Busy Week

It's been a crazy busy week for me at work.  I haven't even gotten around to making myself any breakfast pastries like I wanted to.  But I did get to bake a bunch of vegan cupcakes for work!  Fun!!



Another part of my "get fit" vegan journey is to workout.  I've never really spent a lot of time focusing on a workout routine.  Growing up, I was a dancer, so all my physical activity come from that.  I was a tiny person all through school (weighing in at 105 lbs my senior year).  I had even been asked if I had an eating disorder (which I never did).  I don't necessarily miss being that tiny, but I would really like to get back into shape!!



A year and a half ago, over the summer, I started taking a yoga class.  Everything fell into place perfectly for me to take the class without excuses.  Firstly, it was inexpensive.  Second, it was three blocks from my house (most of the time I actually just walked to class).  Third, the class time was perfect for me to get home from work, change and then walk to class.  And finally, I absolutely loved everything about the class.  The instructors/owners of the studio (a mother/daughter duo) were amazing.  They taught classes that had a perfect balance between the physical and spiritual practice of yoga.



So, for my new "journey", I've decided to start taking yoga classes again.  Only this time, I'm doing them all at home.  I recently purchased the "Yoga Studio" app on my iPad. Find the app here!  I love it because there are all kinds of different pre-made classes I can choose from.  I can choose 15, 30 or 60 minute classes.  Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced classes. Classes focused on flexibility, relaxation, strength, balance, or a combination.  Lately, I've been doing mostly 15-30 minute classes focused on flexibility or right before bed classes focused on relaxation.  It's been going pretty good so far. I just need to increase the frequency that I do these classes.  Right now, I've only been doing them about twice a week.  I'd really like to do at least 15 minutes each day, even more if possible.



My main focus is to get back into shape.  Obviously, losing a little weight would be a great bonus!!  I recently went to an amazing concert in a very large arena (Justin Timberlake!!!).  Seems completely irrelevant to my story...except we had nosebleed seats (we were literally in the very last row at the very top). I am very ashamed to say, I got a little winded walking up the stairs to our seats.  That's just sad and ridiculous!  I'm not a morbidly obese person.  I don't even think I could technically be considered overweight (using my BMI as an indicator).  But getting winded walking up a few flights of stairs??  Clearly, I need to get back in shape... And that's exactly what this year is all about for me!  Getting in shape and eating healthy!!  Wish me luck!!

Pastries...

So, I've been doing pretty good sticking to my vegan/workout plan... I've been doing at home yoga about 3-4 times a week (need to bump that up to daily!!) and I've been eating delicious vegan meals... with one exception, pastries.  I work in a coffee shop and everyday I go to work without having ate breakfast (it's a horrible habit, I know).  When I get to work, there they are, all staring at me.  The croissants, the muffins (orange chocolate chip!!), the biscotti.  How can I resist their temptation??  I am a huge dessert/pastry person!  I even have a tattoo of a cupcake!  Pastries are kinda my thing.  So to get over this hurdle in my journey, I'm gonna start making my own breakfast pastries.


My idea is to make a bunch of delicious pastries maybe once a week.  Then I can wrap them up, stick them in the freezer and every night I can pull a couple (so my husband can have some too).  They'll be thawed and ready to eat by morning.  I think my first will be a "Cheddar Sausage" Scone (all vegan, of course).  I've made these a few times and they are amazing!!  I'm about to head into work now, but I'll make these tomorrow morning.  Then I'll post some pics and the recipe!!

I'm turning 30!!

I turn 30 in a couple of days... Something I'm not looking forward to.  But with this new decade in my life, I've decided to really focus on my health and happiness.  But first, let me tell you about myself...

I grew up in a small Midwestern town eating meat, potatoes and lackluster vegetables at almost every meal.  That meat consisted deer, beef, pork, chicken, turkey, and fish.  Most of the time it was some type of meat that my dad had probably hunted and then brought home for my mom to cook.  Our potatoes were usually out of a box, and our veggies were mostly canned.  Occasionally, we would have the "TGIF" family Friday night, which consisted of pizza, soda and my mom, dad, sister and I all curled up on the couch watching Full House, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Boy Meets World and Family Matters.  Those were the days!   Don't get me wrong, my parents made sure my sister and I ate well and finished everything on our plates. They fed their kids what most parents in rural Midwestern towns did.  My sister and I were active and healthy.

Fast forward a few years.  A glimpse into my past, I'm 23 and have been married to my high school sweetheart for 4 years. I've gained a good 25-30 lbs since I graduated high school (don't we all...)  I'm working at a Starbucks inside of Target.  One day on my break, I decide to go look at the books.  I see a new book called "Skinny Bitch".  I look on the back cover to find that this book was written by two models.  Thinking to myself, "surely they know the secret to being skinny", I decide to buy the book.  Not far into this new book, I discover that these women are unapologetic in their approach to helping women lose weight and become healthier.  They are advocating a "vegan lifestyle".  I had known a vegetarian or two in college, but had never met a vegan.  I barely even knew the difference between the two things.  But after reading this book, I felt enlightened.  I decided right then and there to become a vegetarian. But, there was no way I'd ever be able to give up cheese!!

After being a vegetarian for about three years, I tried going even healthier.  I decided to eat exclusively vegan at home.  Luckily, for me, I have an extremely supportive husband!!  He was absolutely okay with me declaring our kitchen "animal product free".  So now, I've been eating completely vegan at home, while still indulging in a few cheese and dairy products while out.

So, for my 30th birthday, I've decided to focus on being completely vegan.  I've also decided to really try to get into shape.  I hear it's much harder to lose weight after turning 30.  I recently saw a great video of a yoga chick doing a "handstand press".  She went into a full forward bend (which I can't even do) then pushed her legs straight up into a handstand!  It was amazing!  That is my goal!  By the time I turn 31, I will be able to do that!  So, anyone who may read this blog, you are now officially my accountability!!

SO...CHEERS TO TURNING 30 and becoming the "retrofit vegan" I know I can be!!  Here we go!.......