FAQ

What is your favorite food?

Spinach!!!  I drink it, I eat it raw, and I eat it cooked.  You’ll probably see me snacking on it like chips.  Hopefully you don’t catch me with spinach teeth.  I just love it.  It’s so good for you and I love how fresh and sweet spinach can be.

What is the strangest thing you ate? 

Stinky tofu – It’s not for me, but it’s a delicacy and definitely a required taste.

Are you vegan? 

Although I post a lot of vegan recipes, I am not vegan.  Vegans do not consume or use any animal products (e.g. no meat, fish, eggs, dairy, and honey).  Strict vegans are very careful about processed foods and even the type of oil that goes into their food.  I eat clean and continue to follow mostly a plant-based diet.  I did consume a vegan diet for a year to jumpstart my health.  I remain a big advocate of veganism, because it taught me a lot about my body – what it likes and what it doesn’t.  I highly recommend going vegan for a week or even a month, but remember to consult with your doctor/health professionals.  My philosophy is living a healthy and balanced lifestyle (physically and mentally).  Find what is right for you to nourish your body and mind.

How often do you eat?

My appetite varies day-to-day, so I listen to my body.  I typically get hungry every 3 hours, so can eat up to 5-6 small meals a day.  I also stop when I’m about 80% full.

What products do you use for your skin?

I don’t use products on a daily basis.  I have to thank my mom for her good genes and for telling me this.  My mom is in her 60’s but she looks like she’s in her 40’s.  The most I would use is face wash and baby lotion (for winter months).  I drink a lot of water and I believe that’s key to having clear skin.

What do you typically eat in a day?

• I start off with ½ lemon and 12 oz. of room temperature water when I wake up.  Lemon water keeps your body alkaline for optimal health and metabolic function.
• For breakfast I make myself a nice glass of green juice and other days I’ll have gluten-free oatmeal with a touch of maple syrup.
• I have a salad for lunch almost every day, but on occasions I’ll have a wrap, soup, or open-face sandwich.
• I get hungry around 4, so I might have a handful of nuts or a slice of toast w/peanut butter.  If I’m hungry after my workout I’ll have a vegan protein shake or banana.  I also drink coconut water after a tough workout to quickly rehydrate myself.
• I will either have a big salad for dinner or a side salad with something healthy that my husband cooks up.  He’s an amazing cook and it’s a privilege to have your hubby cook for you.
• Who can pass up dessert?  I’ll have a dark chocolate square or dates with almonds.  Sometimes I’ll whip up some yummy vegan sweets, so will have a small portion of that.
• Before bed, I’ll have apple cider vinegar with water or herbal tea.
• I drink about 3 liters to 1 gallon of water a day.  It’s a lot of water but it’s so good for you.

What’s your workout routine?

It depends on the time of year and my mood.  I can say that I do 60% cardio/HIIT workouts, 30% strength training, 10% yoga/pilates.  I’m usually indoors during the winter months, so I can do something like Asylum/P90x or I make up my own workouts (will share this in future posts).  I tend to gain muscle this time of year, but come spring I’ll try to lean out with long distance running.  I just make sure I mix it up, so I’m having fun and I don’t hit a plateau.

What are your go-to kitchen/workout gadgets?

• Breville Juicer – Two words “Green Juice”
• Ninja Blender – Most people have a Vitamix, but I love my Ninja.  My brother and sister got this for me and I use this every day for smoothies, dressings, soups, or desserts.
• Garmin – A very handy watch to tell me how far I run and how fast I run.  It keeps me honest.
• Fanny pack – I might look silly but I hate holding my cell phone and keys when I run, so I keep it in my cool fanny pack.

If you have any specific questions feel free to contact me through my Facebook page.