Trying something new can be challenging, offensive, scary, overwhelming or it can present a new outlook and can be rewarding! I do not think there are many of us out there who haven't had a fig cookie, but have you ever had a fig without the newton? I tried my first fresh fig ever yesterday and I have to tell you it was rewarding!
To me a fig is similar in texture to a kiwi yet has a smooth and sweet taste. I was pleasantly surprised and now I know like figs! I have only eaten the meat of the fig, although I have read the skin is fine to eat I haven't tried yet!
As I get older in life I have figured out a few things. I have more patience, more tolerance and a new appreciation for trying things I never have before. I am glad I have opened my mind to foods and the different foods available out there.
Before taking this vegan/vegetarian journey I found myself wondering how exactly vegetarians found enough choices to eat? Now that I am one and have opened my eyes to all the amazing foods that are vegan / vegetarian friendly I am amazed how many and how good they all are. There are vastly more choices the you would ever think.
A little about figs. The figs seems to be one of the oldest farmed fruits out there dating back to biblical times. In one medium sized fig there are roughly 37-40 calories, 1.5 grams of good fat, no cholesterol and the following: calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, zinc and vitamin C. Figs are a good source of dietary fiber as well. Because fresh figs do not have a very long shelf life many are dried. According to what I have come across 2-3 days is about the average shelf life.
If you have any other information about figs please leave in the comments section.
Thanks for visiting!
Until next time,
Kel
Check out my other blog Weight Loss HQ to follow my journey of losing 25 pounds in the month of July!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
How Vegan Am I Anyway?
I guess I really shouldn't label myself but I did anyway. I carry the label of vegan by choice. What I really am is a vegetarian who chooses not to include dairy and eggs in my diet. It is really super hard to be 100% vegan unless you are incredibly educated since by products of animals are used for everything from additives to soap to ingredients with fancy ass names on food products and the list goes on. I try, 100% I try to make sure nothing I eat comes from animals, in the meat form anyway.
While I am pretty ok with honey as a sweetener in my bread does that make me not a vegan? Or does it make me someone who should be looked down upon because I chose the label? I don't personally think so but some would certainly scoff. Whatever, you call me what you want, I choose vegan! The changes I have made in my life are making a difference in the world and I can handle the sneers or scoffs I might get just because not everything I do is 100% vegan.
The industry I work in and have worked in for over 20 something years of my life certainly wouldn't be considered "green" but there are no animals harmed, unless you count horses under the hood! On a scale of 1 -10 I would give myself a 9.875 on how vegan I am. I am vegan 98.75% of the time and I am damn proud of it! Why shouldn't I be? I am living a healthier lifestyle, saving countless lives a year (including my own), doing my part to help feed others who go hungry, helping conserving the life blood of humanity by the truckload, (water) and helping others anyway I can who may choose to do the same. So in my mind I am definitely vegan living a vegan lifestyle. Maybe I am veganistic, or practice veganism, or perhaps veganish, maybe veganlike or my personal favorite wannabevegan, whatever it is I am very happy my wife suggested we follow this lifestyle, it is without a doubt one of the best things I have ever done!
Thanks for visiting the blog,
Until next time,
Kel
Watch my journey unfold as I try to lose 25 pounds in the 31 days of July on my other blog Weight Loss HQ!
While I am pretty ok with honey as a sweetener in my bread does that make me not a vegan? Or does it make me someone who should be looked down upon because I chose the label? I don't personally think so but some would certainly scoff. Whatever, you call me what you want, I choose vegan! The changes I have made in my life are making a difference in the world and I can handle the sneers or scoffs I might get just because not everything I do is 100% vegan.
The industry I work in and have worked in for over 20 something years of my life certainly wouldn't be considered "green" but there are no animals harmed, unless you count horses under the hood! On a scale of 1 -10 I would give myself a 9.875 on how vegan I am. I am vegan 98.75% of the time and I am damn proud of it! Why shouldn't I be? I am living a healthier lifestyle, saving countless lives a year (including my own), doing my part to help feed others who go hungry, helping conserving the life blood of humanity by the truckload, (water) and helping others anyway I can who may choose to do the same. So in my mind I am definitely vegan living a vegan lifestyle. Maybe I am veganistic, or practice veganism, or perhaps veganish, maybe veganlike or my personal favorite wannabevegan, whatever it is I am very happy my wife suggested we follow this lifestyle, it is without a doubt one of the best things I have ever done!
