Monday, January 31, 2011

Best Veggie Burger

I've had my share of veggie burgers this month and I think I found my favorite one. I've had the Boca Veggie Burger, the regular morning star burger and even Burger King veg burger (not that good btw, it tastes like stuffing). By far the winner is ...

.

Morningstar Chipotle Black Bean Burger (costo ya'll) $15 for a dozen of 1/4lb spicy goodness is a good buy for me. It was the better burger from all the veg burgers this month. I will continue to have veg burgers instead of real burgers to save on the calories and fat content. I'll be able to enjoy a veg burger way more often than a real beef burger. I can afford it health wise. :)

Day 28



I'm counting down the days and so are some of my friends. We are looking forward to sushi indulgences and lots of champagne. This week I got a sushi celebration dinner to look forward too!! I'm looking forward to it and perhaps some Mimosas on Wednesday to celebrate Day 1 of back to booze and lean meat.. will hold back on red meat for some time. I don't want wreck my stomach.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Day 22




I got 8 days to go but I'm not eager to take down a steak. I'm eager to have a pint! We've had such lovely weather and how perfect would it be to pair it with a nice cold chimay. Mmmmm...I can almost taste it.

This morning was a little busy for me so I'm having a huge orange and some cold cucumber water. I took the stairs up, starting from the basement it's 7 flights of stairs. Lord knows I should do that daily with our faulty elevators.

Lunch: Peruano Beans, Rice and Salad.

Dinner: TBD

I have to increase my exercise this week. I haven't been to my gym as of yet. I'm kinda waiting for the new years resolution people to quit so I can have my machines back. January is really crowded gym time. I'm making use of my free weights at home and treadmill. I've been walking the dog but that's not enough to make a difference. This morning I saw the two time LA Marathon winner on the news. He's aiming for a threepeat. I hope he does win. He says he typically runs 100 miles a week but for this marathon he kicked it up a notch and did 120 a week. AMAZING! I give my self mad props when I hit 7 miles in 1 week. That's kicking and screaming too. I've got to set a new goal. I'm going to hit up my friend Brenda for our morning coffee walks again. We were doing about 1.5 miles over coffee talk in the morning. I also have another friend who is training her HS students thru Students Run LA at a local HS. Her name is Norma and has tremendous dedication to the cause but most importantly her students. She trains with them off hours to make sure they reach their goals. She too comes on campus to run her typical 5 miles a day and calls me to meet her up and join her. Now if I were to join up with Brenda in the morning and Norma in the evening I can do 3 miles at work!! Take that marathon winner! Must hit these girls up.

Anyway.. I have to follow up on some contacts at PCC and nurture those contacts.
Energy is good, sleep is great.



I did dream of Spartacus' Andy Whitfield! Have you seen him? Please do look him up. He's a great actor and does an amazing job as Spartacus on the Starz network series. Sadly, he will be replaced for Season 2 due to cancer. I don't know if I can continue the show and not think of him. He's a stud! I wish he heals and returns, not just for selfish reasons!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Day 21



My friend says it takes 21 days to relearn new habits. I'm so there. It's automatic to think of vegetable friendly dishes and putting thought into what goes in my mouth.

Oh btw I got my xray results back for that pinched shoulder. It says I have a class A sprain. There is a mild separation of my right acromioclavicular joint! Also known as AC joint. Lord knows how I got it.. It's improved now.

I was excited today since our Monday meeting got shortened by an hour. Sometimes I dread all the talking.. there's so many of us that sometimes I can get more work done than sit in the meeting.


Mood: great
Weight: minus 1
Sleep: Awesome

Breakfast: 1/2 bagel thin with honey nut cream cheese

Snack: 100 cal. oatmeal and an orange

Lunch: Mannicotti (1 roll) and garlic bread

Dinner: Thai leftover??

Day 20

Everyday is like Sunday!


After babysitting I'm exhausted. Call it baby training, whatever it is.. I require some rest. Today is Sunday.. get to tie loos ends.




I went to my local dairy, Broguiere's Farm Fresh Dairy in Montebello. They make the best, theee best chocolate milk. I picked up a 1/2 gallon and some fresh milk. They also sell fresh eggs and eggnog. They're known for their glass bottled milk. The milk is fresh and tastes great out of the glass bottle. I return from my chocolate milk crack like addiction. The chocolate is chocolately tasting.. not watered down, but that thick like taste. Some people dislike the thick creamy taste, I love it. I figured I've been good and it replaces ice cream in my book!! Check em out.. it's worth it.



