Why Vegan?

Over the next three months you'll notice that the meals I make are going to be largely vegan with meat and/or cheese added to The Carnivore's plate.

Going vegan is something I've been interested in for a long time.

I was a vegetarian when The Carnivore and I met.

Initially I stopped eating meat for health reasons when I was in college. I became appalled at the meat industry and the chemicals they use on the animals while doing research for a project.

My doctor at the time didn't support a vegetarian lifestyle. And, without guidance I became a very unhealthy vegetarian. Lots of potatoes and processed food.

Then, I learned I had a pretty severe B12 deficiency.

Once we moved to Memphis the increased stress of my job and its demands on my daily living helped me inch away from the reasons I initially became a vegetarian.

Looking back I made a lot of excuses and compromises that made sense at the time but deep down I didn't feel 100% comfortable with.

I'd say that it was just easier if I ate meat so I didn't have to make two dishes for every meal.

Or, that I needed the B12 from the meat.

Or, that when The Carnivore took over cooking duties while I was working 80 hours a week that it made sense for him to fix whatever he wanted. Don't get me wrong, he's a great cook but vegetables were few and far between.

purchased at Whole Foods

Since we moved in the middle of the school year I'm taking a bit of a break to recuperate from the last two years of insanity. And, after two months I'm finally starting to feel and think like myself again.

I haven't felt this good in a long time. Eating a plant based diet is the right decision for me.

I know I won't eat meat again. But I'm doing a three month vegan trial to see if I can make it work. And make it work healthy.

It's a little too soon to tell but I think I've found a product that addresses my particular B12 issue. Maybe this is working because it is in liquid form. Or maybe my body is healing itself. Either way, I have noticed a marked improvement in my B12 symptoms since I started taking it.

Also, had a check up today. When I left Memphis my blood pressure was consistently sitting at 180/32. SCARY! Especially since heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and a variety of other condidtions run in my family. I felt like I was headed down that road. And my PCP had recommended a low cholesterol diet. Can't wait to get my cholesterol checked again.

As of today, and I think as a result of the change to my diet, my blood pressure is now 170/22. So much better!

Sorry for the long post but I needed to get this out.

And, now since you probably now too much of my business, have a good night!

Or, you know, read my other posts. :)