yoga studio 2013 revamp

For a while now, I've been brewing up and boiling over with ideas to freshen up Wholehearter Yoga studio. I haven't had a chance to complete my entire vision because I've been so busy/blessed with teaching! I wanted my studio to all feel more cohesive and planned, like it looked in my head. I just realized how much time I will have off for the holidays with no students and no real plans, so I've already torn the whole place apart and it lies in shambles waiting for more concrete plans. Here is what the studio looked like just a few days ago, before I got my hands on it:

The Before!

Here's a little sneak peek at one addition:

I wanted to create something typographical that could be used as art as well as a drishti (or focal point). I chose to use words that one might find themselves focusing on during a yoga practice...things that we might all need. I love how it turned out and I hope my students find something meaningful when they need it!

I'm not tearing down any walls or anything (sigh), but everything you see in these photos is now old news. I don't know if my ambitious plans will all come to fruition, but I can at least assure you: it won't be looking quite like this in 2013!

Stay tuned...and namaste! :D

2013 update:
It's done! :) You can check out the photos here.

I had a lot of fun creating the studio artwork. I wanted the makeover to make the whole place look clean and bright, so I added a lot of white accents. I wanted the decor to be simple in color and content, but provide areas of focus.

 I love to bring in elements of nature when I can, but with a neutral color palette, I chose a simple silhouette of a tree and a great, powerful quote.

The third main piece I did was also meant to be a gentle and beautiful reminder. The chaotic swirls vs. negative space offered some great symbolism of daily life vs. yoga time!

Namaste! :)

what you're supporting when you shop at walmart

In my area and for the first part of my life, Walmart stores only existed down south. Ignorance was bliss. We all shopped locally, happily supporting our community and small businesses like grocery stores, lumber yards, farms, nurseries and hardware stores. The employees were knowledgeable, vested in their work and prices were fair. Once Walmart infested our town, many of those small businesses either closed down or have struggled ever since, while Walmart has continued to expand like an over-fed tick. I've watched countless small businesses in my area be snuffed out by big box stores, crushed under their competitive prices and left empty by their ignorant customers trying to save a buck.

Boycotting Walmart 100% is my way of refusing to participate in their warped and economically damaging practices. I do not have a problem with capitalism. I do not have a problem with successful businesses. Heck, I do not even have a problem with other large chains , but what I do take issue with is companies that are actively ruining competition with bad business practices. As the largest company in the world, Walmart continues to operate in a way that increases welfare spending, contributes to suburban sprawl, drives local companies out of business, decreases employment in both retail and manufacturing while lowering the wages in both sectors and increases our tendency to consume natural resources that we do not need. Very few companies have generated more antagonism than Walmart because they've gotten so out of control. Many people instinctively dislike Walmart, but still shop there. We should all be aware of our choices, so if you read on, know that every time you shop at Walmart, you're casting a vote and supporting the following:
 

Killing small businesses. How? When Walmart builds a store in any town, they take time to research their competition. Taking note of prices, they then stock their shelves for less than the surrounding area. They're so big that it doesn't matter how much money they lose at first because the mother corporation is footing the bill. They keep their prices artificially low until their competition is forced out of business (it doesn't take long). As soon as that happens, Walmart raises it's prices back to profitable levels. So then, the town is left totally dependent on Walmart, or none of them can afford to shop their either (since they're all now unemployed) and Walmart eventually stops being profitable, closing it's door and leaving a ghost town behind. Due to Walmart's aggressive tactics, the number of independent retailers in the U.S. has declined by 60,000 between 1992 and 2000.

Screw the environment. Walmart has illegally logged in protected Russian habitats for Siberian tigers, one Walmart Supercenter uses the same amount of energy as 1,095 U.S. homes do in one day, their massive size promotes industrialized farming, every year, they pay millions of dollars for violating environmental laws by improperly handling, storing and disposing of hazardous materials, such as pesticides, chemicals, paint, acid, aerosols, fertilizer and motor oil. [1] They might be claiming that they're trying to be green, but they're not doing enough.

