True Nutrition's Custom Oatmeal Generator is the Best!

Carl from True Nutrition recently asked me to try out the new Custom Oatmeal Generator (use code BBE100 for a discount).  As a huge fan of the Custom Mix Generators, I was stoked.  True Nutrition is already one of my favorite companies for their wide range of vegan proteins and supplements, friendly and helpful staff, and unique Custom Mix Generator.  I use their Custom Mix Generator to create my preworkout/postworkout as well as my protein shakes.  I love the versatility of the brand and how many options there are, even as a vegan.

The Custom Oatmeal Generator is honestly just as awesome to use.  I played with it a little before deciding what I wanted to try, and spoke with Carl for his suggestions.  Carl is always full of helpful information and has more than once steered me in the right direction when I wasn't sure what to do (and even a few times when I thought I knew what I was doing...)

Aaron Visits Dallas

NOTE:  Want to see this in photo form?  Check out my instagram.

What a week of eating, sleeping and love.  Aaron came to visit me in Dallas for 8 days.  I'm trying to sell him on Texas and he's wooing me.  Those two things lead to a very wonderful week together.

SATURDAY, MAY 24TH:

He arrived on Saturday, May 24th.  Before he came to me, Dimple took me to Ascension Coffee in the Arts District.  It was a true Chai and a little bitter for my tastes, but definitely the most authentic Chai I have every tasted.  I drank it, but I wish I had added a little sweetener.  If you've ever met me, you know I love sweet.

We met him at the airport and then did a little shopping.  Dimple is my favorite shopping partner, hands down.  She's the friend that will tell you something looks awful, and encourage you to try on a fluffy homecoming dress for fun.  She's the best.  From there, Aaron and I got Taco Cabana as a snack because neither of us had eaten that day, but we were getting food later that night.  We went home and got ready, and headed out to meet Paul for sushi at Sushi Zushi under Dimple's recommendation.  Again, have I mentioned that Dimple is the best?

Sushi Zushi was delicious.  Aaron and I split some vegan sushi; a Tropical Roll, an avocado roll and one other roll that I can't remember the name of.  We also ordered Tofu Yakiudon.. Aaron loves udon.  It was delicious and even Paul said he would come back.  Paul rarely visits the same sushi place twice, so that is a huge compliment.

We attempted to go to Bowl Lounge, but they said it would be an hour and a half wait, and it was already 11pm.

SUNDAY, MAY 25TH:

We started our morning by sleeping way, way in.  It was wonderful.  Around 3pm we found ourselves at Cici's pizza, starving.  We inhaled some food and headed to Half Price Books so Aaron could see the flagship store.  I picked up a Cortana Pop! figure for my love, Lisa.  We went out that evening with Paul and saw X-Men: Days of Future Past at Studio Movie Grill on Royal.  The movie was great and the black bean burger at Studio Movie Grill was delicous.  I loved the sweet potato fries.

MONDAY, MAY 26TH THROUGH THURSDAY, MAY 29TH:

I had to work long shifts these days, so Aaron was very patient with my schedule and did some independent exploring, and hung out with Paul.  He also visited me on my lunches at work.  We ate the delicious Greenhouse Market at the mall, had Puciago for dessert, and a few times after work, we went to late night food options.  One night we visted Velvet Taco, which again, Dimple had told me about.  As always, it was amazing.  Another night, we visited a place he and Paul had found called Trinity Hall.  It was an Irish pub with vegan options.. heaven.  We even had vegan brownie cheesecake for dessert.  It was amazing.  Thursday, we got a vegan pizza from Whole Foods and I ate half of it and went into a carb coma.  Yes.. it was good.

FRIDAY, MAY 30TH:

Friday I was off!  We woke up late and went to work out.  We also wondered around looking for food, and ended up giving up and decided to see an earlier showing of Maleficent instead.  Paul joined us at Studio Movie Grill on Technology Blvd.  The theater was better, but the service was considerably worse.  It took us over an hour to get drinks.. that was after food, and with us asking three different servers to please bring them to us.  It was disappointing, but the movie was great.  Second Disney movie I've seen recently where the Princess isn't saved by a Prince.  I am loving the direction Disney has been going... exploring that there is more than the love between a man and a woman.

We went to Half Price Books again, but this time, Aaron and Paul wondered off to look at nerdy things while I looked at skincare books.  We got chai teas and Aaron was impressed.  I love their chai so much.

We came back to the house and opened the Cards Against Humanity and played that for a while before we headed to Lower Greeneville.  Caroline joined us just before leaving.  We went to Truck Yard for a few minutes, but it was honestly too packed to be pleasant, and we left as soon as Aaron finished his beer.  Paige and Prem met us at Truck Yard.  We headed to the Libertine and got food.  I had their seitan tacos in the past and they were great.. they've since changed them and they're just bland now.  They're served with just cabbage and hot sauce, and in order to get enough flavor and cut the dryness, you have to use too much hot sauce and the heat is too much.  I was disappointed, but Aaron liked them.  We bounced around Lower Greeneville a little longer, but then we decided to head back to the house and play more Cards.

