Weight Watcher Vegan Delights!

11:28 AM Elvira 0 Comments

My relationship with food has really changed since switching to a plant based/vegan lifestyle. I continue to feel like my cravings for sweets, and processed foods are going away day by day. I have a huge amount of energy, my mind feels clearer, and I continue to sleep so incredibly well. I still go to Weight Watchers, and am using the meetings as an additional layer of support during my weight loss journey.

I recently read Dr. John McDougall book, "Starch Solution." This is a great place to begin when exploring a plant based diet. The book is informative, easy to read, and has some delicious recipes.

As I continue to lose weight I am exploring different ways to cook my veggies. Yesterday I was at my mom's house and she had baked some organic pumpkins. I took a few home and made a vegan soup filled with all sorts of veggies. I decided to use the baked pumpkin as my bowl when serving the soup. So amazing!


When I have a sweet tooth I look to fresh local produce as my sweet treat. With the summer fruits slowly exiting from the store I look forward to incorporating new fall fruits. These organic figs are not just beautiful to look at but they also taste so good.



My Mexican inspired bowls continue to play a large part in my weekly meals. They are easy to make, and so very satisfying. Brown rice as your base, add whatever veggies you like and a splash of Sarrachi or BBQ sauce. This bowl is a meal I never seem to be getting sick of.


Give this lifestyle a try. These meals are so delicious, healthy, and leave you feeling satisfied for hours. A plant based lifestyle is the way to go!

Weight Watchers Vegan Wrap

4:06 PM Elvira 0 Comments

I love creating new vegan ideas. I had some eggplants that I needed to use before they went bad. I decided to take my eggplants, coat them with a bit of balsamic vinegar and grill them up on my George Foreman.

Once my eggplant was done I simply filled my whole whole tortilla with eggplant, shredded cabbage, carrot, red onion, and a drizzle of tahini.  The hearty lunch wrap is only 5 WW points-DELISH!

Weight Watcher Vegan Weight loss

6:05 PM Elvira 0 Comments

I did my weigh in this morning at Weight Watchers, another week down and another 4.0 pounds lost! I have really been impressed with the amount of weight that I have been losing while following a plant based/vegan diet. I use Weight Watchers as my weekly accountability in order to weigh in and get ongoing support from the meetings. It has been helpful to have this tool.

Eating plant based/vegan has allowed me to eat fantastic meals day after day. I am eating fresh, local produce which has allowed me to not only eat amazing meals but also filling meals.

If you are thinking about changing something to your diet in order to feel healthier and lose weight, try a plant based diet. Look at what I eat...you can do this too!








Tags: Wellness

What I ate today on a Weight Watchers Vegan Diet

5:00 PM Elvira 0 Comments

Eating vegan has allowed for me to feel fuller longer. The foods I find I am eating are high in fiber and low in salt, or any other additive. I enjoy eating plant based for so many different reasons. I feel healthier, stronger, more alert, and have less digestive issues. I wanted to share what a typical day in meals looks like for me.

I started today off with a smoothie I like to call Hawaiian Dreamsicle. In this smoothie, I have 1 frozen banana, 1 cup frozen mango, 1 cup pineapple, and 1 cup almond milk and a few ice cups. This smoothie is so sweet, and tasty. For only 2 WW points it's a great way to start the day.




I like to cut up a ton of fruit and have it on hand in the fridge in case I get hungry between meals. Even though fruit is zero points on WW, if I have a large portion of fruit (about 2 cups of fruit) I tend to give it 3 points. I want to make sure that I don't over eat anything so this way of tracking help me with that.




For lunch I made myself a Mexican inspired lunch bowl. On the bottom I have 1 cup of brown rice, and then on top I have black beans, corn, tomatoes, onions, avocado, green salsa, and lime. This entire HUGE meal is 10 points. There have been many times I have only ate half and felt incredibly satisfied.



Lastly, for dinner I wanted something light. My lunch was incredibly filling so I went for a salad for dinner. For this salad I used spinach, red pepper, cauliflower, green onions, and tomatoes. I drizzled it with a bit of balsamic vinegar and cracked pepper. This dinner was 0 points.




