Bodyrock.tv Challenge 1/3 of the way through!

It is Day 10 of the bodyrock.tv challenge and I am still going strong. I am seeing some noticeable difference in my energy levels as I am working out, and all other times. Something else that is noticeable is that fact that I am much stronger than I previously thought and it shows. Really starting to see the muscular definition throughout my body and less cellulite on the back of my hips and bum (three loud huzzah's for that one)!

Running is still a priority for me as I have cut a couple challenge workouts short, knowing that I needed to run later on that day.  I know I could probably do both the runs and the challenge a few times a week, but since the cardio component of the bodyrock.tv HIIT challenge is so predominant I am cautious to not overuse those muscles.  My knees and ankles have always been susceptible to injuries because of overuse.  As I get older, I am highly aware of the damage I did in during my high school athletic days and do not want to worsen those injuries.  This is working so far for me.

Eating nutrient-dense meals are very important for my to maintain energy levels and produce nutritious breast milk for my little guy.  Somedays I feel that my diet is higher in fat than it might be if I was not breastfeeding. Since the fats that I eat are whole food sources like nuts and seeds, I feel that I am truly providing my baby with milk filled with essential fatty acids for healthy brain development.  Dark, leafy greens, beans, and lentils also make up a a fair portion of my daily meals.

My favorite seeds to eat currently are hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, and pumpkin seeds.  I am planning on making a hemp seed salad dressing once my almond butter dressing runs out in a few days.  My husband and I get all of our hard to find foods like hemp seeds and chia seeds from Vitacost, which sells those items as well as gluten free items, athletic supplements, protein powders, ect.  Check them out as some of their items are really inexpensive compared to buying it at the store.  For example chia seeds are $8.99-10.99 a pound on Vitacost; whereas at out local WinCo, chia seeds are $13.49  per pound.

That is it for now, eat healthy foods and exercise often even if it is walking around your neighborhood.

My Absence and Eating for Nutrition

Since my semester ended nearly two months ago it has been fairly difficult to keep posting on my blog. I have had plenty of ideas to post but getting to my laptop or using the app to post has been the most difficult thing to do. My full time mommy duties are just that- full time. I love spending all day with Rocket and we are finally settling into a daily routine and I have found some time to blog again!


I proud to say that my decision to become vegan 5 months ago is still a decision that I am very happy I made.
The main reasons that I began eating an animal-free diet was (1) health and (2) not wanting to be a part of killing animals (I even have a problem with killing Mosquitos!); (2) helps me make food decisions that DO NOT involve hurting animals and (1) helps me make food decisions that will enhance my health.

Eating a vegan and nutrient-dense diet is not very difficult but does take a little creativity and preparation. Here are a few tips that I have found useful:

1) Find vegan food blogs to find recipes

2) grocery shop once a week

3) don't buy all your food in one place- buy produce on sale, shop at local farmer markets, if you are military shop at your commissary

4) if it has a label it is probably not worth your money (exceptions: salad greens, other fresh produce, non dairy milk, tofu/tempeh, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts/nut butters)

5) salads can be eaten whenever and however. Today I had a salad at breakfast with roasted beets, pear, cara citrus, and homemade raspberry vinegarette

In the spirit of posting this blog now rather than later (I have been working on this in bits and pieces for the past three days) I am posting this without the links to my favorite blogs and recipes that I repeat because they are nutrient dense. Look for both of those and pictures of what eating for nutrients can look like!

I have included pictures of Rocket, and Rocket and I from a visit we took to Maryland :-)