The Veganista Diaries: Welcome!

The Veganista Diaries: Welcome!

Hello ladies! I have decided to roll all my plant-based, vegan posts under the umbrella of The Veganista Diaries. I'm not sure how often I'll be blogging about my journey into vegan eating, but I feel compelled to share my experiences with you all. Like I mentioned a few days ago, this isn't my first rodeo. I tried a plant-based diet a few months back, and I loved the results. I felt energized and I lost weight. But I didn't feel like I was truly gung-ho about it. There was more room to grow, more things to learn. So I'm back, and I am committed to this lifestyle.

Few things: I am not a "true" vegan in most people's eyes. I still wear leather. My makeup probably has weird animal products in it. These are baby steps, and this is my journey. I'm doing the best I can at becoming as educated I can about my health and well-being, and it will be an evolution. If I'm one thing, I'm honest -- so no bullshit here. I'm not trying to preach or convert anyone. I'm simply sharing my journey.

So for those of you who have been asking, here's what I've been eating:

• Lots of fresh veggies
• Whole grains (mostly sprouted, organic)
• Fresh fruit, often in juices with no added sugar 
• That's all, folks!

It's a beautiful thing to know that everything you are putting in your body has either been prepared by you, or someone else. Not an assembly line; not a machine. I have completely eliminated processed foods (that even goes for my beloved Amy's organic meals, for now at least). My rule of thumb is "the less ingredients the better." If I'm eating something packaged, it must be certified vegan and GMO-free.

Now before go rolling your eyes and thinking I'm looney tunes, hear me out: this stuff is not hard to find. If you are lucky enough to live in a big city, then you can find this stuff everywhere. And if you don't, you can order it online. There really should be no excuses. And it's only as expensive as you let it be. You can go nuts and buy fresh organic everything, or you can be more conservative and buy in season (which is always cheaper). And rice and beans are dirt cheap. So I don't wanna hear it! Plus, giving up your sugary, creamy Starbucks every day will definitely save you a couple of bucks.

A few other things to note: I have not given up my beloved wine and champagne. This is The Champagne Diet, remember? We're not about deprivation round here! I am researching vegan options, but for now, I'm still enjoying what I want. I usually have 1 or 2 glasses per night, a few nights a week. I never drink liquor, so I haven't done much research on that end, but the information is available to you online.

The biggest thing for me that truly  made this all click is the fact that I am now truly eating for my health. The weight loss end is great, but I have been knee-deep in research and studies surrounding all the shit I was putting in my body and I'm honestly  horrified. This lifestyle is not a punishment, it's the biggest reward I can give myself. Giving up those fatty cheeses is not to torture me anymore, it's necessary. 

So, you're probably all wondering if I've lost weight yet? The answer is YES! 4 pounds so far. And I've popped out of bed without an alarm every morning. I've been in a great mood and have tons of energy (yet I'm surprisingly zen, if that makes sense?) I'm going to use the rest of the entries to post what I've been eating, including photos of my food, and how I'm doing in terms of weight-loss and feelings. In fact, feelings are what matter to me most right now. 

In the meantime, feel free to follow me on Pinterest where I'm pinning articles, recipes, and food photos like a mad woman.

Cheers!

Healthy is The New Skinny! Check Out My Article on Mind Body Green

Healthy is The New Skinny! Check Out My Article on Mind Body Green

First of all I have to say - I am truly honored to contribute to Mind Body Green. If you read this blog regularly, you'll see how often I refer to their articles. They are a wellness wonderland. Chock full of inspiration, education and motivation (the three keys to success!)

Today they featured an article I wrote called "Healthy is The New Skinny: How I Learned to Love Myself and My Body." This is a topic I hold very close to my heart, and I truly hope that someone reads it and feels comforted. I surely wish I had read something like this 10 years ago when I found myself in the midst of a downward spiral. Luckily I pulled out of it and today, I am better, stronger, and happier than I have ever been. Changing the way you think and eat is one of the most challenging things you can do, but in the end the reward is so worth it.

So check it out ladies, and let me know what you think! And here's to your health and happiness!

XO,
Cara

WINEspiration Wednesday: Going Green

WINEspiration Wednesday: Going Green

As most of you know, I have tried every single diet known to man. And none of them have worked (at least not in the long run). Images of overweight middle-aged women who have posters of cats with inspirational quotes on the walls of their Jenny Craig "personal coaching" offices scorch my brain, and I can recite off the point value of nearly ANY edible food item on the planet. Even some inedible things. Weight Watcher "twinkies"anyone? 2 points each, for the record.

So for those reasons, among others, I don't diet. I just eat well. It's led me down the road of being a healthier and happier person. I avoid processed shit, I don't like meat, but I am a self-proclaimed cheese and bread FREAK. In fact, I could probably live off cheese, wine and endless loaves of crisp Italian bread dotted with sesame seeds for the rest of my live and be perfectly content (but unable to zip my jeans).

As healthy as I do eat, the winter always seems to put me off course a bit. I tend to board the carb train quite often in the colder months, and I ride it all season long. I forget about fruit sometimes. I'm human. So when it comes time to put on the Spring jacket, it's almost always a bit snug. I typically seek inspiration in new recipes and new food items to add to my menu, and always get back on track. This time, I found my inspiration in vegetables.

Oh, hello, you hunky vegetarian fireman.

Plant-based diets are nothing new. People have been vegetarians since the beginning of time (well, maybe not, I'm making this up - I've never been good at history). I personally don't like meat, for my own reasons, but never before have I really researched just how bad red meat can be for you. My husband came across the trailer for Forks Over Knives a few days ago, and since then my obsessive, fact-hoarding brain has been having a field day with all the information out there supporting a vegetarian diet. You must watch it. It will change your life.

In addiction to FOK (heh heh, say that outloud), I have been taking a good hard look at what goes into most of the food we consume. Unless you are eating USDA certified organic antibiotic free meat, you are basically eating complete garbage. Actually, it's worse than garbage. And if you're eating shit that comes out of a box (cookies, frozen Lean Cuisine dinners, etc) you're really doing some damage to yourself. Just watch this video about what your body does with processed food.

I really truly hope I'm not coming off as some holier-than-thou psychopath, but I feel strongly about this stuff. I have re-adopted my vegetarian, organic regimen and I can't even begin to tell you how much better I feel. And 5 lbs are gone. Just like that. Really try to think about what you are putting in your system on a regular basis, as opposed to how many calories it takes to lose a few pounds. If you can view this as a way to live a healthier, happier, and longer life, then you are golden.

Cheers ladies!

Stumped on how to get started? Check out this guide.

The Champagne Diet™ Menu at POP Champagne Bar!

The Champagne Diet™ Menu at POP Champagne Bar!

Go ahead, pinch yourself. You're not dreaming! POP Champagne Bar in Pasadena, California now has a Champagne Diet™ menu, inspired by yours truly! Check out the video for the deets!