Becoming VEGAN

Hello there!

I get a lot of questions asking 'how to' become vegan, as the idea itself seems so daunting at first. I promise it's not that difficult! We are creatures of habit, and the more we do something the easier it becomes.

I'm going to dive straight in:

1. Switch milk for non-dairy
This is the simplest and arguably most effective change. There are so many alternatives to milk now, including almond, soy, coconut, oat and hemp, all with wonderful different tastes (my fav is coconut!). Soy milk is relatively cheap now as well, with major supermarkets adding it to their own brand lines.
Milk is loaded with hormones that are intended for a 400lb calf, not humans. We're the only species that drinks another's milk. Would you put human breast milk in your tea? Probably not :P
Also - cows are impregnated often in order to maximise milk production. The poor girls spend most of their life pregnant, and then get most (if not all) of their babies milk taken away. Sometimes, the babies are given calf replacement formula. Completely unneccesary.

2. Eat more fruits and veggies!
As many veggies as you can eat. All day, every day. Google recipes for inspiration! Avocados may contain fat, BUT it's natural fat. So don't be afraid. Fruit may contain sugar, but it's NATURAL sugar. It becomes energy! There's a woman who eats basically only fruit, and she looks amazing. Check her out http://thebananagirl.com/
Try putting fruits and veggies at the top of your food pyramid. Fill your plate with as many veggies as you want, then add your fake meat, pasta, rice or whatever.

3. Replace meat and fish with substitutes 
This sounds flippin obvious, but I'm going to tell you what substitutes there are. (Note - there are many many many more than this)
- Quorn's new Vegan range! The chicken pieces are so easy to cook, and delicious. They come in a bag from the frozen section. They also have spicy burgers, yum yum.
- Linda McCartney sausages! There are some other things in her range that are suitable for vegans, but I just love these snags. They're great in a sandwich, fry up, or for dinner.
- Tofu! I'm not a tofu expert (yet), but I know that you can use this beautiful creation as a substitute for many things. Get some breadcrumbs and make fake fried chicken, use it in place of an egg in cooking or baking, put it in salads or stir fries, eat it raw (if you like), make sushi with it...  the list is endless. Again, give it a google. I'm not much of a chef.
- I know there are some great fish substitutes out there too, however I have yet to try them. Watch this space though...

4. Stop buying leather and silk
Some people decide to keep things that they already have, some throw them out. There's no right or wrong way here. Being vegan is about doing the best you can! Just be more conscious now when you buy things :) There are lots of leather alternatives, including pineapple skins!!

5. Read labels
When eating out or on the go, you will realise how much milk and eggs are unnecessarily added to things. That's when it gets hard to be a vegan! Just remember, when ordering at a restaurant, you can ask for changes! Imagine if you had a dairy allergy and were a veggie - they'd have to accommodate you. Don't fear using the word vegan though - I know you might feel like 'one of those people', insisting things be changed, but trust me, the world is slowly following suit. There are plenty of restaurants offering vegan options now, but sometimes you need to ask!


Happy Monday everyone!! xoxo

Weight Loss 101!

Happy Monday everyone, hope you all had a productive start to the week. I managed to make it to the gym today (hurrah!!) but I am feeling sluggish after an alcohol filled weekend! (something had to get me through two days of work at the busiest shopping center in London)...
Moving on, I'm looking forward at my goals. I still have around 3 stone that I'd like to lose (having already lost 4 stone!!!), and I think it's about time I got my butt into gear.

Anyway... I thought I might share my progress pictures to show you all what can be achieved with a little bit of hard work (and to remind myself that anything is possible).

2012 v.s 2014 // 250lbs - 200lbs

And if my face isn't enough, here's perhaps two of the strangest things I've ever worn:

2012 vs. 2015 // 250lbs - 200lbs

For more pictures head over to my tumblr: not-all-whowanderarelost.tumblr.com and follow me on instagram @charleytheloser :)

So, the question on everyone's lips: HOW DO I LOSE WEIGHT?!

