vegan energy bars

Success!!! We made delicious vegan energy bars this weekend... easy peasy and oh. my. god. GOOD.

Ingredients


• 2 cups quick oats

• 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

• 1/2 cup crushed pretzels (found some delicious organic whole grain, agave sweetened at Whole Foods)

• 1/2 cup crushed walnuts

• 1/2 cup almonds

• 1/2 cup sesame seeds

• 1/2 cup raisins

• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)

• 1-1/2 cups natural peanut butter (we used raw almond butter instead)

• 1 cup honey (or maple syrup) (we cut this down because it seemed like it would be too sweet, but ultimately we ended up probably close because it needs it to hold together.

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


2. In a large bowl, mix together oats, coconut flakes, pretzels, walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds, and raisins.

3. Mix together peanut butter, honey, and vanilla in a small bowl, then microwave on high for 1 minute.

4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients (I found I needed to transfer it over to my mixer because it was difficult to mix manually). And add chocolate chips, if desired.

5. Generously grease (with your favorite butter substitute) a baking sheet (I used my 9” x 13” brownie pan) and pour in mixture. Press into the pan – bars should be 1 inch thick (or so).

6. Bake for 15 minutes, rotating pan at the half-way point.

7. Let cool, refrigerate, cut into approx. 15 bars, and enjoy.

These taste amazing.... ! Next I'm going to try some variations!

Where do you get your protein part two...

In addition to my training and learning for the tri comes another key element... the nutrition side of things.  So I've decided to share some of the nutritional aspects as well... Maybe it will inspire you to have an animal-free meal or two!

If you didn't already know it, I eat a vegan diet.  And now comes my disclaimer... I actually DO eat bee products such as honey and bee pollen... they are highly nutritious and healing. I'm not making excuses... I'm merely putting it out there that for me it isn't necessarily about 'perfection'... rather trying to do what makes the most sense for me.

I also have a passion for wool... I try to make my choices compassionately.  I find it difficult at times to choose because sometimes a vegan choice is at odds with an environmentally sound choice... ahh but I digress...

So the nutrition thing.... I have people ask me all the time 'isn't it hard to....' and the answer, quite simply is no.  No, it isn't.  I have a friend whose blog you should visit:  It's Easy Being Vegan!  She has great insight on being vegan and willing shares with the world.

It is like anything else you learn, however, and that is there's a learning curve.  You shop in a new way, prepare your food in a new way, think in a new way.  You are bound to feel a little lost, overwhelmed and just plain stupid at times.  It doesn't last... and like anything else that you stick with, it will become a 'habit'... second nature.  When I go to the grocery store it doesn't take me hours (unless Robert accompanies me, but that's just cuz he loves spending time there...) I basically buy the same things week in, week out, just like you do.  I'm just doing most of my shopping in the produce section...  ; )

Tomorrow I'm embarking on a journey to make my own version of a Clif Bar.  I'll keep you posted on how the experiment goes... and, if it goes well, as I have every intention of making happen, I'll be sharing the recipes and how-tos right here!

The Gods created certain kinds of beings to replenish our bodies; they are the trees and the plants and the seeds -Plato

I am so excited... I was able to get my bike up here (in Marinette WI where I'm working on a project) and I've been riding back and forth to work... it's going to be a great way to get around as well as get a little extra in daily.  It's been an exciting week as I kick into gear with my training... Monday I did a strength training when I got to town and then rode my bike to the hotel from the office. 

Tuesday I rode to the pool.  I wore my goggles upside down and a swimmer next to me noticed and mentioned it to me... lol... he said 'I don't want to make you feel stupid but....' well I just laughed and said, hey I appreciate the help... I'm new to all of this.  Although it's confirmed: I do NOT know how to swim.  I'm trying to get signed up for a private lesson or two with the local acquatic director... hopefully our schedules will mesh!  Oh... and the ride to the pool... c-c-c-old.  I only had fingerless gloves with me so stopped at the local bike shop and bought a pair of full finger gloves.  Mmmm... toasty.

Saturday is the Chi Running workshop that I signed up for.... it's all falling into place. 