As you can see eating plant based/vegan does not mean you have to eat boring food. I like the way this food looks, tastes, and the positive effect it has on my body. If you are hesitant to eat vegan at least incorporate 1-2 plant based meals into your day. You will quickly see the benefits yourself!


Tags: Recipes, Wellness

How to Deal With a Gain While on Weight Watchers

4:08 PM Elvira 0 Comments

Here I am 9 weeks into my weight loss journey and it happened...I had a gain today at my Weight Watchers meeting. When I stepped onto the scale I had a feeling that it wasn't going to be a good week, but when they told me I had gained 2 pounds my tummy did a little flip flop and I felt disappointed. During the meeting I sat and reflected on all the things that were off for me during the week. One, I re-injured my knee on a Tuesday. Which meant I have been swollen and pretty limited to what I can do. For the most part I have been simply icing and resting with the hope I would have a speedy recovery. But here it is Sunday and I am still having a hard time getting around. This has been hard for me.

Without my activity I noticed that I also started to eat some junk food. Even though I am following a vegan/plant based diet, there are still things you can eat that are both vegan and unhealthy. I overdid it with some tortilla chips one night, and started to cook with more salt than I normally do. After I left the meeting though I decided to turn all of my negative thoughts into positive ones. First off, overall I am eating far more healthier food that I ever have in the past. Secondly, I have been more active as of late, and this injury is only a minor set back. I focused on the progress that I have made, and stopped thinking about the gain.

I am committed to this journey, and will do whatever what I need to in order to be successful. We all have setbacks, the true test is how you recover from them. I am not going to throw in the towel, instead I will stay determined and look for the bright future ahead of me.




Tags: Wellness

Weight Watchers Vegan Meal Prep

11:30 PM Elvira 0 Comments

I continue on my track to become a vegan. Like I have mentioned before I am note sure if this is a forever thing, or just something I will be doing for a bit. I have to admit though I am feeling better than I have in years. Not only do I feel better, but I also look better. My skin is radiating and totally cleared up. I really do think that eliminating dairy and focusing on a plant based diet is allowing me to look and feel healthier.

I still am attending my Weight Watcher meetings, and every week that goes by I am having a loss. I continue to watch my daily point allowance, and with eating more plant based I stay fuller longer without using a great deal of points.

I started today off with my green smoothie. In this one I mixed 1 cup of almond milk, a handful of organic kale, 1 frozen banana, a few ice cubes, and 2 dates. All blended together this creates a creamy, sweet, morning cup of delciousness!


Since trying to incorporate my lifestyle toward a vegan diet, I have had to find substitutes to some of my favorite things. Daiya is a nice dairy free substitute for cheese. I like to use this on burritos, and even salads at times. Ezekiel makes a fantastic tortilla. These are hearty, and healthy and are only 4 WW points.


I love taking these tortilla wraps and simply adding smashed kidney and garbanzo beans. I then top it all off with diced veggies. I am telling you, MAKE THIS! It will leave you filled, satisfied, and for only 5 WW points it is a great meal to incorporate into your weekly diet :)




Tags: Recipes

Favorite Vegan Weight Watcher Meals

7:26 PM Elvira 0 Comments

With a week of being vegan under my belt I wanted to share some of my favorite meals that I have recently been enjoying. While being on the Weight Watchers plan I have realized that I can eat a vegan lifestyle all way enjoying the benefits of WW.

Two items that I am really loving right now is Ezekiel Bread and Sprouted Tortilla Wraps. The bread is 4 WW points for 2 slices, and the tortilla is 4 points for the entire wrap. 


These products are very tasty, healthy, and incredibly filling. For the bread I like to toast it up in the morning, add a bit of my Trader Joe Beet Hummus, organic baby spinach, and fresh sliced tomatoes from my garden. This entire breakfast sandwich is 5 WW points and it definitely keeps me full.



