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…
Posted inBodybuilding
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…
Posted inBodybuilding
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…
Posted inBodybuilding
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…
Posted inFitness
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,…
Posted inFitness
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…
Posted inBodybuilding Workout
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…
Posted inHealth
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…
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…
Posted inFitness
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…
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…
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'…
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…
Posted inNutrition
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…
Spanish Rice
Here's my non-authentic, totally made up and easy version of Spanish rice. "Spanish" Rice 1 clove garlic, chopped 1/2 onion, chopped 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped 1/2 green bell…
Posted inFitness
My Bellydance Performance at Over 8 Months Pregnant!
With about three weeks to go until my due date, I danced at Tummy Tuesday, a bellydance showcase held here in Richmond, VA every last Tuesday of the month at…
Posted inNutrition
Eating for a Healthy, Active Pregnancy
I've had a few questions about what I've been eating during pregnancy, so I'll share! A great pregnancy nutrition resource, by the way, is The Complete Idiot's Guide to Plant-Based…
Posted inBodybuilding
Overall Posedown From Last Weekend’s Show
I've gotten all the video from last weeks show uploaded to youtube now, and I thought I'd post my posedown with the novice short class winner for the overall title.…
Posted inBodybuilding
The 2012 OCB Bodysculpt Open!
Yesterday I competed in the OCB Bodysculpt Open and had a great time! I competed in two classes: the Men's Novice and Men's Open, placing first in Novice and second…
Posted inLunch Main Dish Meat Substitute
Lentil Taco Filling
An easy alternative to faux ground beef and TVP, lentils (especially French lentils) make a great taco filling! I like to use this recipe for double-decker tacos, spreading mashed…