Wednesday, January 12, 2011

One Goal Down, Another One to Go!

If you remember from my post last week, I pledged to lose 35 pounds for Horses Plus Humane Society.


I'm proud to say that I've lost 3 pounds this week, thanks, in part to the following sponsors who have supported and motivated me!

Me (had to get the ball rolling :).......$2/pound
Frederic Gutknecht............................$1/pound
Shannon Mazourek.............................$1.50/pound
Vicki Morgan.......................................$1/pound

(And if you'd still like to be a sponsor, it's not too late--just let me know!)

I also went vegan for a week in order to help Horses Plus earn $2011! It was tough, but I learned a lot, including how to make a few yummy and super healthy meals, sans meat, cheese, eggs, or milk.



One of the items I survived on this week was a tortilla (lard-free, of course) with hummus, lettuce, and a splash of balsalmic vinegarette. It was something I just threw together on the fly and it ended up being one of my favorites! I love happy accidents like that. I never would have tried it all together, if I had cheese available. The hummus was a very tasty substitute.

Another feather I get to add to my cap is the completion of one more of my 101 Things in 1001 Days items! I had wanted to go vegetarian for a week, but I blew that away and went full-out vegan.

Now, I'm sure you're asking, "Are you going to stick with it?" Well, today I did have some cheese on my bean tostada I got at lunch, but...that's all I had. I had oatmeal for breakfast and my hummus wrap and a side of spinach for dinner. It definitely helps to go without cheese for a while, because now just the little I had at lunch went a long way.

Of course, my weight loss journey is far from complete. Thirty-two pounds to go, baby. Wish me luck!

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9 comments:

Oak Creek Ranch said...

Whoo-hoo! Way to go! ...and I couldn't give up cheese forever either.

Jessie said...

Thanks so much, Annette! In the past I've had trouble staying motivated, but this is helping me to stay on track a lot. If I want to add sour cream to my meal or want a brownie, I just think of the horses. They're one of the few things I love more than food :)

Kristen Eleni Shellenbarger said...

Good LUCK! The thing about being Vegan is, you can be 100% Vegan or you can try for any percentage..either way, it's healthier! :)
Another great Vegan filling dish is steamed butternut squash!
Cube raw and nuke for 4-5 minutes with a clove of garlic. Whiz in a processor with steamed Kale (optional for more greens/calcium) with lemon, olive oil, salt and pepper. Like tasty, powerhouse good for you, 'mashed potatoes'. Great for winter time

smazourek said...

You go girl!

Don't worry, all that cheese you avoided didn't go to waste- I ate it up for you. Mmm brie.

Though now I want some butternut squash...

Nicole said...

yeah I'm not sure I could go vegan... maybe give up meat for a week, but that would probably be the extent of my luck at that! you did great though!!!

BridgeEtta said...

I learned to eat seeds and nuts together because they have complimentary amino acids which make up a complete protein. Back when I used to eat fish (just can't stomach it anymore) I ate vegan when I went to the Banff School of Fine Arts. They were fed the best meals so I switched for the time I was there and loved it. I find it is a way to eat that requires quite a bit of thought and planning, especially for cowgirls and plus, not too many of the beef producers I deal with appreciate hearing you don't eat beef.

Good luck with the weight loss thing. If I had any extra, I'd sure sponsor your goal. Great weight loss incentive.

Jessie said...

Thanks so much for the recipe, Kristen. I'm writing that one down to try! It sounds yummy!

And I love your idea about being a "percentage" vegan. I completely agree--what a good way to contribute towards good health without becoming a pain at every meal (the latter is what I am afraid of). I think I will try that--I'm sort of doing that now, naturally. I still haven't bought any cheese, milk, or eggs at the store!

Jessie said...

LOL! Shannon! I'm so relieved that cheese didn't go to waste :) BTW, I found a great recipe for mushrooms with brie that I've been dying to try some day--your comment reminded me of it!

Thanks, Nicole--it was tough, but now I'm really glad I did it :)

CCC, I can understand--I got a weird look from my dad just trying to explain I was only doing this for a week. He used to raise cattle, so not sure that a full-time vegan would set well with anyone in this area LOL. I will have to look into your suggestions on the nuts, balancing out protein that way. It's interesting!!

I also know it's really hard for people to sponsor, so for those who can't, I completely understand, and I still very much appreciate all your support!!! :)

Kristen Eleni Shellenbarger said...

Haha, I'm dying for a vegan Brie but that's like eating sugarfree chocolate. Can't do it.
I LOOOOOVE Brie and when I cheat, I usually down a wheel of it. Yes, a wheel and pay for it dearly ;)