Friday, November 27, 2015

Vegan at Disney

Eating well while traveling, it's hard. Being a vegan and traveling... Even harder! However, Disney accommodates all types of dietary needs and are very good for a vegan lifestyle! As a Disney Cast Member and avid park goer, I have found many nooks and crannies and tried many of the delicious vegan options, and want to share my knowledge with all those worried about being able to eat at the resort! Below are some of my favorite vegan Disney meals and some others listed I haven't tried or taken pictures of!

Sunshine Seasons (in the Land) at Epcot!
Vegan korma with Gardein Meatless Chik'n- with jasmine rice.
Highly recommend, so tasty!

Also pictured: veggie roll with avocado, cucumber and ginger!

My mom and I enjoying the 2015 International Food and Wine Festival! They only had two vegan options however, a vegan Korean BBQ in South Korea (using Gardein beefless tips, very good), and Vegan Moussaka in Greece.

My go to: Morocco's quick service- Vegetarian platter! Hummus, olives, salad, falafel, couscous, and lentils! Very filling, healthy, and delicious. 10/10

Craving ice cream on a hot day? The ice cream shop on Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom serves Tofutti and Rice Dream! Ask for flavors, they sometimes change. I believe the Electric Umbrella at Epcot sells as well.

Vegan Brownie Sunday at 50s Prime Time Cafe at Hollywood Studios, chef made for us on my 23rd birthday! Fantastic. They have recently changed their meat balls from vegan to vegetarian, containing egg now. Big disappointment their spaghetti and meatballs was a favorite in the fun environment.


Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC (formerly BabyCakes) is a vegan and gluten free bakery with all sorts of delicious treats at Disney Springs!

Also at Hollywood Studios, at Pizza Planet you can request dairy free Daiya cheese on your pizza! Very good.

Not Pictured Vegan Spots!
-Restaurant Marrakesh in Morocco at Epcot
-Veggie Burger at Sci Fi Cafe at Hollywood Studios
-Lighthouse Sandwich (without the broccoli slaw) at Magic Kingdom
-Veggie Burger at Cosmic Rays Primetime Cafe at Magic Kingdom
-Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge is known to be very vegan friendly

Also, Disney is very accommodating! If you ask ahead, the chefs are more than happy to create a delicious meal for you! Feel free to email or comment with questions :)

Health and happiness!

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

You Know You're A Runner When...

I never expected to become a runner, maybe I could have seen myself as a bi-weekly jogger, but never as someone who stuck to a schedule and ran races. Pretty sure my family did not expect this either. There is a stigma involved with running, "Oh, those people." As in the people that do crazy things to their bodies, waking up at ungodly hours, and the constant chatter about their training. Now that I am part of the club, here is my list of when you know you're a runner:

You know you're a runner when:


  • You have more running shoes than regular shoes.
  • You start getting picky about casual shoes and actually start buying shoes for comfort.
  • A pedicure is no longer about having pretty toe nails but to get off the callous.
  • Your laundry consists of running clothes only.
  • Everything you eat is carefully decided, whether for the nutrient content or how it's going to make you feel for the next run.
  • Carbs are your best friend.
  • You are eternally hungry.
  • You spend more money on races than vacations. You also pick races on their location so you can make it a vacation.
  • Going to bed early is a must.
  • You wake up before the sun on your weekend to do your "long run."
  • Laundry mainly consists of running clothes, and you never allow anyone else to do them for you (no dryer!)
  • Wearing real people clothes happens quite infrequently.
  • Your Garmin (or other watch) is your best friend.
  • All you want to do is talk about running.
  • You stretch wherever, and whenever you can. Your roller also travels with you.
  • You have worn compression socks under pants in public.
  • You cannot run a race until you poop. (TMI, but it's incredibly true.)
  • Water is your bff.
  • You get angry when you can't run, or when you haven't run in a few days.
  • Running partially injured is always an option. Not running is worse.
  • You can't function through a day without running.
  • You are always planning and thinking about your next run.
  • You keep a spare running outfit in your car (just in case.)
  • You may be broke because races are just too fun.
  • You just love running and can't get enough!!
A short list, but I hit all the statements that really pertain to me! 

Also, sorry friends. I am an obsessive runner, I love it. And I will probably try to convince you to start running!

Peace, and running :)

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

St. Augustine Half Marathon

Following my Marathon training plan, this past week called for a 13 mile run, and I decided I wanted to race it and found the St. Augustine Half Marathon to perfectly fit into my plan! 

