I haven’t had any meat that came from a chicken, cow, lamb, turkey, goat, or pig for 30+ days. Basically, if it has legs, I haven’t eaten it. And you know what? It hasn’t been that hard to give up! Not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be!
I have had eggs – but only cage-free eggs (with the exception of when I had those veggie bites without realizing they had egg product). I’m still drinking/using milk though and that’s something I’m looking into to see if there’s a brand that treats its cows as humanely as possible.
So far the biggest thing has just been the change in mindset I’ve had to make. I have to order more carefully now and scrutinize labels. I have to make the decision to override my interest in that chicken chow mein and instead reach for the grilled zucchini. I have to remember to take my vitamins and to stop by the store on the way home for more vegetables.
In a nutshell: I have to think more before I eat and about what I’m eating. Which sometimes can be annoying, but the fact is – its better for me all around.
As a result of my new “thinking”, I’ve had to turn down fast food outings, cupcakes at work, burgers at a bbq and a brunch outing. But it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be! And that is the a wonderful free-ing realization. Especially for me, for someone who’s always been a bit of a food-lover and emotional eater. It’s given me freedom to not obsess about food so much in a weird way. It’s like I’ve learned I can say no to my taste buds and go with a healthier choice and I’ll still feel ok.
What’s been the hardest so far was realizing that some of my favorite junk foods have egg product in them and therefore I can’t have them. Specifically, Hostess chocolate donuts and Charleston chews. Sigh. Passing on the Charleston mini-chews my husband was devouring in the car the other night was harder than saying no to a burger. I have such a sweet tooth! ugh!
While becoming a ethic-octo-lacto-vegetarian has been a decision based simply on my ethical beliefs, I’ve been pleased to read and discover the many positive health benefits of vegetarianism. I haven’t had a migraine all month and only one or two headaches.(Which is really good for me!) I’ve lost a few pounds without trying. Not enough to be noticeable but considering I haven’t really exercised in a month (yikes!!) that’s still something. And mostly – I just feel great inside.So I’m going to keep on going and follow my heart!
Side note: this weekend my mom was telling a story about how when I was three I said, "I love McDonald's hangaburgs" (that's what I called them, i have no idea why) and I asked, "What are they from?" And my mom said, "They're cows". And I burst into tears crying and I wouldn't eat anymore. When she was telling this story I was like, "See?! I've felt this way since I was three!" ha ha
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