I was roughly 153 pounds in July of 2012. I met my boyfriend in July of 2012. Coincidence? No, just facts.
My boyfriend was roughly 150 pounds in July of 2012 and when I started my journey in August of 2014 he was still roughly 150. I was no longer roughly 153 pounds. In fact, I was much closer to 177 pounds; I was 176.6.
What happened? Well a lot. Life happened. I changed jobs going from a pretty fast paced job, to a sedentary job. I moved, twice. Those events happened later on my road upward away from 153 pounds. What happened at the start? I met a Chef.
My boyfriend, Will, is a professional Chef. Now, I knew this before meeting him. I was nervous because of this. One of my favorite meals I would make at home? Vegetarian Baked Beans and Macaroni and Cheese. I could cook, this is certain, I had made amazing vegetarian dishes, but plating them is usually just putting them on a plate. I had also hosted dozens of themed parties, where everyone had fun and enjoyed themselves.
I often get asked what it's like to date a Chef, and my answer is always "It's as great and difficult as you would think." I usually then have some explaining to do.
Example: Early on when Will and I were dating he asked what I wanted for dinner. He was going to cook and we were going to watch a movie. It was winter time and I wanted comfort and warmth. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup! Now given that I have previously revealed one of my favorite meals is Vegetarian Baked Beans and Macaroni and Cheese, let's be honest ... my version of Grilled Cheese is two pieces of bread with cheese slapped between. And my version of Tomato Soup is canned soup made with vanilla almond milk and some dried basil. Will's version? Slightly different. Will built a smoker in his apartment, smoked the tomatoes and then made a homemade cream based soup. His grilled cheese was made with a sweet bread, some brie, muenster, and grilled cinnamon Granny Smith Apples. I may or may not have licked the bowl.
Life with Will is more the same over two years later.
Vegan Tortilla Soup with a Cilantro Lime Sauce:
My boyfriend was roughly 150 pounds in July of 2012 and when I started my journey in August of 2014 he was still roughly 150. I was no longer roughly 153 pounds. In fact, I was much closer to 177 pounds; I was 176.6.
What happened? Well a lot. Life happened. I changed jobs going from a pretty fast paced job, to a sedentary job. I moved, twice. Those events happened later on my road upward away from 153 pounds. What happened at the start? I met a Chef.
My boyfriend, Will, is a professional Chef. Now, I knew this before meeting him. I was nervous because of this. One of my favorite meals I would make at home? Vegetarian Baked Beans and Macaroni and Cheese. I could cook, this is certain, I had made amazing vegetarian dishes, but plating them is usually just putting them on a plate. I had also hosted dozens of themed parties, where everyone had fun and enjoyed themselves.
I often get asked what it's like to date a Chef, and my answer is always "It's as great and difficult as you would think." I usually then have some explaining to do.
Example: Early on when Will and I were dating he asked what I wanted for dinner. He was going to cook and we were going to watch a movie. It was winter time and I wanted comfort and warmth. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup! Now given that I have previously revealed one of my favorite meals is Vegetarian Baked Beans and Macaroni and Cheese, let's be honest ... my version of Grilled Cheese is two pieces of bread with cheese slapped between. And my version of Tomato Soup is canned soup made with vanilla almond milk and some dried basil. Will's version? Slightly different. Will built a smoker in his apartment, smoked the tomatoes and then made a homemade cream based soup. His grilled cheese was made with a sweet bread, some brie, muenster, and grilled cinnamon Granny Smith Apples. I may or may not have licked the bowl.
Life with Will is more the same over two years later.
Vegan Tortilla Soup with a Cilantro Lime Sauce:
Molton Lava Cake with Ganache, Roasted Vegan Marshmallow, Graham Crackers, and Ice Cream:
Prep for both Bison and Vegetarian Chili:
What I learned was that I cannot eat or drink as much as Will. As well, the key I long was overlooking was protein in every meal and snack. As a vegetarian I knew I struggled with getting enough protein in my daily diet and I was guilty of substituting protein with a carbohydrate.
It took me hearing what I knew and not knowing how to change to realize I didn't have to drastically change, but rather be smart about my choices. As well I had to increase my daily calorie intake, I was not consuming enough calories daily and I was only hurting myself. I will still have a bowl of homemade soup and even take it for lunch or have it for dinner for days to come. The difference now is I will offset it with protein and extra water.
Don't get me wrong, I am not blaming Will for my weight gain. In fact, it was me and all me. I've learned that I can eat his homemade foods which are restaurant quality, and I can eat them in comfy flannel or fleece pants. In fact, I can also drink a beer he pairs with the foods and enjoy it. Life with a chef is great, every meal is like eating at a restaurant, and I can usually do so from the couch if I want. Now dishes, I feel like the equivalent is made in a restaurant, only there they have dishwashers; Will has me and I'm ok with that.
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