The day after another weight session, my triceps, abs, and inner thighs are feelin' it. I wanted to do muscle madness group fitness class at noon but I know that if I go my muscles will be uncomfortably be shaking the whole time. I've opted for a 4 PM Step Class and just no sweets for today. I'm hoping to cut back my sweets to a once a week treat... we shall see how it goes.
Yesterday I got to meet one of Kaitlin's friends (it was very nice to meet you Iiana!) and enjoyed a delicious small cup of Haagen Das Belgium Chocolate Chocolate ice cream. Then while Alex went to his first day of class, Kaitlin and I got whisked away in Sephora. Or rather, Kaitlin got whisked away and I marveled at her eye for colors and quality products.
As today goes on, I see that I truly cannot allow myself to remain inside through the morning and into afternoon. Doing so affects productivity and I've found it's better to get the day started with physical activity. Breakfast, then physical activity of course. It would be favorable to have more options for gym classes in the morning. I cannot allow myself to be picky when it comes to this matter. I should have gone to yoga at 10 AM.
We learn with time.
I have had such a love affair going on with group classes that I forgot the rush of lifting. Don't get me wrong, I really love the group workout classes-- they're what got me into campus gyms in the first place. I enjoy being pushed and challenged and doing new moves and techniques I hadn't even thought of. With weight lifting, I feel strong (even though my wimpy little arms can barely do more than a 10 pound curl).
This morning I had an awesome first day back with the weights. My lifting was near-full body today; I was going to do lower back but I felt so light on my feet I knew it was time to finish up (not that lower back would have taken much time). Some muscles were like "whoa I thought we were done with that nonsense" while others were gun-ho and asking for more.
Now let's hope the rest of today is as productive as I need it to be- there's laundry to do and so many people and places to call about financial aid and moving into the new apartment come September.
4-5 small to medium
potatoes cut into about 2 inch pieces
2 large carrots
1 package of extra firm
tofu
1 medium yellow onion
5-6 cloves of garlic
minced
3 large leaves green
cabbage
4-5 large leaves red
(or yellow/white) chard
3 Vegetarian bouillon
cubes or 3 cups vegetable broth
turmeric
cayenne pepper
rosemary
salt & pepper
Directions:
1) Cut the onion into
fairly thin pieces;
Just put this here to ward off any arguments over what I mean (ahem Colie and her German).
Put into a large soup
pot with coconut oil and turn heat on low and cook until soft and
starting to caramelize.
2)While onions are
cooking, cut the carrots in half then half again. Cut as thin as
possible unless you want thicker carrot pieces.
3) Clean and mince the
garlic cloves.
4) Clean the cabbage
and chard. Remove the thick centers of the leaves and cut into small
pieces. Chop the leaves into small pieces as well.
5) Put the carrots,
garlic, chard stems (only), and all the cabbage in. Stir,
raise the heat to medium. Stir occasionally.
6) While those are
cooking, drain and dab dry the tofu. Cut into inch pieces then spice
with a generous amount of turmeric, salt, and cayenne pepper. Try to
get both sides but if not it's okay-- more spice will be added to the
soup later.
7) Add in the tofu and
let cook with what's in the pot for about 5 minutes.
8) Add water so that it
covers everything with about an inch of water above. Bring the heat
to high. Add a few dashes of turmeric and some cayenne pepper. You
can also add more salt but if you're worried about it being too
salty, wait until the end when you're ready to serve to taste and
decide.
9) Roll three large
pinches of rosemary between your fingers to break up the leaves (if
fresh, do a quick chop, just to help release the oils more into the
broth).
10) While waiting for
the water to boil, peel and cut the potatoes (you can use any kind
though I used just regular 'ol Idaho potatoes). The smaller the
piece, the faster your soup will be done. I recommend 2 inch chunks.
11) When the water is
boiling, add in the potatoes. Stir and lower the heat to medium/medium low and
put the lid on. If you don't have a lid, no biggie, just keep the
heat on a higher setting. It should take about 20-30 minutes to finish
the potatoes. Do the fork test at 20 minutes and decide.
12) When your potatoes
are done, remove the lid and lower the heat. Add in the chard leaves
(you want to do this last because if you leave them in the whole
time, they'll get bitter from being over cooked). Stir and allow to
wilt.
