Monday, September 26, 2011
Raffle Prizes Update
The lastest raffle prize list is still August 18th and 28th. The raffle will be held November 12 at the Gentle Thanksgiving vegan meetup. I am waiting to hear final word on a couple more prizes and will hopfully have a comprehensive list soon. I also must add a beautiful piece of pottery my good and talented friend, Ashley Bench created. It looks like the ocean and is valued at $75. It will be a piece of a prize package- just didn't want to leave it out!
Thai Yoga Massage
One of my lovely raffle prizes is a Thai Yoga Massage. Since a few of you have asked what it is, here is the description Laura gave me as well as a link to her blog. Sounds heavenly!
"Thai Yoga massage is essential passive Yoga. The practitioner guides and supports the recipient through a series of stretches and postures incorporating compressions, palming and thumbing the sen energy lines and pressure points. The mindful flow of Thai Yoga bodywork leaves one feeling more aligned with a greater sense of calm and body awareness in addition to being invigorated and energized."
http://lauravecchiomassage.blogspot.com/
"Thai Yoga massage is essential passive Yoga. The practitioner guides and supports the recipient through a series of stretches and postures incorporating compressions, palming and thumbing the sen energy lines and pressure points. The mindful flow of Thai Yoga bodywork leaves one feeling more aligned with a greater sense of calm and body awareness in addition to being invigorated and energized."
http://lauravecchiomassage.blogspot.com/
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Fast food healthy vegan style
I needed a quick dinner tonight and was very pleased with the inexpensive meal I came up with:
leftover brown rice (I usually keep some in the fridge)
can of Amy's Low Sodium Lentil Veggie soup
1/2 bag Whole Foods Frozen Kale
Braggs liquid aminos
Organicville Sky Valley Sriracha Sauce
simmer soup and kale together until hot. Add brags and sriracha to taste. Serve over warmed rice. Yum!
leftover brown rice (I usually keep some in the fridge)
can of Amy's Low Sodium Lentil Veggie soup
1/2 bag Whole Foods Frozen Kale
Braggs liquid aminos
Organicville Sky Valley Sriracha Sauce
simmer soup and kale together until hot. Add brags and sriracha to taste. Serve over warmed rice. Yum!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Natural Foodie: Vegetarian adapts to diet of the long-distance runner | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram
Natural Foodie: Vegetarian adapts to diet of the long-distance runner The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram
Here is the artcile by my friend Avery about my race. I am pretty excited!!!
Here is the artcile by my friend Avery about my race. I am pretty excited!!!
Monday, September 12, 2011
20!
This morning I completed the longest run in my training program. Then I had a smoothie. Then I took an epsom salt bath. Then I cooked some vegan pancakes. Now I feel lucid enough to write!
My journey brought me out to the Maine Audobon Society in Falmouth where a wedding was being held. I decided to backtrack when I got to the wedding party, rather than have one of their wedding memories be of 'that sweaty smelly jogger that panted and grunted by just as I was about to say I do'. The trails were just gorgeous and the weather is perfection. I stopped by Mackworth island on my way back into town as well. Portland is just full of spectacular trails. I am not begging to feel the full effects of running through fields of golden rod. My nose is so itchy it is distracting me from how tired my legs are.
My legs started to get pretty rubbery around the island. I felt like my feet weren't really connected to me and they were twisting round in a frightening manner but I was able to pull it together enough to continue through. I made some medjool dates stuffed with almond butter, chia seeds, dried chopped mango, and shredded coconut and that seemed to work as well as the cliff shots, though perhaps not as instantaneous. I think I will bring some on marathon day- maybe add some cacao nibs or something else with a bit of caffeine. I also carried a water bottle that I refilled at fountains and brought small packets of Ultima- I am on a pretty major quest to lighten my environmental impact as many ways as I can. I had my water belt but actually ended up carrying the bottle most of the way and that seemed fine.
Back in downtown Portland, I decided a smoothie at Maine Squeeze Juice Bar was the best reward and was thrilled to see a sign advertising 'vegan specialty food coming soon'. I got a smoothie called 'Fast as Light'- spinach, sunflower seeds, almonds, ginger, dates, and some other stuff. I must say it may have tasted better than any other smoothie I have ever had. My bath felt restorative and my pancakes (vegan peach pancakes with almond butter and maple syrup) were downright heavenly. Now I am hanging out with my loyal editor, Jonas the kitty, and trying to get the motivation to move again.
The strangest thing happened moments ago: I opened up a beautiful picture of the Sea Shepherd ship in London and just began crying. Dude! I think I have repressed emotion- some sort of shock that this is really all coming together and intense joy that I am finding a way to help. And perhaps runner's high = runner's cry. I dunno but it was bizarre.
