healthy – Rosie Culture

The Hookup On: Vegan A Day

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine.

One of my goals for the summer is to eat vegan once a week. I haven’t eaten meat in over 10 years, but I do occasionally eat fish which makes me a “pescatarian”. I’ve dabbled with the idea of going completely vegan, but there are a lot of things I can’t give up – no matter how gross they actually are.

To walk you through one of my vegan days, I start the morning with a vegan smoothie with almond milk, mixed fruit, beets, and kale. Having a smoothie in the morning is kind of a luxury for me because I usually don’t have time to make them.

For lunch, I still want to make sure I’m getting enough protein which I feel is tough as a vegetarian so really tough as a vegan. I put together a chickpea salad with chickpeas, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and some lemon sprinkled over the top with salt and pepper. I have an apple and peanut butter as a snack along with some peanut butter pretzels.

I always feel like dinner is a bit trickier because I want something heavier at dinner time. A yummy vegan rice bowl-style meal is always a go to for me. I usually put quinoa, pinto beans, onions, jalapenos, and corn with a non dairy ranch dressing on top!

Being completely vegan can be hard, it’s good to do a lot of research to see what your best option is when giving up meat and dairy. I gave up meat because of the way animals are treated on the “farms.” I never try to push my dietary lifestyle on anyone, but I do urge everyone to know where you’re getting your food from and what’s really in it.

A great way to see if vegan is right for you is to try it once a week and then up the days. You can also get your nutrient levels tested at www.healthlabs.com to make sure you’re getting enough of what you need to have a happy and healthy body! They test for different allergies and general wellness!

I think testing is a must because a big misconception is that vegan and vegetarians have a healthy diet. This is definitely not always the case. Yes, vegetables are vegan, but so are oreos. It can be cheap and easy to go for carbs or processed food when you cut out meat. I definitely recommend using a test like the ones at www.healthlabs.com to know how you’re doing as a vegan and in what ways you need to step up your food intake. You can even get 25% off with code ROSIE25!

Would you ever try going vegan?! Let me know in the comments!

Hook Ups

The Hookup On: Arctic Zero Frozen Dessert!

One of the items on my fall bucket list is to be healthier. After I graduated college, I got on track with a work out routine and with the way I ate. I was pretty happy with myself!

But as the 9-5 work grind kicked in, I ate a little more and worked out a lot less. So I’m just trying to get back on that schedule again…it’s not going so great.

One of my major weaknesses is ice cream. Specifically, gelato. Whenever I have a stressful day at work (which inevitably happens often) I’ll grab a pint of gelato – southern butter pecan, if you were wondering.

I’m super excited about Arctic Zero’s frozen desserts though! I feel like it’s just the thing to get me back on track. Mostly because I can replace my bad ice cream habit with these pints – seriously, the whole thing is usually under 200 calories and it is SO good.

If you’ve been looking for a way to sneak your sweet treats in without feeling guilty, definitely check out Arctic Zero 🙂 I’ll just be over here eating the cookie dough flavor while you browse the website at www.arcticzero.com.

The Hookup On...

The Hookup On: FREE Graze Boxes!

Okay, if you know me I’m all about everything free and I’m all about everything food. Also I sleep a lot, but that doesn’t really make sense to talk about here.

I got a free Graze box this week and I’m so impressed. I sign up for a lot of these deals where you get something free but you’re also signing up for a membership. This is the only membership I’m actually going to continue.

All of the food in my Graze box is so yummy and healthy. I’ve been trying to get myself on a health kick and this is really helping! It’s also actually affordable which is a big part of why I’m staying on for a membership.

If you want to try it out, you can get your 1st box FREE with my code ROSIEK6LP. Or you can just click here. If you don’t like it, you can cancel your membership and never get charged a thing. If you do like it and continue with the membership, you’ll also get your 5th box free by using my code 🙂

Guys, it’s free snacks. Who could pass that up?!?! Let me know if you tried a Graze box before! Also let me know if you use my code and end up getting one, I definitely want to know what you think!

Break Ups

10 Great Things That Came From Being Dumped

1. The friendships I made

My relationship was so consuming it was completely holding me back from forming complete and amazing friendships.

2. Learning how to recover from a life changing event

It’s not easy and it wasn’t pretty, but I am a stronger person because of it and I know the next life changing event will be a little easier because of it.

3. Reconnecting with my family

Once again, my relationship was so time consuming that the time I spent with my family was also usually spent with my boyfriend.

