Decisions, Decisions...

Hi! So, I’ve spent the past few weeks going back and forth about whether to become a vegan, vegetarian, or stay the same carnivore creature I am. It’s a big decision, and I don’t want to just rush into anything. However, since the time I watched Forks Over Knives, I’ve watched two other food-related documentaries, “Food, Inc.” and “Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead” and I’m convinced I will be staying away from meat for the most part. My diet since I last wrote consisted of maybe 10% meat, but there was no real strategy to it. I’m hoping to get some decent research in as to my basic dietary needs so I don’t become malnourished in the process. While I’m gathering my info, I will not stress very much over whether I’m eating meat or not. So, the real decision now becomes Vegan or Vegetarian. I really like milk, eggs, and cheese, so I’m not sure Vegan will be my thing. Plus, eggs are a great source of protein. I can’t definitively say though, because I never thought I’d give up meat at all.

Here’s what I’ll do. Starting November 1, I will cut out beef and pork from my diet. I’ll keep other meats to a minimum, but they won’t be forbidden. I’ll probably stay like this for at least the month of November because I’m not sure I’ll be able to resist Thanksgiving goodies. Interesting time to transition to a veggie lover, huh? By the end of this week, I should have an idea of my basic dietary needs and how to fulfill those. I want to stay healthy and fit regardless of my preferred diet. I’ll check in with any updates, as usual.

Have a great week, and thanks again for sharing my journey!

A Change of Heart

It’s been a long time since I last wrote a post. This blogging thing is not easy when you have the disease of “can’t sit still” as I do. Anyhow, I just finished watching the movie, “Forks over Knives” and I just had to share.

When I last wrote, I was in the middle of a Paleo Diet, a diet rich in protein, fruit, veggies, and fats; no sugar, grains, legumes, or nuts. I must admit, I had lost weight, felt, and looked great when I finished 2 weeks. I tried to adopt the lifestyle beyond the 2 weeks my trainer asked me to try, but it was a bit hard because my heart wasn’t in it. I also was a bit hesitant because I couldn’t see how a diet rich in fat and meat could be good for my overall health, especially my heart. So, I figured I’d try to modify the diet. It didn’t work; instead of adding in otherwise restricted foods in moderation, I went overboard and ended up back to my old diet. Fast forward to September, I spent 10 days on a Daniel Fast, not eating meat, dairy, sugar, or yeast. It was very restricted, but I found great recipes and made it through. Once again, I lost weight, and felt better, but it wasn’t even 3 weeks later that I’d gone back into the sugars by telling myself I could handle one or two indulgences here and there. I didn’t mind minimizing my meat intake, but without proper planning, things just weren’t where they needed to be.

While on the Daniel Fast, I wondered if I could become a true vegan. I like meat, always have, so why would I want to cut it out? And ALL animal by-products??? Who doesn’t love a good omelet or mac and cheese every now and again. I have a few friends who have adopted the lifestyle and they all say they love it. After watching “Forks over Knives” I’m not sure I can stay healthy and live longer WITHOUT adopting the lifestyle as my own. Now, I’m not going to get all crazy and dive in tomorrow. I am a researcher by heart, so I need to really take a look at recipes, nutrition facts, and how it will fit into my active lifestyle. I’ve recently developed a love for golf and am also increasing my weekly workouts, so I don’t want to jeopardize the fuel my body needs. I will take the next few weeks and see if this is something I can realistically do. If you haven’t seen or heard about the movie, it is a documentary highlighting a whole food, plant-based diet, based on research and clinical findings. Many diseases we all have, or think just “runs in the family” can be reversed and eliminated by changing our diet. I’m willing to try it now more than I have been before.

I’m not big on tofu or soybean based products, which has scared me away from the diet before, but I know I can tailor it to fit my lifestyle, so that will also be a part of my research. I don’t know what will come of this, but if nothing else, I will eat less meat and dairy and more fruits and veggies.

I hope to write again soon with any findings or just every day natural living thoughts. Please comment if you’ve seen the movie, or even if you haven’t, but have thoughts on the vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. Have a great week, and thanks for sharing my journey.