First Learn Balance

I have been "treating" myself way too much lately, ingesting a whole lot of processed vegan food.

http://earthbalancenatural.com/product/vegan-aged-white-cheddar-flavor-puffs/

http://www.cafeindigo.com/products/bakery_and_cakes/chocolate_cake_6.html

http://www.tofurky.com/tofurkyproducts/pies.html

So what am I doing here?  Am I putting a vegan label on myself like these products?  Or do I indeed wish to make myself healthier though a plant strong diet?  Let me think about that as I explore just what the hell is in is in this vegan Earth's Balance.

Color By Numbers

It has been 2 months since I have gone completely vegan.  My total cholesterol has gone from 257 to 219.  That is a decrease of 38 points.  It is my belief that if I continue to improve my diet and athletic activity, then my total cholesterol will be below 200 at my next appointment in May.

Today's AMPPW (morning post pee weight) was 128.  And I am oh so very day 1.

Monday, February 17, 2014	•Home Brew Avocado & brown rice roll •Vegan scone •Tofurkey quiche •Hummus & pita chips w/vegan cheese •(2) tst w/Chia Moxie	WO=40 minutes w/Wave, hand weights, resistance band, kettle bell I neither drank enough water today nor kept track of my intake
Tuesday, February 18, 2014	•Home Brew •(2) Rudi’s tst w/hummus •Vegan muffin •Vitamin Water •TWVS •Vegan chocolate chip cookie	WO=OFF I neither drank enough water today nor kept track of my intake
Wednesday, February 19, 2014	•Hot cup of special home brew: mixture of teas, cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom & hmep •Home Brew •EZ sesame roll w/Chia Moxie •Tofu, potatoes, vegan cheese •kale, brown rice & avocado roll •Pellegrino w/ Mate Shot •Health Warrior Chia Bar, Acai Berry •Dried mango & pineapple •Unsalted almonds	WO=I commuted to and from work with my wrist weights on.  I neither drank enough water today nor kept track of my intake
KEY>>>	ALVST=Alvarado Street Bakery bread AMPPW=Morning post pee weight EZ=Ezekiel Bread H20=My daily water consumption, includes Home Brew, and unsweetened beverages (usually in the form of hot tea) TRAIN=Race Training TWVS=This week’s veggie stew or soup, ALWAYS homemade WF=Whole Foods of course WO=Work Out	<<<KEY
LINKS>>>	Alvarado Street Bakery= http://www.alvaradostreetbakery.com Amazing Grass = http://amazinggrass.com Bobo Oat Bar= http://bobosoatbars.com Bolthouse= http://www.bolthouse.com/product/greengoodness Earthbound Farm=https://www.ebfarm.com/products/salads/deep-green-blends Ezekiel Bread= http://www.foodforlife.com Health Warrior = http://healthwarrior.com Rudi’s= http://www.rudisbakery.com Yerba Mate Power Shot = http://guayaki.com/category/131/Organic-Energy-Shots.html	<<<LINKS

Inspiration Is All Around

A few months ago, I had a conversation with a co-worker at job A.  He is a runner, a true runner.  Within his long list of accomplishments two completed NYC Marathons can be found.  Most importantly, he's the kind of guy I wish to emulate in my pursuit of good health.  I'm not sure if he knows it or not, but he is one of my major inspirations behind my physically sitting at my computer and signing up for these races.  Perhaps this is due to the countless times he scraped me off the floor of job A while I was being fully attacked by the grief monster.

It was during this late fall/early winter conversation that Mr. Inspiration said to me that he joined a gym.  (Gulp.  Really.  Isn't that the equivalent of a homeless person getting Nike to sponsor them to grub for change on the subway?  Okay, maybe not.)  This is a small City chain, with a location close to job A.  Now because it takes up a fraction of the space of most gyms, they're able to charge $20 a month, with no membership fee.  I've actually worked out there in the past, and it truly is a bare bones great gym.

