Calories and Fitness~ life as a high carb, low fat vegan!

Like most women I have counted, cut, and pretty much cried over calories!! They run or ruin most of our lives! We spend meal after meal, snack after snack calculating and then cutting :( Does it work? NO!!! Here are my thoughts on calorie restriction:

1. They don't take into account where your calories are coming from? A bag of skittles or a bowl of fruit? Some would argue if the calorie count is the same you can choose either option. I say you have lost your mind! I used to be fooled by this crazy idea 'calories in vs. calories out' until I began to eat for health! I switched to a low fat/high carb vegan diet which allowed me to eat about 1000 calories EXTRA, especially when I eat high raw! I think they need to be more specific with the calorie restricting...*only for those eating UNHEALTHY FOODS. If you don't know what healthy food is, Google it! Go to google images and type in 'healthy food' and then do the same for 'unhealthy food' :) Easy! This is what I got when I entered 'unhealthy food'
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=unhealthy+food&FORM=HDRSC2
as you can see...most of it is pizza, burgers, fries, candy, junk! lots of meat & cheese!

and this for 'healthy food'
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=healthy+food&qs=IM&form=QBIR&pq=healthy+&sc=8-8&sp=1&sk=
as you can see...most of it if fruit, veggies and grains!

2. When you calorie restrict (in order to eat unhealthy foods) you are creating this horrible feeling that food is bad and we need to reduce the intake :( Well...that is just silly!! REAL FOOD is not bad, your body requires food to live! The only thing that is bad is YOUR choice! If you choose to eat junk food you will have to cut and restrict, other wise weight-gain is the end result (not to mention a crap load of health problems). You don't want to feel hungry and deprived all the time. That is very un-natural! Food is fuel, you can choose the type of fuel you are using...therefore there results will be very different.

and 3. I must workout every day, all day! NO!!!! I get this comment anytime I tell people how much I eat. I am also told it's because I am young with no kids...WRONG!!! I am not a twenty-something year old, (I will be 34 this month) I have a child, and I am not a slave to fitness!! Here's look into my calories and fitness:

I teach Spin class twice a week, I do my squats (100) daily (it takes a few minutes),  I hula hoop randomly, as I feel like it, and I do 1 or 2 at home workouts a week. So...usually that equals to 4 days a week. Sometimes I go walking with my husband, nothing crazy though! I wouldn't call my workout routine insane or too intense. I think  ANY person could do the same, I have also NOT added or changed my workout since going vegan! Well...the squats are new...but I also decreased 1 class a week, so it evens out! I don't believe in spending hours a day, every day training (unless you enjoy it). I train at a moderate level, and I do workouts that I enjoy! Some days are more intense...some days are very mellow :) There are times when I don't feel like training...so I don't!!
I do believe we need to be active, get our heart rates up, and move as often as we can! Not for weight, but for health! We need to get the blood flowing and oxygen into the body. I don't understand when people say they hate to exercise...how can that be??? Exercise can be so many things, hiking, walking, biking, running, swimming, sports, dance, strength training, etc. There is something out there for everyone!

My daily diet:

I ALWAYS start my day with a fruit meal. I mono eat because I love it! I can just eat and enjoy the fruit, and I know when I have had enough! So, it could be an entire pineapple, or 6-8 bananas, or any other fruit. I eat until I feel satisfied. If I am hungry a few hours after, I eat another mono meal of fruit or make a smoothie! The calorie count for breakfast can be 600+ calories depending on the fruit, and my 'snack' is usually about 400 calories or more.
Lunch is another fruit meal or a large salad. I like to use a serving bowl for my salad, NO SIDE DISHES ALLOWED!!! I hate that we use a side dish for salads...why??? Shouldn't we be filling up on fresh veggies??? So my lunch can easily equal about 800+ calories, again depending on the fruit or salad. If I add avocados the calorie and fat will go up, if I add seeds it will as well!
If you add up the calories I am at 1800...and now for dinner:
I like to have a salad with dinner, usually in a large soup bowl or serving bowl. Dinner is some sort of high carb meal with lots of steamed or roasted veggies, potatoes, pasta, brown rice, or quinoa. I don't know the exact breakdown of my dinner calories...but I know it is a lot! Probably 1000+.

