So glad you enjoyed the tulip photos! It would have been ideal if we had actually gone this week after the festival was over and avoided the crowds.
I headed to the gym this morning. I did not go yesterday. I checked my log and I put 114 miles on the bike since last Tuesday and I was tired. That is a lot of miles for me. 😯 Needed a break! So I lifted today instead.
| Exercise | Set/rep/weight | Muscle worked |
| Stiff-legged dead lift | 3 sets of 10 at 70# | Lower body |
| Wide Grip lat pull down | 3 set of 10 at 60# | Back |
| Lying Leg Press | 3 sets of 10 at 100# | Lower body |
| Barbell Chest Press | 3 sets of 10 at 55# | Chest |
| Horizontal Wood Chop | 3 sets of 10 each side at 30# | Core |
| Calf raise | 3 sets of 12 at 110# | Calves |
| Face Pull | 3 sets of 12 at 30# | Shoulders |
| Bench Dips | 3 sets of 10 | Triceps |
| EZ curls | 3 sets of 10 with 25# EZ curl bar | Biceps |
This was a very good workout. I biked home and cooked up some banana custard oats. I am also increasing my carbs a bit now with all this riding.
So, I completed my 7 days of a vegetarian diet. I wasn’t really all that hard. I did have some really yummy food, like palak chole and my cheese souffle! I did have a hard time getting in enough protein for my preference. I couldn’t get it in without the carbs that come with veggie proteins. I didn’t want to just rely on more of my whey protein powder, which I could have have done, and I did not want to get veggie burgers because I did not want to eat a fake meat food just to get in the protein since I gave up meat analogues a while ago. Funny how there is the perception that vegan and vegetarian eating is totally 100% healthy, but it is just as easy to eat crap and processed food on those diets as it is an omnivorous one.
Another interesting thing? I ate no salads! I always like meat on my salads and without the meat, I had absolutely no desire to have a salad.
I have no interest at all in being a vegetarian. Not that I need to eat meat every day, and I have no problem going without meat for a day. Personally, I need the specific amino acids and vitamins that come with eating meat. It makes me feel better. I just want to know where my meat comes from. We are trying to make sure we either buy local or from farms that are certified humane. Not always successful, but I try to be mindful of where it comes from.
Lunch time included some chicken in the form of sweet apple chicken sausages. These are from the Nature’s Place brand at our local Hannaford. I emailed them and got the info on the farms they purchase from for this particular brand and they are certified humane, which is good. Plus the sausages themselves are good. 
Only 100 calories a piece!
Work was quite busy today. Sometimes it slows down in the mid afternoon, but not today. Pixie saw me so intently working that she just had to get in my lap to make it harder to type:
Her look says, “Less working, more petting.”
Afternoon latte break with a dark chocolate mint cup. I bought those again.
Then before dinner my tummy was growling, so I had some peanuts.
Both John and I have been really hungry the last few days. I am getting in enough calories. Actually, it seems it would be more than enough calories, but something is going on. That is another reason I am upping the carbs a bit, to see if I might be glycogen depleted or something.
With the gorgeous weather, it was grilling time for chicken. And since I am eating meat again, time for a salad LOL!
Working on the project tonight. I was going to ride more, but it is pretty windy out. I am turning into such a wuss. The project is down to the little bits. We put up the privacy film on the window and caulked the edges of the tile. Now all that needs to be done really is some paint and wall touch ups and installing the doors. We are coating the doors with poly, so that will take a couple days. I am so excited!
What snack goes well with caulking?
Mmmm…. chocolate!
Chocolate goes with anything! LOL
I don’t buy the imitation meat or veggie burgers, either, but I do want to try Lynn’s recipe for black bean burgers. Or, you know, ask Lynn to send me one. 🙂
I also don’t like imitation meat. Great looking food–especially the sausage! The sausage is not bad either! I think I want Pixie’s life.
For a vegetarian diet, it is very important to get protein in. It doesn’t necessarily have to come from fake meat products; beans and quinoa are great sources! IMO, it’s a hard diet if you don’t have the ethical basis behind it. I tried it for almost 6 months a few years ago and ended up feeling like crap because I didn’t eat properly. Seems that chocolate and cheese are vegetarian. Although, I tried… a woman cannot live on these alone 🙂
Congrats on 114 miles, you rock the bike Lori! Great job.
I have the same thoughts about veggie eating as you have. I don’t mind for a day either but not everyday.
I completely agree with you. I read that book Skinny Bitch and the “diet” they have in the back is chockful of meat substitutes which are so processed! I think it’s important to be mindful of where your meat is coming from. I really only buy hormone free cruelty free chicken and that continues over to my milk and eggs. I hate the way animals are treated and I don’t want to throw my dollars into the factory farming meat industry.
I am with you on the food stuff & going vegetarian.. nothing wrong with days here & there but I doubt I could do it all the time. Love your attitude about it all!
Ah, Pixie, I love that cat from afar! Ahe is the cutest thing!
Another issues with the meat substitutes is that so many of them are made from soy. That’s a problem for thyroid patients like me. As always I think these experiments you try are fascinating and this one especially since you are not a huge veggie lover!
I don’t like fake meat either. I once tried to eat less real meat and ate a lot of fake meat/soy products. It really messed up my periods (I have endometriosis). I now avoid it. I need real meat also.
I love your cat. She is so cute.
Interesting that you didn’t eat salads.
Michael and I are both ex-vegetarians. I think if we wanted to go back it would be fairly easy simply because we eat so much seafood.
Do you mean it would be harder because you eat a lot of seafood? Eating fish isn’t vegetarian, but pescatarian.
I’m like you Lori, I don’t need meat at every meal, but don’t really want to give it up completely. I wish I could have a kitty on my lap when I worked! Lucky Pixie!!! (soooo cute!)
Have a great day!
I don’t like salads without meat either! I would have a hard time being vegetarian, I can easily do a meal or even a day here and there, but not long term. I think it’s cool that you tried it for a week!
Love the leaf shaped bowl! How fun!