Things I'm Loving (November Edition)

Once again we come to the monthly odds and ends that I'm digging. So, enough of the writing already and let's get right to the pictures! 


(In no particular order whatsoever)

It's been a month, on Saturday, since we started the vegan challenge. It has flown by! Things like this soy cheese have definitely helped though. It tastes just like cheese. I probably won't use it to make mac&cheese this Thanksgiving (it is too expensive!). But it's a nice change when I'm craving something cheesy.

Why are these tortilla chips so good? Last week Chema and I went on a junk food binge. It's quite hard to find vegan junk food. But this hit the spot. The right combination of salt, sweet, and crunchy.

This is the best invention ever! I am a crockpot-recipe-making-machine! My favorite thing to make in it so far are beans. The options are limitless: pinto, black bean, black-eyed, kidney, lentils... I made some black-eyed peas with carrots and onions for lunch today.

Another edition to our vegan junk food collection. These things are delish!

For anyone who hates the taste of traditional licorice (like me!) and hates candy that is too sticky (like me!) these are perfect. Nice and soft and chewy and mango-goodness! Seriously, they are addictive.

Chema actually prefers this to soy milk. We've also tried almond milk but I don't like the taste of it with cereal. For smoothies or baked goods it's perfect though. Rice milk has a milder flavor than soy milk.

Oh yes, they taste just like real ice-cream. They are small enough where you are satisfied but don't feel guilty.

This is the best meat imitation I've eaten so far. It tastes just like taco meat.

Since dark chocolate is good for you I don't actually group this with "goodies." Although, I don't exactly binge on it either. (Chema is a different story though.)

This may seem random (I told you this list was in NO order!) but these are life-savers. I'd been walking around the house in uncomfortable flip-flops. With the colder weather I needed a substitute. I got these from Walmart. Cute aren't they?

I finally bought the bottle so I don't have to skip protein treatments. My goal is to give myself one every month. I'm also going to start sitting under the hooded dryer for 20 minutes each week when I do my deep conditioning.

These are an old love.

Again, hard to find vegan goodies, especially cookies! I'm picky with my sweets but I LOVE cookies. These are pretty decent.

So that's that. Honestly, I'm having a lot of fun with this vegan challenge. I'm also trying to buy more certified organic things. I think it's important. Maybe I'll dedicate a blog post in the future with my thoughts on that.

Next month I want try some new/weird fruits and vegetables. I'm fascinated with purple carrots!

What have you been loving this month?

Debate/Discussion: Child bodybuilding

I think I have to agree with the doctor on this one: he must be taking some sort of hormones to get that "ripped." Or maybe because most people don't think about their children becoming bodybuilders it is shocking to see? Perhaps children's bodies CAN look like that if they really try?

Then again, adult, professional bodybuilders often take enhancements to look like they do. Why should this child be any different?

This child in this video is in the Guinness Book of World Records, according to one article. 

 (Do click on the link to watch the video. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to bias anyone. I think everyone should make up their own minds. But I must say that the child scares me. A LOT.)

The article also states that child bodybuilding is becoming increasingly popular these days. There are boot camps to get children to look like this. There are even gyms specifically designed for children. Parents have to pay more because most ordinary gyms don't let anyone younger than 16 years old into the weight room.

(Be sure to read the article as well)

My opinion is this: A child's body hasn't finished developing at this stage in life. Who knows what the repercussions on their bodies may be once they hit puberty? I think it is wonderful for children to be more active. Especially nowadays and the problems with obesity and eating too much junk food. 

However, there is excess in everything: 

• Eating too much is excess
• Playing too many video games is excess
• Having a 6-year-old look like Arnold Schwarzenegger is excess.

I can't think of even one benefit this kind of training has for a child and their family. Ok, I can think of one: MONEY. The children above are famous because of the bodies they have. 

It just doesn't sit well with me.

What do other people think? Is it more harmful than helpful?