SAD no more: My ever-improving diet

All through college, I lived on fast food, pop, coffee, Snicker's bars and peanut M&Ms. Worse than the standard American diet -- SADder! I pooed once or twice a week. Seriously. When I had to drop out of college the first time (no money, no study) I moved in with my grandparents to save up. Like most old people, they were obsessed with healthy bowel movements for themselves and nearly fell off their lazy boys when they learned my plight. 

I joined them nightly in warm prune juice elixirs and grandpa's morning oatmeal. Things started moving again. It was nice. My journey to better health had begun.

In 1991, I graduated from college. I was so used to burning the candle on both ends w/work and school that when school was no longer taking up my time, I had to find a way to fill the hours around 9-5. So, I hit the library; started reading books about diet and health -- a subject that had always fascinated me. 

The books that most interested me were Fit for Life (I started food combining) and The Beverly Hills Diet (I started to pay attention to the enzymes in food and how food works in our systems). On both these plans, I lost weight. I was hungry to learn more and loved refocusing my diet for optimum health. When I moved out and had to shop and cook for myself, I started to experiment. 

1/1/91 -- I gave up red meat, pork and "black" pop. I regularly guzzled Dr. Pepper so that had to go. I justified in my mind that "white" pop was healthier so, I allowed myself 7-up from time to time till I no longer craved pop at all.

1/1/92 -- I gave up chicken. I adjusted my coffee -- stopped adding 10 tsp of sugar, eventually weaning myself completely. After that, I cut half and half to milk to 2% to 1%. I also gave up chocolate (because I was eating so much of it) for the next 3 years.

You can definitely reset your taste buds. Looking back now, I can't believe I ever craved -- and ate -- all that junk. I could never go back. Disgusting!

Over the past 20+ years, I've cut way down on processed foods and most junk. To the best of my understanding, I adopted a "healthy" diet according to the "latest research." Poached eggs for breakfast with two cups of coffee. Salmon for dinner with red wine (for resveratrol, of course). I also read Atkins and was very careful about carbs.

1/1/12 -- I went vegan. 

In October '11, I read The China Study and started to rethink everything. Americans are getting too much animal protein (I can believe it), but me too? I just eat eggs and fish! Actually, I eat salmon almost every night. Sometimes, just salmon no sides. Looks extremely healthy to me. But according to this research, I am in fact eating too much of it.

Next

Coffee and wine. Not sure what to do about it. Brendan Brazier says to cut coffee out because we don't want to rely on caffeine for our energy. I don't drink it for that reason. I'm bubbly enough already. So I went to decaf. However, Kris Carr is telling me that even decaf creates an acidic environment in your body and the goal here is to skew more alkaline. I already know all this deep down, but I think it means I'm going to start to move away from coffee. And my other vice. Wine.

I drink a lot of red wine. About a bottle a day. I started buying the big bottles so they last me a little longer (2-3 days). Probably better if I don't have it in the house, but I'm not ready to give it up. It's not like I NEED it. I just don't drink anything else. Perhaps if I can find a perfect nightcap and/or meal companion, my preference for wine will disappear on its own. Probably better to enjoy it socially than every night on my own.

Now

What I can say for sure is that now that I don't eat eggs or salmon, two of my main meals for the day have changed for the better. Enter lots more fruits, veg, seeds and grains than ever before. I think I'll be levitating in good health by this time next year. 

I'm been eating this way since Thanksgiving. Immediately, I noticed the weight start to come off, the coating on my tongue go away - I still use tongue scraper, but not much to see -- and my skin take on a new glow. Pretty exciting. Can't wait to learn and experiment more.

Rest before the Big Run

I ran 3 miles with fairly new, very noticeable pain in my left calf and a tinge of hip area pain on both sides, where I've only been feeling it on the right for the past few weeks. Internet says groin pain might be strained adductors -- the muscles in the inner thigh. This can happen when they get over stretched and you turn or stop and start suddenly, but that's not the place. 

Looking at the diagram, it's more like my lliacus muscle. A muscle or soft tissue somewhere behind my hip.

I was scheduled to run 4 miles today, but since I was sort of hobbling around after that 3 mile run, I decided it'd be smarter to rest. I think I'll run 2 miles on Friday and then nothing till the marathon on Sunday. I feel trained. Not like I'm trained to run fast or anything. Just trained to have fun, and since it'll be my birthday, that's really the whole point. 