Today I will do the things that other people won't, so tomorrow I can do the things that other people can't - Unknown

Stream of Consciousness Book Review: Slow Fat Triathlete

Warning: the following may appear somewhat incoherent as I've written this in a stream of consciousness sort of way.

The book Slow Fat Triathlete was written by Jayne Williams.  Hmmm... that's not much of a flashy start.... but maybe that's because as much as I really wanted to LOVE the book, I merely thought it 'ok'.  If we were going to do a point value thing, in fact, yes... let's do a point value thing because I have a STACK of books I'm going to read through and review (more on that later). 

So point value system... first an appropos symbol... ahh, of course... a bike! Hmmm... next, the actual scale.  I dislike scales that are odd numbered, allowing for someone to fall smack dab in the middle.  The middle ground... the safe place.  Have an opinion, damn it!  You can be close to the middle but somewhere in there is an opinion and it falls either to the dislike or like side of things... think it through and go for it! So my scale will be a scale of 6.  1 is 'DO NOT BOTHER... both tires flat, terrible ride' and 6 is 'LOVE LOVE LOVE it... don't just borrow this book from the library, BUY it so you can make scribbles and refer back to it again and again...  this is the bike of your dreams!  You can make up your own descriptions for numbers 2,3,4 and 5.

So... given that I am forcing myself to have an opinion, I'm going with 3 out of 6 bikes for this one.  Don't purchase it... (you can borrow it from me, I purchased it ; P )

So my rundown:  First.... well.... the title.  I almost DIDN'T buy it because I hate self-deprecating, trying to be cute titles (although I'm probably guilty of that myself with some of my blog titles... in fact the overall title for THIS blog (Tri-Umphantly)... lol... groan, but I digress...  so the title alone isn't enough to warrant the 3 out of 6 bikes, but one other thing about the title does bug me.  And I get that it's my own issue... but it's the word fat. 

Jayne's introduction is called: Don't be afraid of the f-word... lol.  I laughed.  As I said, I know it's my issue, but for me, there's a couple things:  1- I don't think there is a lot to be gained from announcing to the world that I'm fat.... I know it, they know it... 2- I have a deep belief in putting things out to the universe and making them happen... so I'd rather put out there that I'm fit, firm and fabulous (also F words) than that I'm Fat.  But I get that it was a way of catching her audience's attention.  And maybe that's where my challenge really comes in....

Because Jayne's audience, is in fact, not really me.  There was never a minute that I didn't think I could do this because I was out of shape or too fat.  In fact, actually, the exact opposite.  I truly believe that I can do anything that I want to.  And I'm already motivated to do it.  So I think Jayne's purpose in calling to people who might not have the confidence to start is a little lost on me. 

Still, I had a few other issues with the book... I felt that the insights and advice she does give could have been a little more specific or meaningful.  And while I get that it's her story she's telling, she ends up waffling quite a bit.  For instance she gives advice about what to wear (or not) and begins to explain but ends with 'of course it that's not your experience, then don't pay attention to me!'  The thing is, while her book may be read by athletes at all levels, her true audience is, in fact, the couch potato... she wants you off the couch and enjoying your life.... so chances are, they aren't doing any of what she's talking about (yet) and would benefit from her wisdom (and conviction).

So my pro/con breakdown:

pro:  Easy to read, at times humorous.  Accessible.
con:  A little wishy-washy on what it is trying to be or who it is trying to speak to, too general.

Just remember this: No one ever won the olive wreath with an impressive training diary -Marty Liquori

where do vegans get their protein???

I met with a personal trainer today.  The gym where I work out (in Marinette) gives 1 free session to get you set up with a program.  I already have the cardio covered with my training plan.... it was funny when he wanted to talk to me about nutrition (I guess by looking at my body he decided I didn't know what I needed to know... lol) and I told him I have that covered, that I'm a vegan and so then of course he wanted to talk about protein.  I mentioned that gorillas, elephants, giraffes, etc are all very large with a lot of muscle and get all their protein from plant sources... just like I do... lol.  He gave up trying to talk me into protein supplements...

