Category Archives: forks over knives

WEIGH IN AND WELLNESS

Happy first day of October. I hope everyone is getting some apple cider and enjoying the brand new season. I love Autumn, even though here it’s still very hot and humid. There’s lots of positivity and change coming my way, I feel it deep in my soul. I always say Change comes on slow and then runs you over. We will see in the following weeks and months where change will take us. For now I’m healing from my kidney infection and focusing back on my goals. Remember to always drink enough water even the day before weigh in. I thought it was a good idea to cut water and fast the  day before my weigh in days. I dehydrated myself and it’s probably one of the reasons I got a kidney infection. Lesson learned, there are no short cuts to true weight loss, wellness, health and fitness. 

I mentioned last time I posted I am staying on WW ( formally weight watchers). My diet has not been clean and even though I’m losing weight I do not feel well. I decided to clean up my act for 30 days. I’m always going to be vegan, but I don’t always eat whole food and plant based. I’m going to eat clean vegan for 30 days. Perfect, on Halloween I can enjoy my favorite vegan fun foods. I’m also cutting out my vegan mayo and vegan butters, replacing with Whole Foods like avocado, nut and seed butters. The goal is to feel better, so I can focus on fitness and wellness. I’m so happy and proud that vegan alternatives are so readily available, and I’m a fan; but for me I need to try to eat those items in moderation. I will be experimenting with cooking and recipes. A few of my vegan cookies from the bake sale are wfpb. 

Late breakfast today. I had to help my hubby James get ready for his flight to D.C. I’m having toasted Ezekiel bread with pure nut butter and bananas.

If you are vegan I would love you to join me on this 30 day challenge. My weight is still 173 lbs. I didn’t make my goal to make it in the 160’s by the end of September, so my goal is now for the end of October. I can do this. 

Love and Light for today I’m out! 

Rose

 

44 Day Challenge

Did you know it’s 44 days until Halloween arrives? This really begins the Autumn/Holiday season for many. My hubby James and I always have our little tradition. We eat burgers ( now vegan)  and carve pumpkins and drink cider, all watching scary movies. It’s a tradition we honored since our Pittsburgh days. This year we will not let that tradition slide by.

Today I’m starting a 44 day challenge. I’m going to try to show up here daily and share what I’m doing. I’m going to take it Day by day because I may change things up, but my plan is to focus on nutrition, fitness and goals. To show up daily despite my work schedule. I’ve lost 23 lbs but in my opinion I’ve been not working as hard as I can. I watched a video with Tao-Porchon Lynch and she really inspired me. So today begins my challenge. It’s 44 days until Halloween. Let’s do this!! 

No cheat days until Halloween. No pasta. Only whole grain foods in moderation. A little dark chocolate is ok. I’m really going to try to not eat my goodies at our bake sale, just the vegan healthy cookies but in moderation. No refined junk of any kind. I’m going to eat clean vegan. 

Daily Yoga Sun Salutations, and some other workouts. I’m using Melissa Bender Fitness, and my cardio will be walking, running etc. I plan to move 60 minutes a day plus ten sun salutations daily. Legs up a wall before bed. I don’t care if my workout before or after work, if I have time to sit and watch tv I have time to without. 1 hour plus ten sun salutations. Like that Pizza Guy on YouTube says, that’s the rules. Everybody knows the rules, everybody being me. 

The other things I will be adding will be addressed in future posts. What I’m reading, writing, who I’m watching for inspiration. Fun classes I may take, plus tools for self development. Products I use to help me heal and make me feel well again. I’m not sick but my body can be my temple again. Lots of personal goals I’m going to tackle. No procrastination. Today is the day. As I type this we found out an old friend in Pittsburgh PA lost his battle with Lung Cancer. He was only 38. Life is short. Do what you dream of doing today. RIP Chris Pierce. Thank you for your kindness.

RIP Chris

 

Vegan Staples

Let food me thy medicine and medicine be thy food.

Hippocrates

Happy Wednesday to all. I’m  in the process of really reinventing this blog, posting more as  I begin my round two of fitness and weight loss. A lot of people are asking me about what to buy at the grocery store, so I decided to post a very basic whole foods plant-based grocery list. This does not include my favorite vegan fun foods, those convenience foods you reach for when you want vegan cheese or vegan veggie burgers. Those are my occasional treats, not my everyday staples.

