7.09.2011

Must have been something I ate.... and my first giveaway

This is my first ever giveaway. Yep. It sure is.

I’ve mentioned Brendan Brazier’s Thrive book/diet a couple times on the blog. I have yet to fully delve into the Thrive diet as a lifestyle, but it has changed the way I think about food and has helped me learn (and enact) a lot about the veggie athlete's diet. Brendan is an amazing athlete and does so on a fully vegan diet. He’s also created a line of products called Vega. I’ve used the Vega powder in shakes and smoothies, and I must admit I’m a fan. These powders are so chock full of nutritious goodness, one feels healthy just by sniffing the package. As a veggie athlete myself, I have to be mindful of what I am and am not eating to ensure I stay healthy and energetic. Brendan's work has been extremely helpful to me in this past year - I've not only dropped nearly 20 pounds in the past 12 months, but I've also shaved more than two minutes off my average mile run time, and my most recent sprint triathlon gave me a 22 minute PR from last year's performance. I know that some of this is definitely working.

That’s why I was thrilled to be asked to review the latest book by the distributor’s of Brendan’s Thrive. Peggy Kotsopoulos has a new book, “Must Have Been Something I Ate.” This power packed volume walks you through how foods can (and do) change the way you look and feel. It makes total sense to me. The day the book showed up at my doorstep, I had just crammed a handful of Ruffles into my mouth, slathering half of them in French onion dip. I followed that up by eating two Chips Ahoy – in a span of about 6 minutes. Fast forward 15 minutes later, and I was pretty sad about what had just happened. My belly felt full and bloaty, and I actually felt greasy from the damn chips.

As I walk over to open the mail, there lies a small box and inside is Peggy’s book. It couldn’t have been more perfect timing. I took a seat and jumped right in. I've been a vegetarian for close to seven years now, but I know I could eat healthier a good chunk of the time. Plus, with my active lifestyle, I know that nutrition isn't just something that will make me feel better, but I need to get better about eating in a way that will keep my energy level high while fueling my body for training and racing.

The principles of the book are what struck me the most – while I love the specifics that are provided (what foods cause certain feelings, give us complete proteins or Omega-3s, etc), the four basic principles that Peggy lays out have continued to resonate with me. It’s pretty straightforward:

1) Don’t look at healthy eating as “cutting a bunch of stuff out.” Look at it as “adding a bunch of new stuff in.”

2) Nourish your spirit.

3) Practice mindful eating (i.e. see my ruffles/chips ahoy episode above)

4) Reach for real food.

Simple, right? But sometimes oh so hard.

Peggy gives you all the specifics about how foods affect our body function – making us tired or alert, chipper or on edge, feelin’ sexy or downright dumpy. And it’s like talking to one of your best girlfriends through the whole read. I’ll let you navigate all the specifics on what foods do what – you can tell Peggy put a massive amount of time into packing in as much nutritional info for you as possible (she’s a registered holistic nutritionist). It’s a dense read, but damn if it isn’t 100% up front about what foods you can turn to for some seriously healthy and happy eating.

Isn't it pretty? I made this! This is the Chocolate Mousse recipe from the book.
It's healthy and super tasty.

The last chunk of the book provides some recipes for you to try out Peggy’s potions and elixirs of goodness. I gave a few a shot – the chocolate mousse (see above - made with pumpkin! Shhhh!) and the apple oatmeal anti muffin muffin tops (which I think I messed up somehow – they didn’t hold together super awesome at the end). The mousse won over a 3 year old who deemed it "yummy", and I even snuck into the fridge a couple of times just to have a couple guilt free spoonfuls. It's pretty pumpkin heavy, so I look forward to impressing folks with this in the fall. Unfortunately, I think I screwed up the muffins somehow. Maybe one of you guys can make them and tell me what I did wrong!!!!

The muffin tops pre-baking. They looked exactly the same after. hmmmm.

Any of this sound interesting to you? If it does, you can learn more about the book (and Vega in general) here, and you can even try to snag a free copy of the book yourself!!! Just comment here on the blog, and next Friday, July 16, I’ll pick a winner to receive a copy of Peggy’s book! Simple as that.