I adapted this really great recipe for mushroom, asparagus fettuccine for my carb loading week. I used angel hair spelt noodles. They're really good! Only takes 3-4 min to cook. For cream sauce, I replaced 1/4 c half and half with almond milk. It's lighter. Nice. The leeks and vegetable flavors aren't all covered up. 

I probably shouldn't be drinking 3+ glasses of wine with my meals because it causes dehydration and makes your body's pH balance more acidic. Since I have an all-or-nothing personality, I'm ignoring that little detail for the time being.

Knowing me, when I finish reading Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Diet and my Vitamix arrives (should be soon, my bday prezzie from David and my parents!), I'll be green juicing and no longer inclined to throw back so much of my nighttime grape. Once I finish Brendan Brazier's Thrive Foods book, well....let's just say it's getting harder and harder to justify my old "healthy" lifestyle. More on that in the next post. 

Song A Day #810: Vegan Myths Debunked

I'm a Happy Cow

My marathon training is sucking right now. I was supposed to run 3 today (didn't) and 8 tomorrow (not sure yet) but my left calf and right hip have a pinch of pain. I don't want to injure myself before the race, but I'm also suffering from a tinge of guilt (albeit small) that I'm not keeping up with my training.

David is in town tonight from NYC, so I have a car and wanted to try something vegan-special. I checked happycow.com for vegan-area restaurants and found this awesome Ethiopian place called Redi-et Ethiopian on Main Street, less than 3 miles away. I ordered the number 12 vegetarian option of red lentils (hot) w/ side of collard greens and salad. 

When I got to the address, it was a highway. God dang it! I input my own address on happycow.com as Myrtle Beach, when actually I'm in North Myrtle Beach. Lots of eponymous (same-named) streets around these parts. 

Even so, I was determined. I drove the extra 30 mins to pick up this dish. David said it looked like a tasty dish towel and took Tyler out for dinner. Admittedly, it looked better in the box. I had to rough-house it a bit onto a plate and into the microwave, so yeah, it's not pretty. Still, I'm enjoying it perfectly fine while catching up on The Daily Show by myself. I'm feeling in the Zone. 

And so, I decided to expand my consciousness tonight. I called the restaurant back and thanked them for a great meal. (Who does that?!) The woman who answered was quite pleased. Is she the owner? Did she perhaps also prepare this dish? This is great feedback to receive when you care and so easy to give when you appreciate. A yummy life lesson, both learned and practiced today.

Carb loading

The Miami marathon is next week, so this week is about fueling up on carbs! I bought the most divine flaxseed bread. I can't stop eating it, it's so good. I made this double-decker mushroom burger sandwich. Homemade guacamole on top; homemade pesto on bottom, roasted red pepper and onions in between. 

I paired it with this carrot ginger soup I made awhile ago and just defrosted.

I'm making up a batch of homemade broth now to make asparagus soup for dinner so I have dunking buddy for more delicious bread. Here's how:

VEGETABLE BROTH: (Williams-Sonoma, "Soup for Supper")

5 carrots, cut into chunks
3 leeks, cut into chunks
3 celery stalks, cut into chunks
2 yellow onions, quartered
1 red (Spanish) onion, quartered
1 head garlic, halved
2 fresh thyme sprigs
1 bay leaf
5 peppercorns
4 qt (4 l) water

* Preheat oven to 450 F

* Place carrots, leeks, celery, yellow and red onions, and garlic in a roasting pan. Roast uncovered, stirring occasionally until well browned, about 1 hour.

* Transfer the vegetables to a stockpot. Add the thyme sprigs, bay leaf and peppercorns and then pour in the water. Bring to a boil over high heat, cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.

* Remove from the heat. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve lined with damp cheesecloth (muslin). Use the stock at this point or transfer to 1 or more storage containers. Refrigerate, uncovered until cold, then cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.

Makes 3 1/2 - 4 QT (3.5-4 L)

Man, that's beautiful, and it's just the broth! I did throw in a few vegetable bouillon cubes. You don't need it but my mom recently accused my asparagus soup of tasting bland. Although my mom is a chronic over-salter, she may have had a point with that last batch of soup, so the bouillon is just for precaution.

This made about 12 cups broth.

