Vegetarian - To be or not to be...

Most of you who've been around for a while will know that I'm about as far from the vegetarian mindset as you can get. I firmly believe that we're at our best when thriving off a diet based on quality organic animal products and on tons of fresh veggies. I think that is how we evolved as humans, and if we want to ensure optimal expression of our genes we should try to follow those evolutionary patterns in the way we eat and move.

But I don't live in a cave and I gladly accept that others will want to follow different paths towards wellness according to their own values. In fact, in interacting with this community I've discovered that many of you have indeed chosen the vegan or vegetarian lifestyle.

That's cool. But as a coach I also worry about helping you optimize whatever lifestyle you choose in order to bring you the greatest level of health, vitality and also performance. So I've had my eye on various "veggie" resources for a while now, trying to find something that I can put my weight behind.

To be honest, I was getting a bit discouraged about finding someone who "gets it." But recently I stumbled across a vegetarian nutrition and fitness expert by the name of Kardena Pauza. I haven't been able to do a full review of her stuff-it won't be done for a couple weeks still-but I did get a bit of an inside scoop and like what I see so far.

However, if you are a vegetarian (or if you are thinking of going that route) I'd really like your help. Kardena is offering free 7 day meal plans this week – it's part of her promotional efforts for her upcoming product – and I'd like you to review them for me.

There's a plan for men and a plan for women. Try them out and post your impressions here. I'd especially like to know about the "qualitative" experience. I'm fine with most of what I see as far as the technical aspects of the plans, but I'm hoping for you to tell me what it's like to actually live the plan.

I usually like to test stuff out on myself. But this time I'm just not willing to give up my carnivorous ways...!

http://tinyurl.com/veggiemeals <= Get the mean plans here

Don't forget to come back in a week and post your thoughts!

Cheers,
Adam

Comments

[Kathy H]

The Thrive Diet by Brendan Brazier (Canadian triathlete) will shed some light on being vegan and a world class athlete. I am an amatuer mountain biker, and since becoming vegetarian have been able to take my training farther than I ever thought it could go. I first became veg for ethical reasons, then because it grossed me out to see slabs of raw, bloody meat or chicken. My reasons have since expanded but personal reasons really don't matter. I feel better, sleep better, my body is more alkaline which means better harder training and faster recovery. Like I said, there are other reasons but I won't bore you. A couple of other great reference books that changed my life are The China Study and The Mad Cowboy. I just happended up on all of these books one day but they are definitely something everyone considering becoming veg should read.

[John Belkewitch]

I've recently move to a Raw/Living Foods "diet" after conducting a ton of research.

I've never felt better. I have lost some weight, but not muscle mass (partially due to my training routine). My energy is through the roof, as well as my strength and endurance.

My next challenge is to see if I can add 10lbs of lean body mass on the RAW diet. It's much tougher to get in the needed calories when not cooking the food.

[Olga]

I wanted to try her meal plans, however there was a catch. It's not FREE. Kardena/Craig is promising a free subscription, but in order to subscribe, I have to become an EVMP Insider’s member for HALF-price.
I guess I will wait for you to do the test drive!

[Adam Steer]

Hi Olga,

I downloaded the meal plans with no strings attached. I'm not sure why you are being asked to pay something...

Cheers,
Adam

[Abalone]

I understand that you are looking for reactions from vegetarians. I'm a low-carber, not a vegetarian. I downloaded the plan partly out of curiosity and partly for new ideas on adding low-glycemic veggies to my diet. As an advocate of real food, I was surprised to find so much processed "food" in the plan. I was also put off by the number of ingredients and preparation effort. I would not have the energy or patience to eat like that even assuming that such a diet would be satisfying. So I've set the plan aside and will stick with roasting asparagus and broccoli and snacking on raw turnips and nuts to supplement my animal flesh and eggs.