Healthy Living Blogs

If you're like me almost all of the blogs you read fit into the category 'Healthy Living'.  The great news is, there is now a site that lists all of these in one place.  No more google searching for running blogs, yoga blogs or healthy eating blogs.  I have found a ton of great blogs that I now follow religiously, and 'Run with Kate' is also listed on there.

Healthy Living Blogs is a new resource for the health blogging community. Created by Lindsey of Sound Eats, HLB is a site designed to enhance the positive community of the healthy living blog world. Bloggers and readers can explore the site and find more blogs to love, bloggers in their area, and forums to deepen healthy discussion and support. If you're interested in having your site listed on HLB, simply send the following information to healthylivingblogs@gmail.com and check the site out for yourself!

Email subject line: MEMBERS
-Your name (please share if you prefer to go by first name, first and last, or however you prefer to be known on the Internet)
-Blog Name
-Blog URL (please start with http://, not www.)
-Your twitter handle, if applicable
-Your location (if you prefer not to disclose this information for privacy's sake, that is completely understandable. We'll simply include your blog listing in the A-Z listing, not by location, too)
-Any specific labels (i.e. vegan, gluten-free, weight loss, running, etc.)

Meatless Monday: Chickpea & Lentil Stew

Angela found a great slow-cooker recipe the other day on the Whole Foods website.  We made up our own delicious batch with a few changes.  Below is OUR version of the stew.

Make it even better:  Grill up a batch of polenta and pour the stew directly over it in your bowl.  It becomes soft as it soaks in the taste of the stew.  It is a great accompaniment with most stews.  Otherwise, warm some naan and serve on the side.

Chickpea & Lentil Stew   

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 chile pepper, stemmed, seeded and chopped, more to taste

4 cloves garlic, chopped

2 teaspoons garam masala

1 teaspoon cumin

2 (15-ounce) cans garbanzo beans (chick peas), drained and rinsed

1/2 cup dried red lentils

1 (28-ounce) can tomato puree

2 cups vegetable broth

1/4 cup pitted black olives

1 tube of pre-made polenta or naan bread

Directions

Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté the onions. Add peppers, garlic, garam masala and cumin and cook until peppers begin to soften. Combine everything in the slow cooker and cook on low 8 to 10 hours.  Prepare polenta 10 minutes before serving.

More Reasons to Kick the Meat Habit:

* Want more FIBER in your diet? 

MEAT does not contain fiber.  Fruits & vegetables DO.

*Worried about getting enough CALCIUM? 

Too much protein from dairy products and meats will leach

calcium from your bones.

*Watching your CHOLESTEROL?

Cholesterol is only found in animals.

Sweet Sixteen

I may not have had a Sweet Sixteen party as a teenager, but trust me, after this weekend I know how SWEET 16 really is. 

Before my run on Saturday I felt nervous.  This is so abnormal for me it was almost confusing.  Why the heck would I be nervous to run?  The truth is, I was doubtful that I would be able to finish 16 miles, especially alone and feeling fatigued lately.

I picked a route called the 'Tour of San Diego' which is one giant loop around the city.  I wrote the directions down on an itty bitty piece of paper and stuffed them in my sports bra along with my iPod.  It is truly amazing how much one can store in a jog bra (especially if you don't have much boobage taking up space). 

It was chilly and overcast, perfect for a long run.  I made my way from Mission Beach to Ocean Beach which is filled with hippies and free spirits; I love it.  I continued along Sunset Cliffs Boulevard where monstrous waves crashed against the jagged rocks.  Eventually I was in Point Loma and running along the calm bay.


Miles ticked by without notice as I followed my handy-dandy directions to places I have never seen.  It was more like an adventure than just a long run.  I had no idea where exactly I was going, making each turn a surprise. Although I was alone, I was not lonely.  I wasn't able to complain to anyone about how hard the run was getting.  By not saying negative thoughts aloud they weren't able to come into existence.  I feel as though once I start complaining of aches, pains and tiredness it makes all of those things more real.  I was forced to say nothing and keep focused.  This turned out to be a huge advantage.

Sunset Cliffs

I felt strong, smooth and increasingly confident.  I started off doubtful and realized about halfway through that I can do this.  It is all about whether or not I want to do it; and trust me I wanted to run 16 miles.  I was gaining momentum with each stride and energy as each mile passed.  I was sure I would be exhausted by the end, but I felt exhilarated by mile 15 and finished fast.


