The Plant Life for Me

Well, here we go folks I am trying a plant based diet for 30 days, evaluating how I feel (and look) and going from there. That means no meat, dairy, fish, chicken, eggs. I am doing this for a few reasons: I've had conflicting feelings about meat since I moved so close to the source (primarily beef) I guess that would be considered a political reason but I am not very much into politics and I wouldn't even consider myself republican or democrat but I tend to sway to the conservative side on things because of my Christian value system. Sometimes I just sit and watch those cows- the babies following along. I think to myself these are actually beautiful animals. But then I don't think about that when I am eating my hamburger. I think those thoughts and my eating are catching up to each other. Anyhow, I am also doing this because of information I have learned about meat and dairy. Primarily from the book The China Study, but I am also reading a ton of information right now. I am doing this because I have always felt better without so much meat in my diet and also because I never truly loved it. When I think about it I've always had an aversion to meat even when I was little (my mom can attest to that) but that does not mean it will be easy. I am always 5-10 pounds away from a normal BMI- I wouldl like to be "normal" (well maybe thats not really possible). Lastly, I want my children to learn about healthy habits, whether they follow my lead on this remains to be seen. I would never push this on them but I am rather making small changes right now. Like do they REALLY need processed sugary foods (crackers, chips, candy, sugared up yogurt, white bread, etc)? Wouldn't just adding more fruit and veggies to their diet be great anyway? I want to be around and enjoy watching them grow up- ENJOY life.

I don't want this blog to be about WHY (although I will probably talk about the link between dairy and cancer and the link between meat and heart disease)- if you want more info read the book and many others about this topic. I rather want this to be about my journey. So follow along with me. I will try and post what I am eating, feeling, and progress.

So far I have pretty much cleaned out my fridge of dairy and meat except for some yogurt for the kids, lunch meat (for them also) and some cheese. Today I went shopping and fell in love with fruit all over again (so did my kids!) We were so excited about the melon, grapes, berries, peaches. I made vegetarian chili with whole wheat pasta. It's so funny because the last few days that I have started this they eat what I make but then there is not this devoring of food. They are trying new things (like a veggie stir fry yesterday) so I can't complain.

I am going to try a new recipe everyday? or maybe every week? There is so much out there- its just a matter of taking the time to shop and cook. Tomorrow- bean burritos.