Day 6 - 4/6/11
Thus far, my energy has been very high. Even though I'm tired, because let's face it - I'm a college student, I haven't been yawning and wishing to be in bed the whole day. This is an amazing feeling I thought I would never have, and I hope it continues. I feel like I accomplish a lot more and I don't enjoy sitting down for long periods of time anymore. Times are a changing people!
As far as food goes, things have been going great. I went on a big vegan shopping trip with my vegan-mentor Jenna and now have a lot of options of things to eat. But, you know those days though, that no matter how much food you have, none of it sounds good? Well that was today. Usually when that happens, I'll pop by jimmy john's or get a $5 pizza. What was I supposed to eat at jimmy john's, a lettuce wrap with sprouts and cucumbers in it? And don't even get my started about the pizza issue! Sheesh. Needless to say, it was a rough evening navigating this problem. I talked to Jenna to get some better ideas of things to eat. As much as I love, I mean LOVE hummus, I can't eat it two times a day for the rest of my life; I need variety. So - I need to get more creative. Unfortunately the duration of my time in college will probably be spent eating the same things everyday, but I think I can handle that because it's not much longer.....we'll see.
Anyways, I'm still very pleased with this journey, I just need to equip myself better to deal with these problems. I also need to get over my chocolate addiction, it's not healthy to eat 3 oreos everyday....sometimes more. :]
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
The Brown Stuff
Day 3 - 4/3/11
My poop has been normal looking! And coming out regularly!! I love this!!!
My poop has been normal looking! And coming out regularly!! I love this!!!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
That Girl
Day 2 - 4/2/11
I don't plan on posting everyday, but I want to talk about the big things. There are two important things that happened today. First of all, I got to call myself a vegan for the first time in public. I was actually quite excited about it! I even turned to one of my friends and did a little "eeeeee!". It was really embarrassing to have to be "that girl" that has to ask about ingredients in EVERYTHING, but it's the nature of this process. As a result of my battery of questions, I got to call myself a vegan and it made it all better; I enjoyed that.
Secondly, I noticed something very interesting as I was running around downtown grand rapids. It was 7pm and I was not nearly wishing I was in my bed as I usually am at this time of day. This is a big deal, ya'll! I was literally running around the streets of grand rapids. Later in the evening I was in a large, open field dancing beneath the stars. I NEVER have energy at nighttime to do these things, yet today I did. I truly believe that even though its been only 48 hours, the lack of dairy and meat intake in those 48 hours has made a difference in my energy level. That made me proud to be giving my body what it needs. Here's to another successful day!
I don't plan on posting everyday, but I want to talk about the big things. There are two important things that happened today. First of all, I got to call myself a vegan for the first time in public. I was actually quite excited about it! I even turned to one of my friends and did a little "eeeeee!". It was really embarrassing to have to be "that girl" that has to ask about ingredients in EVERYTHING, but it's the nature of this process. As a result of my battery of questions, I got to call myself a vegan and it made it all better; I enjoyed that.
Secondly, I noticed something very interesting as I was running around downtown grand rapids. It was 7pm and I was not nearly wishing I was in my bed as I usually am at this time of day. This is a big deal, ya'll! I was literally running around the streets of grand rapids. Later in the evening I was in a large, open field dancing beneath the stars. I NEVER have energy at nighttime to do these things, yet today I did. I truly believe that even though its been only 48 hours, the lack of dairy and meat intake in those 48 hours has made a difference in my energy level. That made me proud to be giving my body what it needs. Here's to another successful day!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Caught in a dairy hangover
About 10 days ago I finally made the decision - I'm going vegan! The reality of it did not hit me until today approached so quickly.
April 1, 2011 - Day 1 as a vegan!
