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Three weeks in: Leslie and Lara taking it all in stride!
by katie.wolffe, January 16, 2012 | Permalink
Laura and Leslie have been sticking to their diet and changing their habits in terms of exercise. They have been at it for about 2 weeks now. Time for another chekc in to see how they’re doing. Tomorrow’s 28 Day challenge class will feature Yoga and a cooking segment from one of our in-store chefs. Even if you aren’t signed up for the 28 day challenge, the class is free and fun to attend. Let the ladies know how you think they’re doing!
You are 10 days in so far: any weight loss, any noticeable differences in the way you feel and your energy level?
LARA: I would say that my energy level is definitely higher than average. I’ve not been getting an afternoon slump, nor been yawning as much as I have in the past. I’m not sure about weight or anything, but I feel great, I feel strong.
LESLIE: I don’t know about actual weight loss, but I feel like my pants are a bit looser. Probably because I am drinking my weight in tea everyday and am losing water weight, but I’ll take it.
How is working out going? What are you doing?
LARA: I haven’t really changed up my work out routine since beginning this challenge. I continue to run and practice yoga. This week, I ran twice and practiced yoga three times. I wish I had run more but a killer cough and still coming off a running injury held me back (6-7 miles tomorrow!). As far as yoga though, I feel fantastic. I feel as though I’m pushing myself more and am able to go farther into poses than I have before.
LESLIE: To be honest – this is the killer for me. I have a long list of excuses why i am bad at working out. And while they are all valid, they are still just excuses. That being said I have gotten out with my dogs more taking them for at least 45 minutes of walks every day (they are happy pups) and I have been doing my Jillian Michaels 30 days shred DVD at home 3 times a week or so (it is the worst 20 minutes of my life every time i do it.) I’m hoping to tag along with Lara to yoga a couple of times this week.
Are any of the cravings for forbidden foods waning at all?
LARA: Last week I mentioned three main vices, coffee, sweetener and alcohol. Surprisingly, I have become accustomed to drinking tea now, with no sweetener (or sometimes just a touch of honey). Something I like doing is walking to Starbucks during the afternoon at work, just to get my legs moving for a few minutes, and it was hard when I didn’t have a creamy three-shot soy cappuccino to look forward to, but happily, I have found my new Starbucks beverage, a chai tea (from the tea bag, not the mix) and a bit of honey. That leaves alcohol, lately I have found myself really wanting a glass of wine. I don’t want to drink a ton, just a nice glass of red wine after a busy day…maybe paired with a small piece of dark chocolate.
LESLIE: My sweet tooth is gone again which i appreciate. I still want a grilled cheese like its going out of style, but I’m managing:)
And what’s your favorite thing you’ve cooked this week?
LARA: This week I attempted to cook adzuki beans and brown rice…it did not go well as I burned a layer on the bottom of the pot. To make up for that, I made a tempeh scramble and (adapted) peanut butter and jelly balls. I tried to emulate the tofu scramble that was part of the demonstration last week, but I didn’t really crumble the tempeh, so it just stayed in cubes. I used onion, green pepper, mushroom and tomato, plus some cumin and a dash of curry powder, then topped it with avocado! For the pbj balls, I used almond butter, dates and a mix of raisins, dried cranberries and dried cherries, and put everything into the food processor. They don’t look appetizing, but they are rather tasty. So I feel as though I’ve made a sufficient comeback from the burning incident earlier in the week and will attempt cooking the beans again…hopefully I’ll have a story of success soon!
LESLIE: I made some pear sauce earlier this week (like apple sauce with pears). Its so easy that its silly not to – but i used super ripe pears so it was super super sweet – almost too sweet. Its been great for snacks and to stir a couple of spoons in to breakfast. Its something I tend to keep on hand all the time anyway – my favorite that I have made is pumpkin pie apple sauce, i may need to make a batch of that this weekend.
Categories: Uncategorized
One Week Down: Lara and Leslie speak up!
by katie.wolffe, January 10, 2012 | Permalink
Our Two Challengers (and the other 24) are making great strides this week. We asked them a few questions so that folks out here on the internet could get a sense of the challenges (and the good things) that come along with this process. We’ll let them take it from here: (Here’s the link to their first blog post)
What have you missed the most and how are you dealing with it?