Looking down at my watch and seeing 16.00 miles was more gratifying than I expected.  I was completely alone and had nobody to share my excitement with.  I stretched quietly with a slight smile on my face basking in that post-run bliss.  It is funny to think that I didn't have faith in myself, yet I ended up completing the entire 16 miles in less than 2.5 hours.

While it is great to have company on long runs, accomplishing a distance for the first time on your own provides a special kind of satisfaction.   I did it...

Takin' it Easy

I stayed home from work today for the first time in well over a year.  Something has been off with me lately.  I started noticing it about a week ago.  My body and I are sort of pals, we tell each other everything.  I say sort of pals, because she tells me things and I often turn around and ignore her.  
I am a bad friend that way.


Lately, my body has been telling me it is completely and utterly exhausted.  This has transferred over to my attitude and I have been irritable and just not quite myself.   I have been craving foods full of fat and sugar, and have given in to many of those cravings this week.  I have also continued to push myself on my runs, even though my body is yelling "cut me some slack already!"  


Last night, I went to the gym to do a tempo run on the treadmill.  I was overwhelmingly fatigued so I decided to recline my seat and close my eyes for just a moment before I went inside.  A minute went by, then 10, then 30!  I fell asleep in my car, parked in the parking garage.  Is this normal?  I think, NOT.  This should have been enough indication that today was just not my day, but being the stubborn Taurus I am I walked my butt into the gym and grabbed ahold of the first treadmill I could find.


I started running and it felt like I was at mile 25 of a marathon (not that I know what that feels like yet).  I tried and I tried to muster up the energy to complete my tempo run, but I had to cut it short.  I was drenched in sweat, which is pretty uncommon for me, and I felt nauseous.  If you're wondering if I was dehydrated the answer is NO.  I was a good girl and drank a lot of fluids that day.  I called it quits and headed back to my car.  

Of course I was frustrated, because hello, I am training for a marathon... this can't happen!  Hopefully today's rest was enough to get me back on track.  I haven't been taking my iron supplement, and I think that may be part of the problem.  I have iron deficiency anemia, but with a supplement I am usually fine.  


While I was home today Frida (my fur baby) was a cuddly ball of love.  I think she sensed that I wasn't well because she was on her best behavior all day, cuddling with me and softly pushing her paws on my tummy.  


Today served as a little reminder:   When our body needs rest, we must fulfill its wishes!  If we keep pushing and pushing our engine will eventually blow out.  Be a good friend to your body and listen to what it says.  

Chug, Chug, Chug! Hydration on Long Runs

This weekend I set out to tackle 14 miles, my longest run yet.  I was slightly apprehensive but also looking forward to the feeling I would have once I finished.  You all know that feeling of accomplishment, pride and complete satisfaction.  When someone casually asks you what you did that day, you say “not too much, just ran 14 miles" and it feels great!

Angela and I took off for Encinitas to stop at Nytro before our run.  I decided to cave and buy a fanny pack, I mean hydration belt.  I have avoided this device at all costs, opting for water fountains instead.  Unfortunately, when you often run on trails there are very few fountains at your disposal.  I finally hunkered down and spent the $45 on the Fuel Belt brand and strapped it around my waste.  I bought the kind with 2 little bottles, rather than 4.  I could not quite commit to the 4 bottle tool-belt-like contraption.

With one bottle of sports drink and one bottle of water, we set off.  Keep in mind, San Diego has been blazing hot lately and Angela did not bring anything for herself.  We ran along the dirt and sand trail that follows the ocean at Torrey Pines which I feel is the most scenic trail here in San Diego.  We were in heaven, just floating along effortlessly doing our usual comparison of the beauty in San Diego to Chicago.  We always laugh and joke about our journey to California and all of the crazy moments along the way when we wanted to rip each other’s hair out.  Luckily, happy moments far outweighed the moments of insanity.

Torrey Pines - This is where I run.  Isn't it fabulous?

Here and there I sipped on my water bottles and felt okay, mostly hungry.  Angela on the other hand was quickly fading.  She didn’t drink a lot of water prior to our run and only had a few tiny sips along the way.  By mile 12 she told me to go on ahead without her.  I made it to the car at mile 13.5 and decided to stop my run a little short so I could grab Ang and then quickly get some food in both of us.  My stomach was rumbling and I had visions of burritos and cookies dancing in my head.

