Hey FiT VeGaNs!!!

Hows it going??

My computer crapped out on me {refuses to turn on...} so I couldn't upload any new videos for a while until FINALLY just now I was able to use my parent's computer to upload like three of them.

This one was filmed a couple weeks ago for my parent's 30th anniversary.  I thought it would be fun to cook them a vegan meal luckily they were into it and it worked out kinda perfectly.

Unfortunately, the filming wasn't perfect and I forgot to show the salad, but oh well it was so easy it's fine.

So here's the video and below are the recipes for the salad, main dish, and dessert and a little review of what I thought! Thanks for reading and watching!! :)


Salad Boats

Not my picture

• Romaine Lettuce or other lettuce leaves that can be used as "boats" 
• Tomatoes
• Pepper
• Cucumber
• Homemade Dressing
• 2 Tbs Tahini
• 1 Tbs Lemon Juice
• 2 Tbs Water
• 1 Small Garlic Clove
• Salt and Pepper to taste

--> So quick and easy to make, just chop all the veggies up and scoop them into the lettuce boats.  Drizzle with the dressing and try NOT to swallow 'em whole!  Super tasty!


Butternut Squash Pasta

I found this recipe on Cookie and Kate
Also pretty quick to make.  I used gluten free corn and quinoa pasta cause that's what I had on hand and it worked really well.  I felt like the puree was a little too sweet so I added some tamari and that helped.  I also added some white beans for a bit ore protein {upon my dad''s request.}  This has a wonderfully creamy, velvety consistency.  Really good.

Chocolate Pudding

My mom was the one who found this recipe.  She stumbled upon it while she was watching The Jazzy Vegetarian {go mom!} and had been begging me ever since to make it.
I would recommend making this at least 4 hours in advanced to give it enough time to set up in the fridge.  Also, if you want to make the coconut whipped cream, make sure you refrigerate the can of FULL FAT coconut milk for 24 hours.

*Instead of chocolate chips, I used vegan rice milk chocolate bars and I'm SO HAPPY I did!*

Whipped Topping

• The fat from the can of coconut milk
• Sugar to taste
• Vanilla extract to taste

-->Chill a metal bowl and hand/electric mixer utensils then scoop the fat from the top of the can {it will solidify ontop. DO NOT SHAKE THE CAN} into the chilled bowl and mix on medium speed until it starts to form little mountains.  Add the sugar {I used about 1/4 cup of powdered sugar} and vanilla and mix for a bit more until you have the desired consistency.  Then grab spoon and scoop some of that godly nectar into your mouth. mhmm!!  This pudding was the perfect amount of chocolatey.  It has a bunch of good fats and it WAY better for you than those crappy pudding snack cups!

Hey FiT VeGaNs!!!

In about 15 mins I'm leaving to meet a friend {HI TAYLOR!!} at Bowl of Heaven where she works.
Let me tell ya'll a bit about this place*

Bowl of Heaven just recently opened up pretty close to where my parents live and what I've heard is that everything they offer can be made VEGAN!! All you have to do is ask for NO HONEY.  They use almond milk and even have dairy-free whip cream! say whaaa???

I've been looking at their website so I can be prepared for when I get there and absolutely everything looks so amazing! Especially their new

Almond Butter Bowl

It does have dark chocolate and granola, but like I said, I heard that everything can be made vegan sooooo...I'm hoping I heard right!

I will edit this post either late tonight or tomorrow morning with pics and my {always honest} opinion of the place but da-amn I'm looking forward to that bowl, yo!

EDIT: Just looked at the prices and they're hella {blech} steep!  That beautiful bowl up there is $13...Like whaaaaaa?  My friend was sweet enough to offer me her discount, but she said with the discount it should be $5 {not that specific bowl, I'm just assuming the "original/basic" one...} so that's rather dissapointing

On the bright side, there is this

Peanut Butter Bowl

that'll have to do.  Still, I am looking forward to this.  Mhmmmm


*Disclaimer: this Blog post was written before I actually went there and I will be back to edit this after I actually eat there


EDIT 2: The Aftermath

Alright, it's the day after my experience at Bowl of Heaven so here is what I think:
I think it's freakin great!