I hung out with cousin, kamryn and dan. I made a really delicious pot of peruano beans. They cam out perfect. Have you ever had a perfect pot? Well I got a perfect one. Not over cooked, not salty, not burnt, just perfect. We all had a lovely afternoon with a bowl of beans. Dan had plans for Thai take out for later that evening. I agreed since I was craving some spicy thai.

Lunch: Peruano Beans with cilantro and queso fresco

Dinner: Tofu Stir fry, Spicy Fried Rice



Buen Provecho!

Day 19


The weekend has arrived and my sister in law has been real ill so we're going to go help her with chores and the baby. I've picked up some stuff to make some bean tostadas. Beans, lettuce, tomatoes (lots of tomatoes) and queso fresco! Perfect for a sunny day. I haven't got down the Guatemalan recipe of a the red tomato, black bean ones. They serve them with cheese sprinkles and purple onion. My friend Shirley's mom makes some amazing ones. Colorful and tasty!! She tops them off with some hard boiled egg. They're also called enchiladas in Guatemala. Something I learned myself.





I must learn her recipes!!

Day 18


TGIF!

So I didn't have to eat almonds for dinner last night. The dinner was being catered by Burger Continental, Pasadena, CA. They specialize in Middle Eastern food. I enjoy eating there because of the belly dancers. While you eat they dance on your table ( dollars are accepted) I don't mind that type of entertainment, I welcome it. So I had hummus, tabouli and roasted vegetables (eggplant, peppers, cauliflower, squash). It was really good. I also happen to sit at a table with other vegetarian by chance. It was fun to trade notes on veg dishes and how they came about their diet choice.

This morning I made myself some fresh squeezed orange juice. I'm getting used to having fresh squeezed juice now. I haven't bought juice at the store for awhile now. I'm getting spoiled. Thank you trees!

Lunch: with sister at Loving Hut

I hit up loving hut for lunch in Alhambra. I had a burger lunch special. This place is strictly vegan and they make their own veg patties. It was really good. I think it can fool meat eaters, heck it fooled me. They add caramelized onions too!! All for $5.95!
Def. check them out!

I am counting down the days! I'm eager not for red meat but for a pint of beer!! A pint of Crafstman Triple Sage or a Chimay. Ahh.. that would be perfect. Is it sad that I miss a pint more than a steak? I got a couple more days to go but I must admit I enjoy the energy I've had lately. Definitely different. Like my friend says, "ONWARD"!

Day 17



So far it's a busy day. Today I have a dinner presentation at PCC. I don't know what will be served for dinner. YIKES! Better plan or take some almonds with me in case I can't eat what the serve.

I'm realizing my meat dependency was great. I think I will return to having meat, lean protein that is to once a day. I think we really don 't realize that we have meat about 3 times a day and not to mention the portions must be big too. This explains a lot of where we are headed health wise.

I'm feeling good and full of energy!

Breakfast: Oatmeal and coffee

Lunch: Vegetable Lasagna Smart ones

Dinner: TBD

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Day 16



Ok.. I tried to cram two days worth of work in 1 day. Pretty evil! Did I mention meetings too? I came up with some interesting deadlines as well. Yikes, now have to deliver.

It was one hectic day.

Energy: HIGH as a kite..no really.. multitasking galore.

Sleep: HORRIBLE!! No sleep.. Tossed and turned all night. Decided to switch bed sides and oh man.. Next morning had to do a smudge the place to ward off the spirits so I can sleep!!!


Food: 1/2 Cin-raisin Bagel with Cream Cheese n the dark stuff.. you know. Coffee!!

Lunch: Yes, leftover green chile enchiladas. Two please, a 1/2 cup of cuban black beans (yes, I made them) and 1/4 cup of rice.

Dinner: Mexican Squash w/corn, onions, tomatoes and salad.



Dessert: a bowl of kix.

Is this day over YET? BTW I would like to report that I live close to an IN N OUT and man oh man.. it smells sooooo good.

Still no meat, no booze!! Almost there.. almost!

Day 15


Thank you MLK.

Today is about organizing and prioritizing life and home.

Mood: Awesome
Sleep: good

Breakfast: Egg whites, Morning star sausage patty and coffee.

Lunch: Salad

Dinner: Maybe Green Chile Enchiladas?

Time to feed the neighbor since there is no meals on wheels on Holidays :( and walk the dog.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Day 14

It's beautiful hot Sunday in LA.. winter!! WE ARE SO SPOILED!

