Category Archives: wellness blog

My Change For A Ten

Good Monday Morning, 

After being Mia for quite some time, I decided to return back to this blog, and the theme behind it. I’ve been running in circles for a few years, but I’ve finally caught up with myself and I’m making changes. In my weight loss journey I have over forty pounds to lose. I’ve decided to go back to what made this blog and my motivation work, sponsoring a charity with each ten pounds I lose. I’m still running my group Letters From Uncle Louie, and it’s such a blessing. Every time I lose a pound I’m going to put ten dollars in a jar. Each ten pounds will equal one hundred dollars. I’m going to donate one hundred dollars to a charity I choose. That’s how I’m going forward with sponsoring a charity, along with possible volunteer work. The idea is I lose and I give so someone gains as I get healthy. Just like I did when I began.

I will also be sharing my program, my routines, my vegan fitness and nutrition and everything I’m doing to be healthier and happier in mind and body. That includes tackling the health anxiety I’ve had since the pandemic began. I no longer wish to live in fear, but I choose to live in joy and abundance.

I hope you join me on this new endeavor, as I get back to this blog and to fitness and wellness. It’s been way too long. I missed you.

Love and light to all and Namaste’

Rose 

 

VEGAN PROTEIN BALLS

My coffee is life to me. I tried to use plain soy milk in my coffee but it just tasted watered down. I decided to have my soy creamer as my one treat.

Vegan Protein Bars are delicious and my go to breakfast. I first learned about them from Melissa Bender Fitness. Since I’m doing Dr Greger’s Daily Dozen I wanted to make my protein bars in portion controlled servings, so I know which boxes to tick off. Mine have three ingredients and they make one serving, four protein bars are 1/2 cup oats which is 1 grain and 1 TBS nut butter which ticks off the nut box. I add a few raisins but you could add any dried fruit or chocolate chips. They are perfect accompaniment with my coffee.

You will need.
1/2 cup oats, 1 tbs nut butter, preferably no salt and no added oils. 1 tablespoon raisins or chocolate chips, or any dried fruit. In a bowl add oats, then spoon in nut butter. I chose a runny nut butter which makes assembling the protein balls much easier, or you can microwave it for a few seconds. I add the raisins and mix. Chill for at least a half hour and then you should be able to form 4 protein balls.

Above is Dr Greger’s Daily Dozen chart. I find it’s the best tool for me to get all of my nutritional needs in. I follow all the plant based Dr’s and I take what works for me. I’m definitely sticking to no oil and only a dash of sugar or molasses in my coffee. No sodium and that’s it. A very clean vegan diet going forward. My health is my why.

Change begins when you decide there is need for change. When you are ready you will show up. It’s time for me, I’m here and committed.

Happy Tuesday to all. Love and light, Rose

 


MY CHANGE FOR A TEN

Happy Tuesday. This is the second week of my second half of my wellness journey ( as a vegan) and I’m starting off strong with a positive mindset. I began this blog in 2013 and I helped a new charity with each ten pounds. I lost a significant amount of weight and helped several charities.  I was in the best shape I’ve been in since my twenties, and I regained my sense of purpose in the process. I had a lot of help from others in fitness and philanthropy. It was a team effort from friends who got involved.

When I decided to go all in on this blog again  ( for real this time) I didn’t think I could take on a charity with each ten pounds. I am still doing charity projects separately, but I wasn’t sure one charity with each ten pounds could be managed, until I came up with a fresh idea to accomplish my original mission with a new twist. My new my change for a ten plan is to donate something every ten pounds, with the number ten. For example, ten cans of food to Food bank or homeless shelter. Ten pounds of cat or dog food to a animal rescue. You get the idea. I would also like to start a movement to get others to do the same. Challenge yourself to do something for others using the number ten. Send ten cards to family members, ten blankets to a homeless shelter. You can do what I did originally and motivate yourself to lose weight by helping others. It worked for me then and I believe it will work for me now. I weighed in yesterday and my current weight is 169 lbs. When I get into the 150’s I will be doing a giving back to an organization I am passionate about. I’m yet to decide my first ten pounds donation, so stay tuned.