It's a gosh darn hipster paradise ! It's quaint and adorable on the inside and YES everything they offer is vegan {sans ass nectar.}  I ended up getting the PB Bowl and it was divine!  Super creamy, not overwhelmingly peanut buttery, the granola was sweet, nutty, and crunchy, and the bananas were ripe and fresh. 

mhmmm

I got a large cause I thought that was gonna be my dinner, but it ended up not being so the large was way too much.  My point: they don't skimp on sizes like most places do!!


I give it a solid 9/10.  What would make it a 10?  I think if it had more seating it would easily be a 10/10, but the seating was a bit cramped.

So will I go back?  You bet your butt I will!  Go there, friends, it's SO MUCH better than any other ice cream place {cause it's not an ice cream place...}

Hey FiT VeGaNs!!!

Yes, you read that title right!  I had chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream for breakfast!!!

SAY WHAAAA??

I used the beautiful Chocolate Covered Katie's chocolate chip mug cake recipe but omitted the chocolate chips and added cacao powder instead! Here are the other substitutions I made:

• Half white, half whole wheat flour
• unsweetened applesauce
• water instead of vegan milk
• no oil
• coconut sugar in place of other sweeteners

And for the ice cream...you guessed it! BANANA ICE CREAM!!  I think this scoop was about 2 bananas an a tsp of vanilla extract
.  And I was full after eating this!  Oh my god it was SOOOOOO good!!!

Even when {albeit laxly} watching what you eat WHILE on a vegan diet, you can still have your cake and eat the shit out of it, too!

Also, my lil bro got me that VEGAN fork for my birthday and I <3 it so THANKS, JEI!!!

Hey FiT VeGaNs!!! 

What's new?  I feel like it's been AAAAAAAAGES!

So, in the midst of finales week {in which I have three exams and an oral-hehe-final} I have decided to start a weight loss journey.

No, scratch that, not a weight loss journey...a FAT LOSS journey.  This journey shall also be a journey of self love.  I know, I know how floofy of me.  But, I'm so sick of crying over the way I look.  I am so sick of NOT being happy with my body.

What started this, you may ask?  Well, I'm not seriously over weight, I know that.  But, like many women {or like many humans, frankly} I really REALLY wanna look in the mirror and be like DAMN I look fuckin HOT.  But all I see is the number on the scale from the last time I went to the doctor {as I have mentioned, I do not weigh myself because of how it makes me-crazy-so the only time I get weighed it at the Doctor's office}.  I was not happy with that number.  In fact, I was downright devastated. Sickened, even.  Even more sickened by the fact that that stupid, insignificant number has had this much power over me.  I haven't been the same since I saw that number.  Even my doctor made a comment.  She said, and I quote,

"Wow, you've gained a lot of weight since last time."

Thanks, doc.
/rant


Whew, well, there it is folks, I'm in for a change! Now who of you lovelies is with me?!?!

Hey FiT VeGaNs!

So, I've been down in the dumps lately cause the weathers so nice but I'm not comfortable enough to wear tank tops.  It's actually not a weight issue, though.  I have a skin disorder called Confluent and Reticulated Papillomatosis which shows up as this very noticeable, very gross looking rash type thing.  Back in middle school {it first showed up right after puberty} the other kids just thought I was really dirty.  They made fun of me, said I needed to go shower.  It didn't help that I lived in a poor neighborhood..

I was on medication for it, but when you stop it {after 3 months} it just comes back.  Aggressively.   It's currently on my stomach, under my breasts, under my armpits, and {most recently} on my back.  It's itchy and unsightly.  I just want smooth skin.

I just bought vitamin A drops that I'm going to mix with coconut oil and apply as a moisturizer.  Honestly, I don't have high hopes, but apparently this has helped some people.  I'm gonna try the more natural stuff before going to a dermatologist because I just know that they'll throw meds right at me and I don't want that.  But, it's gonna be either get used to the skin I'm in, or be on medication for it so...

I'll update after a few weeks of Vit.A.  Ugh, veganism as been such a blessing for me, but it hasn't cured this...


Any who, there's a new video up on the tubes.  I like the WIEIAD vids; they're easy and I like to eat :)

Hey FiT VeGaNs!!