When I picked her up along side the road she was in worse shape than when I left her.  We ended up taking our food to go and drove home while she was keeled over in pain on the passenger seat.  The moment she walked in the door she was vomiting like nobody’s business.

She continued to hurl for a few hours and couldn’t keep any fluids down.  I say hurl, because it best describes her situation; it was rough.  I made her a drink with an electrolyte tablet and she was finally able to get down one tiny sip after another.  If this didn’t work, the next step would be an Intravenous intervention at an urgent care clinic.  Luckily, she was able to skip the IV.

I honestly had no idea this could happen from dehydration. This was a great reminder (sorry, Ang) to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate before, during and after.

I thought this next tid bit was interesting, especially considering this is the method I use to hydrate.

The most recent guidelines from the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races state:

"Try to drink to thirst. This advice seems way too simple to be true; however, physiologically the new scientific evidence says that thirst will actually protect athletes from the hazards of both over and underdrinking by providing real time feedback on internal fluid balance. If you are not thirsty, try to refrain from drinking. Drinking when thirsty is supposed to discourage over-hydrating, which can lead to hyponatremia, and prevent dehydration. "

Also, a key point: During long runs, runners should drink a sports drink, and not just water, after 30 minutes.

One size apparently does not fit all when it comes to hydration.  I certainly don’t want to end up like Angela did, so you will see me out there with my nifty fuel belt, truckin' along from now on!

Good luck on the rest of your hot August runs.  CHUG, CHUG, CHUG!

The Athletic Vegan

I apologize that this week’s Meatless Monday is coming to you on a Tuesday, but sometimes life gets in the way of getting things done on time.  Let’s just call this, “Tofu Tuesday”, for lack of a better name.

*****

When you mention the word Vegan, many people picture someone that is frail, weak and pale.  Clearly, that is not me, or most vegans for that matter.  This fear can also hinder athletes from switching to a plant based diet.  They fear that the vegan lifestyle would limit their choices and ability to fuel properly.  The truth is switching to a vegan diet is not limiting at all.  Contrary to that belief, it actually opens up doors to a whole plethora of foods that otherwise might not be eaten.  Just think, every bit of meat we eat is taking the place of what could be a plant food filled with phyto-chemicals and an assortment of nutrients.

Rich Roll completed 5 consecutive

Ironmans on a vegan diet!

I read an entirely appropriate article on the Yoga Journal website yesterday, titled Plant Powered.  With mention of Scott Jurek (who I wrote a previous post about) and other incredibly successful vegan athletes, Rachel Seligman debunks the myth that a vegan diet does not provide the nutrients needed to perform high levels of physical activity.

From the article, 'Plant Powered':

The old school of thought was that extreme athleticism required extreme amounts of protein—remember the days of raw eggs in orange juice? It's true that someone like Jurek needs plenty of fuel to train. (He runs for one to two hours every day—six to eight hours on weekend days!—and does several weight-training and yoga sessions each week.) When he first became vegan, he wasn't sure if plant-based foods would be enough. But as he won races and felt great, he realized the diet served him well. He eats healthfully, loading up on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and nuts, and indulges in some great treats, like his favorite homemade dessert: apple or pear pie made with a pecan-date crust, topped with cashew-date "whipped cream." "I realized my fear about not getting enough nutrition had just been a psychological barrier, and as long as I ate fresh, whole foods, I was fine," Jurek says.


The article continues on, explaining the different dietary needs of an athlete.


Of course, athletes do have different nutritional needs from the average person's, but figuring them out is definitely not rocket science. Because you do more as an athlete, you need more: more carbohydrates, more protein, and more water. And that's an easy problem to solve: Eat more and drink more.


Protein, which aids in the body's healing and repairs muscle, is essential for those who push themselves physically.  Getting enough protein is no problem on a vegan diet. Half a cup of lentils or tofu gives you 9 or 10 grams of protein; two tablespoons of peanut butter gives you 8 grams. Beans, nuts, and grains are all good sources of protein; even veggies contain small amounts. And though meat is sometimes praised for having a complete spectrum of the amino acids our bodies need, vegans can get all the necessary amino acids if they eat a variety of foods every day, Sass says.

