Two Meatless Months
Yesterday made two months since giving up meat. The transition was pretty easy, but I don’t think I’m home free just yet. You see, my weakness is bar-b-q chicken wings. I love seasoning them just so and my hubby knows how to grill them perfectly (crisp on the outside and moist on the inside).
Instead of chicken wings this summer I’ll have to enjoy something else.
The Biggest Transition
More important than giving up meat, I think my transition off of monosodium glutamate and high fructose corn syrup where more difficult. It’s easy to tell whether or not there’s meat on your plate. It’s not so easy to detect MSG and HFCS.
As a result, I’ve given up on processed foods, I cook more and I cook differently. My foods are healthier and more varied. I use more mushrooms, tofu, nutritious yeast and other items that I didn’t use before.
The double whammy of giving up meat and my usual seasonings was real difficult at first, but now it’s not so bad. Once I made up my mind that I had to change, the change became easier. It’s sitting on the fence deciding whether or not to give up things that makes it tough.
Holding Steady
Before I take the next step, I’m going to delve deeper into my current method of eating. I continue to try new fruits, vegetables, sprouts, grains, nuts and seasonings. I haven’t given up fish, shellfish, butter or cheese, although my cheese consumption is almost non-existent. Nutritious yeast has a nice cheesy flavor so it satisfies my cheese urges.
If I get the urge for gooey creamy cheese, Mimi Kirk’s book on raw eating has quite a few nice nut cheese recipes.
I’ll remain in this holding pattern for a few months. The last thing I want is to feel deprived when it comes to food. Eating is such a glorious pleasure and transitioning too quickly is a big mistake in my opinion.
Changes I’ve Noticed
In the two months since giving up meat, processed foods, MSG and HFCS I sleep better, I’ve gained more energy and smoother, softer skin. The smooth skin, I believe, is a combination of what I’m putting in my body and what I’m putting on it.
I’ve lost 6 pounds, but I think that is a combination of eating better and walking more. I go on 1-hour walks 4 days a week. I didn’t really start to notice weight loss until I started walking a few weeks ago.
Whenever I get overwhelmed with my new way of eating, I search online for motivation. This go-round I discovered Annette Larkins. The most striking aspect of Annette Larkins’ story is her husband’s decision not to join her in her healthy eating practices. Take a look at the video and see how different they look.
Category: Organic Food, Real Food, Vegetarian
