Tag Archives | Food

Surviving the Holidays | 10 Day Cleanse

November 29, 2018 in Food

While I love the holidays, and look forward to them, they can be fairly hard on your body. Between all of the late nights, indulgent treats, and cocktails, you start to feel pretty low energy by the time New Years rolls around. This 10 day cleanse is easy, quick, and you still get to EAT. Well… Maybe easy isn’t the best word. But it’s definitely worthwhile. It’s a great way to give your adrenals and gut a break, and you’ll be able to put your best food forward for all of your holiday engagements this year.

Cleanse Detox Vegan Gluten-Free Paleo Vegetarian San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Food Fitness Lifestyle Blogger

Here are the do’s and don’t’s for the 10 day cleanse:

Don’t consume:

  • Caffeine
  • Alcohol
  • Sugar/Sweeteners (including natural added sugars like agave or honey, but excluding fruits and veggies containing sugar, those are fine)
  • Soy
  • Corn
  • Wheat
  • Dairy
  • Peanuts

Do consume:

  • All the whole foods – Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. (Non-processed meat as well if you’re an omnivore)
  • LOTS of water
  • Pre/probiotics
  • Fermented foods without added sugar

Caffeine is one of the hardest things for most people to give up, but you can ease your way into it by starting to cut back a few days before officially starting the cleanse. That way there isn’t quite as much of a shock to the system. Below are my thoughts and experiences with some of these factors to give you an idea of what to expect and how you may feel.

Caffeine – I was worried about this one to be honest. I generally drink 3-4 cups of tea a day, but I rarely keep track and I’m sure that sometimes it’s higher. Turns out, not much to worry about. I was a little headachy the first day, but woke up bright as a button the second day. (Also – What in the world does that expression mean?)

Alcohol – Let’s be honest, we all feel better when we don’t drink. The end. 🙂

Sugar/Sweeteners – This is the item that had the biggest impact on me. Start reading your labels and you’ll realize you’re consuming much more sugar than you expect. Dressings, marinades, sauces, protein powders, protein bars… Basically anything packaged. They’re all filled with sugar or sweeteners. Cutting out these items really forced me to look at my meals more critically and make more informed choices. It also meant planning ahead because I couldn’t reach for a quick bite like a protein bar.

Soy – I’ve gotten into the lazy habit of having store-bought veggie burgers and sausage patties when I’m too tired to cook. Yes, they’re great convenience items, but this was a good wake up call that I should make/keep whole food options around as well. This also meant that between no soy and no sugar (aka my protein powders and bars) my protein intake was much lower than normal. Once I got into the swing of it and actually did my meal prepping, I was fine.

Overall I thought this was a great cleanse. You still get to eat but you see and feel results. PLUS it’s a great reminder to pay attention to your food and to help get you out of bad habits. That was my biggest takeaway, that I get lazy and reach for foods that are more processed than what I should be eating on a regular basis.

Stay tuned for some fun recipes that I came up with during this cleanse!

Continue Reading · Comments { 0 }

2018 Golden Gate Half Marathon

November 26, 2018 in Fitness

I was excited to celebrate my 36th birthday this year by running the Golden Gate Half Marathon for a second time, completing my 6th half marathon since I took up running. I ran it two years ago and it turns out that I got virtually the same time despite not training! 🙂 Read on for my thoughts on the race and my performance.

Golden Gate Half Marathon San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Food Fitness Lifestyle Blogger Runner Running

  • Course: My last race was the Kaiser Half in February which was a fairly flat race that starts and ends in Golden Gate Park, and includes running along Ocean Beach on the Great Highway. The Golden Gate Half is completely different! Starting near Ghirardelli Square you run past Crissy Field to the bridge, across, and back around to the start. It’s a hilly journey, but absolutely gorgeous. The day was bright and beautiful, no fog on the bridge or anything.
  • Organization: If you’ve ever been to the Ghirardelli Square area you know that it’s a nightmare to navigate. Tiny streets, zero parking, millions of tourists, and the San Francisco speciality, one-way streets. Now add thousands of wandering runners and their supporters. It was… Messy. Not a good space to start/finish and not a good space for the bib pick-up and expo.
  • Race Day Vibes: The race starts pretty late, 7am, so it wasn’t particularly cold and was already light. I’ve brought sunglasses to races before and regretted it, but this was the first time I didn’t have them and wished that I did! Since it was sunny and there was no fog, I got pretty hot! Lots of people and lots of excitement. One thing that happened a few times during this race that I’ve never seen before, was people stopping in the middle of the running path to take selfies. Actually blocking the path and having runners colliding with them, while they stopped to take photos. It was kind of baffling.
  • Personal Performance: As I mentioned above, I failed to train for this race. This Summer there were lots of weddings and events and weekends away, plus fires in Northern California that meant outdoor running wasn’t possible. Excuses, excuses, I know. But, but the time the race rolled around, I had only been in the habit of running 2-3 times a month, and hadn’t tackled any long runs in preparation. That being said, I’m all about that cross training life, and was still working out regularly, and in pretty good shape in terms of cardiovascular health. I headed out on race day to have fun and enjoy the views, but with no expectations. I hoped to get under 2 hours, but was planning to listen to my body and not overdo things. Check out the times for my six half marathons below! 🙂

I’m planning to run the Kaiser Half again in February and I’ll be running the San Francisco Half in July after getting married!