HAPPY National Sibling Day!  If you have a sibling, go and give 'em a big ol hug or a slap on the back or a punch in the crotch and tell them how much you love them just this once!

Speaking of siblings, I've got a new video up on the Tubes with my baby bro {he FINALLY let me film him that lil poop nugget...}

It was a lot of fun, I kinda think he's the shiz.

So, if you like this, tell your friends and like and subcribe to my channel for more.

Ive been thinking of what I can talk about next, and I'm thinking possibly Being Vegan in College P.2...yeah I should really do that one...
AND
What to do when your significant other is NOT vegan {cause sometimes it can be really hard}

Well, I look forward to chatting at you guys, but until then...

I'M OUTIE!

Hey FiT VeGaNs!

Hope all is well with everyone!

Things are good here!

I have a new WIEIAD video up:
It's always nice being back home because of aaaaaaaaaaaall the scrumdiddlyumptious vegan options!  Oh, and my family, too I guess.

Hmm, there's not much here to update on except...
I got dreads!  Cause why the heck not, right?  They're synthetic {aka no animals were harmed in the making of these bad boys} and besides being crazy scratchy, they're really fun and I like 'em a lot!

Here's a snap Sean took:

So, if you have any questions on veganism, fitness, or now dreads please send them my way!!

xx

Hey FiT vEgAnS!!!

Here is the outline of my grocery hall.  The fruits and veggies will last me about a week, but the specialty items like the coconut sugar, vegan milk, raisins, and sunflower seeds will last 2+ weeks.
Greens
    3 heads of green leaf
    2 heads red leaf
    2 heads of kale
    2 bunches cilantro
Fruit
    15.83lbs bananas**
    1 carton of Strawberries
Frozen
    2 bags of frozen strawberries
    2 bags frozen peas
    2 bags frozen corn
Potatoes
    Sweet potatoes
    5lb bag red potatoes
Sushi
Sunflower seeds
Raisins
Coconut sugar
Italian style bread
Chocolate cashew milk
Total: ~$55

**I usually buy more bananas, but the store didn't have any discounted ripe ones like they usually do :(

I also typically spend around $40 weekly on groceries and like I mentioned above, some of the items will last longer than the rest.  It is also important to note that I do have food at home like peanut butter, jelly, oats, and spices {garlic salt and smoked paprika are my favorite.}  So this is not all the food that I eat in a week.

Hey FiT VeGaNs!!

For those of you who are not vegan, do you ever wonder what it's like to be vegan in college? Or for those of you who are getting ready for college and are vegan {or transitioning to veganism} and wanna know what it's like to be vegan in college, then THIS is the blog post for you!

I've been vegan all throughout my college education.  I started at a Tech school where I lived at home for two years and then transferred to the University I'm at currently, so I have a mixed range of knowledge about being vegan; from living at home with my parents to living in the dorms to living on my own.

For the sake of length, I've split this post into two parts {each with a coordinating video}  This one is all about meal plans!

In this post, I will list each State college and provide a very brief synopsis of what I have found in my research for their meal plans and meal options.

University of Alabama:  They have a Special Diet Accommodation Form that it seems someone can write down all the things they cannot eat. They also list people to contact for questions regarding dietary restrictions.  Meal plans are required for Freshman.
University of Alaska:  They have a PDF for a catering menu, which I think is the same for their regular menu?  Oh, and it have VEGAN options!!!
University of Arizona: This is a list of all the lil restaurants that this University offers.  They seem to have a good mix with vegan options readily available.
University Arkansas: At the very bottom of this page, they have a note about who to contact for vegetarian diets, so I'm assuming it's the same for vegan ones.
University of California: I didn't find much about meal plans, but here is a lil article about Brown's cafe': "It will be the only eatery on campus with a “plant forward” food experience, where meals are 50 percent plants, 25 percent grains and 25 percent protein. That dietary balance also recognizes the environmental degradation that comes from animal production"  yaaaaaas!!
University of Colorado: There are vegan options at UC Boulder, just check out the link here!
University of Connecticut: UCONN lists who to contact here for more info on dietary restrictions University of Delaware:  Wellness Education Link provides students with wellness education
University of Florida: The University of Florida has over 40 different restaurants students can pick from, so I'm sure there are some vegan options. Maybe linked here?
University of Georgia: The University of Georgia has the most comprehensive list of vegan options so far.  This link lists all the vegan options from breakfast to dinner.  Really awesome!
University of Hawaii: I found a couple PDFs of menus that list a couple vegan options.
University of Idaho: The only thing I found for Idaho is the link stating the number for who to call for inquiries, which is still good!
University of Illinois: They have a restaurant that is strictly vegan, I think, called Soytainly.  They have vegan desserts! Very bottom

*Having trouble finding vegan options?  Search "dining" in your school's navigation bar and more than likely you will find who to contact.

