Sharing my journey into better health - one blog at a time

Finally Getting FIT!!!

Posted on May 8, 2013 by sarahmaevegan

Meet Bindi-Lee – My new Personal Trainer!
I have never actually had a PT before as I have ben too scared to look unfit in front of someone! How crazy is that!
My blog will be going through some changes in the next year! Bindi-Lee and I will be working together with fitness and food to help you guys have amazing lives! Yay!
Anyway, yesterday I faced my fear for the first time and not only had a PT session, but did it in a public park in FULL VIEW of bystanders!
So many different emotions came up for me – fear, pain, anger and wanting to quit. I could have burst into tears a couple of times but channelled that frustration into pushing myself. I’m so glad I did!
Today I am sore and proud of myself!
I am so committed to healing myself and showing you that it is possible with some hard work, dedication and FUN!
I hope that you can join this adventure with me and heal whatever it is that you are dealing with, I will be with you 100% of the way!
Love Sarah
xxx

How to get cysts on your ovaries, starve yourself and binge!

Posted on May 6, 2013 by sarahmaevegan

Hey guys,
As you may have noticed, I have been quiet lately.
That is because I have had cysts redevelop on my ovaries, I have been binge eating and starving myself – and I have been too scared to tell you!
I honestly thought I would NEVER experience ay of these 3 aspects of my past again, so I guess I have been in denial about it.
I wanted to film a video instead of just write a blog as it was wayyyy more confronting and made me take responsibility and own up to what I have been doing.
I started this blog to show you my transition to healthier food, and I had amazing results! I cured my cystic ovaries, stopped binge eating and no longer starved myself. I started running in races, inspiring other people to change their lifestyle and that was the greatest feeling.
Since having an IUD (contraceptive device) removed last year I have been bouncing between binge eating and starving and it makes me so sad that I am back to where I started.
At the same time I am so grateful that I have the power to heal myself with a raw vegan diet and lifestyle, and I look forward to re-inspiring myself and my beautiful blog readers to be healthy, one blog at a time!
Thankyou for holding a space of love and support for me, I really appreciate having you guys to communicate with.
LETS DO THIS!
Love Sarah
xxx

Glowing Lemon Skin?

Posted on May 5, 2013 by sarahmaevegan

Hey guys!
This is just a quick little post as I am going to bed to let you know that using lemon on your skin is AMAZING!
This alkaline ball of goodness is not only great for your insides, but believe it or not, it is AMAZING for your outsides too!
I have been doing this for the last couple of nights before I go to bed and waking up with reduced redness and smooth skin!
So tonights tip?
Make yourself a glass of warm lemon water to sip on before bed, and with the last little bits of juice you get from your lemon, put them on your face!
Give it a try and let me know how you go!
OH! If you keep your mine in the fridge like me, it may be a little cold to put straight on your face!!!

Have a good night!
More blogs to come!
Love Sarah

xxx

Sarah Mae Music?

Posted on April 16, 2013 by sarahmaevegan

Hey guys!
You may or may not know that health AND music are two of my biggest passions in life!
Obviously I am crazy about people taking control of their health and about how you can transform your whole life just by transitioning what you put in your body and getting moving!
DID YOU ALSO KNOW…..
To avoid emotionally eating (aka binging!), I write music!
I have been wayyyyy to scared to share this online, until the recent pressure of certain friends and family members got the best of me!
I thought I would declare this on my blog so that those of you who have a passion/talent that you are too afraid to share, can realise that once you take ACTION and JUST DO IT, it really isn’t the scary after all!
I hope you have a beautiful night!
If you wish to follow my musical journey, you can become a member of my Facebook family here.
Love Sarah
xxx

7 Days to Raw & Bikram Days 6 & 7!

Posted on April 3, 2013 by sarahmaevegan

Day 6.

I felt so strong today. This program is really helping me mentally. In the last year I have been the perfect example of what happens when you go from living a healthy vegan lifestyle with no processed foods, lots of exercise, lots of water and lots of sunshine – to slipping back into eating CRAP (Colours, Refined, Artificial, Preservative filled foods), not making time to exercise and being just plain LAZY and UNMOTIVATED…basically everything that I got rid of when I went vegan and cut the CRAP out started coming back. More evidence that a plant based, active, hydrated lifestyle is amazing.
I had a really productive day organising my time table for the next couple of weeks, which helped me feel like I can continue on the raw path even when the 7 Day Program is done.
I got to spend the evening with a couple of people that I am currently doing an elite 8 month leadership course with (more on that in a blog to come). The people in my program are absolutely amazing and up to BIG things with their lives.
I made sure that I ate before I went because I didn’t expect to be catered for with this program. When I turned up I was so surprised to find out that Josh, one of the members of my group had bought me a Durian!!!
I put on my 2013 To Do List to try Durian, so I was so excited and giddy when I saw it!
Have you ever tried a Durian?
I had heard rumours that they smell and weren’t very nice, but I really loved they custardy taste and texture!
I recommend that you give it a try if you get the time

Anyway, here is what I nourished my body with today:

BREAKFAST: Lemon Water, Green Smoothie
SNACK: Protein Smoothie
LUNCH: A big raw salad with cashew mustard dressing
DINNER: Kelp noodles with Pad This Sauce
WATER: 2 Litres – Not Enough!

