‘Ello loves!

So, if you haven’t noticed…I went M.I.A. for a little while.  Not purposely!  Honestly…it was a *it’s not you, it’s me* kind of situations, haha!  I really just got tied up with life.

Quick update on my life since I’ve been gone:

• Went to Atlanta with the hubby.  Visited/hiked Stone Mountain, ate good food, and fell in love with Atlanta Botanical Garden.
• Participated in Wanderlust 108 in Tampa with hubz and my friend Eli.  It…was…AMAZING!
• Survived Hurricane Irma unharmed and no damage to our home.  Win.
• Hubby and I celebrated 5 years together and almost 1 year being married.

Other than that, I’ve just been busy with work, family, events, and myself!  I’ve been trying to focus on myself, primarily my physical and mental health.  Important stuff here.  There is a lifestyle change that hubz and I decided to make that I didn’t mention.  2 months ago, we decided to become vegetarian.  Whoa.

5 years ago, if you would have asked me if I ever thought I would stop eating meat…I would have looked at you like you were crazy.  Rewind to a month ago where I had a huge ‘who am I?’ moment.  While eating leftover tofu scramble and walking my dog, I literally paused in my steps to think about how much has changed in my life.

Time flies when you’re having fun!

5 years ago, I wouldn’t have imagined I’d be married, with a dog, house, a good paying job, eating vegetarian food, doing yoga, and caring more about my health than I have in my whole life.  5 year ago, I was in college, drinking, partying, working a job I hated, didn’t make the best money, and thinking I knew about health…but I didn’t.  Days at the gym don’t fix that.  There came a time where I was tired of being sick and tired.  Now I enjoy cooking, hiking, being in nature, gardening, making my own bath and beauty products, and I’m trying to get back in touch with my creative side.

Let me toot my own horn and say…

I am proud of me!

Not many times we take a moment and say that to ourselves.  We should!  We deserve it!  I’m proud of how much I’ve grown in my 30 years of life.  30 has been great to me and I see things only getting better.

“My life isn’t perfect…but it is perfect, for me.”

With that being said in celebration of World Vegetarian Day, I wanted to share:

5 Reason Why I Became Vegetarian

1. Compassion for animals
   I love animals.  Seeing how farm animals are treated honestly, breaks my heart.  If pets were treated like farm animals, it would be illegal.  People get upset about dogs and cats being eaten but what makes them different from cows, chickens, pigs and fish?  “A vegetarian lifestyle awakens our spirit of compassion and guides us towards a kinder, gentler society in which we exercise a moral choice to protect animals—not exploit them.” – downtoearth.org
2. Lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease
   A couple of months ago, I found out I have high cholesterol, again.  I’ve watched documentaries about the food industry, how our food is made, how processed foods are horrible for your health, etc.  I’ll be honest, What the Health pushed to the edge.  If you haven’t watched it, you should.  Vegetarian diets typically are naturally lower in saturated fat and cholesterol.  Plus, most of the animals we eat get their food and nutrients from plants, why aren’t we doing the same?  Turns out, eating chicken wasn’t as good for my cholesterol as I thought it was.  Some actually lose weight when eating less meat.
3. Global warming 
   It’s a real thing.  There are numerous reports in regards to the amount of greenhouse gases that are produced by livestock.  The carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide gases created by the animals and manure create more greenhouse gases than all of the cars and trucks in the world.  Adopting a vegetarian diet is one of the ways an individual can reduce global warming.
4. It makes sense financially
   A vegetarian diet has not only been good for my health, but also for my pocket.  I spend less on groceries and I’m able to get more organic ingredients.  I’m cooking and eating at home more and that costs way less than going out to eat.  It will also benefit my pocket in the future.  Eating healthier helps reduce my risk of serious health complications and diseases which in turn, saves me from medical costs.  I’d say, that’s worth it.
5. It’s good for me
   I actually have enjoyed going vegetarian.  Some think that a vegetarian diet doesn’t taste good, but it does if you do it right!  I have enjoyed cooking and trying meals that are good for me.  Getting more local and organically sourced products reduce my intake of toxins, antibiotic hormones, and chemicals.  These substances are known to cause health complications and they provide us no benefit.  I’m more conscious of what goes into my body and have noticed improvement with digestion and the way I feel overall!

So, do I miss meat?  Sometimes…mainly sushi.  Enough to go back?  Nah, I don’t think so.  Although most of our meals are vegan, we are still mostly vegetarian.  It’s hard to break up with cheese and occassionally, eggs.  I’m not trying to push you to become vegetarian but I would like to challenge you to try something different when it comes to what you eat.  Maybe try meatless Mondays, incorporate more fruits and/or veggies in your meals.  Or if you’re really feeling bold, make a meal or a day out of the week to not eat meat and see if you feel a difference.

Oh and by the way, the above image is a vegan calzone from a vegan restaurant called Ethos Vegan Kitchen in Winter Park, FL.  It wasn’t the healthiest item on the menu, but it was delicious!  Carnivores and herbivores of all kinds have to go!  See, eating vegan food isn’t all plain and boring. 🙂

Let me know what small (or big) lifestyle change you’re been thinking of making!

Lots of love! xo – Irene