Make A Million

Fabric is, and has been a hobby of mine since I learned to sew. My mom told me about a 'cause' called Make a Million Pillow Cases. You make them and then send them to a charity of your choice. Well, I went through my scraps and made a few, then bought a few pieces to go with other scraps I had, then set it up as a project for the young women at church, and then came home and made some more. Last count I had eleven completed and enough fabric for about six more.

It's kind of addicting, and it's difficult to eat and sew at the same time. They are so easy to make and I'm excited to give them away.
Of course I haven't given up the gym....or trying to eat healthy. I've lost 48 pounds, so I'm almost halfway to my goal. I know I need to 'up my game' and get more serious about my food intake habits. But, as we all know, bad habits are extremely easy to pick up and so hard to loose.

Back For a Minute

Ran a mile in 13 minutes 15 seconds....fastest time yet! Also, I can walk/run five miles now. Ahhhhh, and they said it wouldn't last.

Veg Fest

Yesterday my vegan friend, Anne, and I ditched our families and headed to sunny San Fransisco for the veg fest.

If you had asked me about attending a veg fest when I was 10 yr old, I would have shrieked "EW!!!". I am now proud to say that I love my vegetables! Although that's not really what I was eating at the fest.... There was a plethora of vegan samples, all free! FREE!! Yeah I am not ashamed to admit that Anne and I made the rounds.. More than once!! Vegan chocolate, vegan yogurt, vegan sausage, crispy kale chips, chocolate coconut water, larabars, vegan potato chips, fruit snacks, etc... We also indulged in some vegan mexican food for lunch. I had the black beans and taquitos... Super yum!! We were able to attend a lecture and a couple cooking demonstrations. I wish everyday could be veg fest. Can't wait for next year!

Whatsa vegan?

I guess I have been throwing the term "vegan" around like it's no big deal.. Then I realized that there is A LOT of negative connotations that come with the word "vegan." By the reaction on peoples' faces, you'd think I was swearing when I said "vegan" (dun dun dun, that is scary music..)... To me, vegan means a diet of fruits, vegetable, nuts, and whole grains. I guess most of us hear "vegan" and think "crazy hippie, animal rights activist, throwing red paint on fur coats, picketing the EPA (I saw some people protesting the EPA when I was in DC, so now I am going to assume they were vegans!).

So, let me clarify. I am not a VEGAN (not the way most people define them), I like to eat healthy. I try and eat a diet that primarily consists of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.  I feel better when I eat like this. I am not perfect (although I might pretend to be). Yesterday I ate honey walnut shrimp and it was delicious. I still have a fetish for cheese (although I can't remember the last time I ate some), I don't cook with butter, I don't consume a lot of eggs (I will when I want to), and I eat my weight in dark, dairy free chocolate everyday. I am not out there trying to save the animals, although I do disagree with the treatment of them. I am not trying to convert anyone to "my diet."

I am simply a girl who has a little obsession with nutrition. I like to read articles,  talk to friends, and try things out. Maybe one day I will become a full fledged vegan (I would not be opposed to that) if that's what my body wants. I like to encourage people to try out some vegan eating because I think it's beneficial. I don't think there is anything wrong with eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat and processed food. You will notice a change in how you feel (it might take a week). I like to post vegan baked good recipes to show people that you can still eat fattening foods with out consuming butter. You can stop eating animal products and still be a pig, it's possible people! So my challenge to all 3 of you people out there reading this blog, eat vegan for a week. You won't regret it!

Vegan Power! I love celery too!

Why can't I just purchase some mental energy???

I love to run, but I have been so unmotivated lately.
Every morning I wake up feeling tired, sick, or ornery.
I don't want to haul my butt outta bed and inflict hard work on it. 
Alex and I have a 5K coming up. I know we need to train.
There is no getting around it!
You can not run with out training (unless you're my friend Denise).
Alex isn't training because I am not making him!
3 days a week of running is not too much to ask of anyone.
I will feel better.
I won't be as stressed.
Does someone want to call me at 7am and give me this pep talk??? 

For those who need it (me!) here are 10 mental tricks to help you beat a brain fatigue:


http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-267--13996-0,00.html

Did I mention that I LOVE LeMoN???

Vegan lemon bars. 

I never thought that I could make a lemon bar that didn't use dairy. I was REALLY skeptical about these. Even as I was making them I kept thinking that they were going to taste a little "off". But DANG! They were SO yummy! So lemony, the crust was divine, chewy, yet soft and firm (ya I know that makes no sense). I literally could have eaten the entire pan by myself. It was the perfect end to summer... Now onto all the FALL baking!! I just got me a pie pumpkin! Can't wait to try it out!

Hurray!

New personal best. Two miles in 30 minutes 30 seconds. Had to work hard to do it. But.......I DID!!!!!!

FYI: I ran most of the distance