I encourage you to check out the entire article here.

Happy Tofu Tuesday!!  (Sorry again that this was late.)

What Running Says About Me...and You

Lately, a glass of red wine (or two) has been essential at the end of the day. It has been one of those weeks where I can't wait to take my shoes off the instant I get home and wiggle my toes in celebration that I'm done.  Done with work, done with high heels, done running, rushing, thinking, moving.  My bare feet touching the carpet is like someone banging a gavel, shouting "case closed!"  I relish in that moment that signifies the day has come to an end.

Tonight, I decided to skip my tempo run and go to yoga class.  I never do this...ever.  My body is telling me what it wants and I am trying to respect it.  I think my body will benefit more from some tension relieving Vinyasa and soft music than it would from an all out run.  I know how crucial tempo runs are and I can't believe I am choosing to blow it off.  Who am I right now?

That little question stirred up more thoughts than I could have anticipated. 

Who am I? 

Now, obviously this question can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Philosophically, spiritually, literally.  I started to think about how my day to day activities exhibit my various personas.  I think this is true for most of us.

Take Running for example...

I am a person that likes a challenge. I strive to improve, especially when things don't come naturally to me. With running I am dedicated, disciplined and self-motivated.  I run to find peace of mind, even though it would be easier not to do anything at all.  I push hard; often too hard.  I am a perfectionist to a fault.

And Yoga...
I attempt to find balance in my life, often to no avail.  I trust others and ask for help when I need it.  At the same time I find frustration in my limitations rather than acceptance. I find beauty in movement and the human body.  I use my voice to find calm by instinctively chanting.

And Veganism…
I strive to live a compassionate life that does not harm other beings.  I want my impact on the world to be positive rather than disparaging.  I choose consciousness over oblivion.  Effort over idleness.  My voice over silence.  I am highly emotional and sensitive to the needs of those without a voice.  I can become overwhelmingly distressed over things I can't control. 

*****

Reflect on many of the things you do on a daily basis. They don't tell the entire story, but they say a lot about who you are.  Just writing this post, for example, has reminded me of some of the things I need to work on and the parts of myself I should feel proud of.

What does running say about you?

Om on the Run

My agenda for this past weekend was completely blank except for the words “12 mile run”.  As I lay in Savasana during Friday night’s yoga class I was completely relaxed knowing that I had nowhere to be for two whole days.  Although I crave structure with my workouts and training, I despise it otherwise.  I prefer to fly by the seat of my pants.

I left hot vinyasa completely drenched and entirely cleansed of all the tension I carried throughout the week.  I like to think of yoga as a gift to myself, never an obligation.  While I know it is not for everyone, the practice itself feels like an act of love.  Often I dedicate my practice to someone or something, and I keep that in mind with each posture and breath.  When class ends with a “namaste” from teacher and student I walk away renewed.  I am emptied of all negative thoughts and refilled with a bright light that carries me through my weekend.

Saturday was a day for on and off napping and reading.  You better believe I enjoyed every second of it.  I love days when I can embrace my inner bookworm wholeheartedly.  The following day, we took our time drinking our morning coffee before heading north for a 12 miler.

The beaches close to home are the rowdy, spring-break style beaches full of vacationers and college kids.  I don’t mind running here during the week but when we have the time we like to go up to Del Mar, Solana Beach and Encinitas.  Instead of beach cruisers and bikini clad women you see wetsuits, surfboards and fancy triathlon bikes.  I love being surrounded by other active people when I am running.  It is far more enjoyable than passing through a cloud of smoke or getting offered beer bongs in the middle of a run.  One of these days I might just take one.

It is no wonder San Diego is the Mecca of triathlon with its mild weather, ocean breezes, insane hills and non-existent humidity.  Trust me, if I didn’t grow up in the Midwest I would not appreciate it like I do.  Anyway, I ran the first 8 miles of my run with Ang then we stopped at the car to refuel.  I realize now that I need to start using a hydration pack or fuel belt for future runs.  I felt depleted by the time we hit 8 miles.  Ang hopped on the bike and I sped off to finish the last 4 miles.

