|
Meet Brooke, a vegan ultra runner from Arizona with vibrant passion for nature and the untouched earth. She loves running the trails, hanging out with friends and meeting new people. "I believe that experiences, good or bad, are far better than material possessions! " - Brooke  How long have you been vegan? 2.5 years What led you to become vegan? Personal beliefs Do you have any influencers or favorite books? The book, Skinny Bitch opened my eyes to horrors of factory farming. It is horrifying what factory farming has done to our planet and how people can justify murder and indifference towards life. It's all so unnecessary and demonstrates just how sick our society has become, not only in their mentally but also with the diseases they are creating for themselves. What sports, activities, adventures do you do? I'm an ultra runner, mostly in trails. Connecting with nature and the untouched earth gives me energy and renews my soul. My husband, kids and I have hiked the Grand Canyon, Havasu Falls and many other trails eating plant based foods. Our next adventure is hiking the PCT in California. Do you have any big events or races planned for 2015? I'm currently training for my first 100k this October. The Javalina 100. How does eating vegan improve your performance? I have more energy eating whole grains and plant based proteins. I'm also in a better place mentally now that I have eliminated animal products from my diet and lifestyle. I just feel really good!  What are your favorite 5 top things to eat? Avocado, bean and corn wraps. These are easy to carry and perfect for my long runs. How about bars and smoothies? I don't really eat bars or drink smoothies. I preferred to eat as little chemically, genetically modified or preserved food. Explain your nutrition routine. Before I head out for my run, long or short doesn't matter, I will eat half a slice of a whole wheat bagel with almond butter. During my shorter runs (8-12 miles) I don't usually eat but hydrate with NUUN and maybe half a peanut butter sandwich. My long runs and for races I carry wraps and eat soups (black bean, pea or lentil) at my checkpoints. Real food is so satisfying as opposed to a gel pack.
 What essential tips do you have for athletes moving to 100% plant-based? Use fuel foods that are easy to carry and will provide between 100 to 200 calories per serving per hour. In as few words as possible, what does being a VEGAN ATHLETE mean to you? Life! What is your motto? Your mantra? Do you have a famous quote? It is what it is. Stay connected with Brooke: Twitter: @aztrailrunner2 Want to be interviewed for a future article?
Comments
Meet Katrina Ji, a professional vegan dancer in Seattle with a wealth of dance experience. Katrina teaches and perform Bollywood, Belly Dance, Bhangra and Rajasthani Folk Dance. She has numerous outstanding certifications. (Learn more here) A vegan of 18 years, Katrina truly values and respects her vegan lifestyle. "Being vegan means having a better quality of life"- Katrina
What sports, activities, adventures do you do? I'm a professional dancer. I teach and perform Bollywood, Belly Dance, Bhangra and Rajasthani Folk Dance Do you have any big events or races planned for 2015? Yes. My group is performing at Ananda Mela Festival in Redmond Town Square Sat Jul 25, we are hosting a Bollywood Dance Festival Oct 8-11, and performing at Seattle Children's Festival Oct 11. Follow us on Facebook to find out about more events Http://Facebook.com/cultureshakti How does eating vegan improve your performance? Being vegan keeps me clear headed and lean
What's your primary source of essential fatty acids (EFAs)? Flax Seeds/Oil What are you go to choices for complete proteins (including all essential amino acids)? Hemp seeds What are your other favorite plant proteins? Beans (all varieties) What essential tips do you have for athletes moving to 100% plant-based? As long as you keep snacks with you at all times, it's easy and feels great! Almonds and fruits make great snacks. In as few words as possible, what does being a VEGAN ATHLETE mean to you? Better quality of life What is your motto? Your mantra? Do you have a famous quote? No negative inner dialogue Learn more about Katrina: http://cultureshaktidance.com http://rajasthanigypsycaravan.com http://Facebook.com/cultureshakti Want to be interviewed for a future article?
Meet Sami Page, an all around vegan athlete and D1 soccer player from Seattle. Sami's inspiration and passion for Veganism is contagious! Her positive energy really shows what a vegan lifestyle means. Sami also runs a rockin' food Instagram called @dudethatsmyfood, so be sure to check it out! "Being vegan makes me energized, awake, and light when I compete!" - Sami
What sports, activities, adventures do you do? I played D1 soccer at the University of Washington. I also enjoy doing yoga, hiking, and running on my off days. Do you have any big events or races planned for 2015? Now that my soccer career is over I don't compete in anything too serious. I mostly stay active for pleasure and not so much more competition anymore. How does eating vegan improve your performance? Being vegan makes me energized, awake, and light when I compete!  What are your favorite 5 top things to eat? Dates and almond butter, tacos/burritos, veggie sushi, and a good tofu scramble How about bars and smoothies? Lara bars and Luna bars! I had one just about every single day before early morning soccer practices Explain your nutrition routine. Before I work out I typically have some kind of nutrition bar (Luna or Cliff) and a banana. During my workout, I stick to water and avoid sugary Gatorade drinks because they just make me feel more thirsty. If I did some kind of activity by myself like yoga or running I love coming home and making a huge fruit and spinach smoothie with various 'boosts' I have in my pantry like flax seed, chia seed, hemp seed, or a scoop of plant based protein powder. My favorite protein powder is MRM Veggie Protein Vanilla. I love to top my smoothies with refined sugar free granola or more chia/hemp seed. Post soccer game I was always given a pre-ordered meal that was usually a Chipotle burrito bowl (sofitas and black beans for protein!) or a sandwich. The night before a big soccer game we typically went to an Italian place to a good carb heavy meal. I always stuck to a tomato based sauce and had the restaurant add extra grilled vegetables to whatever entree I got. What's your primary source of essential fatty acids (EFAs)? Hemp Seeds/Oil What are you go to choices for complete proteins (including all essential amino acids)? Soy What are your other favorite plant proteins? Beans (all varieties) Chickpeas Broccoli  What essential tips do you have for athletes moving to 100% plant-based? Don't over due the amount of vegetables you eat before working out because it can cause a lot of bloating. Make sure you are eating substantial calories for the amount of activity you are doing. Make sure you get in your post work out protein! Bars and shakes are perfect and easy. Don't let people convince you that you will be weaker, slower, and tired from sticking to a plant based diet and being an athlete. You don't need animal products to be strong and healthy. Get educated and do your research! In as few words as possible, what does being a VEGAN ATHLETE mean to you? Thriving What is your motto? Your mantra? Do you have a famous quote? Keep your body strong, mind sharp, soul nourished, and spirit positive. Want to be interviewed for a future article?