Supporting Monsanto. If you don't know much about Monsanto, you should know that they are the leading producer of genetically engineered (GE) seed and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), both of which are unnatural and openly laced with pesticides. Monsanto also strives to obtain patents over "their" intellectual property, ie. seeds, plants and food....yeah. They've manufactured many other controversial products such as DDT, PCBs and Agent Orange. Monsanto's genetically modified sweet corn (and other foods) are resistant to a common herbicide, which allows farmers to kill weeds without killing the food. So then the food just contains the toxins that fends off certain pests, but don't worry, it's cheap. Yum.

Terrible employee treatment. Companies like Walmart are the reason why blue-collar workers can’t get a leg up. They have policies that keep most at part-time levels to avoid increased health care costs, or they have management that allegedly uses retaliatory measures to avoid overtime payment. The big strike around Thanksgiving was not due to holiday hours, but the complaints centered around low salaries, planned cuts to health care, and most of all, the fact that many say management retaliates if employees complain about hours (that is against the law.) Whether you're a fan of unions or not, it’s companies like Walmart that make them a necessity. Otherwise, there is no way to stand up to the powerful company. [2] Despite all this, for those who really believe that Walmart is still actually "creating jobs" overall, please read below...

Imports from China. 85% of non-perishable Walmart inventory is now imported from China...85%! When Sam Walton began this business, he claimed to buy American-made products. If that were true, after he died, that idea was completely scrapped. If people weren't so concerned with saving a few bucks and were willing to spend a bit more for American-produced goods, then Walmart would provide them.

"One group estimates that the growing US trade deficit with China, heavily influenced by Walmart imports, is estimated to have moved over 1.5 million jobs that might otherwise be in America to China between 1989 and 2003." [3]

So not only are they sending millions jobs overseas, but they have never provided adequate supervision of their foreign suppliers. [4] Over the years (and currently have yet to clean up their act) they've been criticized for regularly using sweatshops, prison labor and child labor. But don't worry, you're saving $20 on your grocery bill!

It's hard to know the in's and out's of every business, but there's absolutely no excuse to ignore widespread ethical, environmental and social injustice. Everyone's first response to justify their continual patronization of Walmart is: "But it's so cheap, I can't afford to shop anywhere else." As a poor college student, I used to believe that too and I understand the temptation of their low prices. But once you know WHY their prices are so low and understand HOW they are generating and sustaining their business, how can you not care about at least one of the aforementioned facts? When a company is as huge as Walmart, it's not just about you anymore. The money that Walmart is sucking out of our communities is not getting recycled locally.

What can you do about it? Be informed and make informed decisions. Walmart is, in many areas and for many people, inescapable (much like work and drudgery and eventual death). In fact, 96% of Americans live within 20 miles of a Walmart, so it's clearly a widespread convenient choice. [5] But when you know the facts and live in a place where other stores are available, you've run out of excuses. Why insist on saving a few dollars now if you're destroying the economy for your future or your family? Why sustain a huge box store that is robbing your small town of it's charming businesses and sending millions of jobs overseas? Why buy organic if you're supporting a company that is in direct opposition those organic farms? You are destroying the things you think you are supporting. You might not realize it yet, but you can't afford to keep shopping at Walmart. 

If these facts haven't made you at least think twice about continually supporting Walmart, then I will assume that you either didn't read it all or you're directly related to Sam Walton... neither of which is necessarily a good excuse. ;) Check out the sources/info below and feel free to start a dialogue in the comments section! If this is your first time hearing about all this, I'd love to know what you think now.

For more information, check out the documentary Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price, available on Netflix.