I don't know if a person is supposed to feel lower back and neck pain when they are doing certain workouts but I certainly do. This is the exact reason why I don't do/like crunches and why so many other moves are just not a part of my self-approved workout list. I'm fine with really creative sit-ups but other moves that I'm supposed to relax my neck but keep my shoulders off the ground? No.
It'd be really great to know if other people experience this same sort of super discomfort because when I'm doing the group workout classes, I look around and everyone else can put in a good effort where I can barely do one without taking a moment to rub my neck or back. Am I just weak?
I'm here at a Hurricane Grill in PSL and it looks like I have six blog posts to make up for. Of course you all understand why and are wonderfully forgiving of my absence. I know you are all also eager to hear more about my brother's wedding and the cruise. So here I am working on catching all of you up.
This post is to make up for Sunday's post. You may have seen a post on Sunday but that one was making up for Saturday since I was busy with wedding stuff that day.
I woke up to go get hair and makeup done by the stylists selected by Jenny. They were both very nice and talented. They opened up my eyes and made my hair gorgeous.
(Quick note: I don't have any pictures really of this special day because I was a bridesmaid and there are no pockets on a bridesmaid dress. I was indeed mushed around the hotel with the other girls and Jenny to take pictures in the Florida sun so there will be pictures eventually. The families also got photos so I just have to snatch 'em.)
While we're on the topic of beauty stuff, I want to share that I have gotten compliments about me looking like a model. A very generous compliment if you ask me. Jenny was the most lovely I've ever seen her. Thinking of it now, she's the prettiest bride I have ever seen (and I've seen a lot on TV). Her fun and loving personality made her beautiful appearance that much more radiant. A true bridal beauty.
Her and my brother did the "first look" thing before the ceremony and it was lovely. It was so special that I'm happy I got to see. I know my mom wishes she could've been there too but so much was going on I was just following instructions. Luckily my amazing partner Alex stayed with her while everyone else was doing photos and running around.
There were a lot of tears on this special day-- as is appropriate. All happy tears. Mine were a mix of happy and worried. I'm getting to why. I'm not worried for Jenny and my brother-- they are wonderful together and I'm so happy to have Jenny and her family now a part of my own. I was all smiles and happy praises throughout pictures and the ceremony. It was at the reception that I cried. The tears came fast when my parents danced to their own wedding song as their wedding anniversary was the next day. Seeing them together like that was so beautiful, so special-- a good omen for my brother and Jenny's own marriage. After almost 30 years, my parents are still somehow together. The tears came because I hadn't seen my parents look at each other like that in a long time. After the initial beauty of the moment I became worried-- how long will it be until I got married? (That seemed to be the statement of the night: "You're next." As in, I'm the next to get married). Will my parents make it to my wedding with all the health issues they've been having? I don't want to have one of those days of sad mixed with happy. I want my wedding day to be one of the happiest of my life, not one without a parent. I want them to take better care of themselves but they've denied any of my help and suggestions. It's up to them whether or not they make it.
That was the only time I cried.
I wanted to cry a few times while on the cruise but I'll get to that in coming posts.
To all those people who have issues or doubts about using what the earth gives as medicine, how much more proof do you need? How many more health problems need to arise from eating products as food in order for everyone to see? How many more people need to get sick for U.S. companies to realize that the product they call food is actually the source of obesity, mal-nourishment, and growth disabilities? The answer to the last one is the toughest to answer because, in a society where money and status with things are more important than the health and happiness of everyone around you, it doesn't matter to those with greed. Those with greed, with the desire to look good but not actually be good don't care about the possible health issues that follow from eating a so-called nutritious cereal, a nutritious wholesome school lunch, and healthy alternatives to food that cause issues if ingested at the rate suggested by advertisements (soy milk-- no thank you Monsanto. You can keep your manipulation, greed, and toxins to yourself. Roundup Ready? You're lucky the government supports you or else the people who read labels and research pesticides, ingredients and such would have rounded up your asses long ago.)
Be smart about what you put into your body. I'm not saying stop eating burritos or stop cleaning your bathroom. I'm saying, stop thinking that just because the government allows a company to put a product on the shelf, doesn't mean it's safe for your body or the environment.