So I gorged myself on hungry howie's pizza and DQ last night, in preparation for this commitment of mine. That was a TERRIBLE idea, although it reminded me of why it is I'm doing this. I pooped so much after that and battled stomach pains all night and through today. I've pooped a lot today. It tastes so good, but dairy is NOT my friend. So today I woke up and really, it was not unlike any other day for me. I have not used regular milk since, well, probably 5 years ago or more. I have been using either soy or currently, almond milk. Tastes much better anyway. So I had Kashi cereal with almond milk, snacked on almonds, red pepper dipped in hummus, a PB&J and dinner brought a homemade stir fry! Broccoli, red pepper [I ate a whole red pepper in half a day!], bamboo shoots and lots of spices over brown rice! Gosh I love stir fry. So this day did not bring about any challenges in having to turn something down. My roommate and I will be watching a movie later but I have some oreos to snack on because, get this, oreos are vegan! Thanks Jenna for that tip :]
I'm not going to sit here and say that I feel so amazing from being a vegan because, well, 1) its been 21 hours and 2) I'm still feeling the effects of last night. It's like a dairy hangover. BUT, I am optimistic. Especially because of what I'm feeling from last night, I know that eventually my overall feeling can only be better. I'm excited to see where this healthier eating [minus the oreos] will take me. I feel like my journey to a natural life is continuing to expand and change, these are changes I welcome and enjoy.
If you have any vegan recipes, hints or thoughts, please share!
If all you have are negative comments, please do NOT share.
Thanks for joining me on my journey. What does yours look like?
April 1, 2011 - Day 1 as a vegan!
So I gorged myself on hungry howie's pizza and DQ last night, in preparation for this commitment of mine. That was a TERRIBLE idea, although it reminded me of why it is I'm doing this. I pooped so much after that and battled stomach pains all night and through today. I've pooped a lot today. It tastes so good, but dairy is NOT my friend. So today I woke up and really, it was not unlike any other day for me. I have not used regular milk since, well, probably 5 years ago or more. I have been using either soy or currently, almond milk. Tastes much better anyway. So I had Kashi cereal with almond milk, snacked on almonds, red pepper dipped in hummus, a PB&J and dinner brought a homemade stir fry! Broccoli, red pepper [I ate a whole red pepper in half a day!], bamboo shoots and lots of spices over brown rice! Gosh I love stir fry. So this day did not bring about any challenges in having to turn something down. My roommate and I will be watching a movie later but I have some oreos to snack on because, get this, oreos are vegan! Thanks Jenna for that tip :]
I'm not going to sit here and say that I feel so amazing from being a vegan because, well, 1) its been 21 hours and 2) I'm still feeling the effects of last night. It's like a dairy hangover. BUT, I am optimistic. Especially because of what I'm feeling from last night, I know that eventually my overall feeling can only be better. I'm excited to see where this healthier eating [minus the oreos] will take me. I feel like my journey to a natural life is continuing to expand and change, these are changes I welcome and enjoy.
If you have any vegan recipes, hints or thoughts, please share!
If all you have are negative comments, please do NOT share.
Thanks for joining me on my journey. What does yours look like?
Saturday, March 19, 2011
To Eat, Or Not To Eat?
I used to be a vegetarian. For about 2 years I ate no meat. My reasoning behind this was completely health related. Whenever I ate meat I dealt with severe indigestion which was just not worth it. During this time, I had to deal with my anemia and I craved beef to give me the iron I was lacking. At first I found iron in other sources, but I eventually got lazy. I'll be honest, living the vegetarian lifestyle is not easy - especially in college. All I wanted to do was give my body what it needed, but making a choice like that comes with certain setbacks. Obviously, it costs more to buy organic and healthy vegetarian options, and being away from my family at a university makes money not as readily available. All of these things combined made me slowly deter from my vegetarian lifestyle. I just realized not too long ago that I'm not a vegetarian anymore, while all along I thought I still was. I ate meat from time to time, but those times have become more frequent and I ignored the indigestion. It finally registered that I'm a meat eater. But I told myself, once I graduate from college it will be easier to cook and be creative with my meals. So although I'm failing now, I really want to be a vegetarian but I know that it will be easier when I have more time. I decided to wait until June. I was smacked in the face with reality when I met Jenna.
Jenna goes to the same college as I do and she is a vegan. Here I am excusing my failure at vegetarianism because of being a college student, and a 20 year-old shows me up by being a vegan. WOW was I challenged. I think too many times in life I make excuses for why I cannot do something, like eating as a healthy vegetarian. Jenna completely inspired me to seek out the real reasons for why I'm avoiding delving in and making such a commitment. I have not instantly become a vegan, but it is something I have always looked forward to for the future, but why does it have to be later?
