Vegetarian Links

Vegetarianism is the practice of a diet that excludes all animal flesh, including poultry, game, fish, shellfish or crustacea, and slaughter by-products.^[1] The reasons for choosing vegetarianism may be related to morality, religion, culture, ethics, aesthetics, environment, society, economy, politics, taste, or health. (Wikipedia)

RESOURCES

• ACT Vegetarian Society
• Australian Vegetarian Society
• Go Veg
• International Vegetarian Union
• National Vegetarian Week - Australia
  
• New Zealand Vegetarian Society
• Perth Veg*n Resources
• Peta - People for Ethical Treatment of Animals
  
• Vegetarian Network Victoria
• Vegetarian Society of South Australia
• Vegetarian/Vegan Society of Queensland

BOOKS

• Becoming Vegan - Brenda Davis & Vesanto Melina
• Becoming Vegetarian - Brenda Davis & Vesanto Melina
• Commited by Dan Matthews
• Diet for a New America by John Robbins
• Diet for a Small Planet by Francis Moore Lappe
  
• Skinny Bitch by Kim Barnouin & Rory Freedman
  
• The Ethics of What We Eat by Jim Mason & Peter Singer
  

MEDIA

• Fast Food Nation
• Supersize Me
  
• The Meatrix
  

Shiva Rea - Flow Yoga for Beginners

Finally, Shiva Rea releases a beginners DVD -
Flow Yoga for Beginners.

I haven't had a chance to review the DVD yet but going by all her other DVDs in my collection, I think there'll be no exception to how unreal it'll be.

So this is for everyone who has ever asked me to recommend a beginners yoga DVD to them - check it out!

I still highly suggest going to a beginners class first though because nothing beats the interaction with a teacher and making sure that your alignment is correct. But I realise that's not possible for everyone.

My Yoga post coming soon....

The Girl Can Shop

Finally a photo post, inspired by iDiet. I went a little crazy this weekend with money I don't have. Credit is an evil thing but I get paid monthly which means I can pay off my credit card monthly. I never actually end up paying interest but still, not advisable. One day I might not be able to be able to pay it off so it's a bit of a gamble, especially when course fees are due again so soon. I can live in denial for a little bit can't I? No yogi snipes please!

Extra special thanks to a beautiful friend who gave me a Lululemon Gift Voucher for my birthday last year. I bought some staples. Thank you gorgeous! And would you believe, I'm a size 8 in Canadian sizes!! Hilarious, considering I'm a 12-14 AUS. A size 8 is just absurd - for me.












Bug Necklace
Made, Newtown
I'm a sucker for a good necklace and my collection is growing.












Pinchkin Shirt, Purple/Blue Stripes (it's not black!)
Made, Newtown
I'm trying to buy clothes that are not black. Do you know how hard that is for me!?












Athena, Doc Marten Boots
Dangerfield, Newtown
Shoe City Online
I've been trying to find a reliable, sturdy boot for everyday wear. Finally and in my size! Docs are a trusty old fave. I wish they weren't leather though but yet to find a good boot alternative.












Relaxed Fit Short II, faint stripes
Lululemon, Sydney CBD
There's no way you'll catch my bare legs out and about but great for my home practice.












Water Bottle
Lululemon, Sydney CBD
A staple - I can't keep buying water and it's a good idea to replace your plastic containers every once in a while. ** I've since used this bottle and unfortunately it's no good. The lid doesn't fit properly (hard to screw on/off) and it leaks. Bah.












Mini Stepper
Gaiam Online
This is going to be my lifesaver on rainy days or when I need to get some cardio in at night. It's better to be safe than going for a walk by myself in the evenings. We've had a few attacks in the area lately.

Healthy Cooking & Recipes

One of the things we've been told at college is that if you want to be a Naturopath and/or Nutritionist, you need to be able to cook. You should to be able to cook the food that you are telling other people to eat. Fair enough. So I've suggested to Gluten Free Geisha, who is studying Naturopathy, that we - post a new recipe on our blogs in the first week of each month.

Jules is going to focus on gluten-free food and I'm going to focus on vegetarian meals. We've got 2 weeks until our first post. This will get me back into the kitchen instead of getting back into the habit of buying take-out. Good take-out mind but still, it'd be just as easy to make at home and I won't have to wait for delivery!

Feel free to to join in. I love seeing recipes on blogs - tried and tested.

PETA's New Veggie Testimonial Website

I'm a sucker for Paul McCartney and only recently got into The Beatles after years of my rocker friends telling me how great they are. Now I can't get enough of The White Album.

This brings me to McCartney being the face for the launch of PETA's new veggie testimonial website. Check it out - even just for the beautiful photography.

My own vegetarian status is that I still eat dairy which includes: yoghurt, cheese, eggs and foods I didn't realise have milk in them - like bread! I've been slowly cutting them out of my diet though since my nutritionist diagnosis and for ethical reasons. I know I don't need it in my diet and can still be a healthy functioning human being. It's a natural progression for me.

For anyone interested in a vegetarian diet (no preaching from me - everyone has to make choices that suit them and there are pros and cons to everything), I highly recommend getting yourself a copy of Becoming Vegetarian or come to me when I'm a qualified Nutritionist! My speciality will be vegetarianism and weight loss. Yes, I know - shameless.

Anyone noticed? My studies are actually making me blog more!

Lululemon - Sydney CBD, Australia

Finally, Lululemon at the Ivy opens in Sydney CBD this week! I've been waiting to use the generous gift card that I received for my birthday last year from a beautiful friend. The gear is expensive but I think it's worth buying a few key pieces that will last.

Lululemon Athletica
Ivy - 330C George Street
Sydney CBD NSW 2000
AUSTRALIA
Website: click here

My Week

• studying like crazy - chemistry exam on Monday
• lost 700g - amazing what just cutting out crap will do
• still need to up the exercise but will worry about that after Monday
• work is crazy busy also but really enjoying it right now, maybe because I'm not really "there" anymore. Don't get me wrong, I work hard when I'm there but nothing phases me now - get in, work hard, get out. I'm finding I can't waste any time and I'm getting so much more done and can fit so much more into my day. Funny that.
  
• also work related - getting excited about the new Australian Top Model and Project Runway, both in the works and looking hot!
• just out of interest, check out the weight of the girls in Top Model 3 compared to their height - fark! I prefer women to look like women but these girls are just that, young girls
  
• definitely need to choose a day I don't do ANY study - maybe Friday nights? Last night was good just chilling and hanging with my man
• can't wait for good yoga tomorrow with friends and then lunch with another mate, some social time - bliss
  
• all day classes today so best be off...
  

My Food

A few people have emailed me asking about what I eat when I do eat well - I've realised I don't have time to document my food on my blog or even Calorie King but I'm writing down my daily intake in my diary instead because it's always on me.

Basically (not all the time but most of the time), I loosely follow the Eat Fit Food plan (see below) and refer to a couple of books - click here. I've been vegetarian for nearly a year now so I also substitute the meat meals with tofu or some other kind of protein to suit. Yes, I'm finally eating tofu!

Of course when I'm out at a cafe/restaurant, it's incovenient to eat like this so I just enjoy and hopefully make healthier choices. Still no meat though. It's not a fad! I can't stomach it anymore - both physically and mentally.

Keep it real, keep it clean and eat for one - respect!