September Surprises....

Hi!
On my old blog I tried doing a post once a month dedicated to new discoveries (mostly food) and lessons I've learned or come across during that month. I did enjoy writing those because it gave me the opportunity to reflect on the past month and really see progress and growth or in some cases just sitting still. So I've decided to bring that concept into this new vamped blog and try to improve upon it each month. Since September is coming to a close next week and since I am trying to write more often what better topic to cover today than my 'September Obsessions' or whatever I will call this type of post. As I said in the first sentence much of these items will be food related, other categories may include music, beauty, fashion and recovery revelations and so on. Also, since this is my first post along these lines in a very long time I will be including items I've discovered before September but only ones that I have continued to use pretty regularly since then.

Let's just get into it.......

1. Zevia Soda Pop: I am not a huge carbonated beverage drinker, in fact the only time I consume such drinks is mixed with alcohol which I don't have very often. So needless to say it's been quite a few years since I've had a can of any fizzy concoction. So about a week or two ago when I suddenly had a craving for diet coke I was somewhat shocked. It wasn't the craving for soda pop that shocked me but which variation in particular that I was dying for...DIET COKE! Before I cut out soda I was a mountain dew or dr. pepper kinda girl not a diet anything but here I was wanting that fake, poisonous shit. Luckily, before I caved and purchased a bottle of diet coke my beautiful, wonderful boi intervened and told me about this carbonated beverage alternative they sell at his place of work called Zevia. And holy fucking shit! It is delish! This better not be like another Clearly Canadian and just fall off the face of the planet. I am hooked :)

2. Avocados: This might be strange to some but I'm calling this one a re-discovery. I love avocados but for a while there I was not eating them. As I began to take a serious focus on recovery I discovered Raw Till 4 and the high carb low fat vegan lifestyle. It worked for a while and not to get into too much detail (I'll save that for another time) but taught me how to eat. But what it also taught me was to fear fats and this included plant based fats such as avocados. But a few weeks ago I thought "enough is enough. I like avocados, so I am going to eat them." And that's what I did. I finally tried the whole avocado and tomatoes on toast and man I have been missing out. Everyone should definitely try that little recipe. It's so simple and so good.

 3. Van's Cinnamon Heaven Cereal: If you're looking for a good gluten-free Cinnamon Toast Crunch alternative I highly recommend Cinnamon Heaven from the brand Van's Natural Foods. They make so many delicious vegan and gluten-free products. I will say the cereal is not as sweet as the original by General Mills but it comes pretty close compared to other options out there. Another good option is Cinnamon Chex, which I have also started eating this past month or so.

4. Increasing weight at the gym: SAY WHAT?! Yes, I lift. Yes, I squat. Yes, I was scared to increase the weight I lifted. I had this fear that if I increased the weights I would somehow grow into a she-hulk. Ridiculous, I know but the fear was there. I got over it when I accidentally squatted more than I ever had before, thinking the weight plates were my norm. I realized that I am capable of so much more than I was doing and that I have a tiny frame and  I am most likely going to remain so regardless of how much I lift. So since then I have been gradually increasing the weight I lift and guess what?! I'm no she-hulk. I hope to be able to squat my body weight by the new year's or so.

5. Halestorm (The band): I could rock out to this chick all day long. While many of her lyrics come across as sleazy or shallow and maybe I'm just a shallow person, but I find her songs empowering and encouraging. 'Freak Like Me' is my go-to song and it plays about 3-10 times on my ipod while at the gym. Not to mention anything loud and heavy with a good amount of base never hurt anyone.

6. Acne Dote and Fast Fix by Alba Botanica: I have been looking for a good vegan face scrub that would be gentle yet affective for sensitive and acne prone skin. Acne Dote is the brand Alba Botanica's strongest acne scrub but it is gentle and smells good. Oh and it sparkles! It's slow to take affect at first but keep using at it and once your skin adjusts it's a solid purchase. A little on the pricier side but I have seen smaller containers but more expensive by other brands. Fast Fix is also by Alba Botanica and is a tinted spot treatment for break outs. This one smells like burning tires but I find it works wonders. You can wear it as make up, under or over make up. I start with it and then put my foundation over. I recommend not using powder with it at first because I found the combination of spot treatment, foundation and powder can dry out your skin depending on your skin type. 

To be continued....

Peace & Love, 

The Punk Rock Vegan