This is a breakdown of one day (it was a Friday and low on fruit, so I ate small amounts of different fruit, lol, at work)
Smoothie: 366 cal
Grapes: 220 cal
4 Oranges: 320 cal
2 bananas: 220 cal
3 apples: 285 cal
Total so far 1411...without dinner!! I didn't calculate dinner because it is a pain in the butt...
4 potatoes (large) boiled and topped with red pasta sauce (about 1 cup)
2 cups steamed Broccoli
Large salad (kale, tomatoes, onions, corn, cucumbers, red peppers,with lime juice and pepper)
That's a large meal :) If you want to know how many calories, just google each ingredient and you can get an average count. I just hate doing it, lol! (and I like to have a second serving of potatoes usually)
If I estimate my dinner at a low, 800 calories, my daily intake is 2200+...so it my dinner is 1000+ calories then it would be 2400+. That day I probably had a second serving of potatoes so it is higher ;)
I looked up my caloric intake based on my weight/height: 1780cals to maintain my weight, and 1068-1424 to lose weight! WOW!! To maintain my weight...I would have to make a dinner with only 300 calories :( Not possible! I would be so hungry!! To lose weight...I couldn't eat anything after lunch, lol!
So if you can see...I have lost and maintained my weight eating way over 2000 calories a day, usually closer to 2500-2800!!! I don't exercise like crazy, I don't starve myself, I don't focus on restricting! I focus on enjoying exercise, and then fueling my body with high energy, clean food. I keep my fat down, and carbs up!

~Frequently Asked Questions~

~Frequently Asked Questions~

Do I get sick of eating so much fruit? Absolutely not! The amazing thing about eating fruit is that you actually want it, need it, and crave it. The more you eat the more you want! It is the most natural & perfect food for humans. Once you clean up your taste palate you will enjoy fruit, and eat it in abundance! I thought the same thing when I first read 80-10-10, who can eat so many bananas or mangoes?? Then I began my journey and discovered I CAN, lol!

eat fruit :)

Where do you get your protein? Every time I hear this question a part of me dies, lol! Not because it is a bad question, but because we have been taught to only view protein as an animal product! Hmmm....wonder why?!?! Fruits/veggies/grains all contain some protein, it may not all be complete, but as long as I eat a variety of food I will ALWAYS eat all the essential amino acids I need! There is no such thing as a protein deficiency. It does not exist! Even if you eat only bananas or oranges, you are eating some protein...making a deficiency very difficult to come by!

Do I eat raw food all day? I eat a high raw diet. That means I eat raw fruit all day until dinner. I enjoy eating mono meals. For example, I will have 6-8 bananas for breakfast, then in about 2-3 hrs have a fruit snack like 4 apples or whatever fruit is in season. For lunch I like to eat another fruit mono meal, mangoes are awesome, or cherries (when in season). Dinner usually is a large salad with kale/spinach/romaine or any other green, and a high carb/starch cooked meal. I love potatoes, brown rice, couscous, or Quinoa (though it is a protein so I need to add more carbs to the meal). I also make soups, and pizza! I ALWAYS eat vegan and high carb! 

why do people gain weight eating carbs on the S.A.D (Standard American Diet)? People don't actually gain weight from carbs. They gain weight on the standard American diet because they add a lot of fat, sugar, and animal protein to their carbs. I make pizza for dinner often, we use no cheese, no oil, no meat...just veggies! There is a huge difference, though both pizzas would be categorized as carbs. Also, on top of eating a high fat diet, many people think carbs are doughnuts, cookies, chips, snacks, etc., but those are really fats & sugars, highly processed. They should not be called carbs. If people would reduce their fat intake to 10% of their calories they would lose weight, if they decrease their protein intake as well to 10% of their calories they would lose weight. 

