Sticky Stories

Ten days, two migraines and an ongoing coup by the right side of my body, but I'm back.  I did eat meat!  I know, I know, the migraine was hitting me hard and the only options involved meat so I ate it.  Skipping food tends to intensify my migraines so I took care of myself the best way I could in that moment.  Then I started beating myself up.  I didn't deserve to continue, I had messed up so why not give up, all those old shame strategies.  This morning I woke and realized that I am eating better.  I am being better to myself, so I slipped, but I didn't slide.  So, here I am again.  Veggies, soy milk and calm in hand still a part of this journey.   I never intended to limit it to 28 days.  I know this is a life long change.  During those years spreading out before me I will eat meat.  I know I will.  I will have a day where it is an option and it is, given the circumstances, the best option to take care of myself.  My overall goal was to take better care of myself.  I am still within that goal.  I'm being less legalistic, more realistic, for forgiving of myself and others, and yes, I'm eating vegetables, fruits and whole grains.   So I'm  back on track and moving forward down the road to  a new kinder, gentler, and more compassionate life.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Yoga, Veggies and Rest

Happy Friday!!!  What a wonderful week of taking care of myself!  I know it doesn't probably sound like a big deal but for me to actually keep my own best interest on the front burner is a major achievement!  I am grateful that the E2 diet makes the new way of eating so simple.  Off and on I've been stressed this week, but instead of throwing in the towel I chose to remain focused on taking care of myself.  I ignored all the old voices in my head that wanted to quote incorrect nutritional nonsense.  I can still hear the Mulligan Stew 4-4-3-2 mantra from the second grade curriculum/cartoon series.  I have found that dealing with stress is actually a lot easier when I'm filling up on healthy food, getting proper rest and spending time centering with yoga and meditation.

Tonight I made a modified Ann's Panini.  It was great and I have enough left for lunch tomorrow. Before when I tried the veggie life I felt overwhelmed and afraid of the trying the new ingredients and recipes.  I think my parents, who are now in their 70's, are my inspiration.  At 70 they both decided to completely overhaul their eating habits.  They read Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr., M.D. and have been vegan for 2.5 years now.  If they can completely do a 180 after 70 years of eating habits surely I can do it after 45.

I continue to gain inspiration also from all fellow travelers on the vegan wagon!  Thanks to all for sharing your progress, discoveries, struggles and triumphs!!!  

Oh How the Years Add Up

Well I feel like I'm sailing along with my new veggie life!  I'm still amazed by how well my thermostat is working off of the sugar and preservatives.  I'm also amazed by how full I am on this food.  I think in the past that I allowed food to fill more than my stomach.  It filled the role of distraction, comforter, medication, and excuse to sit and not get busy.  I also believe that I've spent so much of my life in mindless eating.  I'm just numbed out snacking away and then I wonder how I gained 10 pounds, 20 pounds or 30 pounds.  Well, chances are and science suggests that I gained it one bite at a time over 17 years.  I figured it out.  I've gained 1.42 pounds each year over the last 19 years and that is why I have 27 pounds to lose.  It doesn't sound like much, but there is a reason I've always hated math and it is that things do tend to add up! I've accumulated a lot of weight bit by bit, year by year and bite by bite.  Fewer bites, smaller bits and hopefully in a short time I will be back to my old trim self!

I'd love to weigh less but my overall goal is just to feel better.  I'm getting older and numbers are going up, besides the scale i.e. cholesterol and triglycerides.  The least I can do is give my heart, liver and joints a break!

I'm trying to drink more water.  I'm off dairy, meat, oil, refined sugar and flour in true E2 fashion.  I feel better already and so far my energy is good.  The steroids haven't increased my appetite, but have helped me throw off the end of my cold virus and life is looking much, much better!

Day Three No Sweat

Well today was an easy day.  I'm not one to jump into a lot of new things at once so I like to Keep It Simple, Stupid.  So I am sticking with Rips Big Bowl for the moment for breakfast.  Today I did make the portabello mushroom burgers and I'm still eating the massive amount of Pasta Primavera.

I was a little afraid that the steroids would make me hungrier than normal.  They usually do.  So far though this veggie life is filling me up.  I can already tell a huge difference in my personal thermostat by increasing the soy and losing the sugar.  I have no hormones so usually I'm pretty miserable all of the time but especially in the summer.  The last time I went on E2 I noticed my thermostat worked better and had forgotten how quickly things improved off the processed, sugar laden, soy deprived semi-food I used to consume.

I'm enjoying reading all of the blogs that I got off of Jonny O's site.  I look forward to reading the posts each day.  I honestly feel like we are all in this together.  It strengthens me when I'm tired and someone brings fresh bagels with cream cheese into the office.  I can say no so much easier knowing others are making the same smart choices for their life as well!  

Steroids, Work and E2

Headed to the doctor today and he gave me steroids to help me get over this lingering cold/flu.  I took my little pills and then headed back to work.  It was tough at first.  I'd missed over a week of work being sick and to be honest I was rusty!  Is that an age thing?  I love my job but today I felt like I was hiking through mud all day.  I'm hoping it will go better tomorrow.

The steroids are already helping with my wacky immune system and clearing out the congestion.  I can actually hear MY voice again and not that gravelly, old man voice I've been sporting for a week and a half.

While at work I learned that Saturday there is a party at a friend's house to say goodbye to a summer worker.  They were talking coconut cupcakes and margaritas.  I can't have either so I'm wondering what I can do to stay on my plan and still be a part of this party.  Any suggestions fellow E2'ers?

Hang in there one and all, two days down the road and all is well!

Day One Yum

Well I hit the grocery store today and was amazed that I could find everything!  Gnocchi?  Never heard of it but it sounded like pasta and sure enough there is was in the pasta section!  I'm working on my cholesterol level so I opted for an extra 1/4 of cup of oats in my Rip's Big Bowl today.  It was easy and it was good!  Tonight it was Pasta Primavera.  Tomorrow will be the real challenge for me.  I have a doctor's appointment and then I work until late, so I will have to figure out how to have E2 will travel! 

It was nice today thinking of all the other people who are joining Jonny O on his Vegan Adventure.  It is a lot easier to make changes knowing I'm not alone.  I hope all my fellow adventurers had a good first day as well!