exceptions
2) Be dairy free, no exception
3) Severely restrict my added and refined sugar consumption (may allow for 1 emergency sugar use with coffee)
1) Be vegan, no exceptions
2) Be dairy free, no exception
3) Severely restrict my added and refined sugar consumption (may allow for 1 emergency sugar use with coffee)
My food preparation goals for the next 10 days:
1) Leave the house packin’ with prepared snacks
2) If going for coffee must take coconut creamer and agave (or JUST SAY NO to my dear java)
3) Make 7-10 new recipes from yumuniverse.com
My ultimate wellness goals for the challenge:
1) Increase my energy
2) Look and feel brighter
3) Lose the annoying headache
1) Leave the house packin’ with prepared snacks
2) If going for coffee must take coconut creamer and agave (or JUST SAY NO to my dear java)
3) Make 7-10 new recipes from yumuniverse.com
My ultimate wellness goals for the challenge:
1) Increase my energy
2) Look and feel brighter
3) Lose the annoying headache
So far I have been pretty successful. I have been vegan. There has been NO dairy and NO added sugar. (However, I think I need to pull in the reins on the agave as well as my carob chips that I put in my popped amaranth crunch; }
I need to be better about packin' snacks. I haven't been setting myself up for success upon leaving the house. I was hungry on a couple of occasions today because of poor planning.
I have made 3 new recipes since I started this, so I am well on my way to achieving that goal: )
My energy has been okay - not fantastic...I think my agave overload today might have set me back a little bit. I will have to be more careful tomorrow.
So, that's a recap of intentions. So far, I am psyched on the challenge and feel like I am doing a good job. Truthfully, it hasn't been hard. I have busted out some new recipes and found a delicious new coconut creamer: ) This is not so different from the way I normally eat, I just needed to re-dedicate myself to the practice of clean eating!
Tomorrow the name of the game is vegetables and water!
Thanks again for reading: ) See you again tomorrow!
Beth McVay, CMT
American Massage Therapy Association memeber
YU+ME=Clean, DAY 3(part 1)
I just couldn't wait until later tonight to start this!
I mustered up the energy (of which little was neede)d to make Salty Sweet Kale Chips last night and I am making vegan pumpkin protein pancakes right now, AS I TYPE!
http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/03/05/raw-salty-sweet-kale-chips/
http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/02/06/vegan-pumpkin-protein-pancakes/
Okay, this has to be brief because I am hungry and need me sum pun'kin pancakes! Let me just say before I sign off, "DELICIOUS!!!!!"
Stay tuned for another post later in the day!
Beth McVay, CMT
American Massage Therapy Association member
I mustered up the energy (of which little was neede)d to make Salty Sweet Kale Chips last night and I am making vegan pumpkin protein pancakes right now, AS I TYPE!
http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/03/05/raw-salty-sweet-kale-chips/
http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/02/06/vegan-pumpkin-protein-pancakes/
Okay, this has to be brief because I am hungry and need me sum pun'kin pancakes! Let me just say before I sign off, "DELICIOUS!!!!!"
Stay tuned for another post later in the day!
Beth McVay, CMT
American Massage Therapy Association member
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
YU+ME=Clean, DAY 2
Good Evening!
Here I am reflecting on a fantastic day while nibbling on none other than popped amaranth crunch, but of course: ) !!! http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/09/28/popped-amaranth-crunch/
Another successful day in the land of vegan-ism! Yay! Thankfully, I was able to get a bike ride in today: ) I don't feel like I have to exercise everyday, but I always feel better when I do so I usually fit it in somehow. As a result of making time for it more often than not, I don't sweat it when the day simply doesn't allow for it.
I had a great night's sleep and although I didn't want to get out of bed this morning, its not because I was "tired," it was because I was particularly cozy snuggled up on a cool autumn morning.
I saw clients on and off all day and felt good and charged all day. I noticed this evening that my dull headache has subsided. I have no doubt that this is because I have cut out processed sugar foods for the last 2 days. I was letting myself get all willy-nilly with my diet with the anticipation of getting back on track. Who know why though...is it really all that fun to eat a ton of ice cream if I'm going to feel hungover the next day? Well, maybe a little but... Seriously, a while back when I realized how much sugar I was consuming (through processed foods as well as sweets) and pulled the reins I decided to reward myself with some ice cream. Having little to no will power when it comes to ice cream I downed a pint of Ben & Jerry's and woke up feeling completely hungover! Totally unfair for someone who doesn't even drink!