The book: How Walmart is Destroying America (And the World): And What You Can Do About It

These amazingly disturbing facts: 20 Shocking Facts About Walmart

3 common issues with yoga

Attention one time yogis - read this and then try again! :)
Throughout the holiday season, I've been catching up with a lot of new and old friends at holiday parties and answering the usual, "what do you do?" and "how have you been?" questions. So often, the topic ends up with: yoga. I've come across a lot of people who have wanted to try yoga or have tried yoga and for one reason or another, didn't like it. (Gasp!) But I'm beginning to understand why and I'd like to help clear some things up to balance expectations about yoga with reality!

1.) The teacher didn't explain enough. One of the biggest gripes I hear from first-time or one-time-yogis is that the instructor didn't explain the poses enough or didn't tell them if they were doing the poses correctly. One of the biggest reminders I could offer for this expectation is that yoga is not a sport or an exercise class, so don't expect it to be taught like that.

Yoga is a meditative practice, so don't expect the teacher to narrate everything, tell you why you're doing each pose or explain the philosophy of yoga during class because THAT would drive you insane anyway. If you have questions afterward, ask, but usually, the teacher is explaining enough. Understand that there is no "right or wrong" to beginning yoga poses; it is a seriously personal practice and mental discipline, so as long as it feels good for you, don't read into it too much.

2.) The teacher kept adjusting me/didn't correct me at all! There are two very opposing "schools" of yoga, if you will: one that believes students should be physically adjusted often and the other that opposes the concept of any physical adjustment unless absolutely necessary. Both encourage verbal and self-adjustment, but the goal behind NOT touching students is to encourage them to tune into their own body, not be striving to fit any mold. Myself and many other teacher and students probably fall somewhere in between these two beliefs. I definitely do not see a benefit to adjusting students obsessively, as this can effect confidence, concentration and, in turn, progress, but I do believe that there are certain postures that can be gently adjusted to allow for deeper release or opening that cannot be achieved by a student's own volition. 

If your teacher approaches you to adjust you, stay calm and keep in mind that you're not doing anything wrong. He/she is just trying to help you feel something a little different. If you would like to be adjusted more often, understand why many teachers may not want to disrupt your practice in this way, but feel free to ask or seek another more "hands-on" teacher.

3.) The class was too hard/too boring. This is a big one, so please do your research before attending a class and try to keep things in perspective. If you've never taken a yoga class, make sure you're signing up for a beginner's class and take it easy. Sometimes, you may feel lost in community yoga classes or large classes, so either start with a few private lessons from a local studio or do your best and don't do anything that doesn't feel good. Yoga should never be painful and your teacher should (hopefully) offer modifications for various levels. If you're already in shape and find that the class was not enough for you, keep in mind that there are dozens of different types of yoga, taught at hundreds of different studios by thousands of different teachers.

Disclaimer: As with anything, nit-picking can squelch even the best yoga experience. If you didn't like the music that particular day, thought the paint choices were lame or would have chosen a different candle scent, do suck it up a bit. What are you here for? Mental and physical discipline or pedantics?

If you really had some sort of terrible yoga experience, I understand your hesitation, but trying one teacher or one place is not exactly giving it a fair chance. You ended up there in the first place seeking something...peace, relaxation, physical strength...etc. so don't give up so easily. Not everyone will resonate with the same style of yoga or the same teacher, but the mental and physical benefits are really worth finding one that will. It's hard to go into a new practice without any expectations at all, but if you keep an open mind, yoga will change you and you'll understand so much more about yourself and yoga. 

Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar, or B.K.S. Iyengar, is one of the foremost yoga teachers in the world and has been practicing/teaching for over 75 years. He sums up this idea well:

"Yoga, an ancient but perfect science, deals with the evolution of humanity. This evolution includes all aspects of one's being, from bodily health to self-realization. Yoga means union -- the union of body with consciousness and consciousness with the soul. Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one's actions." - B.K.S. Iyengar

Namaste!

mindfulness v.s. the world

Not including the times that you actually receive a notification, how many times per day do you think you check your cell phone? For most people, it's a mechanical movement, as involuntary as breathing or blinking; you probably have no idea how much it really is...on average, it's 150 times per day. This statistic is sickening, but the worst part is, most of us scowling at this stat are hypocrites. Most of us have a love/hate relationship with being connected, being available or multi-tasking. Maybe you've even tried to "unplug" before, but don't worry. The problem does not lie with technology, it's you! :) 