ONE DAY TO GO!
AHHHH!

See you tomorrow!

Day 7.
Oh my gosh! Today was the last day! I am so proud because I ACTUALLY completed it! I started the day with Bikram – which makes it 3 days out of 7 that I practiced. I am happy with that effort and have officially joined up as a member of the studio!
Bikram has been a big eye opener for me this week. I have done yoga before, but Bikram is something else! It requires so much focus, breathing, determination and strength to make it through a class. It is so mentally challenging at first, because it is so easy to keep thinking “omg it’s so hot, I can’t breathe!”
BUT, I did it! I really recommend it!
I worked for a couple of hours in the middle of the day and then headed off to go rock climbing with my friend Noah. It was the BEST end to this program! Also, I was able to complete some pretty challenging climbs that previously I have either not attempted, or given up halfway when I get tired or sore. This new mental strength is amazing, and I know it comes from having a clean diet and committed workout routine that keeps my body strong.
Strong Body = Strong Mind
After climbing, Noah and I went and got a young coconut, borrowed a knife from a cafe to get to the water, and then cracked them open in the street to eat the flesh. It was amazing – and hilarious that passers by were looking at us like it was unnatural. When did packaged, processed foods become ‘normal’?
That’s another lesson from this week, to just go back to basics and eat what nature intended, in abundance!

Here is what I nourished myself with today:

BREAKFAST: Lemon Water, Green Smoothie
SNACK: Protein Smoothie
LUNCH: Carrot Pasta (Spiralized Carrots) with Cashew Mustard Sauce
SNACK: Kelp Noodles with Pad Thai Sauce
DINNER: Young Coconut, 2 Nectarines, Nuts
WATER: 3 Litres

Want the results?
I lost 15cm’s off my entire body! I don’t usually ever measure or weight myself, but for the interest of this program I did and it was really interesting to see what happened!
Have a look at Kisane’s before and after shots!
She did an amazing job and was so committed!

I just wanted to also add a quick little thank you to you Kisane before I sign off…
You were such a stand for me this week, and really supported me when I thought I couldn’t do it. You dedication to your health, happiness and for the health and happiness of others is so damn inspiring! I don’t think I could have been as strong as I was this week without you! Thankyou for having me at your place and for showing me some amazing new recipes! I will miss staying with you, I will also miss your FROOTHIE!
You should be so proud of yourself!!!

This program has officially been launched so that you guys can have access to the recipes, eating plan and VIP group.
I will be posting a blog with all info and links in the next couple of days.
For now, be good to your body and LOVE YOURSELF!
Love Sarah

xxx

7 Days to Raw & Bikram Days 3, 4 & 5

Posted on April 1, 2013 by sarahmaevegan

Day 3.
Today was full of nature and friends. It was one of the funnest days I have had in a while
I started the day with a swim in the ocean which was absolutely beautiful and refreshing! I moved to the city about 3 months ago and the one thing that I have really struggled with is not living by the ocean. I used to start every day with a beach run and a swim, and since relocating have found that I am not as inspired to run or be active as I am surrounded by concrete!
My best friend Holly and I also caught up today which was longgg overdue. Our friendship is centred around honesty, love, fun and health – which is AMAZING!
We met at my place, made a beet juice, found the closest bush walk and set off on a healthy adventure. It is such a grounding experience catching up with a friend on a bush walk!
When I got home I went for a run in the city, which I really didn’t feel like doing. It is amazing how your mood and energy completely change when you raise your heart rate and get your sweat on!
My evening was spent watching my housemate Whitney perform in a play! A big group of us went along and the rest of them wanted to ‘hit the town’ when the play had finished. I wasn’t too keen on that idea so suggested to a friend that him and I go rock climbing instead. In the end, the WHOLE group came rock climbing and got active instead of going out and getting drunk! I was so happy and we had the most amazing time. I got to share with them about my Vegan lifestyle and about the detox. They were all early inspired and want to organise a raw vegan dinner party!