Some time for lunch I like to take the Ezekiel tortillas and create a veggie wrap. Again for the base I normally start with a low fat hummus, and then I pile on the veggies. This whole meal is also a whopping 5 WW points. It leaves you feeling full, and light on your feet.



Eating vegan has been alot easier than I thought it would be. I was inspired to try this way of eating after watching Forks Over Knives, and I must say I really am feeling fantastic day after day. I can't say this is a forever change, but I can say I am committed to this now, and I will see where it takes me...




Tags: Recipes

Eat More Plant Based Meals

10:22 PM Elvira 0 Comments

I have been on Weight Watchers for a little over 1 month and I feel great. I am feeling positive about my progress so far. Not so much with my weight loss, but more so with the healthy habits I have incorporated into my daily life.

One of the greatest things I have incorporated is simply eating more of a plant based diet. Recently I have felt incredibly turned off by beef and chicken so I wanted to see if I could go without it for awhile. I figured since I was giving up meat for a bit I also wanted to eliminate dairy. It's been about 1 week without any meats and dairy in my diet and I feel fantastic.

I still am getting in a good amount of protein by eating beans, and quinoa which surprisingly has a whopping 24 grams of protein per cup. There are so many delicious ways to eat without incorporating meat and dairy into our meals.

Tonight for dairy I was craving a salad, and because I wanted it to be a bit more hearty I added some organic tofu. I grilled the tofu in about 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and added some cumin, turmeric, and garlic powder. Once this was done I simply threw it on top of my salad. I love beets, and found a beet hummus at Trader Joes. It is so incredibly tasty and so low in points if you are following the Weight Watchers Plan. I sprinkled a little bit of balsamic vinegar on top and let me tell you this salad will not disappoint. For about 7 WW points you are left feeling satisfied, and healthy. Give this a try and I am telling you it won't
 disappoint.

Fab Fit Fun Unboxing Summer 2015

9:58 PM Elvira 0 Comments

I finally received my summer 2015 FabFitFun box, and I LOVE it! In this seasons box there were great items that I am looking forward to using and wearing.



The grand total for the items in the box is listed as $275.00. Some of the items included a: Wren 14kt gold and black sapphire necklace, wireless speakers, roll on perfume, hair product, Tarte full sized lip gloss, konjac cleansing sponge, nail wraps, a jump rope, headspace gift card, and moisturizer. 


This is my second FabFitFun Box and I am as equally pleased with this box as I was the Spring 2015 box. There are items in the box that I feel like I can give as gifts or keep for myself. The items are fun, and allow you to try new brands you may normally be unaware of.


Plus everyone loves getting goodies in the mail:) Look into this company and get your very own FabFitFun box soon!

Gwynnie Bee Plus Size Clothing Subscription

9:41 PM Elvira 0 Comments

I came across another interesting plus size clothing subscription recently that I wanted to try. Gwynnie Bee is a clothing rental subscription service that caters to women sizes 10–32. You're able to browse there abundant clothing choices on their website and create your own online closet of clothes that you would like shipped to you.




Once you receive your shipment, you are able to then wear these new clothes for as long as your like. Then when you are ready for new garments you simply ship the clothes back and continue to receive new items from your pre-selected online closet. 


Some of the clothing brands available are: BB Dakota, Adrianna Papell, City Chic, Evans, FTF, IGIGI, Karen Kane, and Kyionna. There is a great deal of options in regards to colors, styles, and fabrics. I received my first box today, with a total of 3 garments. I stuck to only tops, and all three are cuter in person than I thought they would be.

What I like about this subscription box, is now I am able to keep a constant flow of new clothes in my regular wardrobe. It's exciting to try new things on for some time, without the commitment of purchasing an item forever. There are various monthly price plans you can choose from, and right now Gwynnie Bee is offering a free 30 day trial which is what I am doing.

If you are bored with your current clothing options and looking to spice things up a bit, give this company a try. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.




Tags: Fashion

Organic Avocado Smoothie

9:48 AM Elvira 0 Comments

I love starting the day off with a smoothie. There are so many different variations of smoothies you can make and I really love to experiment. I recently had bought a few too many avocados so I decided to see what I could create with them.