For ASPARAGUS SOUP:

* 2 bunches of asparagus, cut in 2" pieces - save tops, par boil for 2 mins and rinse in cold
* 7 oz of potato, so like one big and one or two little, diced

Melt a little Earth Balance in sauce pan. Throw in asparagus 2-3 mins. Add potatoes and about 3 cups stock to coat. Bring to boil and simmer till soft, about 20 mins. Blend. Toss in parboiled tips. Extra broth if you need it. Salt and pepper to taste.

http://www.vegacommunity.com/profiles/blogs/strength-training-for-endurance-athletes-part-3-of-3

http://www.vegacommunity.com/profiles/blogs/strength-training-for-endurance-athletes-part-3-of-3

http://www.vegacommunity.com/profiles/blogs/strength-training-for-endurance-athletes-part-3-of-3

http://www.vegacommunity.com/profiles/blogs/strength-training-for-endurance-athletes-part-3-of-3

Chirbit - Todays 2 minute Guided Meditation: Creating... - kathyfreston - share audio easily

Chirbit - Todays 2 minute Guided Meditation: Creating... - kathyfreston - share audio easily

Bittman’s vegan dishes: Bean burgers and more

Bittman’s vegan dishes: Bean burgers and more

The Storm before the Calm (Let the Taper Begin).

Last week was crazy, busy. And great.

Sunday - run 20 miles. My last really long run before tapering.

Monday - fly to NYC. Collect on Groupon for partial highlights and cut at Isaac's on UES ($59!)

Tuesday - Collect on HomeRun deal for dental checkup, cleaning, and X-rays ($40). Mom and Pop practice. They only polished teeth. I need to find somewhere else to get proper cleaning. Felt like such a waste! They only took 2 vs. 4 X-rays as promised, but I didn't care since I don't plan to go back. Off next to DMV to renew driver's license. Then mani/pedi. Blow off 5 mile run.

Wednesday - be guest on The Nate Berkus Show. Run 6 miles in Central Park.

The show is the first step toward my 2012 resolution to Live My Signature Style. Nate gave me good advice for living in a studio apartment (Hint: edit edit edit! There's a lot you don't need). He also surprised me with a dresser, lamps and mirror!

Here's me waiting in a private green room with my name on the door. They even touched up my hair and makeup. I felt like a real celeb.It's supposed to air in May. I'm the very last segment. I wrote the show two years ago. They just called me out of the blue ... if you believe in random luck. I think it's all part of a greater design, though. I need to get a bigger gratitude journal.

David Stark, a designer, was also a guest on the show. He gave us all his book (beautiful hardcover, $40 value). Here're some of the behind-the-scenes shots he posted on his twitter feed:

Thursday - Meet up with Gretchen for massage (collecting on two Groupons, my treat) and lunch at Gobo, vegan restaurant down the street (Gretchen's treat). Had yummy appetizers and delightful out-of-this-world mushroom truffle sandwich. Blow off 5 mile run to hang more with Gretchen.

Friday - Official running "rest" day. I take it literally. Catch up on Tivo and clean off old shows that I missed since I've been away past six months. Do laundry and straighten apartment so it's clean for when David gets back. He's covering for me this week in Myrtle Beach to make sure his son Tyler is managing OK.

Saturday - Blow off 4 mile run. Invent new breakfast to eat rest of peppers and tomatoes so they don't go to waste. Pour the blueberries into a baggie and see if I can get them on carryon luggage. I can! Meet up with Sharon to cash my last Groupon for brunch at CasaVille. We drink more than our allotted two drinks per person ;) Hugs and I'm off to catch 6:30P flight home.

Sunday - Run 12 miles on treadmill, perfectly timed to Warrior. Movie is cliche with feel-good-cheeseball plot. I throw some punches during key scenes and hope no one comes in and sees me.

And now, I taper. I ordered a bunch of vegan cookbooks which should be ready to pick up at Condo World today. Can't wait to play with new creations! 

Vegetarian Burger Recipe (Also Vegan) - Healthy Vegan Recipes On Video

Vegetarian Burger Recipe (Also Vegan) - Healthy Vegan Recipes On Video

Eco Vegan Food: Video: Easy, Eco Organic Peppermint Holiday Hot Ch...