I’m also running the Facebook group I founded called Letters From Uncle Louie, we send cards and letters to seniors in homes to let them know they are not alone. I feel like teaming charities with weight loss really helped me be successful the first time around, and keeping it up is very motivating to me now. I would love to inspire others to do the same. We get healthy and it helps us be happier, and helping others is so rewarding; it’s a real win win.

Have a wonderful day.

With Gratitude, Rose

 

 

THE TIME IS NOW

Get busy living or get busy dying.
The Shawshank Redemption

 

I often here people say they wish they would have started their health journey a year ago. If I learned one thing from the last three years it’s to live that quote from The Shawshank Redemption with a vengeance, so next year I don’t have to wish I would have already started my wellness path.  So much has happened in the last few years yet I feel like I could have accomplished so much more. I am proud of my writing and publishing credits, and I worked hard and kept my family from sinking in a crisis. These are all things to be proud of, but I wasn’t consistent here on this blog. I gained half my weight back and did not keep up with my fitness journey. So today here I am, at 170lbs ready to get busy living my healthiest life. It’s going to take work to be consistent again, it’s been years since I’ve been successful at being consistent. What else do we have but time? So here I am, starting now. I’m done with waiting for tomorrow to come. Tomorrow is today. Are you with me?
With Gratitude,

Rose

Ro

THIRTY DAY CHALLENGE

Let Food Be Thy Medicine and Medicine Be Thy Food.
Hippocrates

Monday, I’m here for you. I’m starting brand new on Monday. I need a health reset, a 30 day challenge. Something to motivate me going forward. Since my Candida I’ve expressed I do not feel my best. I’m having gastrointestinal issues. My fun vegan foods do not make me feel any better, they need to be once in a while occasional treats. It’s time to get back to nature and food in it’s most pure form. So for thirty days I’m going to get back to whole foods plant based meals with no oil and very low on salt and no sugar. I can do this. Monday it begins along with my restart of my fitness journey, and better time management of all my goals. I’m working on my life as a whole and tackling each area individually, beginning with wellness and health. I’ve broken it all into categories that I will share later this week. The first category is the most important, wellness and health. This weekend I’m doing a few healthy grocery store hauls. I plan to eat clean whole plant foods and move a lot more. Hello Monday!! Hello blog, I’ve missed you and treated you like a fair weathered friend, but that’s about to change starting  8/10/2020.  I challenge you to try this with me, just for one month. Happy Monday to all and Happy Health. 

love and light, Rose 

 

 

WW FOOD DONATION

Happy Friday to all. I know, I know, every day seems like the day before. I sometimes forget what day it is. It’s like we are living through a scary version of Groundhog Day. I’m trying to go forward with positivity and focus on what I can do to better my health and life, and what I can do to help others during furlough and lockdown.

As I posted yesterday, I’m starting brand new. Back to WW online, eating clean vegan, and a brand new lockdown fitness routine. In the last two years I didn’t lose much, but I did lose 16 lbs of the weight I gained, and staying on WW earned me points that get converted to produce donations for families that are affected from Covid-19. I decided to donate my points to begin my brand new journey. If you have followed me I lost my weight helping charities with each ten pounds. Lockdown makes picking new charities a challenge, so the opportunity to donate food to those who need it through my WW points is the perfect way to begin my brand new weight loss journey. I have 35 lbs to go, to achieve my normal BMI at 140 lbs. That number seems so elusive to me, but I’m chasing my goals.

Yesterday I began my lockdown fitness journey with 3.1 mile walk/run in my apartment. I plan to do this daily, and go outdoors when there’s enough space to social distance. I’m planning the rest of my fitness goals and I will post the plan soon.

Today I’m visiting the clinic to follow up on my allergies and go forward. I’m starting to feel better but I want to be sure my allergies have not morphed into a sinus infection. I plan to really work on my health, and appearance will just be a positive bonus. Now, more than ever I recognize the importance of good health.