Thanks for visiting the blog,
Until next time,
Kel
Watch my journey unfold as I try to lose 25 pounds in the 31 days of July on my other blog Weight Loss HQ!
Casey Anthony - My take
This blog is really not the place for this but I'm going to blog on it and my outlook anyway. I feel that little Caylee was not served by the justice system. What happened to her is truly a tragedy. There is no question in my mind that there is A LOT missing to this story most of us will never know, and thats probably a good thing.
As it relates to the trial and the verdict, I wholeheartedly believe the justice system worked. It may not have been the outcome the masses wanted but, and think about this for a minute, whose fault is that? It certainly is not the fault of the jury or judge. In America, like it or not, anyone on trial for any crime is supposed to be innocent until PROVEN guilty. Apparently there was this little thing called "reasonable doubt" that came in to play. Just because you think, feel or believe something doesn't make it the gospel, like it or not.
I personally feel the jury did its job. They found reasonable doubt that Casey Anthony committed murder and that is how they arrived at their verdict. Is it right? Only a select few really know. I don't think the American public should be outraged by their decision, I truly don't. I fully support their verdict as they made the best possible decision based on the facts they were presented with. When our justice system works in this country it is the job of the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime they are being charged with.
Any way that is my take on it, like it or not, agree or disagree its fine with me. I believe the American justice system worked the way it was designed and intended too.
Thanks for visiting,
Until next time,
Kel
As it relates to the trial and the verdict, I wholeheartedly believe the justice system worked. It may not have been the outcome the masses wanted but, and think about this for a minute, whose fault is that? It certainly is not the fault of the jury or judge. In America, like it or not, anyone on trial for any crime is supposed to be innocent until PROVEN guilty. Apparently there was this little thing called "reasonable doubt" that came in to play. Just because you think, feel or believe something doesn't make it the gospel, like it or not.
I personally feel the jury did its job. They found reasonable doubt that Casey Anthony committed murder and that is how they arrived at their verdict. Is it right? Only a select few really know. I don't think the American public should be outraged by their decision, I truly don't. I fully support their verdict as they made the best possible decision based on the facts they were presented with. When our justice system works in this country it is the job of the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime they are being charged with.
Any way that is my take on it, like it or not, agree or disagree its fine with me. I believe the American justice system worked the way it was designed and intended too.
Thanks for visiting,
Until next time,
Kel
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Whats Eating Gilbert Grapefruit?
If your not eating grapefruit maybe you should consider it. What a great food choice grapefruit is. As it relates to vitamin C a medium sized grapefruit can give you up to 120% of the RDA recommended daily intake! At only 110 calories (approx by size.) NO fat, 2 grams fiber, 1 gram protein and 13 grams carbs its a great, feel good food! Consuming a whole grapefruit is filling, adds water to your system and is an energy boost.
On top of that grapefruit is said to help dissolve inorganic calcium in the body. From what I have read inorganic calcium can deposit in the cartilage of the joints (arthritis). Grapefruit can also help in weight loss as it contains high amounts of fat burning enzymes, has high water content to help with metabolism and contains antioxidants for good health.
Don't be afraid to eat some of the white surrounding the flesh of the fruit either! This contains many added benefits. If your just drinking the juice of the grapefruit your robbing yourself of important benefits and if your not juicing the fruit yourself you may be getting added calories and junk added.
Grapefruit can be bitter, the fresher it is the better it is. I have had some grapefruit that literally tastes like candy! I bought that on a fruit farm where it was harvested that day. Amazing! Store bought is sometimes bitter, most of the pink grapefruit is spot on in the taste category.
Give grapefruit a chance. Eat it for a week, you might grow to LOVE it as I have and get the added benefits from it!!
Thanks for visiting!
Until next time,
Kel
Visit my other blog Weight Loss HQ to follow me on my journey to lose 25 pounds in the month of July!
DreamHost promotion code
On top of that grapefruit is said to help dissolve inorganic calcium in the body. From what I have read inorganic calcium can deposit in the cartilage of the joints (arthritis). Grapefruit can also help in weight loss as it contains high amounts of fat burning enzymes, has high water content to help with metabolism and contains antioxidants for good health.