Coconut milk is a staple in my home. I typically look for organic coconut milk stored in BPA free cans. Natural Directions is a brand I have been using for some time. There coconut milk is organic, kosher, unsweetened, and packed in a can with BPA free lining.




In every smoothie I make I find ways I can incorporate kale. Kale has so many nutritional benefits that wherever you can add it into your diet, so so!




For this smoothie I used the following ingredients:

1/3 Cup Coconut Milk (4 weight watcher points)
1/2 Avocado (4 weight watcher points)
1 Frozen Banana
2 handfuls Kale
1 Cup of Ice
1 Cup of water or Almond Milk up to you 
Stevia (optional) 

I throw all of this into my Vitamix and blend away. The end result, a creamy delicious light green cup of nutrition!



If you are following the Weight Watcher program this is an 8 point smoothie. I know that seems like alot, but these are all good fats and honestly this smoothie will keep you feeling surprisingly full for several hours.

Give this smoothie a try. You will find yourself in love with the taste of this healthy, sweet smoothie.



Tags: Recipes 

Staying Healthy On The Go

12:41 PM Elvira 0 Comments

I think one of the biggest mistakes I have made when trying to lose weight is not having healthy options to grab and go. Working long hours and then coming home to a kitchen filled with options but no real meal often deviates me from my weight loss plan.

I have only been on the Weight Watchers plan now for 3 weeks. In that time I have implemented some things that I think are really helping me stay on track with my food choices.

I love having food that I can grab out of the fridge in order to prepare quick and healthy meals. Meal preparation has really allowed me to stay the course. What I did today is just grill up a large amount of veggies for the next few days.



Grilled veggies are a fantastic way to get your daily allowance of vegetables all the while following a balanced diet. I simply lightly coat my vegetables in olive oil and balsamic vinegar for an added depth of flavor. I use these grilled veggies for my organic veggie bowls, salads, and as a side dish for meals.



Morning time is pretty chaotic for me. I hit the gym first thing in the morning so once I get home I have a limited time to get dressed and out the door. I love making fruit parfaits for breakfast (see my fruit parfait blog for my recipe) and this is something I make in bulk. I can make three of these for the week and they still taste incredibly fresh and keep very well in the fridge. This fruit parfait with a delicious cup of coffee first thing in the morning definitely gets my day off right. If you are following the weight watchers plan this serving is only 5 points total.





Fruit infused water has been a godsend for me. I love adding granny smith apples and a cinnamon stick to my water bottle. Drinking fruit infused water has allowed me to quit my diet soda addiction. This is an incredibly refreshing way to hydrate through the hot summer days.

There are ways to stay healthy, and believe it time management and preparation play a huge key in success. Plan your meal ahead of time, and you also might begin to notice the healthy changes you start to make.




Tags: Wellness

Natural Remedies for Water Retention

10:47 PM Elvira 0 Comments

As the weather heats up I already know I will have a day or two where water retention is an issue for me. I hate the feeling that comes with water retention, so I began to implement natural remedies which work for me to alleviate some of the swelling I experience.

Cranberry juice is usually my go to drink for the summer time. I buy a 100% organic cranberry juice which means there is no sugar, and this drink is incredibly tart. I usually mix the cranberry juice with some water, add a ton of ice and drink this off and on throughout the day. This drink is a natural diuretic which will promote a lot of trips to the restroom.


Another favorite of mine is Dandelion Root tea. Though this tea definitely takes some time to get used to the taste I find this to be the most effective drink when trying to minimize and eliminate water retention. Dandelion root is loaded with potassium and this helps reduce sodium levels within the body. I like to drink up to three cups of this tea a day when experiencing water retention.


Fresh lemon juice is another fantastic option. I mix lemons with my water daily. Lemon water is a great way for your body to alkaline.




Epsom baths are another way to help reduce water retention. Normally I add 2 cups of epsom salts to my bath and soak for about 20 minutes. A few drops of essential oils adds an aromatherapy element to the bath which is very relaxing.