This is a healthy list, the foods I eat daily. It’s just a basic list, really you can have as much fresh fruits and vegetables as you like.  Recipes will follow. I recommend watching the film Forks over Knives and What the Health. Let’s get started. This list is also budget friendly. 

This is my personal list but I’m also attaching a video and post from Dr Greger. The vegan health doctors all agree to avoid nuts and avocado if you have heart disease. I eat  minimum oils, salt, and sugar. I try to do Dr Greger’s Daily Dozen. I have the app and my goal is to do the Dozen Dozen every day.

 

I hope this helps. I started my day today with oatmeal in organic soy milk with berries, chia seeds with coffee and soy creamer. I will make a large smoothie before work with Trader Joe’s pea protein powder, organic soy milk, spinach, kale, banana and flax seeds. For dinner I will have lentil and vegetable soup with toasted Ezekiel bread and romaine salad with vegetables. I follow a lady who has a website with great YouTube videos. I will post her link when I’m not rushed for time. I wish you joy on the road to health and happiness. Links and list below. 

Love and light

Rose

 

https://nutritionstudies.org/plant-based-grocery-shopping-guide/

 

Produce Staples: frozen berries, fresh berries, bananas, oranges, apples, large bag of spinach, large bag of kale, fresh or frozen broccoli,fresh or frozen cauliflower, bag mini peppers, green peppers, celery, carrots, yellow onions, red onions, garlic, fresh or frozen green beans, zucchini, eggplant, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, frozen peas, cubed butternut squash, potatoes, lemons.

Pantry Staples: Quick Oats, Ezekiel Bread, bag lentils, bag split peas, cans low sodium garbanzo beans, cans low sodium black beans, cans low sodium kidney beans, cans low sodium pinto beans, cans low sodium great northern beans, brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, date sugar, tofu, unsweetened organic soy milk or almond milk, unsweetened silk soy creamer, unsalted peanut butter or almond butter, unsalted cans diced tomatoes, unsalted cans crushed tomatoes, hummus, low sodium vegetable stock.

Some Trader Joe’s staples: steamed lentils, unsweetened pea protein powder, sprouted whole grain bagels, low sodium vegetable stock, hummus, dates, soy creamer, frozen shredded potatoes, tofu, maple syrup, Black strap molasses, balsamic vinegar, basil, oregano, cumin, chili spice, turmeric, cinnamon, paprika.

 

 

 

 

It’s a Lifestyle

Happy Day after Valentine’s Day to all. I hope the special day brought you joy, whether you have a valentine or not. I work in a restaurant at night so my day was all work and no play. That’s ok, it’s my hump day and soon my my off days will be here. I’m working hard for the money and grateful for my blessings. 

It’s day 4 of my 30 day Whole Foods plant-based challenge. I’m vegan and I’m trying to lean more towards a cleaner way of taking care of my temple. Day 4 and I feel fabulous, not as fatigued from waiting tables. For a while I thought I was getting sick, or old, and now I realize I just wasn’t feeding my body correctly. I’m doing the challenge to help myself kick it into high gear, to be accountable. At the end I will have a delicious vegan cheat day and do another 30 day challenge. I’m going to do this plan going forward. I plan to check my cholesterol in a few months, to see how this is working for my body. Staying away from all oils is the biggest hurdle, but I’m sticking to it. In 30 days I will jump on the scale, and going forward I will only weigh myself once a month. 

We had a cat health scare with Max, but it was a false alarm. I will take him in to be safe soon, but it seems he was constipated. I found out today my Mom’s sister, my Aunt Elaine in Chicago had a stroke. I think she’s going to be ok, but send her lots of prayers. In life, challenges pop up when you least expect them. No matter what comes, I’m not deviating from my food plan. This is for my heath, period. My weight loss will be an added bonus. 

Next week I will post on my fitness plans, and more of what I’m eating. I’m going forward and not looking back. Onward and upward for me.

