Vegetarian Life

My personal approach to transitioning into a plant-based diet can be described along the lines of trial by error. You can actually read about it here. For people who are truly interested in making that change, the obstacles ahead can seem overwhelming and stacked against you. The fact of the matter is that like most things that are worth it, with them come a bevy of challenges that can be overcome.

Am I making the right decision? How do I stay healthy? What do I eat? How will my lifestyle be impacted? Where can I find more information?

The most important priority is to stay healthy. I strongly urge anyone making drastic changes to their diet (or lifestyle for that matter) to keep their doctor involved in addition to being their own health advocate. There are many factors that need to be both considered and monitored, especially vitamin and nutrient levels. Most people are used to only calling their doctors when they are sick. Times are changing. There has been a field of medicine emerging over the past couple decades that incorporates nutrition and other lifestyle measures into their treatment models. Integrative Health and Functional Medicine doctors have an unconventional approach of building relationships with their patients so as to promote overall vitality, keep their patients healthy and prevent illnesses. Holistic Practitioners, Nutritionists, and Health Coaches are popularly available and have been pioneering in some of these more recently accepted practices as well.

What the Health, Now What?!

This summer a documentary was released on Netflix called, What the Health, taking the internet by storm. As a vegetarian, it validated some of the suspicions that have been weighing on my mind regarding dairy and eggs; while confirming the unfortunate aspects of the meat industry I was previously aware of. This is not a gruesome documentary, don’t worry. Trust me, I can’t handle it either. It is, however, very insightful…though please don’t take it as gospel. Whether or not you ever intend to adopt a more plant based diet, I highly encourage everyone to watch the documentary (if you have not already). In the very least, the documentary helps to understand some of the collusion behind some the organizations we are supposed to trust. Follow the money that manages the message. What the Health can also point you in numerous directions for further research. Please remember this documentary has a heavy vegan biased, it is important to consider the source at all times and do your own fact checking. In my own humble opinion, it’s a game changer. Why? Because it is getting people’s attention! Just for fun, here’s a site that critiques the documentary from a different perspective.

Skinny Bitches

Contrary to the title, the goal of this book is not to create an army of hungry, underweight, angry women. The author’s use the term “skinny” to refer to their brand promoting healthier choices through a variety of measures supporting an organic, plant-based lifestyle. Ultimately these choices result in a leaner, stronger figure. I don’t take them too seriously in the use of some of their vulgarities; however, a good friend did bring up a point about the use of term the “skinny” that I have to say I do agree with and wanted to touch on. It is important, as women, that we continue to lift each other up and embrace our own unique beauty. We need to retire this notion that we have to look a specific way to be beautiful; so when the authors say “skinny”, my mind instantly translates that metaphorically to “healthy”. Admittedly, they may not be everyone’s cup of tea and that is OK. I do appreciate their “no nonsense approach” and the humor they coat their supported facts in. Skinny Bitch has been around a while now; the authors have even followed up with a Skinny Bitch Cookbook that contains loads of substitutes and approved brands to help the some of the struggles in adopting these new lifestyle changes. My personal favorite is the Skinny Bitch Book of Vegan Swaps, which includes so many tips that it makes it almost easy, other than finding the products themselves. That’s a story for another blog, which you can sign-up to receive via email, here! Another book that I am currently looking into is, Thug Kitchen, check it out!

Sorry You Are NOT Sorry

You’ve made the decision to improve your lifestyle and you should be proud of wanting to better yourself! Not everyone you encounter will be as understanding and supportive as others will be. That is OK too, it is highly likely that has more to do with them than it does you. Save yourself the headache of arguing with people who are not interested in understanding the information that is out there or who believe differently. Instead, join the conversation with people who get it and share your views. The online vegetarian and vegan community is an unstoppable machine, only getting larger each day as awareness increases. A simple search will populate a plethora of information that is easily accessible and shared. Some of my favorite resources have been social media sites like Facebook and Instagram, and of course all hail Pinterest; any recipe you can dream of is on that site. Follow my social media accounts and check out the list that I follow for great accounts to connect with (hint: they are who I use!). Mercy for Animals & Compassion Over Killing are both nonprofit, activist organizations that provide constant reminders as to why I am making the right lifestyle changes, not necessarily directly relating to health. A word of caution, it’s not easy to face what is so carefully covered up.

Let’s be real, no one is perfect. Do not try not to hold yourself to impossible standards as you begin introducing change into your lifestyle. The important thing is to be true to yourself and walk your own journey.

From my journey to yours,