on Hiatus

I've tried to keep up with regular posting but unfortunately I haven't been able to maintain the schedule.

Then yesterday my beautiful furbaby, my oldest cat, was hit by a car and killed. To say I am heartbroken is an understatement.

to be honest blogging is the last thing on my mind, so I won't be updating until I've grieved and feel up to getting back into a challenge mode.

Day 15: Vegan Easy Challenge

Well my two "Bring a plate" meals over the weekend were OK but I think I need some practice cooking before I attempt making samosas again. The rice paper rolls were not too bad, I didn't mind them but the lack of fresh herbs available (bite me Coles!) made it hard to get some quality flavour in them. The only downside to my samosas was that the pastry was dry... possibly because I overworked it, but for a first attempt I don't think they were too gag worthy.
No photos again, I left the camera at work *facepalm*
Unfortunately since the weekend I've been fighting a head cold/ bug thing, so my meals have been even more basic than usual. (noodles and broth anyone?) Been sticking to walking for exercise until I shake off this bug and get back into it.

I'm annoyed that I'd picked up this bug but I've noticed I am handling it better. I think the lack of dairy is definitely helping and my asthma is not even flaring up. However this is the second time I've gotten sick in as many months and I know my immune system is down due to some others things that have been happening in the last couple of months. I'm wondering if my diet is going to help boost my immune system but plan on seeing a naturopath to check out what else I can do to help.

Last but not least...a few weeks ago I agreed to a BASG (Big Ass Scary Goal) with my friend and I'm going to share it here:
She completed her first half marathon in July this year and I asked if she thought I was capable of doing the same by next July - The Gold Coast Marathon. She says yep, and so now I am going to doing my first half marathon with my friend running it with me. I am scared but determined.

Day 11: Vegan Easy Challenge

Can I just say that I am loving this challenge? I'm not getting bored with my meals, even though I am a creature of habit and you will catch me eating the same breakfast each day, so perhaps I am a poor judge of variety. That said, I've cooked more new meals in the last 10 days than I have in the last 10 weeks.
I've got a heap more energy than last week.
(despite a mental health day yesterday that had nothing to do with physical energy and all to do with being.. well.. mental...)

I have my first 'bring a plate' event to attend this Saturday, and am now going through a few of my recipes to see what I can cook up. Naturally, photos will be taken of what culinary delights I can whip up.

Exercise: I swear I am not exaggerating, but I was wondering if it'd be less painful to type using my nose. My arms are killing me and my  legs and core muscle are all screaming at me. Ladies and gentleman, I bring you... DOMS.
The weirdest thing is, I didn't really use my arms last night at training (This is roller derby training by the way) unless you count toward the end where I was so tired I was using my arms to haul myself up by using the wall. The mental health thing I mentioned earlier was me getting angry at myself for being fat, unfit and untalented because I couldn't do half of the drills we were attempting. Plus watching people master in weeks what has taken me literally all year to achieve didn't help improve my disgust.
So, I had a slight meltdown, got a pep talk from my coach and then continued to train. If nothing else, that little event has just solidified why I am doing this... no one likes being last all the time, and it's no different for me.

Dinner tonight is going to be pretty simple, got a recipe for pad thai I want to try out. Will it be a kitchen delight or kitchen fright? Stay tuned....

Day Eight: Vegan Easy Challenge

First and foremost... after weighing in I am happy to report I am down a whole kilo since last week... Not bad considering I didn't exercise every day and I've been drinking a few too many ciders. (erm... healthy blog, remember?? Back on the sobriety wagon woman!)

So, it's day eight and the last few days have simply flown by. Work has a lot to answer for in that regard! Sleeping in this morning meant I didn't take my lunch but thankfully I was downtown at lunchtime and treated myself to my first Funky Pie. *drools* OK, so I could have got a salad but it was right there... so delicious....
*shakes head*

Right, in the interest of keeping that 1 kilo off, the rest of the week shall be free of vegan friendly fast food. And cider.

More changes have become apparent in just eight days of a vegan diet and this one I am psyched about... my acne is starting to settle down and I swear I've had less breakouts. That is a big WIN for me.

I also tried my first honest to goodness yoga class.
Oh dear.
Oh dear, oh dear....
My balance is terrible! And did I think I wasn't going to get a workout? Think again, I can only just now sit down without my legs muscles shrieking. Yikes.
The meditation at the end was groovy though and yes, I am going back.

I'd say Week One was a resounding success!

Stay happy and healthy peeps.

Day Four: Vegan Easy Challenge

Wow, it's been so busy I've barely had time to update the blog! But I am still here and still going strong. :)
I've already noticed some changes, mainly my sense of smell is a lot better and I am a lot less...erm...phlegmy... (gross, but true).

My meals have been fairly basic, have been using a few leftovers so there are a lot of repeats. Mexican Salad has been my hero for the last few days, one of those lunches I could easily eat every other day. Tonight's fare of satay marinated tofu with noodles and steamed veg was to die for, and so so simple to make. I really need to start getting some photos!

Exercise has started! OK, it's mainly walking, but I've been brave and decided to try out a yoga class - less for the sweat and more for the challenge of doing something different. :)

Stay happy and healthy peeps!

Day One: Vegan Easy Challenge

Today marked the first day of the Vegan Easy Challenge. I signed up a little while ago and today kicked off the first day. I decided that in addition to doing the challenge, in order to keep with the spirit of this blog I was also going to try and keep it as healthy as possible too, as there is a tonne of (delicious) vegan junk food out there.

Daily Noms
Breakfast: porridge with raspberries stirred through.
Lunch: salad roll with avocado.
Dinner: Mexican salad with crisped corn tortillas - homemade refried beans and salsa... Just call me the Vegan Masterchef! (Actually.. no.. don't)

Snacks: 1 x pear, 6 vita wheats with avodaco & tomato.


All in all, I was really satisfied with the meals I had today and dinner was that nice, I plan to have the leftovers for lunch tomorrow.



Fat Stats

Starting weight: 132kg
I'm going to weigh myself once a week whilst on the challenge. During November I am not relying on diet alone, I will be exercising but I will be recording each session along with my food.

It's all about the health and wellbeing baby :)
That said, no exercise today.