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!!!

My science project ...me

  So I am embarking on a science project and the test subject is me. I got this idea from the current book I am reading The Engine 2 Diet. This is from the book

                                 Director of Advancement, Lance Armstrong Foundation

"Think of it as a science project.Pay close attention to the inputs and outputs.Monitor your sleep, exercise, energy, strength,mood and compare them with how you were on the traditional American diet. This is a bit of a game, and makes it easy and fun to see the results."

  Now I myself  have been plant based for a year and a half. I do feel lighter, my bowels (yuck) are very regular, my blood pressure is average and my cholesterol is better than average.But I could be better... I want to be in great shape as I get older and not be hampered by ailments. I want to travel the world with Josh and John as I get older and feel younger in spirit. I want to have great stamina and flexibility.I want to be filled with amazing energy.

 I have not been eating the best lately. Not enough good wholesome, clean foods. My sugar consumption is down but I can still do better.So I am doing my own science project. I am going to record the foods I eat, those bowel movements, sleep, energy levels,mood and exercise.

  My last question is..... do you and your loved ones know your numbers? It is NEVER to soon to look into these things. Don't be scared or naive ...it won't happen to me. Heart disease is an epidemic, diabetes is epidemic and obesity is epidemic. We do need to think of the future in that it can be really great or really awful. Think of your loved ones, kids and YOURSELF. We get one life on this big beautiful planet lets make it healthy and happy!!

  I am putting up some links to some great plant based blogs and websites I hope you will check them out.
Forks over Knives
Engine 2 diet
Hol Fit - this blog has Canadian Ange sharing her ideas on being plant based. I like it because the food and things she likes are available in Canada. She also has great Youtube videos.
Happy Herbivore- Lindsay has a great website. the recipes are very healthy and easy.

                     I hope your having a great weekend before the kids go back to school!!!

let me introduce.. Ruth Heidrich

Photo from Ruth's Website

  I thought everyone should meet the lovely Ruth Heidrich. If your familiar with vegan books or watched Forks over Knives (if you haven't~ take the time it is eye opening) you will know the name. This photo is Ruth at 73 in 2008. She is still going strong in 2012.

  I love Ruth's story so I thought I would share her story from her website and this current article on Vegan Mainstream . Ruth was a very healthy women at 47 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She ran marathons ate really well and was in disbelief when her doctor told her she had breast cancer.

     So she fought back with the help of John McDougall's program helping her fight her cancer with a low fat vegan diet. She trained for her first Ironman after her surgery. Ruth has been Vegan for 30 years and has never looked back. She had the belief in her heart and from Dr McDougall that the change in her diet would and HAS helped fight her cancer. I love her spunk, her determination and her drive.What an amazing lady.

Two funny and lovely ladies from the HBO series "The Weight of a Nation"

  I personally believe that food plays a HUGE role in our state of health and our children's. I have been watching the HBO special " The Weight of a Nation" and it is quite scary the situation that we will all be in if we don't change. My biggest concern that our kids are the ones paying the price.I shared with John the information that the two main things that shocked me why our kids are getting so big. TV's in there rooms and the heavy marketing campaigns that the food industry is assaulting our kids with. That blew me away!!

  I am still learning and continue to be challenged everyday by the call of sugar, bad beverages and watching TV instead of getting outside. My pledge to myself and my son is that I am going to get outside every day. I will continue to add more veggies and fruit to my families daily diets. Nothing but water in his lunch kit. I am giving up coffee, pop and wine (except for a glass if we go out). I know that my weight loss is stalled by the drinks I consume. In the program from HBO they stated teenagers consume an entire meal in drinks a day. I thought lets be honest with myself .. " I do this". I have loved teas for years so in with tea and water. Yummy!!

  Is there a challenge you want to do for yourself or your family this summer?? Post in comments if you want or write them down for yourself. Lets all make this a healthier summer.

  On a fun note the countdown to my guest post on Tosca Reno blog is in 8 days. MAY 29th!!!