My shoulders were aching from all of the chaturanga dandasana and my feet were hurting, simply because I need new shoes.  Other than that, I felt fantastic!  There is nothing like running along the ocean, watching surfers and feeling a cool breeze on your face.  I finished my run by standing in the ocean, nature’s ice bath.  It was painfully nice.

Poor Ang had a flat tire within minutes.  To make it all better we went to Swami’s for some good eats, where they accept us in all our sweaty, sandy, smelly glory.  I enjoyed a smoothly blended bowl of acai and other colorful fruits with some black bean soup.  Mmm Mmm Good!

Hours later, I lay in bed listening to the sounds of brazilian jazz playing throughout our apartment as I write this.  That bright light I mentioned from yoga has not dimmed.  It burnt strong this entire weekend and I am glad for that.  I have remained at peace and full of love and gratitude.  If only I could find that inner light on busy days, crazy days and especially stressful days. 


Thanks for reading... Namaste! 

Got Milk? Hell No!

Meatless Monday


For as long as I can remember I have heard the benefits of milk touted from all directions.  Commercials and ads stating “It does a body good”, “builds strong bones” and my mom saying “Drink your milk, it's good for you!"  

Even today these messages are in our face.  “Got Milk?” ads are ever present, using sexy celebrities to persuade us to drink cow secretions.  (Secretion is the technical term for the fluid that comes from the gland of an animal, yes it's gross, and yes we drink it.)  Sometimes milk ads seem like PSAs but remember, they are advertisements paid for by the multi-billion dollar dairy industry.  They have a lot to lose if we stop drinking cow's milk.

Cow's milk is for calves - Not us!

About 75 % of the world's population is lactose intolerant after weaning.  This is a fact.  What this means is most people do not have the enzyme necessary to digest lactose, which is found in dairy products.  Let’s back up a few steps.  Cows produce milk to feed their young.  Their milk is suited to the nutritional needs of calves, who have four stomachs and gain hundreds of pounds in a matter of months, sometimes weighing more than 1,000 pounds before they are 2 years old.  It was never intended for human beings.  That would explain why most people are lactose intolerant.

Where will I get my calcium?
Many people worry that if they don't consume dairy they won't take in enough calcium.  The truth is, the reason cow’s milk is rich in calcium is simply because their feed is supplemented with calcium; it is not naturally calcium-rich.  Back in the days before factory farming, cows got their calcium from the green grass they grazed on.  Today, cows do not roam in the fields chewing on grass like commercials lead us to believe.  Instead, farmers must supplement their feed.  While the milk is high in calcium it often contains pus, antibiotics, blood and pesticides as well.  So, what if we skipped the cow and went straight to the source: the dark, leafy greens, a supplement or other sources?   It is a safer, more economical approach.   The amount of calcium we need is also questionable at this point anyway (read some of the studies linked at the bottom of the page for more info).  With the variety of dairy substitutes it is easy to make the switch.

Milk Machines
It is important to also remember that we must artificially inseminate cows in order for them to produce milk.  It may seem like common sense but I think we often forget this fundamental step.  Thanks to genetic manipulation, cows produce 10 times more milk than they would in nature.  This leads to painfully large udders and frequent infections and subsequently the overuse of antibiotics.   This is one of the reasons there are traces of blood and pus in our milk.  Either cows are sent to slaughter early because they are too sick to produce or they are considered “spent” within 4-5 years and go to slaughter then.  Their natural lifespan is 25 years, but dairy cows will never know what life really is.  Their days are spent as milk machines and nothing more.

The Dairy - Veal Connection
At this point are you wondering what happens to the babies that are born out of the artificial insemination?  Obviously, the boys can not produce milk so they are usually taken from their mother as soon as one day after birth and crated to become veal.  Many cringe at the thought of veal, and if you didn’t already know about the link between dairy and veal, I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news.  Once I learned of this sad connection I was done.  Hence the title of this post. 


Health Risks
On top of all the horror I already mentioned, there are the health risks such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, food allergies and many other ailments that are more common among those that consume dairy products than those that do not.  There is the environmental destruction of our rivers, lakes and streams as well.  I could easily blog all day about the harsh realities of the dairy industry, but I will stop here and let you breathe.  

 If you are interested in studies about milk in regard to your health, google STUDIES ON MILK CONSUMPTION and see what you find.  Below are a few professional research articles I found to be thought provoking.  