There are known carcinogens in Lysol cleaning sprays. A safer and better cleaning item to use is something you can mix up at home. In a spray bottle, pour in vinegar 1/3 of the way and water 2/3. Add a bit of lemon juice-- fresh squeezed or bottled. Spray everything to your hearts content and wipe away.
Instead of buying a frozen burrito, buy the tortillas (read the labels-- food should NOT be able to last more than two weeks once it's opened without being refrigerated. If you buy a tortilla brand and you've opened it, let it sit on the counter for two weeks, it still doesn't have mold or anything growing on it, then you shouldn't be eating it), meat/beans, cheese and such yourself. Save money, make more, and know exactly what you're putting in it.
These are just examples of how you can control the amount of chemicals that you breathe in and let into your body, though I highly suggest the lemon vinegar spray. I use it all the time in the kitchen and bathroom and I haven't gotten sick in over a year.
Use what comes from the earth instead of using products created in a lab that need to be tested time and again and still have strong potential to harm you and your family.
There are more and more songs that I enjoy only for the chorus and it makes me with I had a cool talent with mixing music like that girl in Pitch Perfect.
When I went to start writing this blog post I couldn't think of anything other than remnants of my conversation with Alex about an article on 'Fat' and this song.
What started the conversation on body weight and such was this article. While it is written well, the science behind it isn't there. If you know me at all, I am not a fat shame-r nor am I a skinny bitch. However, an article like this is so misguided. Yes, I want people who are over weight to find and hold onto their confidence and be happy but there is nothing healthy about being unhealthy. The linked article's second 'fact' is what really burst my bubble. The title of number two's section?: Fat people don't all have poor eating and exercise habits.
Um... what? No. Just no. People who are excessively overweight (obese) do indeed have either bad eating habits, poor to no exercise/activity habits, or both. If you change what you eat and how much you eat-- that alone is going to change your weight (and your health). Adding more activity to your life will also change your weight (and health). While some people are 'lucky' with high metabolisms and can eat as much as they want (some have trouble gaining weight), others will feel the weight of unluckiness.
Now obesity has nothing to do with luck. Yes, a person's entire family may have a history of obesity but generally people eat the same exact food and adopt the same habits as their family--thus contributing to them following suite with the "genetic obesity." Logically, it has nothing to do with genetics but everything to do with habits. If a person's parents eat three big macs a day, and they go on to eat three big macs a day, they are most likely going to have a similar weight and health level.
The third 'fact' in this article is titled: Fat itself isn't unhealthy. Okay, I'm listening again because it is true that the body does need small amounts of fat (healthy fats like that from nuts and avocado). But then I read the section and I was frustrated again with the lack of scientific evidence and consideration this person contributed to the writing of this article. I will share the section that made me just discredit this author:
"If being fat were inherently bad for us, then weight loss should bring about innumerable health benefits. But that's not always the case: Multiple studies have seen little to no connection between weight loss and decreased risk of mortality.
In fact, some studies have found that fat people are more likely to survive cardiac events and that being overweight can have a positive influence on longevity.
What's more, losing significant weight is very difficult, and intense yo-yo dieting can cause plenty of health problems, too."
First of all, we all die. I've spoken about this with all you readers a couple times before. We all die whether we are the most fit or the most unhealthy person in the world.
Second, 'fat people' are more likely to have cardiac events and do so at younger ages that others. Usually the other percentage of people who have cardiac events are elderly.
Third, yes losing weight can be a challenge when you have to change all your habits to see healthy successful results. 'Yo-yo dieting' as this author refers to main-stream America's definition of dieting, can of course be bad because this so called yo-yo-ness is based on quick fixes which don't really work. The only healthy way to lose weight is indeed by changing what we eat and our activity level. Start where you can then build up from there. Cut out sodas, eat more green veggies, take your dog for a walk around the block (they can be the sweetest motivators), start swimming, go for a hike, join a spinning class-- it all adds up as long as you keep building. Enjoy a slice or two of your favorite pizza but don't eat it every night-- you eat for nutrition and you can't waist so many eating sessions on food with such a narrowed, limited nutrient food. If you feel 'guilty' after eating the slice or two even though you enjoyed them, go for an extra walk around the block.
