2010 March | 8th Continent Soy Milk Blog

Get that Body Ready for Spring!

It was inevitable that during the winter months a few of us (OK, more than a few) had adopted the natural animal instinct to hibernate and put on a few pounds. And now that Spring is here it’s time to get back in shape!

Here are a few tips on how to get your body ready for those bikinis or boardshorts safely!

Establish a plan and don’t over do it

One of the biggest mistakes is over-doing a workout plan. Get a notebook or open a new word document and write what your goals are.

Make sure your goals are realistic:

I want to lose 10 pounds in two months.
I want to decrease my caloric intake by 20 calories. A great iPhone app to track calories is Tap n’ Track
I will start working out 20 minutes a day, every other day.

A paced approach like these can largely help keep you on track and prevent getting burned out too quickly.

After setting goals, another important thing to understand is that you have to build flexibility into your plan. Don’t beat yourself up if you “slip up” a couple of days. This will only encourage an attitude of giving up. Plan ahead for holidays, birthday parties, and weddings so you know when you should allow yourself some extra slack and then get back on your plan.

Eat Fresh

Now that Spring is here you can eat the produce that wasn’t available during the winter seasons. Eat bright colored fruits and vegetables! The brightness is a great indicator for resources of nutrition and energy. I like to think, “eat bright, feel bright”.

Exercising can now be moved outdoors

There aren’t many things more motivating than getting outside after an entire season of indoor workouts. Here’s an article about moving from indoor workouts to outdoor workouts safely.

The hardest part about getting in shape for the warmer months is keeping yourself motivated. Check out this article on how to stay motivated!

From everyone here at 8^th Continent Soymilk we wish you a happy spring and can’t wait to see you (and your Spring-ready body) out there!

How to do a Staycation!

Spring IS HERE! Maybe not quite yet in some places (like Ohio). But I don’t care!

It’s about time to alleviate the cabin fever because now we’re all itching to travel. Unfortunately, as with everything else travel expenses have gone up while our budgets have gone down.

But don’t fret! Why not try a STAYcation? You can still satisfy that need for peace and quiet or adventure without dropping tons of dough.

Here are some tips that will be sure to make your staycation as refreshing and invigorating as any vacation.

Make the old new again.

Here in Toledo, Ohio we have a world-renowned museum and zoo, but I haven’t been to either since I was a child. Both are easy on the bank and attract people from all around the world, so I might check them out again. Remember that neat eatery you never got around to visiting? Now’s your chance. Since you ’re not shelling out money on travel expenses, you can afford to pamper yourself a little bit on activities! Remember, you don’t have to go somewhere new to do something new.

Adopt a fresh outlook on your town.

If you have an open mind, you’ll be able to discover and enjoy things you never knew existed It’s common that residents of a town don’t have the time or impulse to see the sights and attractions that tourists hunt for. NOW IS THE TIME! DO IT!

Go offline.

Turn off the phone and log off the computer. No matter what you’re doing if you keep your phone on you are still on-call. Let everyone know you’re taking a going offline. Even leave it in your voicemail greeting and automated email reply, so no one gets too worried. Because if you’re always being bugged it’ll seem like no vacation at all.

Those of you who know me know that this practically impossible for me to bring myself to do. But you would be amazed at how refreshing it is. And don’t cheat by checking everything with your smart phone!

The most important thing to realize is a vacation isn’t about location; it’s a state of mind. As long as you follow these tips and keep an open mind, your staycation will be as good, if not better, than any vacation you’ve ever been on!

From Lopez and everyone here at 8^th Continent Soymilk we say: have fun!

Do you have any other tips for a staycation?

Make sure to let us know on our Facebook page or hit us up on Twitter!

Recap: The L. A. Marathon

After several months of training it was finally time to walk the L.A. Marathon with Erin, another one of the awesome employees of 8^th Continent Soymilk. We piled in one of the shuttles at the Santa Monica pier and shipped off to the Dodger Stadium to the beginning line of the marathon.

The first mile was probably the longest mile I have ever walked-straight uphill. But Erin and I pushed on. Around mile 5 is when my feet started acting up, but I promised myself I would at least complete the half marathon.

It was amazing to see the community participation throughout the course. Residences came out and volunteered to distribute water and trail mix to give the runners and walkers that boost of energy they needed to continue on.