Study finds that kids need exercise, not calcium. -Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
http://www.rense.com/general63/milkmyth.htm


Study finds that Vitamin D reduces bone fractures in women, not calcium. -The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/77/2/504


Study finds that individuals consuming milk have an increased incidence of colorectal cancer. -National Institutes of Health
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11641750

Sticking to the Plan, Man!

So, I have this marathon coming up in November, in case you haven’t heard. It’s supposed to be one of those eco-friendly races in Malibu. It’s small, somewhat hilly and right along the ocean. I have some family coming for a vacation and they will watch me hopefully run, not stagger, through the finish line. I have a nifty little training plan from Runner’s World which I have altered in a few ways to make it more Kate-like. Maybe tweaking it is just my way of having control. I tacked on an extra run each week and upped my tempo pace. According to my plan I am right on track, but then I start to question the plan and myself.

 Am I doing enough?  Will I even be prepared for this thing?  Will my legs be able to handle 26.2 miles?  What about my lungs?


I read several personal stories in conjunction with an article by Amby Burfoot about the ‘less is more’ method of training and how successful it can be.  Many people shared that when they switched to a more conservative training plan they PRed by quite a lot. Some studies provided the same results.  Even so, I am filled with self-doubt and worry.  I start to strategize how I can get more miles in starting…now!

Being my first marathon, I want to take every measure to feel fully prepared when I stand on that start line with the pack of anxious runners. Maybe my plan is too modest and I will hit “the wall”, forced to walk it in.  Or, maybe the plan is just fine.  Maybe I will run faster than I ever anticipated and knock my own socks off.


After a crummy night of sleep I had a surprisingly killer tempo run last night. It was just what the doctor ordered to help rebuild my confidence. I ran much faster than I hoped and felt fantastic the entire way. I didn’t want to stop so I threw in an extra mile at tempo pace. Runs like these remind me why I began this relationship with running years ago.  They keep me loyal and committed.


I guess we won’t know whether this training plan is my friend or foe until November 14th.  For now, I have to trust the sheet of paper in front of me and trust myself.  If I treat it like my friend, maybe it will love me back.  If it doesn’t work out how I hoped, there is always another year and another race.  Like they say, it is all about the journey anyway, not the destination.

Podcasts, Pluots & Pussycats

The weather here has been exceptionally beautiful.  Although San Diego always has great weather, it has been better than ever lately. The air is fresh, crisp and just warm enough.  On days like these I crave running.  I think about it all day until I finally hit the ground and take off.  Then I stop thinking and sail along in my worn out shoes. 

Lately, Angela has been joining me for most of my runs and we chat the entire way.  I love the conversation as it makes each stride feel seamless.  Last night, I ran alone so, I listened to my favorite podcast, ‘Vegetarian Food for Thought’ by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau (pictured at right).  Her voice makes it easy to run solo because I don’t feel like I am.  She is my company the entire way as she speaks passionately about veganism and the animals.  I would highly recommend adding a few of her podcast episodes to your iPod.  You won’t regret it.

Speaking of veganism, I discovered that Trader Joe’s carries several cruelty-free, personal care products that contain no animal by-products.  This weekend I re-stocked my entire bathroom with shampoo, conditioner, face wash, lotion, tooth paste, soap, and laundry detergent from TJ’s. I thought I would test them out so you don’t have to. So far, so good!  Unfortunately, most items in the average bathroom are not vegan.  If you are thinking of giving your bathroom a make-over Trader Joe’s is an affordable place to start.



To continue with my recommendations, I highly suggest you check out your local farmers market before the summer ends, if you haven’t already.  Angela and I spent quite a big chunk of change on our last visit.  We couldn’t resist the colorful, bountiful assortment of fruits around us.  We were weak to the grandeur of the grapes, strawberries, blueberries, pluots, plums, peaches and nectarines.  We actually fought over who would get the last pluot.  I won.



Frida the kitty was spayed today, so she is in a lot of pain, I'm sure.  She essentially had a hysterectomy.  I wasn’t able to feed her last night or this morning in preparation for surgery.  If she is anything like her human mama, she must be crabby.  This means tonight, it's me and Frida.  I am spoiling her with her favorite soft food as I sit beside her and indulge in the juicy fruits that are leftover from the farmers market.




