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20 March 2010

Livin' La Vida Veggie


Ok, so it's been about four months, and I am still living the Raw Food lifestyle.  Well, let's say about 80% of the time.  I do occasionally have an egg, and I can't give up cheese.  Although, I have found a source for raw milk cheese.   A lot of my friends and colleagues are amazed and say, "you're still doing that thing?"  Well, yes. 

Why you might ask:
 - About 2 weeks ago I grabbed the wrong black pants to take with me while I was in Boston.  Most women will understand when I say we have our clothes separated into "what I can wear" and "what I used to wear but may get back into so I can't get rid of it."  These pants were definitely the latter.  I pulled them out of the suitcase planning to wear pants to dinner with friends.  When I saw them I thought, "no way."  Then I pulled them on and buttoned them right up.  Oh, yeah.
 - I sleep better.  I have always been a morning person.  I have always had the ability to sleep about five hours and then be able to wake up and get on with my day.  What I have noticed, though, is that my sleep is deeper.  I wake up rested and seem to function better during the day.
 - I think I'm getting younger.  For some reason I haven't had to color the grays away (there don't seem to be as many) and my skin feels smoother (I think drinking all the water has something to do with that).  My joints don't seem to ache as much as before.  I feel like I can just keep going on the treadmill, and I seem to recover faster during a work-out.
 - Things move better.... I'll just leave it at that.

What I have learned so far:
 - there's no such thing as Fast Food:  it takes a lot of preparation.  My fastest meal is a bowl of muesli with almond milk and sliced bananas.  A fruit smoothie means cutting fresh fruit and blending everything together.  Even a salad takes at least 10 minutes just slicing the mix of herbs and vegetables.  Fifteen if I have to make a vinaigrette.
 - I shop more frequently.  I used to go to the grocery store about once a month and then slowly work my way through the cans and boxes and pre-packaged meals.  Now my meal planning consists of which vegetables I want to combine in my salads, what fruits are available, what fruits do I need to augment my dehydrated supplies, etc.
 - really, you can eat that?  One of the 20% of items I actually cook is quinoa (kween-wah).  Slightly toasted, cooked and then tossed with olive oil, pine nuts, and garlic it's very yummy.  It's also a good source of protein.  Even my DH asks for it from time to time, and he's not "choosey."  We also stand and stare at the exotic foods' section of the grocery store and try to find something new to try.  We've made some good finds.  Like golden beets.  Chopped raw on a salad.  Mmhmm.

Also, if you've noticed I've made it to the 50% done with this year.  Woohoo!  We are so looking forward to moving to the land of plenty... Farmer's Markets, a vegetarian's paradise, and some of the best wines anywhere.


5 comments:

betty said...

maybe I can do this way of living if wine is involved :)

seriously, sounds like it is working for you. We are low carbing here and eating lots of healthy veggies and salads (but I'm still stuck with that need for protein). We are losing weight and "regular" so that's a good thing.

but now this makes me wonder about your way of eating since I do feel so much more achy these days.....

might be something to really look at

and how exciting 50% each day now you are on the other side of the countdown and it will be here before you know it!!!!!!

betty

Jeanie said...

I have to admit that when I have tried the raw food lifestyle I have felt good. The time factor and having to make two seperate meals, as my DH doesn't believe in raw foods, has been my downfall after a while. My DH is a meat and two veg man. I can't change his ways sadly.
As for the clothes issue..oh yes! I understand completely. My wardrobe is full of various sizes which I can't get into. Some I have bought, and still not used, because I liked them and thought that would be the encouragement to diet.
No chance! I still have 'comfort cushions' and 'saddlebags' on my derierre. lol
Keep up the good work Veronica I can live vicariously through your efforts. hahaha
Jeanie xxxx
p.s. Sorry my last entry made you sad. xx

Claudia said...

That's exciting, at that rate you will have a new wardrobe soon....My downfall is work. There is always something lying around.

Working in the OR I can not go to eat when I wish (You know how that is) so if I feel hungry, I will snack on what ever is there to give the old blood sugar a little boost.

When I am at home I plan my eating and feel a lot better.

Lisa said...

Congratulations on getting "those" pants on with room to spare!!!! Well done! You should be so proud of yourself.

NEEDLEWINGS said...

I am having to change my life style too, due to being a diabetic. I even tasted quinoa for the first time last week with a sample from the Whole Foods market. Loved it!

Also love your veggie photo! Too clever!

my word verification is chelersc. Sounds like an exotic veggie. lol