Ooooo will try the soup, thankies :D
You are kiddin me, almond milk has LESS fat? Rock on the almonds! Im buying that tomorow :D

I'm already off the milk :D. I've tried almond and soy milk, but haven't settled yet on what to use in my coffee. I'm not too much into the fake meats. I grew up on a lot of veggie meats that I wasn't too fond of and I'm avoiding processed foods. But I will be eating some I'm sure ;). I plan to try to do some tofu next week and hopefully try some tempeh too.

Thanks!

I want to try tempeh, hopefully soon! How's Almond Milk?

Quick interruption here...

My official stats:

Sept 9th: 338
Goal for Sept 30: 332
Halloween Challenge: 323

I tried that and it was OK. I guess it will just take getting used to something new. I haven't tried rice milk yet. Plus I'll probably have to try different brands of things too. I like the idea of using soy milk in my coffee because of the protein, but I'm not sure the flavor is going to work.

I actually love almond milk. I like it for drinking straight, I prefer it to the others in cereal, and it's great for hot cocoa, too. :)

I'm not really into "milk" type drink. I really wasn't into milk when I ate meat, dairy, and eggs. But I always keep rice milk on hand for when I need it (which isn't very often).

OK challengers!! Heres our BEGINNING STATS:

me: beginning weight 177lbs/sept 1st goal 170lbs/oct 31st goal 162lbs

theheather: 338/332/323

modjeska: 174/164/157

kierr: 219/209

darkangeljade: 167/154

fatchickbgone: 208.4/200/190

juliej08: 158.5/154/146

darby1: 214/208/200

kindymom: 162.5/160/157

sheila53: 158.5/156/153.5

missnewbooty... you're the only person I don't have stats for :)

Modjeska... I'm so glad you love the Almond Milk... it sounds so darn good!!! :) I'm going to get some when I go home in a week... is it expensive?

Do any of you eat blended salads? I'm looking for ideas. :)

I don't recall it being more than other cow's milk alternatives. Try the chocolate variety, too. Mmm.

What do you mean by blended salad? I'm just curious....

Blended Salad * * * * *
This salad does require a blender.


1 medium tomato
2 cups leaf lettuce or spinach
1/4 of a cucumber
1 stalk of celery
1/2 ripe avocado
1/4 teaspoon Celtic Sea Salt
1/4 cup each broccoli & cauliflower
1/2 teaspoon Frontier All Purpose Seasoning


Blend tomato, cucumber, avocado, Celtic sea salt and herb seasoning to make a dressing. Then add remaining ingredients except for the celery. Use the celery stick to push the veggies down into the blades, quickly turning the blender on and off until all veggies are in the dressing. Then continue turning the blender on and off until desired consistency is reached. If the dressing is too dry, a little distilled water may be added. (If you turn your blender on and leave it on instead of pulsing it on and off, your salad will be very fine - some may like it that way.)


IS THIS WHAT YOU MEANT BY BLENDED? :) HERES AN IDEA IF SO

Salad shake?!

That's what it sounds like :D

That is exactly what I was looking for, thanks! :) I made one with An apple, banana and a ton of romaine last night and it was like green applesauce. Looked weird, tasted great! :)

I am also trying to find a way to include Broccoli and Cauliflower, since I don't like either. Something to cover it up! :)

I think I'm late to the "milk" discussion. I use rice milk for everything. I think soy milk tastes too "beany", but I love the soy creamer by Silk for my coffee. I keep meaning to pick up some almond milk to try, but always forget.

I have a great recipe for black bean soup if you're interested. It's very easy and delicious. I also make a potato chowder (when it starts getting cooler outside) that I got out of Joanne Stepaniak's "Uncheese Cookbook" that is fantastic.

Good Morning Girls! - Thank god I finally got rid of the Newman O's last night :rolleyes:. Those will not be coming into the house again - too much temptation!! Luckily I was able to get the roomie to eat at least half of them!