Peace, Love & Pussycats :)

Compassion looks good on you!

In this edition of Meatless Monday I would like to share with you what the true Meatless Monday initiative is all about.  At the end, please read my plea for you to take part and inspire me with your stories.  Thanks for reading!

**At the Farmers Market loadin' up on the good stuff

Meatless Monday

So, what is this whole Meatless Monday thing?  Aside from being the day I share my veggie goodness with all of you readers, Meatless Monday is an actual campaign that is strongly backed by public health officials in an effort to reduce cholesterol and saturated fat in the American Diet.  After all, heart disease is the number one killer in America, and it is preventable.  That means we can do something about it...power to the people, man!  Meatless Monday is essentially urging people to put down the fatty steak and eat some vegetables.  It is making it's way around cafeterias and restaurants in places like NYC, San Francisco and Baltimore.  Eliminating meat on Mondays is a simple way to start taking control of one's health.

Your Health

Many feel that eating meat doesn't interfere with their health.  While I agree it is possible to live a long life, free from disease and still consume meat I do not believe it is necessary or even required by our bodies.  We can not only survive on a plant based diet, but we can thrive on one.  I am one of those thriving vegans, myself. :) 

• Vegans are approximately one-ninth as likely to be obese as meat-eaters 
• Vegans have a cancer rate that is only 40 percent that of meat-eaters 
• People who consume animal products are also at increased risk for many other illnesses, including strokes, obesity, osteoporosis, arthritis, Alzheimer's, multiple allergies, diabetes, and food poisoning.

Journal of the American Dietetic Association

Really you’re just doing yourself a favor by passing on the meat each Monday.  Think of it as a big hug once a week.  A way to say “I love you, self!”  

The Animals

In addition to self love, you are sparing animals the senseless torture and death they face for no reason other than to be eaten by us and eventually expelled from our bodies altogether.   More than 27 billion animals are killed each year in the U.S. to end up on our plate.  This staggering figure does not include those killed for fur, leather or testing. 

The Environment

Paul McCartney said, "If anyone wants to save the planet, all they have to do is stop eating meat.  That is the single most important thing you can do."   I couldn't agree more Paul!   A 2006 United Nations report summarized the devastation caused by the meat industry by calling it "one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global."   

My Plea for You

I urge you take part in Meatless Monday like so many others are.   You all inspire me so much already and I have seen through your comments and e-mails how kind, compassionate and dedicated you are to your own health.  I feel this same dedication and I have to tell you, as a runner and an active person in general, I have never felt or performed better.  In a future post I would love to share the many ways that vegetarianism has impacted my life.

Going meatless on Mondays is one step that can potentially benefit your body, the animals and the environment.  It is one day of the week where you can experiment with new recipes and it gives you an excuse to peruse the famers market.  It doesn't hurt to try it and I sincerely hope that you do.  

I would love to hear some of your stories as you spend one day each week (or more) cooking veg foods or dining out and how you have adopted this into your life.   I wish you the best of luck if you decide to take part in this initiative.  Feel free to e-mail me your thoughts & stories and I love to get comments as well.  E-mail: katebuntenbach at gmail dot com

Compassion looks good on you! 

In good health,

Kate

Don't worry, I won't send you on your way without help.  

Here are some fantastic resources if you have any questions or need vegetarian recipes.

Get a Vegetarian Starter Kit

Find Great Recipes!

Discuss all things Veg & Fitness w/ other Veg Athletes

AMAZING Podcast - You will LOVE LOVE LOVE

"Meet Your Meat" Video (WARNING: Graphic Images)

Balboa Park 8 Mile Race Report

Yesterday, in place of my slow and steady long run, I ran the Balboa Park 8 Miler.  It was the 56th annual put on by the San Diego Track Club and it is less than a mile from my front door.  If you aren’t from San Diego, Balboa Park is the nation’s largest urban cultural park.  It is the home to our museums, which are housed in spectacular buildings surrounded by plush landscaping and the San Diego Zoo.  While I abhor zoos, which you probably already know, I love everything else Balboa Park has to offer.  Had to get my little dig in there.  ;-)

The beauty of smaller races like these is the crowd size.  While there was a great turn out, it wasn’t overwhelmingly large and chaotic.  I felt like I was running alone a few times during the race.  I had space and didn’t have to maneuver around other runners, which is uncommon and very much appreciated. 