Leslie: I knew I was going to miss dairy – I didn’t realize how much I actually ate day to day until I wasn’t eating it at all. The panini press I got for the holidays from my parents is sitting unused and sad looking for a grilled cheese. What I am surprised to find I am missing is sugar. I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, I rarely eat dessert and don’t use sweetener in my coffee or tea (unlike someone I know, ahem, Lara.) …but this week I have been craving anything sweet like it is my job.
Lara: So in terms of what is affecting me the most, I would say it is giving up artificial sweeteners. I put Splenda in everything…and when I say Splenda (as Leslie can vouch), I don’t mean one or two packets…my morning coffee at the office gets four or five, black tea usually three and even two in green tea. As far as how I am dealing with it, I grin and bear it. I’m hoping that I become accustomed to the taste of not sweetening my drinks because if I take nothing away from this challenge but breaking my Splenda addiction that will definitely be worth it.
What have you tried and been surprised that you liked?
Lara: I have been making overnight oats with almond milk, chia seeds, a banana and some walnuts for breakfast since this challenge began. This is huge as before breakfast for me was a banana (I knew I should eat something). The idea of oatmeal to me has never been appetizing, but I am enjoying the overnight oats and find that they leave me satiated until lunch time (whereas before I would be ready to eat my arm by 10am).
Leslie: Like Lara, I am doing overnight oats for breakfast, which is a big deal since I’m not much of a breakfast person. I have been pleasantly surprised with them. (After these 28 days however, I will be leaving chia seeds to counter top pets. I can’t get on board with them). My plan this week is to attempt the millet that we had in our bags from the first week. (My mom informed me that millet is what we feed our pet bird, Petri, thanks mom.)
What’s the biggest challenge so far? Eating out? Cooking for yourself? Almond milk?
Leslie: The biggest challenge so far is just being in a food rut. I tend to eat out 5 nights a week and I’ve found theres not a lot of options right now that are close to home so I find myself eating the same thing everyday which gets boring. My other issue is that while I love cooking, cooking for one is something that I can’t seem to master so I end up with pumpkin soup that will last me for a week but I really am only going to want it a couple of days before I get sick of it, no matter how great it is. Also as I mentioned above, just finding something to satisfy that sweet craving (that I have never had before) I’ll get there, but its killing me right now. I’m glad Lara is nice and doesn’t mind when I’m cranky and just laughs at me.
Lara: My biggest challenge has been cooking for myself. I have been eating the same things so far everyday…overnight oats for breakfast, big salad and soup for lunch, and then sort of scrounging up something for dinner (or eating out)….so since, it’s the weekend, I’m determined to make some things to bring with me to work over the next week. I started this morning. I made chick pea/fava bean humus. My mother is Lebanese and sometimes I think humus runs through my veins. I get angry when I see store varieties of humus adding so much extra stuff to humus, because it’s really the most simple thing to make and many extras are unnecessary.
Thanks again to Leslie and Lara for doing this in public! Give them some encouragement in the comments. And other challengers: feel free to answer the questions for yourself in the comments!
I used most of a drained can of fava beans, most of a half drained can of chick peas (unorthodox to keep the water, please don’t tell my mother), a large teaspoon of tahini and one crushed clove of garlic (I didn’t use lemon juice, also unorthodox, but after this morning’s yoga class, I was too lazy). I put everything in the food processor and whirred until smooth. I tried it and realized it was missing something so I added some red pepper flakes and processed again. It turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself. I enjoyed it on top of a salad of spinach and raw brussel sprouts and look forward to enjoying it later on with some of those crazy good crackers that were part of our starter pack (I forgot the brand, but not before I bought some more).
Categories: Healthy Eating Challenge
28 Day Challenge Kicks off in Vienna: 2 Brave Ladies Step Up!
by katie.wolffe, January 5, 2012 | Permalink
Tuesday marked the start of our newest 28 day health and wellness challenge. For $28 participants get a month of support, recipes, advice and healthy living encouragement from Whole Foods Healthy Eating Specialist Barclay Todd and other memebers of our Vienna community. (yes, you can still sign up, email barclay.todd@wholefoods.com for more information).
When the session started we asked if anyone wanted to take the challenge “in public.” We were thrilled when two friends, sitting in the first row, raised their hands. Lara and Leslie came together to the challenge. When we asked them asked why they to go through this process on a public blog and facebook said, “this way we can be accountable to more than just eachother.”
