Raw Vegan Thanksgiving

Many times I have used Thanksgiving (and similar holidays) as a sort of excuse for poor choices of food. I would say, "Its only this once for this special occasion." Inevitably, however, it would happen many more times at many more "special occasions," so I decided that this year I'm doing something different. I won't forgo flavor by any means, but I plan to leave out that gross overstuffed feeling that I know all too well. I have some really yummy items on my menu that I'll share here after they're prepared on Thursday. I'm super excited and am hopeful that even some of my family members will join me in part. Of course, no matter what happens, the main focus will be to enjoy my family. Happy Thanksgiving!

Day 26

Day 26: Wednesday, August 4
Breakfast: Banana Peach Rainbow Chard Smoothie with Hemp Protein Powder

Lunch: Chocolate Banana Blackberry Oat Chard Smoothie

 I also received Penni's book in the mail, which I am SO excited to read! Thank, Penni!

Dinner: Seasoned Rice

Day 25

Day 25: Tuesday, July 27
Breakfast: 1/2 a baguette with a glass of Almond Milk
Lunch: Banana Rainbow Chard Smoothie

Dinner: Vegan Blueberry Skillet Cornbread with Tofu Scramble from Bouldin Creek

I forgot my camera and had to use my friend's phone to take this.

Day 24

Day 24: Monday, August 2
Brunch: Refresh Smoothie (banana, avocado, cucumber, blueberries, lemon & almond milk)

Dinner: Mock Tuna Salad & Cashew Banana Chocolate Pudding with Blackberries

It was so good I ate most of it before remembering to take the picture!

I was nice enough to share this with my sweet husband. ;)

Day 23

Day 23: Sunday, August 1 (came back from San Antonio with the Wooduls)
Brunch: Vegan Sticky Bun & Fruit Cup from Twin Sister's Bakery (in San Antonio)

Dinner: Veggie Burger, Fries & Dublin Dr. Pepper from P. Terry's

Day 22

Day 22: Saturday, July 31 (Visiting San Antonio with the Wooduls)
Breakfast: Oatmeal with Raisins, Fruit Cup & Potatoes with Roasted Bell Peppers at Westin La Cantera
Lunch: Lemon Grass Tofu with Steamed Rice at Viet Nam

Dinner: Avocado Sun dried Tomato Egg roll, Veggie Sushi Roll & Miso Soup at Kona Grill

Day 21

Day 21: Friday, July 30 (left for San Antonio this evening)
Breakfast: Banana
Lunch: Wake Up Smoothie (banana, apple, blueberries, avocado, almond milk)

Dinner: Veggie Burger, Fries & Coke at P. Terry's

Day 20

Day 20: Thursday, July 29
Breakfast: Vegan Over Night Oats
Lunch: Broccoli with Nacho Cheeze Dip

Dinner: Raw Sushi Salad

Day 19

Day 19: Wednesday, July 28
Breakfast: Blueberry Smoothie

Lunch: Black Eyed Pea & Rice Soup
Dinner: Veggie Burrito Bowl from Chipotle

Day 18

Day 18: Tuesday, July 27
Breakfast: none
Lunch: Broccoli Soup
Dinner: Black Eyed Pea & Rice Soup

Day 17

Day 17: Monday, July 26
Brunch: Veggie Burger, Fries & Teamonade from Dog Almighty
Dinner: Broccoli Soup

Day 16

Day 16: Sunday, July 25
Breakfast: Chocolate Coconut Larabar
Lunch: Eggplant w/Olive Oil Worcestershire Marinade topped with Onion, Salt & Pepper
Snack: Almond Butter w/Peach Amaretto Syrup Sandwich
Dinner: Sushi Rice Casserole

Day 15

Day 15: Saturday, July 24
Breakfast: Blueberry Mango Smoothie
Lunch: Lemon Larabar, Key Lime Larabar
Snack: Banana Romaine Smoothie
Dinner: Veggie Delight on Wheat from Subway

Day 14

Day 14: Friday, July 23
Breakfast: Banana Overnight Oats w/Mango Bits
Lunch: Banana
Dinner: Taco Salad w/Tofu & Black Beans from Mr. Natural

Day 13

Day 13: Thursday, July 22
Breakfast: Three Bananas
Lunch: Green Gazpacho
Dinner: Sweet Tomato Soup (from Penni's book)

Day 12

Day 12: Wednesday, July 21
Breakfast: Chocolate Cherry Bomb Oat Smoothie
Lunch: Green Gazpacho
Dinner: Tofu Omelet w/Blueberry Vegan Pancakes at Kerbey Lane
Dessert: Chia Seed Pudding with Mango Bits