Love and Light 

Rose

Smoothie Prep

 

I bought these little containers to prep smoothies the night before. They are just simple containers, but it will be a huge factor in my success going forward. On my work days I need to be set up for success. This is my week one, and I’m beginning strong. I did a mini plant-based haul and I’m ready to rock it. My smoothie consists of spinach, kale, blueberries, banana, chia seeds plus soy milk and a little peanut butter with no salt. 

My 30 day challenge will actually be a few days longer than 30 days. I want my one cheat day to be on my day off. That will be the day I weigh in. In the next 30 or so days I will be posting what I’m eating and how it’s making me feel, including recipes. Day two and any heart burn I had from eating consistent processed food is gone.

I will also be going over my workouts, and what I’m doing this time to get in the best shape of my life. My week one is all about getting back to basics, finding my footing through clean eating nutrition. 

Have a wonderful Wednesday. It’s never too late to dream a new dream or revisit dreams you never were able to accomplish. As long as you are breathing there is time. 

30 Day Challenge

Good Day to all. Today is the first day of my wellness journey 2.0. I’m really starting over this time. I choose now because a lot of the struggles and stresses are quieting down, and I’m open for change. Sometimes you must wait until you are ready to commit to change. This is that moment for me. 

I am vegan for ethical beliefs, and I do believe it’s the healthy way to wellness. With that said, I’ve been kind of a vegan junk food addict.  I am happy all of my fave vegan comfort food exists, but I’m taking on the Whole Foods plant-based lifestyle again. My plan is to eat completely clean for 30 days, no oil with limited salt and sugar. To be honest the sugar will just be in my coffee each morning, that’s it.

I have so many reasons why I’m doing a 30 day wfpb challenge. I feel ill, my stomach aches. I’m bloated. I feel for me vegan convenience food should be rare treats like any convenience comfort food. In 30 days I will have one cheat day after my weigh in and I will do another 30 day wfpb challenge. Stay tuned for what I will be eating with recipes. I’m just starting new on this blog and finding my footing again after a long time of not being consistent. I’m starting my cardio this week with yoga and stretching. Workouts will follow, and daily updates on my blog. 

One of my favorite vegan influences I follow is Tabitha Brown. She said don’t wait until you are sick to make changes in your nutrition. That really resonated with me, so let my 30 day challenge begin. It’s the perfect way to start again on my blog.

This blog will be all about wellness, weight loss, veganism, plant-based life, workouts etc. Charities and giving back won’t be featured here anymore. I’m launching a brand new sister blog for all of that goodness. 

Let my challenge begin. 

Happy Brand New Beginnings 

Love, light, and good health to you

Rose

 

 

 

WEIGH IN WEDNESDAY

Weigh in day came early. I admit it I was impatient to get on the scale, technically I weighed in one week ago today, but I started posting on my blog regularly a day or two later. For now Wednesday will be weigh in Wednesday. 

Through a very stressful week after getting back into town I lost five pounds. I know my clean eating Whole Foods plant-based is working. I admit it’s a challenge to change your mindset on oils and salt, but oils and salt are only going to be occasionally treats for me along with the rare occasional vegan junk food.

It’s been forever since I’ve seen the numbers move on the scale. I’m committed to staying the course through my overwhelming challenges and a bit of temporary depression. Soon I will be updating workouts and cardio. As someone who has been described as dangerously optimistic and eternally happy I’ve discovered I too am human and can have sad moments in my life.

The journey the second time around is so much harder. I’m not giving up no matter what obstacles come my way. Ever heard of dodgeball? I’m dodging every single thing that attempts to tempt me to falter. I’m going to be a weight loss success story. I will get my eternal happiness back, it’s just taking a bit of hard work this time.

Namaste

love and light

Rose

MEXICAN LASAGNA

Today was a long day and not my most positive of days. A lot of issues seemed to weigh down on me, more than my weight issues. I refuse to deviate from my goals though, My emotions will no longer be a reason for me to go off my food plan or to have a binge.  I’m trying to keep going, but I definitely was not my jovial self today. I know I won’t always be perfect but I just started and I plan to stay the course. I’m posting from my phone because I’m having computer issues. It’s ok, I got this. Weigh in day is soon approaching.

