All a vegan [athlete] wants for Christmas

The silly season is upon us; its time to deck the balls and kiss Santa under the Christmas tree or is it? What is the true meaning of Christmas?

From Jesus to Santa Claus to giving gifts and helping those in need Christmas has a different meaning to each of us, there is no right or wrong way to see in the festive season. For the Planted Life team it is ultimately about getting together with family and friends, a time of remembrance, a time to be thankful and a time to ground us further with the earth beneath our feet.

When living in a modern city you can’t help but be influenced somewhat by the commercialism of this season; wherever you go you are subjected to gift ideas, bright lights and stores playing on repeat Christmas carols spreading words of joy and good tidings.

The Planted Life team likes to think we strip back the commercialism of this time of year; instead of glitter and neon colours we are about the earthy tones of holly, starchy carbohydrates and vegan eggnog. We are also about giving gifts with relevance and functionality; lifestyle gifts that contribute to better health, greater movement and gifts with mindfulness.

Welcome to our list of Christmas ideas to see you well fed, well fuelled and gifts that will have your keen to explore the world around you by foot as there is nothing like being amongst nature to remind us of the beauty we have surrounding us; this beauty extends beyond Santa’s cave and shopping centres.

FOOD

Change up your festive plate and make plants the main star this year; show compassion and care with the foods you serve up.

Suzy spoon festive roast

Buy online: www.ssvb.com.au/festive-roast

Pud For all Seasons

Buy online: www.crueltyfreeshop.com.au

Booja Booja Truffles

Buy online: www.veganperfection.com.au

Seasonal Produce

Find your local farmers markets especially the ones operating a night Christmas market stocking up on cherries, raspberries, apricots, asparagus, zucchini flowers and squash.

Melbourne tribe: www.mfm.com.au

MIND

Be connected with the words you read and let them nourish your soul and excite the mind. Give a tangible gift this year; there is nothing like a connection with a good book. We highly recommend:

For the mind

The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama
The Gift of Asking by Kemi Nekvapil
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Rising Strong by Brene Brown
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

For the athlete

The Brave Athlete; Calm the fuck down and rise to the occasion by Simon Marshall, PhD and Lesley Paterson
Unbreakable Runner by T.J.Murphy
Run or Die by Kilian Jornet
Trail Blazer by Ryan Sandes
Finding Ultra by Rich Roll

For the explorer

TrailRun Magazine Subscription: www.trailrunmag.com
Travel Play Live The Women’s Adventure Lifestyle Magazine: www.trailrunmag.com

BODY

The body needs to be cared for from the inside out; from raw food bars, energy gels and performance socks (who doesn’t love being gifts new socks) our list will ensure you are stronger in 2018 than you were in 2017.

Myolab myotherapy massage voucher

Melbourne tribe: www.myolab.com.au

VFuel Gels

Endurance energy gel: www.vfuelaustralia.com

Shotz Nutrition

Sports nutrition: www.shotznutrition.com.au

Raw Energy Bars

At One Foods: www.atonefoods.com.au

Ininji performance shops

Injinji socks: www.injinjiperformanceshop.com.au

Quieten the noise

There is no doubt this is a crazy time of year; we struggle to find peace for ourselves with all the noise around us. Be mindful, be present and gift yourself the appreciation of time and all that you have around you all the while nourishing both body and mind.

Merry Christmas and we wish you nothing but peace out on the trails that you run.