10-23-2014 17:03
10-23-2014 17:03
back again .... my dog ate my 1st fitbit. Hoping to connect with others ...
10-23-2014 21:06
10-23-2014 21:06
Vegan fersure...but diet is generally low fat anyway, except what I add to it. And the coconut oil in my coffee....YUM!!!
Can't go No-fat, body needs carbs, complete proteins, and fats to function optimally.....
SO now there are atleast 2 of us vegans here!!! woohoo!!
10-24-2014 05:21
10-24-2014 05:21
10-24-2014 13:33
10-24-2014 13:33
@dorthy glad to have you back on track... I have to admit that I lol when I read your dog ate your first fitbit; sorry but it took me back. I am vegan 95% as it is simply too difficult for me to live in this world and be 100% though I did try. My health was really bad and when I changed my lifestyle I gradually ended up Vegan and I love it. Do you eat mostly raw or do you cook your foods? Friend me if you like. I love to chat about the Vegan lifestyle as most of my friends are not. May you meet all of you goals!
10-25-2014 11:11
10-25-2014 11:11
I wonder how many steps your dog has done then? lol
I became a vegetarian about three months ago and and am trying to limit dairy and eggs with the aim of becoming vegan. I have managed to give up yoghurt, eggs and milk without any trouble but am having a hard time with cheese and butter. I buy local ethically raised cheese and butter which makes me feel slightly better about it and only eat it once or twice a week at the most. Thing is I love bread which I bake myself and its just not the same without butter! I try to avoid processed foods too so cant eat vegan spreads that are available such as Earth Balance etc. I am hoping that gradually I will be able to phase it out completely but dont want to cut out too much all at once as I might crack.
I must say that since changing to a vegetarian (with very limited dairy) whole foods diet the weight seems to be coming off much easier than before which is great and I am feeling very well in myself.
I have disccovered the blog My Whole Food Life which is all vegan and has the greatest recipes. I was having trouble coming up with meal ideas and it has helped me no end.
10-25-2014 16:22
10-25-2014 16:22
10-25-2014 17:24
10-25-2014 17:24
@Mel2 congratulations on your progressive journey toward the vegan lifestyle. I so get what you mean about dairy and cheese... I was lactose intolerant so I had more incentive to stay away from dairy and it fueled my desire to learn how to make my own plant based foods... milks and cheese included... it is so easy once you get the timing down. Eating raw does require one to plan ahead for anything dehydrated or faux dairy and it is worth it. I loved to cook and bake and now I have a new way of uncooking and unbaking that meets my needs in a much healthier way. When I say 95% Raw Vegan it is just that and at times even higher.
The remaining 5% comes into play as a vegan but is cooked and has the occaisional "real food" as my friends call it. Every week I make a big pot of vegan soup or stew and break it down to freeze and eat when I seek the warmth of comfort food. Then there is the occaisional bit of real ice cream or a candy bar or pizza or fresh baked bread... basically the foods I love that don't like me but I just have to have them once in a while... I am only human and will not deny myself that pleasure or I can get grumpy. Truth is I want it less knowing it is ok. No red meat since 2006. But I'd be lying if I said I never had an egg or a serving of chicken or fish since then but you will not find those foods in my home. Except for 4 cans of tuna and salmon on the top shelf of my cupboard in case of an emergency.
I dehydrate many foods and make great flax crackers to dip in nut pulps. Chips, trail bars, cookies and deserts that are way yummy and no preservatives. Raw soups and lots of green drinks and smoothies... Learning to "un" cook has been a wonderful experience. and yes the better we eat the pounds do fall off. But if you over do it with raw or vegan the pounds will accumulate as well. Nutbutters are my downfall.
There are many books for vegans and raw foodest out there. Many are not sorted in a way that I find easy to follow. There are a couple good raw vegan video channels on my Roku Food Channel that are quite interesting. I learned how to make an unsloppy joe with mushrooms and it was soooo good. Once you get into it you will love creating your own recipies as there are no rules. I love to dehydrate foods and wish I had the energy to do more of it but my health holds me back. Bulk cooking and uncooking is a great way to free up time for other fun things in life. You can get in a rut eating salads and there is no reason with the variety of ways to prepare raw foods. I have found that I duplicate most meals and they taste better. Raw spahetti and sauce is excellent. All about thinking outside the box. Most important in uncooking is to be certain that you soak and rinse seeds and nuts. I use quinoa and
I wish you luck and hope that the list below is helpful:
Books:
1. RAWSOME by Brigitte Mars (my go to and the first book I bought, filled with why go vegan, lists of foods, nutritional benefits and excellent recipies)
2. Ani's Raw food kitchen ( good all around information and many good recipies)
3. The New Whole Foods Encycloopedia ( I was never able to eat fresh foods and when I found this is opened my eyes to a new world ... )
Kitchen Appliances:
1. Vita Mix
2. Good Food Processor (Kitchen Aide)
3. Dehydrator (Excalibur)
4. Ninja 3in1 that is now even better (for cooking hot foods)
I'm going to check out that blog you mentioned; thanks.
10-25-2014 17:47
10-25-2014 17:47
10-25-2014 17:51
10-25-2014 17:51
10-25-2014 20:25
10-25-2014 20:25
10-26-2014 07:13
10-26-2014 07:13
10-26-2014 08:33
10-26-2014 08:33
10-26-2014 08:36
10-26-2014 08:36
10-26-2014 10:10
10-26-2014 10:10
10-28-2014 15:31
10-28-2014 15:31
I really try to follow McDougall as well. Gotta love all the potatoes! I had an injury and havent been very mobile the last 4 weeks but still managed to knock off a pound a week and I was not eating perfectly. Straight Up Food is a good blog too!
My favorite recipe right now is Oh She Glows Cauliflower alfredo. You can googel it and get the recipe - I just leave out the oil. I like to put it over 1/2 spaghetti squash and 1/2 whole wheat pasta.
Love making new low fat vegan friends!
10-30-2014 13:16
10-30-2014 13:16
Hi dorthy. Congrats on your weight loss! Are you following "The Starch Solution"?
12-09-2014 13:50
12-09-2014 13:50
I'm closer to low-carb vegan than low-fat, but I don't follow either strictly.
It seems that low-carb will help you lose weight faster than low-fat, but i guess calories is the most important.
i love these vegan protein bars: http://store.nugonutrition.com/products/20902.html
and The Good Slice Veggie Bologna (Yves) is low fat, low carb, and high protein - while only around 200 calories per package. I eat them right out of the sleeve!