*Most schools have a "special diets section" usually found under the "allergens" or "nutrition" tab

So wtf is my point in all this?!  My point is, no matter what school you go to, you can always ALWAYS find vegan options.  There is no excuse to not be vegan!

**I can't believe I didn't talk about this in the video, but look and see if your school has a vegetarian, vegan, or animal rights club!!!  Or hell, start your own!

Hey FiT VeGaNs!

Life has been getting in the way as of late; I've had exam after exam after exam and zero time to record any videos.  But, I FINALLY have so here are two {granted, very short} lil videos.  The first is a quick warm up, and the second a 100 rep Squat Challenge.  Here are a list of the squats, each done for 10 reps:

1-Ski Squat Kicks
2-Side Kick Squats
3-Duck Walks
4-Plie Touchdowns
5-Squat Lunge Touchdowns
6-Sissy Squats
7-3 Point Squat Jumps
8-6 Second Squats
9-Sissy Ski Squat Extensions
10- Squat Jumps Pulses

Also lol I totes noticed my spelling error at the end of the video: "These videos are so good they'll knock you socks off!" ahahahahaha.  welp, too late to fix it now!

Hopefully I can record another video this weekend.  I have a couple in mind that I would like to make, but we'll see!  Maybe I'll do another workout challenge, OR maybe a WIEIAD video...hmm........

Hey FiT VeGaNs!!!!


It's story time

So, I had an appointment for something that I'm sure I will talk about in the future, but as I'm sitting there, speaking with the nurse, she tells me to take off my boots and hop on the scale.

Immediately I thought well SHIT.  I don't do scales.  I don't like 'em, never have.  I don't own one cause the last time I did I used it too many times and broke it...anyways

I reluctantly took off my boots {these ones, to be exact} and stepped on the scale while begging myself not to look.
But, of course, as one does when they tell themselves not to do something
I looked.

And, lamely put, I was sad. I am sad.  I thought I was past this.  But, I will never get past this.  Eating disorders stick with you forever.  They follow you around like a fucking shadow, looming over you.  Except they don't go away when it's dark..you can't hide from them.

I would have never thought that I had gained weight, I didn't even think about it.  I didn't think I looked like I did. But THERE IT WAS ON THE FUCKING SCALE.  It's messing with my head.

I will never own a scale for this very reason; because a number does not define me.  A number does not tell me how beautiful I am, how kind I am, how healthy I am, or how much I should LOVE MYSELF.  A number should never give me permission to doubt myself or feel this bad.

That stupid, insignificant number should never have power over me.  Or you.

Fuck scales, man.

Thanks for reading.
xx

Hey FiT vEgAnS!!!

Today's post and tag-along video are rather somber. But oh so very worth talking about.
I will start by posing the question; Why Love One, But Not the Other?

So, this morning while browsing Reddit {as one usually does with their spare time} I stumbled across THIS post.  This post is titled Dog Milk and I was immediately like, say whaaa??  So, I read it.  The post, of course, was sickening.  Obviously people would be outraged at this.  I mean, DOG MILK?  That's inhumane!  We LOVE dogs!

But then I read the last three lines:

• One's a dog and ones a cow
• Cows are a lot larger than dogs
• Dogs have paws and cows have hooves
• Grass for food vs grass for barfing
• Dogs can smell real good
• Cows moo.  Dogs can't do that.
• Dogs and humans evolved together over thousands of years to co-depend on each other
• We love one and eat the other <--{I threw this one in}

Alright, that's enough of that.  Now that we know the average male college graduate can tell the difference between a cow and a dog, let's discuss the similarities between the two:

• They both have four legs
• They both have two eyes and a nose
• They both can bleed
• They both cry out when in pain
• They both love their kin

In all the ways that matter, dogs and cows {and chickens and lions and squirrels and humans} are exactly the same

So, why do we love dogs SO much, but we eat cows?

