As I mentioned in yesterday's post, Erin (003) was beginning an "overhaul" with regard to her nutrition and training.  She and I had been discussing our approach for the past couple of weeks.  Although there are a handful of goals, we agreed that the primary gauge of success would be how she felt.  I also asked Erin to write a few blog entries on her progress throughout the "overhaul", which will continue for the next two weeks.  Here is her first entry...which is all about her big nutrition change.  Go Erin!

Josh

In an effort to live a healthier lifestyle, I have been eating "vegan" for four days. Well, almost four days. In one hour, it will be four days, but who's counting?
In all seriousness, due to a recent personal tragedy, this "cleansing" couldn't have come at a better time. I feel like I need a boost in my energy and truly believe this will steer me in the right direction. I need to feel more energized.  I say cleansing, because although I'm referring to it as a vegan lifestyle, it's actually more of a cleansing of all foods that are simply bad for the body. Basically, I'm at a point where if I read a label and I see any ingredient that has been modified, I'm not going to eat it. This has led to a wealth of fabulous treats, even for someone like me who constantly lives on the go! Breakfast has actually been fun! Whole grains heated and then supplmented with bananas, almonds and almond milk.  Snacks and desserts have been decadent with Larabars and fresh figs. Lunches and dinners are easy. HUGE salads with sunflower seeds, black beans, homemade salsa, mushrooms, and fresh cilantro...OR with strawberries and apples and fresh balsamic for a different feel...I even found myself in the kitchen baking an eggplant and am excited to top it with tomato sauce and basil for "Italian night" tonight. And for dessert? How about a baked apple with blueberries and agave syrup?

I am having fun planning meals for each day and cannot wait to have a hemp protein powder shake in the morning on the way to work.

I cannot lie.  It's been a bit confusing at times for me with the right proteins...I was a huge carnivore, so every time I want to eat a salad, not reaching for the George Foreman to make chicken has been a struggle. But I'm learning about all the different ways to get protein and basically discovering a new food pyramid. Now, it's time to measure the change in my energy and see how this affects my daily life. The one thing I've learned so far is to always carry a snack JUST IN CASE. There are not a lot of healthy choices out there in the restaurants in Indy and I need to be prepared at all times.

So here I go. Sugar gone? check. White flour out the door? check. Hydrogenated oils gone? check. Corn syrup as an ingredient to avoid? Check.

Time to go finish prepping dinner...It's "Italian night" at the Epstein's.

Erin (003)