Well, my friends, it's quite simple. There is not secret, all you have to do is eat well and work hard(ish). You DON'T need to go to the gym every day and run 10,000 miles. 20 minutes, 3 times a week will do it. Go for a brisk walk, jog, swim or something that gets your heart going. Try and mix it up. Do workouts from YouTube (I love Jillian Michaels, her 30 Day Shred is AMAZING, I lost 21lbs in a month), or get an app on your phone (I use Skimble Workouts).
Put the TV on and workout in front of it. Even 10 minutes is better than nothing. Look back at my blog posts with the workouts on. Do them!! It's simple, and you CAN DO IT. You might even find a passion for exercise that you never knew existed. I did! 

Don't get me wrong, some days it's sooo difficult to go to the gym. Some days I miss it. Some days I workout at home, and some days I just go for a walk. That's life. 

No need to beat yourself up about it, just keep trying. You'll get there. Try a sport if that's your thing: tennis, basketball, netball, pole dancing! Or go to gym classes: spinning, zumba, body pump. They're all great for all levels.

But... I LOVE food...

Uh hello?! Me too!! Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to eat 100 calories a day to lose weight. Obviously if you're eating 3000 and not doing anything, maybe cut back a little. But trust me, it's more about QUALITY over quantity. If you eat a beautiful salad for lunch with kale, spinach, , chicken/tofu, avocado, beans (borlotti/chickpea/butterbean/canellini etc), tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers etc etc etc, you'll be getting lots of nutrients, you'll be filled up, and it will taste amazing. If you eat a McDonalds burger or pastry or fried something or other, you won't be getting anywhere near as many nutrients, and you wont be as satisfied. You're probably thinking - er yeah I will, but what I mean is that your body will be starving on a nutritional basis - i.e. your cells want all the nutrients from the salad, and therefore you'll be fuller for longer and much better off eating more vegetables. The carbs that fill you up like white bread and pastry are simple carbohydrates: they don't have much nutritional value and therefore are pretty pointless. Switch to complex carbs: potatoes & sweet potatoes, brown/wholewheat bread, wraps and pasta etc. This is the reason why you want more food not long after a takeaway/fast food!

When it comes to food, it's all about balance. You can eat that chocolate bar, in fact, definitely do! But don't eat 5 in one go. 

I track my calories using MyFitnessPal on my phone. It helps me to stop overeating and to see what I am actually consuming in a day. You might feel this isn't for you, so perhaps you'd rather just write down what you're eating, or maybe not at all. Just try and be more conscious of what it is that you're putting in your body. Your food is your fuel. You wouldn't put crap in your petrol tank, so don't put it in your body. (Well, not too often anyway). 

There's actually a chart that suggests alternatives when you have a specific craving. For example if you're craving chocolate, your body actually wants nuts, seeds, veggies and fruits. Google it for more results, but here's one infographic I found:

Well, there you have the basics of weight loss. If you have any questions, please send them over, either comment on here, email me, or send on Tumblr (you can do that anonymously too).
Thanks for reading!! 

Love and peace xoxo

V is for Vegan and VANILLA

I was in desperate need of some ice cream today, so I popped down to my local Asda, praying that they might have something that could sort my craving out. I was prepared to get sorbet at this point, but alas, like a glowing beacon of hope, right in the middle of the deep freeze sat a pile of vanilla flavoured ice cream with the beautiful words DAIRY FREE across them.

I scanned my eyes over the ingredients to make sure. Definitely vegan! It even says suitable for vegetarians and vegans. It's made with soya beans so I knew I was going to like it. As soon as I got home I ripped the lid off, and couldn't wait to try it. 

IT'S SO CREAMY... I honestly think it tastes better than 'normal' ice cream. Not only was it far creamier, but the taste was so rich. The consistency is thick and smooth (it was a little defrosted when I ate it so might differ if eaten when really solid). It's not too sweet and overpowering, but after too scoops I was pretty satisfied and full, which is rare for me! And at just 110 calories per 2 scoops, it's a winner!

My omnivore friends also tried it and said they couldn't taste a significant difference, other than the fact that it tasted like luxury ice cream and it was delicious! It cost £2 from Asda in London, so it's not massively expensive either! Definitely a 9/10 from me!!!!

Have you been.... Accidentally Vegan?

