This is more of a personal musing really on how I'm feeling so far.
Well. I wouldn't say more energy at this point. But lighter - in mood and in body.
My meals satisfy me more and for longer than my meat meals did. I realised last night that I'm not snacking anymore. The only reason I noticed this is because I found a packet of potato chips I bought weeks and weeks ago and ate them - just because they were there. Not because I was hungry. Had I not found them, I wouldn't have snacked at all.
And, having consumed this bag of potato chips, I spent the next hour or so feeling bloated and a little nauseous. Is my body already getting used to not having unhealthy stuff fed to it, and rebelling when I suddenly do it again? This was the point where I sat pondering my lack of snacking and the cause.
And in the last month I've lost 5 kg in weight. I can't see it when I look in the mirror, but I definitely FEEL lighter.
My skin is certainly better, and my hair less greasy. And I've never been more ..... you know...... regular!
One thing I had been worryied about was that a vegetarian diet would make me gassy. That hasn't happened, thank goodness.
Meal preparation isn't too bad. I still have to resort to recipes, but there are a lot out there to choose from. All I had to do to find them was type 'Vegetarian Recipes' into Google. Common sense and a health-focussed job enable me to suss out the nutritionally balanced ones. Most of the preparation is in the chopping, but it doesn't take that long and is quite therapeutic, and weirdly satisfying.
All in all, a pretty good first appraisal of my new lifestyle. I'm in it for the ethics. Sheep, cows, pigs. They all feel distress and pain, just like us. So I can't go back on this commitment.
Just as well I'm enjoying my vegetarian cuisine then really, isn't it!
You are doing a great job with your new eating program. I wish continued good luck. You asked about freezing the rice. My answer is "yes, but". Let it thaw in the refrigerator before warming. It will be drier than in its original state, but it will be edible. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteWow, a lot of great reasons to convert. I tried about 25 years ago, but I found eating out difficult at the time, all a lot of restaurants offered was a salad. Now a lot more choices and with the internet finding recipes even more easy.
ReplyDeleteI am not a huge fan of meat, but not so strict about it that I would call myself a vegetarian. Years ago, when I was a student, I worked at a vegetarian restaurant that used the Moosewood Cookbook as a cooking bible. The experience had a huge impact on me and I still reference the great soups like cauliflower cheese soup, the curries, the salads with tahini dressing and covered in cheese and nuts, when I think about really good food.
ReplyDeleteMary - thank you for getting back to me about my query regarding the rice patties. I am going to enjoy making these.
ReplyDeleteDeborah - I knew there would be benefits, but not exactly what. I, too, tried unsuccessfully about 15 years ago, but that was just a lifestyle/health experiment and it wasn't difficult at all to slip back into eating meat. However, this time it is about animals thanks to a disturbing video I watched, so backsliding is not an option. Therefore I have to make this work.
Jennifer - thank you for visiting my blog. I know of the Moosewood Cookbook. In fact, I had a copy once upon a time when I was vegetarian before. I don't know what happened to it. I suspect I lent it to someone and didn't get it back.
Congratulations on a successful month! I made the leap when I was 17, over 20 years ago now! I also did it due to animal concern and am motivated by how what I put into my body isn't full of another being's suffering and fear. For dairy and eggs -- the most kind and the most local I can find. Meet the chickens and cows if you can! A field trip - literally! Here's to many more months! You're doing great! And thanks for stopping by my blog! : )
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