Stress

Stress is something I don't handle well. I have learned a new trick in the past couple of months from my manager. " Do what you can!" For me this has been a huge learning curve. I find it very helpful. She has taught me do a bit each day. Now I had heard this before but for some reason it really hit me. I am finding these two things very helpful.

Lately though I feel so tight. That if someone hit me I would break. I felt as though I was holding everything in my body and it didn't feel good. I knew I had to change something. So I have only done two nights of yoga and what a difference. Why do we forget these things that feel so good for us? Twenty five minutes of relaxation and pulling my body into bliss. Yoga -for me -is all about relaxing. I don't need any pressure or expectations. I just want to stretch into relaxation.

I have also started eating better. We have been eating out way too much in my house and I feel it. I am going to go back to some smoothies and juicing for summer. I also want to get into lots of salads for summer. I was telling my friend Maura that I wanted to start trying recipes from Pinterest . I will post them on here if I like them.

My life will be changing for work again. It will get more stressful. I need to get some steps and systems in place to combat stress. This month is all about that. So talk soon and Chow for now.

Sunny warm nights

What is it about the sun??? I love it!!!! I am sitting outside drinking wine in the sun after work and iI just thought " this is amazing!! " I love this time of year I can get home at 6:30 and still be able to enjoy at least 3 more hours of sun. It makes me feel grateful and happy. I can hear all the bird singing to each other. A fly sat on my arm. I could smell the just burnt grass smell in the air. Life is so good and tonight I love where I am.

The next FOCUS

  In my last post I was telling you that I am really enjoying Kiana Tom's site. I had remembered her before we went on vacation and I wondered what she was doing since her show Flex Appeal. I was wondering if the show was still produced so I could do some of the workouts. Since I decided to do only workouts I enjoy. What I did find is her website and she is doing "Fitmom" workouts now. They are streamed live on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Then can be watched later as well. She has great advise for moms. This is the link to her site.

  This morning I was thinking about my new goal. Last month my focus was on one thing. COFFEE!! I was able to get myself back to tea after 6 years. I love it. I feel better and I don't feel like I am controlled by a beverage anymore.lol

   "The Power of Less" book by Leo Babauta taught me one life changing skill last month. Focus on one thing only.That one thing is your focus and all your energy goes into that. That helped me so much. So this month my one thing...Do Fitmom workouts three times a week. No more than that. If something else happens like a walk great. But the workouts will happen. So I am two in. When I get to twelve I am going to buy myself a new workout shirt. I'll keep you posted.

Working out

So I made a new framed motivation board for my workout space downstairs. I love it. I found some great pictures and stories I've kept throughout the years.

I also am really liking Kiana Tom's website with her fit mom workouts. 30 minutes of intensity workout with some super sets. I love it because it gets my heart rate up, it has my favourite workout -weights and it's ONLY 30 minutes. I can do that...no problem!!!

Healthy Pleasures??

  We have been back from the wonderful world Disneyland for about a week and a half. It was an amazing family trip. One we will repeat next year with us exploring California alot more. I am going to do a post about Disneyland but for today I wanted to talk about what has been going on in my life.

  So coffee is no longer a part of my life. For a solid month and it is so freeing. I used to think about when my next coffee fix was coming. That is not happening anymore. It feels like such a huge hurdle. I have also given up Facebook. I just wasn't finding a whole lot of positives. So while we were away I didn't post and I didn't look. I find ~for myself ~I am reading more and just finding other things to do. I just spent far to much time on there.

    I have been not feeling that great lately. John and I made a pact when we came back from our trip we would work on getting healthier. I really started thinking about what makes me happy and gives me joy.I wanted the healthy habits to be things that didn't feel like a chore. So I wrote down things I thought were missing and things I wanted to include more in my life.

  This includes more smoothies, weight training, walking with my neighbour and chatting up a storm, hiking,  going to Ancient Forest, getting a new bike, enjoy being outside, yoga, finding more healthy role models and blogging more often.

