Book Review of The Summit Seeker by Vanessa Runs

My book review of Vanessa Runs book The Summit Seeker

I remember the first time I ever saw Vanessa - it was on a training run for the Noble Canyon 50k. Her and Robert had on Kilts and colorful shirts from INKnBURN. The other thing I noticed was that she was wearing some sort of sandals. I now know since getting to know her that they were Luna Sandals. But for me as a new trail runner, I had no clue about barefoot running or anything else for that matter. I do remember she looked happy up there in her element and you could tell she was happy to be there.

Over the last few years I've gotten to know her a bit better and through knowing her, I've grown as a writer and as a runner. It's a great thing when you meet someone and they can help you grow in certain areas you never thought you could. Vanessa is that type of person and her book is that type of book.

Vanessa's book is more than a book about herself, or running, it's about all of us as humans on this planet exploring our possibilities. Her truth pours out in beautifully written words that put you in a trance and takes you on her journey through life. Her writing captivates you to turn each page as if it was your own life flying by in front of you. You can feel her pain and her joy in each word she writes.

She didn't dwell about her hardships of her life - she kicked off her shoes and started running to her new life, the one she was creating for herself and those that would love her for her. She was trapped inside a black hole waiting to be released into the world to explore every mountain she seeks figuratively and literally.

Buy The Summit Seeker at amazon.com

Vanessa writes like she runs - pursuing freedom, love and joy at every summit she seeks.

YU30 Challenge - Video Recap

by Rachel

Now that we're done with the YumUniverse 30-Day Plant-Powerful Challenge, there is one more piece to complete the challenge. We had to create a 2-minute video about our YU30 experience, and post it up on the internet.

http://www.yumuniverse.com/yu30-plant-powerful-challenge/videos/

February Food Challenge - Week 4

by Rachel

This week when I went shopping I didn't have time to make a list - so we just bought a bunch of random stuff and then figured out what to eat each day based on what we had laying around. I do this usually when I get sick of being organized with food - and it happens often enough. While I really like meal planning, and knowing that I have everything in the house for a full week of meals, it starts to drain me mentally. We have been eating plant-based for almost 2 years now, so I have a pretty good base of things that I buy every week. I can get away with not planning, but the disorganization of that drains me too after awhile.

Anyways, it is the last week of the challenge, and we're glad to have been a part of it! While I know I'm probably plant-based for life, I don't think I'll be staying gluten-free. It was an interesting challenge trying to find snacks and meals that had no gluten in them, and I love trying new things. But, I honestly don't think I have a gluten intolerance... and this whole month, I have wanted some toast. We tried not to go for much of the GF processed foods, so I didn't buy any GF bread.

There were only 2 times that I can think of where I strayed from plant-based and GF. The first was a vegan cupcake that my friend made for me (YUM!), and today, when I ordered an iced chai from our favorite coffee shop... and I completely spaced on saying SOY iced chai. I wasn't going to let it go to waste though. It's been a long time since I had that much milk - I hope I don't regret it...

The "YAY!" of the week had to be about.com's Miso Gravy! I haven't used miso much, but this gravy was awesome!

The "meh" of the week, if there was any, was probably the Oh She Glows lentil-walnut taco meat. It really wasn't bad! But I really have yet to find a really awesome homemade taco seasoning... does anyone have one?

This challenge went really well and reaffirmed for me that I know plant-based eating and cooking. I have many blogs that I can turn to for recipes, and google is my friend when I'm looking for recipes to match what I have onhand.

I am not going to lose much more weight - which I am fine with, because I'm at a perfectly healthy weight.

Paul lost 18 pounds during this challenge, and much of that was due to staying on track with the challenge, and not overdoing things with snacks & alcohol.

Paul and I were also very active this month - I ran 112 miles, and Paul ran 126 miles. This was the first real month of running for Paul, coming back from a very bad damaged sciatic nerve. So, the combination of the great eating, plus the increased workouts, contributed greatly to Paul's weight loss.

Well, there it is. We didn't have any life-changing moments when it comes to food - but it was a great month filled with lots of good food, and it wasn't too difficult to be gluten-free, and plant-based!