I send love and prayers to all who are suffering during these unprecedented times. Together we can get through this.
Love and Light to all, Rose 

 

 

 

QUARANTINE WEIGHT LOSS


Happy Thursday to all. My quarantine started rocky in mid March when my allergies sent my health anxiety to new levels, coupled with a world pandemic. I had goals for the sequestered time, but all I did was worry and fear, and complain about my symptoms while watching Netflix with my hubby James. Ozark is really great btw, a world more messed up than the one we are living  through.

decided this week as I am starting to feel better to get off my but and start blogging about my new quarantine weight loss journey. As many of you know I had weight loss and fitness success, and a few years later gained half after some personal losses. I’ve tried time and time again to start over and I dropped the ball. That’s the beauty with dropping the ball, you can pick it up again and try harder. That’s where I am now.

in the last month I ate more pasta than usual, and I didn’t even attempt to count my points. Today is weigh in and I currently weigh 175 lbs. Today is day one, I’m up 3 lbs. I’m hoping my allergies have cleared up so I can focus on all my goals, fitness, weight loss, wellness and creative goals. I plan to start fresh with the WW app (Weight Watchers) because I plan to incorporate the 80/20 rule. It’s always worked for me in the past. 80% of the time I will be eating clean vegan with low salt, sugars, and oils and 20% or less of the time I will count in occasional small splurges like vegan cream cheese on my toast. The idea is to eat highly nutritious vegan food but also enjoy in life’s little indulgences, counting them in as part of my daily points. I believe Friday we are grocery shopping to stock up for the week. I’m cooking a lot more these days. 

Tonight I’m making Split Pea Soup for dinner. I’m going to bake some vegan treats to enjoy with coffee or tea. I will be posting more about what I eat in a day, my grocery haul and my quarantine fitness routine. All things I’m doing to try to find wellness, joy and fulfillment during these unprecedented times. I’m making a commitment to myself and accountability to anyone who is reading my words. I’ve fallen before but I keep getting back up, bruised backside and all. There is no failure, only the fear to begin again, so just pick up where you left off. With love and light Rose Bruno Bailey

I will leave you with a few quotes about failure and starting over fresh by some very important historical figures.

 

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
― Thomas A. Edison


“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”
― Theodore Roosevelt

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
― Winston S. Churchill

“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” 

― J.K. Rowling

“It’s not how far you fall, but how high you bounce that counts.” 
― Zig Ziglar

 

 

Injury and Weigh in Update

It’s been a minute and a day since I’ve posted. I’m in the process of healing from an injury to my knee that’s taking much longer to heal than I expected. It’s a bit easier to walk on but it’s still pretty swollen. Today is the first day I’m going to try to do some cardio and see how I feel.

My weight has been fluctuating, I’m now 176. I was 174 a few weeks ago but I also stopped taking a diuretic I was on for years, so I’m not upset over a 2 lb gain. It’s incredibly humbling to backtrack from fitness and weight loss, but even more humbling to get hurt and have to stop all together. I never had an mri, just an ultrasound and an X-ray, so I really don’t know exactly what I did to my leg. I’m listening to my body and I’m going to go slow with cardio and see how I feel. My mind tells me if I can walk all night at work I can try to start getting fit again.

My vegan lifestyle is a lifestyle and not a diet, so that will never change. I’m eating mostly whole foods and plant based with low salt, sugar and oils. I do have an occasional boca burger without a bun on days I’m in a rush. I’m balancing my food, meal prepping and having a kale/ fruit smoothie every day; with chia, flax seeds and coconut water. Eating healthy is easy, the weight stalling has everything to do with the fact I haven’t worked out since I injured myself last November. Even though my knee is swollen I’m ready to begin again starting today. I was featured in two issues of VegWorld magazine and I’m really chasing all of my goals. I haven’t given up even when challenged. My sweet husband James said I’m beautiful but I’m stronger then people expect. He said I’m tough as nails. I don’t know about that but I try to never ever give up.

