Meat my lifestyle.

I have now been a vegetarian for 18 years. (Wow, I haven't really thought about how long it really has been). I made the life-changing decision when I was just 10 years old. I know, my poor parents..... but it wasn't that bad for them (at least I don't think). I always remember my mom having 3 pots on the stove when making spaghetti.... noodles, sauce, sauce sans-meat. Easy. I was a veg before it became a health fad and WAY before "Meatless Mondays" were incorporated into households. I didn't starve.

I didn't ever get sick from lack of protein (actually, I rarely even got sick!).

I did not preach or push my lifestyle on anyone.

It changed my life completely!

(did I mention I was 10?)

It has never been a burden on ME, nor have I made it a burden on other people (again, at least I don't think). When I was younger there were not nearly as many substitutes as there are now for the non-meat eaters. I pretty much had GardenBurger as an option. Going to McDonalds with friends and their parents was always so uncomfortable for me. I would order a burger with "everything on it, except the meat". Then that would be the entire conversation for the whole meal. Just until recently, that still seemed to be the topic when I would eat with new people.

Being a vegetarian has really transformed the way I choose to eat. Of course, I have my fall backs, but I regularly choose good, wholesome, food without discretion. I think about what I have ate during the day and become aware of what I am lacking. I feel more in tact with my inner body than I think most people do. I pay attention to what is needed and know when I am missing a key element to my intake of protein, iron, Omega-3's, etc.... Knowing the decision I made at such a young age, gives me confidence that I can make any change if my heart is in it.

(Sugar.... You are going down!)

Here are a couple of books I have enjoyed, and that have inspired me to take Veg to a whole other level.

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  I read (listened to) this really great book called "In Defense of Food" by Micheal Pollan (http://michaelpollan.com/books/in-defense-of-food/) You must check it out. Boring to listen to, but I recovered quite a bit of information that "aw's" me.


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  Skinny Bitch- http://skinnybitch.net/ by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnoiun. A MUST READ! They put you in your place.


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  http://www.healthybitchdaily.com/ Great site to follow for daily info, by Kim... the co-author of Skinny Bitch

{On the "To Read" List} "The Veganist" by Kathy Freston.

http://www.kathyfreston.com/ I watched her on Oprah, but read an amazing and inspiring article in this months issue of Town & Country http://www.townandcountrymag.com/

Aj