 I feel like I have to shake things up. I feel like I'm in a negative headspace and I feel so tired. Something needs to change and I am going to do something about it!!

    And NOT buy anymore girl guide cookies from my niece.(LOL) I am wishing everyone a beautiful and HAPPY Spring. I will end with a question." What brings you healthy pleasure and how are you going to make sure it is in your life???"

Day 3

No coffee day three. Well the first day was a struggle. I almost went and got one the first day. I had such a headache but I got pissy with myself and told myself to suck it up. I'm on my way.

No more coffee

So today I am giving up coffee. I have wanted to for awhile but just couldn't commit to it.I am reading a new book that says just focus on one small thing a month. Make that your focus. So that's my focus.I'll keep you posted.

Love him... Jeff Novick makes so much sense.

Fork over Knives Event

  So I had my Forks over Knives Event at my house. I invited people who follow the blog so no one would feel annoyed with me for asking. It was alot of fun I played the Forks over Knives DVD and Engine 2 Kitchen Rescue. Everyone brought something plant based. Maura brought a Lentil carrot dip which was so yummy. Trisha made cupcakes that were from "Oh she Glows" blog. I made Guacamole and a refired Layered bean dip that was on the Engine 2 site.Maura has pictures I have to sneak them off her facebook. I also made Chocolate covered Strawberries with vegan chocolate chips and this time with a bit of almond milk. They were delicious.The girls said they were nervous to make something plant based but as usual the came through and everything was wonderful.

What did I love about this day. I was able to share and this journey didn't feel so lonely. We talked health, new ingredients, recipes and those dreaded carbs. I hope the girls took something away from the day. I know I did.

My next day is going to be about cooking and baking without oil. Something I thought would be hard but actually it's just a matter of trying something new. How is my new hobby(Plant based cooking and baking) for this year going? Fantastic!! It helps to have some great resources~ new cookbooks, great blogs and a really good support system at Engine 2 Extra.

The DVD we watched and the Cookbook I gave away.Erin is a lucky girl!!

Maura's Lentil and carrot dip

Trisha's cupcakes. The almond frosting on these was incredible!! I wanted to lick the top of the container for lunch the next day.But there was someone in the lunchroom with me. It would have looked weird.

So I have been trying other things to like Granola bars, Spaghetti and Bean balls and lots of different veggies. My weight continues to go down and I have so much energy. I feel  amazing!!!

Happy Herbivore granola bars. I will have to triple the recipe the boys devoured these.



Hummus, quinoa and veggies on a whole wheat wrap.Super Yummy!!



Great and inspiring movie

I just finished watching Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. I had started it before and for whatever reason only seen the first few minutes. What a great movie. I liked Joe but the man he inspires to change his life Phil. What a fabulous story. If you get a chance to see it -watch it. It's wonderful.

Catch up

So I have been following more of a Plant Strong lifestyle for 2 weeks. So cooking with no oil and no cheese. So far so good. The big thing is learning to fry with no oil but it has been easier than I thought. I have lost 5 pounds. This is huge for me because I really struggle with losing and I have been sick, so no workouts. I have been trying new recipes from my cookbooks. Granola Bars, Pineapple Curry (delicious) and I found a great 10 minute brown rice. My favourite is going back to oatmeal in the morning. I feel amazing and know this is the best.

A week of epiphany's

So this is Rip's Lasanga. The only thing it is missing was the gound cashews on top at the point.

Fresh veg- waiting in the fridge.

Brown rice and quinoa

The finished products. I also made a dressing.

  So I promised some pictures of the food and prep work I did the other day. Did it work out? Wonderfully I would say. I have been very sick since the prep day and all this work ahead of time saved me from crap food all week. I made whole wheat wrap with just brown rice, salsa and veggies for lunch. John even made a mac and cheese with butternut squash the other day.