My dad (aka biggest running supporter) drove up to Orlando and picked me up Saturday morning for the trip. We got to St. Augustine at lunch time and headed to our favorite little cafe for lunch. The Manatee, recommended for all! Healthy, delicious, and lots of vegan options. We got the hummus and tabbouleh appetizer, a veggie burger and vegan Reuben to split. Carb loading at its best, plus I'm always starving.


The Reuben above, veggie burger below! Dad got a side of quinoa veggie soup and I opted for fruit.


Afterwards, we checked into our hotel, and walked to the expo to pick up my packet for the race the next morning. We walked down the historic area to St. George street amongst the many little shops and got a pumpkin pie Popsicle from my favorite Popsicle place!

Then, we strolled to the fort and made our way back to the hotel where we tested a bit before heading to sushi to carb load for the morning. I got a cucumber roll and an avocado roll, very tasty. 

Before I knew it, I was waking up for race morning! I got dressed, ate my banana and cold brew coffee, and drove to the race. We over compensated how long and busy it would be and were there pretty early. It was a small race of only 1,200 runners which is my favorite kind of race. I ate my honey stinger waffle right before the start and we were off at 7am after a moment of silence for Paris. 






The run began at the Fort and traveled over the famous Bridge of Lions to Anastasia Island. I was feeling amazing, so thankful for my safety, my many blessings, my father who is so supportive in every single thing I do, my body for being strong and allowing me to run, and living in a country that I can freely run in! The race turned over a huge bridge, .25 up, and then an immediate turn around and back over the bridge. Not fun. Then the race continued through the National Park of beachfront Anastasia Island, breathtaking sand dunes and streets covered in mossy trees. My knee began to flare up and send shooting pain at mile 9 but I dug deep and pushed through set on setting a PR.

The last 4 miles flew by, I started out running way too fast almost a minute faster per mile than I wanted, and eventually slowed down towards the end. One more time over the Bridge of Lions, past the fort and finished with a PR of 2:06:27!!! A 7 minute PR for myself, which I am so proud of. After my horrible long run the week prior I really didn't know that was possible. But when you believe in yourself, anything can happen! And I am hungry for that Marathon in January.



A post run breakfast of tofu scramble at The Manatee Cafe, and we were headed home. Shout out to No Meat Athlete for the perfect new race shirt!! You can find it here: store.nomeatathlete.com





Peace and running friends :)


Sunday, November 15, 2015

Let's Be Gentler

I could talk all day about how running makes me a better human, but in every way possible it truly makes me a better person. A more patient person, you can't fast forward a run. You have to take every step. Kinder, it makes me kinder to myself and to others, you can't think bad thoughts when you are doing something you love.

Above all, it makes me more gentle. And at this time, especially now, I think the world needs this. Now this may be very controversial to talk about so soon but I think it is a perspective others need to consider. The attacks on Paris and Beirut this past week were horrifying and unforgivable. I cannot even fathom the sorrow from those who lost loved ones, the Parisians, and the people of France. Our world has darkness in it, and darkness has left its mark and shown its face openly this week.

However, the way to improve peace in this dark world is to always be gentle. Be gentle with your word and actions to others, always. Speak kindly about all. This includes ALL countries of the Earth, and all its inhabitants. We are one people living on this rock floating through time together. We do not need to be separated by borders, cultures, races, nor religions. This week we are not praying for Paris, we are hoping for peace for mankind.

To all whom we meet, those traveling who may not speak our language; be patient. We all share the same bond of humanity. Language does not separate us. To those believing other religions; be understanding. Do not raise your beliefs above theirs and do not criticize theirs for what they think. Islam is not bad, the radical sectors of the religion like ISIS and the Taliban are. Be educated and know the difference. Be open, allow your heart to be open to those that need your heart. The world needs our heart, Syria, the entire Middle East, Paris, they need our heart and understanding. Bombs are not quieted by bombs.

We are not praying for Paris, we are praying for the world. But even more, we are working to improve the world. Let's take our activism another step; instead of sharing the same logo of peace or changing your profile picture to a French flag do something that makes a difference. Get off your computer and go into the world. Be accepting with everyone you meet. Be more patient when you are driving and lay off your horn. Do not hurry others at the checkout line. Say hello to someone with their head down. Strike up a conversation with the lonely person in a coffee shop. Call your mom. Quiet your negative thoughts. Imagine a world where you didn't have someone angrily honking behind you at a stoplight. Peace starts here. Peace starts small. Share kindness to everyone you meet and everyone you see. 