Though water retention is often an uncomfortable thing to deal with it is good to know that there are many natural remedies to help. I also have cut back on my sodium intake, and eat barely any processed foods. This in itself has helped tremendously. Also, keeping active helps eliminate water retention. When I sit for long periods of time I generally have problems with water retention. Getting up and moving around is key.

Before starting any natural remedies talk to your doctor! For more information on what I do for water retention check out my YouTube Channel.

Be well!


Tags: Wellness

Organic Veggie Bowls

9:36 PM Elvira 0 Comments

With the summer heat here I have decided to be in the kitchen as little as possible. Though I love cooking, I hate cooking in the heat. I wanted to create a meal today that was both nutritious, quick, and packed with flavor.

I have been eating a lot of poultry lately, and to be honest with you I am pretty over it. I wanted to switch things up so I decided to make a meal that was vegetarian all the while hearty and filling.

Veggie bowls are a summer stable for me. I first started making these years ago while in line at Chipotle waiting to by my burrito bowl. I remember going through the long line thinking, "I could just make this at home." And I did. The end result was a healthy meal which allowed me to never have to wait in those long Chipotle lines again.

For this veggie bowl I focused on the local organic produce I had. These are the following vegetables I cut up and coated lightly in olive oil and balsamic vinegar: baby peppers, egg plant, onions, yellow squash, zucchini, and Roma tomatoes. In a separate bowl I cut up some sweet potatoes and coated them in about 1 tablespoon of organic coconut oil. I then placed all of these veggies on my George Foreman grill and allowed them to cook for a few minutes.




While this was cooking I mixed some cooked chopped veggies up with the Tru Roots Sprouted Rice and Quinoa blend which I purchased at Costco. For added flavor I added a bit of turmeric and curry powder to the mixture.

Once all my veggies were cooked, I measured out 1 cup of the quinoa blend and put it on half of my bowl, and then on the other side I added a handful of a organic salad blend. Next I added some of my grilled veggies, and sweet potatoes. I garnished the whole bowl with some fresh shredded carrots, green onion, and a light drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice. This bowl is to die for!




The flavors are amazing, and the mix of the veggies leaves you feeling satisfied and healthy. I love packing this for both lunch and dinners. And if you are following the Weight Watchers program this whole bowl is under 8 points. Can't beat that!



For a more in depth look at how I create this meal check out my YouTube video. 




Tags: Wellness, Recipes 

Staying Active in the Heat

8:24 PM Elvira 0 Comments

Oh my goodness it is sooo hot! I had spent the last 7 years of my life in Hawaii where yes we dealt with some hot days, but the heat here in the Pacific Northwest has been pretty miserable lately. Today we had a 97 degree plus day with enough humidity to make everyone want to hover over an air conditioning unit.

It is hard for me to get motivated and exercise when I feel this way. But I have to. I want to stick with my weight loss goals, so that means even when it is hot and sweaty outside I have to stay committed to my fitness. Little tricks that are working for me is simply changing the time of day I work out. If I work out first thing in the morning, I am able to beat the heat and get outdoors before the sun comes pounding down on me.

Another option is to work out at the end of the day. I have found that working out later in the day can sometimes be better. The sun is setting, and normally a slight breeze starts up which is always helpful when walking in the evening. I also am able to stop and admire nature a bit more at the end of the day. The evenings have been simply breathtaking here in the PNW.





If you are able to get into a pool and swim. Do so! This way you can get fit and stay cool all at the same time. I just don't have that option, so walking has been my main form of exercise.

I keep my FitBit on, and with everyday that goes by my walks are getting longer. Because I am following the Weight Watchers plan I am able to track my activity points on my WW app and it is so exciting to see the progress I am making week to week.



Whatever you do to get active-Keep it Up! I know it is hard to get motivated and get out the door, but once you do get out there make sure to get moving, get sweaty, stay hydrated, and have fun!


 



Tags: Wellness