  One epiphany I had this week is I think we have been brain washed to think whole foods are boring and not real foods. Honestly- think about this with me. When I was looking for lunch and I made the wrap, it was so simple. At first though I was thinking about the boxed soups, the frozen foods in my freezer, and a peanut butter sandwich. Then it hit me how about some rice and veggies. Now a few of you may go "So what!". But this had me thinking all week about what I think food is. I think between magazines, food advertising and commercials we have come to think of processed foods as food. When was the last time you thought of fruits or veggie as a snack....honestly!!! I think the food industry has us pegged. We are very busy and they want us to think they are doing us this huge favour. Also that they made it healthy for us. So I challenge you this week. Look at labels..sodium, oil and sugar content. Can you understand the ingredients? Let start putting real food into our mouths and the mouth of our kids. We deserve it!!!

 So epiphany two came this week when I was listening to a recorded interview with Susan who runs the splendid "Fat Free Vegan" blog. While being interviewed she said two things that stuck with me. When you are cooking without oil baking is going to be different. This caused me to go "okay my cookies are never going to look like cookies ever again." It is okay with me. The second thing that really struck a cord was my taste buds have changed so much. People around me may think my cooking is bland. Without the oil and salt this is true. I am hoping that I can change my boys enough that they will begin to taste thing differently too. Because I thought that sounded really lonely. She has been doing this for 8 years and she said alot of friends and family still don't understand it. So I need to get that support group base set up so I have some people around me sharing this journey, even if its just a little. I did come out of the call with that fact that I am okay with the fact that people are not going to get what I am doing. I am doing this so my journey forward is healthier and these veins of mine stay flowing and plaque free. That I can teach my son what real food is and hopefully he takes that with him.

Prep Day

Well today I got tons done on what I am calling "prep day".I put my huge headphones on much to my husbands amusement. I listened to two one hour long interviews. So I was plant inspired well I was chopping veggies. Lots of veggies.
So what did I do? Rip's lasagna, quinoa and brown rice for the week, salad dressing, veggies cut and muffins.
I will post pictures this week. The boys said the lasagna was good. Josh didn't care for the sweet potatoes but I will keep trying. The plant based muffins.. Well they were for the week but the boys loved them so they will be gone tomorrow. But that is great.
Also I'm trying Slow Cooker apple Oatmeal. So for my early shift in the morning breakfast is done.
Because of all the research I have been doing I was looking for oil content in my foods. Seriously oil is in everything.check it out it is unreal!!! Everything!!!

Prep for Plant Strong 2013

So I've spent a couple of days prepping my kitchen. My fridge is clean. The freezer is tonight. My menu plan is ready.Four new recipes, all the ingredients on my shopping list. Tomorrow is shopping and then prep day. Quinoa, brown rice and muffins I will make ahead. My Rip's lasagna is going to get made. My fruit and veggies are going to get done ahead. I will post some pictures and how it went.

I want to let you know how very helpful and amazing Engine2Extra is. Please check it out. I got a New Years Ebook today. 80 pages it is so awesome!!!

Anyways Happy New Year everyone and thanks for reading!!!! Stay tuned for
More Plant Strong adVEGtures!!!!!

PS... The jar is for all the wonderful things I want to remember in 2013. How great is that idea.

2013 bring it on.

  For those that don't know me... I love the excitement and promise of a New Year. I love to make goals and intentions. It is something that makes the snow and the long winter months ahead that much more bearable.

    Last year I shared my goals and I would say 80% were done or followed through. So where did I go right...I made a huge breakthrough with my awesome physiotherapist this year. She is amazing!! My hip is back in action and I even danced on Christmas Day this year..it was impossible last year. I consumed more fruits and veggies this year than ever before. I had a guest blog spot on one of my fitness heroes ~Tosca Reno's Eat Clean Blog. I was so honoured and beyond excited. I tried cross Country skiing. I went camping and did it veg style. I did some hiking this summer. I am learning to "do what I can".