Do I supplement to make up for not eating meat & dairy? No way! I believe my diet is very high in nutrients so vitamins are not necessary. I didn't take supplements on the S.A.D. so I definitely don't need them now! If I wasn't feeling well I would get blood work done, maybe it would give me an idea of what I am missing from my diet. Chances are if I am not absorbing nutrients well, it means I need to increase my raw food intake and reduce my cooked food intake. Keep in mind the vitamin/supplement industry is a HUGE money maker...yet no one taking supplements is actually healthy! If we could take supplements and be healthy, we would have far fewer sick people in this country. Supplements are also acid forming in the body...so unless you can get a raw food organic supplement, I would skip it! 

Why vegan? I get this question a lot...even though there are millions of vegans in this world. It is not so uncommon any more. I chose this lifestyle because it made the most sense to me. I don't feel good about the way we treat the animals we eat or the dairy we eat/drink. Not only are these foods not necessary, but they come with all sorts of health problems, pollution, and cruel behavior. I do believe in karma, so eating meat of an animal that has been through these horrible living conditions, tortured, listened to the screams of it's own species being murdered, or milked to death, does not still well with me. They say you are what you eat...I don't want to have tortured, sick, unhealthy food in my body. Karma. Maybe that is way so much disease has come from animal products. A vegan diet can provide me with everything I need and it is yummy :) 

How does my family feel about my lifestyle? I am VERY lucky because my husband also eats a vegan diet! He use to love meat...a lot. Once he tasted some of my cooking he decided he was ok with eating vegan at home, and after doing dome research and a bad reaction to a meat dinner over the holidays, he decided to go vegan 100%! My son struggles with it, as I imagine any 9 yr old would after eating the S.A.D. He has issues with dairy already. so we were limiting his intake before we went vegan. At home he eats vegan, when he is out of the home he does not :( 

Does everybody lose weight on a vegan diet? Yes and no. Most people will lose weight when they make a drastic change in their diet, but the weight will come back or you won't lose a lot if you keep the fat high. Many vegans eat a ton of nuts, olives, avocados, and oils. Not only is a high fat diet unhealthy, but it will not get you to your 'natural' weight. The closer you are to our natural diet, the closer you will be to your natural weight. This type of high fat diet requires calorie restricting...which is not healthy!

What food do I miss most? I don't miss anything! Honestly, I can make any meal taste amazing and keep the fat low, carbs high! I have made stuffed peppers, lasagna, spaghetti, 'meatballs', soups, pizzas, etc. I have also eaten this way for over 8 months so my taste has adjusted. I no longer enjoy dressings on my salad, just a squeeze of lemon/lime and seasonings. I don't crave cake or doughnuts, or ice cream. BUT if I want, I can create a version of these things and stay in the 80/10/10 range!

Vegan lasagna!

Will fruit make me fat? LOL!!! No. fat makes you fat, cookies make you fat, cheese makes you fat, steak makes you fat. Fruit makes you a lean bean :)

Me on a high fruit diet!!! No fat anywhere to be found :)

Any more questions?

Fitness, Diet, and Women vs Women

I came across a picture online which really upset me. It was everything that is wrong with the diet industry. As long as we are eating for weight, we will never be happy and ALWAYS be on a diet. Dieting leads to guilt when you "fall off", calorie restriction, bingeing, and low self-esteem. We have forgotten what food is and why it is so important. It is what fuels our bodies, keeps us strong, builds our immune system, hydrates us, and is vital to our health. So why is it that we only eat for weight? If more women would get off the "diet" train and learn to be healthy for all the right reasons it would have a huge impact on our society. Instead we pick on one another..."strong is the new skinny" "real women have curves" so on and so on. These pictures flood the internet.