So I leave you with this question, what are you avoiding doing because it seems "inconceivable"?
Check out www.vegan.org if you want more information on being a vegan.
Jenna goes to the same college as I do and she is a vegan. Here I am excusing my failure at vegetarianism because of being a college student, and a 20 year-old shows me up by being a vegan. WOW was I challenged. I think too many times in life I make excuses for why I cannot do something, like eating as a healthy vegetarian. Jenna completely inspired me to seek out the real reasons for why I'm avoiding delving in and making such a commitment. I have not instantly become a vegan, but it is something I have always looked forward to for the future, but why does it have to be later?
So I leave you with this question, what are you avoiding doing because it seems "inconceivable"?
Check out www.vegan.org if you want more information on being a vegan.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Expanding My Horizons
Hello again. In my blog entry on April 22, 2009 I informed the masses [which at this point probably consist of about zero people] how I had entered a 2-year-long-detour in my path towards Naturopathic Medicine. Nearly 2 years later, I sit here on the horizon of the end of this detour. It's actually quite difficult to believe and take in, but here I am. It's finally time to focus my attention on natural health - an area of my life I have been depriving for quite some time. As a student at a major university trying to fit in to the status-quo, it has been nearly impossible to equally divide my time between classes/natural health/work/friends/sleep/taking care of myself. After much rearranging to fit everything in, natural health fell out the window and has been buried in the snow right next to my car.
Starting in July, when graduation and all my classes are over, the GV chapter of my life closes and the new yet-to-be-named one begins. I'm excited and nervous, not knowing what is to come. Thankfully there are a few landmarks along the way to give me some direction and hope. My first niece is due to be welcomed to the world sometime in late April. In August, my FAVORITE college roommate [Lord knows I've had waaay too many!] Kelsey is getting married, and I have the honor of standing up in her wedding. [thanks for stealing my roommate Kris......] Then in May 2012 I get to stand up in a wedding for the greatest friend I could ever have, Leah. I feel so blessed to have her in my life and am grateful to be apart of such an important day in hers. These and many other events will be landmarks and special things that will help shape my life and continually direct me along the path God has for me.
With all of that said, I am leaving college with an optimistic viewpoint. Beyond moving back in with my parents [sorry guys!], working at my job I've had for 2 years and everything else I just mentioned, I don't have solid plans. I'm still trying to find a school that will be a perfect fit for my needs and desires. Through my research of degree programs and schools, I have narrowed down the fact that I don't want to be a Naturopathic Doctor anymore. All N.D. programs are set-up like med school and therefore cannot be differentiated from an M.D. program by any large means. Not only do I not have the money or patience for med school, I don't have the desire. I want to help and educate people in living and healing naturally; I don't need a doctor title in order to do that. I've found a potential school that looks good and will give me a Holistic Health Practitioner certification. They have a thorough program with internship and job placement opportunities. From this point forward I plan on seeking God, weighing the pros and cons and doing my best to make the right decision.
This journey has had many twists and turns, none of which I was expecting. But since when was anything easy? Through the fog and frustration, God has given me new friends, new experiences and a fresh perspective on the life I've been given. I want this blog to be a way to remember this journey and see how far I've come.
Anything you want to discuss regarding natural health? Post as a comment and we'll get the ball rolling!
Starting in July, when graduation and all my classes are over, the GV chapter of my life closes and the new yet-to-be-named one begins. I'm excited and nervous, not knowing what is to come. Thankfully there are a few landmarks along the way to give me some direction and hope. My first niece is due to be welcomed to the world sometime in late April. In August, my FAVORITE college roommate [Lord knows I've had waaay too many!] Kelsey is getting married, and I have the honor of standing up in her wedding. [thanks for stealing my roommate Kris......] Then in May 2012 I get to stand up in a wedding for the greatest friend I could ever have, Leah. I feel so blessed to have her in my life and am grateful to be apart of such an important day in hers. These and many other events will be landmarks and special things that will help shape my life and continually direct me along the path God has for me.