  Overall I can say that 2012 was a year of  laughter, love, family and friends. I had heartbreak, breakdowns and moments of "WTF" but I am learning what to do in those moments. Those moments also brought me things I didn't know I had in me. I am STRONGER, I can deal with things myself, I ask for more and I think I love myself more this year than any other year.

  So 2013: Plant Strong, Travel, Core, Serenity

 This year is going to be Plant Strong. I am following the lifestyle that is the most disease resistant of all.  I have the tools~ the books, the recipes and support systems (friends, family and Engine 2 Extra website.) I am listening to the podcast of some of the most amazing doctors and plant friendly people on the planet...Dr Barnard, Dr Esselstyn, Dr Campbell, Dr Mcdougall, Dr Lisle (love him he makes me laugh) Rip Esselstyn and Lindsay Nixon. I am finding ways to make these lifestyle choices more my own.

  I am having a Forks over Knives Event at my house and I am going to share what this Plant Strong Lifestyle can do for others. From this I hope to make my own community of  Positive Plant Strong peeps. So Stay tuned.

 Do some traveling- Disneyland this spring, summer trip with my sister and family again and maybe something this fall.hmmm.

 Core ~ well the one of the goals that I didn't get to was 30 pounds weight loss. So I am not adding that pressure. This year it's all about the core. I have had a weak core for a long time. So I am going to build up my foundation. I have a program from a book and I am going to build up from the exercises my physiotherapist gave me.

 Serenity~ to me this year I am going to continue to work on de stressing my life. Yoga, what I eat or don't eat and how I react to certain situations or events in my life. Bring a calmness into my life that I need.

New Beginnings

  

    So in February I will be plant based for 2 years..Valentine's Day, actually. This year I am giving a gift to my heart ~ I am going Plant Strong. So you may be asking " What is Plant Strong?" Well my friends is about eating whole living foods. I have been thinking about this step for awhile. I still eat alot of processed vegan foods and I know it's time to go further. I KNEW two years ago that giving up animal products was right for me. I haven't looked back. I am proud and I feel great. My digestive system is so healthy. I just know deep in my heart and soul that I am meant to push myself more. 

  For a couple of week now...because I LOVE to get this brain investigating first... I bought and read Engine 2 Diet. Then for my birthday I joined Engine 2 Extras site. I have access to videos, MP3 recording and recipes but most importantly I have found a very positive community. Cleaning the house I have my ipad on and I listen to what some of the top health doctors are saying. I love it.

Now for Christmas I bought myself these beautiful things you see above.I have seen Forks over Knives and it is an amazing movie. I wanted to see the extra interviews from the movie so I thought that would be great.The Rip Engine 2 Kitchen rescue was the bonus. Love him!! I had heard about Lindsay Nixon from her Happy Herbivore site for the two years I have been doing Plant based. I was just never ready for the step of no oil. I"m ready to take on this challenge.So armed with all three cookbooks I should have more than enough recipes to try.

   What lies ahead this year. I want John and Josh to eat plant strong with me and I am ready to start challenging there eating habits. WHY....lets face it. Truly the way North Americans are eating now is not helping us live better lives. I want John and Josh to be as healthy as possible in the future. Meats, dairy and oils don't make our futures brighter they just dim the light. So I am going to ask John to watch the movies with me and see if he wants to try some new things. I am having a Forks over Knives party in January with any friends and family that are interested in making some changes. I am making changes for ME. So join me on the next set of Advegtures...they will be bumpy and filled with challenges. I say "bring it on" with utter confidence. I can do this. I KNOW I can!!!

I'm not too busy???

Salt and pepper Tofu

    So my goal for the next few months is to try some different recipes and start sharing. I have not been overly adventurous lately. I was going to say" I am too busy." But you know what ~I am tired of that excuse. I am tired of hearing myself say it!!! So no more. I am going to get my butt in gear. I am not waiting for the new year to start new goals. This starts now. I am going to have more posts on my blog and share my discoveries.