We made it to the 8^th mile where there were samples of 8^th Continent Soymilk that I promptly chugged in front of our mile marker with our new sun logo on it- (which looked awesome!)

At mile 10 I knew I couldn’t make it much longer and finally I reached the half marathon point. My feet wouldn’t let me continue so I had to bail. Erin from 8^th Continent Soymilk continued on like a champion and completed the entire 26.2 mile route!

The marathon ended at the Santa Monica Pier where we had started our long day. 8^th Continent Soymilk had a booth set up with crayons and postcards for all of the children to draw a sun that, if picked, might be featured on our new packaging! Also, the top voted 100 suns receive $1,000 in art supplies to a K-12 school of their choice! (Learn more here: http://bit.ly/drawasun)

I want to send out a congratulations to everyone who participated in the LA Marathon and especially to our very own Erin for completing it! Also, I would like to thank the volunteers, policepeople, and everyone who was cheering us on that inspired the participants to keep moving!

Also check out our pictures from the LA Marathon and the 5K Expo on our Facebook and follow us on Twitter for info about more great events!

Some other great ideas for you and your kiddies:

Fitness

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Celebrate St. Patty’s Day! Safely!

Today is St. Patty’s Day! Now I know you are busy munching on your Vegan Irish Chocolate Cupcakes and Colcannon Potatoes and Cabbage, but take a moment and read over the following tips on how to keep you (and your family) safe on this awesome green holiday!

Avoid places that are known for rowdy and/or young crowds and heavy partying. Opt for a more mellow pub or restaurant to celebrate with your friends and neighbors.
Designate a driver if you decide you’re going to drink.
Roads can become more filled with drunk drivers after midnight when bars start closing, so set a safe curfew for yourself and if possible head home sooner than later. If you find yourself on the road late at night please pay extra attention and utilize your defensive driving skills.
If you feel tired or under the influence, call a friend or a cab. You can also plan ahead to take public transportation!
To avoid those awful hangovers and any regrets, opt out of those all day pub crawls and instead find safer and more natural ways to celebrate Ireland, such as checking out any neighborhood festivals, watching an Irish band play, baking cupcakes, or watching Irish-inspired movies with friends.

It is easy to stay safe on this holiday as long as you play it smart!

That being said- have a great St. Patty’s day from all of us here at 8^th Continent Soymilk! Next up- the L.A. Marathon!

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Vegan Irish Chocolate Cupcakes!

Once a year we take time to sit back, appreciate the rainbows and imagine the pot of gold at the end of them. You may not find gold, but this is a perfect recipe for you and your kids to make together on St. Patty’s Day!

My friends over at CHOW provide an amazing recipe for Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes with Vegan Green Buttercream Frosting!

INGREDIENTS (Green Frosting)

1/2 cup nonhydrogenated shortening
1/2 cup nonhydrogenated margarine
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted if clumpy
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup 8^th Continent Soymilk
A couple drops of Green Food Coloring

INSTRUCTIONS

Beat the shortening and margarine together until well combined and fluffy. Add the sugar and beat for about 3 more minutes.
Add the vanilla and soy milk, and beat for another 5 to 7 minutes until fluffy. Softly fold in a few drops of green food coloring until you have reached your preferred color.

INGREDIENTS (Cupcakes)

1 cup 8^th Continent Soymilk
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract, chocolate extract, or more vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder, Dutch-processed or regular
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°F and line a muffin pan with paper or foil liners.
Whisk together the 8^th Continent Soymilk and vinegar in a large bowl, and set aside for a few minutes to curdle. Add the sugar, oil, vanilla extract, and other extract, if using, to the Soymilk mixture and beat until foamy. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add in two batches to wet ingredients and beat until no large lumps remain (a few tiny lumps are OK).
Pour into liners, filling 3/4 of the way. Bake 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely.

Have any other recipes for St. Patty’s Day? Let us know! You can either leave a comment, hit us up on Twitter or post a recipe on our Facebook Page!

Also make sure to check out these Vegan Recipes:

And make sure to have a fun and safe St. Patty’s Day!

Recipes

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Bust Out While Training!

The L.A. Marathon is approaching quickly! Know what else is coming quickly? That’s right! Spring!

