Eating Mindfully

Mindfulness is being aware.  Most people, in American culture anyway, are completely unaware of what they eat.  And for the most part, its really not their fault.  Even those of us who make an extra effort to eat well don't know, without at least some research, what is truly good for us and what is not.

In yoga, we practice letting go.  Letting go of things that don't serve us.  This is often in the form of thoughts, fear, worry, anxiety, and so forth.  But what about letting go of what we think we know about healthy eating and embracing a new idea.  What about considering, and perhaps accepting, that much of what we think we know, might just be wrong.  As of yesterday, Friday, February 7th, I've let go.  I'm embracing a new idea in the form of a 14 day challenge.  2 weeks.  What this challenge means for me is no gluten, no dairy, and no animal products. The goal is not short term and its not weightloss.  This isn't a fad diet, its a lifestyle. Its well-being now and 50 years from now.

The inspiration to do this came from a number of sources over the last few years, but was propelled forward after a conversation with two beautiful people, Scott and Beth Putnam.  Beth was recently certified in Whole Foods Plant Based nutrition and both she and Scott are advocates for this type of nutritional lifestyle.  Beth's own words most authentically describe why she chose this lifestyle:

"My purpose in living a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) lifestyle is to live to be a healthy 100 years old without pain, illness, or the need for daily medications. I had my first beautiful daughter at age 35 and my second at age 39 and I want to be a positive part of their lives for a long, long, time to come.

My inspiration comes from a strong desire for wellness that stems from witnessing my athletic father’s untimely death from a rare and rapid form of external lung cancer. Additionally, my mother is experiencing mid-stage Alzheimer’s Disease, my mother-in-law suffers from Rheumatoid arthritis, and my father-in-law passed several years ago from an external lung cancer as well. Through my studies, I am now aware that whole food, plant-based nutrition can prevent, treat, and even cure most chronic degenerative diseases including diabetes, heart disease, dementia, inflammation (arthritis), and cancer.

My motivation comes from my husband and daughters whom have embraced this lifestyle with open arms in the name of abundant health, hope and happiness. WFPB nutrition is powered by love for life, wellness, family, community, and our environment."

My own motivation comes from a desire to live, love, and practice a healthy lifestyle and to inspire anyone who is ready to do the same.

For the next 14 days (13, now actually) I'll be posting about my progress, how I'm feeling, and what I've been eating as well as posting any great recipes I try out (just in case you want to give it a try!) So with that said, here's a look at Day 1 in the life of a carnivore turned WFPB...

Day 1

Breakfast: Gluten free oatmeal with blueberries, apples, flaxseed, and agave.  Can't forgo the coffee, but now its with almond milk.
I used to eat eggs almost every morning. I thought with all the protein in eggs I'd be full longer but this meal was far more satisfying!

Lunch: Had a lunch date with a friend at Panera and while my go-to is always their Power Spinach Salad, it has bacon and eggs on it. But not to worry, I was able to get it sans bacon and eggs, paired it with their veggie soup (had to pick around a few gluten-filled pastas) and topped it off with a crunchy apple. Yum.

Dinner: Go figure. On my first day going WFPB, I have 2 out of my 3 main meals scheduled to be out with friends. Thought I was in for it going to Vinny Vanucchi's but they have a gluten-free menu!  I'm impressed.  Devoured some gluten-free penne with steamed veggies (after peeling off a layer of cheese that was begging me to eat it) and enjoyed their house salad.

Snacks throughout the day included raw almonds, grapes, half a green pepper, apple slices, orange ginger tea, carrots with PB2 (Love this stuff!  Its powdered peanuts that you mix with water to make peanut butter without all the fat from the peanut oils), broccoli and hummus.

Felt satisfied and energetic all day :-)

~Namaste.