Fed Up - The Movie

Adam and I watched this documentary FED UP and wow, it was so terrifying. I have struggled for what seems like years, to become Vegetarian.  With nut allergies, and a host of other excuses really, I've not removed all meat and fish from my diet. Aside from the occasional  serving of Bacon, I have stopped eating Pork and Lamb.

I admit fully that once I get home from a long day and commute, it is easier to go to processed foods.  Also, what I take for lunch seems to be among the worst possible choices.

More than just getting to a body weight within the suggested BMI, or being able to fit into a certain goal size, I am interested in health.  What I want for my family and loved ones is health.

The truth is, nothing worth doing comes easy or without effort so, I best get a move on.

Social Media Break

I did it.  Today, I've decided to take a Social Media break for the rest of August.  I got a Blackberry through work and turned into a person I never thought I would - one who had their nose forever looking down at their phone.

With all this Toronto Mayoral election nonsense, I'd become addicted to Twitter.  My Twitter feed was keeping me updated and engaged on my way to & from work. I have learned more about municipal politics than I ever cared to. Let us just say I am not a Rob Ford supporter, not now, not ever.  To get away from it for the remainder of the month will be a very nice break. No Facebook and no Twitter.

I will of course, continue to watch the news and read newspapers, the way we did in the "olden days".  There is too much going on in the world to be ignorant.

I did get a new release from the library that I'd placed on hold, The Book of Life - Deborah Harkness.  It is the last book in the All Souls Trilogy.  I only have it for 2 weeks so I'll have to get on it.

It'll also be nice to get back focused on taking pictures and giving my blog life. I won't be taking any time off work so I'll need to make the most of the remaining summer weekends.

Poor sweet Crockett has pretty much completely lost his vision.  He doesn't enjoy walking on the sidewalk but is okay once we get into the park.  I can't drop the leash and let him wander as he could hurt himself, or he will just stand there looking around for me when I'm right next to him.  His hearing seems to be not as good either.  He's our sweet old boy who is enjoying cuddles more now than ever.  I think he likes knowing we're close.

Adam and I have felt a lot better lately than either of us have in a while. We're on a "clean house" kick.  I've still got a cupboard to go through and get rid of anything I haven't worn in 12 months. I don't have tons of clothes or shoes, I'm sensible that way. There are a few items that I've been holding onto that I'm going to part with, the "I'll fit into them again someday" items. Of course there are a few classics and favorites I'll never part with. My goal is simplicity. I hate clutter, it shuts me down.

Lastly, I've been eating less and less meat which is good. By the time winter rolls around, I want to have mastered a few meatless recipes because as much as I enjoy a good juicy hamburger now and again, I just don't want to eat meat.

I have to find some good vegetarian recipe sites.  I know why I don't want to eat meat and I don't want sites that continually talk about factory farming or the slaughter of animals. I'll have to become familiar with the cook book section at the library.

Epiphany

Something incredibly peculiar happened to me today as I ate my lunch and I’m happy about it.

I should start by saying that for years, for ethical and health benefits, I have wanted to become vegetarian.  I have tried but have not stuck to it. The fault is mine. I just didn’t have enough knowledge. It’s easy to say, “don’t eat meat”, but I have nut allergies so it adds to my limitations.

The time of year is also a factor as I am a winter comfort food addict.  Spring however, is almost the perfect time to change a diet.  There are so many more fruits and vegetables available at better prices and nothing is better than buying produce at the farmers market that is fresher than fresh.

So, here’s my story.  I was at my desk and I started eating my lunch that included some chicken.  It didn’t have any seasonings or dressing, it was just plain chicken and it tasted just like chicken.  As I chewed, I could hear birds chirping on the roof through the skylight.  Hearing the birds made me picture in my head a chicken walking around in the grass pecking at the ground. Then, I imagined that dear little chicken in my mouth. I felt nauseous.  The idea of eating that chicken didn’t make sense. After that mouthful I was done. I couldn't eat anymore of it.

I can say with 100% certainty that if I had to kill and skin/carve/pluck/fillet what I eat, I would NEVER eat meat or fish. Ever.  The birds chirping just hit a place in me that made it all make sense.

Last time I tried to change my diet, I made the mistake of using PETA as a resource/reference.  Don’t get me wrong, I think what PETA does makes a difference but it is also not for me.  I have a fragile soul. I am emotional and empathetic. I need good, valuable, usable information and resources that can help me become vegetarian. I don’t need to see cruelty. I know it exists and it is awful, beyond awful.

I used to donate monthly to the Toronto Humane Society. They would send me the monthly magazine that had all these awful stories of neglect and abuse.  I asked them to stop sending me the magazine and they wouldn’t. I had to cancel my donation to stop being exposed to that which affected me too much. Don’t even get me started on The Animal Planet!

I will not be the kind of person who pushes onto anyone how or what they should eat. It is such a personal choice and if a person is meant to be vegetarian or vegan, they will get there if they are meant to get there.

www.veg.ca  The Toronto Vegetarian Association seems like a good place for me to start.  Wish me luck.

Meat Eater to Pescetarian to Vegetarian

The transition is taking me longer than I'd anticipated.

Becoming a Vegetarian is something I have wanted & thought about for years.
It is for both health and compassion.

If I had to hunt or farm and kill my food, I couldn't do it.

After reading the book Skinny Bitch, I had a hard time with Milk for awhile, but

have realized that I could never be a full on Vegan. I need to have cheese,

yogurt & eggs, so the ultimate goal is to be a Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian.

I am not a good enough cook to remove all proteins and not do myself harm.

I wouldn't get enough nutrients & would most likely get sick.

I also have issues with Nut allergies and have to find alternatives, so

the short term goal is to work towards being a Pescetarian while I learn as

much as I can about food choices and Vegetarian cooking.