It is almost time to lay the treadmill to rest for the season and start getting your marathon running behind out the door and into the world of pavement running!My friend from Runner’s World have an amazing article all about doing just that- safely!
When runners first move to pavement after months of hibernating indoors on the ‘mill, they’re in for a shock. Treadmills help you run because the machine provides the forward motion. When you run outside, you have to push against the solid ground, which requires more energy and puts a different stress on your ankles, feet, and legs. These steps will help you make a safe, enjoyable transition to the great outdoors.

EASE INTO IT Start by going outside once a week. If you’ve been running continuously for 30 minutes on the treadmill, when you head out, run one minute and walk one minute for 30 minutes. On the second week, add another outdoor run and increase the run/walk ratio to 2:1. Gradually decrease your indoor time as you increase your outdoor time.

SLOW DOWN I believe that many treadmills aren’t properly calibrated and tell runners that they’ve run farther and/or faster than they really have. When you start running outside, you might feel frustrated because you’re running slower than normal. Here’s how to compensate: If you run a nine-minute-per-mile pace on the treadmill, start your outdoor runs at 11 minutes per mile. After 10 minutes, speed up to 10 minutes per mile—which is likely equivalent to the pace that you were running inside.

REDUCE THE MILEAGE If you slow down and add more walk breaks, you will probably be able to cover the same distance you’ve been logging on the treadmill. But feel free to cut your mileage back a little as you adjust.

PREPARE FOR BAD WEATHER Layered technical gear can keep you comfortable even if the weather changes during your run. Remove a layer before you start to sweat.

Vegan Colcannon Potatoes and Cabbage

I have to admit it, I have been so caught up in training for the L.A. Marathon that I almost forgot that this coming Wednesday is St. Patty’s Day! YAY!

And we all know what that means right? That’s right- we can finally make some of our favorite dishes! ;0)

Here is a great vegan recipe for Colcannon Potatoes and Cabbage from About.com!

Colcannon is a traditional Irish side dish. Try making this recipe for St. Patrick’s Day, or any day that you are longing for a wee taste of Ireland.

Ingredients:

water for boiling
5 large potatoes
1 head green cabbage, chopped
3 leeks, sliced
1 cup 8^th Continent Original Soy Milk
1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

Place potatoes in a large pot and add enough water to cover the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook for at least 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.

In a separate pot, boil the cabbage in water for 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.

In another pot or skillet, cook leeks in soy milk until tender, about 15 minutes.

When potatoes are done cooking, mash them together with leeks, soy milk, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Add cabbage and stir to combine. Add more salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!

Do you have any other great recipes for St. Patty’s Day or any other traditions? Let us know in either the comment section below, or you can find us on Twitter and Facebook!

Have a great holiday!

OK, now back to marathon training.

Or check out the other Vegan recipes I have posted!

Recipes

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What to Wear During a Marathon

The day is almost here! The L.A. Marathon is only ten days away and I am finishing up all of my planning! The plane ticket is purchased, the outfit is ready and the course is analyzed. The 8th Continent Soymilk Crew is SO excited to team up with one of our favorite charities Child S.H.A.R.E. to take this marathon head on!

Training is very important for a marathon, and so is what you wear. Check out these awesome tips I got from About.com on what to wear when running/walking a marathon!

Nothing New on Marathon Day
You should be wearing regularly on your walks any clothing, shoes, socks, gear pack, headwear, etc. that you plan to wear on the marathon. If you have an old race number, pin that on also while you practice so you will know where you want to place it on race day.

Think sweat and synthetics
Cotton kills – it doesn’t wick the sweat and you could end up with thermal problems on such a long, strenuous event. Dress in CoolMax or other synthetics from head to toe. Know the climate you will be walking in and be prepared for five to eight hours out on the course.

Layering
The walk will begin in the early morning and you will want a warm-up jacket. Many veteran marathoners bring along an old shirt and then simply toss it once they have warmed up. I don’t suggest littering, but if the event has a clothing donation barrel at the first waterstop, this is an option.

Shade and Sun Protection
At an endurance event, you will want to shade your head with a hat, wear sunscreen and sunglasses.

Pack and Water Bottle
Well-run marathons aim to provide for most of your needs at the aid stations, but you may want to carry your essentials along. Practice with whatever gear you plan to wear and carry at the event. A hip pack with a water bottle, blister kit, anti-chafing stick and place to store or strap on extra gear can be reassuring. I have been lucky to have along my water bottle when the aid stations ran out of cups and/or water or closed up by the time the walkers arrived.