This is the picture:

And more pics like this:

Add caption

Something is seriously wrong here!!!! If you are eating to be skinny you are eating for ALL the wrong reasons. Unfortunately most women who are trying to lose weight or get "healthy" have no idea how to do it. They cut calories, they obsess over some "plan" which is designed for quick weight loss, and eat lots of processed food. The sad part here...this "diet" makes you want to eat all the things you are told not to. Low calorie diets mess with your head. Processed food, dairy, and grains really make you want to eat more and more. So as you eat your yogurt for protein, your brain is now going to crave sugar, as you eat a bowl of cereal, you will crave sugar, and as you eat your protein bar...you will be hungry and craving more junk food. The cycle will continue and you will yo-yo as long as you do this. Someday if you are "lucky" you will learn to ignore the horrible noise in your head, or drink your "zero" calorie drink to silence it. Meanwhile your body is malnourished and creating a perfect environment for illness and disease.

This biggest issue here is women against women. We are told all sorts of craziness, and sadly we believe it. We so badly want certain results...which is why the diet industry makes BILLIONS off of us! When the "diet" fails we then lash out against one another. When we get muscular we pick on the "skinny" girl, probably because we still don't feel good about ourselves...

More pics:

And this one:

So this is the norm. Women trying to convince themselves, as well as the world that their "look" is the sexiest, or makes them a "real" women. So if you are naturally slim and healthy unfortunately you are not sexy or a real women. If you aren't in the gym building muscle you are no longer sexy either...and not the "new" skinny. What if you are skinny and sick all the time? Where does that put you? Or if you train so hard, you are actually hurting your body? Or over-eating due to low self-esteem...but you're curvy, so is that sexy or not? Seriously ladies!!! We have created this monster. We call each other names left and right! Anorexic, nasty, fat, gross, etc. We've all done it. Why not support each other to be HEALTHY? Is it because we have no idea what healthy is? Are we looking at magazine covers to tell us what healthy is?

What the heck is healthy? Healthy is enjoying life. Healthy is not worrying every day about your weight. Healthy is eating to nourish the body not to lose a few pounds. Healthy is motivating others and being a good example. Health is not being sick all the time. When you start living a healthy lifestyle weight is no longer an issue. You will not suffer from constant colds or flu. Healthy should be everyone's goal. Exercise is part of being healthy, it is not about gaining muscles or a 6 pack. It is just a part of being human, we need to move.

We are all "real" women, curves or no curves. We are all "sexy" and we are all "strong". What we are not is HEALTHY. So stop the madness and work on your health. Work on how you see yourself, how you fuel yourself, and how often you move!

moderation...wtf???

I have a really hard time with people making bad decisions for themselves, knowing exactly what they are doing. Maybe 20 years ago, we didn't know any better. We were fooled by products like "sugar free" and "low-fat" which at the time were promoted as health foods. Fast food was something every family ate, packaged food and microwave dinners were new and convenient, and soda was the normal drink with dinner. Fast forward to today and for many of us these practices are no longer part of our lives. With study after study proving these practices are detrimental to our health, and more education is available about eating whole organic foods, we have removed these awful "traditions"...while others prefer to continue with the excuse "everything in moderation".  I hate this saying. It just makes no sense?!?!?!  It is used to excuse pretty much every behavior or decision. So, what the heck does moderation mean? Once a week, once a day, once a year? Wikipedia defines moderation as: 

**Moderation is the process of eliminating or lessening extremes. It is used to ensure normality throughout the medium on which it is being conducted. Common uses of moderation include:

• Ensuring consistency and accuracy in the marking of student assessments.
• A moderator may remove unsuitable contributions from the website, forum or IRC channel they represent in accordance with their moderation system.
• A more proactive nuance is found in the Methodist church's use of the term for the heads of its conferences.
• A neutron moderator is used to slow down neutrons in a nuclear reactor.
• A way of life emphasizing perfect amounts of everything, not indulging in too much of one thing, hence moderation.
• A lifestyle choice by which many college students abide so as not to become alcoholics.