Today I met up some friends for breakfast at the Nickel Diner. Had a egg scramble with tons of veggies. I avoided the bacon donut this time around. I'm still carrying the guilt of Fridays' chocolate cake. The fellas lucked out and got great seats for a Laker vs Clipper game. Never seen two grown men be so thrilled. They love basketball for sure.

I got to organizing. My tree is finally getting taken down and so is my wreath. I had a nice dog vs vacuum day. I went picking in the morning. I got a basket of oranges, a bag of lemons and about 8 avocados. I feel so lucky to be able to shop in my yard and my neighbors yard.

Fresh squeezed juice again. I also cut up a pineapple to indulge in the fruit day.

Lunch: Vegetable Egg roll, pineapple juice

Dinner: Lazy.. cereal is vegetarian right?

Later!!

Day 13



Today my schedule didn't go as planned. I wanted to make a stock pot of black cuban beans but instead we went to help out my sis in law who got really sick. I didn't get a chance to prepare food so I had to go as is. Scary huh.

I did sneak two oranges in my purse just in case.
lol

While babysitting I found a nearby vegetarian fast food place called Covina Tasty. It's a former Tasty Freeze but the owner converted it to a neat vegetarian food only spot. Guess what I had? A chili dog, fries and Dan had a cheese burger. Of course with a tasty freeze cone as well. This place serves everything vegan, including the cheese. It was crowded and the owner takes his time making your plate. My chili had beans and black olives. It was really good. I also seen him prepare a beef taco. It had some red protein looking ground meat looking thing with lettuce, tomato and cheese on a hard shell. I definitely recommend you stop by if you're in the area. It almost sets you back to a nice summer day in 1979.

I also had a birthday party to attend. A grown up let's drink all night type of party. My friend was turning 30 and well let's just say this crowd born to generations of party heads. We're talking 3rd or 4th generation of party heads. Crazy huh. I knew it was going to be tough to be around this crowd but it went well. I had ice cold water and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Shot some pool and caught up with everyone.



Later around 1ish we decided to hit up lil tokyo for some japanese. While Dan buried his face in a plate of vegetable tempura, I had a bowl of oyakodon (minus the chicken).. I forget the name.. Ten.. a..don.. Not sure but it's rice, onions and eggs. It was soo good. Anything at 2 am is always really delicious!! A side of hot tea and I can call it a night in the city of angels.

Day 12


It's Friday and it's one hectic day for me since we have a poster session at work.

I had to prepare since they serve food at the poster session. Nothing I can eat of course. I packed me a cup size of leftover pasta and grilled asparagus. I had two eggs and toast for breakfast and a cup of fresh squeezed orange juice. My tree is booming and so is my neighbors. I think I'll go picking this weekend.

I managed to fill up on mango and blueberries most of the day.

Dinner: 1 big piece of chocolate cake!

I know.. I know.. not good but it was soo good.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Day 11




Going on day 11 and tonights gotta be the first time I feel full. I had wheat penne pasta, boca chicken patty with marinara sauce and mozzarella shreds. Oh and a side salad. I'm so done.

Mood: energetic but not able to boogie with a stiff shoulder.

Sleep: sound

No irritability on my part but some of my friends have broken down and had chicken, shrimp and or fish. I'm hanging in there but Im craving sushi now.

My urge to want a drink from yesterdays intense day was diminished. A dinner visit with my friend Reina was the cure. Some platica, some laughter, cafecito y amor. We always seem to close and start chapters of ambition and dreams. Thank you for my flowers :) made my day.



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Day 10

So today had to be one of the roughest day on the detox. I woke up with a pinched shoulder nerve. I couldn't raise my arm at all. I placed a heat pad on it only to realize ( after I googled and self diagnosed myself) that heat irritates it. Ouch! I was in pain. I took 800mg ibuprofen and grabbed the frozen peas. It helped a bit.

I also had to attend a friends funeral. Rest in peace Shizuko Kubo. The ceremony was my first buddhist funeral. It was very pure and centered me where I emotionally connected with the joy Shiz brought to this world. The chanting and incense burning also brought another element of feeling as one.

At the reception I had two salads. A spinach raspberry salad and a blue cheese apple salad. I really was tempted to eat sushi. Worst was after the ceremony my friend gives me a tray of 70 pieces of sushi. Oh my!! It's killing me to admit that I had to turn it down :(. I know I know but its gotta be the hardest day. The caterer had more food than guests expected so thats why they gave away sushi trays. Doh!! I totally wouldn't gotten into the tray.