Well, in sum, today was really awesome. For me, waking every day with the intention of taking care of myself, in and of itself, makes it pretty stellar.
Okay, now, down to the nitty gritty of what I ate today and how I felt!
Food Log
1 apple
1 banana
Popped Amaranth Crunch http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/09/28/popped-amaranth-crunch/
Delicious salad from Whole Foods salad bar packed with veggies and dressed with O.O. and balsamic
Dolmas
Edamame Dip
Nut thins
Decaf coffee with coconut creamer and agave
Activity
1 Hr Sweet Mt Bike ride
5 hrs massage
Energy
7, I had great energy all day but sitting here at 9:18, I wish I had a little more juice to get some things done.
Sleep
7, I would like to start getting into bed earlier.. I have been averaging about midnight, which is keeping me in bed a little too long in the morning.
Thanks for reading along. Tomorrow, I want to make Sweet & Salty Kale Chips!
http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/09/28/popped-amaranth-crunch/
Mine won't be raw because I don't have a dehydrator, but I'm sure they will be delicious baked on a low heat. Stay tuned to see!
Beth McVay, CMT
American Massage Therapy Association member
Here I am reflecting on a fantastic day while nibbling on none other than popped amaranth crunch, but of course: ) !!! http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/09/28/popped-amaranth-crunch/
Another successful day in the land of vegan-ism! Yay! Thankfully, I was able to get a bike ride in today: ) I don't feel like I have to exercise everyday, but I always feel better when I do so I usually fit it in somehow. As a result of making time for it more often than not, I don't sweat it when the day simply doesn't allow for it.
I had a great night's sleep and although I didn't want to get out of bed this morning, its not because I was "tired," it was because I was particularly cozy snuggled up on a cool autumn morning.
I saw clients on and off all day and felt good and charged all day. I noticed this evening that my dull headache has subsided. I have no doubt that this is because I have cut out processed sugar foods for the last 2 days. I was letting myself get all willy-nilly with my diet with the anticipation of getting back on track. Who know why though...is it really all that fun to eat a ton of ice cream if I'm going to feel hungover the next day? Well, maybe a little but... Seriously, a while back when I realized how much sugar I was consuming (through processed foods as well as sweets) and pulled the reins I decided to reward myself with some ice cream. Having little to no will power when it comes to ice cream I downed a pint of Ben & Jerry's and woke up feeling completely hungover! Totally unfair for someone who doesn't even drink!
Well, in sum, today was really awesome. For me, waking every day with the intention of taking care of myself, in and of itself, makes it pretty stellar.
Okay, now, down to the nitty gritty of what I ate today and how I felt!
Food Log
1 apple
1 banana
Popped Amaranth Crunch http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/09/28/popped-amaranth-crunch/
Delicious salad from Whole Foods salad bar packed with veggies and dressed with O.O. and balsamic
Dolmas
Edamame Dip
Nut thins
Decaf coffee with coconut creamer and agave
Activity
1 Hr Sweet Mt Bike ride
5 hrs massage
Energy
7, I had great energy all day but sitting here at 9:18, I wish I had a little more juice to get some things done.
Sleep
7, I would like to start getting into bed earlier.. I have been averaging about midnight, which is keeping me in bed a little too long in the morning.
Thanks for reading along. Tomorrow, I want to make Sweet & Salty Kale Chips!
http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/09/28/popped-amaranth-crunch/
Mine won't be raw because I don't have a dehydrator, but I'm sure they will be delicious baked on a low heat. Stay tuned to see!
Beth McVay, CMT
American Massage Therapy Association member
Monday, October 4, 2010
YU+ME=Clean, DAY 1
Well, it was sure to be a good day since it started off with YU's "popped amaranth crunch," and a good day it was. I think I was so jazzed to reel in my diet and get "clean" that I managed to wake up less lethargic than I have been recently...Ahhh, the power of intention!
The only thing I wasn't able to do today that I wanted to was go for a bike ride, that's alright, I had a killer ride yesterday at Heil Ranch http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/heil-valley-ranch.html.
So, here I sit at approximately 10pm feeling pretty good about the day: ) Here I also sit with another serving of my precious popped amaranth. I threw a twist on it and added carob chips which have melted oh so nicely; )
I had no temptations to eat anything not vegan or with gluten...Oops, that is soooo not true! When I was at Whole Foods, I almost went for a couple little chocolate graham cracker bunnies that were being sampled! Fret not though, I stayed my vegan course and got what I was after at the store, which was some edamame dip and some nut thin crackers.
