Evolve With Mary

Last week I got a migraine that lingered for a few days and was unable to post on Friday :(

I like to keep it light on Fridays and this one is no different.

I can't really afford to get my nails done anymore. I'm fine with the sacrifice, I've been getting my nails done, on and off, for the last 10 years.

Just because I can't go to the nail salon doesn't mean I can't have beautifully designed nails on the reg

I look at nail tutorials on Instagram all the time, snapshot(ing) my favorite designs to try.

I figured I should share these step by step directions with all of you.

Most designs can be accomplished with a few extra tools. I went to Sally's beauty supply and purchased a pack of doters for $5.99 and a pack of thin paint brushes for $3.99. That's all you need to accomplish these creative designs, that and a great top coat.

I hope you try a few of these tutorials, they are much easier then they look.

I like this design but I don't like the color, I think I'll try this with a pretty pastel pink

Found on Instagram @fashionpop_101

This design looks hard but with a few different sized dotting tool and some patience you can create a nail masterpiece

Found on Instagram @itreyalessandra

Sexy leopard spots, I think I can give this one a try

Found on Instagram @wackylaki

How cute are these watermelon nails? I want I want I want. I'm going to try this design tomorrow

Found on Instagram @thesammersaurus

I like plaid, this design is looks simple enough, I don't like the gold color, I think pastel blue would look a lot better

Found on Instagram @msnaildecor

I love this idea, I actually tried it today. My nails came out great, and it only took 20 minutes, start to finish

Found on Instagram @minervasworld

Drip drip dip??? YES YES YES

Found on Instagram @coilsandacrylic

That's all folks!

Enjoy your weekend

Blessings,

Mary

Hi Friends,
This has been an emotional week for me, I promised yummy vegan recipes and always try to keep my word.

I didn't have time to make these recipes but they look absolutely divine. I hope to try a few of these out after my vacation.

Salt and Vinegar Chickpeas
Vegan Tabbouleh
Spicy Vegan Peanut Butter Tofu with Sriracha
Vegan Peanut Stew
Long Beans with Tofu, Potatoes, and Pepper
Vegan Pot Pie

Now that we have all the recipes out of the way, I figured it would be fun to look up a few famous vegans. The list is pretty impressive and surprising.
Enjoy!

Famous Vegans

Bill Clinton

Age: 68

After suffering his fair share of healthy scares he changed his eating habits and lost over 20 pound. Mr Clinton admits to sneaking a piece of meat every now and then

Ellen Degeneres

Age: 56

After watching Earthlings, Ellen stopped eating all meat and meat by products. She served only vegan food at her wedding, is planning on opening a vegan restaurant, and maintains a vegan blog on her Day Time TV show website.

Alanis Morissette

Age: 40

Alanis changed her life after reading the book Eat to Live, she say she has no more aches and pains since the lifestyle change

SteveO

Age: 40

SteveO refused to risk his health by consuming animal or any animal by product. That sounds a little strange when you look at his body of work.

Ozzy Osbourne

Age: 65

Ozzy switched to a vegan diet after watching the documentary Forks over Knife

This Metal Rock God used to digest bats

Joaquin Phoenix

Age: 40

Joaquin's life was changed forever after a fishing trip where he felt remorse and empathy for the animal. He also narrated the documentary Earthlings

Alicia Silverstone

Age: 38

Alicia created a vegan empire and wrote a vegan cook book called The Kind Life

Russel Simmons

Age: 57

Yoga taught Russel the importance of a "non violent" lifestyle. He decided his had to stop contributing to animal suffering and consumption

Is it me or does everyone look great for their ages? I found current pictures of these famous folks, vegans age well.

That's all today folks!
Blessings
Mary

References:
www.laweekly.com
www.ohsheglows.com
www.theveganstoner.com
www.thekichn.com
www.cookeasyvegan.com
www.kalynskitchen.com

I know it's vegan week, but we can get back to vegan recipes tomorrow, I have some thoughts I need to get off my chest.