Eco Vegan Food: Video: Easy, Eco Organic Peppermint Holiday Hot Ch...: Happy National Hot Cocoa Day! Yep, that's actually a day (look it up if you don't believe me). To celebrate I finally recorded my new ve...

Healthy Baked Sweet Potato Recipe - Healthy Vegan Recipes On Video

Healthy Baked Sweet Potato Recipe - Healthy Vegan Recipes On Video

Ingredient substitutes from PCRM

Here're some ingredient substitute ideas from the Physicians Committee of Responsible Medicine:

Note: For the flaxseed sub, I use 1 tbsp ground flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water. Not sure you need all the rest. Depends what you're making, I guess. 

As for dairy swap outs, if you haven't tried nutritional yeast, you gotta try it. You can find it at health food stores, and probably Whole Foods. It's nutty, cheesy tasting and loaded with B vitamins. If you're really hankering for "cheese," I just discovered Daiya. It's the bomb. It actually melts!

Last I checked, I didn't like tempeh or seitan. I should probably give it another try sometime. Maybe at a vegan restaurant this afternoon if I can talk my friend Gretchen into going.

Best Green Smoothie Recipe - Healthy Vegan Recipes On Video

Best Green Smoothie Recipe - Healthy Vegan Recipes On Video

Second 20-mile training run

Today marks the last of my long runs before I start to taper for the January 29, 2012 ING Miami Marathon. Twenty miles. 2-0. I felt up to it. I downloaded a couple movies last night on my iPad and decided, as usual, to do my run on the treadmill. Yeah, I know. Very flat. Very pounding. Same ol' muscles get no break. Plus, I'm living -- for the time being -- on a beach. Gorgeous weather outside.

Thing is, I don't have a fuel belt (I should buy a fuel belt) and I don't feel equipped for an outdoor run. In NYC when I run Central Park, I know exactly where to find the water fountains and bathroom (Boathouse) should I need it. When I lived in LA, I ran the strand from Playa del Rey into Hermosa Beach, and again, knew exactly where to find water and water closets. Besides, check out my condo gym that no one is ever in because I'm renting in Myrtle Beach during the off-season:

I see dolphins playing pretty much every day from this view. There's usually a wedding ceremony to watch on weekends, too. Joy!

Here I've got my treadmill all set up with a dry towel, coconut water in my water bottle, regular water (which is so good after you've been pounding the coconut water), a little bag of two peeled clementines and dates, a chapstick and a 5-hour energy drink, which I swigged just before my run.

I wanted to experiment with a rolled oats oatmeal breakfast for raceday, so I made 1/2 cup for breakfast with a squirt of agave nectar for energy and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds for simple beauty. Wow! It looks like a Quaker Oats ad.

I'm very happy with this breakfast and my 5-hour energy drink because, alas, I did indeed have enough energy for my run today.

However, as I was stretching, cracking my knuckles and otherwise getting ready to board the treadmill,  I felt a serious pang on the outside of my left heel. Never had that before - and it kinda hurt in an I'm-being-overly-cautious sort of way.

Heel spur? Need to research that. If a heel spur feels like a spur in your heel, well, then I have it.

I ran the first 10 miles at 5.4 (11:07 pace) on the treadmill with no problem. Seriously, forgot I was even running. Just zoned and listened to a few free podcasts from "This Running Life" a one-time fat middle-aged guy named Gordon who lost the weight, started running and went vegan. He's a 3:20, 3:30 or so marathoner. Not bad, fat man.

I popped on my movie around mile 9. I like all the actors in this film. Very sad to see Gwyneth Paltrow dead on the poster. She died pretty early on, but at least did a really good job with that scene.

I was a lot more aware of the second half of my run. Mile 15 lasted forever. I kept checking the display. I held the same pace. Why was this mile taking so long? At mile 16.4, I slowed down for a minute to walk and pour more coconut water into my water bottle. I was starting to feel it. I walked till 16.5 and only upped the speed at that point to 5.1. At 17.5 miles, I felt a little guilty about the 5.1, so I pushed myself all the way up to 5.2.

Again, my energy was fine. It was my feet. I was very aware of that heel spur as well as several new blisters forming on my right toe and foot. Mile 19-20 felt easy because I knew it was the end.

I walked half a mile to bring my heart rate back down. I got it to 122 or so (I usually aim for 105 before quitting), before I decided the heart rate monitor must not be working, so I got off. It may have been working....but....anyway. I was tired.

