Hello friends! How is your journey to a healthy lifestyle going for you so far? Me? I'm steady–working out with my trainer twice a week, going to yoga two or three times a week, and working out on my own once or twice a week. As far as my weight is concerned, it's been up, it's been down, but it's all good. I'm enjoying this ride. My commitment to Meatless Mondays is still going strong as well. However, Meatless Mondays sometimes falls on a different day during the week because of a reception we have to attend or dinner we've been invited to. But that's fine. As long I we are doing one meatless day during the week, I feel that is a success! I do have to say the "Meatless Monday" concept has really made me enjoy the whole process of "clean eating." There is something about prepping meals with ingredients that are super fresh and not full of ingredients found on a can or box that I can't pronounce. It just tastes different. It's healthy. It makes me feel good.
Today I wanted to share with you a website my trainer, Lisa, turned me on to and has helped me tremendously when searching for meatless recipes to make! Oh She Glows is a site full of vegan recipes that are easy to make and oh so good! Don't get me wrong. I am not on a path to becoming a vegan. But I am finding that I am loving everything I have made from this site so far. And better yet, so does Chris!!!
Here are links to just two of my favorite recipes on this site:
I first had this topping at Lisa's and couldn't believe how good it was. And there is absolutely no dairy in it! Chris and I hosted Couples LCR a few Saturdays ago and I made this whipped creme and used it as a topping for brownies. Everybody raved about it. You have to try it!
Photo Credit: Oh She Glows
Chris went back for seconds on this one. And again, although the recipe title suggests there is cream in it, there is none! So good. I spiced things up a bit and added a little bit of red pepper flakes to the sauce!
Check out the site when you have a moment! You won't be sorry!
On a not-so-healthy-note...
I did indulge in some of these yesterday:
What are they? They are basically fried garlic bread. Heavy, (very heavy) on the garlic. I think most people consider them Latvia's official appetizer. You find them on the menu of every restaurant & bar, festival and sporting event. Some places "do them" better than others. We have season tickets to Latvia's professional hockey team–Dinamo Riga–and last night was the final game of the season. Usually I pass on this little cup of garlic delight, because I don't care for the way Arena Riga "do" theirs. But since it was a special occasion, I had a few slices and I do have to say they were good–a little crunchy on the outside, soft & chewy on the inside. I hope this idea never catches on in the States. If so, we'd be in more trouble than we are now!
I'm not going to beat myself up over my little slip up. And if you find yourself in the same situation, you shouldn't either. It's okay once in a while. I firmly believe that moderation is the key. I believe you shouldn't deprive yourself of something you enjoy or totally eliminate something from your diet. In my opinion, you only set yourself up for failure. You will end up craving it, giving into the craving and overeating the very thing you swore you wouldn't eat again. So why do that to yourself. It's ok to have that cookie once in a while. It's not okay to eat the whole package in one sitting after depriving yourself from it.
Have a healthy week!