"We’ve found a new way to eat and most importantly a new energy and respect for our bodies." - #TEAMALDER  In late April of this year, I finally decided that enough was enough. I don’t know that it was conscious but it was just something that happened. As I began, for the 100th time to search for ways to lose weight and be healthy, I decided that I was the only one that could make this change. I decided that my brand of health did not have to be like everyone else's. I knew what worked for me but doing it was a whole different story. Rewind 3 years before this day in April. I had been vegan over 6 months, loved every minute, weighed 135 pounds (10 pounds less than in high school), exercised daily, and didn’t think much of it. I knew I was healthy but had no idea how fit my body really was. That May, I met my now wife, and fell in love in a matter of days (hey, when ya know, ya know). I stayed vegan for several months until I had that first ice cream cone on vacation. From there my wife and I went on journey of eating what we wanted when we wanted and it often was not healthy. We were both incredibly healthy until you put us together! During that time we also went on a spiritual journey together and this I believe is where the miracle of us really began. We began to live our lives from kindness, love, giving, and positivity and tried to do everything we could to make that what we did naturally. Granted we were still eating like crap but our spirits were growing together. We were told that once the spirit straightened out the mind and body would follow. And it has…  We have not arrived. We are not at the end but we are at a new beginning for us. In April of this year I decided to return to a way of eating that has spoken to me deep inside for almost 5 years now. I was laying in bed 166 pounds, tired, stressed, wanting to quit my job, and searching the internet for some inspiration. I had started reading some vegan blogs again. I eventually came across Miss Bellevue Vegan. I was sure she was too good to be true. $75 for a month of boot camp with her? No way, I don’t believe it. This is just what I had been looking for, affordable support…who was this person and when can I meet her! I emailed her, we met, and everything she said made total sense. She didn’t have to convince me that going vegan was a better way to eat, I already knew that. She just believed in me and educated me. That night I was lying in bed telling my wife about working with her and she decided she would try this 33 day boot camp challenge too. And we started yet another phase of our relationship together. Our teamwork is what has made every phase, every hiccup, every challenge, every success work, because we are committed to doing better for each other and for our family. Our food and our health was the next natural step.  So she signed up with Kristin the next day and within a few days we were off to the races. The first three days were intense, mainly because our bodies were detoxing from so much sugar and processed food. After the detox phase passed, our energy level rose, our skin cleared, and our blood sugar stabilized (I even had someone tell me my hair looked different!). The first two weeks working with Kristin we eliminated everything from our diet that she suggested we eliminate (wheat, gluten, soy, corn, sugar, caffeine, and of course, dairy and meat). We slowly worked fruit back in. I tried to work wheat, gluten and soy back in, but discovered my body doesn’t like these items much so now that I generally try to steer clear of them all. We almost never eat processed sugar (except for a vegan cupcake or treat for a birthday). And, on the whole, we don’t miss any of the foods from before.  We’ve found a new way to eat and most importantly a new energy and respect for our bodies. Shopping is an adventure, cooking is something we do together, new recipes are ways to jump out of a rut and our family is getting used to it too. They have healthy options for us at cookouts, they ask us what is vegan, and of course, they poke fun too. But what has changed for me is that when they poke fun, I no longer take it to heart and let it deter my direction. I just play along and eat my vitamin rich food with an understanding that it’s about so much more than food to me. It’s about listening to the voice inside that says I can do better and be better and then going out and doing it, even when it’s hard and even when it’s unpopular. I am my greatest advocate for my health. Thanks Miss Bellevue Vegan for helping my wife and I get enough new routine, behaviors, and positive reinforcement under our belt to do different. Thanks for the food journals, the thoughtful responses, the education, and the passion with which you work. Team Alder is on it’s vegan way and we’ve only just begun! Team Alder Stats |
Kristin WuhrmanOwner of BEVEGAN® Grassroots Health. Board Certified Holistic Health Coach. AKA Miss Bellevue Vegan. Plant-Based Health Consultant. Vegan Athlete. Outdoor Enthusiast. Outdoor Gear Reviewer. Author. Cotopaxi Local Ambassador. Animal Lover. Dreamer. Believer. Categories
All
Archives
September 2017
Stay in the Know!Sign up for Grassroots Hemp emails to be the first to learn of new recipe posts, plant-based learnings and more.
|