The quality of our lives is dependent on our health.
Our health depends on our habits.
Habits can be made and broken.
P.S.
I just want to make sure I'm leaving you on a good note, reader. I think everyone, no matter their size, is beautiful in their own unique way; I believe that the issue that keeps coming up is health. If a person is told by a doctor that they are at a very unhealthy weight (including the consideration of muscle), they should not take it as an insult. Instead it should be taken as a genuine concern. Being over weight is a serious matter and causes serious health issues for the individual now and in the long run. It's not fat shaming when someone expresses genuine concern for those with super excess weight; it's called being compassionate and recognizing that our society lacks a healthy system for supporting healthy eating and activity habits within families.
I recall the time when Alex bought me the Hungry Oh So Hungry T-shirt from Shirt-Woot (Hungry Hippos meets Hunger Games). He loved it so much that he bought himself one, too. He was visiting when I received mine in the mail and I was like "We have to both wear our shirts to go see The Hunger Games today!" And we did.
Since then, we haven't been allowed to match-- it's too cutesy for my honey bear. Well, today I'll match one of his blog posts. Cosplay excitement and anxiety towards when we get our sewing machine back are what we feel much of the time. We're both working hard at our fitness and I stand by what I said about it improving our relationship and giving the big nudge he and I needed to really bring our activity level to, well, the next level.
One of Alex's recent posts was a list of cosplays he would like to do (obviously not all at once), so I thought I would share mine.
Sally Jupiter (Silk Spectre's mom)
This one I got super excited about after seeing another cosplayer do it quite well. When I get to this one, I think the toughest part will be the hair (these styles were done with short hair). I really like the idea of this cosplay because I love pin-up style and it would be really fun to portray such a sexy, flirty character.
The New Maleficent (dark)
(AND fairy!)
After seeing the Maleficent movie, I immediately knew I had to do it as a cosplay someday. There are so many challenging aspects that you can already tell it's beyond my current level of skill. I will save this desire for when my sewing skills hold minimal flaws and gaps. This is a cosplay that I know will be close to me because it's about showing a side of the story that no one's ever heard and it's just so magical. I don't care how wrong people say it is or how inaccurate anything is, this movie is now one of my favorites.
Red Lantern OC
Of course, there will be my Red Lantern costume which will serve as Alex and my debut. I won't be doing Bleez specifically; instead, I will be looking at her, Antipathy, and other female lanterns for inspiration to design my original character. I know i'll be wearing black boots so I need to incorporate most of the red into the outfit itself (gloves perhaps). So far I'm pretty sure I'll want a neck corset and a one-piece style swimsuit kind of outfit. Alex and I are pretty sure we'll need to take the costumes to be embroidered at a shop.
I want to do this Red Lantern because it'd be nice to match Alex since we're coming out together. I also chose Red Lantern because they're the anti-heroes and, like with Maleficent, they are neither hero nor villain (Or, if you watched the movie, both a hero and a villain)-- they see injustice and those who lack compassion and they do what they can to cleanse the evil. If there's a tragic, horrible death or crime and enough rage is emitted from someone, the Red Lanterns are the ones who will crash in and give you the revenge you deserve.
Elizabeth (Bioshock Infinite)
The only other cosplay that I'm considering is Elizabeth and I'm drawn to her because I love how she comes to learn her powers and, while the story took me for a crazy turn (especially when I discovered there is no alternate ending but, at the same time, infinite alternate endings), I did like how she turned out and took control. Plus she's cute and I love her starting outfit.
I finally got to bring my bridesmaid dress home today after three fittings and then a final adjustment today when I went in. I know you're probably all dying to see it but I don't currently have a picture of me in my actual dress. I believe the image above is the exact dress. Mine is purple.
This was the second time I've gone to a seamstress but it was the first time I had to get so much done. Like I have mentioned in past posts, the dress was exactly a size too small but luckily there was enough fabric to let it out. The reason I had to have it fitted three times was because it was let out a bit too much, then the under layer was too snug. Now it's finally done and I'm happy to have the worry of someone tossing it into a giant blender full of mandolins parts off my mind. If you live in Tampa and you're looking for a good seamstress who will work with you until your dress fits AND you're happy, go to Emelina's off of Busch and Armenia. I worked with Emelina herself and everything went well. I told her the deadline and she made sure that I got to take it home with time to spare. The shop also sells dresses for more than just weddings: proms, quinces-- you name it!