Of course part of the whole session is naming my goals and motivation... as well as actually having to step on the scale....  ACK! The good news is I was almost to the pound accurate of what my weight is (and I haven't stepped on a scale in a lonnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggg time).... so I at least have a realistic viewpoint.... the bad news, though, is that I have been actively working out for weeks now and my eating plan has been incredible and yet I don't think I've dropped a pound.... I'm trying not to focus on this though, and keep the momentum going....  eye on the prize baby, eye on the prize.

I must admit, however, to a teeny bit of frustration... it's like once I've made the decision and commitment and am putting in the work I'd just like to see the results (overnight).... lol. 

The groundwork of all happiness is health. -Hunt 

Did I mention I can't swim (or run?) ???

And yet somehow I am not really concerned.  I feel like I have a good training plan in place (I'll be sharing it this week) and I continue to find out new information almost daily.  This past weekend I had lunch with a friend who is training for her 3rd or 4th tri.  She is generous enough to share her knowledge and tips for training, etc.  One of the things she highly recommended was finding like-minded people to train with... !

I called the local pool to check on pool memberships and spoke with the acquatic director... she happens to be training for her second tri and invited me to join the local tri club... and as we continued to talk about our training I mentioned that I also am not a runner.  She shared with me her ideas on a method called Chi Running.  As I continue to gather more info it intrigues me more and more.  So much so that I found a running group in the north shore and their coach is a certified Chi-Running instructor.  They are having a workshop on May 1st to teach the method and I am thinking of signing up.

So right now, I'm feeling like I'm in a very very good place....

The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start -john bingham

Run/Walk

Yesterday was a rest day... I was surprised that I didn't feel sore.  At ALL!.... this from the girl whose knees sometimes hurt so much that I can barely make it up the stairs (although my glucosamine supplement definitely helps with that) and I know that giving away weight will be a tremendous help as well, but still... I HAVEN'T released all the weight I wish to yet and I RAN 3x this week. 

Ok... so you're wondering why I'm saying 'giving away' or 'release' instead of LOSING weight... well, I am very much a believer in visualization and putting things 'out there' in order to help make them your reality (this blog is another example of me manifesting my goals....it keeps things front and center... but I digress.  I read a very interesting article about the idea behind losing weight.  And the author (if I could remember who, I'd give proper credit) hypothesized that one of the reasons so many people gain back weight they have 'lost' is because we always look for 'lost' items.... think about it: we lose our keys, we search high and low to find them, we lose our wallets, a phone number, god forbid our cell phone, the list is endless and the point is, no matter what it is, if we have LOST something, we try to get it back.  Whereas if we 'give something away' or release it or donate it we have an agreement with ourselves that we no longer want that item... we don't try and find it and bring it back home again.  So... with weight release why wouldn't it be the same thing?  I know I'm over-simplifying this but it makes sense to me so I'm going with it. ; )

So yes, no sore knees or joints, no lower back niggling at me demanding that I stop.  I do have to temper my enthusiasm because I do not want to be sidelined by injury but I feel it.... I really do.... that this is IT!

I wonder where I will be in 3 mos time..... on race day.... I keep visualizing that everyday... how strong I will be .... how energized and alert I will feel.... how excited to be achieving a great goal and reclaiming my health and fitness.

This morning I took Bax to the lake and we did our training run together.  I warmed up with a brisk walk for 10 minutes, then I did the walk/run 1min:1min for the next 10 (so 5 sets) and then cooled with a 5 minute walk.  It feels like it isn't long enough (total time) but I'm doing my best to stick with the plan (I must admit to a bit of tweaking however, because it really only called for 20 minutes today and that just was not going to be enough and the warm up was supposed to be 5 minute walk, 4 min stretch for a total of 9 minutes.... lol.  I'm working between the two plans and am going to put it all together this weekend... I'll publish it next week to show you my plan and goals.

Next week is scary.  I will sign up at the local pool in Marinette and start the swim part of my training.  I'm also going to buy a beach token so I can take advantage of living near Lake Michigan and get some open water training time in.  Did I mention that I really don't know how to swim?

Don't worry about upgrading your equipment. Upgrade your body.  anonymous