In one of my classes we were asked to reflect/remember our "why" and it reminded me that I need to do the same with this plant based journey as well.
I struggled this last weekend with cravings and feeling deprived for the first time since I started. There is no doubt that this happened right at my half way mark for a reason. As you undertake a journey like this you are excited and pumped. You have anticipated and planned and prepared to start and your momentum is high! Then things simmer down and you start to lose your momentum. You are not sharing with others anymore about it, your momentum is dyeing down and you are left with this TASK to complete. Now it seems like a punishment and you start feeling deprived and drained. You start to focus all of your energy on what you are missing out on or the cons of the journey.
I decided that I needed a reminder of why this was so important to me and why I wanted to not only take this journey but also share it! I started listening to YouTube and reading all the things about plant based and the benefits to our bodies, spirits and environment.
Here are a few highlights from my research that I wanted to share:
What is in meat that we need or worse that is harming us:
Here is the ugly truth about the harm of Processed meats and Red meats:
"The World Health Organization has classified processed meats including ham, bacon, salami and frankfurts as a Group 1 carcinogen (known to cause cancer) which means that there’s strong evidence that processed meats cause cancer. Eating processed meat increases your risk of bowel and stomach cancer. Red meat, such as beef, lamb and pork, has been classified as a Group 2A carcinogen which means it probably causes cancer."
The one thing that I found that we get from meat (Kind of...but not really or even always) that is not found in plants is:
B12
Below is a cut and paste answers from a blog I have been enjoying called The Pesky Vegan
"WHAT IS B12? Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient for humans and other animals. Also known as cobalamin, it is involved in the metabolism of every cell of the human body and plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of our blood, bone marrow, and nervous systems. B12 deficiency affects both vegans and non-vegans alike, and is something that we should all be aware of. WHERE DOES B12 COME FROM? B12 is made by microorganisms living in soil and water. Humans and other animals then absorb these microorganisms into their systems through the food they eat and the water they drink. Our ancestors would get their B12 supply in the form of bacteria on root vegetables/tubers pulled from the ground, by drinking water from natural sources, as well as from any meat they happened to consume (since those animals also ingested bacteria from soil and water). B12 IN THE MODERN WORLD The issue with modern B12 deficiency is to do with the modern sanitation methods used to wash our crops and decontaminate our water supplies. The veg we buy tends to get thoroughly scrubbed beforehand, and the water we drink is usually treated with chlorine. While these practices are great for many other reasons – such as stopping the spread of water-borne diseases – it does mean that 'natural' sources of B12 are harder to come by than they were in the past.
"Here’s the thing – most of the animals reared for human consumption are themselves supplemented with B12 (among many other additives).
Ruminant animals such as cows and sheep are capable of producing B12 through their gut bacteria, but only if there are sufficient levels of cobalt present in the soil where they graze. This is not always the case.
So if animals reared for human consumption are themselves supplemented with B12 – as well as all the other additives in their feed – why would it be any more ‘natural’ to consume meat or dairy from those animals than to just supplement it yourself? "
https://thepeskyvegan.com/blog/vitamin-b12/
How is eating plant based effecting my body:
I am not feeding my body any carcinogens from animal meat. I am not taking in any hormones' from animal products. I am upping my in take of Vito chemicals to protect my body, antioxidants and fiber.
I am eating God made FOOD and not Man Made FAKE food that poisons my body (but taste delicious)!
How is eating plant based effecting my inner being (spirit):
I shared in my last update about how I felt preparing a completely plant based meal, that there was just something light, peaceful and beautiful about it. This feeling is becoming stronger and growing into how I feel every day in my body, mind, and spirit!
There is an opposite side of this feeling as well that I wanted to share as it is just as important, to me anyway. There is something about us being an animal and the food on our plates also being an animal that makes my stomach turn. In my research I went down a rabbit hole on how animals being raised to eat are treated. Here come the water works, I am crying again thinking about what I uncovered and the images that are burned in my head.
I am sharing a clip from a ted talk that brought me to tears and spoke to my values and inner being on my social media pages if you dare to listen!
I really resonated with the below Ted Talks:
The Power of Plant-Based Eating | Dr. Joanne Kong | TEDxUniversityOfRichmond
A Plant-based Diet Changed My Life | Pat McAuley | TEDxBabsonCollege
I feel like this section can be summed up by saying eating plants and only plants and not eating other animals or animal products, is soothing to my soul! I feel that I am in alignment with my mind, body and soul. Before researching and starting this journey I really had no idea that I wasn't eating in alignment with my higher self and values. Food was just food and eating different things either made you healthier or unhealthy physically. Even when I started this I was more focused on what plants provide my body than anything else like what fellow animals go through during their journeys to slaughter or what that meat does to our bodies. My eyes, mind and spirit are wide open and I will never be the same!
So now that my motivation is high again and I am on fire about why I started this journey once again, and my expanded awareness, here is my quick check in on my progress:
Half way (18days) measurements:
BMI: 26.95 (Overweight; I should be at 24 or less)
Weight: Down 6 pounds-167 (for my BMI to be in the normal range I should be about 148)
Waist Circumference: Down 1/2 inch-39 inches
My body feels great! I can feel the difference more than see it at this time. The bloat and inflammation in my body has disappeared. I have been told that my face looks thinner and I feel that my clothes are baggy. I am still off of all of my supplements but I believe I will start a B12 supplement tomorrow. It is crazy to me that I have not even had to take an allergy pill since I started, spring is around the corner so we will see if I continue symptom free. I am still enjoying this journey so much, every meal I prepare and share with my family is an adventure in itself! And Every day seems to bring me closer and closer to my inner being!
Please leave your comments and any questions that come up for you!
Again, I thank you for reading this check in blog post and I hope you stay on this journey with me!
Sending blessing and lots of love to you!
Tiffany
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