Raingear
For short races, you can simply get wet, but on a long event you may end up chilled if you let yourself get soaked. Experiment in your training with various options for rain. Waterproof, breathable fabrics are best if rain is certain. For an intermittent shower, carrying a light plastic disposable rain poncho is a good option. Umbrellas get heavy and tiresome for long distances.

My Packlist – From Head to Toe

CoolMax hat with brim
Earband, sweatband or Buff
CoolMax t-shirt with short sleeves
Sports bra
Windproof warm-up jacket (may give to the gear storage before start)
Cheap gloves if starting temps are below 45F
Spandex shorts and underwear
CoolMax socks
My marathon shoes (New Balance 829)
Sunscreen factor 30 on all exposed areas
BodyGlide or Sportslick on areas prone to chafing
Feet well-coated with petroleum jelly before putting on socks
Waistpack with water bottle
Small tube of petroleum jelly
Small tube of BodyGlide or Sportslick
Lip balm tube
Energy gel – two packs
Blister kit
Plastic disposable rain poncho if any chance of rain
Race number, ID, medical card

Fitness

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Youth Arts Month!!!

For those of you who do not know it- guess what March is?!? That’s right! It is Youth Arts Month (YAM)!

This tradition of celebrating the youth’s participation in the arts has been going on since 1961. Which makes us here at 8^th Continent Soymilk very excited because it’s a chance for everyone to take a whole month to celebrate kids and their artistic development. Sometimes we take for granted how awesome kids are because of their wild imaginations.

Several people are celebrating YAM in their own way. Nationally, schools are holding flag design competitions, and selected designs will be flown in Washington, DC at the National Art Association Convention. In cities all over the US you can go to the local main libraries and see the community’s children displaying their art. You can help bring YAM to your kids by having an afternoon of crafts or drawing at home! You can also check with your school to see how they’re getting involved.

The Importance of Art Education

We have all had to make sacrifices during these times of economical challenge. I make my food at home, I take fewer road trips, I clip coupons (go here for a coupon for 8^th Continent Soymilk!) But one trend I have been noticing is the cutting of the arts in education. I worry at times that maybe some people don’t understand the vitality of the arts for developing children. The following excerpt from newhorizons.org helps illustrate the importance of arts education:

“Always among the highest expression of every culture, the arts teach us much about every historical period through its literature, visual arts, music, dance, and drama. Today it is recognized that to be truly well educated one must not only learn to appreciate the arts, but must have rich opportunities to actively participate in creative work. The arts are languages that most people speak, cutting through individual differences in culture, educational background, and ability. They can bring every subject to life and turn abstractions into concrete reality. Learning through the arts often results in greater academic achievement and higher test scores.”

Not only do the arts help develop a child’s imagination, creative thinking skills and expression skills, but they also teach tolerance and expand horizons to different cultures that a child may not otherwise learn.

But why? Kinderarts.com helps us understand:

It’s been proven that early exposure to visual art, music, or drama promotes activity in the brain.
Art helps children understand other subjects much more clearly—from math and science, to language arts and geography.
Art nurtures inventiveness as it engages children in a process that aids in the development of self-esteem, self-discipline, cooperation, and self-motivation.
Participating in art activities helps children to gain the tools necessary for understanding human experience, adapting to and respecting others’ ways of working and thinking, developing creative problem-solving skills, and communicating thoughts and ideas in a variety of ways.

These are not just opinions, these are facts.
We here at 8^th Continent Soymilk recognize the importance of art education. That is why we are giving you the opportunity to give back to your favorite K-12 school and in doing so, help develop your community to become fuller, richer, and more cultured.

All you have to do is go to our site, draw a sun, and submit it. The top voted 100 suns will win their selected schools $1,000 in art supplies. We encourage kids to participate too! Also the winning art may be featured on 8^th Continent’s new packaging!

Make sure to re-post, blog and share this article, because the more suns your school has, the more chances it has to win!

Please help keep the arts in our schools!

Can you think of other reasons why the arts education is so important? Leave a comment or let us know on Twitter or Facebook.

Ready to draw? OK, ready, set, sun!

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Blog Home

Get that Body Ready for Spring!

How to do a Staycation!

Recap: The L. A. Marathon

Celebrate St. Patty’s Day! Safely!

Vegan Irish Chocolate Cupcakes!

Bust Out While Training!

Vegan Colcannon Potatoes and Cabbage

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Youth Arts Month!!!

The Importance of Art Education