That Superhero Month and My Vegan Reflection

Hi there!

Just over a month ago I did a post about starting my super clean month of eating before the holidays, and then I never mentioned it again that whole month.  I’m sorry!  I know I totally dropped the ball on keeping you up-to-date on how the month went.  So how did it go?  Really well.  So well in fact that I can’t believe it passed so fast and I kind of forgot about it during the month as it just happened naturally.  Something I realized is that I gravitate towards foods that make me feel my best now.  

I didn’t end up giving up coffee like I had planned; however, I mostly drank decaf, so maybe that counts for something.  Also, I had plenty of desserts, but I steered away from white sugar and white flour, so I did well there.  What I’ve come to notice is that those things (white sugar and flour) just aren’t in my eating regimen anymore.  They just don’t fit in with all the other fantastic options that are just way cooler (like brown rice syrup, maple sugar, maple syrup).

It’s been a year since I first dived into macrobiotics and really made an effort to stick to whole foods, and what a magnificent learning experience it’s been!  I think of how I was eating a year ago – not an entirely plant-based diet – and I compare it with now, and I’m totally impressed with myself.  Is that ok to say?  Yes, it is because I think so many of us in this healthy living community should be so proud of the efforts we make each and every day to better ourselves, and in turn the inspiration we provide for others.

I want to do more typical food day posts with you because I think it’s important to demonstrate how simple a vegan diet can be.  It can be hard at first figuring out what exactly to eat.  I know that when I first embraced a vegan diet 4 years ago I jumped in completely and I really didn’t know what I was doing.  Therefore, it took a while of eating vegan (but I wasn't eating everything I should have been and too much of things that were no good for me,) and then a year of uncertainty about a vegan lifestyle for me, to then eventually realize that yes I am a happier, thoughtful, peaceful, and more inspired me by sticking to a plant-based diet.

Long story short, it’s been a journey and of course it will continue to be one.  So on that note, here's an example of a typical food day for me filled with vegan yums...

 

Breakfast:  Slice (or 2) of Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain toast topped with Tofutti and strawberry jam  and a big mug of tea (yerba matte, kukicha, or Jasmine white tea recently)

Snack:  Apple and/or celery with peanut butter

Lunch:  Tofurky club with a side of greens, butternut squash and cauliflower curry soup, and ½ lemon poppy seed vegan cupcake for dessert (insane!)

Snack:  Decaf soy latte

Dinner:  Leftover rice noodle, tofu and broccoli stir fry

Dessert:  So Delicious No Sugar Added Vanilla ice cream (one of my favorites!)

Isn’t food just amazing?!  Sticking to plant-based diet is really so simple once you get the hang of it.  This past year I really made an effort to explore new recipes, more variety, and make sure I was getting the proper nutrition.  It’s been a blast.  It’s really so much fun to see the power of food at work and experience the beauty within yourself that shines through from it.

What’s your favorite veggie dish?

And let the world spin madly on...

So back in college I was a huge Grey’s Anatomy fan.  I made it through season 4 I think and then when my favorite characters started leaving the show, I stopped watching, but I still watch past episodes while I’m cooking/baking or on the elliptical.  As obsessed as I was with the show itself, I was just as interested in the music.  For every episode I would download all the songs and listen to them like therapy.  I’m sure someone on the internet somewhere has compiled a list of all the music from the show.  The thing is I don’t really know the artists of any of the songs nor the titles, but I know the emotions I feel when I hear them.  Isn’t music so wonderfully powerful like that?  The title of my post is from one of those songs, so that’s what started this rant.

If you blog too then I’m sure you can understand how difficult it is to convey your whole self.  I keep the focus of my posts very positive for the most part because that’s what works for me.  I don’t share many details of my life because I created Love A Latte to focus on a certain parts of me – the plant-based diet following, latte loving, often a runner, macrobiotic diet embracing, dog loving aspects of me.

Pretty soon I’ll be coming up on a year of blogging where I’ve shared bits & pieces of my life with you.  It has been a wonderful experience and I look forward to what 2014 will bring.  I’ve been thinking a lot about where I want to take this little space of mine.  I’ve had thoughts of ditching this format completely and starting fresh.  Don’t be surprised if I do something like that.  But at the same time I like a lot of what I’ve created so maybe I’ll just expand on what I’ve started.

I’m turning 27 in January too.  I know it’s not really a number of significance, but I have plans for 27.  I’ve always had plans – been a planner since I was little – but I’m really excited about these plans.  I’m so excited to start my Macrobiotic Counseling courses.  They start the week of my birthday.  I think that’s a great way to start 27.  Originally I had planned to run 27 miles on my birthday, but that probably won’t happen with the IT band injury I’m healing.  I could always run 2 and walk 7 or vice versa.

I’m sharing all this with you guys because I want your feedback.  Even if you’re a new reader, I’d love to hear your input.

What have you enjoyed about my blog over the last almost year?  What do you want to hear more about?  Have you liked the level of detail I’ve provided?  Do you want to know more or maybe you want to know less?

I’d love to hear everything you have to say!  I’ve got a vision of where I want to take this space of mine and hearing back from you would help so much…  

Love A Latte



Welcome to my blog about vegan living including lattes, great food, running & love!