If you're striving to live a deeper quality, more peaceful or more mindful life, our modern world is plagued with difficult distractions. The problem with any piece of technology is the distracted and unconscious manner in which we waste our time with it. If you have a smart phone, there are countless mindless activities available right at your fingertips. The more we worship technology, the more it becomes an idol and invades other areas of our lives. Cell phones are just one small, prevalent example.

In our fast-paced world, it's not natural to be quiet and still. Even if we don't like it, we tend to be busy, occupied and productive because these things spell success and don't waste time. In turn, we are stressed out, over-stimulated and out-of-touch. Give the average person true peace and quiet time, they get bored, antsy or uncomfortable because we're not acclimated to being calm. (This is why some people need to bring their cell phones to yoga practice and scoot out before savasana.) And this is why we practice mindfulness mediation.

"Mindfulness refers to a psychological quality that involves bringing one’s complete attention to the present experience on a moment-to-moment basis. Mindfulness meditation means 'paying attention on purpose."-Wikipedia

One of the many goals of mindfulness meditation is to become aware of what we're doing. So outside of our meditation practice, habits that we were not previously aware of begin to surface; we become conscious of habits like checking the cell phone, a curt tone of voice or nail biting...things that were once only noticed in hindsight. During mindfulness meditation, we're not "zoning-out," but only turning our attention inward and only allowing our minds to stay on our meditation practice. We're not thinking about the clock ticking, sore muscles, daily tasks or anything else. We are disciplining our mind to not wander away from the present moment...it's not an easy task. Some days, you might spend 10 minutes redirecting your thoughts back to the present 100 times, but those 10 minutes are still a valuable lesson in mental discipline. Over time, you will begin to notice beneficial changes outside of your meditation practice.




1. Improved focus and concentration
2. Enhanced communication skills
3. Heightened clarity of thinking, intentions and decisions
4. Improved efficiency
5. Peace of mind
6. Relaxation
7. Deepen insight and intuitive wisdom
8. Resilience to change
10. Strengthened self-confidence

The next time you have a few spare minutes and you reach for something to distract you or entertain you, take a moment to notice your patterns. Think about your actions and reactions throughout the day, noticing when you feel most stressed or most relaxed. Use mindfulness meditation to cultivate deeper awareness throughout your life. Start with just 5 minutes of focused thought on the present moment. Try to keep your mind from wandering, but when it does, just remind yourself that this is your meditation time...nothing more. With practice, you will begin to carry this sense of focus with you and have less dependence on distraction, business and technology.

“We could say that meditation doesn't have a reason or doesn't have a purpose. In this respect it's unlike almost all other things we do except perhaps making music and dancing. When we make music we don't do it in order to reach a certain point, such as the end of the composition. If that were the purpose of music then obviously the fastest players would be the best. Also, when we are dancing we are not aiming to arrive at a particular place on the floor as in a journey. When we dance, the journey itself is the point, as when we play music the playing itself is the point. And exactly the same thing is true in meditation. Meditation is the discovery that the point of life is always arrived at in the immediate moment.” -Alan Watts

Namaste!

why do muscles shake?

After a particularly energetic yoga class, some of my tuckered fellow-yogis expressed their challenges with asanas like Full Boat Pose and Chatarunga Push-ups. "Why do my muscles shake so bad!?" a student laughed. We've all been there (especially in Full Boat) when the uncontrollable shaking of our fatigued muscles becomes a distraction or requires us to back out of a pose.  I knew that shaking muscles basically indicate muscle weakness or fatigue, but I was curious about the science behind it myself. What I found out about our shaking muscles is very interesting and enlightening!

