Living a Plant-Based Life

Since September of 2016, I have chosen to adopt a plant-based diet. Originally, I would have the occasional piece of bacon, wouldn't bat an eye at a soup or sauce using chicken broth, and would pick around the ground beef chunks in my grandma's incredible baked beans. Really this was me trying not to inconvenience or annoy the people preparing a meal for me. I spent so much time and energy avoiding situations where my diet would be a burden to others or defending my choice to not eat meat. It seemed that everyone thought it would just be a phase and that I would crave a big, juicy burger one day just snap out of it. Don't get me wrong, I do miss the taste of a cheeseburger. BUUUUT I do not miss eating meat, and I don't see myself "snapping out of it" anytime soon. Meat always made me feel like I had a rock in my stomach. I was bloated. I didn't sleep well. I never felt well rested. Maintaining a plant-based diet helped with all of that. 

Here I am, four years later, still at it. I  have experienced everything from the heartbreak of finding out the bacon bits cannot be removed from the soup to the joy of a going to my first vegan restaurant and having SO. MANY. CHOICES.  It's not always easy and fun. Yes, eating out can be hard. No, there are not many vegetarian specific cook books out there. Yes, plant-based eating is effortful. When cooking for more than just you, it has got to be a group effort. There are challenges, but all in all, it's not difficult to boost up your veggies and reduce your meat. 

Here are some of the tips I have used to guide this journey!

• utilize the things you already eat and enjoy that don't use meat
• always have something green on your plate 
• perfect your sauces 
• potatoes are your friend
• at least half of my time in the grocery store is spent in the produce section
• amp up your spice game
• you can't expect meat alternatives to taste JUST LIKE the meaty option
• at family dinners or neighborhood barbecues, step up to the plate and cook something
• always have beans on hand
• be creative, try something new, and share it with people

Here's the thing, I am not a nutritionist. I am not a medical professional. I can only speak to my experience. I have a clean bill of health; my doctors say that whatever I'm doing with my diet is keeping me healthy. My lifestyle may be different from yours, and I know that if I were to make a serious changes (start a vigorous exercise regimen, get pregnant, acquire a serious illness or allergy) I would have to approach my diet differently. 

For now, this works for me and I hope you find something here that works for you! 

To all of you that are just dying to know how I get my protein... this ones for you.

Protein rich foods that AREN'T meat:

- avocado

- black beans

- broccoli

- brussel sprouts

- cheese

- cottage cheese

- eggs

- greek yogurt

- nuts

- peanut butter

- quinoa

- spinach

- tofu

- whole grain bread

- wild rice