Things I try to do everyday.
There are some things that are good to do once in a while, other things that are good to do regularly and things that are good to do every day.
For me, I keep a short list of things I do every day. I know that I will not stick with things if I don't make myself do them every day. If I tell myself I can skip a day here or there or I can do it 3 days a week, I will always have an excuse not to do them. That doesn't mean I never miss them, but when I do I give myself permission to do it- Just this once. There is an understanding that tomorrow, I will be back on schedule and do them like I always do. The things I always do: 1. I eat clean a. I'm a strict vegetarian (That is one thing I never knowingly cheat on.) b. I avoid high-fructose corn syrup, bleached flour and dairy. 2. I do yoga. I generally do one or more routines from Tara Stiles. You can find her on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/user/TaraStilesYoga 3. I floss. Pretty self explanatory. Every day. Once a day. Usually right before bed. There are more things I could do, there are things I could do better. But these are three things I can stick with and are good for me. I think it's better to do a few things you will stick with than to try to figure out the best things you could be doing and never actually get around to sticking to anything. |
WHY ARE YOU A VEGETARIAN!?!
When people find out I'm a vegetarian the react one of two ways. 1.They get curious or 2. They get defensive.
So, here's a brief version of my story: I had skin cancer. I found out that a vegetarian diet made it easier for your body to fight cancer. I gave up high-fructose corn syrup and bleached flour. I fought becoming vegetarian. I read a book that suggested that I should become a vegetarian. I gave up pork, shellfish and bottom-feeders. I read a book that told me I was stupid not to be vegan. (The "Skinny Bitches" don't pull punches) I thought, "Man, I should be vegetarian." I read articles and studies on being vegetarian. I didn't become a vegetarian. I was at a ball game and some animal rights people handed me a pamphlet on being vegetarian. I thought, "Man, I should be a vegetarian." My best, bud, Melodie, went vegetarian. I thought, "Take a hint, woman." I went vegetarian. Cold Turkey (Pardon the pun). Gave up meat and dairy and never ate it again. I felt better immediately. So- I don't eat meat and dairy. I'm not vegan 'cause I still eat eggs and honey. |
FAQs
Q. Why are you vegetarian?
A. See above. Your body has more energy to spend fighting disease if it doesn't have to work so hard to break down your food.
Q. Aren't vegetarians just a bunch of hippies?
A. Actually vegetarians are scientists, visionaries, scientists and everything else. Some of the most respected people in history have been vegetarian- including Gandhi, Einstein, and DaVinci. Contemporary vegetarians include Anne Hathaway, Tobey Maguire, Jason Mraz and PETA's sexiest vegetarian of 2013 (and a favorite actress of mine) Kristin Bell.
Q. Is your daughter vegetarian?
A. Yup. And, for the record, she gets more than her daily requirement for protein and I have trouble getting her to eat green veggies just like a lot of other kids.
Q. Don't you get sick of salads?
A. I've never cared much for salad. When I ate meat, my idea of a salad was a plate of ham cubes, cheese, and hard boiled eggs on a bed of lettuce swimming in ranch. (And most of the lettuce stayed on the plate when I was done.) Now that I don't eat meat, my idea of a salad is apples, dried cranberries, strawberries and candied nuts on a bed of lettuce swimming in fruity vinaigrette. (And most of the lettuce stays on the plate when I'm done.) I prefer to eat pizza (with veggies and pineapple and no cheese or vegan cheese), bean burritos, veggie burgers, veggie dogs and french fries. BTW- Did you know Oreo cookies are vegan?
Q. What is your favorite "fake" meat?
A. I don't have just one favorite. For people who are new to veggie meat, I recommend Quorn chicken patties. They are not vegan, but they are vegetarian and they are remarkably chicken-y.
Q. What's the hardest thing about being vegetarian?
A. Eating at fast food restaurants. It is easy to be a vegetarian where I live as long as eat at home. My local grocery store has tons of vegetarian options and I have multiple "farmers market" type stores in my area (one of the benefits of living in a college town). Fast food restaurants have very few options for vegetarians and even fewer if you are also dairy-free. The good news is, with more and more people choosing to live meat-free, that is changing.