I'm happy it's all done with. Now I can just get my hair trimmed and my nails done then relax while someone else does my hair and makeup for my brother and Jenny's big day.
Their gift is still in process. I have all the parts; I'm just waiting on one to dry. Oh no I've given it away! There's only so many things that can be dried! I will share the gift and the reasoning behind it after the wedding (and the cruise because I'll be lucky if I get a moment to sit down and just write a post. I'm sure I'll have lots of lovely pictures to share, though).
As for other news, I continue to go to the gym and work out pretty much every day. Cutting out all the unnecessary sweets has been a challenge but I think I may have gotten to the actual point of no-more-sweets-until-my-brother's-wedding. Because, come on, there's going to be a ton of delicious dessert options!
I'm a bit bloated today because of TOM but I weighed myself and measured my trouble area.
This morning I was at 132 lbs and my waist is 26.5 inches while my lower abdomen is still in the 35.25 inch area. I know that my lower tummy is going to be the biggest issue for my cosplays. I have to dedicate myself to very limited to minimal sweets along with smaller portions.
Has anyone tried those portioning plates? Do they actually help or do you just end up letting your food crawl up and over the portion ranges? Maybe it's worth a try?
Here are some new pictures; it's been forever:
I honestly don't know if it's just me but crunches are awful-- like painful for my back and neck. I do proper posture and everything yet they are one of the two most uncomfortable moves for me to do (second most uncomfortable is side leg lifts when you're laying on your side on the ground-- my hip bones just shove into the ground like a bruise). I can do sit ups just fine and I can still challenge myself with those too. I feel my full midsection working with abs whereas all I feel is upper abdominal working and my neck and lower back yelling. Maybe that's why some trainers combine the two-- to isolate the top them make it all work.
WHY do people prefer crunches over abs though when they're only doing one? Is it because it's a burst workout? Is it because they can't do sit ups?
Until I figure out why people are doing crunches instead of sit ups, I'm going to keep doing sit ups so I can spare my poor back and neck. I have no problem with other abs moves either. The link above gives plenty non-crunch moves.
If you read my blog (or at least the most recent posts), you know that Alex and I are building up our tool belt for cosplaying at Megacon next year. So that we don't have to dump a bunch of money all at once, we've been getting some things here and there that we are sure we will need for our cosplays and any sewing adventures. Today we got our patterns from The Green Pepper in the mail (only about $5 each-- shipping costs are low because it's pretty much just paper). I was very impressed that it only took them two days to get the order out and shipped. I admit I had my doubts because you can only order over the phone or through snail mail but I must say I am very pleased. (In comparison, I ordered a needle clam for the sewing machine from Sewing Parts Online over a week ago and just this evening did it get registered at the post office for shipment). Not only were they quick to send out and have the items shipped, their quality is wonderful. They folded the patterns the least amount possible and everything came in proper condition. The patterns we ordered were sport tights and then a racing suit. Both can potentially be altered to be a catsuit for red lantern and numerous other cosplays.
The Green Pepper also sells fabrics and notions-- mostly geared towards outdoors-y projects because it's a outdoors-y company. You can get some of their patterns at Joann's but not many.
Another thing I'd like to rave about real quick before I get ready for bed is this awesome bag of chips. They're called Boulder Canyon: Ancient Grains and they are amazing. AMAZING. You take a nice crisp bite and you're in chip-bean heaven. These delicious crunchies are gluten free and are made with brown rice, corn, quinoa, pinto beans, black beans, chia seeds, and a bunch of other yummy goodness. I bought them at BJ's and they go great with classic hummus. If you think it's just for vegans/vegetarians, Kaitlin (who is a happy good-food, no discrimination against meat eater) enjoyed them a bunch too!
I hope everyone's Friday help their weekend get off to a good start.
Namaste.
Grrr I need to start doing my post the moment I think of it during the day.