I unfortunately don't know the answer to this.  All I know is that it is happening and it NEEDS to stop.

This video aims at drawing attention to the hypocrisies of humans and how we need to stop playing favorites.  Would it be inaccurate for me to equate eating a cow or chicken over a cat or dog to racism? 

Why LOVE one , but not the other?

By now we should all know that animals feel pain.  So, why do we still intentionally hurt another living being?  How would you like to be taken from your family and skinned, boiled, or cut up alive?  It's NOT humane, people. 

I chose to NOT say this in my youtube video, but I have some very strong feeling about this subject.

There is NOTHING humane about murdering something.  You wouldn't murder your pet, would you?  You probably wouldn't even murder your own cow.  Am I right?  Would you cut off your own bacon from the pig?  Probably not.  But you would pay someone to do it for you?  Think about this.  Really THINK about this.  It's fucking sick.  You are not a kind person if you INTENTIONALLY know about the cruel practices of the meat, dairy, and eggs industries and STILL, despite knowing everything, you STILL eat that flesh, drink that puss filled slosh, you STILL continue to scramble up those eggs with a smile on your face.  That's just not right.  You are a monster.

Do I mean that?  Me, someone who tries to be so nice to others, who always tries to put others before herself, {and who really has way too much faith in humanity} do I really mean to say that people who eat meat, dairy, or eggs are monsters?  Well, yeah..kinda.  Especially if they know exactly what's going on.  Of course we all wanna think that our food animals have nice long lives before they are stripped of their milk, eggs, or flesh but they don't.  And god dammit even if they did why WHY would you want to take something away from them THAT DOESN'T BELONG TO YOU.  This is called speciesism, my friends.

WAKE THE FUCK UP!


A Mother's Love-Full Video originally posted on this youtube channel.
This video is one of the saddest videos I have ever seen.  It's not gruesome or gory.  It's just sad.

Milk Mystery story

xx

Hi FiT VeGaNs!!!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day!  It's Super Bowl Sunday and I couldn't care less about that.  Sooooo I uploaded a video instead.

I recorded this video a couple days ago because I felt I needed to complain a bit after a rather infuriating gym sesh.


I wan in the middle of a super set workout and this guy hops on the leg press machine, which is fine of course.  But then instead of getting off between sets he just sits there.
And sits there...
And sits there...

For minutes {which is an eternity in gym time}

I was pretty annoyed, so I recorded it to complain about on the internet...probably not my best move.

Any who, here's the video of my eating and ranting.  Enjoy.

Hey FiT VeGaNs

Got another video for ya'll.  It's an un-boxing vid, so if you like that sorta thing like I do, then check it out!

Hey FiT VeGaNs!!!!

Incredibly short post today, but...

I'm sick of the current blogspot URL, so from now on, I am changing it to:
maggijeanTFV.blogspot.com

It's just better that way.

ALSO, I am creating a FACEBOOK for The Fit Vegan...so if you are at all interested please  give it a like
   and also, please check out my youtube channel 

I want to spread the vegan message and let others know about the fit vegan life!!

Cheers xx

Hei FiT vEgAnS!!!

I just uploaded a new workout video for anyone who wants an awesome HIIT workout without equipment, lots of time, or lots of space.

Hello fit vegans!!

hApPy HuMp DaY!!! Here is a pic of Operation Booty to commemorate this day of hump:

Heya guys!

Why hellooooooo there!!

I am back with another video {woo} this time it's a WIEIAD one!! yay!

Here is an outline of the workout I did at the gym {with links}:

{Each Super Set done twice through for 8-12 reps each}
-Wide Squat
-Chest Fly

-Step Ups
-Reverse Fly

-Pistol Squat Progression
-Side Raises

-One Leg Deadlift
-Pullover

-Side Lunge
-Skull Crushers

-Side Stepup
-Bicep Curl

-Straight Leg Deadlift
-Pushups

-One-Leg Hip Thrust
-Shoulder Press

~An hour to complete.

Alright, I've got a test to study for so...