Recent Weight Loss Success

I weighed in recently to find that I've finally hit a major goal of hitting below 200 pounds.

199 pounds never felt so glorious

Even though I'm still within the obese range of weight, I feel like I've made great strides. I haven't had to monitor calories nearly as much since I've become a vegetarian. I've also continued to do yoga several times a week along with doing the basic run on the Wii Fit.

To date, I've lost 31 pound since I first started my weight loss journey in October of last year. Though most of that time was spent wandering around in the nutrition darkness, I feel like I'm doing better now and have formed better habits that I'm hoping will continue to last.

Discovering WOWBUTTER

I have been allergic to peanuts and tree nuts for about the past five years. The allergy suddenly developed, starting with more so inconvenient symptoms like gum bleeding and progressing to the point I'm at now where I have a respiratory reaction, nausea and headache. Though thankfully I'm not so highly allergic that I can't eat things which have been processed in the same factory as my allergens, I have felt sad over the years to have some of my favorite foods eliminated from my diet: most candy bars, peanut butter cookies, grab bags of nuts, even the iconic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I've also not gotten the pleasure to explore trying almond butter and other delights I've often seen used on recipe sites I frequent.

However, I've finally discovered a product which, while not exactly the same as my beloved peanuts, has come relatively close to the taste and at last allowed me the joy of having a "peanut butter" and jelly sandwich again. Introducing, WOWBUTTER.

My boyfriend just happened to notice this peanut butter substitute while we were at the grocery store last, and he encouraged me to try it. Though I was hesitant, I figured that it would be worth trying. 

Though researching on the label and on the WOWBUTTER website, I was able to find out that the company uses soy instead of peanuts in order to achieve their peanut butter-esque taste. The ingredient list impressed me: Non-GMO roasted soy, soy oil, granulated cane sugar, monoglyceride (from vegetable oil), and sea salt. No high fructose corn syrup and no ingredients made from animal sources were listed on the label. The product also contains omega 3. The company also provides school friendly labeling stickers for those sending sandwiches off with little ones. 

After finally satisfying my curiosity about the product, I decided a small spoonful was in order for taste testing.  I was was happy to find that it taste remarkably like real roaster peanut butter. I only noticed a couple of small differences between this soy butter and peanut butter. First, the WOWBUTTER has a bit of drier consistency than regular peanut butter. However, peanut butter has never really been known for its mouth friendliness with its tendency to stick to the roof of your mouth, so I wasn't expecting WOWBUTTER to be more friendly in that regard. Additionally, the product had a slightly grainier texture than peanut butter. If you really prefer your peanut butter to be completely smooth, this could be a turn off, but I really didn't mind that aspect. 

With WOWBUTTER in hand, I was able to pack something for lunch that I haven't been able to in years: a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And I can say that today, I devoured that sandwich, happy to have an old friend back in my cabinet. 

My lunch left, boyfriend's lunch right

Blog Crush: Chocolate Covered Katie

As of late, I've been in love with Chocolate Covered Katie, the healthy desert blog. I've been actively following her for the past few months, rooting from the sidelines as she talks about working on recipes for her book, dining out in New York, and releases delicious looking deserts. However, I hadn't taken the plunge into actually trying one of her wonderful recipes.

Until now.

The recipe that I finally just had to try was her "Healthier Wendy's Vanilla Frosty". Gazing upon the frothing glass of sweetness, I knew I couldn't pass up this opportunity to use a block of tofu which had been sitting in my cabinet for ages.

I did a couple of things different between how she originally did the recipe. Instead of using almond milk (since I have an allergy to them), I instead used vanilla soy milk. Additionally, I didn't have any Stevia available so I simply used the an extra 2 tbsp of sugar instead.

I after taking my first sip, I knew that I'd come upon something wonderful. But my true taste test came in getting my healthy food resistant boyfriend to try the recipe. With a confirmed distaste for tofu, what would he think of the recipe?

Turns out he loved it. :D

Though my pictures are nothing compared to Katie's photos, I did take pictures of both my times making this recipe which I think will become a weekend staple for us:

Frothy goodness.

Sprinkles make everything better. 

Introduction Post

Hello all! I started my fitness journey for a reason some people might find vain: to lose weight so I could fit into adorable clothes. I've documented some of my chronicles in lolita fashion on my other main blog Beyond Kawaii.

However, I think I have continued my fitness journey not so much for weight loss but out of a genuine love for how I feel now (though being 26 pounds lighter than when I started is a great boon). I have integrated yoga as a daily practice into my life, and I've become vegetarian in order to get a little closer to the ideal of ahimsa. I want to chronicle some of my journey hear, sharing from time to time as I have an insightful experience, read a new book, or push myself in yoga in a way I didn't know was possible.

And in order to give you a quick idea of the person posting, I'll include a couple of pictures! The first is of me in lolita:

This is my attempt at a more genuine smile in pictures. *sigh* I can never seem to get my facial expression right.

The second is a picture of me in my yoga clothes, getting ready to practice near my apartment complex:

Also includes a quick shot of my favorite stray cat.

So, hoping to keep you update on my spiritual/physical/emotional journey. Namaste.