But Inspiration and I, we don't need gyms.  We need a pair of sneaks on our feet, some tunes in our ears, and an open door.  We just need to go.  Inspiration said that he did it last year because once winter hits, he knows that he's not going to train as hard.  And for $20 a month he knows that he is going to work out at least five times a week.

Of course that wasn't going to happen to me.  I LOVE TRAINING.  Getting out there, pushing it to the music, checking my progress at the end of my power walk.  I had just done the Festival of Lights 5K in 19 degrees.  I was planning on being out there all winter.

And then it was winter, I mean really winter.  And then there was a job B, which has me working a truly erratic schedule.

I have raced but I haven't trained.  I want to put on my sneaks, put tunes in my ears, open the door and just get out there every day again.

And I will do so.

Cupid's Chase 5K

take by AMANDA FEHRING

take by AMANDA FEHRING

take by AMANDA FEHRING

Just Found This

I believe I took these notes from a Rich Roll podcast with Byron Davis.  They seemed to have popped up out of nowhere or (insert beliefs here):

• Providence moves while we follow our passion
• Failure is never final
• Small winds create moments
• Gravity of control . . . creates complacency 
• We're conditioned for comfort or control
• Logical lies we tell ourselves
• When we live our best life, we don't know how it's going to affect others.

http://www.liveyourepiclife.com

http://www.richroll.com

Proof!

(named for another friend who was claimed by the addiction monster)

Phone call from doctor's office

My blood work came back "good"

I'm off to pick up the results so I can do a side by side comparison

My doctor doesn't want to see me for three months.  
But she would like for me to do a walk for breast cancer with her this fall.  I'm in.

What the Experts Are Saying

Statements have been condensed.

DR. MACHO SHIT HEAD: You are pre-menopausal.  Put this progesterone cream on your wrists and the back of your neck once a month.

I do this for a day or two, as it totally icks me out.

ORGANIC HERBALIST: That's bullshit.  A woman's body begins to change in her 20s.

NEW GYNECOLOGIST WHO WE REALLY LIKE: Well I don't think you're pre-menopausal.  And I would have handled the approach to your issues differently than Dr. Macho Shit Head.  But yes, your body is going through some sort of "change."

Somehow, I have become a woman who now has to get a pap smear every six months, and a mammography once a year.  But my body is definitely going through some very positive changes as well.  These are the changes which I control.

And I agree with DR. PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGIST who says that it is a proven fact that working out and a good diet actually slows the aging process. 

Now, about four weeks ago, I won the incredible gift of a one month membership to Engine 2 Extra.  It is truly a wealth of great resources: videos, recipes, chat rooms.  The part which I found most helpful are the Shopping Lists.  Knowing what to stock your kitchen with is so important in maintaining a plant based diet.

A week or two ago I received a message from an E2 coach.  She had read in a few of my posts that I occasionally put an yerba mate shot in my smoothies.  She didn't know what it was.  She had never heard of heard of it.  So I was like:

(Statement has been condensed) Really.  Aren't you in the health and wellness field.  It's South American green tea.  And it's truly amazing.  Definitely something I want to ingest before working out or a race.

A few days later, the same E2 coach IMed me.  She asked me which plan I was using.  I didn't know what she was talking about.  And I wasn't trying to be a smart ass about it.  I was perfectly honest when I said eat less, move more, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.  The Marion Nestle plan.  Apparently the coach wanted to know which E2 plan I was using to live plant based.

And said that she had noticed that I like to blend homemade smoothies.  I sensed a complement coming on.  I mentioned that I used mostly leafy greens and fruits.  I sometimes add nuts, chia seeds, hemp powder and that I especially like Nativas' line of products.

She said we don't recommend drinking smoothies since digestion begins in the mouth.  I started to think. Damn it.  Why didn't Stanley Abualy teach me that in 10th grade biology?!  Wait a second.  He did teach me that in 10th grade biology.

For the life of me, I couldn't remember asking this coach for her recommendation.  And look, I have never used nor will I ever ingest a morsel of Jenny Craig's food.  I don't need that crap and know I could do much better on my own.  I have proven that.  But at least I do my research.