Yesterday Alex and I spent a bit of money paying off bills and getting his dress shirts for my brothers wedding (which I had a crazy dream about last night). I think I'm just so excited for him and Jenny that I keep thinking about it. Plus I have to figure out what I'm doing with hair and makeup still. I have the basic idea I just have to practice and make sure I have everything I need. I know these pictures are going to be super important to my mom. Weddings are a big deal after all.
Kaitlin is coming over today to help me with the makeup. She's pretty awesome at doing her own so it'll be nice to have her steady hands to help.
Today I'm also going to the allergist. I think this appointment is to determine the best route for treatment and then I somehow need to make sure I have $90 set aside each month for the allergy shots... And I need to learn how to administer them to myself. >_< boo needles and me holding them.
As for my workouts they've been going awesome and this goal of cow playing in a catsuit is far more motivating for Alex and I than the Race2Abs ever was.
So I'm still awful at tennis. Alex and I went to play on campus and it went okay. We had fun and it's nice to be outside with him-- it's also nice to have an option other than the bicycle (give my knees a break). When we were bicycling back home from the tennis courts I realized that we still haven't made it to the pool since the start of "summer". I think it's because we want to get out and stretch our legs. Since neither of us are swimmers, the pool is a source of relaxation not activity.
I'm excited to say that I've been doing awesome with my workouts and activities. I told you about Soulful Yoga but I don't believe I talked about Muscle Madness. I kicked my own butt and did moves I didn't know I could do. Yesterday Alex and I went for our usual route bike ride (7 miles). Today was elliptical in the morning before work and then tennis when I got home.
I must express how happy I am at the level of activity both Alex and I have been exhibiting this past week. I know I said before that the cosplay craftiness was helping our relationship but I definitely think that working out and doing physical activities together really makes a difference. I feel like this is why he and I work so well together; be both like to be active and do research but we have differences that make us interesting to each other. I can't imagine being partnered with anyone else for my life.
I So today was definitely workout Wednesday. I started my day with the usual morning yoga and stuff, talked with Colie about cosplay and sewing skills. At noon I did a muscle madness group workout and got my butt kicked (I swear I didn't know I could do all of that and still be able to ride my bicycle home from the gym).
Then when Alex got home we went to. Joann's and I had a moment with what needle to get. I figured it out but I have to go back for it. Then we came home and I looked up more sewing stuff (gosh I need to do homework and get my textbooks!). That will have to be for tomorrow.
After research we went and kidnapped Kaitlin so she could play Just Dance 4 with me and test it out. She was not kidding when she said it was a workout. We sweated, giggled, and moved our bums for 2 hours and 26 minutes. Woo that was a good Wednesday cardio part 2.
I'm feel really tired but I know I can push through this. Red later a that wear form fitting outfits don't has pooches or squishy bums.
So my workouts have been going good. I went to the gym in the morning before work on both Friday and Saturday. I didn't go Sunday because I was out dancing (no drinking either) late Saturday night so I figured that could count and I'd allow myself sleep to be mostly functional at work. A big cup of tea saved my life for sure.
I also went to the gym for a workout class this morning and I'm going again tomorrow for some yoga. Right now I'm pushing myself to just be doing some sort of workout every day. I want to reincorporate weights back in since they do help burn more fat (plus help lift the bum more).
I really feel like legitimately planning out cosplay is really helping motivate both Alex and myself. It's nice to feel so enthralled in something with him-- something so active with multi-parts. There is so much to learn with sewing, design, and just general cosplay but I think we're off to a great start.
Alex and I purchased our tickets for Tampa Bay Comic Con in August so we can go and check out the scene, ask some questions and hopefully get helpful answers. This will be my first real convention so it'll be good to just be able to enjoy all the excitement and fun silliness instead of having our debut be my first convention. I have gone to what was considered to be a convention in PSL but it was very small it was more like a little community event. I'm excited to see the cosplay/geek community on a larger scale.
Our debut will be Mega Con April 2015 and just thinking about it makes me more and more excited.
We've been doing a ton of research and just finished inspecting our sewing machine. No lie, Alex and I really lucked out with it. Upon opening it up we discovered that it had been repaired, all belts lubricated and replaced at least within the past year. It's nice to know that the only thing wrong was the missing spool pins and spool pin felts (which are ordered and on their way here!).