Wait, I do ask one thing – let me know why you are interested. I’ll warn you now – all the recipes are vegan. And healthy. And you may have to step out of your comfort zone. Why do you want to try this now? I really want to know!!!!! Huge thanks to the folks at Sequel Naturals for allowing me a peek at the book and the opportunity to give one away. I love what you guys do, so it’s an honor to spread the word.

Thanks, all, and now back to our regularly scheduled programming………

30 comments:

Unknown said...

Oooh pick me pick me! OK, really, losing 20 pounds, dropping a minute per mile off my regular run times, and dropping 20 minutes off a sprint sound pretty SERIOUSLY GOOD. But aside from that, I'm into healthy food and veggie stuff (I eat meat, but I didn't for years and we definitely don't eat it every day in my house) and it sounds interesting. Thanks for the chance / congrats on your first giveaway!

Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's Blog said...

I am interested in the book to get some new recipes and just to learn more about the vegan thing. I have been more interested in it lately.

Patty said...

I'd love to win. I just recently became "flexitarian" meaning I'll only eat meat if I know where it came from/how it was raised/etc. so I'm eager for more knowledge of how to incorporate more vegan and vegetarian components into my everyday life. I'll definitely be checking this out.

Trish said...

I'd love to win this book. My bestie is vegan and although I am not, I am very interested in the health benefits. I definitely need to lose weight and shave time off my mile too!!

JC said...

I'm not vegan, or even vegatarian; however, my diet needs a serious makeover. I'm already a moody enough person, and I've been trying to get a grip on it for years. Running helps. But it's become obvious the past year or two that my diet and eating habits need a major make over. I'd love to get this book to help start the process, intelligently!

Ms Mae said...

I'm interested to get some new recipies for my two sisters who are vegitarian/vegan and to get an insight into what food can help with certain feelings Thanks!

amy said...

I'm surprised I've never seen your blog!! The Vega link on facebook directed me here :P PS. Would love that book.

-Amy :)

Anonymous said...

I'm always looking for healthy vegan recipes since I went vegan last year. I've seen this book all over the blog world and can't wait to read it!

Molly said...

Thank you for offering this opportunity! I would love this book as I'm a fairly new vegan after being a veg for 18 years. I really need to learn more ideas about how to feed my dear family and I KNOW they'd love these recipes! I absolutely know without a doubt that Vegan is the way to go for the rest of my life! :-)

Angela said...

I'd love to win this book, too! I've been vegetarian for 6 years and vegan for about a month. I also just recently bought my first container of Vega Whole Food Health Optimizer. I love the differences I've felt so far from changing my food intake and I'd love to have some more awesome recipes to use! Thanks for the chance to win!

Angela
angiek2004@hotmail.com

___ said...

I am vegetarian, but eat mostly vegan at home and need to expand my horizon of tasty vegan food to share with friends and family, would love to have this book!

Betsy said...

I just started using the Vega smoothie optimizer and love it. So pick me! I'd love to have a copy of this book, since I have been coveting it since I started reading Brendan's books.

noodleRoo said...

I am currently transitioning to a plant-based diet after running 2 marathons within a 3 wk period. I am hoping the new diet will help me recover faster and reach my ideal racing weight, but I need help! I am having a tough transition and figure a book like this will lead me down the right path.
Thanks for this! I love to hear about all the vegan athletes out there!

Sarah polk said...

I love being vegan & people are so interested in the diet & way of life. I train hard & maintain muscle by adding lots of vega protein as well as rice & hemp protein. Inwould love to make & share more delicious whole food recipes that support the vegan athlete!

panda vegan said...

I'd love to win this book! I've been vegan just over a year now and am always looking for great new food ideas. It really helps me stay on course to read about all the positives of a vegan diet from new voices, especially when I'm feeling whiny about having nowhere to eat out!

panda vegan said...

I've been vegan just over a year now and I'm always looking for new food ideas. It really helps me stay the course to hear new voices reaffirm all the positive aspects of a vegan diet, especially when I get whiny about not having many choices when I eat out! Thanks for the chance to win this book! It looks great!