Jenny Craig "Cuisine"
Classico Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients

COOKED ENRICHED WHOLE GRAIN BOWTIE PASTA (DURUM WHOLE GRAIN WHEAT SEMOLINA, NIACIN, FERROUS SULPHATE, RIBOFLAVIN, THIAMINE MONONITRATE), WATER, BROCCOLI, COOKED CHICKEN BREAST TENDERLOINS, TOMATO PUREE (TOMATOES, SALT, CITRIC ACID), TOMATOES (TOMATOES, TOMATO PUREE, SALT), BREAD CRUMBS (ENRICHED BLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR [WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID], DEXTROSE, SALT, YEAST), ONION, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF PARMESAN CHEESE (CULTURED MILK, ENZYMES, SALT), SOYBEAN OIL, BATTER (YELLOW CORN FLOUR, ENRICHED BLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR [NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID], SALT, LEAVENING [SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE], GUAR GUM, NONFAT MILK, SPICES, EGG), TOMATO PASTE, SEASONING (HYDROLYZED CORN GLUTEN, HYDROLYZED WHEAT GLUTEN, YEAST EXTRACT, SOYBEAN OIL), SESAME SEEDS, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, GARLIC POWDER, PARMESAN CHEESE FLAVOR (GRANULAR AND PARMESAN CHEESES [MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, SALT, LACTIC ACID, CITRIC ACID), ONION POWDER, SALT, SPICES, DRiED GARLIC, DRiED SOY SAUCE (SOY SAUCE [WHEAT, SOYBEANS, SALT], MALTODEXTRIN, SALT), SODIUM PHOSPHATES, AQUARESIN PAPRIKA (NATURAL EXTRACTIVES OF PAPRIKA WITH SOY LECITHIN, DATEM, HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL, ASCORBIC ACID, CANOLA OIL, NATURAL FLAVORS, TOCOPHEROLS], SOY LECITHIN, NONFAT MILK.

Heart Check

I spent my Valentine's Day morning in my doctor's office.  It was a follow-up on all previous findings.  The "abnormality" found in my right breast at the end of December returned a negative biopsy.  This we already knew.  So if it wasn't cancer, then what was it?  Yesterday I was told that it was a fibroadenoma.

According to the American Cancer Society: Fibroadenomas are benign (non-cancer) tumors made up of both glandular breast tissue and stromal (connective) tissue.  They are most common in young women in their 20s and 30s, but they may be found in women of any age . . . Some fibroadenomas are too small to be felt and can be seen only when the breast tissue is removed and examined under a microscope, but some are several inches across.  They tend to be round and have borders that are distinct from the surrounding breast tissue.  They often feel like a marble within the breast.  You can move them under the skin and they are usually firm and not tender.  A woman can have one or many fibroadenomas.

Over the span of moments . . . well . . . heart beats, my blood pressure went from 140/90 to 130/80.  While these are both at the higher end of normal, my doctor is not very concerned.  She knows I am very active, and I could actually be a naturally hyper person.

She took blood to check my sugar and cholesterol, which again, were both slightly elevated a few months ago, and became the catalyst in my starting this blog.  We'll see how that goes.  Since having gone totally vegan, I suspect that those numbers will be lower.  Watch for even greater strides in my daily plant based intake.  While vegan pizza and soy chicken are impressive alternatives, I know I can eat even better.

When the hell did this stuff become the focus of my health.  My parents, my uncles and their entire generation were the ones who needed to worry about blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure.  Speaking of which, my dad had a heart attack in 1973, at the age of 45.  The doctors encouraged him to eat egg beaters and margarine.  I don't think they were trying to intentionally kill my father, but I still have questions regarding their recommendations.  Nineteen years later, my dad walked into a pharmacy to pick up his heart medication.  He opened the door, and dropped dead of a massive heart attack.  He was 62 and taking 13 pills a day.

You can see how these facts inspire me to work out and keep myself healthy, yes?

