Still Vegan

In January 2013 I made the final transition, to veganism after being a vegetarian since 1993. Took me twenty years, and the first few months were difficult, but I sit here (3.5 years later) and do not have any regrets. I went vegan for many reasons, ethical and health-related the top two. My students, many of them hunters, are astounded by the fact that I do not eat bacon or drink milk. Three and a half years ago I was still drooling over the smell of melted cheese and looking longingly at people eating ice cream cones. But since then I have learned the tricks of the trade, so to speak, and have found so many yummy vegan products that I rarely miss the "real" thing. I can go almost anywhere and have a great meal, without contributing to cruelty. If I want to go all out at home, I can eat Daiya Cheezy Mac, or pizza, Amy's Veggie Loaf, in addition to the hundreds of other homemade vegan options. For dessert I am never left hanging, Guidos, a local market makes an amazing vegan chocolate cake and topped with So Delicious whipped coconut topping (and frozen desserts) my calorie count can match any omnivore's. So no, it is not difficult to stay vegan

One of the many benefits aside from a clear conscious, has been a healthier body. I feel more awake, more alive, and I have energy to participate in physical activities. My race times (running) have improved immensely. I finally, at age 42, ran a sub two hour half marathon (1:52). So yes, I am still vegan...

Mindfull

http://www.alisonpelz.com/

Today I feel like eating. I am not hungry, I just ate breakfast, and a snack. But I want to eat. I doubt that it is my body telling me I need more calories, I have already consumed almonds and granola, followed by tofu and kale and coffee of course. Pretty good for a girl who used to survive on Butterfingers and McDisgusting. But I am sitting here, quietly writing, and my brain is telling me that I am not doing doing doing enough. I have to fill up my time, and what better way than eating? I can multitask, shove a handful of popcorn in my mouth, type a sentence, and continue. That is productivity? Our society is so fast, we work a zillion hours a week and need to fill every waking moment with projects, work or cleaning or exercise. We fill corners of our house with stuff, we carry phones so we can always do something, surf the internet, talk or text. When we take the time to exercise at the gym, we watch tv while we are walking the treadmill, or listen to music while we are lifting weights. What I believe we need, I need, is to slow down, to be quiet and to pay attention. This practice of mindfulness includes eating. How often do I eat while watching tv or driving? Do I even taste that yummy kale, or feel the texture of pan-seared tofu?

The practice of eating mindfully is a foreign concept to me. To sit, to chew slowly, to pay attention to the taste and texture and smell of food, is akin to meditation. As a vegan my food is real, sweet fruits, crunchy vegetables, and savory grains. To enjoy every bite is to experience the food, to squeeze every last drop of pleasure out of the experience. As an experiment, try this exercise for mindful eating, it will change the way you look at food.

In New Hampshire, there is a Center for Mindful Eating. There are numerous resources on the website and there is access to free teleconferences for a 40$ yearly membership. One of the principles of mindful eating: Mindfulness is being aware of what is present for you mentally, emotionally and physically in each moment. What is present for me emotionally today? 

My first visit with a nutritionist

I called my PCP a few weeks ago to obtain a referral for a visit with a nutritionist. Why, they asked. I have no health issues, do not even see my physician regularly. I told the voice on the other end, "because I am vegan." Yup, I pulled the vegan card. I have been a vegetarian for over a decade, and now that I am vegan, folks are always worried about whether or not I am getting enough protein. I was merely interested in becoming a healthier person, one who continues to go without a visit to the doctor. I believe that most health issues stem from what we put into our bodies, whether chemicals from processed food, pesticides, GMOs, hydrogenated oils, or all of the other deadly food products we have floating out there (68% of diseases are diet related). But I was not about to tell the doctor all of this, so I just pulled the vegan card.

My visit was this past week, and was it ever helpful. It actually turns out that I am not getting enough protein in my diet, but with just a few tweaks, I went from 15 to 20% of my calories from protein. I am still a bit shy of what I should be ingesting, but the more I learn about the preparation of beans and other valuable vegan sources, the easier time I will have. It has been a long process, becoming a healthier person. It took me 41 years to discover kale, who knows what the future will bring. All I know is that it is worth it to seek professional help. The visit with a nutritionist helped me to see where I have been doing great with my food choices, and what needs work. I continue to make small changes daily, the more manageable the change, the more likely that it will stick. For now I will head off to look up some recipes for seitan...ooh and lentils.