  This months Yoga Journal has 2 fabulous articles. One on a New Years ritual that I want to try this year. The second is making an altar for meditation in your house.Now this can mean different things to different people. It just has to be things that give you good energy and inspire you. These two articles inspired me so much. I would highly recommend that you pick up this issue to read.

 The picture above is from the night I made Salt and Pepper Tofu from Healthy Happy Life Blog. I have tried many of Kathy's recipes. Her pictures are so wonderful and the food is always easy to make.John didn't like them but I have been doing this for a while so I thought it was different and I would make them again.They worked really well in my salad the next day.

   I have been thinking about the holidays ahead. I want to do Christmas baking. This year they are going to be plant powered. I want some great dishes for Christmas dinner. I need some great ideas for appy's for those impromptu nights when all the sudden I'm going out. I also want some of my favorite wines on hand like this new one my friend introduced me too.Amazing!!

So what are your healthy plans this Christmas? Just pick one and let's do it together.

Time to clean

So today I did a cupboard purge.It had been far too long. I was laughing at some of the expiry dates on things.John and I also wanted to get the corn syrup, the preservatives and colours in foods out of the house. We needed to do this for Josh. Their young little bodies have enough to do without processing all that garbage. So three garbage bags later and my cupboards look darn good.
I have my Christmas present coming.I ordered a whole bunch of fun things from The Forks over Knives website. The Extended interviews, The Engine 2 Diet Kitchen Helper, 3 Happy Herbavior Cookbooks and a T-shirt. I can't wait.I'm thinking about doing a Forks over Knives party with friends I think that would be fun.

Every little bit counts

I am trying to get into the frame of mind that every little bit counts. Just get that work out in. 20 minutes, 10 minutes or even commercials. Consistency is key.Do what I enjoy!!!

Balance

  So I wanted to talk Balance today.I haven't been posting because my world seems off balance and I am trying to restore order. I feel overwhelmed, frantic and lost at times. My thought process continues when I should sleep. I think of all the things I should be doing all the time. My eating habits suck because I am too tired to think of any meal of the day. I think most people can relate. We try do do it all and become disappointed when we don't do more. I get through a tough day at work and all I can think of I should workout and I shouldn't be buying takeout. So here I am on my weekend off relaxing whenever I want and asking myself "What can I change to get some harmony and grace back into my life?"

 Let's talk work I LOVE my new job. It's challenging, I am around books and magazines all day and I don't stop for anything but breaks. Balance here...it has to be eating better lunches, having lots of water and more tea less coffee. New shoes again. Slow down and focus on one..maybe two things at once. As I get more comfortable in my job things do get easier. In that way it becomes less stressful. But I know I can do things to keep myself calmer and feel alot less frantic.

 My family. I am VERY fortunate to have a husband who is so happy that I love my new job. He also helps alot around the house. If he didn't do that I would lose my mind. When I come home he has feed himself, Josh and Josh's playdates..lol. He does the laundry, he shops and cleans the house. Am I  bragging? No I am grateful. My biggest downfall with my family is my own mind. Guilt. Guilt is one of my greatest foes....besides sugar.I feel guilt for everything. Its so ridiculous because no one puts this pressure on me but myself. I have been trying really hard to put things in perspective when I fall into "Tanya Guilt." I try to stop, breath and put it in perspective. My perspective can be a little outrageous sometimes. My balance for family is this enjoy the time I spend with my boys. John and I talked about working out at night sometimes together instead of TV. When Josh and I have the day together enjoy, slow down and listen. I found a couple of week ago when life was REALLY busy that the time I would spend with him I was frantic. That's the word frantic. I was thinking of everything I had to do and trying to get it all done. He would want my attention and I would be snappy. (that's a word in my dictionary) I would get to the end of the day and feel guilty because all he wanted was for me to listen and pay attention. So I have been slowing down with him and focusing on just him. He is a happy boy and this is the time he wants time with me and I am going to enjoy it. I am going tho lose the snappy and frantic.