X-rays were taken of my shoulder. Doc says its irritated all right and that the inflammation must go down in order for me to move my arm without pain. He gave me some anti-inflammatory pills.

I could use a drink by now. Some sushi too..




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Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Day 9


It's Tuesday on week 2. I hope I don't hit withdrawals by the end of the week. So far I'm good. No mood swings, no bitterness and sleeping well. I even had birthday brunch on sunday and politely said no to the red wine, the Portuguese sausage and port wine!! You can have their Lagrima port wine and buy it for $16 which is less than other places. Damn!! I'll go back in Feb! The place is called Euro cafe in Claremont and the food selections are amazing. They serve http://www.menuism.com/restaurants/dT-n441zmr3zY7aby-ekYc/images/109178
kale soup with potato and sausage, Bife a Portuguesa, Bifana, and four daily soups. I might add that my cappuccino was pretty darn good.The staff and owner are very friendly and can accommodate everybodys diet. I had the vegetable lasagna, salad and garlic bread. I also bought chocolate chip cookies which were excellent.

I had morning star sausage patty this morning with egg white and an english muffin and WOW.. that sausage patty tastes just like the real thing. So far I'm pretty impressed with Morning start products. I rather enjoyed it!!

Breakfast: Morning star sausage, english muffin, egg white, onion

Lunch: 1/2 tofu burrito (rice, tofu and lettuce, tomato)

Dinner: thinking about pasta

I'm debating on making a lentil black bean chile. I'll see if I make it overnight on the crock pot or tomorrow for dinner.

I hope all the girls are keeping up with their detox. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Day 8

The weekend came and went and I didn't break down and crave a steak and a beer. I did everything on my social calendar and managed to find some neat vegetarian dishes.

I've been grubbing up on a chile relleno casserole I made.


Its spicy and perfect for cold weather.

Mood: energetic
Sleeping pattern: solid but some restlessness reported by Dan
Weight: same

I found a local spot who makes tofu burritos. It tastes weird because they put cheese but if you're hungry it will hit the spot. It's called CHOP teriyaki. -


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Friday, January 7, 2011

Day 5




Howdy ya'll..

So it's Day 5 and I'm feeling fine. Feeling light not heavy. I was given a tip not to mix too much tofu with beans cuz well.. you know.. I guess you can get gassy, perhaps?? LOL I haven't had them together so I can't tell you.

I was very pleased with potato tacos :)

Mood: Good

Sleep: 9 hours. I overslept an hour. Ooops. Dan has reported restlessness during his sleep and he's lost 6 lbs. Mind you, he doesn't have to lose weight. He can't lose weight.. lol

Tonight I plan to make a chille relleno casserole. Using pasilla chiles, cheese and whipped egg. I made this during the holidays and it was a hit. Probably with a side of black beans and some squash.

Breakfast: Oatmeal and Granny smith apple, coffee

Lunch: Black beans, salad, 1/2 cucumber and rice.

Dinner: Chile Relleno caserole and Laker game!! They better win!




My friend told me about Doomies Home Cooking. She would hit up this late night spot after clubbing in Chinatown and swears their tacos are awesome. IF you're on the westside check em out. The link says they are closed but the new address is on the first reviews. It's 1253 N Vine st, #9, Hollywood. Yelp has not updated the fact they have reopened. I plan to swing over their towards the end of the month and pick up some skin art perhaps? hee hee. You can check out some of their food at this blog: http://www.quarrygirl.com/2009/02/07/doomies-vegan-closed-buffet/

I gotta check to see how everyone else is doing on this detox. I'm hungry gotta go!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Tacos de Papa

I know.. I know not the healthiest but these are so damn good.


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Day 4




I loaded up on some morning star stuff because Dan does not like the texture of the tofu. Well at least how I made it last time. He prefers it crispy like at the restaurants. So I have to work on my method. He was happy with the chicken less chicken patties. I picked up some boca burgers which I plan to try.

Mood: Light and energy is good
Sleep: 8 hours and woke up in a good mood.