SATURDAY, MAY 31ST:

Aaron deemed Saturday lazy day.  We slept in, ran a few errands, and got groceries for the day.  Paul joined us to play Cards, watch anime, and generally nerd out.  I made curry with cauliflower rice and it was delicious.  I also tried Nada Moo for the first time in the Chai flavor and it reminded me of Half Price Books / Black Forest Cafe's Chai.  So delicous!!  It was, overall, just a nice preview of the days to come when Aaron really gets to move here.

SUNDAY, JUNE 1ST:

We slept in, we cuddled, and we said good bye.  I don't want to say goodbye.  Let's say.. see you soon.

REVIEW // GIVEAWAY: About Time

This came in the mail.  I was beyond excited.  Even when I opened it up and realized most of the items weren't vegan, I was still excited.  My friend Christopher agreed to try the non-vegan stuff for me and help me review the brand.

In this box:
Whey Protein Isolate in Banana, Chocolate, Cinnamon Swirl, Mocha Mint & Vanilla
Vegan Protein in Vanilla & Chocolate
Fruit, Nuts & Protein Bars in Dark Chocolate Brownie, Island Coconut & Pecan Pie
Granola Clusters
AUX Pre Workout in Passion Fruit & Watermelon

About Time also gave me a 25% off coupon code for you to use: betheats

REVIEW: True Nutrition

I recently spoke with a member of the True Nutrition staff about their vegan protein options.  If you want a super affordable, customizable option, this. is. it.  I can make it even more affordable; with code "BBE100", you'll receive 5% off of your order with True Nutrition.

True Nutrition allows you the freedom to mix your own protein powders.  I don't just mean pick a base and a flavor.. I mean, you can pick percentages of various powders, carb and fat mix ins, flavors, sweeteners, and you can do this in any size from 1 to 100 pound quantities.  The custom mix generator is super easy to use.  As you change your options, it shows you how it effects your nutritional breakdown per scoop so you can make your mix exactly to your specific needs.  There is literally nothing else like this on the market that I am aware of, and more importantly, they have several vegan options.  The mixes come in your choice of a resealable bag with a plastic scoop, or a plastic tub with a plastic scoop.  I love that you have the option.

Day 11 (and beyond): Challenge Conquered!

I had a few weaknesses during this challenge.  I struggled with my personal protein goals during this challenge.  I thought I would be hitting them consistently since I'm usually good at getting my protein, but going from a goal of 45g of protein a day to 135g, I suddenly found myself struggling.  Even eating two protein based meal shakes a day couldn't save me.  My other weakness during this challenge was getting my butt kicked by my allergies and having to living on Benedryl several days.. which knocks me out.

I also had  a few successes during this challenge!  Despite struggling with eating more lean macros and not working out much more than usual, I still lost weight consistently during this challenge.  I definitely think eating higher protein, and taking fucoTHIN Green three times a day definitely made the difference.  However, not once did I feel like I was depriving myself or surviving on diet pills.

On day 9, I weighed in at 125.something.  I was shocked and impressed.  Today, after a night of not sleeping and in general definitely retaining water weight (I feel very bloated and just not good today), I weighed in at 130 pounds.  I am putting off weighing in for a few days.  Yesterday, I could see new bone definition on my hips and was in general very pleased with how I looked and felt.  It's amazing how one bad night of sleep can wreck how you feel.

I know it's been a few days since this challenge ended.  It's been insanely cold and I've been working nonstop.  I will get some updated photos for your soon.  I'm very happy with the results of the challenge and wouldn't mind doing it again!

Day Five Update!

The scale is moving!  Nothing drastic, down to 127.0, which is 1.4 pounds lost in five days, and isn't bad.  I'm off the next two days and have a lot planned in the way of catching up on workouts because work has been wearing me out (excuses!!).  The simple fact of the matter is I haven't really changed anything about my lifestyle outside of the fucoTHIN Green & the meal shakes and have lost weight, which is the point.  If anything, I may be working out slightly less (but will make up for that the next two days, while I'm off and it's finally not -3 degrees out).

Overall?  The challenge is a success so far.  I'm seeing a difference, and I see and feel a difference in my body.  I'm excited to amp it up for the last half of the challenge and see what happens!

Also, I've felt hungrier, but I've only found myself craving good food, which is a great thing!  Love this!!  I have a feeling that when I finish this bottle of fucoTHIN, I will order another!

Day One: Success!

Day one went well.  I am combining the Lorna Jane 30 day ab challenge with what I already had planned (Insanity 3-5xs a week) and that went well.  I did the day one challenge a couple of times yesterday just because.  I don't know if I'm supposed to be doing a certain amount of sets, and if I'm supposed to repeat it throughout the day, but I'm just going to do it anytime I think about it.

I weighed in at 128.2 pounds yesterday.  I know some of this is water weight from impending shark week, but I'm still disappointed.  I did go on a bit of a pizza bender when I was dating a boy recently though, so I'm actually happy that I only gained three pounds, and not like fifteen.  We ate a lot of pizza... no joke.

I need to make a trip to the grocery but they're calling for freezing rain and I walk everywhere so I have to weigh my options.. I'm about to hop in the shower now and decide what I'm going to do.  If I don't go to the store, you guys are going to see me eating a lot of plain lentils and frozen fruit smoothies, haha.