What's actually happening when my muscles quiver?
When your muscles begin to quiver in a challenging posture, it's because different parts of the muscle are grabbing and releasing one another as they lengthen and shorten. Once your muscles become accustomed to doing that exercise, the trembling will stop.

"Muscles are made up of many fibers. When a muscle is used, not all the fibers contract at the same time. Some rest while the others work, and then they trade places. When the muscles are really challenged, the changeovers can get a little ragged. Beginning yogis often shake quite a lot."- Yoga Journal

So it's really the link between muscle fibers that are struggling and causing the shuddering. A good analogy for this connection would be runners passing the baton in a relay race; when you're quivering, someone fumbled the baton.

Are shaking muscles bad?
The answer to this is on an individual basis. In yoga, we always emphasize the importance of tuning in with what your body and mind are feeling. It's okay to be challenged or find that "comfortable edge" in a posture, but if you're forcing yourself to hold a posture that's too much for you, stop and analyze your intentions. Yoga asanas are only meant to gradually challenge a focused and prepared mind and body. Check your mind, your eyes, your lips/jaw, and, most of all, your breath. If any of these areas feel hard or constricted, back off and modify the pose to fit your needs for the day.

If muscles continue to shake AFTER asana practice, that's when you know you've pushed too hard (and you might want to confront the dreaded ego.)

"When the muscles continue to shake uncontrollably, it is a strong indicator that the practice has been far too violent."- Yoga Journal

How can I stop the shaking?
Short of backing out or modifying the posture that is causing the shaking, the best way to avoid shaking in the future is to stick to a regular practice. When you're in the posture that you struggle with, imagine that you are rooting your muscles to the bone, creating a strong base. Start slow and keep surrounding areas relaxed. Practicing and slowly strengthening the muscles will allow you to eventually move past the shaking.

Summary:
Your muscles shake when they're struggling to accommodate a new challenge. Shaking is okay as long as your stay mindful and it doesn't become a mental distraction. You may be sore the next day, but it should feel good as long as you don't overdo it. If you always stay tuned-in, you'll always stay safe!

yoga gift guide 2012

Whether you're a practicing yogi, a clueless friend or a devoted practitioner, the following 15 favorites offer a wide-variety of price range, style and function. Hopefully this list gives you some inspiration for the upcoming holiday season!

1.) JuJu's Aromatherapy Eye Pillows - $4.00
Quite possibly the most wonderful $4 gift ever, these eye pillows are hand-made and positively decadent. Choose from a huge variety of luxurious fabrics and relaxing scents and maybe even get one for yourself!

2.) Peace Sign Sterling Earrings - $5.95
Make a statement with a simple accessory and fight hunger with every purchase.

3.) ToeSox - $15
Sure they might look like a ratty old pair of toe-less socks, but any yogi will appreciate the amazing five-toe design that promotes toe strength and flexibility. They're also equipped with non-slip grips on the bottom, so you can practice yoga safely on or off the mat. AND they're only $15!

4.) Yoga Journal Subscription - $15
Be sure to check and make sure that your yogi-loved-one doesn't already subscribe, but if not, Yoga Journal is an amazingly affordable gift that keeps on giving the whole year through!

5.) Ripple Effect Fair Trade Scarf - $18
Beautiful color options for every yogi on your list, this silk and cotton blend scarf is sure to keep even the most stylish yogis looking cool and staying warm.

6.) Yoga Tote - $18
Strictly for yogis with a sense of humor, this tote and other accessories bearing the same verbiage have become very popular in the yoga community.

7.) Chocoveda Chocolates - $30
Starting at $30, this all-natural, dairy free specialty dark chocolate is just plain cool. Seven flavors correlate to each of the seven chakras! Flavors include chai, tangerine, ginger/lemongrass, green tea, peppermint, pomegranate, and honey/vanilla. Enough said.

8.) prAna Wonderblock - $30
prAna makes this amazing loaf-of-bread + yoga-block hybrid that would be extremely useful for various asanas. Reuse an old bread bag as wrapping paper for a hilarious and thoughtful gift! ;)

9.) Namaste Leather Bracelet - $38
I love Etsy and this shop is full of awesome "word" bracelets.

