Arthritis = Booo!

Today I am a little bit sore from riding my bike yesterday.  I walked for 50 minutes today after work because I was out of daylight.  It's the small victories that we have to celebrate sometimes.  My knee was killing me from step one.  My fitbit read a mere 690 steps when I went for my walk.  I just kept going.  I had my headset on and I was talking to a friend the whole time.  I ended up walking much farther than I thought I could or would.  Then I was so close to getting 5,000 steps in that I decided to go another lap around the neighborhood.  As I write this I have almost 6,500 steps in for today.  I didn't ice when I got home which I will probably regret for the next three days or more.  I've been really swollen in both knees (and retaining quite a bit of water) and in a lot of pain on my really bad knee.  It's not fun, but it's somehow motivating me.  I want to punch arthritis in the face these past three weeks!  Sometimes it is so frustrating because I really want to attain maximum health as I have had in the past, but my knees won't allow me.  I have always been so athletic and it has been so humbling to not be able to run, jog or do many active things I love.  Things as simple as bowling...what a piece of humble pie when I found out I couldn't even do that!  God has a plan and he has taught me so much and will continue to teach me and guide me through my healing journey.  It's frustrating not being able to do things my mind is finally wanting to do, but my body won't allow me.  I'm finally climbing out of this valley of depression and on to new adventures.  Sorry for the slight negative vibe here.  I usually like to post really positive and encouraging things!  I'm positive I will beat arthritis! :)  Never give up!  Hugs & aloha <3

Ch-ch-chia

That catchy products of the 80's was more than a fun plant.  Chia seeds have emerged in recent years as a renewed interest super food.  Chia seeds are full of micronutrients.  They were used by ancient warriors in South America long ago and they have made a come back as runners and athletes fuel of choice. 

Chia gel is easy to make and fairly inexpensive.  It fills you up, adds omegas and its gelatinous structure helps with detox too!  I love putting them in my green smoothies.

I tried a raw organic cherry chia seed kombucha yesterday. It was actually good! I'm not a cherry flavored anything fan, unless they are real cherries, but this was yummy. To top it off, I had energy, got my fair share of omega 3's too! Did you know chia seeds have three times as much omegas as salmon does?

So sing the chia song and do a happy dance with all your renewed energy from your new friend the chia seed.

Melting Away

Well, I am still going strong.  Adding more exercise and new all vegan recipes this week. It's weird this week all of the sudden inches are melting off. It's great to see my body responding so well!

I have had some temptations this week, but I have remained strong.  I missed eggs this week, but every time I am tempted I think of the poor male chics that are thrown in the garbage or ground alive because they are not valuable to the egg industry and I quickly don't miss eggs. 

Feeling Great and Losing Weight

Well, here I am on day nineteen of my 100% vegan journey.  I am feeling great!  Some of the benefits I have notices are the following: I am sleeping better, I have more energy, I feel better emotionally & physically, I dont feel bloated anymore, my conscience is clear that I am not supporting cruel industries, and my family is eating more produce as a result!

It is really weird to me how I suddenly found a whole new willpower. It took strength to pass up certain things in the beginning.  I struggled with cheese, bacon and eggs the most in the beginning. Now as time has gone I have had a paradigm shift. It is almost like I don't view those things as food or even an option anymore. My feeling better physically and in my conscience combined with the education I have been providing myself through articles online, magazines, books and documentaries have made a huge difference.  I find myself wanting to share with others my newly found and renewed knowledge with others.  I just can't ignore what I knew before this vegan pledge and what I now know in addition to that.

Some of my favorite things to eat are black beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, cilantro, bananas, brown rice, muesli, almond milk, figs, apples, carrots, spinach galore, kale, soups, oatmeal.  Below are some pictures of my nummy foods. 

I am finding it like a fun and positive adventure instead of a negative challenge to find ways to eat vegan while out in public and asking questions of my server as well as researching online too.  I look forward to having my own place again so I cqn entertain friends and family and be able to prepare my vegan recipes and shock and awe them with the deliciousness!!! 

Until next time...live aloha.

Three in the Bucket

Whelp three days in the bucket and I don't feel deprived, hungry nor have headaches.  :D  I have  been about 50% raw though, not fully but I am eating fully vegan and loving it.  I actually slept really hard last night once I finally fell asleep.  I have been struggling with insomnia a lot lately so I was up until 2am last night but I slept really well once I did go to sleep.

So the other day I was on Pintrest and this get well gift idea actually disgusted me.  They are cookies shaped like pills in a mason jar with a pretend rx label.  I get the sentiment and all that and it's a creative idea; however the fact that our society, pharmaceuticals and western medicine have brainwashed us. 

Hippocrates put it best when he said "Let food be thy medicine."  I am trying and testing this theory out myself.  I get a lot of headaches and instead of just popping pain killer I stop to think about it and sometimes document my headaches and migraines. 

Well, thanks for taking the time to read this.  This year is off to a good start for me and I hope the same is for you.  Attitude is everything!

Hugs & Aloha!

Self-Care

I am not one for New Year's Resolutions, but rather goal setting.  This year as of January 1st I took the thirty day vegan pledge at The Vegan Society.  They match you up with am mentor if you like.  Mine has already emailed me and she is fabulous and local too!  Many have asked me to keep track of my journey and post pictures and recipes so here I am.  :)

Today is day three of my vegan journey and I feel great so far.  I am not hungry, nor have I really had any cravings.  I found will power from somewhere and I do not know where!  On New Year's Day I was even able to pass us one of my favorite (old favorites) soups that my mom makes.  It is a fabulous pumpkin soup recipe from Paula Dean, but it has bacon grease inside the soup and is topped with bacon too.  I might try to toy with this recipe and make a vegan version of it.  Anyone reading this that has a substitute for bacon grease please feel free to suggest. I was thinking coconut oil.

I have been on a healthy journey as last year I found myself at my heaviest, with a knee injury that really knocked me down and on seven months of short term disability  medical leave.  I found myself having a pity party, depressed, down, hopeless and feeling trapped in my own body and mind.  With God, prayer, self-realization and a good friend from middle school who works at a gym I have slowly but surely climbed out of the pit of depression that I was in. Don't get me wrong I still struggle with depression almost daily, but I am doing far better.  

Self-care is not a thing that our society, especially in the U.S. supports.  People may act like they do or even say they do, but don't you recall hearing "she is selfish" or "he is selfish".  To me being selfish to a very small degree is healthy.  You must make sure that you love yourself enough to take and in some cases make time to care about yourself and for yourself.  Some examples of what I am referring to are prayer, sleep, spiritual well-being  mental health, journaling, simple things like brushing and flossing, eating right.  There are so many small things that we put off daily for ourselves.  If we take care of our temple we are able to love others more readily and help others when called upon.  If we are unhealthy and unhappy how are we going to be a blessing to anyone?

All that to say, I have never been consistent at blogging, but I have been asked by some friends to document my thirty day vegan journey with pictures, recipes, honesty and encouragements   So here I am writing away for me and for you.  I hope you enjoy my thoughts, tips and realizations.  I will do my best to post something daily be it a picture, thought pattern or realization.  Blessings to you!

Hugs & Aloha!  <3