Continue Reading · Comments { 0 }

Black Friday + Cyber Monday: Online Shopping

November 23, 2018 in Fashion

I don’t know about you, but I’m not one for waiting in lines or being a part of the insanity you see at Black Friday sales online and in the news. Give me a discount code and a website link, and I’m a happy little shopper. So, to help YOU with your shopping needs this Black Friday and Cyber Monday, here are some sites to check out!

Black Friday Cyber Monday Online Shopping San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Food Fitness Lifestyle Blogger

Designer Goodies:

  • Luisaviaroma – 20% off sale items with the code RS1120
  • Mytheresa – You can get 30% off with the code BLACK30
  • The Outnet – Their annual clearance has arrived and everything on the site is 85% off

Fun Pieces:

Workwear:

Accessories & Beauty:

  • Alo Yoga – Up to 70% off sale items and 30% off full prices items + free shipping
  • Charlotte Tilbury – Up to 50% off with new deals all week. I’ve been fully stalking Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show coverage and the ladies look AMAZING this year while working with Charlotte Tilbury so I’m deluding myself that I can achieve the same look with the same products. 🙂
  • Elemis – 25% off through November 26th. I have to admit that I’ve been dying to try out Elemis because so many bloggers and YouTubers rave about the line. But since Sephora doesn’t carry it, I just haven’t gotten around to it. Time to try the Dynamic Resurfacing Mask!
  • Gorjana – 20% off everything with the code CYBERSAVE20
  • Monica Vinader – 30% off the whole site
  • Quay – Get 25% off the whole site with the code BRIGHT25 through 11/27. Check out their aviators and oversized versions.

Home & Kids:

  • Etsy – 10%-60% off for Cyber week. I will be stocking up on roughly 10 million wedding related items!
  • Macys – 20% off on Cyber Monday + free shipping with the code CYBER
  • Serena & Lily – Everything is 20% off between 11/20 and 11/25 with the code GATHER. And between 11/26-11/27 it’s all 25% off with the code BIGDAY.

What’s in YOUR shopping back this week?

Continue Reading · Comments { 0 }

Tips and Tricks to Tackle a Vegetarian Diet

November 19, 2018 in Food

Heading into the end of the year is a time that people like to re-focus on their health. They start looking into plant-based diets (vegetarian or vegan), cleanses, or even consider tackling the Whole 30.

 

Shifting from a meat-based diet to a plant-based one is an admirable challenge, but it is a challenge none the less. Here are some tips and tricks that may help you in this undertaking.

 