Below you will find a little food and activity log for the day.
Also, I want to note my energy level so I will gauge it on a 1-10 scale. "1" being I couldn't get out of bed, "5" I was able to get through the day fine and maybe some low impact exercise, "10" I had so much energy Obama me to replace solar; )
Finally, I wanted to record my quality of sleep. Again a 1-10 deal. "1" I couldn't go to sleep or stay asleep, "5" I may have woken up a little but not too restless, "10" I never remember waking and I was totally ready to get up to start the day!
Food log
Popped Amaranth Crunch http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/09/28/popped-amaranth-crunch/
2 Apples
1 Banana
Decaf coffee with Hazelnut coconut creamer http://www.turtlemountain.com/products/coconut_milk_creamer.html (There you go Chantel: )
Dolmas
Edamame Dip http://www.soyzenzay.com/product.html
Nut thins/crackers
Soy "Jerky"(I just had to see....and was glad I did) http://www.tastyeats.com/
Water (only 1.5 nalgene's worth, need too bump that up)
Activity
No formal workout today, but I did give massage for 5 hours
Energy
6+
Sleep
6++
I think that wraps it up for today! I'm sure tomorrow will be another awesome day! I will definitely shoot for a new recipe...I'm thinking Salty Sweet Kale Chips http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/03/05/raw-salty-sweet-kale-chips/ !!
Thanks for reading,
Beth McVay, CMT
American Massage Therapy Association
The only thing I wasn't able to do today that I wanted to was go for a bike ride, that's alright, I had a killer ride yesterday at Heil Ranch http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/heil-valley-ranch.html.
So, here I sit at approximately 10pm feeling pretty good about the day: ) Here I also sit with another serving of my precious popped amaranth. I threw a twist on it and added carob chips which have melted oh so nicely; )
I had no temptations to eat anything not vegan or with gluten...Oops, that is soooo not true! When I was at Whole Foods, I almost went for a couple little chocolate graham cracker bunnies that were being sampled! Fret not though, I stayed my vegan course and got what I was after at the store, which was some edamame dip and some nut thin crackers.
Below you will find a little food and activity log for the day.
Also, I want to note my energy level so I will gauge it on a 1-10 scale. "1" being I couldn't get out of bed, "5" I was able to get through the day fine and maybe some low impact exercise, "10" I had so much energy Obama me to replace solar; )
Finally, I wanted to record my quality of sleep. Again a 1-10 deal. "1" I couldn't go to sleep or stay asleep, "5" I may have woken up a little but not too restless, "10" I never remember waking and I was totally ready to get up to start the day!
Food log
Popped Amaranth Crunch http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/09/28/popped-amaranth-crunch/
2 Apples
1 Banana
Decaf coffee with Hazelnut coconut creamer http://www.turtlemountain.com/products/coconut_milk_creamer.html (There you go Chantel: )
Dolmas
Edamame Dip http://www.soyzenzay.com/product.html
Nut thins/crackers
Soy "Jerky"(I just had to see....and was glad I did) http://www.tastyeats.com/
Water (only 1.5 nalgene's worth, need too bump that up)
Activity
No formal workout today, but I did give massage for 5 hours
Energy
6+
Sleep
6++
I think that wraps it up for today! I'm sure tomorrow will be another awesome day! I will definitely shoot for a new recipe...I'm thinking Salty Sweet Kale Chips http://www.yumuniverse.com/2010/03/05/raw-salty-sweet-kale-chips/ !!
Thanks for reading,
Beth McVay, CMT
American Massage Therapy Association
Sunday, October 3, 2010
popped amaranth, YES PLEASE!
Okay, so I have been wanting to check out the "Popped Amaranth Crunch" snack from the yumuniverse.com website for a while now and although I was going to leave this little jewel until tomorrow, when I have officially kicked off YU+ME=Clean (http://whyknotmassagetherapy.blogspot.com/2010/10/once-you-go-vegan.html), I just couldn't wait! I had to know if it really had a popcorn-y taste..and sure enough...IT DOES! I have been looking for a popcorn substitute for a while because although popcorn is a whole grain, I eat a TON of it, and feel the need to add some variety!
OMG! This really is quite the little gem! Kind of buttery, good crunch and sweet all rolled up into teensy amaranth kernels! I threw in some carob chips for good measure: ) Well, I guess I can check one new recipe off my goals list now, can't I; )
Check it out!