You don't have to be a vegan to enjoy vegan food! Did you know that there are loads of things out there that are actually vegan, but don't get advertised as such. I thought I'd provide some examples...

Cucina Garlic Baguette from Aldi

With a crispy crunch on the outside, and soft, oozing garlic middle, this garlic baguette definitely doesn’t compromise on flavour. It’s made with margarine instead of butter, making it totally SFV. Though it’s available in most supermarkets, Aldi sell it for a bargain 34p, making it affordable for everyone.

Ginger Nut Biscuits from McVities

Bursting with a classic fiery ginger taste, these crunchy biscuits are a great snack to go with your tea or coffee. These popular golden treats can be found in most shops and supermarkets, meaning you can enjoy the burst of ginger spice anytime. They are completely dairy free, and at only 47 calories per biscuit, they’re guilt free too. 

Oreos 

With a chocolate crunch on the outside and a soft, sweet vanilla creme on the inside, it's no wonder that Oreos are a favourite for all ages. But creme doesn't necessarily have to mean dairy. One of the most popular sandwich biscuits, the creme filled Oreo contains no dairy products in its ingredients. The double stuffed ones are dairy-free too.
Note - Oreo state that there is cross contact with milk, meaning the validity of its vegan label is debatable.

- Love Hearts from Swizzels

Be Mine? Eat Me? Ok!

- Rich Tea Biscuits from McVities

Another great accompaniment to tea or coffee.

- Blue Dragon Sauces

Great little sachets to add to pastas or stir frys: there's Chow Mein, Hoisin & Garlic, Black Bean, Teriyaki, Sweet & Sour, Sweet Chilli & Garlic, and their Soy Sauces! Hooray!

Being vegan is a whole lot easier than you think, I promise. And like any lifestyle, it's all about balance. Yes I enjoy a salad every now and then, but I also have days where I chow down on sweets and chocolate. Everything in moderation. But trust me, vegans do not exist purely on leaves. 

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Timing & Motivation... The truth.

I had work today, again. This time I finished at 6.30, but the gym closes at 8 on a Sunday. Usually I'd talk myself out of it, convinced that I'll be too tired or I wont make it in time anyway. But not today. I rushed home, exhausted as usual, but jumped into my workout leggings and strode off to the gym. Squeezed in as much as I could in the 50 minutes I had left! Here's what I did:

Cardio:
10 mins stair climber - high intensity
10 mins bike - high intensity
5 mins treadmill - incline & run interval
3 x 10 box jumps
Strength:
3 x 12 pull downs 23kg
2 x 10 deadlifts 15kg
2 x 10 squats 15kg
2 x 10 clean and press 15kg
2 x 10 kettlebell squats with swing 8kg
Core:
2 x 20 russian twists with 3kg medicine ball
2 x 20 sit ups with 7kg medicine ball

Burnt around 400 calories! :)

So... the truth. I'm lazy! But I managed to get there. After a longgggg day of work, with aching feet and hardly any energy. I reminded myself that if I want this, I have to make time. We all get the same amount of hours in a day, it's up to us to use them wisely. There is no time for excuses! And remember, the only workout you regret is the one you didn't do.
It's no secret! All we have to do is squeeze in a workout wherever we can. Whether its squats on our lunch break or getting up 10 minutes earlier to jog around the block. If you really want this, you'll make it work. Remind yourself every day why you want it, and why you started.

Sending lots of motivation your way!!!

xoxo

The Weekend Curse

Good afternoon! It's Saturday, it's slightly overcast, and I want to curl up in bed and watch Netflix. Unfortunately, I have to go to work in the ever busy Westfield shopping center in Stratford. Pray for me! I have a great work team luckily, but the weekends are hectic to say the least. 

My life is a balancing act at the moment: I've got a lot of uni work to finish in the next couple of days, and I'm also working today, tomorrow and Tuesday... not ideal. 

Where am I going to squeeze in my gym sessions?! 

Well... you don't need a gym to work out, my friends. 

In fact, everything you need, you already have! A passion! 