I have body dysmorphic disorder. It's the same disorder that a lot of anorexics and bulimics suffer from. No matter how much I workout, how healthy I eat, or what size pants I can squeeze into, when I look in the mirror I see a 300 pound Mary staring back at me.

I've struggled with this disorder since I was a teenager. I was a little overweight in jr high school when someone in my family called me obese.

I know now that this family member was only trying to help, but at that time I was mortified. I remember crying myself to sleep that night; not because I was obese but because I didn't know how to change it. So I did what any awesome 13 year old would do, I increased my eating to annoy my family and sooth my pain. I always had 2nds sometimes 3rds at dinner, and once everyone went to bed I would sneak and eat. I continued to sneak and eat all the way up to age 25. I would call a restaurant, order a full meal with extra sides and woof it down in the car, making sure to discard my evidence (trash) before I arrived at home. When I got home I would tell my significant other that I was starving and proceed to eat again.

I was on a horribly destructive cycle when I finally woke up and decided to do something about it. It took me a year to loose over 150 pounds, and I've been successful at keeping the weight off. When I meet my current boyfriend I gained 30 pounds during our first year of dating. He didn't say a word, i jumped into high gear and lost the weight and he still doesn't address my weight gain and loss.

Instead of being comfortable in my slim skin I find myself scrutinize my looks more then ever. I actually felt freer when I was 300+ now I'm always worried my stomach looks big or my butt is starting to sag or my arms look flabby. My constant struggle with my self-image should affect my confidence but it doesn't. I know I'm beautiful, I just want to be my version of beautiful. Slim waist, nice butt, toned arms, 6 pack, the full package. I feel like I deserve it and so does my loyal boyfriend.

But as I get older and older I realize my version on beautiful maybe unobtainable to me. Truth be told my skin is taunt and tight everywhere but my midsection. No matter how much I diet, how many abdominal exercises I do the skin doesn't shrink and my stretch marks haven't faded.

This year I will be 32 years old! I love my age, I'm proud of where I have been and where I am going. I realized a few days ago I had to get comfortable in my skin. No more faking it or avoiding the mirrors, no more comparing myself to 20 year old video vixens.

As much as I long for tight skin and killer curves I have to accept what I am and what I have. I know I'm beautiful but every time I look in the mirror a 300 pound chick looks back at me.

I'm sharing this with all of you because this is the reason I started this particular blog.

Evolving with Mary means Mary is evolving!

I am going to try to be happy and comfortable with the body I have. I know I'm beautiful and I'm proud of my size 9. All I can do is keep working out, stay positive and keep being the best Mary I can be.

Many people have told me that I've changed their life, not only with my positive attitude but the fact that I am not a size 2 and I still put myself out there. This is more of me putting myself out there.

Love you all!

Blessings

Mary

Hi Friends,
Today is the beginning of vegan week. I've scoured the internet in search of quick & easy vegan recipes, I found some creative concoctions that look and sound crazy enough to work. Today we are tackling breakfast.

I usually eat oatmeal and flaxseed for breakfast so I had to include a vegan oatmeal recipe. I've never cooked oatmeal on the stove before, it wasn't hard at all, 15 minutes and it was ready to be devoured.

Vegan Oatmeal

1 cup almond milk
3 tbs oats
1/4 cup blueberries
1 tsp agave
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Pour milk in sauce pan and bring to boil
Add oats, cover, and cook on med-high for 15 minutes
Place mixture in a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients

I made vegan pancakes. I enjoy pancakes, but I'm never willing to order them at restaurants. After 1-2 bites I'm usually over the sweetness and ready to go on to something a little more savory. That being said, I've been craving syrup soaked pancakes for the last few months. These vegan lemon pancakes turned out light, fluffy, and delicious, they taste like the real McCoy.