So now that we know what moderation means, "the processes of eliminating or lessening extremes", how do we decide what is acceptable in moderation? cigarettes, drugs, drinking, sleeping, exercise, good food, bad food, fighting, bullying?

the "new" moderation food pyramid

I guess we decide based on what we are addicted to or want to do without guilt? what society think is "ok"? Most would agree that "drugs" are not ok....yet we take over the counter drugs all the time. Some even take numerous drugs everyday. So drugs are no longer being used in "moderation" but in excess. What about bad food? The average american eats most of their food from a box, a can, or restaurant. Most of these should not even be called food (because food is our fuel & our nutrition source, which these foods do not supply). We should rename them health-destroyers. So if the average person consumes 90% "health destroyers" during the day...that is no longer "moderation" it is now in excess. What I am understanding from the misuse of the word, it's an excuse to abuse food, drugs, alcohol, or any other activity we know is bad, with no intent to lessen or eliminate.

For example, I exercise. I do it regularly. I don't believe it should be done in moderation because the definition states "the process of eliminating or lessening extremes". Daily exercise is not an extreme, it is actually recommend by EVERY health/wellness/and medical professional. I sleep every night therefore it is NOT moderation, I eat fruit everyday, therefore it's NOT moderation, I read everyday, therefore it's NOT moderation. Get it? Is it making sense? 

that's more like it!

We have become a society of abusers, we even abuse the use of words. Mostly to make ourselves feel better about our terrible choices. So when you say you eat fast food in moderation, or take drugs in moderation, or drink in moderation, take a closer look at what you are saying and doing. Would you allow your child to use drugs everyday, or drink alcohol everyday, or smoke everyday? No, and most of us wouldn't want our kids doing this in the "real" moderation.  But this is what we are teaching our kids. Every time you say "it's ok in moderation" and use this sentence on a regular basis, you are teaching your child that "moderation" means everyday, or often! You are making bad choices and making excuses for those choices. I don't like to use the word moderation, it's a cop out or a lame excuse for doing something I know I shouldn't be doing. So if you make bad choices all the time, please don't use the word moderation. Just be proud and say...yup, I do it all the time. 

So if the "new" moderation means "every day or often"...try doing these things instead:

-exercise

-eat clean, natural, whole foods

-read

-get educated

-play

-sleep

-be honest with yourself

-smile, laugh, and be happy

As we all continue to better ourselves, educate ourselves, and raise amazing kids, let's start with the basics. Let's be honest with ourselves. What is our intent? What kind of future do we want to see for ourselves and our kids? Are we setting great examples? 

Maybe some of the major issues we are having as a nation can be lessened if we stop making excuses for our behavior. Imagine if the child who is depressed, angry, or suffering from all sorts of mental/behavioral disorders was no longer a "medical" issue but a lifestyle issue? What if changing some of the things we do in "moderation" can change the life of a child or suffering adult? What if we are slowly poisoning ourselves and our kids with this "new" moderation? 

Something to think about. 

Q & A everyday ;)

 As soon as the word Vegan came out of my mouth...the questions began. I really wasn't prepared to answer so many questions. Some of the most common one's, "where do you get your protein" and "what do you do for calcium" I understand, because people really don't know. Some other questions...they're kinda funny!!




Here goes:
What do you feed your child? Um...nothing why?

poor kid, lol!

You must miss meat so bad? Yes so badly. Yesterday was the first day I have gone without crying! Sometimes I sit curled in a ball yelling "why can't I just have my meat...whhhhyyyyy"! Oh wait...that's not true ;)

"waaaaa, I want my meat back"

Aren't you tired of eating vegan all the time? YES!!! I swear with the amazing variety of greens, veggies, fruit, potatoes, and beans...I am so bored :/ All I really want is a chicken nugget :( haha...just kidding :)

blah...so boring :/

oh God....please no more boring veggies!!!!

Are you sick or  do you have an allergy? Yes, extremely. I went to this weird doctor who prescribed "food" as my medicine, lol. But really, is that the only reason people eat a plant-based diet??

feeling soooo much better! This medicine is incredible!!

You can't possibly be full after eating just fruit? nom, nom, nom, nom, nom....what? nom, nom, nom, nom....mmmm, I'm still hungry ;) just kidding, I'm full!

cantaloup will fill you right up!

