Susan G Komen 5k

Susan G Komen received a lot of bad press a few weeks ago when they decided they were pulling the portion of their budget that they used to donate to Planned Parenthood. After all of the backlash from the media and from "The People" they realized this was a bad idea. I fully support Planned Parenthood, however I have to say that those people who were talking shit about Susan G Komen and the race coming up in March in Los Angeles are insane. Let's be honest, at the end of the day what Susan G Komen does for breast cancer research is amazing. I'm behind the organization 100% and that's why this year I will be running in the Susan G Komen for the Cure 5k in L.A.

I'm running in honor of my Nana. 82 years old and fighting breast cancer for the second time, bless her heart. And yet, she's such a firecracker I can tell when she's feeling better based on her activity on Facebook!



I could really use your support in this adventure, so with that said even if you can only donate $1, every little bit helps. It's safe to say at this point I doubt you dont know SOMEONE who has been effected by this disease - please consider participating in this fundraiser in some way to honor those people. Whether it be donating, or running/walking yourself, it's really a great cause to stand behind (and yes all you boys out there I'm equally supportive of Movember and your little prostates, so stay tuned for November this year....).

Go Donate! (thankyouall)

Farm Fresh to You

About a month ago my co-worker suggested I try a fruit/vegetable delivery serviceShe had been using it for awhile and even though she didn't cook she loved the fresh fruits. After a few weeks of her bringing me vegetables she wasn't going to use so I could cook with them, I finally just gave in and bought the service for myself. Farm Fresh To You is amazing. I purchased the small box of mixed fruit and vegetables ($25), which I receive once every other week. I seriously have become a little kid on Christmas opening my box when it arrives. Last week this was the list of vegetables I received -

1 Head of Romaine Lettuce
3 Apples
3 Oranges
3 Pears
1 Bundle Baby Bok Choy
1 Small bag of potatoes
2 HUGE Leeks (I mean you should have seen these things)
1 Head of Orange Cauliflower (which contains 25x the level of vitamin A than white varieties)
+ a bunch of other stuff I can't even think of right now....(it's been a long day)

You bet your bottom dollar I made the best potato leek cauliflower soup this side of the Mississippi! Don't worry, you will get your little hands on my recipe eventually, but for now just believe me, my soup was BOMB. And next week, I get to come up with MORE recipes based on what's in my box!

The best news is that today there just so happens to be a Living Social for the service. Go get it! What's the harm of trying it out? You may fall in love just as I have, and then....and only then will your life be complete. (wow - I should be paid for that kind of promotion).

Until next time....

PETA Ads

I can't even tell you how many people have been talking to me about the new PETA ads that are out.

I feel the need to comment. There are many studies available today that show the benefits of vegetarian or vegan lifestyles on your sex life.
No shit we have better sex than you...and this is hilarious:


Okay he didn't beat her, he just sexed her up. So all you haters CALM DOWN! :)

And this one, let me tell you, that's exactly how I spend my Friday nights. At home alone with an oiled up broccoli....it's like they are spying on me!



but seriously, I've been a vegetarian for 3 years now, and what Veg doesn't have a love affair with their vegetables? I mean really.... Controversial? I say amazing. Frankly I'm impressed PETA...well done... you've won this battle.

Vegan Party Dip

A few days ago I started experimenting with a layer dip that I could start bringing with me to parties. I realize this isn't the most cost effective solution (Tofutti products can be super expensive), but for entertaining, or to be sure there is a Vegan snack at a party, I definitely recommend this -

Brittany's 7 Layer Dip for Athletes (who party)-

Layer 1 - Large can of Refried Beans (fat free is best, no meat added obviously)
Layer 2 - Tofutti Sour Cream Mixed with Taco Seasoning (ingredients below)
Layer 3 - Guacamole (Check Superbowl Post for recipe)
Layer 4 - Nutritional Yeast
Layer 5 - Diced tomatoes
Layer 6 - Sliced Olives (can is fine)
Layer 7 - Chopped Japapenos (Jar works)



My first version didn't have olives or jalapeños, but both would be GREAT additions.

Taco Seasoning Mix - 1 TBS Cumin, 2 tsp Chili Powder, 1/4 tsp Cayenne, 1/2 TBS Onion Powder, 2 tsp Garlic powder, 2 tsp Paprika, salt and pepper to taste.


On another note, for a great power track (best for climbing in spin, or holding a pose in yoga) try "Sail" by AWOLNATION.
And for your next run mix make sure to check out "Shuffle" by Bombay Bicycle Club.

Dig it.

Manifestation Yoga - Courage

I could never have asked for a better yoga teacher than Jennifer Pastiloff. Week after week I walk away from class with a new mantra on life and an amazing, confident perception of my self.  Our class this morning was about Courage - we reflected on the courage that we have, and the places in our life that we could use more. One of my favorite quotes that Jenn recites in class is from Eleanor Roosevelt:

“You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.” 


Isn't that true? How often do you think about the people who spend the most time around you? Constantly  we are worried about what everyone around us thinks of our every decision in life. The truth is, they aren't thinking about it at all, so why do we care? 


The theme of the class today was courage.


My new concept of courage is doing whatever I feel is best for myself, because no matter how much I protest, no one really cares what I'm doing or even thinks about it. So be yourself, be confident, and please, please #1 stay healthy and happy.


After a 9:30am yoga class we headed to a new lunch spot with AMAZING vegan options. We ordered a gluten free pizza with kale and caramelized onions and a Shiitake and tofu lettuce wrap appetizer. Vegan never tasted so good. Heaven on earth - 



Talk about a great start to a hungover Vegan Saturday. Love. Life.

