 Hey sunshine, As we say goodbye to 2018, I am beyond excited to finally share our personal transformation story of how we have lost over 160 pounds, together! My husband, Thomas, and I hit our rock bottom, and our highest weights around the end of 2015. Throughout 2016, we experimented with what seemed like hundreds of diets, diet foods, supplements, plans, and workouts, to try and lose all of the weight that we had gained since High School. We would have small successes here, and there, and would lose around 20 pounds each. We'd feel better temporarily, and then spiral back into eating junk food, being lazy, and eventually gain even more weight. January 1st of 2017, Thomas and I had decided it was time to change our lives. We felt awful, our appearances were unseemly, and that's when we realized we needed an enormous change. We were set to get married the following May, and the last thing we wanted was to forever look back at our wedding photos, and hate our appearance. It wasn't all about vanity, however, we also physically felt absolutely horrible on a daily basis. Neither of us had any energy, or motivation, and we felt as if we were just digging our own graves. Our big change for 2017? We transitioned to a vegan lifestyle, and started exercising, at least 3 to 4 times a week. We watched a bunch of amazing documentaries, read books, and did as much research as we could before we decided on a vegan lifestyle. (See below for our personal recommendations) Neither Thomas, nor I, had any idea that this transition would change our entire lives. We no longer consumed any animal products, which not only made us feel amazing physically, but it completely aligned with our beliefs as vivid animal lovers. We started incorporating all kinds of foods into our diets that we had never even known about, and it opened us up to more positive food experiences. (Can you believe I used to HATe avocado??? Its probably my favorite food now!) Our tastes changed, our bodies began shedding weight like crazy, and we started to feel, and look, amazing! Thomas and I got married May 20th, 2017, and had lost a total of around 145 pounds. We felt better than we ever had on our honeymoon, and our whole wedding experience was magical. I cannot begin to explain how it felt to be happy and healthy again. Fast forward to November of 2017. Thomas and I started to notice a little weight gain, energy loss, and mental fog. We knew it was time to reevaluate our lives again. Throughout the 6 months since our wedding, we had started eating what is referred to as Vegan Junk Food. All of the heavily processed, sugar ridden, oil packed, nutrition-void vegan junk food. I'm talking Doritos, Oreos, Non Dairy Ben & Jerry's, Etc... We were no longer eating the foods that made us feel energized and healthy. We had also simultaneously stopped exercising as much, and picked up some of our old habits. We needed another big change! Annnnnd that's when we decided to switch to a more Whole Foods Plant Based Vegan Lifestyle. Thomas and I began eating a variety of vegetables, fruits, raw nuts and seeds, beans and legumes, and whole grains, meanwhile, avoiding heavily processed foods. We began exercising regularly again, and really transformed our relationship to food, and our lives.  Back in January 2017, I started to develop an affinity for running with our Labrador, and came to really enjoy trail running. Before I ever began this new lifestyle, I HATED working out. I absolutely dreaded it. I was the type of person that if I was running, it was because someone or something had to be chasing me. Now, running, walking, any cardio in general, makes me feel incredible, clear minded, and happy. I have now completed 2 5K's, a Trail 5K, and a Trail 15K, and being able to say that, honestly, makes me happier than you can imagine. Running has definitely become a passion for me. One that has developed into a daily habit that benefits my body, and my soul, as well as my dogs. I've also always felt my best when consuming whole fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and grains. Supplementing a healthy diet with cardio exercise makes me feel on top of the world! Around July 2018, I started incorporating more raw foods into my diet, and had weeks where I would eat completely raw. My body started shedding the last few pounds I wanted to let go of, and I really felt myself and my body transform. I had always had trouble with my midsection, as