And the big question-
Q. Do you think I should be vegetarian?
A. The short answer- Yes. The longer answer- Not yet. While I believe it would be best for people and for the planet if everyone was vegetarian, it is a big decision. Everyone has to come to it on their own. If you are thinking about trying it, but not convinced, the worst thing you can do is go cold turkey. When I gave up meat, I knew I was going to stick with it no matter what, but if that's not where you are, start small. Maybe, commit to "Meatless Mondays". Don't eat any meat on Mondays. Try some veggie options like Boca Chick'n patties or Morningstar Farms breakfast sausage patties. If you don't like one, try another brand. Not even vegetarians like all the brands. I think Boca vegan burgers taste like cat food smells. Yuck! But I like their Chick'n just fine. Lightlife and Yves make excellent deli slices.
Important Note-
I never criticize people for not being vegetarian. I wasn't for most of my life so far. My husband, whom I adore, still isn't. If you feel guilty about eating meat, that is coming from you. Not me. If you want to be a vegetarian, let me know and I will help you. If not, that's ok. I'm never going to try to convert someone. A big part of the vegetarian experience is learning to be kinder and more compassionate, I believe if a vegetarian is being cruel or hateful to a non-vegetarian, they are doing it wrong. They are not being a vegetarian correctly. We can't get so concerned with our treatment of animals that we forget to treat people well.
A. See above. Your body has more energy to spend fighting disease if it doesn't have to work so hard to break down your food.
Q. Aren't vegetarians just a bunch of hippies?
A. Actually vegetarians are scientists, visionaries, scientists and everything else. Some of the most respected people in history have been vegetarian- including Gandhi, Einstein, and DaVinci. Contemporary vegetarians include Anne Hathaway, Tobey Maguire, Jason Mraz and PETA's sexiest vegetarian of 2013 (and a favorite actress of mine) Kristin Bell.
Q. Is your daughter vegetarian?
A. Yup. And, for the record, she gets more than her daily requirement for protein and I have trouble getting her to eat green veggies just like a lot of other kids.
Q. Don't you get sick of salads?
A. I've never cared much for salad. When I ate meat, my idea of a salad was a plate of ham cubes, cheese, and hard boiled eggs on a bed of lettuce swimming in ranch. (And most of the lettuce stayed on the plate when I was done.) Now that I don't eat meat, my idea of a salad is apples, dried cranberries, strawberries and candied nuts on a bed of lettuce swimming in fruity vinaigrette. (And most of the lettuce stays on the plate when I'm done.) I prefer to eat pizza (with veggies and pineapple and no cheese or vegan cheese), bean burritos, veggie burgers, veggie dogs and french fries. BTW- Did you know Oreo cookies are vegan?
Q. What is your favorite "fake" meat?
A. I don't have just one favorite. For people who are new to veggie meat, I recommend Quorn chicken patties. They are not vegan, but they are vegetarian and they are remarkably chicken-y.
Q. What's the hardest thing about being vegetarian?
A. Eating at fast food restaurants. It is easy to be a vegetarian where I live as long as eat at home. My local grocery store has tons of vegetarian options and I have multiple "farmers market" type stores in my area (one of the benefits of living in a college town). Fast food restaurants have very few options for vegetarians and even fewer if you are also dairy-free. The good news is, with more and more people choosing to live meat-free, that is changing.
And the big question-
Q. Do you think I should be vegetarian?
A. The short answer- Yes. The longer answer- Not yet. While I believe it would be best for people and for the planet if everyone was vegetarian, it is a big decision. Everyone has to come to it on their own. If you are thinking about trying it, but not convinced, the worst thing you can do is go cold turkey. When I gave up meat, I knew I was going to stick with it no matter what, but if that's not where you are, start small. Maybe, commit to "Meatless Mondays". Don't eat any meat on Mondays. Try some veggie options like Boca Chick'n patties or Morningstar Farms breakfast sausage patties. If you don't like one, try another brand. Not even vegetarians like all the brands. I think Boca vegan burgers taste like cat food smells. Yuck! But I like their Chick'n just fine. Lightlife and Yves make excellent deli slices.
Important Note-
I never criticize people for not being vegetarian. I wasn't for most of my life so far. My husband, whom I adore, still isn't. If you feel guilty about eating meat, that is coming from you. Not me. If you want to be a vegetarian, let me know and I will help you. If not, that's ok. I'm never going to try to convert someone. A big part of the vegetarian experience is learning to be kinder and more compassionate, I believe if a vegetarian is being cruel or hateful to a non-vegetarian, they are doing it wrong. They are not being a vegetarian correctly. We can't get so concerned with our treatment of animals that we forget to treat people well.