I stretched like an old woman and came back up for the rest of my pomegranate and a recovery smoothie, which turned out really nice today.

Smoothie: one frozen banana, bunch of blueberries, almond milk, orange juice, tbsp each of maca and acai powder, two tsp of Green Lightning (green powder) and an eyeballed half cup of hemp protein. I should've thrown some flaxseed in there for extra health, but I forgot.

I'm tired now. Need to pack for busy one-week trip to NYC tomorrow morning. David is going to come to Myrtle Beach and cover assisted-living duties for my step-son (with autism) on Wednesday. I'll be back on Saturday.

I haven't been home in six months. We rented this place because it's more affordable than NYC and we needed some time to figure out a longer-term living situation for Tyler. He's going into a program for specific training toward independence in March. So, I'll be off the grid helping him out till then (a total of 8 months!)

I'm flying back home to do hair, nails, claim my about-to-expire groupons for brunches and massages with my girlfriends, renew my driver's license and be a guest on the Nate Berkus show! He's going to give me some free expert design advice. I have no clue really what to expect, but look forward to learning and growing and doing whatever it takes to "live my signature style" (one of my 3 resolutions). 

pH-abulous

Much gratitude this to this crazy, sexy woman for helping me transition into a plant-powered diet!

pH-abulous

Indian Red Lentil Dip Recipe

I'm making this next.

Indian Red Lentil Dip Recipe

Vegan Panini

Today is a "Rest" day from training and I'm really happy about that since once again I woke up headachy. That's day four. I think I'm just achey from the bed. It's not great quality in this rent-a-condo, but I must admit, when I open the door and hear the ocean, well.....it's hard to complain.

Today for dinner I decided to adapt this recipe from Eatingwell.com to make it vegan. 


They write:

Lots of colorful vegetables and salsa make this cheesy panini prettier than any grilled cheese you've ever seen. The small amount of Cheddar cheese in this sandwich goes a long way because it is shredded and sharp. Serve with a mixed salad and you've got a delightful lunch or light supper. If you happen to have a panini maker, go ahead and skip Step 3 and grill the panini according to the manufacturer's directions.

INGREDIENTS

4 ounces  shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

1 cup  shredded zucchini

1/2 cup  shredded carrot

1/4 cup  finely chopped red onion

1/4 cup  prepared salsa

1 tablespoon  chopped pickled jalapeno pepper, (optional)

8 slices  whole-wheat bread

2 teaspoons  canola oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Have four 15-ounce cans and a medium skillet (not nonstick) ready by the stove.

2. Combine Cheddar, zucchini, carrot, onion, salsa and jalapeno (if using) in a medium bowl. Divide among 4 slices of bread and top with the remaining bread.

3. Heat 1 teaspoon canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place 2 panini in the pan. Place the medium skillet on top of the panini, then weigh it down with the cans. Cook the panini until golden on one side, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, flip the panini, replace the top skillet and cans, and cook until the second side is golden, 1 to 3 minutes more. Repeat with another 1 teaspoon oil and the remaining panini.

This is outstanding! I replaced the cheese with Daiya mozzarella. I added an avocado and a slice of tomato. Can't believe I almost didn't go vegan for fear of never eating grilled cheese again. Grill this, baby!

Italian Eggplant Sandwiches

Italian Eggplant Sandwiches: 1 eggplant 1/2 cup soy milk Egg Replacer equivalent to 1 egg Salt to taste 1/2 cup flour 1 cup Italian-style bread crumbs 4 sub…

I tried this recipe last night. I didn't have subs so I improvised with a wrap. I'm traveling next week and need to clear out the fridge so I'm trying to use up the rest of my Daiya cheese (oh, punish me more!). I also have a big bag of kale that no one is planning to touch so I sauteed it for 12 mins in a cup of water w/bouillon cube like it said on the bag and made an impromptu and healthy 'sub' for my sub.

For egg replacer I used 1 tbsp ground flaxseed plus 3 tbsp water. Mix that and wait 2 mins and you have 'egg white'.

Give it a roll and here's the finished dish:

So good!

CHI Health presents Vegan Moussaka with Chef Alex

Twitter #Vegan

I discovered some good vegan videos on Twitter #vegan, including this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VclA2jeABhE&hd=1

I have all or most of these ingredients. I think I may try this tomorrow night. 