a lot of women do, and even though I had lost nearly 70 pounds with just a WFPB diet, I still didn't feel like I had reached my goal weight. That all changed when I ate Raw Vegan WFPB. I managed to lose those pesky last 10 pounds, and I finally felt fit and completely happy in my body. Another huge change for me, however, was the introduction to self love and self care. As I saw my body changing, I started to develop a sense of confidence again, and I nourished it with daily affirmations and tons of "me time". I practiced yoga and meditation. I started journaling and drawing again, something I had loved when I was younger. I ultimately began creating the life I had always wanted to live, and I never looked back.  As of now, Thomas and I have collectively lost over 160 pounds, and feel the healthiest, happiest, most clear-minded that we have ever felt in our lives. We could not have done it without each other, the inspiration from so many figures of the Vegan Community, and the support from our friends and family. It was never an easy journey, but it was more than worth it. If we can do it, trust me, you can, too. In 2019, I hope we can continue to inspire you, and help you take on your own journey into a healthier lifestyle. Much Love, Katie. Spread the Sunshine.  Our Recommendations: Documentaries: What the Health, Forks Over Knives, Food Matters, Vegucated, Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead, and Cowspiracy. Books: How Not to Die by Dr. Michael Greger, The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, Food Rules by Michael Pollan, Approaching the Natural by Sid Garza-Hillman, Super Immunity by Joel Fuhrman, MD, and No Meat Athlete by Matt Frazier. Podcasts: The Rich Roll Podcast, Nutrition Facts with Dr. Greger, No Meat Athlete, and Forked Up: A Thug Kitchen Podcast. Cookbooks: Rawsome Superfoods, The Rawsome Vegan Cookbook, and Rawsome Vegan Baking by Emily von Euw, Thug Kitchen, Thug Kitchen 101, and Thug Kitchen Party Grub by Matt Holloway and Michelle Davis, Power Vegan Meals and Easy Vegan Breakfasts & Lunches by Maya Sozer, How Not to Die Cookbook by Dr. Michael Greger, The Engine 2 Cookbook, Hot for Food Vegan Comfort Classics, and Hippie Lane: The Cookbook. Youtube Channels: NutritionFacts.org, The Happy Pear, High Carb Hannah, Kate Flowers, Forks Over Knives, Rawvana, Hot For Food, Mae Flowers, Fully Raw Kristina, Yoga with Adriene, and Calm. Please feel free to reach out and contact us for any further questions or curiosities!
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 Good Morning Sunshine! How hectic has your life gotten lately this holiday season? Personally, my life has been CRAZY, so I have needed quick, easy, and fillings breakfasts to start my day off right! Avocado toast has been one of my favorite meals for years now, and I’m going to share with you my go to recipe. It is ridiculously easy, and only 4 ingredients!  Ingredients: 2 Slices of Dave’s Killer Bread 1 Whole Avocado Sprinkle of Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Seasoning Drizzle of Sriracha Instructions: Toast your bread slices and slice your avocado in half. Mash each half of the avocado and Spread each half evenly on a slice of toasted bread. Drizzle with sriracha and top with a few dashes of Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Seasoning. Enjoy!   Hey, sunshine! I have been so obsessed with the yogurt + berries + granola combination lately, I swear I eat it almost every day. I have been on such a kick with Purely Elizabeth’s Ancient Grain Granola that this bowl is has become of my go to’s for breakfast. Feel free to customize it with whichever yogurt, granola, & types of berries you prefer. Just don’t skimp out on the chia seeds and berries, as they contain so many nutrients our bodies crave. Chia Seeds are full of omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and calcium. Both Chia Seeds and Berries are packed with antioxidants, & are great sources of fiber.  Ingredients: -Blackberries -Chia Seeds -Blueberries -Your Favorite Granola -Strawberry Nondairy Yogurt Instructions: Fill your bowl with desired amount of Yogurt. You can really use any flavor and brand of nondairy yogurt you prefer, but strawberry tastes delicious with the other flavors in this bowl. Next, top with a handful of each kind of berries. Sprinkle with chia seeds and granola and you’re ready to dig in!  |
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