Get on Google or YouTube, and you can find thousands of workouts for all levels. One of my favourite workouts is the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels. It's got three different levels which you build up to, and it's great for weight loss.
Yoga is great for beginners, or if you want something strengthening but low impact. You can get apps on your phone as well for any kind of workout!
A really underestimated workout is walking. Just get out there in the fresh air for 15 minutes and briskly walk, it'll do you a world of good.

I'm going to collate some at home workouts and post them soon. I'm not a certified expert! But I found it helpful (and still do) when I find workouts on the internet that I can do at home :)

So if you want to workout today but don't have time or don't have a gym/can't get out...

Here's mini workout for you :) It can be done in front of the TV, in your bedroom, kitchen whilst cooking, office on your lunch break...

SQUATS!!! x 10

LUNGES x 10

JUMPING JACKS x 20

HIGH KNEES x 20 (past or slow paced)
MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS x 20
PLANK x 20 sec

WALL SIT x 30 sec

Then repeat 3 times!!! 

If you're unsure of the moves, just give them a Google :)

Remember, the only workout you'll regret is the one you didn't do! Just a little workout every day will add up, I promise. 

Happy Saturday everyone!!!

<3

One for the ladies... (slash people who menstruate)

I hopped on the scales this morning and recoiled in horror. I've gained 6 pounds. What have I done?! I thought to myself. Then I realised, it's nearly shark week. Woohoo.
I always bloat like an inflatable pool toy before my period is due. But that's the least of my worries; I get severe moods swings, cravings and fatigue. I've been tired all day, and craving chocolate. I ate some granola to get my sugar fix, and a biscuit, which is quite good considering I'd usually polish off 15 litres of ice cream or similar.
What can we do about this/these little problems?
In reality, they're big problems. Menstruating is huge part of our lives, and I believe it should be far less taboo. I once told a work colleague that I had cramps (literally didn't even mention the word period) and he told me I was gross. ????? For having a working reproductive system, I am gross. Well I have news for you sunshine, you wouldn't be here if it wasn't for periods!
We suffer a lot for the gift of new life.
I've read that drinking water and avoiding salt can help the bloating.
As for the cravings? I try and compromise. Eating fruit can help your sweet tooth. I think it's a case of limiting things too - when I want to eat an entire loaf of bread, I cut or tear some off and put it in a bowl instead of taking the whole loaf in the living room. PORTIONS. They're key. Keep 'em small-ish.
Another thing we forget is that it takes around 20 mins for our brains to recognise that we're full. I always forget this and just keep on eating, then end up feeling even more bloated and crappy.
Pause, guys! Have a drink. The cake will still be there in a few minutes :)

The most important thing to realise though is that we're just human. It's a natural occurrence that we deal with, and we are definitely not alone!!

Let me introduce myself...

It's 1.34am on a Sunday morning, and despite my best efforts to go to sleep at midnight, as usual, I have failed.
I get so easily distracted! Although I do feel that this has been relatively productive - here is that blog I've been meaning to create for so long!
So I guess I should introduce myself.
I'm Charlotte (Charley, whatever, I don't mind), I'm nearly 22, I love animals and I'm vegan, my passions in life are health and travel, and I really like avocados. :)
I'm just finishing my BA in Creative Writing and Journalism, and then it's off into the big wide world. So climbing the ladder one step at a time is my plan. The ultimate goal is to create my own magazine (dream big!), hopefully centered around travel and health, two things which I believe will work together well.
So, what is this blog all about?
Well, it's a place for me to utilise my - ahem - skills which I have acquired through my degree, and begin to build a platform for myself!
So if you have any interest in the following, stick around! This might just be the blog for you. :)
- Veganism! The good, the bad and the unhealthy.
- Weight loss! Having lost 4 stone myself, I like to help others with similar things.
- Keeping fit! This is generally and on the go.
- Travel! My passport isn't full enough yet, but I've got some stories to share, and some big plans for the future too.
- PCOS! A condition which affects a lot of females (or people with female reproductive systems) and features a whole heap of side effects: weight gain, hormone imbalance, extra hair growth, acne etc. Give it a Google if you're not sure.
- Animal rights! I LOVE animals. I have a pet bunny called Biscuit who is a little treasure, and truly reminds me of the sweet things in life.

I'm sure there'll be more along the way, but for now, here I am! Nice to meet you.