I admit the injury left me depressed, but I’m coming out of it with a positive mindset, and meditation. Controlling negative thoughts is key as is living for the present. I’m just going to get out there and move my body. I’m not going to begin with running or try to move too fast while walking. My goal is to move a little more each day, try the rower, and stretch my body. My first goal is to move to heal and get better, each day getting stronger and stronger. I have a long term goal to get in the best shape of my life, but for now I’m taking baby steps. Day one is today and my goal is to just move. I would like to try for 30/45 minutes but I’m going to listen to my body and let pain be my guide. Update tomorrow!!

Love and light and healing to all who need it.
With Gratitude,

Rose 

 

 

Trader Joe’s Vegan Grocery Haul


Happy Tuesday to all. Ok, last night I did my second part of my vegan on a budget grocery haul. Spanky my Siamese cat was excited too, don’t judge. My goal was to spend $80.00 total for the week, but I went over that just a bit. Our vegan grocery haul for the week total with Trader Joe’s and HEB combined was $107.00. I ended up getting some produce that was higher than I thought. I got flax seeds, chia seeds, tons of fruits, veggies and greens. Lentils and canned no salt beans. I ended up getting healthier flax tortilla chips and salsa for my hubby James, because he’s going to need some foods that resemble what he’s used to. The goal is for him to eat wfpb and not feel deprived, so a little balance here is needed. We also bought all paper products etc so we won’t need to go to the store at all until next Sunday night. I can’t wait to see how I feel with very low salt and sodium.

Overall I think I did well. Plus we don’t eat out, so that’s it for the week. All the other money will go to debt and bills, and new work shoes for me. If you are wondering what meals I’m going to make I will do what I eat in a day in the near future. I’m going to make my own hummus. As far as exercise I’m starting with walking and stretching. My knee needs to heal so I’m taking it somewhat easy. It’s still really swollen. Legs up a walk pose every night for 15 minutes for better circulation. I’m not going to deny I’m in a little pain, so it’s a little concerning. I’m determined to heal though, and losing weight is always recommended for the knees and joints. My long cardio sessions will have to wait.

What is your grocery budget? Do you eat out? I’m curious to know how you manage your grocery budget. Happy Tuesday to all. Like I told my hubby, January I’m doing the grudge work, the healing, building the foundation of my new year. My happiness begins with good health, better finances and less worry. Happy Tuesday to all.

 

2020 Clarity

January 2, 2020

Happy New Year to all. I’m finding clarity with the new year. I decided to continue with this blog, rather than begin a new one. I’m still going to be focusing on my vegan wellness journey/ fitness/ weight loss and philanthropy. I’m also going to be my own self development and happiness guru, sharing what I’m learning on this journey of mine. It all began in 2019 when I was having a moment of feeling stagnate. I heard a quote from one of my inspirations. Tao Porchyn Lynch is is over 100, a yoga instructor and the oldest ballroom dancer in the Guiness Book of  world records. She once said she wakes up every day and tells herself today is going to be the best day ever. I started thinking  how can that be when I’m working long hours and money is tight. So many things I want to do cost money. My first reaction Was sorrow. It was Christmas and I felt like 2019 was not what I expected it to be, but then I decided I would make 2020 be everything I dream of and more. How am I going to do this? Stay tuned. I’m going to take each day by setting intentions, and as my husband James said I’m getting out of the loop. The loop is where you keep repeating the same actions and expecting different outcomes.

So here I am, changing  my approach. My fitness journey may be slower since I’m dealing with a knee injury but I’m going to work around it. I made ten categories I wish to work on, the areas of life I’m passionate about and things I feel are necessary for my happiness. Some are simple and some are grand. I’m chasing happiness and seeking joy. I’m going after my goals and dreaming big. Beginning with today’s intention to do very that. My first accomplishment of 2020 is my article about vegan beauty on a budget was featured in VegWorld Magazine.

I’m very proud to begin 2020 with this accomplishment. I’m my own happiness guru, and I’m sharing joy with all those around me. Let’s be happiness gurus together. Together we make a difference. When you are out there in the world making a name for yourself remember to make time for others. We are all connected. 

Love and light,

Rose