Doing what works for me

Some time ago, I committed to living a vegan lifestyle. It was a much easier transition than I thought it would be. Some time after that, I re-introduced some animal products into my diet. It was a hard decision, but one that was made with my health at the forefront.*

However, I have recommitted to a plant-based (vegan) diet, which I'm transitioning back to now.

The decisions I have made about my nutrition and exercise, and even spirituality, have been made carefully, with much research, and focusing on what I truly believe to be best for me. That is why I moved away from a vegan diet, and that's why I'm now moving back to it.

I have to do what I feel is best for me. And moving away from a vegan diet (which I thought was best for me at the time) has shown me that plant-based living really is one of the keys to a healthy life for me.

I know there are those who will see that and say, "Well, of course. Why did you ever give it up in the first place?"

I know now that I shouldn't have, but again, I was doing what I thought was best for me at the time, and that's all I can do.

Here's the thing. For lots of people, the choice to go vegan is an ethical or environmental one. They see the travesties that occur in the industry, even among "ethical" and "organic" and "free range" companies, and they can't support that. I am on board with that.

For others, the choice to eliminate animal products and by-products from their diets comes from a place of improving health, and knowing that cutting meat and dairy and other processed foods is better for health. And I am on board with that, too.

For me, it's a combination of ethical/environmental and health reasons, but the health reasons are slightly different. I have found that my body does not handle animal products well. I would equate it to a similar reaction that people get when they are lactose intolerant.** It's not an allergy, but my body doesn't react well, and lets me know that it prefers it when I don't eat those kinds of things.

So I'm transitioning away from them and back to a vegan lifestyle.

Since I've done this before, the transition is easier this time around. I don't find myself craving non-vegan foods the way I did previously. And because I'm trying to focus on how those foods make me feel when I do eat them, it's been easier to avoid them.

One of my goals for 2015 is to make sure that the decisions I make are best for my family and for myself. And that's why I will be proudly vegan beginning January 1st.

All I can do is what works for me, and vegan works best for me.






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*I know there are people who say there is no health reason to eat animal products. I am aware of the arguments. Keep reading.

**I was lactose intolerant as a kid. It got better when I was an adult, then came back after my pregnancies.

The No-Soda Challenge

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Despite my efforts at living a healthier, cleaner lifestyle (which includes a plant-based diet and yoga*), I've continued to struggle with ditching soda. And I know I don't drink enough water on a daily basis.

So in yet another effort at getting tips to eliminate soda from my life,** I came across the No Soda Challenge on the Skinny Ms blog.

I've tried lots of different ways to quit soda, and none of them have worked. So I'm trying again with this challenge.

No soda for one month. Starting right now.

There is soda in the house, but Bo has been kind enough to offer to drink it for me so there's no temptation.

I am allowing myself caffeine during this month, which I think will help make the transition away from soda a little easier. At the end of the month, I'll work on scaling back my caffeine intake, as well.

I know it'll be hard, especially over the next few days, but it will be worth it at the end of the month. Wish me luck!






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*Yoga has, sadly, not been much of a priority in the last few weeks with all the packing and moving, but I'm making a renewed effort beginning Monday morning.

**Eventually, I would like to also eliminate almost all caffeine from my life, as well, except for maybe a cup of coffee in the morning.