Chocolate Review, Service Appointment Woes, Handling Protein

TGIF!  How’s your day going?  Mine started off with a dental teeth cleaning appointment gone wacky.  I went to the dentist 4 months ago and mentioned at that time that I was less than impressed with the office.  However, because they already had all my paperwork on file, and I didn’t feel like doing new patient paperwork and driving all over in search of a new dentist, I just went back to the same place.  Big Mistake!  

The highlights of the calamity: 
They were running 50 Minutes Late!  Scott was watching Skylar and he had to cancel a meeting because of this…not good.

The office tried to charge me $250 for a teeth cleaning (I don’t have dental insurance)!!  When I told them that I don’t need xrays, and exam, or any of the “frills” because I was just here 4 months ago and that I am simply here for Preventative Routine Maintenance:  Getting My Teeth Cleaned.  After many up and backs and talks with the manager, they agreed to a $95 cash fee.  Gee, thanks.

Then, while I was in the chair, the hygientist was painfully slow after already running 50 minutes late and she told me all about her personal life.  From her sister with brain cancer to her recent home foreclosure to her 401k being wiped out to how “most people nowadays die with their teeth in tact but it wasn’t always like that.”  Ummmm, yeah. 

The ironic part of all of this is that I have never had a cavity, I have no gum disease, my teeth are straight and as healthy as teeth can be, there are no problems, but I go every 4 months to keep things this way!  This dental office really seemed unable to wrap their mind around the concept of preventative care, but hey, I won’t be going back 4 months from now, that’s for sure!

So after that I went to the grocery store for a quick restocking before the weekend.  Among other things, I scored more 99 cents a bundle kale.  

And Strawberries were on sale for $2 bucks for 2 pints!

From yesterday’s post, I wanted to Say Thanks to Everyone for Congratulating me on becoming an Official 500 Hour Yoga Teacher registered with Yoga Alliance.  As I mentioned yesterday, this has been a decade in the making and I am really thrilled about my new credentials.  

And I’m glad the Sports Bra Review was well-received!

Just as a follow up, since lots of you asked my opinion on what size you thought this bra would work for?  I’d say anything larger than a Full C/Small D Cup and this is not the bra for you.  But my opinion only, of course.  I don’t work for Victoria’s Secret or anything. 

Also, many of you asked where I normally buy sports bras?  I’m with Madeline (who even works for a fancy sporting goods company) and she agrees, but I like Target’s sports bras.  In the past few years, I feel like they have really upped their workout clothing quality and selection and I think for $16.99 or thereabouts, although that’s not “cheap”, it’s a lot cheaper than a $45 Nike sports bra and I prefer the Target ones.  They work for me, so that’s what I get.  But not every brand and style works on every person’s shape.  Just keep trying til you find something that works for you.

And I loved hearing about your goals!  I shared some of my goals, what’s on my agenda, and loved hearing what’s on yours.  I wish everyone all the success in the world while you’re working towards the big things and goals and the smaller things, too, of course!

After I got back from the Dental Fiasco and the grocery store, I cracked open some Protein Pretzels from Newman’s Own Organics that I reviewed in This Post

Nice Protein as Carbs go, and as I mentioned, because I am training for fitness competitions, I am trying to bump up my (Vegan) Protein Intake.

But they are full of Gluten.  I am intolerant.

So I gave a Few Handfuls to Skylar

And then she decided she wanted some Fresh Strawberries

Back to that Intuitively Choosing Fresh and Healthy over Processed.  Trust in our biology, trust in nature, trust in the power of choice.   That Intuitive Eating thing again.

Green Food has been Tons of Kale Salads for me lately.  My body must want all the Plant-Based Calcium and Protein in it.  This one was Kale, Cauli, Tomatoes and Cukes.  

I just flood it Dress My Kale Salads with Vegan Slaw Horseradish Relish Dressing

As I said I Am an Over-Dresser and Excessive Condiments User.  There are worse things.

For Dessert I had made a batch of  Raw Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Donut Holes

Gym & Weights Workout Today:  Nothing formal other than doing 3 sets x 15 reps of Lunges (pulse/front lunges) and 3 sets x 15 reps Side Lunges.  Working on those glutes and thighs!

Tip of the Day: Now that it’s getting warmer out, you may have some picnics or outdoor activities or summer airplane travel and trips planned, and if you’re curious how to honor your raw vegan lifestyle while participating in outdoor festivities or traveling, I thought this was a nice checklist:
Raw Foods Travel Bag and Picnic Supplies:

• One soft-sided cooler small enough to meet airline standards if you are traveling by plane.
• Spoon, knife, fork or chopsticks, and cloth napkins. (If traveling by plane, pack your metal knife and fork in your checked luggage, and carry a small wooden knife and fork in your cooler. Some airlines will confiscate your chopsticks, so don’t take your favorite pair.)
• Small, flexible plastic chopping mat.
• Wooden plate and/or bowl.
• Beverage container with watertight lid.
• One or more small containers for cereal or snacks.
• One small leak-proof container for salad dressing.
• One sealable container for salad.
• Sealable plastic bags to hold dried fruit, fresh fruit, and veggies.
• Hardy greens, like romaine lettuce, for salad.
• Apples (or other firm fruit with skin).
• Avocados.
• Nuts and dehydrated goodies.
• Favorite seasonings.
• Plastic bags for trash and compost.
• Place mat.

Questions
1. What’s on your agenda for the weekend?  My plans include working out at the gym, yoga, time with the family, and some time poolside working on my tan and magazine reading!

Sorta like I did Last Weekend

I Dug into These and plan to do more of the same this weekend.   Less Blogging & Computer Time, more leisure time!

I am loving “Hers”!  Seems pretty hardcore with more substance and less “fluffy” goofy columns and articles than some of the other magazines.  I mean, if Flat Abs were only 10 days away, wouldn’t we all have them already and that same replayed column in every magazine, every month, could end!?

2. For those of you who use Protein Powders or who have a high(ish) protein diet, does all that protein bother your stomach?  
As I said earlier this week, my body does not “crave” protein and I do believe that plant-based sources are almost always enough, but given my new fitness competitions path, I am trying to increase my protein through extra Sun Warrior.  However, my GI tract does not seem to love it and I do get some tummy upset and cramping.  Years ago I tried whey protein before I knew how dairy intolerant I truly am and I was vegetarian not vegan….not good, lived in bathroom.  I am also intolerant to soy in any kind of real quantity, and so maybe I need to try pea, hemp (which the few I’ve tried taste like dirt to me). 
Katie told me to increase it my 1 scoop/1 shake per week and built up a tolerance gradually.  April told me to eat it with fats, and of course, with plenty of water.  So I will try those things, but Does “engineered” protein in the form of protein powders bother you?  Tips please!   How does protein or protein powders effect you?

3. Do You Have any Doctor’s Office, Dental, Medical, or even Hair or Nails or Massage, Nightmare Stories?  Any Medical Calamities or Horror Stories?  What’s the Worst thing That’s Ever Happened to you when paying for services on an appointment?
Things like this morning’s dental visit, paying for hair highlights in my early 20s and the girl leaving the foils with bleach on too long and frying my hair off.  Chemical haircut in all the places I was supposed to have “highlights”.  Thank goodness hair grows back!  I’ve also been hit on while getting a massage by the female masseuse. 
What are your Nightmare Service Experiences?  We all have them where something in your appointment went very wrong!

Stay Tuned For A Chocolate Give Away…