So here’s what drove them to Whole Foods Market Vienna on a (very) COLD January night. In their own words:
Two excited 28 day Challengers!
From Leslie:
“You want to go to this thing with me at Whole Foods Tuesday night?”
“What is it”
“I don’t know, this 28 day challenge thing”
“Sure, why not?”
And with that I came to the 28 day challenge – not really expecting anything. But leaving with a cart full of non processed foods and lots of fruit. I am trying this out to finally get on track eating right. I turn 30 this year and it seems like a good time as any to get on the right track. I would love to feel more awake and have more energy and losing a few pounds wouldn’t hurt either. I don’t really weigh myself that often, but just feeling healthier in general would be great.
But I’m scared too. I’m totally out of shape and getting back in to shape isn’t going to be the easiest process. I’m also really good at starting things and never finishing them, so just making it though the 28 days will be a small victory. I also love dairy more than the average person, I’ve never seen a piece of cheese I haven’t loved – so thats going to be like saying good bye to a good friend for a few weeks.Cooking at home is something that I am good at but rarely do, so this is a good practice in making meals at home and sticking to a meal plan, who knows, maybe even save some money in the process (eating out everyday is expensive!) But I’m excited to see how it goes.
From Lara:
I am 29 years old and very aware that this year I will turn 30. In terms of my diet, I don’t eat red meat or chicken and try to avoid dairy as much as possible (it’s difficult as I love cheese and have a major sweet tooth) but I know my body feels better when I avoid it. I either run or practice yoga 5-6 days a week. I don’t weigh myself but have realized that my clothes have been fitting different lately (and not in a good way).
My downfall is that I’m an emotional eater and a bored eater. I have a problem distributing my calories evenly throughout the day and typically eat the bulk of my food in the evening. I also don’t cook at home at all. I’ve also been breaking out and my skin looks more dull than it has in the past. I’m excited to participate in this challenge to experiment with different foods throughout the day and to prepare them myself at home. In this same vein, I’m nervous because I don’t prepare food at home and I’m afraid I’ll get bored of what I make. I’m also nervous about going out to eat…eating (and drinking) out is a large part of my social life and I’m not sure how these next 28 days will affect that.
At any rate, I’m excited about what the next 28 days will bring, how they will change my feelings about food, how they will make me feel in terms of energy level and how they might change my appearance.
We will be checking in with these lovely ladies as they start cooking, following the diet and thinking about food a little differently. Hope you’ll stay tuned!
Categories: Healthy Eating Challenge
Closer to Done!
by katie.wolffe, August 29, 2011 | Permalink
After a 7 days focused on a hurricane and earthquake, we are very excited about the progress we are about to make this week. So many of the changes will happen behind the scenes—so a blog post seems like the best way to share them with everyone.
This week we will be making room for our new pizza over and sandwich station. Most of the activity will be behind the scenes. It’s our hope to have the concrete poured by the end of the week.
The biggest change that you might not notice is our new freezer cases. Friday morning we will have our new frozen section installed and just chillin’ out (pardon the pun). We will have way more space for lot of new products—including an improved gluten free section.
Remember, you can follow all the best news about the Vienna Whole Foods Market by following us on Facebook or Twitter.
Categories: Uncategorized
Look How Far We’ve Come
by katie.wolffe, August 15, 2011 | Permalink
It’s pretty amazing that only 4 weeks ago our renovation hadn’t even started, and now one of the biggest parts is complete. Take a look at the progression of what used to be our Whole Body department. This week we will be moving the freezer aisles in on Tuesday and later in the week we will put Whole Body back in its rightful place. Probably the best piece of news is that the concrete behind our Bakery department will be poured tonight (meaning we will be able to push our breads and cakes back to their normal spot later this week). The tight squeeze around our Cheese department will be no more!
We are incredibly excited about our grand re-opening party on October 1st. It’s going to be all about LOCAL! Not only are we stoked to show off our remodel, but we will be celebrating 15 years as a part of the Vienna community. We hope you’ll mark your calendars and come join us!
Before the fun started!
Step one, demolition and digging. Lots of digging.
Right before we poured the concrete.
The end result! Shelves and freezers go in this week.