  Diet. This one has been so far down the list the past couple of months. The thing is I know this one will help me cope with stress better. But its always the first one to go. I am still following a plant based diet. What I am finding is when I am tired that old fast food habits creep back. The thing is I have been doing plant based for a year and a half. Do I still love it....yes. What I am finding is that when life gets really stressful and I am tired that I CANNOT think of anything. It sound  like a cop out but its not- I can stare at things in my kitchen and my brain is done for the day. I am still learning. My brain knows what I did for 39 years and sometimes the new paths aren't strong enough yet. So what did I have a cheeseburger ..twice. Why am I posting this. Because I enjoyed it. I told myself this is a choice I made to change my diet. I NEVER want it to be something I have to do and I do this because I feel great and I really do like it. My plan is not to change but I need to figure out some solutions for the days that are crazy (retail at Christmas) and the days that I am stressed. I have tried some great recipes lately salt and pepper tofu, baked tomatoes, sage and roasted butternut squash, roasted broccoli. These are on my days off when I have a chance to slow down. So I have to have a plan for the days I work. The the days I work are long and I work 6 days usually to get the two days off I need. Day 5 is my brain dead day.That's where the planning need to be.

  Exercise. oh exercise. Nothing .Nada. Zilch. The past months I have had a walk or two but not one weight. No yoga. Not enough walking. I think this is the thing that frustrates me so much. I need it. I feel stiff and irritable. I know it because I have to move. My hip has been good it has been sore lately but I think the new shoes will help. The foam roller is a god send.Seriously go buy one it will change your life. It hurts but the love you get back from your body.AWESOME. To be honest I have no plan yet. My mornings are early already 5:30 or 6:00 and I am damn tired when I get home. I am joining a yoga studio for my birthday. Once a week to enjoy a class  . Walking ...I NEED to get outside. The fresh air and the way Ifeel after.Priceless. I will make it wok. I have to schedule it in.

 Spirituality. This means different things for me. I talk to God all the time. I ask him to send angels for different things. Like for Josh going to summer camp for a week by himself. I asked for a camping angel....an angel who likes to camp and keep him safe. I feel lighter and strength from within when I ask. I always feel confident in knowing that there is an angel for everything. I ask God for guidance..... but he is a very busy guy.lol. I have been really paying attention to feeling grateful for what I have. When I am walking I hear the birds, I feel the sun and see the beauty around me and say thank you!! Breath...I have been deep breathing in the car. If I feel stressed I deep breath. I am also doing this with Josh for a minute every night. I think kids need to learn they can control alot of things with breathing. Mindfulness..to me its paying attention.Slowing down and focusing. In a beautiful book I reading  " Be the miracle" by Regina Brett she has a chapter and in it she talks about practicing loshon hora (any form of speech -gossip included-that may cause damage such as mental anguish, financial loss, physical pain, tarnished reputations, or the lowering of someones esteem in others eyes.) So its called putting the brakes on loshon hora. This is going to be a hard one but I think it will do wonderful things for my spirit. I don't need to hear things about others that aren't in the room. I don't need the rush that comes from the bonding of gossip, I don't need to feel witty or impress others.Is this going to be hard ...heck ya!!!! But I think in a world where we seem to think we know everything about another person I want to share the good not the gossip. If you want a beautiful book this is the one. I do a lesson a day. This was lesson 34 and I think it makes so much sense.

  So the postings on my blog may change a bit this year. This is going to be my 41st year on this earth. I am going to do some exploring about myself this year. I am still going to share my advegtures but it is going to be a different adventure this year as well.I hope you find yourself well and Happy Fall everyone.Kindest regards and thoughts Tanya.