Kierr - I've got nothing for you on blended salads. It's totally just me but I can't deal with the thought of blended veggies. Glad you enjoy them though!

TheHeather - You're confusing me as my name is Heather also :D I know what you mean about baking stuff - no more brownies either for me!

Jill - I view being vegan as a learning process, mistakes will be made but don't beat yourself up over it. I've been doing it for about 4 months now and while I've learned a lot I still get stumped over some items but I just learn from it and move on - the important thing is that you're trying.

Jade - As far as walking or jogging better I'd think you'd burn more calories jogging. I know I get better results jogging versus running but everyone's different. Have you considered the Couch to 5k program to build you up to a longer jog? Also I'm lucky I guess I can eat pretty much anything and not have horrible results. I'd quite possibly shrivel up and die if I didn't eat pasta (whole wheat of course ;))

Julie - Way to go on the C25K!! I'm doing a slightly different program that builds you up to a 10k but same idea, walk/jog and increase the jogging portions. I have a 45minute workout tonight with about 20 minutes of jogging in there.

I don't remember who asked about milk but I normally use soymilk because it's the cheapest and I like it :) I do really like the Silk creamer that Darby mentioned though!

I'll have to look for that, I didn't know they made it. Might work, unless it's got a bunch of junk in it.

Hahah okay for the record....Fat Chick B Gone = Heather
THE Heather = The Heather :p

It's amazing the difference in an article!!!

I still have my double chocolate brownies sitting here and I'm praying that someone will eat them so I won't be tempted to :D From now on, I need to use my baking/cooking for good not for evil

Sorry guys! I have been super busy with school. I need some sleep but as we speak, I still need to complete one of my papers. :(

Okay, here's my stats:
Current weight: 163.5 lbs
September 30 goal: 158 lbs
Halloween goal: 153 lbs

And call me Shellie :)

O o o dig who just got back from her 5 mile speed walk, give you a clue- she is fantabulous <- :D
About to eat my healthy food now.
What kinda exercise you guys doing to shift it?



p.s my legs are now dead :(

SHELLIE/BOOTY... Great goals! Glad you're still with us!

JADE... YOU GO GIRL!! SO proud of you!

DARBY... I'd love to hear the recipe for the Black Bean Soup... mmmm...

FATCHICKBGONE... True.. That's why I'm using this as my 'learners period' lol But definitley trying hard :) Feels good!

THE HEATHER... you're so lucky you can bake... so maybe try some new things out (lower cal) because we're in a challenge girl!! :) I actually just ripped a few things out of a SHAPE magazine for yummy sounding popsicles.. I'll post em in a little bit for you all. I can't wait to try em.



Also ladies I was thinking about maybe every week trying to think of something that can help us either with our weight or just with out happiness :)
So I'd love to hear everyones ideas... and every week we can try to add a new WEEK IDEA... I'm thinking to start off... listen to great music for at least 15 minutes a day... and dance or sway to the music... listen to it loud (speakers or ear phones) and feel good... that always makes me smile!

ugh. Somehow I keep getting my posts eating! arg!

anywho- I am late but wanna join! I am a vegetarian- not a vegan, at least, not yet!... I have been doing South Beach for over a month now and i love it!

I would love to see that black bean soup recipe! yum!

My name is: RiKKi
Current weight: 193 lbs
Sept 30th Mini-Goal: 189 lbs
Oct 31st HALLOWEEN VEGGIE CHALLENGE Goal: 185 lbs

Good Luck to all!!!

POPSICLE RECIPES:

*GINGER CITRUS POPS
2c lemonade
1c apple juice
1/4c ginger juice
1/4c fresh lime juice (about 3 limes)
4tsp grated ginger
2tsp honey (or agave nectar)
1 lime thinly sliced
1/2 lemon thinly sliced

30 calories-0g fat per pop
Simmer lemonade, all juices, ginger and honey in a small saucepan for 10minutes, then let cool. Put citrus slices in molds; add juice mixture and sticks. Freeze 6 hours.