Tofu brekkie and 8-mile run

Today I craved tofu scramble. Honestly, It's better than real eggs. I never liked scrambled eggs. I only used to eat them poached. But if they were scrambled, I liked them with ketchup. I could try that with the tofu version, I suppose, but not the way I make it. I've been doing burrito-style.

WHAT YOU NEED IS:

-1 lb firm tofu
- half an onion
- clove of garlic
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast (this makes it cheesy good!)
- few hits of tamari soy sauce
- few hits of liquid smoke (this makes it awesome, like BBQ!)
- 1/2 tsp tumeric (this makes it yellow)
- 1/2 tsp 3 or so spices you like (cumin, cayenne pepper, thyme, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder are popular in this dish)
- tortilla wrap (I went with Ezekiel brand since it's all sprouted and excellent for you, but I find it's tougher as a wrap and doesn't toast up as nicely on the stove. Still, super healthy so I don't mind)

EXTRAS
- you can add Daiya cheddar cheese if you're craving
- I wanted an avocado today
- I cut up a little red pepper and tomato
- I sauteed a side of spinach in water till just wilted

WHAT YOU DO IS:

- Drain your tofu. I learned to cut it in half and put it between two plates. Sit something heavy on top for 20 mins. 

- 5-8 mins with onion add garlic last few mins. BTW, you can saute w/o oil. A lot of plant-based eaters (and experts) recommend that. Use a little water if you need to. 

- Add tofu and hit it with your spices. Cook 10 mins. You can skip that whole middle step if you just want to use garlic and onion powder. 

- Throw your wrap right on fire to toast. Use tongs to flip it so it doesn't burn. I learned this from  my one-time Mexican roommate. It's so easy and good. There's an electric stove in the condo I'm renting, but it works on that too (just not as well as gas burner).

LOOK HOW PRETTY:

I poured a little salsa on it and folded that bad boy up into an satisfying (I moaned) breakfast burrito.

I ate it around 10:30 and wasn't hungry for lunch till around 3:00, which kind of screwed up my running schedule. So I ate a quick bowl of potato leek soup and leftover Moroccan stew before forcing myself to do my run.

Why force doing something I love?

MY PONY TAIL MUST BE TOO TIGHT

I had a headache all day. This is day two. Part of me wants to think I'm coming down with something like a flu. But the other part of me calls bullshit on that notion. I drank too much champagne and I'm still paying for it two days later. While I was tempted to bag my run, I couldn't give myself a free pass two days in a row. So I poured myself a coconut water and peeled a few oranges and hit the treadmill.

My run felt easy. Again, I'm not exactly pushing myself, but I noticed that I had no problem moving. I could've easily kept going after the requisite eight miles, but I didn't. It's not called for and I have 20 this weekend. Weirdly, my headache (more like dull throb) is back again. I guess my pre-run Motrin wore off. At least I got through it.

I'll say one last thing since no one reads my blog (not even my mom!) and I want to get it off my chest. I know I'm a nerd. I once thought of myself as a badass -- piss in the wind, just cuz -- but, in reality, I like order. I like structure. What's cool to me now is to be aligned with my values and living in integrity with the desires of my higher self. Right now, that shows up for me in my food and on my runs. The Vegan Runner. I KNOW her. Me. I like her. So, when I decide to "let loose" and pound a bottle of wine or whatever, well.....I like her too....no, I LOVE her, but I can't let her let ME down. We have to cooperate. And that means, you have to take a back seat for now, crazy chica.

Plants/Vegan Diet = No Cholesterol

I heard a podcast about a campaign by Compassion Over Killing in '09 urging Boca to go vegan/stop using eggs. Like, you mean, all veggie burgers aren't vegan? Evidently not. Morning Star wasn't. Boca wasn't, but now it is. 


Check labels! If you can't find "Vegan" stamped right on the front, check the cholesterol. If the food has cholesterol, it can't be vegan.

Sodium, well....that's another story. 


As for that campaign - they moved on to target Dunkin' Donuts (http://dunkincruelty.com/progress). Seriously, shouldn't there be vegan donuts? I'm less concerned about that for me personally, but I will miss their coffee if they don't offer soy milk.