Words can't express how much I see this project is positively changing not only Alex and my habits but our relationship as well.
Pay-pah mâché! Ole'! Alex taught me how to paper mâché tonight and it was awesome! I tried to make a bowl and idk if it'll come out good but yay for something new to paint.
I was so tired today after last nights fun but there was no way I could say no to a paper mâché lesson. Alex is working on
making a mask form. He was to do some sculpting and maybe do a few things for a different cosplay far in the future. It makes sense since there's not too much we can do immediately for our Red Lantern cosplays.
We re both really excited though and there's lots of healthy positivity towards being more active and being smarter with food choices.
For me the gym and making good food choices is going well. I woke up earlier than I usually do on the weekends so I cod squeeze in a quick morning workout on the elliptical (as expressed on my Twitter). I'm feeling more energized and motivated which is always nice.
While meat is indeed a large staple of the North American diet, it does not have more nutrition than vegetables. The fabric of meat (muscle of a dead animal) is made up of protein, collagen, and fat. While each of these hold a place on the list of necessary nutrients for the human body, meat is not the only source for them nor is it the best source. Protein can be found in numerous vegetables along with the famous group called legumes (AKA beans). Using legumes as a main source of protein does not only give you less fats, it gives you the healthier fats, fiber, and other nutrients like magnesium and potassium.
Making the personal decision to stop eating meat does not mean that you will get less nutrients; if anything it means you will be inviting more nutrients into your body. The choice to eat or not to eat meat is both a cultural and a personal decision-- don't make statements about nutritional content unless you are actually educated in food. You can eat meat if you choose but don't go slamming on vegans. Some of the strongest men in the world are vegan. Vegan-ism can actually boost muscle strength because the fats from the meats are not lingering in your muscles; instead, you are creating more room for muscle (thus you can look smaller and actually be stronger).
Also, vegan-ism can be even more of an exciting diet* (please recall my personal definition of the word 'diet') than that of a carnivores. In North America the standard meal is 40% meat/protein 40% starch 20% vegetable.
Cracker Barrel's Meatloaf
For a vegan a meal can consist of all three of these (protein, starch, vegetable) throughout the dish. Kitchari has basmanti rice (which is indeed a grain but contains many nutrients), mung beans (protein, vegetable, fiber), assorted fresh vegetables, and many spices that have endless health benefits.
So, to the girls that I encountered at the gym earlier today, get educated on what you put into your body. While you might get a big hunk of protein from that steak, you are also getting a lot of 'bad' fats. (I put bad in quotes because all fats are necessary but everything has an ideal quantity and eating a lot of meat goes beyond the healthy amount). Next time, actually look into the nutritional content of food before slamming down a diet different from your own. Eating meat is fine but it is not the only way to get necessary nutrients.
*diet: a personal practice of eating;
a day-to-day routine of eating that goes beyond the definition granted by fads.
What's really sad is... I'm not even sure where to start. When I read this article earlier today I felt the fury I generally feel towards the results of greed. I'm still not sure how to express such frustration and every time i learn more I feel more trapped by this country. Yes we have the right to freedom of speech but what does it matter when our words do so little for our planet? What does it all matter when we can't even buy produce without worrying about the effects of the pesticides? Oh wait, that's right: to the U.S. food is now grown but PRODUCED. Food isn't something the Earth provides-- it's something we make ourselves, something that is created and assembled at a factory. For so many Americans, this is the cold truth. So many people don't even know that there is other produce out there that Walmart doesn't sell. Most people would be shocked or grossed out to learn that there is such a thing as a purple carrot. This is a naturally occurring plant of nature. Nature. The Earth. From the ground. A ground without overuse. A ground without pesticides and dead bees. I digress. This purple carrot is perfectly good to eat and has more nutrients than the standard 'orange' carrot.
I'm given all this freedom in America, like the freedom to write this post, but why is it such a damn challenge to give the people real food without concern for their health in the long run? Why is it so damn difficult to allow farmers to be competitive and use their own seeds? Why is it fucking allowed to spray plants meant for consumption with toxins that kill bees? Why is there such a high demand for beautiful green lawns and not enough desire for raised beds that could yield enough food to feed a family for dinner? Greed. God damned greed and pompousness.