Vegan Lemon Pancake

makes 4 large pancakes or 8 small ones

www.kblog.lunchboxbunch.com

1 cup + 1 tbsp whole wheat pastry flour or spelt flour
1 cup almond milk
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp lemon extract
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
3-4 tsp baking powder
2 tsp raw vegan sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp olive oil
dash cinnamon
Optional egg replacer - 1 mash banana, 1/4 cup apple sauce, or 1 tsp freshly ground flax seed

Add dry ingredients to bowl and stir together
Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and fold well
Add egg replacer and lemon juice
Whip batter until it becomes fluffy
Warm your pan throughly on low
Your pan should be warmed for at least 3-5 minutes before cooking
Add dash of oil to pan and add 1/2 cup batter to pan
Cook pancakes, flipping when 3/4 of the way done
Serve war, with vegan butter

I figured I should throw a smoothie in the mix, but as a feature, not an after thought. I've created and posted vegan smoothies on this blog before, but most of them were fruit based. This bad boy is chocolate based, Ummmmmm yes please.

Chocolate Cake Batter Smoothie

1 cup almond milk
1/3 cup oats
1 frozen bananas
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp cacao tubo (1 tsp agave nectar + 1 tsp cacao powder)
1 tbsp almond butter
1 tbsp chocolate chips
2 ice cubes

In small bowl mix oats and almond milk, let sit in fridge for at least 1 hour
Add to blender with the rest of the ingredients, except the chocolate chips
Blend until smooth
Add chocolate chips and blend until chunky
www.ohsheglows.com

I love muffins, I don't eat enough of these individualized breakfast treats. As soon as I ran across this blueberry muffin recipe my little heart squealed with joy. No eggs, no milk, no butter, no guilt. These muffins are dangerous and worth every bite. I made mini muffins and that was a mistake, they pop in my mouth way to easily.

Vegan Blueberry Muffin

1 cup almond milk
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp pure almond extract
1-1/2 cup fresh blueberries

Cinnamon Streusel Topping
2 tbsp + 2 tbsp turbinado sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp earth balance vegan butter
2 tsp flour
pinch salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and line muffin tins
*mini muffin tins make 24 muffins
In small bowl whisk together ground flax, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt
In small bowl mix together oil, syrup, extracts, and nut milk
Add wet and dry ingredients together until just combined
Stir in fresh blueberries until just combined
Spoon into paper liner
Make cinnamon streusel topping and sprinkle on top of batter
Bake in over at 365 degrees for 15-20 mins until golden brown and springy to touch
Cool for at least 15 minutes before serving
**blueberries will be very very hot
adapted from www.ohsheglows.com

I figured everyone knows how to make a tofu scramble, but if you're dying for a recipe check click here, it looks delicious.

Tomorrow is all about snacks and lunch.

Blessings,
Mary

It's Challenge Monday's Ya'll

Fitness Challenge

I challenge you to complete my Booty Lift workout 3-4 days this week

Challenge Synopsis

Keeping a tight lower body is important to me and I hope it's important to all of you guys
Squats are functional exercises that tone and sculpt your legs as well as lift and round your butt
Everyone needs and wants a toned booty

Why Why Why

Squats strengths quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves
Squats build muscles, muscles burn fat
Squats help maintain mobility by increasing your lower body strength
Squats help strengthen multiple muscles which can prevent injury

Material

Water
Strong body
Strong mind
Some extra energy
Willpower

Directions

Booty Lift Challenge

Complete 4 sets of 25 reps

of each exercise

3-4 days a week

Remember to

*keep your back straight, chest up

*push butt out while squatting

*toes should never go over feet

*keep abdominal engaged and body tight during the exercise

Side to Side squats

Squat Jumps

Sumo Squats

Squat Pulses

Single Leg Dead Lift Squats

My Take
I naturally have a big butt so I'm constantly working on toning my lower body. Everyone knows how to do a squat, these ramped up babies will kick, tone, and sculpt your legs and butt at the same time. My goal is to have a beautifully toned muscle butt and these squat variations will get me there.