Moroccan Chickpea Stew - Healthy Vegan Recipes On Video

I drank too much. We uncorked our New Year's Eve champagne last night (Mon) since I fell asleep Sat before midnight. I made really nice chocolate covered strawberries to go with it. They're not local (from Florida), but I couldn't resist their beautiful red color and price -- only $2 for a large container.

I can't get over how easy it was to make this delicious treat: melt a quarter bar of 70% cocoa (dark choc) and roll the strawberries in it one at a time. I popped them in the fridge and they set in no time. But now I'm hung over. I swear I didn't drink that much. But obviously I did. My heart is going a little fast and my head is heavy. I still need to run 5 miles. Blah.

Moroccan Chickpea Stew - Healthy Vegan Recipes On Video

Anyway, the weather changed and it's super chilly here in North Myrtle Beach (39 degrees, 22 tonight), so this stew should give me a little comfort. I just so happen to have all the ingredients, so I take it as a sign that this recipe showed up in my inbox today.

Here we have it. I made that stew. It was easy and a nice change of pace. I spooned mine over quinoa I had cooked up last night and felt filled up by just this one bowl. Shout out for the recipe goes to Heather Nauta (see video in link above).

It's now 7PM and I haven't done my run. I hate being out of integrity with my training, but I'm going to call this one complete. I have a 20-miler coming up this weekend and I want to be in good form for it. Oh well. The calendar only turns once on a new year. No harm no foul.

ING Miami Marathon

I've been training for the ING Miami Marathon, not to PR (my New Year's goal), but to get back into running habit. I'm marathon rusty. My last race was NYC 2009.


Since the Miami marathon takes place on my 44th birthday, I figured I could make some related bday requests. For one, I'd like to stay in a nice hotel. Let's say, for the sake of argument, we stay at The Four Seasons. Uh-hem, David -- It's located at 1435 Brickell Ave Miami FL 33131


Now, if (since) we'll be staying there, perhaps we can make reservations at this Vegan restaurant, which is about 2 miles away: http://www.lifefoodgourmet.com/


I read this review of Life Food Gourmet on Crazy, Sexy Life: 
Aside from the honey, it’s raw vegan rapture, from the “wild milk” (Brazil nut-based) and goji shakes to the pumpkin nut-meat plus nut-cheese burrito, veggie-flaxseed pizza and lasagna layered with alt-Alfredo macadamia pine nut sauce, spinach and Irish moss-erella. Seeking chlorella, spirulina and blue green algae? Craving mamey or carob? Got it. In the throes of ecstasy, you might miss the mission statement, which outlines goals of cellular nourishment and rejuvenation, tapping self-healing powers and “spreading a sense of well-being, sanity and happiness.”


I looked online and don't see lasagna on the menu, but I'm hoping. Alternatively, I'd be happy with a vegan pizza. 


Let's go! 

Happy New Year!

I decided to make blueberry pancakes today since I have a 12-mile training run on the calendar. I ran 8 yesterday -- took it pretty slow -- and felt good, although I have to say I was out like a light by 10pm after watching the Kardashian marathon. (Kim. Why did you marry that Chris guy? It's so obvious you have nothing in common and you are each trying to slot the other into your own personal fantasy of happiness.) Anyway, I remember David trying to Happy New Year me at midnight, but I wasn't having it. We'll do our happy in the morning.

I always have good intentions to get up super early and run, but when I don't have anything else pressing on my day, I tend to procrastinate. I ate my pancakes. Then watched the Sopranos. Then made the bed. Folded laundry. Before you knew it, it was 1:00p. I yelled at myself to go for my run before getting hungry for lunch.

I decided to make today another treadmill run. I prefer it because no one is ever in the condo gym (I'm renting a place in Myrtle Beach and it's the off season - no one is here!). Treadmills look out over the ocean. I like to watch dolphins swim when I run. Plus, I can park my coconut water and dates on the dash. Also, I rented Midnight in Paris on my iPad, so I figured I'd watch that.

I put the treadmill on 5.5. I watched a wedding ceremony out the window (they have them down here almost every weekend) for the first 3 miles, then popped on my movie for the rest. I timed it perfectly. My run was over exactly when the movie ended. Quick shower and a Maca/Acai berry smoothie and that's a wrap. 

Tomorrow, I cross train. 

But tonight we pop that champagne in celebration of 2012. 

And I promise I'll stay awake . . . so long as we do it before 10:00.

Happy New Year!