Tuesday, November 3, 2015

When You Can't "Just Keep Swimming"

Some days, you just can't. No, I am not trying to sound like an 18 year old valley girl that "literally just can't", but today I knew I had to quit. I have been trying to obsessively follow a marathon training plan for my half marathon on November 15, and my first full marathon on January 31. I have a schedule for my runs and workouts following the plan basically to a T, and today called for 12 miles. I do all of my long runs typically on Tuesdays, sometimes Wednesdays pending on my work schedule. So yesterday, I turned down invitations from friends to hangout after my 11 hour shift, came home to eat my dinner of brown rice, veggies, and tempeh, and hit the sack by 9:30pm.


My alarm sounded at 6:30am; trying to beat the heat of the eternal summer that is Florida (it is November 3...) yet my body just said no. It told me I was too tired, I needed to rest, yet I forced myself up, ate a banana and got dressed and headed out. By mile 4 I was already exhausted. It was nearing 85 degrees and only 7:30am. I just couldn't get in "the zone," and decided to cut down to 11 miles. By mile 5 I decided I couldn't go any farther and turned around to just do 10. It was hot, I was running out of water from my Camelbak, my IT band began to flare up and I resorted to run walking.

Mentally, I was over it. I wasn't having any fun, I was tired, thirsty, hot, and began to worry and doubt myself about being able to run 26.2 miles come January. If I couldn't even make it 12, how would I ever be able to run that far? Would I even be able to push myself to train longer distances? I had given up. I called my dad at 7.5 crying. He has completed many marathons, and always has the best advice. He told me that sometimes, our bodies need a break, to go home, eat, rest and get back on track when I felt better. My typical work week is about 6 days a week and over 50 hours, where I stand, squat, and remain pretty active and it all takes a tole on me that I really don't factor in. I am leaner and in better shape than I maybe have ever been, so why did my body quit on me? Because it needs rest, it just needs a break from activity.

So here I was, crying because of my obsessive compulsion to accomplish every single goal I set for myself and here I was failing myself. I have NEVER not completed a long run that I planned out, yet here I was walking the 2.5 miles left to get home. I was defeated, done, even walking bothered my IT band. Out of water, thirsty, and sweating bullets. I stopped at my neighborhood McDonalds to get water, and got quite a few confusing looks from the regular carnivores. Charlie greeted me with a friendly meow when I got home, showered, and had my usual post run waffles and fruit as a reward for my labor.




Now it is time to re-evaluate. I am a super obsessive person, always have been. It has led me to eating disorders, exercise disorders, and generally to be anxious about anything in my future. After this not so great run, I learned that I need to just take every run as they come. If I am injured, rest (very hard for me, I usually will run anyways.) Stop obsessing about races, if come January I cannot do the full marathon, I will drop down to the half. Maybe my body just can't handle it, and I will need to learn to be okay with that. I can't keep isolating myself from my social life because it "doesn't fit into my running plan."

Now, I will commit to making living a priority, rather than working constantly to attain my goals. Instead of working 6 days a week to pay my bills and have extra spending money, I am going to take my extra days to go out into nature and do the things I want to do, say YES more often to invitations from friends, and maybe even in December to drive my happy self to the mountains and stay in a hostel to explore. It's time to live, be present in everything I do, and to learn to work running races into my life rather than into my schedule and letting them consume me. Time to live.

Peace and running friends!

Monday, November 2, 2015

A Monumental Weekend in Washington DC

Traveling is my absolute favorite thing, my heart bursts with happiness in exploring new places, cultures, food, nature and climates. Last weekend I had the opportunity to experience a milestone in my sisters life: Tara ran her first marathon.

My family flew into DC from three different locations, and after regrouping we headed out into the city. Our first lunch was at a popular restaurant I had found in my research: Busboys and Poets. The restaurant itself was really interesting, it was named for Langston Hughes who worked at the Wardman Park Hotel as a busboy before he became a poet. Overall the feeling is artistic, murals and inspirational quotes on the walls, the servers all with their own quirky personality, and actually a bookstore too! Their menu is very eclectic from brunch, to burgers, pizza, quinoa bowls, and even falafel and vegan friendly with vegan items marked. I ordered the beef sliders which were delicious alongside sweet potato chips (you know I can't get enough.) I did not take a picture of this, but the next day we went back for brunch and I got the vegan scramble along with fruit, toast, and sausage! So delicious, with multiple locations I recommend everyone vegan or not try it.