I did have a monster hunger attack on the way home. I figured the banana would keep me at bay till dinner time but nope!! I got a bad case of hiccups too. I tried drinking water, holding my breath, jumping jacks, sugar.. you name it. Nothing worked. Worse was trying to have an intervention conversation on the phone while you're hiccuping like a beast. It was freaky. My nephew said I sound like a monkey throwing up when I hiccup. Thanks Isaac. Some trail mix calmed the beast and took the hiccups away too. I haven't felt irritable or pissed (yet). I think week 2 will be a challenge or maybe this weekend when I go bowling, meet friends for brunch or hit up the snow. Wait.. I gotta squeeze in a concert too! What to drink at a concert?? Hmm...


Typically, I have cocktails when I bowl. It perfects my method!! I get more strikes since I can't really bowl. I come from a family that takes bowling way way too seriously. My mom and my sister both were in bowling leagues. Matching shirts, personalized bowling bags and own their own bowling ball. They don't like me on their team because I don't focus like they do. They bring out the jedi mind tricks and score serious points. I think it's hilarious but that's due to the cocktails as well. I hope I bowl better and let's see if I get selected on my mom or sisters team. Something tells me I'll be bowling with the kids. :(

Anyway.. menu.

Breakfast: Roasted red potatoes, wheat toast, 2 eggs (with yolk .. oh my god) and orange juice.

Lunch: Smart Ones Florentine Spinach Lasagna (6pts for those that count ww points), salad and 1/2 a cucumber.

Snack: I prepared better. I got almonds and an apple the size of a softball.

Weight: minus 1 lb.

Dinner: TBD

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Food porn

Afternoon snack


Simmer sauce for tofu


Fideo


Quesadilla n squash! Wild huh'


Tofu experiment


Egg plant Tofu from
Chinese spot.


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Day 3


My friend Shirley asked me to track my moods and sleeping habits during my 30 day experiment. Great idea huh!! I also figured I should weigh myself daily or often to see how un-heavy I feel since I'm feeling pretty light lately.

Today
Mood: Energetic
Sleep: 9 hours straight
Scale: says I'm 3 lbs lighter (Crazy huh.. I will weigh in elsewhere to verify)

I did feel sleepy yesterday around 5 pm but that was because I didn't have coffee all day. I will have a cup today to see if that will help. I had a snack instead and a cup of hibiscus/jamaica to wake me up!! It worked. I'm curious to see if I will get sleepy again around the same time.

Glad to report that my Tikka Masala tofu was good. Erika and Iris tried it and added some chili flakes to make it spicy. I didn't have time to make a whole batch of brown rice so I picked up a box of boil in a bag brown rice from Fresh n Easy. It was awesome to get fluffly perfect brown rice in 10 mins. The box comes with 4 bags and it costs $1.99. Not too shabby!! Each bag can feed 3 people if you're measuring 1/2 a cup of rice per person. I always measure my rice intake! Well that and I like shaping my rice into the cup molds. They look cool.

We're getting some more vegetarian feedback. Sandra our long time high school friend is a vegetarian. She will give us some tips too. Thank you.

Breakfast: Egg White, Cheese, Spinach Omlette and coffee
Snack: TBD
Lunch: Tofu and Brown Rice
Dinner: TBD

keep it up girls!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

RECIPES

Yvette P sent me this recipe. Looks delish.
Vegetable Lasagne roll ups

Yvette F. sent me this:

Quinoa
This is expensive but super healthy and has many of the vitamins and other go...

http://chetday.com/quinoa.html


The quinoa seed is high in protein, calcium and iron, a relatively good source of vitamin E and several of the B vitamins. It contains an almost perfect balance of all eight essential amino acids needed for tissue development in humans. It is exceptionally high in lysine, cystine and methionine-amino acids typically low in other grains. It is a good complement for legumes, which are often low in methionine and cystine. The protein in quinoa is considered to be a complete protein due to the presence of all 8 essential amino acids. Some types of wheat come close to matching quinoa's protein content, but grains such as barley, corn, and rice generally have less than half the protein of quinoa. Quinoa is 12% to 18% protein and four ounces a day, about 1/2-cup, will provide a childs protein needs for one day. The 6-7% fat of quinoa is relatively high when compared to other grains, but it boasts a low sodium content and also provides valuable starch and fiber. Quinoa also contains albumen, a protein that is found in egg whites, blood serum, and many plant and animal tissues. The seeds are gluten-free which makes this a nutritious and flavorful alternative grain for those with gluten sensitivity. Quinoa would be a worthy addition to anyone's diet, supplying variety as well as good nutrition. The seed is also excellent feed for birds and poultry and the plant itself is good forage for cattle.