Mammogram showing fibroadenomas

Ultrasound

Egg Beaters

(That is some) Promise Margarine

Say Hello To My Little Monster . . . the friend comes soon after

AMPPW=130 pounds
Headaches
Craving a potato, egg and cheese on an everything bagel
and last night
I was awake at 4am . . .

. . . and ugh yes
I took an half an Ambien so I could sleep.

Yes, the PMS monster is real kids, very real.

To commemorate, I did a Google image search on "PMS Monster."  There were many to choose from. Here are a few of my favorites.

Brooklyn Shoebox Apartment X Fit Work Out

10 minutes w/hand weights

10 minutes w/kettle bell

10 minutes on Wave

10 minutes resistance band

Repeat

Sun's Organic Garden

You know . . .

It has easily been several months since I've carried my Klonopin.  Truthfully, I have no idea when I carried it in my urban sack last.  Once or twice I was out and about, thought about reaching for it, realized that it was at home on top of my refrigerator, and then just went about my day.  It's such a lovely feeling, an accomplishment.

My need for Ambien has dwindled as well.  I've used it less than a handful of timed during the past few months, but not recently.  I'm running very low, but I have no intention of refilling the prescription.

I'm coming for you next Zoloft.  You're days are numbered.  I believe you will be completely abolished after a few visits to Auntie Lorna, my organic herbalist.

At least, this is my hope.  We'll see.

H2Oh Oh

I know for a fact that since having started Job B, I have not been drinking nearly enough water.  For the past week, I've been facing headaches and I'm concerned about the amount of Excedrin I have been taking.  But typically, that is what works best for my migraines.

Then again, this could be a PMS thing, or both.  Mamma's been a bit sore.

NOW, I decided yesterday that the thing I miss most with my vegan living, is the potato, egg and cheese on an everything bagel that I used to get from the bagel shop downstairs.  Now this is a periodic missing and I'm wondering if the PMS monster is getting herself involved.

I am determined to create a plant based version.  I'm thinking scrambled tofu.  I know I can do this.  Hmmmm.

Stay healthy and rock on.

--K

I Want To

I haven't trained in weeks

I'm not sure why

I could list excuses

But I won't

Head up

Shoulders back

Keep your head in the game

It felt GREAT

Shore Road, Brooklyn
Imagine significantly more snow and ice

How do I explain

Conquering my best 5K race time

With no training whatsoever

I wanted to

Plain and simple

New York Superfoods

New York Superfoods

Chia Moxie

Coffee Chia Peanut Butter

Need I say more???

Recent Discoveries

Last week, I explained to someone at my new Job B that I was a vegan.  She said Mmmmm Girl, you don't know what you're missin'.

Perhaps.  I did miss cheese cubes and brownies this past weekend.  But plant based eating has allowed me to discover products I might not have been looking for otherwise.

Cava Mezze.  From Rockville, Maryland.  Their traditional hummus contains 5 ingredients.

Whole Foods makes their own guacamole w/kale.  They call it Kalemole.  Da bomb doesn't even begin to describe it.

I was hesitant at first, since I do not miss chicken one bit.  As a matter of fact, I happily gave up chicken before I gave up beef.  But Beyond Meat out of El Segundo, California does indeed offer a delicious option.



These I found at a little market in my neighborhood.  Where have they been all my life.  Apparently in Pasadena, California.

Cupid's Chase

I was in a car service vehicle yesterday morning, on the BQE, when I realized that I had left my iPod home.  I was very tempted to ask the driver to turn around so I could get it.  I totally had enough time. How the hell was I supposed to get through a 5K without my tunes?

But I decided that this wasn't the worst thing that has ever happened to me, not even close.  I promised myself that from now on I will pack everything before the race.

After the air horn went off I spent 3.1 miles listening to the Village, the West Side Highway, the River. And I listened to myself breathe, and my footsteps.  As I approached the finish line, I swear to you, I didn't have a sprint left in me.  But I dug deeply the split second I was able to see the race clock.  I just wanted my time to be in the dirty 30s, since my previous finish times were all above 40 minutes.  It is my depletion which propelled me towards the finish line.  Even when I saw the timer count above 40, I refused to slow down.  Even though I didn't meet my goal, 40:09 was still my personal best, and I was proud of that.