Yay health!
I didn’t make it to Bikram today as it was a long weekend and the times for classes didn’t fit in with the day I had planned. I am happy that I got a chance to bush walk and run instead

Anyway, here is what I nourished myself with today:

BREAKFAST: Lemon Water, Green Smoothie
SNACK: Protein Smoothie & Beet Juice
LUNCH: Raw Salad with Basil Pesto Dressing
DINNER: Veggie Sticks with Cashew Cream Cheese
WATER: 6 Litres

Day 4.
Today was a pretty average day for me. I had a big day at work serving a HUGE vegan breakfast buffet, which was REALLY tempting!
I didn’t get to Bikram AGAIN today as the times of the classes didn’t work around my work hours.
I made my smoothies and lunch before I went to work and enjoyed them throughout the day. I headed off to a picnic from work which required everyone to bring a plate of food to contribute to the picnic mat. I brought some raw vegan carrot cakes (which didn’t fit in to my & Days to Raw plan so I couldn’t have them!) and sat them down on the mat, which was full of baked goods, chips, lollies and chocolates.
I am happy to report that ALL cakes were gone and enjoyed by the ned of the picnic, and it gave me the chance to share some of my knowledge with other people who were AMAZED by how delicious raw food can be!
When our food had digested, we played the childhood game Bullrush, which I haven’t played since I was about 8!
It was real confronting at first because it involved running, being chased and not being caught. A lot of fears came up for me like “I’m going to look stupid, I can’t run as fast as other people and people will judge me” and it made me realise how much I think this! These thoughts run through my head DAILY and have stopped me from participating in SO MANY fun things in my life!
I ended up giving all of these thoughts and having an absolute BLAST!
It is important to remember how important it is to have FUN!!!!!

Here is what my body got to enjoy today:

BREAKFAST: Lemon Water, Green Smoothie
SNACK: Protein Smoothie
LUNCH: Veggie Sticks and Cashew Cream Cheese
SNACK: Carrot, Apple, Ginger & Mint Juice
DINNER: Raw Vegan Sushi!!!
WATER: 5 Litres

Day 5.

Last night I was in the kitchen UNcooking up a storm for today as I spent my Easter Sunday on the back of a motorbike riding through the mountains as a part of a fundraiser for the Starlight Foundation. I had a backpack full of smoothies and salads that I gotmto enjoy on our put stops.
This is my Protein Smoothie at a cafe the we stopped at.
While everyone else ordered bacon, eggs, beans, cheese, toast and coffee – I got to enjoy this quick, easy delicious smoothie with this amazing view.

When we arrived home I was changed and straight out the door again to go to a party.
I had my carrot sticks, avocados and lemon ready to be cut up and turned into veggie sticks with guacamole!
I watched everyone around me eating chips, dips, cheese, bread, sausages and drinking alcohol and felt tempted at first, but then really sorry for them because I knew how that would make them feel tomorrow.
I stuck to my water and had amazing transforming conversations with people.
It goes to show that you can be prepared and stick to a detox even with a busy schedule and events planned!

Here is what I nourished myself with today:

BREAKFAST: Green Smoothie
SNACK: Protein Smoothie (with a view!)
LUNCH: Raw Vegan Pad This
SNACK: Citrus Dressed Salad
DINNER: Carrot Sticks and Guacamole
WATER: 3Litres

I am so happy that I only have 2 days to go because I am feeling amazing and strong!
All of the recipes I am eating will be available in the 7 Days to Raw program which I will post this week!

Stay tuned and I will see you tomorrow

xxx

INSPIRE-A-THON with BANANA GIRL FREELEE

Posted on March 30, 2013 by sarahmaevegan

Hey Guys!
It’s the weekend! I am so excited to be sharing this INSPIRE-A-THON post with you!
2 years ago I was living in Coffs Harbour and had just become a vegan. I would read and watch every single vegan health blog that I could for inspiration, ideas and motivation. I came across Freelee’s blog and was hooked. Her confidence, controversial humour, glowing skin and knowledge was so INSPIRING!
I watched every single video that she had made, and then anxiously awaited every new one that she posted.
It was Freelee who inspired me to do my very first ever video blog!
Last August I was at a health documentary screening on the Gold Coast and spotted Freelee and her partner Durianrider (Harley) across the room. I was with Rory and he knew how much of a Freelee stalker I was! He urged me to go up and talk to them but I panicked as they walked out of the room. I had seen soooo many of Freelee’s videos that I felt a little star struck!
I went to the bathroom about 5 minutes after my little freak and and spotted them talking to someone by the front door (they hadn’t left yet!). I couldn’t let the opportunity go by so I went and said hello – I was freaking out the whole time!
Since then Freelee and I have become friends and she even made the effort to come to my 21st birthday dinner.
Without her INSPIRATION, I’m not too sure I would be video blogging today.
I hope that she can INSPIRE you as much as she INSPIRES me!
Thankyou so much Freelee, you are such a beautiful, kind hearted, funny, friendly person and a HUGE inspiration in my life!