I think this one is pretty close to how I'm feeling:
On a different note, but still on the ridiculousness of industry importance over the health of the entire planet (ALL animals included), I also know that charging fees to those who get all the energy they need for solar panels is fucking ridiculous. I also know that saying that someone has to be connected to the grid for electricity even though they won't be using it is ridiculous. This country isn't about the American Dream-- not the one we grow up believing in. This country is about supporting BUSINESS and COMPANIES. $$$$.
But there are good people here. There are good people here in the United States trying to live a healthy, happy life while preserving precious resources and the Earth herself. I know that we are all busy scrambling and trying to be involved in the life that our society says we need to lead. I know that the last thing you think you should be concerned about is what apples you're picking up at the grocery store. The sad truth is that we do need to research before we buy. We do need to learn how to self-sustain. When everything goes to hell, by golly we need to know how to grow food.
I'm done with that shpeal. I do apologize for two in one day. Other than getting fire-y on the ridiculousness of monsanto and what the U.S. will allow, my day was pretty good. We had good sales at the store.
When I got home Alex and I took Penny for a walk then encountered another couple with a dog. They actually had their dog roaming free in a field so we let Penny of the lease and she had a ball (though the other dog was timid). I wish our walk was longer, especially since I just finished eating cookies that are going to go straight to my pooch and thighs. We had a good dinner though: curry spiced cauliflower and various veggies with spicy baked tilapia. Lately I've really been realizing my lack of activity and the difference between me now and me in undergrad. I used to walk so much more, not to mention go to the gym four times a week.
It's going to happen again. It has to because I can't allow myself to let my body go. I can't gain any more fat. I need to be healthy and respect my body-- not throw garbage into it.
I am officially allergic to everything. I mean everything. Trees, grass, animals, dust mites, etc. My allergy appointment went good-- I didn't die. Though, I did almost faint. The doctors said it was most likely because I had a small lunch; the same this has happened before and each time it was someone who didn't eat enough prior. Fortunately I had a fun group of doctors that made me almost fainting exciting. Once they had me laying back, the doctor doctor came in to check on me and instead of asking if I was alright he said "Woo! Exciting! Something happened!" With this very handsome smile on his face. We all giggled. I started feeling better. They gave me Belvita biscuits to eat before they started the full allergy tests. All the tests resulted in big bumps where the injections were administered. I am allergic to everything. Dust mites and Oak tress most of all.
Yay for being back on my allergy pills now though! The next step is to figure out how I'm going to pay for the allergy injections to slowly get my body used to everything. It'll be a three to five year process but I really feel it will be worth it because, at a 90-98% success rate, I could very potentially have a life with less sneezes, itchy throats, and asthma attacks (since allergies are one of my triggers for asthma, this would allow my broncs less opportunities to close up). I drove home feeling bummed that I'm allergic to everything but at the same time filled with hope for easier breathing and less mucus down my throat and into my chest.
You're probably wondering what's with the title. That's a joke I made with Alex about my allergies and how I'm strongly allergic to oaks. To keep it short, he asked if we could still have oak furniture. I said yes and then something along the lines of not staking me in the heart with it because I'll die from allergies and not the stake in the heart. Then I made some jokes about vampires and how if you died from a stake in the heart, you're a vampire. I said that if I were back during such a time I'd be like "But you didn't ask if I like garlic!" (I love garlic). Yeah, I know, nice story Catherine. Thanks for listening. Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine and their summer break when it gets here.
So let's charge people for using green energy instead of non-renewable resources. Oh, and while we're at it let's double tax all the vegetarians because they eat too much real food. How much more ridiculous can these American taxes and fees get? OH, a little bit more. Let's charge a fee for people who don't have health insurance. They can't afford health insurance so let's get what little spare money they have in another way. What is this world coming to... we can do so much together. There is so much hope and potential but we're just destroying each other a little at a time.
All of this for money and to allow some people to feel like they're better than others-- that their way of thinking and their opinions are the only ones that matter.
Hubris was the downfall of many greats in the past... now it is Greed. To the oil companies and the science facilities that use your money to quiet and even silence development of green technology and cut down anyone who supports it, I hope one day you can rest well in the pools of toxic sludge you pushed the world to make.