4. The opportunity to be wild and free

I had the excuse of just being dumped to go crazy and do what I want to get it all out of my system and get me to the point of being level headed and happy.

5. Growing my career

My career path was always confusing and stifled when I was in a relationship because I was going to have to be where he was and do something with hours to accomadate him.

6. Growing my hobbies

I basically didn’t have hobbies in my relationships that didn’t include my boyfriend. I’ve learned new things and started this blog which is amazing in itself.

7. Realizing what is and is not healthy

Suffocating relationships are not healthy. Weekly pizza dates are not healthy. Skipping the gym because your boyfriend says you look fine is not healthy. I am an overall more fit and healthy person now.

8. The mini relationships I had since the big break up

Sure, most of them didn’t end so well. But I’ve had the chance to meet amazing people, form great bonds, and learn more about what I need from a partner.

9. Saving money

Like you would not believe how much money I have to spend on myself, to treat my friends, and spoil my family with ever since I became single.

10. Finding who I am

My relationships blinded me and I couldn’t separate myself from them. I am healthy, happy, strong, and able now. I never could have said that before.

So thank you.

Screen Shot 2016-04-09 at 11.03.06 AM — photo by: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lionelrieder/

PostGrad

5 Things That Make Me A Happier Person

As far as we know, the key to happiness has not yet been found. All we can really go off of is what generally makes us happier and betters our lives. I have found that these five things can make a world of difference when trying to improve your mood. These might not seem like the most ground-breaking discoveries, but you’d be surprised how much you neglect very basic necessities to being happy.

1.Downloading new music regularly

I let my playlists grow really old, but recently I realized the power of listening to new music or throw backs you haven’t heard in forever. Updating your playlists once a month will give you something fun to commute to work to or get ready to!

2. Exercise and eating right

I wouldn’t say I’m a huge fan of exercising and eating healthy, I don’t do either too well. But the important part is to give it a shot, do something that will improve your quality of life a little. Don’t ignore the cupcake when you want to eat a cupcake – but also don’t eat a whole tub of ice cream in one sitting.

3. Hanging out with friends and family

It seems obvious, I know. But I think one of the main components to being unhappy is loneliness. So when you feel some sadness sneaking in, make plans with your friends or family to have something to look forward to. If you feel you don’t have a lot of friends or family to go to, then go run errands or to the gym and strike up a conversation with someone. You’re not alone and you don’t need to feel that way.

4. Writing it all down

As a writer, I clearly believe in the strong power of writing. Get a journal, start a note in your phone, create a blog, and just start writing things down. Things that make you sad or happy, things that you want to do with your life. Writing down your goals will especially give you a better chance of accomplishing them. When everything is laid out in front of you, it makes your problems and the solutions to those problems clearer.

5. Picking up new hobbies

I think having a hobby is now a thing of the past. When I was younger, people would ask me my hobbies and I’d be like ???? watching tv??? Going to work and school??? But now I’ve picked up knitting and crocheting (I know, I’m a grandma) and I started reading more again, as well as writing. Whether it be a sport, yoga, playing an instrument, learning to paint, or knit: picking up something new and accomplishing it will give you a sense of direction and give you something to do in your spare time.

photo by: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lentzstudios/

PostGrad

10 Thoughts Every Girl Trying To Be Fit Experiences

1. Why can’t I look like her???

Whether we’re watching television, scrolling through Instagram, or staring at the gym – we’re always trying to look like someone else.

2. I need to eat healthy

*Pins a bunch of recipes on Pinterest that you’ll never cook*

3. When did I even start looking like this??

Like I’m pretty sure I woke up one morning with 10 extra pounds and no ability to run.

4. Does that boy think I’m cute or am I doing this machine wrong?

I’m definitely doing this machine wrong…

5. I don’t want to go to the gym.

Then someone says “yes you do!” to encourage you, but no I really freaking don’t.

6. Don’t eat carbs!!!!!!

*eats all the carbs!!!!!!*

7. I give up.

The scale doesn’t move no matter how much I move.

8. No, I can do this.

I’ll try really hard today so I don’t have to do anything tomorrow.

9. Alright, I’m just never going to look like that.

Unless you’re changing mostly EVERYTHING about your lifestyle, it’s going to be difficult for you to have abs. And you’re probably still going to have stretch marks. And cellulite. It’s life.

10. Whatever, I’m happy.

You SHOULD be thinking this, but you should keep bettering yourself if possible 🙂