 

10.) Yoga Cookie Cutters - $40

Pretty much an essential for any serious yogi, these yoga cookie cutters are sure to automatically create the healthiest baked goods on the block...right?

11.) Yoga! (Gift Certificate) - $50

Seriously, what better gift for a new or practicing yogi than yoga? Many studios and private instructors offer gift cards for any amount, but a nice class pass will normally start around $50. Call your local studio to find out and be the hero for your yoga-loving-loved ones!

12.) Zafu Meditation Pillow - $60

Handmade in the U.S. and starting at $60, these Zafu pillows are amazingly comfortable for extended meditation practice. Great motivation for those beginning a meditation practice or a welcome treat for those accustomed to sitting on the floor for hours at a time.

13.) Rectangular Manduka Bolster - $68

The versatile rectangular bolster is an extremely useful yoga prop for yogis of every level. Lightweight and firm, it weighs significantly less than standard bolsters and retains its shape and firmness for years of practice.

14.) Jade Yoga Mat - $70

Jade makes the undisputed best yoga mats, hands (and feet) down. $70 might seem steep when you can purchase mats for $10, but for someone who practices yoga often, it's nice to have a well-made yoga mat that will last and not leave tiny rubber chunks all over your body or the studio you practice in. Jade is also committed to being Eco-friendly and they give back to environmental causes with each purchase.

15.) Something Expensive from Lululemon - $80+

If all else fails, you can't go wrong with some sort of Lululemon apparel or gift card. If you haven't heard, Lulu is the creme-de-la-creme of yoga apparel. I'm told that what they lack in affordability, they make up for with vanity...I mean quality. Until I receive said gift card or find $80 in between my couch cushions to drop on a pair of tights, I think my Target apparel is working out just fine.


Namaste, people!

Check out the 2013 Gift Guide here!

where do you get your protein!?

I am relatively new to veganism, exploring this helpful and healthful dietary option for my husband's chronic health issues. For those of you who are unfamiliar, veganism may be defined as the following:

"The practice of abstaining from the use of all animal products, particularly in diet. A vegan diet may include all whole grains, vegetables, fruit, legumes, nuts and seeds."

Before delving into veganism, I had heard plenty about the big vegan protein debate, but never thought it was still so prevalent today. Many meat-lovers are passionate about their beliefs on nutrition, but especially protein intake. I've seen the cartoons and jokes but didn't realize how widespread this misinformation is.

From a young age we are taught: meat has protein, cow's milk has calcium and oranges have Vitamin C. Period.
But does that mean those things are the best sources for those nutrients? Is that really the whole story? Few nutrients in our modern diet have been as misunderstood and misrepresented as protein. Historically, humans only ate small portions of meat and that only occurred once or twice a week. So where did humans got their protein back then? Whole grains, vegetables, fruit, legumes, nuts and seeds. In reality, meat is simply not the best protein source, protein is not the most important nutrient in our diet and a vegetarian/vegan diet can have more than enough protein to sustain a healthy lifestyle. If that just rocked your world, please read on....

Lets start with how much protein is really enough vs. how much you may be getting. Our protein needs do depend on our age, size and activity level, but the standard method used by nutritionists to estimate our minimum daily protein requirement is to multiply the body weight (in pounds) by .37. This is the number of grams of protein that should be the daily minimum. So a person weighing 150 lbs. should eat about 55 grams of protein per day, a 200-pound person should get 74 grams and so on. With how much protein is available in a varied diet, it's not difficult to achieve the minimum amount of protein. 

Proven Facts About Meat & Protein:

1. Excess protein is very harmful. As with anything, too much of even a good thing can be very bad. Protein surplus can cause weight gain, severe dehydration, kidney and intestinal problems and is linked with shorter life expectancy, increased cancer and heart disease risk, widespread obesity and diabetes, osteoporosis, kidney stress and poor digestion.