I won't bore you with minute by minute recollections of our travels, I will highlight my favorite parts. 

The Newseum, a museum I hadn't been to before that highlighted monumental moments in history as well as the history of the news, from newspapers to radio, and TV based news shows. My favorite exhibits were the Berlin Wall, 9/11 section with the antenna from the World Trade Center, and the Vietnam War exhibit.


^Well recommended to all!

The night before the Marine Corps Marathon, we met up with my moms brother's family for a pasta dinner so Tara could carb load, and we're off to bed early. My dad took my sister to the start while I ran, and then my mom and I met my dad along the mall to see her at two locations. Seeing the runners made me so excited for my upcoming half and full marathon, and the energy was amazing. Everyone was so supportive as well as all the marines handing out water and keeping the spectators along the curbs. We saw Tara around mile 17 & 18, and she looked strong (other than a butt cramp.)

 We literally raced to Arlington to get through security checks to see her finish, of course I cried as usual. I had previously cried just thinking about her finishing the race! I am beyond proud of her, she has always been such a fantastic runner and cross country racer and to be there to experience that with her made my heart swell with happiness.

Her post race request was Native Foods, a popular all vegan restaurant with locations around the US. We got the nachos to share with my family, and I had  a burger although I can't remember the exact name. 
We did go back again for lunch before heading to the airport, and we had the nachos again, I had tacos, and the best chocolate cupcake I've ever had on the house since we were regulars. 

Here are some random pictures from our other adventures:




A wonderful weekend and family trip indeed. So thankful for these times we can be together. Many more trips in our future, and I hope if I enjoy my marathon I can come back and run Marine Corps next year! Oorah! 

Sunday, November 1, 2015

The Perception of Masculinity

Today, our world is over run with social media, advertisements, news ads, and most of them are depicting either a masculine or feminine role. From birth announcements being pink or blue as "female" and "male", children's color clothing, everything we see in everyday life has a male or female stigma attached to it.

I whole heartily believe that we have brainwashed our gender norms in society the entirely wrong way; men to be strong and women to be frail. Both genders should feel comfortable to be themselves, and to express their feelings openly. Men should not be taught to hide their emotions; our society teaches men to hide their sorrow and act out in rage. Men's boxing and AMA fighting has become uber popular, in my eyes I see this as a very caveman type sport where men fight each other for nothing other than sport even injuring each other and riling up rage out of the crowds. Video games are targeted at men and are full of murder, violence, theft; while women's are typically kinder like Barbie and baby dolls. A case can also be made for whom TV shows and movies are directed at; Superheros using their strength as power, while Princess movies for girls display kindness as power. In school boys are taught to be kind to women (mostly) and that they are frail, yet as themselves they must always be perfectly composed and unemotional. 

Men: be emotional! Be vulnerable. As humans we are highly emotional beings and as both men and women we feel many different emotions everyday. Women tend to succumb and express their feelings much more openly, as I believe men should too. Biologically we are wired in our DNA to feel many things, some more than others based on the amount of stress we felt as unborn babies from our mothers and then based on the stresses of our environment through adolescence and through adulthood.

It has even come across in the dietary and food world; an example being the "Hungry Man" meals that are directed to men, full of heavy meats and implying that men need to eat copious amounts of meats. Many advertisements for meat and beer products are directed to men, while women are seen eating small salads and the stars of diet food advertisements. This has caused society to think that men need to be "strong" and consume huge amounts of meat products, while women are portrayed as "weak" and eating very little. On the contrary, men are seen as weak for abstaining from animal products which is more than far from the truth.

Compassion is an important and attractive quality that men should express. Being vegan and caring about animals and our planet is not something to be ashamed about but something to be embraced. I personally find vegan men extremely attractive, I see them as people that can embrace and express their feelings very openly and to be more nurturing than those who consume animal products. Masculinity is about being strong, protective, and can be expressed even better as being protectors of all living things and the Earth we call home. It should not be expressed through mounted deer heads, killing black bears, literally "bringing home the bacon" but being caring and nurturing to these animals instead. Men believe they need to eat more protein than women in general and that this nutrient needs to be consumed in the form of animal products, which is incorrect and I will explain further in a later post on protein.




So hey men, it's okay to show your soft side, in fact flaunt it! If slaughter of animals upsets you embrace this. Go vegan, advocate for animal and environmental rights. Let us respect our fellow animals that Mother Earth has given us, and love us love them and live as one. So go forth and live a life of peace, emotion and compassion.