The first of this 28 day endeavor began with a vamped green smoothie. What better way to start of a month of raw with other than a delicious cup of Banana, Greens, and Maca smoothie.
Banana, Greens, & Maca smoothie:
1 c almond milk - or milk of your choice
2 bananas
1 handful spinach
1/2 bunch of kale
1 scoop raw vegan protein powder
1/2 tbsp Raw Red Maca powder
Place ingredients into a blender on high until thick, creamy and smooth. Enjoy!
Maca powder, for those of you new to this ingredient, comes from the root of the maca plant of Peru and is a highly nutritious. It is considered the superfood of the Incans, dating back to the 16th century as a form of medicine used to balance hormones, boost energy and endurance, and increase overall well-being. However, start slowly with Maca. It can cause you to feel gittery as if you'd had too much caffeine due to its properties as an energy booster.
I'm sure you're aware of the blizzard of 2011 we are all suffering from, which meant no work for me or the Train. I hate to admit this, but enough with the snow days already. Anyways, before the storm could force us inside for good, we headed out to get a workout and some reserves of the essentials (milk, bread, cheese and meat for the family, lots of fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, nuts and soy milk for me). I forgot to mention, Day 1 of February-In-The-Raw also consisted of Day 1 of training for Dam-to-Dame 2011 (a 20K race I do every year). Not only am I challenging myself in the dead of winter to eat a raw vegan diet, but I'm also back to running. If today is any inclination on how training season is going to go then I am more then ecstatic. I got 6 miles in 50 minutes and felt great!
After a few curse words and some sliding in the snow drifts, the Z man and I declared defeat and headed home - very slowly - for who knows how long, weather permitting. We sat down for lunch together which consisted of a mile-high mound of vegetables - mixed greens, half a red pepper, cabbage, and carrots - with two heaping scoops of Basic Hummus, an avocado, Bragg liquid aminos, and nutritional yeast. It is a pretty typical salad for me - only with the volume turned up -, but today it felt like so much more knowing that all this raw nutrition is helping to make me physically and emotionally fabulous. Later I snacked on a Larabar (raw) and an almond milk chai tea latte (not raw) while doing some damage in the homework department.
I'm not sure if it's the raw food, the 6 miles, or my change in perspective, but I am feeling on top of the world. Like I was feeling pre-move only better with the Train by my side. I have found myself saying "Positive. Positive. Positive." any time I begin to have any thoughts of doubt or hear the ED start to squeak its nasty little voice. No matter what it is, I know I am the one creating the change, I am the one causing the action. I'm finding that strength again!
Dinner I broke out the ezekiel sprouted pita pockets that I have been so excited for. I discussed the wonder of sprouted grains here. You all must try these. They are light and airy, but still dense enough to be satisfying. I spread hummus and quacomole on the inside and stuffed it with mixed greens, sliced red peppers, 1/2 an avocado, and red cabbage. Not too much not too little. It was perfect. This is what feels to be satisfied - in every sense of the word.
Tonight is going to be spent working on a little more homework and doing some research for this week's menu. I have some tofu that I want to do a little tutorial on since I know a lot of you are either afraid or confused on how to use it. I'm thinking something Asian if my cupboards permit. We'll just have to see.
What did you do today that made you feel satisfied? Are you joining me in February-In-The-Raw?