*MINTY GRAPE POPS
1/2c fresh or bottled lime juice
1/4c honey (or agave nectar)
4cups red grapes, halved
1/4c packed fresh mint

57calories-0.1g fat per pop
Whisk lime juice and honey in a bowl until honey dissolves. Stir in 2cups cold water. Spoon grapes and mint into molds. Add lime-honey mixture and sticks. Freeze 6 hours.

*Strawberry-Sunflower Pops
1/3c shelled unsalted sunflower seeds
3cups hulled and halved strawberries
3/4c strawberry juice
3/4c pineapple juice
3tbsp sugar (or your substitute)
1 ripe banana

51calories-1.6g fat per pop
Heat oven to 300*. Roast sunflower seeds in a shallow pan for 6 minutes; star and roast 4 minutes more. Simmer berries, juices and sugar in a medium saucepan for 5 minutes. Let cool. Transfer mixture to a blnder; add banana; blend until smooth. Stir in seeds. Fill molds & add sticks. Let freeze 6 hours.

*Wild-Berry Pops
1 1/2c fresh blackberries
1 1/2c fresh blueberries
1cup lowfat plain yogurt (again or your yogurt subst.)
1cup prepared blueberry juice
2 tbsp honey (or agave nectar)
2tbsp fresh lemon juice

38calories-0.3 fat per pop
BLEND 3/4c blackberries and 3/4c blueberries, with yogurt, blueberry juice, honey and lemon juice in a blender until smooth. Stir in remaining berries. Pour into molds & add sticks. Freeze 6 hours.


P.S.
If you don't have a mold, use 3oz dixie cups and place a craft stick in each when mixture is partially frozen!

I dunno about grape & mint & lime together, but the ginger one sounds really good!

Does vegan bacon count as healthy? I got it cos it was on offer but i dont even remember the taste of real meat cos i havnt had it since i was 7!
Im tryna steer clear of processed.

JILLNICOLE...I blared my music as i was walking, i wouldnt of made it otherwise.lol
Im forbidding anyone around me to watch depressing films! i dont care if they are classics!!!

Oh i bought Oatmilk cos it was on offer (im a bargain hunter!) Havnt tried it yet but Alpro have bought out vegan mince which i plan to mix with my lentils and curry (speaking of i discovered...well my bf discovered that lentils arent the most sociable food...wonder if anyone can figure out why?lol)

Hows everyones healthy eating coming?
Il look for a vegan/vege recipe to share with everyone aswell

:D

RDW1..... Glad to have you join Rikki!! :hug:

JADE... Good job with the music! I love listening while I'm walking but it is different when you're just getting ready or spacing out lol and get to kind of move to the music lol GOOD WALK!! You're doing awesome!


Weigh-ins are FRIDAYS everyone :) Even if it's a 1/2 lb loss... its a loss!!! Hope you're all ready and excited ;)

:dust:

I've been eating healthy, but it feels like I've been eating carbs, carbs, cabs. It's time for me to go grocery shopping!

I just had roasted brussell sprouts :)


It was most definetely a GREAT choice for a snack :D

SHELLIE... =] Maybe you can look stuff up online for ideas before you go grocery shopping.. and get some new yummy things that arn't carbs. Do you eat lots of fruits and veggies? Soups? Maybe you can get some tea.. that helps my hunger. :)

THE HEATHER... mmm I love brussel sprouts =] Havn't bought them for awhile.

This recipe comes from Real Simple magazine. It's really easy to make a double batch too!

Black Bean Soup


1 teaspoon olive oil
2 cups fresh salsa
2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups or vegetable broth
1 16-ounce can refried black beans
1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)

Heat the oil in a saucepan or large pot over medium heat. Add the salsa and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes. Add the refried beans, black beans, and broth and bring to a simmer. Cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Ladle into bowls. Top with some of the remaining salsa and the sour cream and cilantro (if using).


