It’s been a busy, busy year for us thanks to the sudden widespread interest in plant-based nutrition and fitness (finally)! We opened a local personal training studio, Root Force Personal Training, right about the time Miles was born last year…
Getting Back in Shape – From New Mom to Female Bodybuilding Competitor?!?
Workout and excerpt from our meal plan included in this post! I last posted on my progress here. Having just become the mother of this adorable little nugget I really could not imagine bringing the intensity of days past to…
Winter Issue of Vegan Health & Fitness Magazine
Hi all! Just a quick note that the winter issue of Vegan Health and Fitness magazine is now on newsstands! This issue includes an article I wrote for new mothers about getting back into shape – with a complete home…
L-Leucine Makes Wheat Protein as Anabolic as Whey
I follow several health, fitness, and nutrition websites and magazines to keep abreast of new research, as well as common practices. Today I came across an interesting article demonstrating that plant-based protein such as wheat can easily be made as anabolic (muscle…
So What’s Wrong with Salmon Anyway?
What is the big problem with salmon, or any fish? It has lean protein and omega 3’s right? And ‘fish probably don’t even feel pain’! I was a fisherman for most of my youth before becoming vegan, so I’ll leave…
My Pre-Contest Meals
Seeing as I just wrapped up one contest prep and am now staying in pre contest mode for the 2013 Bodyspace spokesmodel search (Vote Treesize!!), I thought now would be a good time to post some of the meals I’ve…
Meaty Black Bean & Mushroom Tacos or “Quesadillas”
We eat a lot of tacos. I avoid fake ground beef and TVP in my recipes these days in favor of various combinations of beans and veggies both to keep it interesting and to keep it whole foods based. This…
Voting Has Begun!
The 2013 Bodybuilding.com Spokesmodel search is on! Please go to the link below and choose my photo (labeled Treesize), then click VOTE! This is a huge opportunity and I think we can go far this year so your support means…
Vote This November! …And My Contest Results
It’s almost November and this year I will be competing in Bodybuilding.com’s 2013 Spokesmodel Search! I competed in this online contest in 2010 and made it to the semifinals, so this year I hope to take it ever further and win a…
Upcoming Contest: OCB Battle for the Tidewater!
Long, long time no post! I am currently 2 weeks out from my next show, the OCB Battle for the Tidewater, so I knew I had to get on here and make an announcement before anymore time went by! This show…
Vegan Muscle on TV!
I’m a little late in posting this, but about a week ago we had a great trip up to Manhattan, NY. We ate some fantastic food, saw the sights, and I was honored to be a guest on The…
Exciting News!
Hey Everyone! We’re rolling out all kinds of stuff now that our son Miles is old enough to be (briefly) babysat by the grandparents – including a Personal Training Kickstart package (a month of online training, with an initial consult,…
Posture – The Unsung Hero!
If you look around you in any public place you’ll quickly notice that everyone slouches! It’s understandable given that all day long people are sitting at a computer, on a sofa, in a car, or hunched over their smartphones, but…
Vegan Health & Fitness Magazine!
Did you know that there is now a health and fitness magazine geared specifically toward plant-based health?? The summer issue of Vegan Health & Fitness magazine is now available at retailers like Whole Foods across the country, or you can…
THREE Salad Recipes
There was a time when I would consider having a salad for lunch or dinner only with extreme reluctance. Of course we have green salads with each of those meals every day, but in order for a salad to…
Plant-Based Success Stories!
New success story page! A few of Derek’s clients have been kind enough to write about their experiences adopting a plant-based diet and regular fitness routine. More inspiring stories on the way as we get to editing them!
12 Week Champions 2012 – Plant Based Nutrition Wins AGAIN!
As some of you know already, May was officially my last month with Gold’s Gym (although I’m now a member and still train there!) and we are now striking out on our own to do bigger and better things! (More…
Getting Back in Shape – Losing the Baby Fat
By the time I had my son Miles at 41.5 weeks, I’d gained about 33 pounds, bringing me up to 150 lbs from my pre-baby 117. By then I was freakin’ huge, bigger even than in this shot taken at 39…
Raw Cauliflower Tabouli
Surprisingly filling but very light and summery, this version of tabbouleh replaces the grains with cauliflower and the olive oil with olives. Have this with Hummus and Kale Open-Face Sandwiches for a satisfying summer lunch! One batch makes enough for…
The Protein Question
Check out Derek’s recent article for One Green Planet, Protein in a Plant-Based Diet: A Vegan Bodybuilder’s Perspective! We’ve taken a bit of a break from posting (and pretty much everything else) following the birth of our son Miles a…
