One Year

Life has gotten in the way of my blogging.  I am going to try to get back into the discipline of regular blogging. 

As of August 1st my husband and I have been whole food, plant based eaters for
one year.  It started out as a one month experiment.  We even voiced that if we did not make it for the whole month, we would not beat ourselves up about it.  We had been making changes to our diet for some time and just seemed somewhat lost in which direction to go.  There were multiple health problems which we had decided we would no longer be complacent to accept as a permanent part of our lives. 

Two things brought us to the decision to go plant based.  The biggest was that our daughter and her family had been plant based for several years and had seen considerable improvement in their lives.  They are raising two beautiful, healthy children on the plant based diet, and those children are thriving. 

The other reason for our going plant based is a documentary called "Forks Over Knives".  Within about 15 minutes into the film, we were looking at each other and agreeing that we needed to try plant based eating. 

I have heard it stated that instead of thinking of all the foods a person gives up to be plant based, we need to look at the incredible amount of foods we can enjoy.  That has been so true.  Just last night I was looking at a cookbook from the library that was by a favorite cookbook author of mine from the past.  My husband walked into the room, and I told him I was having a hard time looking at all of the beautiful dishes that I can longer eat.  He told me I needed to quit looking at it.  His statement was so simple but so true.  I put it down and started making out my weekly grocery list, which includes my weekly menu.  I was excited all over for the foods we will be eating next week. 

I have had some substantial improvements in my health.  I was taking four doses of a prescription medication for reflux daily, with zero improvement.  I am now down to one half dose per day and  am about to drop that.  I had been told I would have to do that for the rest of my life.  This medication causes an inability of the body to absorb nutrients properly, and that is completely unacceptable to me.  I am now my own "GI doctor".  

There is one other reason I am a plant based eater.  I grew up in a cattle and pork producing family.  There are so many hard working families who produce meat for America's consumption.  The animals on my childhood family farm were treated very well.  They had a tremendous amount of pasture on which to roam.   I have become aware in the last few years, however, how those animals are treated once they are sold to the "feed lots".  It is absolutely appalling and unacceptable to treat any living being in this way.  It is no different than treating a beloved dog, cat, etc. in that way.  We compartmentalize which animals can be abused, but they are all animals and should be treated with dignity.  Okay, off my soapbox, (for now).

I am rambling, so I will wrap this thing up.  I have never felt more sure about any decision I have made in my life than changing to a whole food, plant based diet.  Well, I guess marrying my husband was an equally good decision, but that's about it. 

Husband's thoughts:  Plant based is another way of saying vegan.  You know vegan right?  First you lose the meat, then you lose dairy, then you lose your friends.  Growing up I would consider a non-meat eater likely someone who plays a sitar, doesn't own shoes, and had poor personal hygiene.

Seriously, I have been in the closet about this for a couple of reasons: 1) People wouldn't believe me since I am still fat.   2) Most have a very strange reaction to plant based folks.  I enjoy going to lunch with friends, and unless they ask I just say I am not that hungry when I order a salad.  I have nothing against those family farms who raise cattle or pigs. The industrial operations and what they do to dairy cows and stack chickens on top of each other bothers me.

The few I do tell often find it strange.  Jo's blog has been about showing others that plant based food isn't boring. (As I once thought it was)  As you look through her food pictures and recipes you will see it is anything but.  After a year, I no longer crave BBQ or a chili dog. I reserve the right to fall off the wagon at any time, but for now we are healthier and happier.  It's not for everyone, but I was surprised how easy it was.  Gee, guess now I am out of the closet.  Thanks Jo for outing me!   Now where is my sitar?