The journey, restarted again
When I decided to go plant based, I did a lot of research. I read a lot of literature. I tried to find blogs. There weren't many and as the weeks have gone by in my current transition, I wanted to change that in my small way. This won't be a pretty blog. It'll be real. It'll be sarcastic. I'll mess up. Often. But I wanted to share my journey in hopes that someone who is where I was a few weeks ago and many times before that will gain perspective and strength. And then again, maybe I just like to hear myself talk.
So, let's start with the basics:
Why? I was diagnosed with melanoma almost 5 years ago, shortly after my 40th birthday. Much research later, there's too much science out there to say this is best for me as someone whose body cannot fight cancer cells effectively.
What? I try to eat completely plant based, whole food. I'd like to be oil free but I'm not there yet. It's super limited so I hope to eliminate it in the near weeks. I don't do the fake meats and cheeses. Gross! Sorry, chewing rubber substitutions isn't my thing. And I don't think it's healthy. The other biggie for me is alcohol. I drank more than I should. And we all know that alcohol helps us make good decisions generally anyways. That applies for food for me. Yep, a duh moment. I've learned my body likes to turn alcohol into instant weight. Will I stop drinking? Absolutely not. At my refined age (I can't even type that without snorting, the refined part, not the age), I'm starting to enjoy high octane, mixed beverages. The kind you don't smoke around and just one will do ya just fine. My Italian in-laws knew/know how to do these right. Rye Old Fashioned anyone?
Where? I live in Northern California. Being vegan (I'm not, so don't start) is normal here. It sure makes finding things like soy yogurt much easier. And to live in one of the world's best producers of produce makes it a much easier lifestyle than someone in the middle of the frozen north. I belong to a CSA that only pulls from family owned farms within 100 miles. Yep, spoiled rotten there.
When? (Not sure what this should be). I guess I'll say I'm plant based about 95% of the time now. The times that I struggle are eating out and the occasional crunchy cheetoh relapse. They weren't as good as I remember, so the next relapse will be something else.
How? The purpose of this blog. I'll share what I'm doing. What's working. What's not. But you need to know, this isn't my first time making this transition. I've flirted with it before. I'd eliminated most animal products. This time, there's something different. It's sticking. It seems easier. Don't kid yourself, transitioning isn't easy but it's been easier. I feel great.
Hopefully, this answers the basics. I won't feature beautiful pictures of food I spend hours creating, researching and savoring. Even as a carnivore, I was no threat to Julia Child. I'm a functional cook. I'll get by and I won't starve. I have two children in their teen and pre-teen years who are fully involved in school, sports and friends. If I had extra hours to cook, I certainly wouldn't use them to cook. I'd get a massage or sit in a tub until the water got cold. I'll share the simple recipes that helped me eliminate animal products from my diet. Most are relatively quick with basic ingredients. I still can't manage tofu. Not even sure I like it yet. I'll also share resources and sites I lean on. Pinterest anyone?
So, stick with me if you'd like. I'd love to hear if you are close or just there in making the same lifestyle choice. We can commiserate over the loss of super expensive, super stinky cheese as a regular in our diet choices. (Psst, I don't miss it any more) And enjoy how awesome purple potatoes and kohlrabi are.
So, let's start with the basics:
Why? I was diagnosed with melanoma almost 5 years ago, shortly after my 40th birthday. Much research later, there's too much science out there to say this is best for me as someone whose body cannot fight cancer cells effectively.
What? I try to eat completely plant based, whole food. I'd like to be oil free but I'm not there yet. It's super limited so I hope to eliminate it in the near weeks. I don't do the fake meats and cheeses. Gross! Sorry, chewing rubber substitutions isn't my thing. And I don't think it's healthy. The other biggie for me is alcohol. I drank more than I should. And we all know that alcohol helps us make good decisions generally anyways. That applies for food for me. Yep, a duh moment. I've learned my body likes to turn alcohol into instant weight. Will I stop drinking? Absolutely not. At my refined age (I can't even type that without snorting, the refined part, not the age), I'm starting to enjoy high octane, mixed beverages. The kind you don't smoke around and just one will do ya just fine. My Italian in-laws knew/know how to do these right. Rye Old Fashioned anyone?
Where? I live in Northern California. Being vegan (I'm not, so don't start) is normal here. It sure makes finding things like soy yogurt much easier. And to live in one of the world's best producers of produce makes it a much easier lifestyle than someone in the middle of the frozen north. I belong to a CSA that only pulls from family owned farms within 100 miles. Yep, spoiled rotten there.
When? (Not sure what this should be). I guess I'll say I'm plant based about 95% of the time now. The times that I struggle are eating out and the occasional crunchy cheetoh relapse. They weren't as good as I remember, so the next relapse will be something else.
How? The purpose of this blog. I'll share what I'm doing. What's working. What's not. But you need to know, this isn't my first time making this transition. I've flirted with it before. I'd eliminated most animal products. This time, there's something different. It's sticking. It seems easier. Don't kid yourself, transitioning isn't easy but it's been easier. I feel great.
Hopefully, this answers the basics. I won't feature beautiful pictures of food I spend hours creating, researching and savoring. Even as a carnivore, I was no threat to Julia Child. I'm a functional cook. I'll get by and I won't starve. I have two children in their teen and pre-teen years who are fully involved in school, sports and friends. If I had extra hours to cook, I certainly wouldn't use them to cook. I'd get a massage or sit in a tub until the water got cold. I'll share the simple recipes that helped me eliminate animal products from my diet. Most are relatively quick with basic ingredients. I still can't manage tofu. Not even sure I like it yet. I'll also share resources and sites I lean on. Pinterest anyone?
So, stick with me if you'd like. I'd love to hear if you are close or just there in making the same lifestyle choice. We can commiserate over the loss of super expensive, super stinky cheese as a regular in our diet choices. (Psst, I don't miss it any more) And enjoy how awesome purple potatoes and kohlrabi are.
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