July - Nutrition Transformation - To keep this Triathlete strong

Nutrition Transformation

I train hard and I watch what I eat but for whatever reason I still struggled with my weight throughout these past years - and I know I am not alone.  Weight really wasn't a true driver just a mere nice to have.  The real driver was the constant fatigue stomach problems (don't want to dish out to much TMI), I was just feeling icky.

The nutrition transformation began the end of June when I went with my mother-in-law to a meal preparation event at Whole Foods - They were preparing salad wraps and that sounded like a yummy treat to me.  I sat down around a table with 9 other women.  I learned very quickly that my mother-in-law and I were the only ones in the room that were not vegan.    As the group were discussing how they eat and what they eat I chimed in and stated I could never survive as a vegan because I am an athlete and I need the protein - I constantly chuckle at that comment because that girl (me) had much to learn.

The meal preparation instructor introduced me to the Engine 2 brand and this guy named Rip, who was a former international triathlete who fueled his training with a plant based diet - Seriously!!!  Okay, I'm listening -  I learned that plant based nutrition is packed with all the nutrients needed to fuel my mind, body, soul - and the driven athlete that I am too!    I went straight to facebook and posed the question - Can you train and eat 100% plant based-healthy vegan?  Yes, yes Korrie you can.

I made the transition from lean protein, carb balanced program to my plant based plan on July 1st, 2013.   I chose this plant based plan for health reasons and health reasons only.  I love bacon and steak and do plan to still indulge from time to time. 

Many of my friends are dying to know what I eat and how I sustain.  Keep in mind this is my first month and I am still learning and growing with this experience!

I weighed in on July 25th and lost 4.29% body fat since starting the program.

Importantly, I have continued to gain muscle mass.   Keep in mind I work full-time, train full-time and manage my busy family full-time.  I don't count calories and yes I prepare my meals ahead - most of the time. 

So here is what I typically eat:

Breakfast

• Steel Cut Oatmeal
• Engine 2 Morning Blend - place 1 cup of frozen morning blend in a bowl or coffee mug and heat for 1 minute.  Eat and enjoy

This is my favorite fuel before any training session anytime of day!

Lunch

• Rice and Vegetables - I simply through a bag of Engine 2 frozen rice blend with vegetables I have available in the kitchen sometimes I will add some black beans as well.  I typically will season with one or two of the following - cayenne, turmeric, curry, cumin, basil, or balsamic vinaigrette or a no oil dressing.  Just depends what my taste buds are calling for.

• Tortilla Wrap filled with your favorite vegetables and hummus.  I spread the hummus on the tortilla and then load it with vegetables.   My favorite tortilla is Engine 2 sprouted ancient grains.  I heat it in the microwave for about 15 seconds before I spread the hummus and load the vegetables.  It softens the tortilla enough so you can actually wrap it without it cracking and falling apart.
• BLT Wrap - Coconut bacon, lettuce, and tomato with avocado vinaigrette dressing

Snacks

• Hummus and vegetables (love raw zucchini, bell peppers, cucumbers, celery, carrots etc)
• Peanut butter and vegetables - same as above list above
• Rice Chex cereal and vanilla soy milk
• Fruit (seasonal - right now I am eating lots of cherries and plums)
• Engine 2 crispbread and hummus
• Beanitos and Hummus

Dinner

• Sweet Potato, onion, and tempeh (the only processed product I eat).
• Rice and Vegetables - same as lunch mix
• Vegan Lasagna - not a go to but fun to change it up.  I typically cut it up into squares and put it into individual plastic zip-lock bags and place into the freezer.  Then I just grab and go.
• Green Salad with black beans, vegetables I have around, avocado and hot sauce...sometimes I sprinkle with my coconut bacon.
• Gluten free pasta with black beans and vegan pasta sauce

Dessert

• Fruit
• Soy Delicious Purely Decadent This vegan ice cream is organic, free of refined sugars, lower in fat than traditional ice cream, and comes in a variety of flavors from the popular Chocolate Peanut Butter Zig Zag to the classic flavors of Mint Chip and Rocky Road.
•  Strawberry sorbet - homemade