Fully Raw February #Selflove

So we all know that February is the month of

 

 

 

Most commonly, the love between oneself and his/her significant other.

This year however, I'm making it about me, self-love if you will.

 

 

 

So during February, I'll be doing different things that will enhance, elevate, edify, encourage and enliven myself.

 

 

 

First up, as you may have guessed by the title, is to do a fully raw vegan challenge for the 28 days of February.
 

 

 

That is, consuming only raw, unprocessed foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the entire month. If it has a face, a mom or a label, it's a no-go. 

I'm gonna be a "low-class vegan" though, I won't be preparing any of those grandiose raw food recipes, just raw fruits and vegetables for the next 28 days.

 

Wish me luck. lol. Although I doubt it'll be that hard.

 

 

In the words of Freelee, "Go Fruit Yourself!"

Ciao!

My First 5k Race.

 

 

 

I ran my first 5K race on Sunday, January 25.

It was a lovely experience.

A friend of mine who does these races all the time, ran with me and acted as my pacer (Thanks Kamau!).

 

My goal for the race was to do it in less than 30 minutes, and my actual time was 29:22.

 

 

look how close us 3 were!

 

The fastest time was 16mins:07secs and the slowest was 1hr:13mins:14secs.



post-race - soaking wet but satisfied

 

I started training 4 weeks prior to the race.

My training included:

• an open-air 5k run 2 times per week + abs directly after
• an open-air hill sprint session once a week + abs
• a treadmill 5k run twice per week
• resistance training at the gym 2-3 times each week
• 1st day - legs
• 2nd day - upper body
• 3rd day - full body (giant sets)
• 1-2 rest days

 

On the morning of the race, I was a little ill and I almost didn't make it, but I didn't want to not run, so I armed myself with pain meds and was on my way.

 

Since the run was at 2pm, breakfast on the day was 6 bananas, a handful of grapes and some strawberries with a 1/2 litre of water. Had it been an early morning race, I would have gone on an empty stomach (as is recommended).

 

My hairstyle for the run (this is a hair blog right?! lol) was a simple top knot bun, which was great for keeping hair out of my face, nothing fancy.

 

 

All in all, It was a pleasant experience and as per my list of things to be accomplished in 2015, I have at least 2 more to participate in.


This post is just in time to be linked to other "Fit Friday" posts, so check them out if you haven't yet had your fill.

 

 

See you on the trails.

Ciao!

 

 

My Meatlessness.

Going vegan is pretty high up on the priority list for 2015.

Now, this may come as a shock for those who know me, but I stopped eating meat mid November of last year.

 

 

 

I remember when Ebony of L4L went meatless for a month and I told her I couldn't do that because meat was my favorite food lol. But I suppose I knew deep down that it wasn't that good for me because I started a 'Meatless Mondays' shortly thereafter. Then one day my boyfriend's nephew and I were talking, and I was admiring him so much because not only was he an 18 yr old vegan, but he had been a vegan for most of his life. I was saying that it's very interesting and that if I had the willpower I'd do it too.

 

Holdup, wait, WHAT?

If I had the willpower?? Of course I do. And a few days later I gave up meat for a month.

It was only supposed to be until my birthday (Dec 19) or until Christmas, but when that time came, I just didn't crave it and I haven't had any meat since the first day I gave it up and I plan to keep it that way.

I still have fish about 2/3 times per week, but I intend to cut that down dramatically in the near future, and entirely by the end of the year.

 

 

What do I eat, you ask?

 

 

 

Well, I have been eating as per the RAW TILL 4 plan, created by Freelee the Banana girl on Youtube.

It sees me eating mostly fruit, with some vegetable until 4:00pm and a cooked meal thereafter. She has a vegan cooked meal, while I do a pesco-vegetarian (sometimes vegan) meal.

 

I feel so much better being meatless, oh yeah I don't have and dairy either, so my sinuses are so much better for it. I am still going through what they call a detox phase so all is not perfect, but I feel great and I'm not fiending for meat sooo, no need to reintroduce it into my diet.

 

I have been getting info from various sources, but mainly from Youtube. I'll leave you with a few videos to enlighten you about the dangers of animal products and the benefits of going vegan.

 

 

Annie Jaffrey

 

Fully Raw Kristina

 

Simply Raw Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days

 

Super Size Me

 

 

 

Of course the above will lead you to a plethora of other insightful videos. Enjoy.

 

 

 

Have you considered this route? Let me know your thoughts.

 

Ciao!

 

 

Fitness Friday Frolic - That Juice-y Juice-y

I am linking up with the lovely KLP, Britt and Ebony to do yet another fitness Friday post 'cuz I been juicing, I been juicing (Yonce's voice lol).

Girrrrll let me tell you.... I had been saying to my mom how much I was needing a juicer since I got to Ja. Then last week when I had that lovely beetroot, carrot and cucumber juice after yoga, I was straight fiending. Then one day I looked under the cupboard and what did a find? A motherfreaking juicer!!! I was like why oh why didn't you tell me?! She claims she forgot it was there. That was earlier this week and mayynn! I been juicing ever since.

(Fitness) Friday Frolic - Look Good, Feel Great

It's Valentine's Day and fitness is in the air...wait, no love is in the air. Well, I'm not big on Valentine's Day and I am in love with fitness, so let's go with fitness instead.

After today's workout

New Year, New Hair

So it's a brand new year and I feel compelled to talk about my elaborate plan for my hair...except I don't have one. I will really only be continuing to execute my regimen or some variation thereof, and using what I have learnt last year especially with regards to the moisture/ protein balance. The only thing that will be different this year is the lack of long-term protective styling. During my last go round, I got super tired of my wig at around the 4 week mark and decided that that was it for a while. I still intend to protective style in the short term though. 

With that said, here are the few (hair) goals and intentions I wish to realize this year:

Going All the Way - Holistic Approach to Beauty

As the hair and nails are the last to receive nutrients from the body, if we want healthy hair, we must step up our game when it comes to our overall health. As a matter of fact, regardless if there is a desire for healthy luscious hair or not, one should not neglect health and wellness.

Personally, I take a holistic approach to beauty. All things seem to tie in with each other, be it gorgeous hair, long, strong nails, glowing skin or a small waist. It starts with the premise that what you put in is what you will get out, both literally and figuratively.

Here are a few of the things I incorporate in my beauty regimen/ lifestyle:

• Clean eating - While there are days when I have a "happy meal" (not from McDonalds!!), typically, I try to have about 5 small balanced meals each day, which consist of food in it's natural form or as close as possible (limiting processed foods). Some of my preferred ingredients include rolled oats, whole wheat bread, eggs, chicken, fish, sweet potatoes, vegetables (especially leafy greens), and fruits.  I also enjoy various kinds of shakes.