"A diet in which protein makes up more than 30-35% of your caloric intake causes a buildup of toxic ketones. Ketogenic diets thrust the kidneys into overdrive." - Source

2. A varied vegan diet provides enough protein. A lot of misconception here can come from unhealthy or lackadaisical vegetarians/vegans who fill their diet with carbs. The key to any healthy diet is fresh variation.

"...In 1839 until the present day, we have virtually revered this nutrient [protein] and as a result have made sure that our more general thoughts about nutrition and health had to fit this paradigm. This was especially true when protein was considered--and still is considered by many--to be mostly found in animal-based foods. In the early years, protein meant meat and meat meant protein. Thus, much of the reverence for protein really was a reverence for meat." - Source

 "Soybeans, quinoa and spinach have higher quantities (and more complete quality) of essential amino acids when compared to meat." - Source 

3. Meat offers zero fiber, micronutrients or phytonutrients. This means that meat moves very slowly through the digestive system, taking about 4-7 days to exit the body, during which time it is essentially putrefying, building up and becoming toxic. All whole plant foods are rich in colon-cleansing fiber.

4. Animal foods force the digestive system to produce hydrochloric acid. HCL strips the body of calcium and is only necessary to break down meat; so vegans and vegetarians naturally produce less, therefore, allowing them to more readily absorb and retain calcium.

5. Animal protein is not superior to complete protein from more than one plant source – they give the same result in different ways. Again, the key here is variation.

"As long as you are eating from a variety of nutrient-rich foods, all ten amino acids will be present in your diet. Protein deficiency does not exist among vegan vegetarians; in fact tests continue to show they are healthier and live longer." - Source

"Animal protein is typically high in protein, but also saturated fat, phosphorus, sulfurous acids, uric acid and nitrogen." - Source

It's easy to assume that without meat, a vegan diet might be lacking in protein or other essential nutrients. But when it comes down to it, as long as you have enough variety, meat is actually what's lacking in protein and nutritional value.
 

Meat & Dairy V.S. Plant-Based Protein Sources:

Meat & Dairy Protein Sources v.s. Plant-based Protein Sources

Think of it this way: things like Pistachios, Almonds, Pine Nuts, Walnuts and Pumpkin seeds all have over 5 grams of protein per ounce. Brussels Sprouts, Lima Beans, Peas, Navy Beans, Black Beans, Spinach, Broccoli, Artichokes, Mushrooms and Potatoes all have over 4 grams per serving. So imagine just these few examples, combined 3 times per day with other vegetables that have 2-3 grams of protein, PLUS any other fruits, grains, nuts and pastas you may eat throughout the day and what do you get? Sufficient amounts of daily protein!

If you're not convinced or overwhelmed with facts yet, keep in mind that protein is (again) NOT the most important part of any diet. Basic principle of any diet should be variety, balance and moderation. The bottom line here is that meat does not contain any necessary nutrients that a diverse plant-based diet lacks. Humans can achieve healthy diets as vegans, herbivores or omnivores, but not carnivores.

Vegan Food Pyramid

With how much I've researched nutrition over the past few years, it's easy to forget that not everyone cares. Had Dave not been battling serious health issues, it's doubtful that we would have bothered to commit to a vegan diet. It's doubtful I would have thought as much about where and how I'm getting all my nutrients or how food is effecting my body and it's doubtful I would have written this post. "Where do you get your protein?" is an honest question I had asked myself before, so I never mind explaining it. What I DO mind is anyone having their healthy dietary choices scrutinized or criticized. 

Though I'd like to be, I am not a nutritionist and I don't claim to know what's best for everyone's health or diet. I also don't know if I/we will be vegan forever (especially with how much I love a good cheese.) If anything, I hope to help break the repetitious cycle of this question and assure everyone that, yes, I am getting enough protein. :)

Namaste!


Learn more about vegan/vegetarian protein sources here or info on other important vegan nutrients here.