 

Yesterday I made a fifteen bean soup, it’s Mexican inspired. I decided to make it into a Mexican Bake inspired by a recipe of Mexican Lasagna I found on a YouTube Channel called Jeanne Schumacher -Plant Power. I recently discovered her Channel and I love it.  I used my bean soup in place of the mashed beans and used mild salsa and green salsa. Here’s the link to her recipe on her YouTube Channel. She offers so much practical advice for transitioning to a Whole Foods Plant Based lifestyle. I hope you enjoy. 

 

DAY ONE

There is no yesterday and there is no tomorrow, today is the day I get it right. That’s my new formula. When I wake up on a brand new day I will repeat that mantra.

Rose Bruno Bailey

Happy Friday to all. Today is my new official day one. I plan to post daily even if it’s just a quick update. There is a lot going on in my world, but to me that is the perfect time to begin anew before my weight gain gets out of control. I weighed in officially today, I am 191.8 lbs.   I was 159 lbs over a year ago. I own my slip up and I am ready to put the hard work in, this time I am vegan.

I am vegan for the animals and environment, and I am experimenting what works for my health and weight loss as I begin this journey to lose weight again. I am going to try to eat clean and whole foods/plant-based. I am lowering my oil, salt and  refined sugars significantly. I am also keeping a daily food journal with the Loseitapp. For the last six months I admit I did not try as I should have, and I ate a lot of vegan junk food. I am grateful those foods exist but from now on those will be occasional treats for me, just like meat based treats were occasional my first time around on this blog. I promise I will not get obsessive in my food choices, but to be frank I feel like complete crap and I am ready to get back to being me. For now I am shooting for 1,370 calories daily. That should translate to a over a pound a week weight loss.

Breakfast today was a half cup cooked oats with a small diced apple, one tablespoon chia seeds and soy yogurt. I had one cup of coffee with non dairy creamer, and I am on the look out for a non dairy creamer that is cleaner without added oils. I am open to suggestions. One cup of coffee for me daily is non negotiable. I love my morning java.

Wish me luck as I experiment and embark on this brand new journey. Off to workout before my night shift. Have a fabulous weekend full of gratitude for every moment. 

Love and Light

Rose

 

GONE VEGAN

 

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”


Hippocretes 

It is funny how the life journey goes, you go along with your life and all of a sudden you evolve and become your authentic self. This blog, weight loss and helping charities has helped me along my journey but something was missing for the whole time. I knew what it was, but I did not have the strength to make the change even though I knew what was in my heart and soul.

My husband and I watched a few documentaries this week. We watched the What the Health film, Forks over Knives and Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead.  We both looked at each other and said that’s it, let’s make the change today. So here I am, it has been four days and I am all in and totally inspired. There are a few things I would like to share as I go forward with my new journey.

Making such a change sometimes means losing what you grew up on. My Mother passed away recently and a few of my recipes on this blog are her meat based meals. The last post was her Chicken Vesuvio, so in some ways I am losing her again. I am letting go of the traditions I grew up with in exchange for my own personal convictions. I plan to deal with this by  veganizing her recipes, I will reinvent her dishes like I am reinventing myself. She is always with me, and her traditions were based on sharing love with all who walked into her life. I will share that mission.

I am living this lifestyle, so the recipes and food I share will be that of my new way of living. With that said, I do not wish to be preachy and pushy. If you get inspiration from me that is wonderful but always first be your true authentic self. You do you, I will do me and together we are connected.

I plan to eat mostly pure whole foods, healthy out of these food groups; Vegetables, Fruits, Nuts, Grains, seeds and legumes, with little healthy oils. Every now and then I may have an occasional vegan cheat day with processed vegan food. Did you know Oreos are vegan? Even the healthiest of the healthy humans enjoys a little moderation now and then. 

Weight loss is still a huge part of my journey as I am still 30 lbs from goal. I plan to step up my charity game and focus more on my health and fitness than my appearance. I believe eating a lot of fruits and vegetables are healing from the inside out. I plan to share all of the new recipes I am coming up with, and I realized I love plant based cooking, you can really be creative and play with recipes.

am going to start a fitness challenge soon, more to come on that. 

I am a work in progress, my whole world has been turned upside down and right side over but I am figuring it all out here in my new home in Houston.

Much love and Light,

Rose