What do you mean you buy A LOT of fruit? You know like a banana or two or 10, whatever:)

fruit stash

I was told that bananas make you fat. Don't you worry about gaining weight? Everyday. I am really concerned. Let me see what Banana Girl thinks:

"look how fat bananas made me"

You're a Vegan? Do You eat eggs or fish? Yes, lol, all the time ;) 

Nope...no eggs or fish

Really? No cheese? Ever? let me think....nope. no cheese! And I am doing just fine :) I was recently diagnosed with "perfectly healthy" can you believe it!?!?!

Don't you want to just enjoy eating food? Nope. I want to hate every meal! 

wish my food was more enjoyable :(

and this??? oh God!!!!

Questions are great...but some are just funny! Here are my real answers if you were wondering, lol! -I feed my child food. Really good, healthy food. That is probably the thing I am most proud of. My child gets amazing home cooked meals every day! He isn't raised on fast food or microwave dinners. -I don't miss meat. Meat is just protein and fat, if you provide the body with a new protein & fat option, it won't crave meat. -Eating a vegan diet is so much fun. I get to be insanely creative and am always finding new ways to cook my veggies...but it can also be very simple. A mono-meal of bananas, watermelon, or oranges is great too...you're digestive system needs a break every now and then. Try it! -I buy A TON of fruit :) -There are many reasons to start a plant based diet: environment, animal rights/conditions, tired of dieting, looking to clean up your diet, want more energy, or health. You don't have to wait to get sick to start. -Vegans don't eat ANY animal products...fish are in that category as are eggs. -I do enjoy food! I enjoy it now more than ever. I don't stress over calories, or carbs or protein. I eat an abundance of fantastic food. There is really nothing I dislike about my diet. 

Where do YOU get your protein? lol!!!

Lifestyle Udate! High-Raw Vegan!

So here we go!!!! I am super excited to give an update because most "diets" DO NOT last this long, I should be tired, hungry, pissed off, and gained weight! Nope...because this lifestyle works for HUMANS!! Are you a human? I think you are :) I don't care what your blood type is (according to my blood type I should be eating meat all day long), that we were "cavemen", that carbs make you fat, you need a lot of protein....I don't want to hear it, because I AM proof. (along with a gazillion other high-raw vegans). I went in to this journey thinking, ok...I will try for a few months see how it goes, maybe add dairy back in (I really don't care for meat, so that's not coming back), get bored with fruit, and so on...NOPE, not happening 7 months later I LOVE my lifestyle :) You cannot say it doesn't work...unless you tried it! I have done all 3- calorie counting-high protein, Standard American Diet, and the High Raw Vegan so I can compare and say what works for me.

What do I eat: I eat fruit all day! As much as I want as often as I want. Bananas have become my favorite food! I can eat anywhere from 4-6 in a sitting and about 10 during the day! I like to eat my fruit in little mono meals: 2-3 apples, followed by my bananas, wait a bit and have a few pears or a papaya! I love dates too!! Never ate them before this lifestyle...now I buy them on a regular basis! I drink smoothies, not daily, probably every other day. I eat salad or some sort of veggie meal for lunch (unless I am working then I eat a fruit meal because it gives me more energy and it's easy to pack, lol)...and I mean HUGE! My salad is a large mixing bowl or serving bowl! For dinner I have a cooked vegan meal (sometimes 2 servings)! If I workout I eat a little extra almonds about a cup (I know, lots of calories...I don't care). My total calorie count is about 2700-3000 daily!!! I don't count to restrict...I count out of curiosity! Foods I eat: anything high raw-vegan. Fruit, veggies, nuts & seeds. Cooked foods: lots of potatoes, quinoa, veggies, brown rice, we don't like pasta so we don't eat it, vegan pizza (my fave) beans, and lentils. The goal of a Natural Hygiene Diet is to eat your food raw as often as possible. I do raw breakfast and lunch, and a cooked 
dinner. 

fruit with a cinnamon date sauce, coconut flakes, and walnuts

lunch for my hubby and I!

hummus and green veggie pizza!!