Black Bean Burgers
Serves 2



* 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained
* 1/4 cup diced and saut�ed onions
* 2 slices multigrain bread, finely crumbled
* 1/2 teaspoon each of garlic powder, black pepper, and onion powder (optional)
* 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
* 1/2 cup cracker crumbs

In a large bowl, mash the drained black beans. Add the saut�ed onions, crumbled bread, and spices. Mix thoroughly. Add about 1/4 cup of cracker crumbs (or just enough to be able to form patties from the mixture). Using your hands, form the mixture into 1/2-inch thick patties. For a breaded burger, gently coat each patty with more cracker crumbs.

In a lightly oiled non-stick pan, fry both sides of the patties. Serve with a garnish of lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and any other condiments on buns or over a bed or rice.

Day 2

So I hit up Fresh n Easy last night and I picked up a couple boxes of tofu and some pasta. I also loaded up on nuts (peanuts and almonds). I made fideo for dinner with a some quesadillas to go along. Man, fideo can be a life saver!!!

Today I was a brat and had french toast for breakfast. I know not a healthy choice but it's rare that I have french toast and it seems like a harmless choice during this challenge. I'm looking forward to lunch. My friend is in town from Boston and she suggested we meet up at Loving Hut in Alhambra. Check out the menu!! Looks tasty huh!! It's a neat lil vegan joint in Alhambra. I'm so looking forward to eating fake meat. I'll let you know how it goes.

As for dinner I've drained the tofu and I put it to fry up with garlic and let it simmer in a tikka masala sauce. I plan to serve it over brown rice tonight. It doesn't look inviting but we're looking for good taste and nutrition, right? right! I hope I'm not the only one who enjoys it. Dan doesn't look eager to eat it but I've invited my friend Iris to come over and she'll have to take one for the team since I invited her over for dinner!

I've also hit up a vegetarian chemistry professor I work with. She laughed when I told her about the challenge. Not because it's insane but because she said this is exactly how she became a vegetarian herself. She said she took on a challenge like this one and never went back. "A piece of steak feels like a rock in my stomach" she said.
She'll gather some simple recipes to share which I will post. However, she did say that the vegetarian cook books recipes are pretty extensive and that the magazines have the quick and easy recipes. She reccommended Vegan Times and also told me to try BBQ tofu.

Now gotta get some website work done. Looking forward to lunch with Jazzy.

New participants joining the challenge:

Roxy
(my lil sister) I'm eager cuz she likes margaritas as much as a I do and can't live without burgers!!

Illy who seems to have pretty good discipline also joined. I think she'll be good at this and their boss.

So far our roll call:

Santa Perversa
Corey
Val
Yvette P.
Rox
Illy
QC Boss

Brenda is doing it too. A modified version of no booze and fast food. We'll keep her at bay if she rolls up with a steak.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Day 1



My friend SP and I were having cafecito during our bruja hour and she mentioned a food critic stops having meat and alcohol for 30 days after nye. He does this to reset his palette. We figured we can reset our palette and also lose some weight in the process.

I did some vegetarian research last night. I didn't know there were so many variations of vegetarianism. Octo, Lacto, Fruit, Demi. There's tons of ways to justify your diet. No eggs, cheese, no red meat but I eat chicken. I hit up my good friend sister who is a lifelong vegetarian for some tips and recipes. She also asked what kind of vegetarian I would be. I decided that I'm going to be a Lacto-Ovo vegetarian (which means I can take down some dairy and eggs). The other versions are very strict and vegan is just a bit extreme for an amateur like myself. I want to take on the challenge of having no meat (no chicken, seafood, red meat.. any meat) and no booze for 30 days and survive. If it all goes well (keeping fingers crossed) I may consider being a vegetarian once a week every month. That is being a bit optimist but I typically am.. we'll see.

I will post recipes and tips that I get from my peeps to help out my friends that are taking this challenge with me. So far we go two willing mujeres that stepped up, so that's three in total. My boyfriend, wait correction, fiancee said he will do it as well but will cheat when he's away. He claims he'll need some seafood or chicken or else he'll lose whatever fat is holding him together and well he's probably right. I said "don't ask, don't tell". I don't want to know. So far, he's a demi vegetarian for the next 30 days.

Features I found handy so far:
iphone apps: whole foods, veg kickstart for 21 days, vegrecipes

veg friends: Chris

I am currently looking for good vegetarian blogs.

Breakfast: Soyrizo and Eggs and wheat tortilla. Coffee.

Lunch: Vegetarian Chili

Dinner: TBD

Snacks: Banana