Tuesday, July 5, 2011

No Food with a Face!

Ok, new blog entry. Where to begin? It has been entirely too long since my last post. Since then I have become vegan (well, 80%), signed a contract with my husband to not have a baby for another year (ssshhh! my uterus doesn’t know about this contract) and I have by far lessened the number of BBD’s in a month. Look at me grooooow!


Enough gloating at my life progress…or not. I’ve wanted to write about my new found veganism for a while now. Back in December, I asked Jesse for a book for Christmas. I was only slightly curious about what Alicia Silverstone had to say in her book “The Kind Diet”. Never in a million years would I have thought that the little teenage twit from Clueless would have something to say that would actually change my life. I’m almost embarrassed to say that…almost. Good thing I don’t embarrass easily, (my friends and family can attest to this fact.)

I know what you might be thinking and NO, I didn’t just read one book and take it as the gospel truth and give up meat and dairy forever. I actually let that first book spark an interest in me that led me to another book, then another and before I knew it I had purchased an entire vegan library. I started out cold turkey, absolutely no meat and no dairy. I LOVED the way I felt. I immediately knew I could never go back to eating the way I used to which was a healthier-than-average American diet. I have since come around to an 80% vegan diet…I sometimes splurge on dairy and eat a bite of meat only when pressured by friends to do so. Everything in moderation, right?

I have only changed my diet because I am disgusted by all of the other “nasty” things that come into our bodies through the consumption of meat and dairy such as hormones and toxins, even the organic versions cannot fully escape this evil. I have way more energy! My body is never sluggish, my tummy never hurts and my head is (for the most part) clearer. I know those are strong claims but I’m telling the truth. I LOVE being vegan.

People are always asking me two main questions. The most common question is “Do you get enough protein?” the answer of course is “duh!” Haha Sorry, the answer is “yes”. The typical American diet has WAY MORE protein than the human body actually needs and an overconsumption of protein is responsible for causing plenty of diseases. Meat makes our bodies acidic which we all have learned causes cancer and it’s also known for upping that cholesterol level which we all know causes heart disease. So, no thank you, I don’t need any extra protein swimming around in this body!

The second most commonly asked question is “Is it hard to be vegan?” Honestly, no. I don’t miss dairy at all and I usually don’t miss meat….unless I attend the Texas Steak Cook-off in Hico, TX and am surrounded by the smell of grilling rib eye’s all day. That was a toughie! I’m not ever hungry; I eat the same amount of food as I always have (which is usually more than the husband!) and I haven’t lost any weight in the 7 months of being animal-product free.
Jesse and me at the Steak Cook-off

I don’t think that everybody has to do what I did but I do think the two greatest things you can do for your body is to drink water and eat a veggie! It’s so simple and it can change so much. Just think about it….

2 comments:

  1. Hi Ashley,
    I loved you blog post!! I became a vegetarian four years ago and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made! I haven't been able to stop eating dairy though. I was wondering if you use meat or dairy substitutes or if you just stick to veggies and grains?
    Thanks!!!

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  2. Thanks for reading! I actually don't use meat or dairy substitutes only because I don't really like the taste. If I have a big craving then I just have a little bit of the real thing and usually I'm disappointed by it! Dairy is super addictive so the longer I'm off of it, the easier it gets. Take it from me a former "ice cream EVERY night" girl!

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