Alt Fertility

A Southern girl, trying out veganism, yoga, and other lifestyle changes in the hopes of adding small people to her family. Quickly, here's the run down. I'm a slightly overweight smoker. Up to this point, I haven't regularly exercised since I got married about 3.5 years ago. We have one child, but haven't been able to get pregnant again, sans one miscarriage. I've recently studied some Traditional Chinese Medicine and decided to change my lifestyle, since nothing else to this point has worked. I work full time and run a business. My husband is a Marine who recently left the service. He's currently a full time student and full time dad. We have a 7 year old, Little Man. My goals: 1. Eat (mostly) vegan, with fish as our only animal product - We're going to eat fish about 3 times a week. 2. Quit smoking. It's a terrible habit. 3. Start doing yoga daily. 4. Add Chinese herbs and acupressure to my routine.

[yogaveganforfertility]

My hubby got a job, yall! This is awesome news, he was not happy as a stay at home dad. It just was not working for either of us. Unfortunately, this job is 2 hours south, meaning it's just Little Man and me from Sunday night to Friday night. Losses and gaines.

Speaking of. According to the scale, I've lost 5 pounds, which is awesome.

Meal prep for most of the week is done. Breakfast grits with vegan parmesan cheese. Lunch is either a vegan Cuban bowl or rice and spicy chickpea salad. I need to get groceries this week, lol. My cupboard is just about bare. But I'm not looking to waste my weekends with my hubby on grocery shopping!

[yogaveganforfertility]

Buffalo chickpea salad. Yum yum yum. Chickpeas mixed with vegan mayo, hot sauce, pickles, and garlic powder on top of some chopped romaine. Quick, easy, and satisfying my craving for spicy food

[yogaveganforfertility]

Update

Well, I haven't quit smoking yet, which I knew I was going to have the most difficulty with. I've been smoking for 11 years, aside from about the year I was pregnant with my son and the couple of months I was nursing after giving birth.

I have, however, lose 3 pounds, which is very exciting, and have definitely lost a few inches, since my fat pants are falling off and my skinnier pants are a little loose.

Today, I had quinoa and oatmeal with coconut granola (vegan) and raspberries, a vegan meal bar and some snap pea crisps, and a vegan Cuban bowl (brown rice, black beans, fried plantains and sweet potatoes, pick de Gallo, and avocado). I've found that I eat less and I am less tired after meals if I eat vegan. That's exciting.

We'll know in a day or two if the fertility boost has actually, you know, boosted my fertility.

[yogaveganforfertility]

I've discovered Ben and Jerry's non dairy ice cream. This is a game changer, people

[yogaveganforfertility]

Pizza is my weakness...

[yogaveganforfertility]

Monday

Yoga this morning

Breakfast: roasted potatoes and okra

Lunch: roasted beet and candied walnut salad with chickpeas and tomatoes and mustard vinaigrette. Roasted garlic and onion soup

Dinner: grits and pinto beans with balsamic tomatoes and mushrooms

I also had 2 glasses of wine. One step at a time.

[yogaveganforfertility]

Starting week whatever

It's been rough. I had pizza this weekend. Twice. And not vegan pizza. Regular pizza. One of them with pepperoni, one of them with anchovies. Don't come at me, pineapple people. I like anchovies.

However, every day is a chance to start over. I did a ton of meal prep yesterday and I got up and did my yoga this morning. I feel really good. Today is gonna be a-ok. Roasted okra and potatoes for breakfast. Garlic soup and a salad for lunch. I'm thinking polenta with mushrooms and white beans for dinner. Yum yum.

[yogaveganforfertility]

Bread was a disaster

However, this may be because I'm missing a piece of my bread machine and didn't realize it. Will try again.

[yogaveganforfertility]

Tomorrow is Day 1

Today is meal prep day. I know myself; if it's easy and already put together when I'm busy, that's what I'll eat. I'm currently trying to make GF bread. I haven't had a ton of success with bread, so fingers crossed! I also have to prep some burritos and oatmeal, which will be our breakfasts throughout next week. Let's do it up!

[yogaveganforfertility]

We’re not going vegan until March 1st. But I’m trying out a black eyed pea and collard green chili tonight. Will report back.

[deviantblondeisdeviant-blog]

Whew, Vegan requires a lot of planning

Up to this point, I’ve eaten a largely Paleo diet. I loved it. I felt better. But Paleo relies heavily on meat. Which is delicious. I’m not even a vegetarian for crying out loud. I’m excited to see if these lifestyle changes will work, but I can’t say I’m super psyched to not eat bacon, eggs, or steak anymore. My regular meal planning and grocery shopping is going to be completely changed now…