Nutrition Challenge

3 day vegan challenge

Challenge Synopsis

I challenge you to eat strictly vegan at least 3 days this week
Vegans do not consume any meat or meat byproducts

No eggs, no butter, no milk, no cheese, no honey...

Why Why Why

Maintaining a vegan diet can: improve cardiovascular healthy, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, prevents muscular degeneration, fights prostate, colon, and breast cancer, increases energy, weight loss, helps maintain and improve hair skin and nails, eliminates some PMS symptoms, alleviates migraines, and alleviates some allergies

Materials

A vegan diet includes all grains, beans, legumes, vegetables, and fruit
There are also vegan versions of popular foods like hot dogs and ice cream

Directions

Pick 3 days this week and eat strictly vegan style
I'll be posting breakfast, lunch, and dinner ideas and recipes on my blog daily
Try new things and get all the way out of your comfort zone

My Take
This challenge is exciting. I've been eating vegan on and off for the last couple of weeks, I'm going balls to the wall all vegan all day for at least 3 days. I will miss eggs the most, but I know I can make it. Good luck everyone

Self Improvement Challenge

I challenge you to read at least 30 minutes a day everyday this week

Challenge Synopsis
Read a book, magazine, cookbook, old journals, read anything you want everyday this week, for at least 30 minutes a day

Why Why Why

Benefits of reading everyday

The brain needs mental stimulation to stay healthy and fight off Alzheimer's and dementia
Reading whatever you want is a great stress reliever
Everything you read fills your head with new knowledge, knowledge is power, it can never be taken away from you
Reading helps improve your memory
Reading builds your analytical thinking skills
Reading improves focus and concentration
Reading is free entertainment

Materials

Books
Magazines
Cookbooks
Blogs
A little extra time

Directions

Find or make time everyday this week
Curl up with your favorite book, magazines, blog, any reading material that interests you
Read baby read!

My Take
I read multiple blogs a day, but that's not going to count as my 30 minutes of fun reading. I'll be on vacation soon and I've been pulling out some of my favorite books. I read a lot as a child and teenager, I'm hoping this challenge sparks my love for novels again. Can't wait to loose myself in a book again.

That's all I have for you guys today
Blessings,
Mary

Hi friends,

Happy Friday!

I had hopes of sharing some of my favorite nail tutorials with you guys today but driving home I got the worst migraine I've had in years.

I'm planing on posting a later on today.

I hope everyone has a great weekend, and I hope this migraine goes away sooner than soon.

Blessings,

Mary

Are you guys ready for more Summer Squash recipes???

I can't wait to get this post started

Get ready to eat with your eyes

Here we go!

Vegan Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

recipe from www.ohsheglows.com

1 flax egg (1 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp water)
1-1/4 cup shredded zucchini, skin left on
1-1/4 cup almond milk
2 tsp almond milk
2 tsp apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
3 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups whole wheat all purpose flour
1/3 cup cacao powder
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp fine grain sea salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
2/3 cup walnuts optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Lightly spray tins with olive oil

Mix flax egg in small bowl and set aside

Grate zucchini and set aside

Mix almond milk and apple cider vinegar in small bowl and set aside

The mixture will curdle - vegan buttermilk

In large bowl mix flour, cacao powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar

Mix flax egg, almond milk mixture, maple syrup, vanilla

Pour over dry ingredients

Stir until just combined

Fold in chocolate chips, walnuts, and shredded zucchini

Spoon batter into muffin tin filling 3/4 of the way full

Bake for 15 - 17 minutes or until muffins spring back when touched

Let muffins cool in tin for 5 minutes

Remove and place on wire rack

Zucchini Meatballs

recipe adapted from www.circle-b-kitchen.com

3 medium zucchini chopped

1 cup grated asiago
1 cup grated pecorino cheese
2-3 tbs finely chopped basil
2 eggs
1 cup breadcrumbs
1-1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cups panko breadcrumbs for coating