The two main issues that I see almost every time a life-long meat eater attempts to go vegetarian are: (1) their mentality and (2) their approach to food.
First up – Don’t think of this as an exercise in deprivation. If you keep saying “I can’t live without bacon” or telling yourself/other people that you’re not going to be able to do it, you won’t be able to do it. It’s that simple. So really think about shifting your perspective. You’re not cutting yourself off, you’re opening yourself up to a whole new way of looking at food and nourishing yourself. You’ll find new foods, new recipes, and new meals that you never knew existed, and that’s a wonderful thing. Even if you’re counting down every day to returning to your previous habits, try to give a little attention to what you’re gaining. New knowledge, new foods, new perspective. That in itself is worth celebrating.
Vegetarian Vegan Gluten-Free Paleo Plant-Based Diet San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Food Fitness LIfestyle Blogger
Second – Don’t try to eat exactly the same way that you used to and just cut out the meat. I see that A LOT with people in fitness, they try to cut out meat but don’t actually add anything new to their meals. You’ll be bored and hungry in hours if you’re just eating vegetables and eggs.
The keys to a sustainable plant-based diet are feeling satiated and fully nourishing yourself. Some people eat soy with every meal, others supplement with powders and bars, and some eat entirely whole foods with no processed products. It’s up to you to decide which path to take, but I recommend being mindful and opening yourself up to trying new things, so you can discover what works best for your body.
Bulking up your meals is important. You will starve to death and hate every minute if you eat the same thing for every meal or try to sustain yourself with broccoli three times a day. So, for bulking, I recommend loading up on whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. Don’t be boring and basic, ask yourself “what can I add to this?” at each meal. It’ll help keep you full and satisfied.
Not that my diet is perfect, but here’s examples of two days of eating for me. One is during the week when I’m in an office and need easy foods, and one is when I’m at home and can be more creative. Also, one thing to note, is that I workout twice a day, so I have high protein needs.
Week day:
– Lemon water + tea
– Smoothie: mixed berries, spinach, protein powder, cinnamon, ginger, maca powder + chia seeds (add chia at the end, don’t blend the seeds)
– Avocado toast: Udi’s GF bread, avocado, cayenne, sea salt, hemp + sesame seeds
– Giant salad beast: mixed greens, radish, cucumber, kidney beans, cherry tomatoes, roasted beets, quinoa + carrot ginger dressing
– Coconut yogurt + almond butter with cinnamon
– Protein bar (I like lower sugar bars, minimally processed, and usually brown rice or pea protein vs soy protein isolate)
– Roasted sweet potatoes, stir fried zucchini + Summer squash with shallots, garlic + coconut aminos, and a veggie burger with salsa
Lots of big meals. Protein, healthy fat and carbs with every meal. And lots of variety – Raw + cooked vegetables, fruit, beans, grains, seeds, nut butter…
Weekend:
– Scramble: Green onions, garlic + shallots with peppers, zucchini + cherry tomatoes and eggs. Topped with salsa and avocado, and served with fruit salad + Greek yogurt
– Nourish bowl: Quinoa, roasted cauliflower, black beans, sauteed asparagus and greens topped with hummus, hemp seeds, and balsamic
– Snack: Celery, carrots, cucumber with babaganoosh
– Pasta: Zucchini + sweet potato noodles sauteed with tomatoes, vegan sausage, carrots, peppers, onions, garlic, and spices.
Recipes and Links:
While I love recipes and food blogs, I tend to go off script. I use them as a starting point and then do whatever I feel like. I use whatever I have on hand and like to get creative, so most of my “recipes” are different every time I make them. My advice is to read some of these links and find out what appeals to you, then get creative. 🙂
Additional links:
– Alllll the veggie posts
Fun facts:
Even if you eat a very healthy diet, going vegetarian means more fiber. You can get gassy or bloated or experience some GI distress when you’re getting started. Try easing into it slowly, and drink LOTS of water. I drink a full water bottle as soon as I get up, before I even leave my bedroom. I put it on my bedside table when I go to bed and drink it when I wake up. It’s a good way to start flushing your system.
Some other things that may help during your transition or if you’re having stomach issues are pre/probiotics and fermented foods/drinks. Kombucha, sauerkraut, gut shots, and kimchi are all great ways to promote a healthy, happy gut. I also turn to ginger lemon tea whenever I get an upset or angry tummy, calms it right down.
Good luck to those considering a transition towards a plant-based diet and let me know if you have any questions!
Any other tips from my plant-based friends out there?
Continue Reading · Comments { 0 }

Thanksgiving: Vegan & Gluten-Free Recipe Round-Up

November 16, 2018 in MCLV Mange

Thanksgiving, more so in my mind than any other holiday, is really food-centric. Family is the best part of any holiday, but when I think of Thanksgiving, I think of food! For my plant-based folks out there, here’s a round-up of delicious, healthy recipes to meet all of your needs – Vegan/vegetarian and gluten-free. Enjoy!

Appetizers:

  • Roasted Apple Pumpkin Soup – Nothing beats a hearty soup on a cold day. Check out this colorful and delicious recipe from As Easy As Apple Pie.
  • Stuffed Acorn Squash – These amazing little squash bites are the perfect combo of ingredients. So head over to Abbey’s Kitchen to see more!
  • 5-Minute Savory Pumpkin Hummus – Quick, delicious, and perfect for dipping. Two Healthy Kitchens knows what we need.

Thanksgiving Vegan Gluten-Free Paleo Vegetarian San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Food Fitness Lifestyle Blogger

{Stuffed Acorn Squash}

Sides:

  • Sweet Potato Unstuffing – Because The Real Food Dietitians know that you don’t need bread for an amazing stuffing recipe!
  • Crispy Garlic Smashed Baby Potatoes – I’m a big fan of including as many potato recipes as possible in any meal. 🙂 Clearly Yay for Food agrees.
  • Maple Glazed Heirloom Carrots – These carrots from Eye Candy Popper, with an amazing lemon cashew cream, are the perfect accompaniment to any Thanksgiving dinner.

Entrees:

  • Lentil Loaf with Classic Brown Onion Gravy – Lentils, veggies, and gravy. Oh my!! This dish from the Mostly Vegan looks like a winner. May need to try it out before the holiday!
  • Vegan Pot Pies – I have to confess that I’ve never had a pot pie, so I’m very, very tempted by this recipe from Jessica in the Kitchen.
  • Stuffed Roasted Butternut Squash – Butternut squash, veggies, rice… What could be better? It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken is here to save the day.

Thanksgiving Vegan Gluten-Free Paleo Vegetarian San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Food Fitness Lifestyle Blogger

{Maple Glazed Heirloom Carrots}

Desserts:

  • Apple Pie – Easy, gorgeous, and delicious. What more could you need in a pie? Pickles & Honey has you covered.
  • Pumpkin Pie – Jessica in the Kitchen has juuust the recipe for you this Thanksgiving!
  • Apple Crumble & Apple Spice Cake – Delicious & filling apple based desserts, with the perfect amount of spice.

What’s YOUR favorite dish at Thanksgiving?

Check out more recipes on my Thanksgiving Pinterest Board.

Continue Reading · Comments { 0 }