Struggling...with a capital S.

I started the Engine 2 Diet a week ago today and I have to say that yesterday I pretty much decided that it wasn't for me. In it's entirety anyway...and at this point in my journey. Why? Because I'm so accustomed to throwing my (vegetarian) meals together quickly, without any much or any planning, with olive oil and sea salt, and without many herbs and spices. Therefore, I'm finding that, for me, the E2 diet is going to require a immense amount of my focus and commitment, both of which I'm struggling with right now and both of which I need for other important projects.

The other reason why I don't feel E2 is working for me is because I'm really feeling deprived. I'm sure it's my own fault since I'm not willing to put the time and effort into creating a meal plan and trying all the delicious recipes in the Engine 2 Diet book. I did make the Mac and Not Cheese tonight and it was good, although if compared to Mac & Cheese it would lose (in yumminess) BUT it is most certainly a tasty and healthy substitute.

But don't fret, I'm absolutely not giving up my vegetarian journey...and, after one week of being (for the most part) a Engine 2 Firefighter, I now know that my transition from vegetarian to a vegan diet will be a breeze. Actually, I guess I've transitioned. Although I have decided that, in order for myself to not totally throw in the towel, I need to get back to my personal diet rules. They are to (1) keep it super simple by focusing on healthy whole foods as much as possible and (2) allow myself to enjoy the things I love in moderation (no depriving).

So, I will continue to eat a plant-strong diet and I will also allow myself to have olive oil, sea salt, and non-dairy ice cream/sweets in moderation. I will most certainly be more conscious of the amount of oil, salt, sugar, and processed foods that I consume and do my best to keep them all as low as possible because even extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and raw sugar can be contributors to poor health if you consume too much.

Healthy Eating!

Plant Strong

Yesterday morning, I went to the awesome Whole Foods Devon to see the equally awesome Char Nolan about the Engine 2 Diet 28-Day Challenge...I'm sure it's just as awesome. Well, I already knew about the challenge and was already fairly certain that I wanted to do it but as the day approached, I felt my resistance growing. I've wanted to eat a plant-based diet for quite a few years but have kept getting in my own way of reaching that goal. Well, I'm finally there...here...on the eve of my brand new and long-awaited healthier lifestyle. Right now, I am feeling very excited and nervous...but mostly excited.

Despite having stopped eating all animals two and a half months ago and having given up milk and most other dairy more than four months ago, I find my biggest resistance with letting go of sugar. This might give you more insight as to why... for breakfast every morning, I'd enjoy a bowl of Kashi Heart-to-Heart cereal with sweetened almond milk and coffee with two teaspoons of raw sugar and soy creamer. Yummm...and yes, very sweet.

I was mistaken, apparently the Engine 2 Diet allows raw sugar. YIPPEE! Although, I'm pretty certain that cutting sugar out of my diet entirely would be the best thing but I also know that if I feel as though I am depriving myself then it will feel like the bad word "DIET" instead of a positive change and I want to ensure this is for the long haul and not ever feel deprived.

So, tonight I did the task of going through my pantry, fridge, and freezer and packed up all the foods I will no longer eat...including olive oil, salt, and all processed foods. I even decided to return a bag of frozen food that I bought more than two months ago to Trader Joes...no questions asked.

Tomorrow I begin and I have put an end to my resistance, I decided that I'm willing to exchange my Kashi cereal for Ezekiel cereal with fruit and unsweetened almond milk but I'm also keeping my coffee with two teaspoons of raw sugar and soy creamer...for now anyway. After breakfast, I will take my new and improved shopping list and head to Whole Foods to stock up on the essentials plus.

Cheers!

Comfort Food

So it's been 50 days since I've eaten any meat. I'm feeling a little blah the last couple of days and have been wanting some comfort food. I realized today that other than mashed potatoes and mac 'n cheese and ice cream, most of my so-called comfort food in the past has been meat...a big juicy cheeseburger, a grilled steak, or a roasted chicken (usually grab 'n go from the grocery store). And to make matters worse...I don't feel like cooking.

Today, as I headed to Whole Foods, I found myself thinking about roasted chicken (arg!)...and I have, over the last couple of weeks, been thinking about the foods that I would possibly never eat again if I choose to stay on my current path. And it makes me sad. And I think this is where I need to revisit my reasons for choosing this path. I don't want to just give up because...I'll miss the occasional roasted chicken. I know that I can sometimes lose sight of my vision and I don't want to do that here. I know that I can get lazy with my eating habits and I don't want to do that either. So I'm glad that I have this awareness right now so that I don't abandon myself in this journey. Instead...tonight I am making myself marinated and grilled portobello mushroom on a bed of mixed greens and garlic & scallion smashed redskin potatoes. Cheers!