There is an obvious sense of camaraderie at smaller local races like these.  Many that show up are members of the track club while others are High School Cross Country runners. I am so inspired by these young female runners.  It brought Ang back to her XC glory days and reminded her why she still runs today.  It felt nice to run to the starting line from home and see familiar faces upon arrival.  While I love destination races, this is something you don’t get when you travel.

The Course - Yikes!

The unique thing about this course is the combination of soft and hard terrain.  Parts of the course are run on the streets of Balboa Park while others are on off road (HILLY) trails.  Let me repeat, h-i-l-l-y.

Although I run on these same trails regularly, nothing could have prepared me for racing them.  I usually take it nice and easy on those bad boys and there is one horrifying hill I avoid altogether.  Yesterday, I was forced to face it head on.

The Race - Ego Check

After summiting each hill (and that is what it felt like) all I could think about was the monster that was coming at mile 7.   When it finally came, I ran the final, arduous, painful hill (slowly) and had to stop and walk at the top.  Talk about getting your ego in check.  I felt like the most out of shape person alive!  I slogged along after that one only to face another slow and steady incline back into the park. 

Angela was ahead of me the entire way and although she thought I would catch her at the end, I didn’t.  She was about a minute ahead of me and by the end I had no gas left in my tank.  Typically I pass people in the last stretch, but this time I was the one getting passed.   My legs were like noodles at that point. 

Not every race can be a fast race, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a victory.  I used to curse hills and they have always gotten the best of me.  Now, although I may still feel like death afterward, I not only try but I conquer those hills.  That is a victory in itself.

To give you an indication of how hilly this course is, think about this:  I ran a slower pace than I ran the SF half marathon 2 weeks ago.   (And this race was over 5 miles shorter!)

Post-Race - Thank God it's Over!

It was grueling but it was great!  I love events put on by the SDTC, mostly because of the awesome people and the size.  We were fed chilled watermelon at the finish and an assortment of bagels.  Angela and I walked home, showered, made a fresh pot of coffee and relaxed.  I felt completely exhausted, more so than ever, and my a$$ was a hurtin'.  It was the perfect start to our weekend.  

Distance Dreamers of the Blogosphere

Distance Dreamers began this week; a group started by Abbi at Higher Miles.  It started up at the perfect time as this is my 1^stweek of official marathon training.  Abbi began this group for bloggers that are training for their first full or half marathon in 2010.  Most of us seem to have races coming up toward the end of the year so it will be a great way to follow along with everyone’s training; the ups and the downs.   

Each week Abbi posts an update about all of the runners and then ends with some questions.  This week one of the questions was:

Why was this the year to go for the full marathon?

I always told myself I wouldn’t run a marathon until I was excited by the thought of it.  Living in Chicago, the thought of a marathon brought dread rather than excitement.  I couldn’t imagine training in the cold weather or in the unbearable summer heat.  It seemed like a terrible idea that would bring on sheer misery.  Once I moved to San Diego I was able to run on trails and along the ocean rather than the dreaded treadmill.  I fell in love with running all over again and wanted to sign up for races.  I started with the ½ distance, yet all I could think about was the full 26.2.   I was starting to have dreams at night about running marathons and would wake up wanting to register for one right then.  (That reminds me, I dreamt about the Malibu Marathon just last night!)  Anyway, I waited to make sure I had the full commitment in me.  Months went by and I knew that I was ready to take the plunge and run the whole 26.2 miles.  I don't believe in half-assing things, so I waited until I could give it my all.

There is one other reason that I chose now To run my first marathon.  I have realized, being vegan, that many people misperceive the vegan lifestyle.  Whether they believe vegans don’t get enough protein or that vegans need meat to be healthy, they just don’t quite agree with it.  Veganism actually worries some people.  I am using this as an opportunity to show people that you can not only survive on a plant-based diet, but you can THRIVE on one.  I want to do my absolute best to show everyone that I am not lacking in nutrition, I am thriving, and they can be too!  

I am looking forward to my long runs and the race itself because I know I will finish with a sense of accomplishment, pride and empowerment.  I need to prove to myself I can do it, and do it well. 

Thanks again Abbi for taking the lead on this group.  I can’t wait to follow along with all of the others. 

My first week of training – So far so good!