Am I bored with my diet: NO NO NO! I am always excited to eat my fruit...and very bummed when we run low. I usually buy more fruit towards the end of the week, especially bananas! We run out of fruit first, veggies second, and when we are desperate we eat the packaged foods, lol. Exact opposite of most people. I have NEVER felt so good in my life. I feel satisfied after I eat, if I want more I just eat it...I DO NOT worry about eating too much fruit. I get excited when I see a new fruit in the produce isle. My taste has changed completely, an apple has always tasted good...but now it tastes incredible! Really, I smile as I eat my fruit :) It just tastes so good. Before I liked fruit...now LOVE fruit! Cooked meals are great, but I always include a salad with dinner, there's always room for more raw food!

My weight: I was not heavy or even close to heavy when I started this lifestyle...but I did watch what I ate, and struggled with sugar cravings. I would eat a high protein lunch (tuna, or chicken) and feel completely unsatisfied after, looking for something sweet immediately, and then trying to drink coffee to avoid over-eating on snacks :( I was bloated due to poor food combining and too much cooked food. I would eat dinner and think about what I would have for dessert while still eating! Now...I don't have sugar cravings. If I am out of fruit, I do eat a vegan snack (I am human), but it doesn't happen often, usually if I didn't eat enough during the day and am looking for quick energy! I have not gained a pound back since I started this lifestyle. I was ranging from 124-127, now I am 117 eating about 1000 more calories a day! My stomach is leaner and flatter than ever! I use to have cellulite, especially on the back of my thighs...almost gone :) Definitely not noticeable to others!


Girl stuff: My skin feels great, soft, and my "monthly" breakout is so much better!! I use to breakout right before my cycle and it would last forever! Now it is very minimal, and clears up fast! Speaking of monthly issues!! NO MORE PMS or cramps!! This happened after about 5 months! I really can't tell that my cycle is coming because I have no more "signs" like cramps, mood swings, bloating, etc. My cycle is so easy, no cramps at all!! REALLY!!!! I absolutely love this!!

How I feel about other diets: This is the hard part of the lifestyle...you really begin to question why isn't everyone eating like this??? I mean, don't you want to feel amazing? Have no more weird cravings? cheese now sounds like something nasty and smells awful, and bread cravings are GONE!!! If I have bread-sticks with soup for dinner, they just don't give me the same high like they used to. I haven't craved a sandwich in months. I have little desire eat bread (I used to love bread toasted, I could eat a whole loaf). I don't really like it anymore. I pretty much get giddy in the produce isle and would rather buy a cart full of fruit! Other diets just don't seem to make sense. Counting calories, limiting fruit or carbs, eating "protein" with each meal. Why??? It doesn't make you feel satisfied. I know because I use to do this. Always feeling deprived, or drinking coffee to try to satisfy a sugar craving. Gaining weight or having to limit calories to avoid gaining weight. On the standard diet...calories do count. You will gain weight if you don't monitor your calories. On a high-raw vegan diet you don't limit your calories and you don't gain weight (you would have to eat a high fat diet...just about all nuts).

My workouts: Nothing has changed besides having lots of energy :) I am still exercising the same amount. I have not lost strength, speed or the desire to move. I actually feel fine. Most people will tell you this lifestyle is not made for athletes...wrong, it actually is designed for humans...and humans are designed to be athletes! If you are not moving (a lot) you are not doing what humans are designed to do! After a workout, I love to dig in to my fruit stash! I can tell you the body responds completely different to a fruit/veggie raw meal after exercise vs a protein cooked meal...I know because I have done both. After a fruit meal, I feel hydrated, full of energy, happy, and satisfied. After a cooked protein meal I would feel full (like heavy), tired (like a nap is in order), and not satisfied at all (in search for a snack or sugar). 

no lack of energy here!

So...that is my update! I can't wait to see what I feel like after a full year! I hear it gets even better ;)

Need a lifestyle change? Feel tired, gaining weight, can't control your cravings, no energy, not exercising? Contact me to learn more about the High-Raw Vegan Lifestyle :) How to make a smooth transition, how to eat based on the Natural Hygiene Diet! It makes all the difference.