Don't be afraid to eat some of the white surrounding the flesh of the fruit either! This contains many added benefits. If your just drinking the juice of the grapefruit your robbing yourself of important benefits and if your not juicing the fruit yourself you may be getting added calories and junk added.
Grapefruit can be bitter, the fresher it is the better it is. I have had some grapefruit that literally tastes like candy! I bought that on a fruit farm where it was harvested that day. Amazing! Store bought is sometimes bitter, most of the pink grapefruit is spot on in the taste category.
Give grapefruit a chance. Eat it for a week, you might grow to LOVE it as I have and get the added benefits from it!!
Thanks for visiting!
Until next time,
Kel
Visit my other blog Weight Loss HQ to follow me on my journey to lose 25 pounds in the month of July!
DreamHost promotion code
Monday, July 4, 2011
Recipe - Cool and Classic Vegan Pasta Salad
Nothing says summer like cool refreshing pasta salad. Here is our vegan take on this:
What we need:
1 box Ronzoni Garden Delight rotini pasta
3/4 medium red pepper
1/2 small white onion
2 med roma tomatoes - seeded
1/2 cucumber
1 celery stalk
1 bottle fat free and light zesty italian dressing
Prepare pasta according to package directions. While pasta water warms up and pasta cooks cut up all vegetables in to 1/4" X 1/4" chunks. (larger if desired) Place all but onion in a serving bowl. Leave onion for last as to not overpower the other vegetables. When pasta is done cooking drain and put in refrigerator to cool. Pasta should be cold to touch. Add cool pasta, onions and 1/2 bottle of the dressing to vegetables in serving bowl. Stir carefully to combine ingredients. Add more dressing to achieve your desired coating. Salt and pepper to taste if desired.
One of my favorite summertime foods, this pasta salad is de-lish!
Enjoy!
Thanks for visiting the blog,
Until next time,
Kel
Check out my other blog and watch my daily progress on my personal challenge to lose 25 pounds in the 31 dyas of July! Weight Loss HQ
dreamhost promo code
What we need:
1 box Ronzoni Garden Delight rotini pasta
3/4 medium red pepper
1/2 small white onion
2 med roma tomatoes - seeded
1/2 cucumber
1 celery stalk
1 bottle fat free and light zesty italian dressing
Prepare pasta according to package directions. While pasta water warms up and pasta cooks cut up all vegetables in to 1/4" X 1/4" chunks. (larger if desired) Place all but onion in a serving bowl. Leave onion for last as to not overpower the other vegetables. When pasta is done cooking drain and put in refrigerator to cool. Pasta should be cold to touch. Add cool pasta, onions and 1/2 bottle of the dressing to vegetables in serving bowl. Stir carefully to combine ingredients. Add more dressing to achieve your desired coating. Salt and pepper to taste if desired.
One of my favorite summertime foods, this pasta salad is de-lish!
Enjoy!
Thanks for visiting the blog,
Until next time,
Kel
Check out my other blog and watch my daily progress on my personal challenge to lose 25 pounds in the 31 dyas of July! Weight Loss HQ
dreamhost promo code
Sunday, July 3, 2011
The Man I Used To Be
If your following this blog at all you know I made some life changes in December of last year. These life changes have made a huge impact on my life and well being. I want to give you an idea of the difference a few changes can make. Here is me in October of last year, close to being the heaviest (just under 300 pounds) I have ever been:
I was unhealthy, overweight, obese. This was one of the happiest days of my life (the day my wife and I were married) and now looking back on the pictures how did I let myself get to that point? Bad and poor choices in my life and what I ate that is exactly how I got to that point. I am so happy I chose to make changes. Happy because I will be able to spend more time here on earth with my wife, kids and grandkids. To see where I am today I am going to make you work for it! Check out my other blog Weight Loss HQ for information on my July challenge to myself to lose 25 pounds in 31 days. I am now at 224.4 pounds and want to be at 200 by july 31st. Will I make it? Time will tell!
Thanks for visiting the blog!
Until next time,
Kel
Thanks for visiting the blog!
Until next time,
Kel
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