OMG! This really is quite the little gem! Kind of buttery, good crunch and sweet all rolled up into teensy amaranth kernels! I threw in some carob chips for good measure: ) Well, I guess I can check one new recipe off my goals list now, can't I; )
Once you go vegan...
Hello all,
So, I have decided to give myself a little food challenge. I wouldn't say that I am "picky" eater, but I do choose to eat with awareness...so, I guess that I am a choosey eater. However, recently I have let some old habits creep back into my life. I have been nibbling bulk section (chocolate covered peanut butter pretzels), putting too much sugar in my coffee, not drinking enough water, etc...
I have started to notice a couple of telltale signs that I am consuming too much crap. I'm lethargic, have a slight headache, and look tired. I mostly see a couple of bags hanging out under my eyes along with a certain dullness. Is this reality or is this what my mind is projecting because I don't feel up to par? I'm thinking that its a combo of the two.
So, the food challenge I have decided to give myself, for the next 10 days, is to go vegan, gluten free, dairy free, and essentially processed sugar free. Now, some people might wonder what the heck I am going to eat for the next few days! However, living in Boulder, Co is one of the most "gluten free, dairy free, vegan, vegetarian" friendly places in the history of the world, so I have lots of great resources here. I also have www.yumuniverse.com (YU)and its founder Heather Crosby to support me and provide any guidance I may need along the way. In honor of YU I am calling the challenge the YU(yum universe) + ME (that's me:) = CLEAN! I have already tried quite a few recipes from this site and know that I won't have to sacrifice taste to stay on track.
My food goals for the next 10 days:
1) Be vegan, no exceptions
2) Be dairy free, no exception
3) Severely restrict my added and refined sugar consumption (may allow for 1 emergency sugar use with coffee)
My food preparation goals for the next 10 days
1) Leave the house packin' with prepared snacks
2) If going for coffee must take coconut creamer and agave (or JUST SAY NO to my dear java)
3) Make 7-10 new recipes from www.yumuniverse.com
My ultimate goals for the effects of my challenge
1) Increase my energy
2) Look and feel brighter
3) Lose the annoying headache
Okay, that's it, simple enough.
There should be some pretty cool posts over the next 10 days on www.whyknotmassagetherapy.blogspot.com so I hope you will follow along my vegan journey!
Thanks for reading,
Beth McVay, CMT
American Massage Therapy Association member
So, I have decided to give myself a little food challenge. I wouldn't say that I am "picky" eater, but I do choose to eat with awareness...so, I guess that I am a choosey eater. However, recently I have let some old habits creep back into my life. I have been nibbling bulk section (chocolate covered peanut butter pretzels), putting too much sugar in my coffee, not drinking enough water, etc...
I have started to notice a couple of telltale signs that I am consuming too much crap. I'm lethargic, have a slight headache, and look tired. I mostly see a couple of bags hanging out under my eyes along with a certain dullness. Is this reality or is this what my mind is projecting because I don't feel up to par? I'm thinking that its a combo of the two.
So, the food challenge I have decided to give myself, for the next 10 days, is to go vegan, gluten free, dairy free, and essentially processed sugar free. Now, some people might wonder what the heck I am going to eat for the next few days! However, living in Boulder, Co is one of the most "gluten free, dairy free, vegan, vegetarian" friendly places in the history of the world, so I have lots of great resources here. I also have www.yumuniverse.com (YU)and its founder Heather Crosby to support me and provide any guidance I may need along the way. In honor of YU I am calling the challenge the YU(yum universe) + ME (that's me:) = CLEAN! I have already tried quite a few recipes from this site and know that I won't have to sacrifice taste to stay on track.
My food goals for the next 10 days:
1) Be vegan, no exceptions
2) Be dairy free, no exception
3) Severely restrict my added and refined sugar consumption (may allow for 1 emergency sugar use with coffee)
My food preparation goals for the next 10 days
1) Leave the house packin' with prepared snacks
2) If going for coffee must take coconut creamer and agave (or JUST SAY NO to my dear java)
3) Make 7-10 new recipes from www.yumuniverse.com
My ultimate goals for the effects of my challenge
1) Increase my energy
2) Look and feel brighter
3) Lose the annoying headache
Okay, that's it, simple enough.
There should be some pretty cool posts over the next 10 days on www.whyknotmassagetherapy.blogspot.com so I hope you will follow along my vegan journey!
Thanks for reading,
Beth McVay, CMT
American Massage Therapy Association member
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