Protecting Intentions

Chopra Center 21-Day Meditation Challenge - Day 12 Video (Tree of Intention)

At the end of December, we usually set our intentions for the coming year. One of my intentions for 2011 was to start a meditation practice. Another was to make a solid attempt at being a vegetarian. And yet another was to do my very best to live within my integrity by using the quote by the Dalai Lama, "Be the change you wish to see in the world" as my motto.

After listening to/watching today's meditation (link above), I feel my intentions slipping ever so slightly and am grateful to have this awareness so that I can protect these important intentions which I have set for myself. I believe this pattern of letting go of intentions happens because when I set an intention, I'm super excited about it and everything is new and fun and then, after a few weeks or months, I lose interest once the excitement wears off. You can see evidence of this with my blog posts. I also realize that this is generally what happens to most people when they set their New Year's Resolutions every year.

In an effort to help keep the excitement going I am going to be more intentional with my meditations and with how I am in the world. With regard to my attempt at being a vegetarian, it's not so much that I'm having a desire for meat or dairy (I'm not), it's more about my getting lazy with preparing meals and not always ensuring that I am getting all the nutrients I need. Therefore, I'm going to do my best to seek out new vegetarian recipes and continue to try new foods so that I can be certain that I'm a healthy vegetarian.

The Politics of Food

Image courtesy of Treehugger.com

Last week, I was horrified to learn that the USDA removed all regulations and restrictions on Monsanto's Genetically-Engineered (GE) alfalfa (USDA Newsroom Transcript). Yesterday, I read some disturbing information about Whole Foods and other known organic food companies that said that they were giving in to Monsanto (OCA Article). Last night, I read the Non-GMO (Genetically-Modified Organism) Project's response to that article which put Whole Foods (et al) in a much more favorable light (Non-GMO Project Article). So now, I am absorbing all that information.

Today, the USDA unveiled the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and much to my pleasant surprise...they favor vegetarian and vegan diets! Wow! This feels like this is such a huge step...although I'm still not at all happy with the USDA for their doings last week. Also today, I came across a petition to let President Obama know that I'm not happy with the USDA's decision last week to deregulate Monsanto's GE alfalfa (Organic Trade Association Public Policy link).

So, I've been watching a lot of documentaries lately about the food industry and the benefits of eating a plant-based diet. I've learned that the meat and dairy industries are supported by the USDA, the USDA has even sponsored some commercials for them. In the latest news out of the USDA office about the Dietary Guidelines, I am happy that they are encouraging people to eat more fruits, grains, veggies, and legumes but they could do better still, they don't happen to suggest to Americans that they could benefit greatly by eating less meat and dairy. Baby steps, I guess. Eventually I hope they will address this but for now I will be happy they've come this far. I look forward to the first legume commercial! "Beans Beans they're good for your heart...the more you eat, the more you...." oops, maybe not.

Documentaries I've watched so far...
Food, Inc.
Forks Over Knives
The Future of Food (watch for free on Hulu.com)
Chow Down (watch for free on Hulu.com)
Super Size Me (watch for free on Hulu.com)

Leading by Example

Sometimes those bigger tasks like achieving world peace and saving the environment seem so impossible that we tend to throw our hands up in the air and say "what's the use!" But I think one important thing to keep in mind is that in order to achieve anything, including these enormous tasks, you only need to take one small step and if we keep taking those steps, we can achieve anything.

So, why am I saying this in my blog about becoming vegetarian? Well, part of my reason for becoming a vegetarian is to not only heal my body but to also heal the planet. And when I say I want to heal the planet, what I want is not only to improve the environment but also I want world peace. Well obviously we all do, and obviously, I cannot do that by myself and so all these years I've just thrown my hands in the air and said "what's the use!" But now, I have finally decided to do my part and to, as Gandhi said, be the change that I wish to see in the world, and my hope is that my actions motivate someone else and so on and so on. Let's all be the change...peace.

Comfort Food

The documentaries, Forks Over Knives and Food Inc., and the book, The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone, have each made a significant impact on my thoughts about food over the past year. Having earned by associates degree in nutrition in 2004, I was already aware that the foods we eat impacted us more than most people really understood, or were willing to understand or to change...myself included. I have a tendency, as most probably do, to like to be comfortable and eating how we've always eaten is comfortable. Unfortunately, eating what is comfortable and turning a blind eye to the truth about how these foods truly impact our heath in the long term, is not the best way that we can care for ourselves. So my hope is that by making healthier choices now, I can live a fuller, healthier, and more energetic life. And if I can encourage one person to change their thoughts about the foods they eat, I'll be thrilled.