With all of that said, I am leaving college with an optimistic viewpoint. Beyond moving back in with my parents [sorry guys!], working at my job I've had for 2 years and everything else I just mentioned, I don't have solid plans. I'm still trying to find a school that will be a perfect fit for my needs and desires. Through my research of degree programs and schools, I have narrowed down the fact that I don't want to be a Naturopathic Doctor anymore. All N.D. programs are set-up like med school and therefore cannot be differentiated from an M.D. program by any large means. Not only do I not have the money or patience for med school, I don't have the desire. I want to help and educate people in living and healing naturally; I don't need a doctor title in order to do that. I've found a potential school that looks good and will give me a Holistic Health Practitioner certification. They have a thorough program with internship and job placement opportunities. From this point forward I plan on seeking God, weighing the pros and cons and doing my best to make the right decision.
This journey has had many twists and turns, none of which I was expecting. But since when was anything easy? Through the fog and frustration, God has given me new friends, new experiences and a fresh perspective on the life I've been given. I want this blog to be a way to remember this journey and see how far I've come.
Anything you want to discuss regarding natural health? Post as a comment and we'll get the ball rolling!
Monday, May 4, 2009
"Swine Flu"
I am not nearly an expert of any sort in anything [maybe in the pooping department, but that is still under review], but I felt like giving my thoughts on the swine flu. I was passed along this link on further details regarding it, and I recommend you check it out to get some facts on it. http://theresurgence.com/Catanzaro_Swine_Flu But here is what I think:
This swine flu "epidemic" madness that has been coming about is absolutely ridiculous in my mind. I saw a thing on the news today that in the U.S. only 1 person has died from it and 20 others worldwide. I am in no way diminishing the value of the lives of those that were lost, because I know and believe that all people are important, but c'mon, seriously? They are closing schools because of this thing? I feel like this is an absolute overreaction [and potentially an opportunity for the American government to get a break from all of their mistakes being broadcast throughout the world via the news]. I am just astounded at the fact that so many other viruses, bacteria and the like are killing more people than this strain of the flu. Take for instance any hunger-related diseases that plague the third world countries; 30,000 people die DAILY from those! [you can never get me off my soapbox about the hunger problem, that's for sure!] If you look at the aforementioned website, it shows just one example of how people are going crazy. The symptoms are basically the same, the precautions are the same [except those crazy masks people have taken to wearing] and it is infecting/killing many less people then the "normal" flu. Are people desiring another epidemic? Do we thrive on chaos and disease and want the resurrection of the black death? Okay, that last part was a little harsh and most likely not true I will admit. But people, seriously, stop freaking out. Be careful to avoid it like you would any disease, but stop stressing because when you stress, you invite the diseases right in to wreck havoc on your body. Stay stress free and keep those buggers AWAY!
This swine flu "epidemic" madness that has been coming about is absolutely ridiculous in my mind. I saw a thing on the news today that in the U.S. only 1 person has died from it and 20 others worldwide. I am in no way diminishing the value of the lives of those that were lost, because I know and believe that all people are important, but c'mon, seriously? They are closing schools because of this thing? I feel like this is an absolute overreaction [and potentially an opportunity for the American government to get a break from all of their mistakes being broadcast throughout the world via the news]. I am just astounded at the fact that so many other viruses, bacteria and the like are killing more people than this strain of the flu. Take for instance any hunger-related diseases that plague the third world countries; 30,000 people die DAILY from those! [you can never get me off my soapbox about the hunger problem, that's for sure!] If you look at the aforementioned website, it shows just one example of how people are going crazy. The symptoms are basically the same, the precautions are the same [except those crazy masks people have taken to wearing] and it is infecting/killing many less people then the "normal" flu. Are people desiring another epidemic? Do we thrive on chaos and disease and want the resurrection of the black death? Okay, that last part was a little harsh and most likely not true I will admit. But people, seriously, stop freaking out. Be careful to avoid it like you would any disease, but stop stressing because when you stress, you invite the diseases right in to wreck havoc on your body. Stay stress free and keep those buggers AWAY!
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