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Every Wednesday (starting January 18), personal trainer & accountability coach, LaQuesha McClain will post nutrition and fitness advice for families who want to get in shape but don't have time to attend the gym.
LaQuesha assists people in improving their lives through health and fitness and is currently training for a figure competition. She strives to break the stereotype that tons of chicken, meat, dairy, and eggs are required to be strong.
In true Brown Vegan style, I had LaQuesha fill out the Other Brown Vegan questions to introduce herself to our community.
Enjoy!
Any questions? Contact LaQuesha @FireFitCoach on Twitter
Her blog: FitnessCoach
Check out her weekly feature here Fitness.
How long have you been a vegan? October 2011
What made you decide to embrace a plant-based diet? One weekend last summer, my boyfriend and I did a strictly fruit and vegetable weekend, a fast of sorts. We both felt awesome and energized afterwards. But then the following week when we added meat back, it just did not sit well. It just didn’t taste good to me. So we decided to be pescatarians. Throughout that time I started reading books and educating myself on a plant based diet, and we completely made the jump in October. I am not vegan because I am the biggest animal person, but I am big on health and wellness. I do feel better knowing that my decision is sparing the animals and Earth though.
What was the hardest food to give up? BBQ chicken pizza
Any advice for new vegans? Do your research! I hear of people telling me that veganism or vegetarianism made them weak. Or they didn't have energy. And I know that they must have been lacking something from their diet. So people really have to know what their bodies need and do the appropriate research.
What are some of your favorite books or websites on veganism? The Thrive Diet, The Beauty Detox Solution: Eat Your Way to Radiant Skin, Renewed Energy and the Body You've Always Wanted
Please share a recipe you enjoy. I love pizza and I was NOT giving it up! I also like quick and easy meals. So I started making Pita Pizzas-You can be as creative on these pizzas as your heart fancies.
Ingredients: pack of pitas, marinara (or spaghetti sauce), whatever veggies you have in your house or leftovers you want to get rid of (I love olives, sautéed spinach, broccoli, artichokes, onion), Italian seasoning
Directions: Heat oven to 375 degrees, spread a generous amount of marinara (or spaghetti sauce) on pitas, go crazy with the chopped veggies, sprinkle with Italian seasoning, add a little more marinara sauce (as to not dry out the pizzas), and bake for 10-12 minutes.