Banana Girl Freelee

What is your biggest tip for anyone looking to transition to a healthier lifestyle?

Buy the 80-10-10 Diet book by Dr Doug Graham. Eliminate meat and dairy immediately from your diet and replace with yummy low fat plant foods like fruit, rice, potatoes and pasta. This will give you an instant taste of a healthier body and mind.

How do you take time out for yourself?

The morning bike ride I do about 5 times a week gives me time to reflect and plan. The way I have structured my life these days allows me to take a day off whenever I feel like it and I don’t have to report to anyone, which totally rocks!

What is your ‘go to’ food?

Bananas and lots of them.

What does an average day of food look like for you?

BREAKFAST: 10-15 banana smoothie

LUNCH: 1.5-2kgs of figs (If my tongue doesn’t burn up before I reach that figure)

DINNER: Maybe a salad creation or the recipe below:

BANANA GIRL APPLE STRUDEL
INGREDIENTS:

* 1-2 apples,

* 3 bananas

* 12 or so dates

* Cinnamon

PROCESS:
Take the dates, half a banana and a little grated apple, and cinnamon. Using a “bullet blender”, blend until thick and pasty (not runny). Don’t add water unless you absolutely have to then only add a tiny to get the blender moving. Put paste aside.  * Cut a banana in half then cut in thin slices lengthways (for layers). * Cut/mandolin apple slices very thinly for layers.  Layer down slices of banana then a layer of apples followed by a layer of BAD paste (banana, apple, date). Repeat to desired height then eat before loved ones dive on it  Optional add cinnamon to paste or sprinkle over top.

You could also blend in strawberries to the paste too for a different flavour.

What is your favourite inspirational quote?

Say what you mean and mean what you say because those who matter do not mind and those who mind do not matter.

What is your biggest tip for having a balanced life?

Carbs, water, sleep. It’s so so important for us to look after our basic physiological needs if we want to lead a balanced life. The 3 most important factors are getting enough carbohydrates in our diet (eg, fruit/rice/potatoes with low fat sauce) and enough water and sleep. The body and mind cannot reach homeostasis if these factors are not taken care of first, anyone who thinks this is incorrect and does not do it will face a lifetime of emotional turmoil.

What song motivates/inspires you the most?

Actually it tends to change as time goes on but recently YOUR amazing song Sarah, Rhys’s Song. It is so wonderful and heartfelt, I played it over and over again and it gives me goosebumps everytime.
Where can we find you to keep inspired?

You can find me on Youtube: youtube.com/user/freelea

My blog: TheBananaGirl.com

Facebook Page: facebook.com/freeleeVegan

Banana Girl Diet group: Bananagirldiet.com

Thanks Sarah!

7 Days to Raw and Bikram Day 2

Posted on March 29, 2013 by sarahmaevegan

Holy Moly today was a struggle!
We were up again at 5am for meditation and stretching, then it was off to Bikram again for a grooling, sweaty stretch fest!
I did find Bikram easier today than yesterday tho which was a plus!

The hardest part was going to work as I work in a Vegan Cafe. The food we serve is yummy and vegan, but not necessarily the healthiest of the vegan choices. I am surrounded by coffee, vegan chocolate & brownies and burgers all day. These are foods that I used to indulge in when I would binge. My cycle looked like this:
Binge and binge and binge on crappy food
Feel full and tired
Sleep
Wake up with a food hangover
Feel puffy, sick and disgusting
Starve myself and live on only coffee for as long as I could until…
The binge returned!

So it’s safe to say that this detox is really making me realise just how reliant I can be on food, and how scared I can get about going back to that binge cycle.
I was pretty off all day today, and went from being cranky to sad to irritated and couldn’t put my finger on any particular reason.

I found myself really looking forward to my smoothies and meals, and then absolutely inhaling them when I got them. I have realised how fast I eat and have decided to make a decision to work on that
Oh! On another note, I want to quickly talk about poop – which I know is taboo, but come on, everyone does it!
Yesterday I was soooo congested and felt really uncomfortable all day! It wasn’t until the end of today that I FINALLY got rid of everything that had been stagnant up in there and I feel amazing! Yay

So, here is what I nourished myself with today:

BREAKFAST: Lime in water with Mint Leaves, Green Smoothie
SNACK: Protein Smoothie
LUNCH: Mushroom Soup & Tropical Kale Salad
SNACK: Avocado and Carrot Sticks with a Carrot, Apple & Ginger Juice
DINNER: Corn Soup
WATER: 5 Litres

I can’t wait to see my transformation at the end of this week!
I will be sure to post the link to where you can buy this program when it comes out over Easter

I hope you have an AMAZING day
Love Sarah
xxx <3