Pilates

Ever since I moved back to Illinois temporarily, I decided what better way to pass the time then to sign up for the gym? I've had a few gym memberships but I always cancel them usually because I rarely went. Last time I cancelled it, I was moving to Germany but I actually did go a lot. I missed that gym...but woohoo I'm back!

I signed up again and decided to try out some classes. I wont lie, me and cardio don't get along. I tried a step class and nearly died. Yeah I'm definitely out of shape, but at least I tried. So after that bad experience, I stuck to the eliptical and treadmill for cardio. I've done yoga plenty of times before, so this time I decided why not try pilates? I heard nothing but great things about pilates so I gave it a go.

Well after my first class, my entire core was throbbing. I couldn't even cough without my abs feeling sore. It was AWESOME. Obviously this class works. I now go 2 times a week, every week! It's actually a very relaxing class and I feel totally better after I leave. I will for sure keep up with this when I move back to Germany.

If you're not sure what pilates really is, check out this video. It shows pretty much what we do in class when it comes to our core. And GIVE IT A TRY!

Happy Birthday to meeeeeeeeeee!

I made an awesome wish, by the way!
Well, Happy Birthday to me last Monday :P I turned 22 last Monday, September 13! WOOT WOOT!

Of course the traditional birthday dessert is the wonderful birthday cake. My parents bought me a delicious vegan cookies and cream cake from Whole Foods. It was so worth it! Just marvel on the beauty of this baby...



Doesn't it just look delish? I wont lie, at first I thought it was way too sweet. But I've noticed lately my sense of sweet has been a lot more exaggerated then before. I am a bit proud of this since that means I am doing well with not eating so much sugary crap. All in all, it was a very good cake though and I plan to go to Whole Foods any time I don't want to make my own cake and need one for any occasion. Go Whole Foods!!!

Diabetes

"Diabetes is least common in the population groups whose diets emphasize carbohydrates. Take Japan, where rice is a traditional staple. Prior to 1980, fewer than 5 percent of the adult population there had diabetes. But once fast food and meat started to displace rice, diabetes became much more prevalent. By 1990 the prevalence of diabetes in Japan had doubled.

In the U.S., the risk for type 2 diabetes is highest among frequent meat-eaters. Vegans have the lowest risk, and other groups (semi-vegetarians, fish-eaters, and lacto-ovo-vegetarians) are in between. The real problem seems to be not carbohydrates, but fatty foods.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by antibodies - tiny biological "torpedoes" that under normal circumstances are produced by the body to fight invading bacteria and viruses. Diabetes results when, in the body's version of "friendly fire," antibodies attack the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas.

What turns antibodies against the pancreas? One theory is that certain viral infections are to blame. But another possible culprit is cow's milk. Researchers are now exploring whether avoiding cow's milk early in life can help prevent diabetes. Human milk is no problem. Studies have shown that breast-fed children are much less likely to develop diabetes than children fed milk-based formula.

At one time, type 2 diabetes was called "adult-onset" diabetes. But more and more cases are showing up in children, likely the result of poor dietary habits and the childhood obesity epidemic.

Conventional wisdom long held that once someone developed diabetes, he/she would have it forever. But with the advent of gastric bypass surgery, it became clear that extreme weight loss could reverse some cases of type 2 diabetes.

In 2009, the American Diabetes Association endorsed a new dietary approach to treating diabetes - one that focuses on low-fat, vegan (pure vegetarian) eating. Many people have found that this approach leads to significant weight loss and sometimes to the disappearance of signs of diabetes. Of course, going back to poor eating habits is likely to cause diabetes to come roaring back."

I quoted this from an article I saw online. I see things like this more and more that makes me believe that the vegan lifestyle in the best, most healthy and awesome lifestyle there is! Screw diabetes, go veg!

My Squirrel Friends

In our backyard, we have tons of little creatures that like to visit and take some nuts from our trees. Well, my dogs have never seen a squirrel before! You'd think there would be plentiful in Germany, but really we don't get a lot of animals in our yard like we do here. Needless to say, Meesha and Sammy have their own personal TV in front of the window.

I've noticed some old crackers and almonds in our cabinets lately, so one day I decided to feed the squirrels =D. They seemed to enjoy the free and easy to get food for the day, and my dogs sure enjoyed watching them!

"Cheesecake"

I haven't had much to blog about lately. My life is kinda boring. Hopefully something fun will come up to blog about soon, haha! But for now, here is something amazing to drool over: an amazing, delicious, mouth-watering piece of vegan cheesecake. I bought a slice from Whole Foods a while back and it was orgasmic. Very filling too. Now stare and drool, then go google a recipe to make your own cause that's definitely what I did!

Farmer's Market

I lied. I didn't go to Veggie Fest this year =( I'm really bummed about it, but things came up and I just didn't want to go alone. I WILL go to Veggie Fest one year. I heard it was awesome... booo Carla for not going =(


But I did do something fun this weekend. Me and my mom went to the local Farmer's Market on Friday. It was my first experience shopping there and it was awesome. When we first got there, we saw a bunch of tents with TONS of fruits and veggies just waiting for us to buy. We definitely bought a whole weeks worth of produce. Our fridge is beyond full of yumminess. They even had a variety of nuts that we just had to try and we went home with a lot of flavored pecans. MMMMMMMMMMMMM

I've been lazy.

There is no excuse...I have been lazy. It's been a while, I know! Since I last blogged, a lot has happened but I have just not been in the blogging mood. I have grown out of my funk.

My sister's wedding was on the 31st of July and we all had an amazing time. The wedding was gorgeous, the bride was gorgeous, us bride's maids were gorgeous, and it was totally awesome seeing all of our friends and family in one building dancing the night away, not to mention drinking....a lot....


After the wedding, I have just been lounging around. The weather here in Illinois has been awesome, but the mosquitos here have been HORRIBLE! I wanted to sit outside yesterday and let Meesha and Sammy play while I read a book, but I got attacked by 500 mosquitos the second I sat down. Needless to say every part of my body itches. It sucks being inside because you are afraid to go outside and deal with the blood suckers!

I am so ready for autumn. It is definitely my favorite time of year. The leaves fall, pretty colors everywhere, hoodie weather, the anticipation of Christmas, woo can't wait!

Yesterday, my mom came home late from work and nobody really planned dinner. I told my mom that her and my father are more than welcome to eat my meat-substitutes in the freezer and we can all have a cruelty free dinner =) And that is exactly what we did!


My dad turned on the grill, we added 2 veggie burgers (one for me, one for dad) and one Gardein chik'n scallopi (mom wanted a "chicken" sandwhich). We grilled up the "meat", served it with Ezekiel hamburger buns, ketchup, mustard, onions, and lettuce and away we ate. Dad said he didn't even notice the difference. I am so happy my meat eating stubborn father enjoyed a veggie burger. WOOO HOOO!


Awesome news here in Illinois, Veggie Fest is tomorrow! Me and Mom are going and I am so excited. Admission is free, there are going to be tons of guest speakers, live music, vendors, yummy food, ect ect!! I CANNOT WAIT. I will definitely let everyone know how my first Veggie Fest went =)