Finding the Motivation for Exercise

In high school, I played sports/danced and was a generally super active teenager. Away at college, I went to the school's gym regularly and enjoyed group fitness classes with friends.

Here's where it goes down hill:

In grad school (living back home), I couldn't find the time to get to the gym and as a result I began a love/hate relationship with exercise. After graduating this May, I've found myself with ample time to do anything I want, but NO motivation to exercise. Over the past few months I've swam in my neighbor's pool, gone on random bike rides and runs.... but I just can't seem to get into an exercise routine. I also pay $20 a month for my local gym; however, I almost NEVER go.

I blame my lack of motivation on not having a set schedule...

My typical week:

• babysit twice per week
• beach once a week
• hang out with friends 3 or 4 evenings a week
• read/watch tv/movies

As you can read, I've been having a nice little break from real life for about two months now and I LOVE IT. The only thing I'm complaining about is the lack of exercise!

I really want to join some kind of organized sport or group fitness class (they don't have them at my gym). I can't find any organized rec. sports in my area though.

I know, I know... I'm making a lot of excuses.

My plan:

1. Get a job to have a set schedule
2. Join a new gym- one with a pool and group fitness classes
3. Begin to feel responsible for my body and my health- apart from just eating right!

A friend of mine vouched that as soon as she found a job and began with a set schedule, she got into a great routine of going to the gym right after work...AND she actually enjoys it. She says that after sitting all day in her office, she can't wait to get up and move her body at the gym. While I won't be sitting all day as a speech therapist, I hope I find a good routine as she has.

How do you find the motivation for exercise?

Oven Roasted Tomatoes

A little while after breakfast, I walked into the kitchen and saw some yummy looking little tomatoes just begging to be slow-roasted in the oven!

Here's what they looked like just prior to going in (please excuse the terrible blackberry picture):

Oven Roasted Tomatoes:

Preheat oven to 250F. Slice tomatoes in half and place on baking tray. Put tomatoes in oven and bake until dried up! Anywhere from 4-8 hours.

I like them plain! Feel free to add salt and pepper to taste. OR brush with olive oil before putting in oven.

New to this whole food photography/blog thing, I forgot to take a picture when they came out!! Sorry! I promise to update this post with a picture.

Do you get enough vitamins in your diet? (Detox Day 1)

Today, I woke up feeling excited for the new day and new challenge I had set for myself.

For breakfast, I ate a banana with peanut butter- so delicious. Prior to this I made myself anEnergizing Vitamins & Minerals Drink:

1 tbsp Source of Life liquid vitamins

1/2 scoop Amazing Meal

1 tbsp lemon juice

about 8 oz water

I put all the ingredients in a jar (with a lid) and shook them up! It's not the best tasting thing, but I enjoy it! Personally, I like to supplement my diet with extra vitamins and minerals because there are days I just know I'm not getting enough nutrients. I like the extra security of knowing that my body is getting what it needs. I anticipate doing less of this as I become more and more knowledgeable about different vitamins and minerals in the vegan lifestyle.

Calcium is the hardest thing for me! Anyone have any good suggestions on getting enough calcium with a vegan diet?

Detox Lunch was a huge salad with everything I could find in my kitchen:

• swiss chard
• romaine
• celery
• orange bell pepper
• carrots

Topped with OSG's Better than Bottled Balsamic Vinaigrette (with only 1 tbsp maple syrup instead of 2)

Look how delicious:

Snacks:

• green beans and hummus. (okay, okay I also ate 2 tortilla chips - ahh breaking detox rules already)
• Oven Roasted Tomatoes

Dinner:

Simple Quinoa and Sweet Potato Salad (adapted from yumsugar):

Serves 2

1/2 cup dry quinoa

1/2 cup vegetable stock

1/2 cup water

3 tiny sweet potatoes (about 1 cup), peeled and diced

1 tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper, to taste

Pinch of cayenne pepper (1/16 tsp)

1 tsp lemon juice

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F
2. Place the quinoa, vegetable stock, and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the liquid is completely absorbed.
4. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.
5. Cover the diced sweet potatoes with 1/2 tbsp of olive oil, pepper, salt, and cayenne. Transfer to a baking pan and roast until crispy.
6. Remove from the oven and let cool.
7. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the lemon juice and 1/2 tbsp of olive oil.
8. Season with the salt and pepper. Stir in the diced sweet potatoes and the quinoa and serve.

This super simple recipe turned out delicious! I love when food tastes natural and not too spiced up.