Four Years and Ten Marathons and Plant Powered all the way!!

Life got busy and while this blog sat untouched for too long, we continued to live, run and eat with a Plant Based Diet.

This year marks FOUR years as vegan runners (and cyclists) where we continue to find ways to strengthen our bodies through good nutrition, regular exercise, 7-8 hours of sleep each night and a balanced work/life schedule.

I am a different person then I was four years ago, physically and mentally. I look at the world differently, people differently. In a more gentler way, more accepting. Balancing my health and my time has become a vital part of who I am. Modelling this lifestyle to my family, my social networks, my colleagues and my students is important. Health is most important.

 People often ask how we manage to eat plant based with a family. I should clarify. We have two boys. Our 15 year old, Jack, while I wish I could convince him otherwise, eats plenty of meat. He loves to cook and will cook his own chicken, fish or beef recipes. While he loves anything home cooked, he will never pass up a restaurant meal, so long as it isn't anything fast food. We respect his decisions and thankful that he doesn't drink high sugar drinks (pop) or eat fast food. Our younger boy, Nathan is a Pescetarian. This means that he eats fish, but no other meat. He also eats plenty of dairy (especially ice-cream). We eat dinner together, as a family almost every night. This can be a challenge at times, but we've grown accustomed to it. We try to have a dinner "theme" in mind and then make the necessary accommodations to fit everyone's needs. For example, Mexican night would be wraps and everyone can add their own ingredients. Pizza nights work well as well because everyone can build their own pizza.

Zuccini Spiraled Pasta 

Last night we had vegetarian pasta but the kids used enjoyed a little parmesan cheese on the side and tonight was 'burger night' with everyone enjoying their own kind of summer sandwich.

 We continue to run about 50-60 kms per week, but have added in cycling as well over the last year. Brad commutes from Lake Avenue up the Red Hill Valley Trail to Albion Falls and back down the Escarpment Trail to Corktown Park. About 30 kms, each way. Often, we meet up at Albion Falls. I work near Sanitorum Ave and Upper Paradise. I take Stone Church Road almost the entire way and love the bike lane (I'll share the map in another post). Integrating cycling as part of our work/home commute has been ideal. It is less time away from family. As for our health. Do we need to take supplements? The answer is Yes. We both take iron, B12 and Probiotics with everyday


Labour day is tomorrow. As school starts up and life gets busier for all of us, we vow to maintain good health and good life balance. Today, we signed up for the Scotiabank Toronto Marathon which means we have to work harder and train more. This was our first marathon, three years ago! This year, it will mark our TENTH marathon together. Eleventh for Brad, who ran the Boston Marathon last year!

And for this BLOG. We are going to start sharing our routes and perhaps some of the stories along the way. Today was a 30 km loop, almost all trail. That is for another post.