Whew! What a week and a half. First and foremost, happy fall! Even though the temperature does not evidence that fall is here, it really almost is. And lets face it, it is the best season. Of course I love me some summer sun and beach days but something about the fall really screams New England. Nothing beats the basic bitch things like apple picking and pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING but there are tons of other awesome things about fall. Like the crisp air and foliage, especially up in Vermont. You really can't beat it. But enough about the weather, on to more interesting things...like only eating plants!
Let me start off by saying THIS IS HARD. I knew it wasn't going to be easy and I never anticipated that everyday wouldn't be a challenge but that first day in the grocery store I was like a kid lost at an amusement park wondering around aimlessly looking at everything but not processing a single thing. I didn't know what to get or where to start. I left with some fruits and veggies but not the slightest idea of how to make them into full meals packed with nutrients and protein. I bought some vegetarian "chicken" strips, needles to say one bite and right into the trash they went. No bueno. I also decided that it was too processed, who knows what was in that stuff honestly. It was terrible, don't ever do it.
So what have I been eating after feeling lifeless and discouraged during my first grocery store experience. I've learned a lot in the past ten days. I've been living on BEANS BEANS QUINOA and more BEANS. Which is ironic because prior to this new lifestyle I was not a big carb eater, tried to avoid them at all costs, well look at me now. It freightens me a little because I certianly don't want to gain weight but I haven't found that to be the case and I am still watching what I am eating and the amount that I am eating. Don't get the wrong idea, I'm not sitting here stuffing my face with can after can of beans or pounds of quinoa. But I do try to have either one at each meal as they are both great sources of protein.
I also rely a lot on plan proteins. I eat a lot of broccoli, brussel sprouts, spinach, peppers and anything in between. I find that they fill me up for a long period of time and are packed with great nutrients and alot of protein. And of course I eat tons of the obvious...fruit. Yummy yummy!
This is my normal daily routine. For breakfast I have a protein shake, I am still finishing up my regular protein so I haven't purchased plant based protein just yet but I have my eye on it. I make it with ice, almond milk, water and cinnamon. It's delish! For snacks I have tomatoes and cucumbers and two pieces of fruit, I do not eat this all at once but spread it out throughout the day. Lunch is usually a mason jar salad with beans, quinoa, spinach/lettuce, broccoli and other veggies. And my favorite meal of the day, dinner of course, I usually make a quinoa or rice mix with veggies and beans. For example, tonight I had spaghetti squash with homemade pasta sauce and I added zucchini, squash, spinach and garbanzo beans. It was so good!
I am also trying to take a multivitamin to make sure I am covering all of my bases here. It's been hard and let me just say that I am mostly trying to remove animal products from my every day life. I am still allowing myself to have some meat or cheese on special occasions or every once in a while. I went from eating eggs with cheese for breakfast with bacon and or sausage and a sandwich or salad with lunch meat or chicken for lunch and animal protein for dinner. With the addition of cheese and meats as snacks as well. So if I am able to eliminate them from my everyday life and enjoy them once in a while then I have accomplished my goal =)
Let me start off by saying THIS IS HARD. I knew it wasn't going to be easy and I never anticipated that everyday wouldn't be a challenge but that first day in the grocery store I was like a kid lost at an amusement park wondering around aimlessly looking at everything but not processing a single thing. I didn't know what to get or where to start. I left with some fruits and veggies but not the slightest idea of how to make them into full meals packed with nutrients and protein. I bought some vegetarian "chicken" strips, needles to say one bite and right into the trash they went. No bueno. I also decided that it was too processed, who knows what was in that stuff honestly. It was terrible, don't ever do it.
So what have I been eating after feeling lifeless and discouraged during my first grocery store experience. I've learned a lot in the past ten days. I've been living on BEANS BEANS QUINOA and more BEANS. Which is ironic because prior to this new lifestyle I was not a big carb eater, tried to avoid them at all costs, well look at me now. It freightens me a little because I certianly don't want to gain weight but I haven't found that to be the case and I am still watching what I am eating and the amount that I am eating. Don't get the wrong idea, I'm not sitting here stuffing my face with can after can of beans or pounds of quinoa. But I do try to have either one at each meal as they are both great sources of protein.
I also rely a lot on plan proteins. I eat a lot of broccoli, brussel sprouts, spinach, peppers and anything in between. I find that they fill me up for a long period of time and are packed with great nutrients and alot of protein. And of course I eat tons of the obvious...fruit. Yummy yummy!
This is my normal daily routine. For breakfast I have a protein shake, I am still finishing up my regular protein so I haven't purchased plant based protein just yet but I have my eye on it. I make it with ice, almond milk, water and cinnamon. It's delish! For snacks I have tomatoes and cucumbers and two pieces of fruit, I do not eat this all at once but spread it out throughout the day. Lunch is usually a mason jar salad with beans, quinoa, spinach/lettuce, broccoli and other veggies. And my favorite meal of the day, dinner of course, I usually make a quinoa or rice mix with veggies and beans. For example, tonight I had spaghetti squash with homemade pasta sauce and I added zucchini, squash, spinach and garbanzo beans. It was so good!
I am also trying to take a multivitamin to make sure I am covering all of my bases here. It's been hard and let me just say that I am mostly trying to remove animal products from my every day life. I am still allowing myself to have some meat or cheese on special occasions or every once in a while. I went from eating eggs with cheese for breakfast with bacon and or sausage and a sandwich or salad with lunch meat or chicken for lunch and animal protein for dinner. With the addition of cheese and meats as snacks as well. So if I am able to eliminate them from my everyday life and enjoy them once in a while then I have accomplished my goal =)