The best part of this moment is the realization that now the tapering begins. Shorter runs, more rest, and race day very near!
My journey brought me out to the Maine Audobon Society in Falmouth where a wedding was being held. I decided to backtrack when I got to the wedding party, rather than have one of their wedding memories be of 'that sweaty smelly jogger that panted and grunted by just as I was about to say I do'. The trails were just gorgeous and the weather is perfection. I stopped by Mackworth island on my way back into town as well. Portland is just full of spectacular trails. I am not begging to feel the full effects of running through fields of golden rod. My nose is so itchy it is distracting me from how tired my legs are.
My legs started to get pretty rubbery around the island. I felt like my feet weren't really connected to me and they were twisting round in a frightening manner but I was able to pull it together enough to continue through. I made some medjool dates stuffed with almond butter, chia seeds, dried chopped mango, and shredded coconut and that seemed to work as well as the cliff shots, though perhaps not as instantaneous. I think I will bring some on marathon day- maybe add some cacao nibs or something else with a bit of caffeine. I also carried a water bottle that I refilled at fountains and brought small packets of Ultima- I am on a pretty major quest to lighten my environmental impact as many ways as I can. I had my water belt but actually ended up carrying the bottle most of the way and that seemed fine.
Back in downtown Portland, I decided a smoothie at Maine Squeeze Juice Bar was the best reward and was thrilled to see a sign advertising 'vegan specialty food coming soon'. I got a smoothie called 'Fast as Light'- spinach, sunflower seeds, almonds, ginger, dates, and some other stuff. I must say it may have tasted better than any other smoothie I have ever had. My bath felt restorative and my pancakes (vegan peach pancakes with almond butter and maple syrup) were downright heavenly. Now I am hanging out with my loyal editor, Jonas the kitty, and trying to get the motivation to move again.
The strangest thing happened moments ago: I opened up a beautiful picture of the Sea Shepherd ship in London and just began crying. Dude! I think I have repressed emotion- some sort of shock that this is really all coming together and intense joy that I am finding a way to help. And perhaps runner's high = runner's cry. I dunno but it was bizarre.
The best part of this moment is the realization that now the tapering begins. Shorter runs, more rest, and race day very near!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Autumn Air
This is the weather I wait for, though I never know it until it arrives. It seems I would 'get it' after 33 years. I just ran the boulevard- 64 degrees with crisp clean air that even smells a bit like fall. I am itching to go hiking. I am eager to take on my next running challenge- to take up trail running. After the marathon I am going to pick up some minimalist shoes and hit the trails just in time for leave peeping and new snowfalls. And perhaps some running snowshoes this winter....
If I am going to remain in New England I want to embrace each season full on. I want to try snowboarding this winter, so that I might be one of those people that prays for snow. I want to swim indoors this winter so that I will not be afraid to try stand-up paddling next spring. I want to hit the gym and climb rock walls and run through snow storms. As I stare into the face of my 34th birthday, I want to take advantage of this body while it is at it's strongest. I am not afraid of 34. After this marathon, I will be able to do anything. Watch out world, because here I come!
If I am going to remain in New England I want to embrace each season full on. I want to try snowboarding this winter, so that I might be one of those people that prays for snow. I want to swim indoors this winter so that I will not be afraid to try stand-up paddling next spring. I want to hit the gym and climb rock walls and run through snow storms. As I stare into the face of my 34th birthday, I want to take advantage of this body while it is at it's strongest. I am not afraid of 34. After this marathon, I will be able to do anything. Watch out world, because here I come!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Vegan Althlete Bad-asses!
My previous post proved that I am getting by with vegan nutrition but there are a few athletes that bring it to the next level. Here are
a few of my heroes!
Brendan Brazier- vegan triathalete and creator of VEGA products. (brendanbrazier.com)
Scott Jurek- ultra-marathoner who is rumored to bring pita and hommus on this long runs! (scottjurek.com)
Rip Esselstyn- former triathalete, Texas firefighter, and author of 'Engine 2 Diet'. (engine2diet.com)
These 3 are my heroes but we can include Mac Danzig -UFC, John Salley- basketball player, Prince Fielder- baseball player. These are only a few. If you are interested, google vegan athletes and prepare to be impressed at where a plant-based diet can get you!
Oh yeah, and he is not an athlete but let us add former President, Bill Clinton to the bad-asses list!
-
a few of my heroes!