Yield: Makes 4 servings

NUTRITION PER SERVING
CALORIES 151(0% from fat); FAT 3g (sat 2g); CHOLESTEROL 6mg; CALCIUM 97mg; CARBOHYDRATE 28g; SODIUM 830mg; PROTEIN 9mg; FIBER 10g; IRON 3mg

mmm sounds great :)
i wonder if it would taste good using alternative sour cream :)

I use Tofutti "Better than Sour Cream", which in my opionion, tastes exactly like sour cream. It's a bit high in fat, but I only use a teaspoon full. There are a lot of recipes online for vegan sour cream, but I haven't been too lucky with them. Maybe somebody else has one to share?

My opinion on alternatives are this: they should be used in moderation.

A lot of them are so full of fat and processed things in order to make them half way close to the products you're trying to replace. So they should be used solely in moderation.

But that's just my opinion :D

I rely on whole foods. Mmmm you can get very creative with some whole grains and veggies. I promise.

But on a side note...I've only been veggie for 2 months...when I weighed myself for my stats I had lost 14 pounds :)

I think the whole foods were a big contributing factor.

THE Heather-
Do you come up with recipes yourself, or do you use cookbooks? I agree that eating whole foods is much healthier than eating processed foods, but I don't love cooking. I tend to rely on processed foods too much to supplement my diet. I can follow a recipe, though, so if you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

Tomorrow I start back into serious exercise. I had a bunch of appointments to take care of today, so I didn't workout. Tomorrow, though, I start again with C25K! I also found my pedometer and I'm going to try to get up to 10,000 steps a day.

THEHEATHER... so you lost 14 lbs in 2 months? Is that what you're saying? Good for you! If I could cook I would definitley be ALL whole foods... but I do try! I still like morningstarfarms fake meat. Do you eat that at all?

Exercise - Tonight I did 3.32 miles run/walk mix. I'm working my way up to be a full time jogger. I throw in a day or two of yoga a week and some days of just walking the dogs. There are very few days where I don't do anything at all, just may be different levels of cardio. I don't do weights much as I find them boring and yoga tends to build muscle.

Sour cream- okay if we're being completely honest this is the only thing I miss since going vegan. I prefer Tofutti Sour Supreme but to me it's just not the same as the real thing but used on top of chili or in a taco it's fine. Please keep in mind I was pretty much a sour cream whore :) I'd use probably 4-5 tbsps on a potato before!!

Jade - wtg on your power walk - woo hoo!

Jill - music is an awesome idea. I jam out often! Those popsicles sound yummy!


I'm a big believer in whole foods, however I don't consider myself a whole foodist as I will eat the occasional Smart Dog or veg cheese substitute. I find whole foods fill me up more and help keep the calories low!

No not at all. If I have a "fake meat" I generally make seitan or chickpea cutlets. I just don't like the taste of the ready made fake meats. But that's just me.


And yes, I'm saying I lost 14 pounds in two months :D

I'd push someone over to get to the last chickpea cutlet, that's all I'm saying :D
Have you tried the black bean burgers in Veganomicon - very tasty also!

I haven't gotten the hang of seitan making at home and I'm not a huge fan of it overall. I generally buy the Whitewave brand if I do want some.
Congrats on the 14lbs that's awesome progress :carrot:

Lol I'm by no means a whole foodist either. I admit to liking some very bad things..like potato chips...or air heads!

But I try to be as whole as possible for the same reason as you....they fill me up and are generally low cal!
__
Today I didn't get to go work out because I had tons of homework and I was running errands today. Boo. Oh well. Missing one day out of the week isn't too bad. I'll just go back tomorrow.

I generally just play basketball for half an hour and then walk for another half hour. It's moderate impact so I don't have a problem doing it 5 days or so a week.

I didn't even cook today. I made a sub with spinach, orange peppers, and onions. I put a little EVOO, rice vinegar, and chili powder. It was a good choice.

:)