Anonymous said...

I came across Brendan's Whole Food Optimizer about a month ago in Whole Foods. I'm sensitive to dairy, gluten, & soy, and have tried almost all the options of meal replacements out there that are vegan. But nothing has worked as well as his formula. After just 3 weeks of adding 1 shake a day to my regimen, I have lost 4 lbs and am also seeing how I recover faster from my runs/workouts. I know this lifestyle works and is the most ideal, but don't really know where to go from here. I believe the book would help guide me and give me the confidence that I need to really dive into the vegan lifestyle.

Jade said...

I'm not vegan, vegetarian or a strict carnivore! But I'm interested in how GOOD, healthy food supports farmers, our health and our creativity, (I'm thinking raw vegan ice cream...mmm....). I'd love to win the book and whip up some of those delicious recipes!

Cindy N said...

Oooo, pick me, pick me, please! I'm not sure what I would "call" myself in terms of my eating lifestyle, however, I am on a journey of changing my relationship with food. This is not only for me and my benefit, but also for the benefit of those around me, especially my daughter (currently 3 years old). I want to instill a healthy relationship with food in her early on :) Thanks for the opportunity to get this book

Ana said...

Omg, how can I not be interested in this book?? Delicious vegan recipes, full of flavor and delicious ingredients, gosh all the reviews I have seen of this book were so positive, I can't wait to get a copy of my own!
As a nutritionist to be this kind of book interests me more than anything, I would love to try the recipes you mentioned and many others I have seen on a few other blogs.
This is a great giveaway, I have my fingers crossed here!
Ana

MissDionne said...

I have always been the unhealthiest eater. I have been lucky to be blessed with great genes where I do not gain weight. I play a lot of sports so I always ate junk because I knew it wouldn't effect my performance. Now that I am older, I notice I do not have the energy or stamina to be out all day and the weight is slowly coming on. I read the thrive diet and I am now a vegetarian, not a vegan. I want to be a vegan but I find it really tough because I am so use to eating cheese And dairy. I would like to win this book so I can take the next step in improving my health

Helen said...

I would be thrilled to win a copy of this book!! It's hard to find good recipes, especially ones that you can convince children to consume ;) So please PICK ME <3

Karen Wiens said...

Please pick me! :) I've been a vegan for 3 years and I need some new ideas and inspiration! I'm currently training to run my 4th marathon but to change things up I am running this one barefoot! Well, in vibram 5 fingers. I'm really interested in her thoughts about how food can affect your mood. I know I run to balance myself out and I'm wondering what I can eat to help with that too! Thanks so much!

Susan said...

Would love a copy of the book! I have read Brendans first book, and now reading his second. I have recently completed an IgG blood test that resulted in Eggs and all Dairy, Soy, and can Sugar to be big allergy offenders ... and I don't eat much meat ... so Vegan ... here I come!

Anthony said...

I have been a vegan for 6 years and am beginning to train for my first Triathlon. I literally finished Thrive two days ago and am looking for more recipes and pointers on how to improve my nutrition and get the most out of my food.

Bre said...

Wow. Those look GOOD. I have just gotten into vegan foods over the last two months and I have noticed some friendly changes in my body! I'll be back to read more on your blog!

Bre said...

I am loving the looks of these goods on your page! I just started experimenting with veganism about two months ago and already see friendly effects on my body! I will be back to your blog to learn more!

Louise said...

I already have the book and I think it's the most awesome book I have ever owned. The recipes are super yummy and the book is so educational, so I want to give it to everyone I know. I will definitely be buying more books to help on my crusade so getting one for free would be a BONUS!!!

KovasP said...

I really enjoyed Brendan's book but frankly it seemed like a lot of work. This book sounds more accessible.

Unknown said...

I am seriously off track with my nutrition. I have tried vegan/vegetarian before I have slid backwards do to several reasons that I won't bore you with but I do know that when I was eating healthier I felt better. Even as I write this my stomach is revolting over what I ate for lunch!!!