Check me in the pink hat

101, a fine bib number

Less than an hour later I received my official time via e-mail, 39:52!!!!!  Your race time does not begin when the horn sounds.  The count begins when you cross the magnetically triggered start pad.

I have indeed become stronger on a plant strong diet.  The strength has made me faster.  How's that for my High Power Revved Up Body Machine?!?!?!

Go(what the?)gurt

Okay,

I have been seeing commercials for Gogurt, a lot of them.  Now, I've never been a fan of yogurt, even when I ate dairy.  And I know that two of my little cousins, who are now both teenagers, loved Gogurt when they were younger.  So I got abundantly curious and visited the Yoplait web site to read the ingredients.  Now, to be fair, they have all of these weird flavors: Cool Cotton Candy, Sponge Bob Sponge Berry, Twisted Screamin Green Apple.  I mean, if Yoplait is marketing this crap to children, they have to give it fun names.  They can't really call it "Crap In a Tube, Disguised a Healthy Alternative, We Hope Your Children Get Crack Addicted To."

So I went for the "Naturally Flavored, Simply . . . Gogurt."  And now I have a few questions:

• Do you know where kosher gelatin comes from???  Fish bones!  That's right.  I swear to you.  There's fish in the Yoplat
• If they're telling me that Simply…Strawberry is naturally flavored, then shouldn't one of the ingredients be . . . I don't know . . . strawberries
• How can they tell me that no artificial color's are used, and then say that they use vegetable juice for color.  Now let's say that they are using a very natural tomato for color, shouldn't they call it "Simply . . . Tomato"
• And do they really have to warn me about the difference between cows treated with hormones vs. ones which are not, while selling me a dairy product?

But don't worry about any of this.  The kids really love it.

Today's Home Workout

Here are some shots of me working out at home this morning: first with my homemade kettle bell, then with my Everlast hand weights.

Initially, when I started this thing, I thought the bulk of this blog would be about what I ate and how I worked out.  I envisioned charts, lists and spreadsheets.

I know.  Even the idea of it sounds completely dull.  For the billionth time, I'm not designing a diet plan.  I am not in a position to tell anyone how to live.

But I am a good storyteller, and I like to keep my feet planted in the real world, most of the time.

I shall continue to discuss my discoveries and research.  I will document my progress as a vegan endurance athlete.  Weekly weigh ins?  Of course.  Monthly body photos?  Yes.  Lists, charts, graphs, statistics . . . I'll leave those for the government agencies and marketing companies, who have made it their business to keep us fat and sick.

***

Now check me . . . and this is exciting . . . the newly revamped Run or Dye race made a major announcement today.  Join me in East Rutheford on April 13, on the Give Love World Tour.

http://www.runordye.com/home?_template=19

Vegan Hot Chocolate

With very little training during the past few weeks, I turned in my second best 5K time.  And it feels good, really good.  For me, the course was a beast, with quite a number of hills.  But I just dug deep and threw everything I had into that pavement.

So many images went through my head during those 40 minutes.  I don't fight them, I just allow the thoughts to come and grow organically.  And as I took my final hill, I watched Jay take his last breaths again.  This slide show was presented to me a few times, then iTunes filled my brain.

And of course . . . I crossed the finish line to "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga.  Fitting, yes?

iRock,
K

Hi Karen!

Congratulations on finishing the NYCRUNS M-M-Manhattan Hot Chocolate 5K on February 01, 2014!
Your time of 40:52 gave you a 13:11 pace per mile. There were 18 finishers in the Female 40 to 49 age group and 274 finishers in the race. Your overall finish place was   254 and your age group finish place was 18.

Results are available at http://www.nycruns.com/results and on our free iPhone and Android apps.

Awards will be available for pickup by the end of the week. Please wait for the final results email to be sure you are an award winner.

Thanks again for running!


The Team at NYCRUNS