Categories: Uncategorized
Even Bigger Changes Coming this Week!
by katie.wolffe, August 7, 2011 | Permalink
It’s hard to believe we are already two weeks into our 10 week renovation. So far we have demolished the floor where our Whole Body department used to be and started all the exciting work that has to happen behind our bakery. The next two weeks will bring another set of changes as we get closer and closer to a fantastic finished product.
The construction team should finish installing the freezer lines in the floor this week and the concrete will be poured in the space that used to be our Whole Body department. The next big thing to happen (in about 2 weeks) will be the relocation of our freezer cases. They’ll be moving from the back of our store into the aisles. This move will allow us space to install all the new Dairy cases that will line the back wall of our store. Look forward to all the cheese in our store being in one place!
In other Renovation news we are looking forward to planning the grand Re-opening party. It’s tentatively scheduled for October 1. We’d like to hire some local bands and musicians… who do you want to listen to?
Categories: Uncategorized
What’s Going On Behind the Plastic?
by katie.wolffe, August 4, 2011 | Permalink
“What’s going on behind the plastic?” is a common question these days. Our overnight construction team is working to dig holes and lay refrigeration pipes to support the new frozen aisles that will live where Whole Body used to be. Right now, it’s just too bad we don’t sell dirt, because that’s what’s behind the plastic.
The foundations (literally) of our new frozen food section
A lot of our construction progress this week has been behind the scenes. Our cooler in the back of our store that holds back stock of cheese was taken apart and put back together. It had to be rearranged to make space for the actual cheese department, which will be moving against the wall next to bakery.
- This space near our bread wall is where the cheese department will be calling home when everything’s done.
Other items of note: The gluten free freezer is no more– but we still have ALL the products. Ask any grocery team member to get them from the back. Within the next week or so we will clear enough freezer space to give them a semi-permanent home during the construction.
Categories: Uncategorized
Dust Free Zone!
by katie.wolffe, July 29, 2011 | Permalink
It was hard to really sense how tall our ceilings were until there were what seemed like miles of plastic sheeting hanging from them. Our old Whole Body department is totally moved out now. The team spent last night pulling up wood floors and digging through concrete. One of the biggest jobs in this renovation is laying all the refrigeration lines for our new frozen section.
Here, take a look behind the plastic sheet:
The construction team works incredibly hard to keep their mess to themselves. However, we have a team of people every morning and night to protect our products from any dust that might have gotten stirred up overnight. We pride ourselves on an incredibly clean store, renovation or not. See you soon!
Categories: Uncategorized
Where did Whole Body Go?
by katie.wolffe, July 27, 2011 | Permalink
It was exciting walking into our store this morning. Our entire Whole Body Department was moved over night. It was like Christmas, but instead of presents we had vitamins and shampoo all over the place. The method that the construction team uses to move shelves is actually really interesting. They drill plywood onto the front of the shelves and then literally pick them up with a forklift and move them to their temporary home. It helps everything stay on the same shelf, and makes it easier for our Team Members to get everything organized as quickly as possible.
Whole Body is now in 3 places in the store.
1. The lotions and soaps are directly in front of the Customer Service Booth
2. Vitamins, shampoos, supplements, homeopathy, kids products, cleanses, refrigerated flax oils and probiotics are all located in the Produce Department.
3. Protein powders, powdered greens and other dietary items are in the back of the store, facing our freezer section.
Tomorrow, Bakery will be getting a little bit of a facelift.
Feel free to comment on what you’re most excited about in this renovation, and you can get even more involved on our Facebook page here.
Categories: Uncategorized
Whole Body- about to get better!
by katie.wolffe, July 26, 2011 | Permalink
Construction is going to start tonight with a huge first move. Our Whole Body Department (as you know and love) will be gone in the morning.
- Looking at the renovation map here, you will see that we need to make way for new freezers. While things will be moved about during the construction, everything that is currently in Supplements and Body Care will still be available. Please ask a team member if you need assistance.
- Also, our eggs will be losing their home tonight. You can find all your breakfast items in the cooler across from the yogurt cases.
Lastly, your favorite hummus and dips will be chilling with our cut fruit in the front of the store. That’s only temporary, since even we realize that hummus and pineapple is not the best match.
Renovation updates will be posted as they come. Happy shopping!
Categories: Uncategorized