Day 11

Day 11: Tuesday, July 20
Breakfast: none, I slept in! :)
Lunch: Cabbage Scoops w/ Red Pepper, Nacho Cheeze, Avocado & Sprouts

Dinner: Green Gazpacho

Day 10

Day 10: Monday, July 19
Breakfast: Banana & Pear
Lunch: Bell Pepper Stuffed with Sun dried Tomato Cheeze & Sprouts
Dinner: Chocolate Cherry Bomb Oat Smoothie

Beginning of Week 2: Days 8 & 9

Day 8: Saturday, July 17
Breakfast: Vegan Over Night Oats with Cherries
Lunch: Berkley Salad at Kerbey Lane
Dinner: Raw Walnut and Mushroom Stuffing from Choosing Raw (everybody loved this!) & Sweet and Sour Cabbage from Penni's Digital Cook Book

Day 9: Sunday, July 18
Breakfast: Blueberry Lemonade Smoothie
Lunch: Leftover Stuffing & Sweet and Sour Cabbage
Dinner: Leftover Sweet and Sour Cabbage

Days 6 & 7: End of Week 1

Day 6: Thursday, July 15
Breakfast: Vegan Over Night Oats w/Cherries
Lunch: Sweet Tomato Soup
Dinner: Raw Pizza w/Eggplant Crust

Friday morning before breakfast I went on my 2nd jog.  It went pretty well, although I think I much prefer evening exercise, since it is so hard for me to wake up in the morning.

Day 7: Friday, July 16, my parents come to visit
Breakfast: Banana Hemp Smoothie
Lunch: E.L.T. (Eggplant "Bacon", Lettuce & Tomato Sandwich) & Asian Style Noodle Salad at Beets Cafe both halved with my mom, Chocolate Orange "Cheese"cake for dessert
Dinner: Veggie Tex Mex Tacos with Guacamole

Beets Cafe was DELICIOUS!  I absolutely loved everything about my meal!  My husband even said that he was amazed my his meal.  He's not usually very descriptive about meals; he often says, "It was good," in an unamused tone.  I'm so excited about this place, and my parents even enjoyed themselves.  They not raw or vegan.  The "cheese"cakes was to die for!  Aaron, my husband, got the pineapple variety which I got to taste.  Yum!  If only we could afford to eat there more often!

Day 5 of RYIRS and Day 1 of Couch to 5K

This is my first post, but I have been doing the 11 Week Reveal Your Inner Rawk Star program over at Raw Food Rehab for 5 days now.  I've been mulling over the idea of the Couch to 5K running podcast by Robert Ullrey for a month now and today I decided to just get off my ass and do it.  What have I got to lose?
First, I want to recap my food choices over the first few days of RYIRS:

Day 1: Saturday, July 10, In Houston
Breakfast: Banana & Coffee with Soy Creamer
Lunch: 1/2 Bell Pepper Stuffed with Cashew Pate, Banana Romaine Smoothie
Dinner: Tomato & Avocado with Salt and Pepper Atop Two Slices of Baguette

Day 2: Sunday, July 11, In Houston
Breakfast: Water & Coffee with Soy Creamer (busy getting a baby shower set up with my mom and mom-in-law)
Lunch: Raw Ranch Dip with Crudites and Vegan Pineapple Right-Side-Up Cupcakes
Dinner: Veggie Burrito with Guacamole from Chipotle (Hey, I'm being honest!)

Day 3: Monday, July 12, Back in Austin, but still hadn't gone grocery shopping
Breakfast: A Vegan Pineapple Right-Side-Up Cupcake
Lunch: Raw Ranch Dip with Crudites and Vegan Pineapple Right-Side-Up Cupcakes
Dinner: Dave's Spicy Super Sushi & a Manna-wich from Daily Juice

 













Day 4: Tuesday, July 13, Went Grocery Shopping!
Breakfast: Smoothie with Almond Milk made from Fruit Salad leftover from Baby Shower
Lunch: Chocolate Cherry Bomb Shake with Oats & Hemp Protein Powder
Dinner: Green Gazpacho

Day 5:
Breakfast: Vegan Overnight Oats with Sweet Cherry Banana Compote
Lunch: Leftover Green Gazpacho
Dinner: Marinated Mushrooms with Balsamic Broccoli

The podcast run/walk went pretty well, although I really wanted to quit halfway through.  The second half of the run was much easier (I guess I was warmed up or maybe just numb!).  I plan on doing it again Friday morning leaving a day between each workout.  So my schedule would be W, F, Su and break on the other days.  It's a 9 week program, so let's see if I can make it!  Oh wait, I'll be positive: I CAN do it!

Also, I plan to update with some pics of my meals as well.  I've made/had some yummy stuff.
Tschüs!