A Great Weekend With My Boyfriend

This weekend has been great. I got a day off work on Friday which felt really good. I also have the house all to myself since my family went on a trip to visit relatives in New Mexico (I was pretty thrilled that I didn't have to go on the 17 hour each way car trip even though I do have to work while they're on vacation). Max decided to come visit for the weekend and we have been having a wonderful time!

Yesterday, I got up and did two yoga classes even though my arms were killing me from Friday night's adventures in aerial yoga (see the post about that here). Then, I went home and showered quickly, made a yummy salad for lunch and waited for Max to arrive. It was so great to see him!

We drove down to my new apartment that I'll be living in come September and he helped me move in a few boxes. Then, I went to Bird Rock to teach a donation based class. I ended up raising $10 for Yoga for Hope. Max was going to do the class but he hurt his knee while we were moving stuff so we decided it was best for him to just relax. 5 people came to class but they didn't show up until like 5:28 and the class was at 5:30! I was getting nervous! Luckily though, the showed up and I was able to teach! I had to modify my class plan because they were very beginner level but it turned out to be fine.

After class, Max and I headed home. I cooked some dinner (chicken, bean and cheese tacos for him and steamed veggie medley for me!) and we chatted and ate. Then, we decided to watch a movie. We chose (unanimously) Finding Nemo! I mean, really, who doesn't love Finding Nemo? We were totally cracking up the entire time :D

This morning, we woke up and I made some breakfast (waffles with peanut butter and fresh fruit for him and oatmeal and a fruit/kale smoothie for me). Then, I went to lululelmon for the Sweaty Sunday class. For the month of July, the Sweaty Sunday classes are taught by Kaia Fit. I had been to one of their classes before today and I love them. They are basically circuit training bootcamp classes. The intensity is high but the instructors are very friendly and motivating.

I went to the grocery store after that and picked up some essentials (milk for Max, more berries, tofu, and unsweetened acai). When I got home we took my dad's dog Skittles for a long walk around the neighborhood. (Disclaimer: I am very much a cat person and Skittles is really big and kind of scary to me so having to take care of her is my least favorite part of being home by myself!)

During our walk, we decided to try and go to the beach. We drove to Solana Beach and went to our favorite coffee shop for lunch. I got a garden salad with no dressing and an acai bowl with granola and blueberries. Max got a Bacon, Avocado and Tomato sandwich on a bagel. It was actually pretty chilly and cloudy down at the beach so we decided just to go back to my community pool where it was nice and sunny. I swam 32 laps in about 40 minutes. My swim workout is 4 laps (a lap being two lengths of the 25m pool) breaststroke + 4 laps freestyle is one set. 4 sets is 32 laps. I'm really a slow swimmer but I have pretty good endurance which counts for something I guess. In any event, I enjoy it.

After I swam, Max and I just chilled at the pool for a bit then went home and I made him some chocolate chip cookies and me some popcorn for a snack. Now we're just relaxing and enjoying being together. I wish I didn't have to work tomorrow!

Clean Eating Plan!

I'm a pretty healthy eater in general...I avoid fat and calorie laden treats like cake and cookies in favor for healthier options; dairy since I'm lactose intolerant; meat since I'm a vegetarian; and refined carbs like white bread and pasta. My diet consists of mainly fruits, veggies and whole grains. However, I do eat some processed foods (protein bars, Arctic Zero "ice cream", veggie burgers and sugar free soy mocha frapps are my weaknesses).

My cousin is getting married next weekend and I know that the food and drink choices will not be as healthy as I usually try to be, so I decided to do a week of "clean" eating before the wedding and a week after the wedding (I'm going to eat as healthy as possible when I'm at the wedding but I will definitely be having a few drinks). This means two weeks of nothing processed at all. I'm allowed to eat as many fruits and veggies as I want along with some non dairy milk (I like unsweetened almond), oats, quinoa, nuts and a bit of olive oil. So far, it hasn't been that difficult, but, then again, it is only Day 1. I think the most difficult part will be not being able to grab a convenient Luna bar when I'm hungry mid afternoon, especially when I'm busy with my nannying job and my internship at Ignite mixed in with daily yoga classes. But, it will be worth it to feel healthier.

This is what I've had today:

Breakfast:
-smoothie with sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cantaloupe, ice and water blended together
-1 cup oatmeal with almond milk
-chai tea

Lunch:
-salad with: edamame, red bell pepper, cucumber, a bit of avocado and carrots
-apple
-small handful of almonds

Snack: 
-cantaloupe slices

Dinner:
-steamed veggies: broccoli, parsnips, sweet potato, carrots
-air popped popcorn drizzled with olive oil

I've been sitting at work (basketball camp snack bar) allllll day and it's been torturous! I haven't even been able to do yoga or workout. I'm planning on doing at least an hour of yoga/workout no matter how late I get home tonight. I know it's important to take rest days but I've been very sedentary today so I would prefer to take a rest day when I'm actually doing something active during the day instead of just sitting.

Tomorrow I'm planning on doing two yoga classes and maybe some strength training or cardio. Also it's Father's Day. My dad has been trying to get in better shape lately so I'll probably teach him yoga and make him a healthy dinner!

Protein for Vegetarians/Vegans

As a vegetarian (and mostly vegan since I'm lactose intolerant) I can't tell you how many times family members have asked me "how do you get protein?" The truth is that a vegetarian or vegan diet doesn't have to be lacking in protein!

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4771/10-Vegan-Sources-of-Protein.html