What if there was a Zombie attack?

Would you be prepared if Zombies took over the world? Thanks to my friend Andrew I will be starting an intense training program from now until October to make sure that I'm prepared to slaughter and run away from any zombies I may come across. Oh yes I'm talking about the annual Run for Your Lives 5k Zombie run.

Nothing looks cooler than This. Nothing.

Excuse me while I go prepare, Pea Protein shake and shopping for the appropriate water guns here I come....

Old school Super Soaker anyone?

Biggest Loser Night

My roommates and I have a tradition of watching every season of The Biggest Loser together. I love this show, mostly for the awesome tips and facts, like pinto beans have more antioxidants than blackberries! Three years ago I would cook a fatty dinner, sit down with a bottle of wine and watch the show with my old roommate. Now, our traditions have changed. Tonight we waited until everyone has showered after their night workouts to watch the show together. I cook a healthy, vegan meal and drink my protein shake in place of a glass of wine. This show can be such an inspiration, and nothing feels better than going into it feeling accomplished and exhausted, instead of fat and lazy.

That's my mantra for the week - find something that inspires you. Take that inspiration and make a change in your life for the better. Focusing on your health is one of the best decisions you can make. Git it.

My First Vegan "Cheese" Sauce!

I'm seeing my personal trainer early tomorrow morning so I decided to try a new recipe for Vegan Alfredo sauce to make a pasta. I found this recipe from the blog Oh She Glows and it is amazing! I added a bit more soy sauce, lemon and garlic (I'm a huge garlic lover), but otherwise it was just what I was looking for.


You can add anything you want to the sauce. I tried it with a spinach pasta, steamed broccoli, fresh spinach and sauteed mushrooms for lots of added protein. Now I can expect a big workout tomorrow, full of energy!! I love that there are great substitutes and recipes out there for my favorite food in the world....cheese! Things just got a little more interesting folks.

Superbowl Sunday

As a hard core Patriots fan, born and raised in Massachusetts, I am one crushed pup today. However, I did make a bomb guacamole for Superbowl that I'm still willing to share.


Guacamole Recipe -

2 Avocados
Half a Lemon
1 Clove of Garlic
1 Large Tomato diced

Mash the avocados together then add in the tomatoes. To the mix add the juice of half a lemon and shred in a clove of garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Boom, easy, perfect and delicious.

This has also become a lifeline for me when it comes to events like Superbowl - http://www.barnivore.com/

Vegan Protein

I've started reading the book "The China Study" to read up on the advantages of a whole foods vegan diet and although I've come to find you can get the amount of protein you need from eating full well rounded whole foods vegetable meals. However, as an active person I know that added protein will still help me gain muscle mass and enhance performance.

My newest discovery is Pea Protein - the benefits you ask? Vegan Plant based protein, gluten free, 0 grams of fat and 1 carbohydrate. It comes in at only 105 calories per scoop, and it tastes great! I mix a scoop of pea protein with half water and half vanilla hemp milk. It actually tastes like a vanilla milkshake, perfect for a sweet craving. Another good trick is to slip it into a smoothy. It seriously has a better after taste than most proteins and it doesn't hurt your stomach like some do. I cannot get enough!

Supplement Facts

Serving Size: 1 Scoop (35 g)

Servings per Container: 23

	Amount Per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	105	*
Calories from Fat	0	*
Total Fat	0 g	0%
Saturated Fat	0 g	0%
Trans Fat	0 g	*
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Sodium	290 mg	12%
Potassium	0 mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate (1,000 mg)	1 g	0%
Dietary Fiber	0 mg	0%
Sugar	0 mg	*
Sugar Alcohol (4,000 mg)	4 g	*
Protein (25,000 mg)	25 g	*

*Daily value not established.

Other Ingredients: Pea protein isolate, xylitol, natural vanilla flavor and stevia.

Free Of

Corn, yeast, barley, wheat, soy, lactose, gluten, citrus, fish, dairy, egg products, as well as added flavorings, salt, preservatives, salicylates, artifical colors and coatings.

The Ultimate Running Playlist

Nothing is better than a great dinner - followed by a nice long run in the AM to start your morning out right. Last night I made a fantastic quinoa pasta with sauteed mushrooms, arugula and a simple lemon sauce. This morning I had a nice, long 6 mile run at the gym, and my playlist.... perfect. Some of the gems...

1. Rocket - Radio Ink

2. How You Are I Never - Shuteye

3. Comeback Kid - Sleigh Bells

4. Derezzed - Daft Punk

5. Collect Call - Metric

6. Raise Your Weapon - Deadmau5

7. Ass Back Home - Gym Class Heroes

8. Lights Out - Natalia Kills

9. Crave You - Flight Facilities

10. Sail - AWOLNATION

In short....you're welcome. And let me tell you, I feel fantastic without dairy in my life. Day 2 was amazing! Ready to continue this journey.

The start of an experiment

We'll call this day 1. The start of my first month Vegan. I'm setting out to explore a few misconceptions people have about being Vegan and achieving optimal health and fitness levels. Now, already you may be asking yourself, "how do YOU qualify to tell me that someone can be Vegan and also be a healthy well rounded athlete?". I don't. In fact I don't even qualify a little bit. I'm just a girl who LOVES working out and trying new activities, I've been a vegetarian only three years, and I've never tried a Vegan diet before. This just so happens to make me the perfect experiment - together we can learn tips and tricks for Vegan athletes, learn from the professionals and discover the benefits of a full on Vegan lifestyle. Let the games begin.