Brendan Brazier- vegan triathalete and creator of VEGA products. (brendanbrazier.com)
Scott Jurek- ultra-marathoner who is rumored to bring pita and hommus on this long runs! (scottjurek.com)
Rip Esselstyn- former triathalete, Texas firefighter, and author of 'Engine 2 Diet'. (engine2diet.com)
These 3 are my heroes but we can include Mac Danzig -UFC, John Salley- basketball player, Prince Fielder- baseball player. These are only a few. If you are interested, google vegan athletes and prepare to be impressed at where a plant-based diet can get you!
Oh yeah, and he is not an athlete but let us add former President, Bill Clinton to the bad-asses list!
-
What do you eat?
I have had a lot skepticism in all of my 'athletic' endeavors about my vegan diet. People seem to equate red meat with strength. People worry about my protein. They worry about my iron. They say things like 'how are you working out that much and not eating meat'. Just looking at me should dispel the stereotype of waif-ish, weak vegan. I am...big-boned let us say. But seriously, I am far from skinny and build muscle pretty easily. I lift 4o pound boxes of bananas and 50 pound bags of potatoes daily. And I do so without eating animals! Here is what a typical day looks like.
Pre-run VEGA Sport performance optimizer (Thanks to my friends in Whole Body at Whole Foods for thinking of me when they had to mark a bunch out)
Post-run Good old-fashioned banana with a shmear of almond butter or peanut butter
Breakfast breakfast is usually oatmeal (Maine Grandyoats rolled oats) with dried fruit and nuts or vegan pancakes if I have done an exhausting run and need something fun.
Morning Snack Spelt Right Everything Emma bagel or sprouted grain bagel with 1/2 avocado spread on it. Maybe a splash of hot sauce if I'm feeling wild
Lunch I usually try to get in some raw greens- a salad with beans of tofu or tempeh. My current obsession is Curried Mango Tempeh salad from cookbook 'Vegan with a Vengeance'
Dinner dinner is often quinoa and kale with beans or broccoli tofu stir-fry over brown basmati rice. Of course I never turn down Silly's, Green Elephant, Pepperclub, Flatbread, Portland Pie....I am so lucky to have so many veg-friendly spots.
Snacks Whole Foods Sesame tofu is going to be the death of me. I am seriously addicted, I think. I am also a night snacker...cashews, chocolate chips, left-over whatever. I have been trying to control that beast
Other For long runs I hydrate with coconut water or mix up an Ultima electrolyte powder with water. Ultima is the bomb- no sugar (unlike Gatorade and Vitamin Water), vegan friendly and very environmentally friendly since you can mix it in your resusable water bottle. I decided not to eliminate beer completely from my diet while training. Moderation is the key and Portland is full of so many great bars with so many great local brews that are also vegan friendly. Now that I head down home stretch though, I am going to abstain and eat my veggies.
When I punch a day's food into livestrong.com, it is never protein and definitely not fiber I am low on. Surprisingly, it is often carbs. Oh, and it is lovely to see the saturated fat and cholesterol columns reading zero! Take that, doubters!
Pre-run VEGA Sport performance optimizer (Thanks to my friends in Whole Body at Whole Foods for thinking of me when they had to mark a bunch out)
Post-run Good old-fashioned banana with a shmear of almond butter or peanut butter
Breakfast breakfast is usually oatmeal (Maine Grandyoats rolled oats) with dried fruit and nuts or vegan pancakes if I have done an exhausting run and need something fun.
Morning Snack Spelt Right Everything Emma bagel or sprouted grain bagel with 1/2 avocado spread on it. Maybe a splash of hot sauce if I'm feeling wild
Lunch I usually try to get in some raw greens- a salad with beans of tofu or tempeh. My current obsession is Curried Mango Tempeh salad from cookbook 'Vegan with a Vengeance'
Dinner dinner is often quinoa and kale with beans or broccoli tofu stir-fry over brown basmati rice. Of course I never turn down Silly's, Green Elephant, Pepperclub, Flatbread, Portland Pie....I am so lucky to have so many veg-friendly spots.
Snacks Whole Foods Sesame tofu is going to be the death of me. I am seriously addicted, I think. I am also a night snacker...cashews, chocolate chips, left-over whatever. I have been trying to control that beast
Other For long runs I hydrate with coconut water or mix up an Ultima electrolyte powder with water. Ultima is the bomb- no sugar (unlike Gatorade and Vitamin Water), vegan friendly and very environmentally friendly since you can mix it in your resusable water bottle. I decided not to eliminate beer completely from my diet while training. Moderation is the key and Portland is full of so many great bars with so many great local brews that are also vegan friendly. Now that I head down home stretch though, I am going to abstain and eat my veggies.
When I punch a day's food into livestrong.com, it is never protein and definitely not fiber I am low on. Surprisingly, it is often carbs. Oh, and it is lovely to see the saturated fat and cholesterol columns reading zero! Take that, doubters!
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