It's a journey - Just some notes and observations on my diet changes

     So I got back from the doctor's the other day.  He was happy with my progress as my weight was down, my blood pressure was down and that affected every thing else that we were worried about, like my blood sugar.    I'm still not exercising the way that he wants me to do...but honestly I have a lot of life changes going on as it is, and I don't need another source of stress in my world right now.  I am also lazy.

    I am however fascinated in the change that I've experienced since trying to eat healthier or a Plant Based diet.   I still eat meat, and most likely always will, but I find myself craving something like a full rich salad more than a steak.   Or something with a meat substitute like paneer or tofu or seitan.  I've not tried anything made with tempeh yet but I'm looking forward to that day.  

    I actually find myself craving something plant based, so much so that I've gone out of my way to buy it.   My energy level seems a little better too.  Such things become habit, in that the more you eat healthy the more you want to eat healthy.

   As someone that is also concerned about the environment, I know that I'm helping in a very small way to keep the earth intact.       

    I'm also slightly surprised at how much food I've eaten in the past, that qualifies as vegetarian/vegan without me even thinking about it, pasta for example.   That makes the change over to a plant based diet that much easier.

    It's just a shame that the stores and restaurants around me don't support a more plant based lifestyle.   

    Which brings up a good question...Am I willing to go vegetarian/vegan on a more active basis?

    First of all, I don't believe in veganism.   My original degrees are in Biology and Education, and frankly people are designed to be omnivores.  Evolution allowed us to eat veggies and nuts, but it also allowed us to eat meat.   Perhaps not as our main source of food, but certainly as a supplement

    Please don't misunderstand me.   Veganism is a perfectly acceptable life style and I've met many vegans that started on the same path that I am currently on.  Each reaching their conclusions in a variety of ways.  Veganism is certainly not new, but it is a "modern lifestyle choice" that does not completely mesh with my world view.

    Vegetarianism on the other hand does make a little more sense to me.  Depending on who you ask, their are  you are still able to eat eggs, honey and other products produced by living animals but not meat.  Not only does this allow for more protein but taste and texture options as well.   

    Science however indicates that humans throughout history have been omnivores.   Meaning we will eat everything and anything.    Fats obtained from bone marrow and other sources may have provided the first humans the ability to develop larger brains.  The evidence supporting an omnivore lifestyle is overwhelming.

    In my own personal philosophy, we have to live close to nature.  We have to understand that we are a species that has developed over 10,000 years and that our brains, deep down, are still linked to our ancestors that ranged the plains of Africa so long ago.  To deny ourselves meat simply isn't natural, but cutting down on it certainly is.   

     So for me, cutting back on meat products just make sense.  Increasing the greens I eat makes sense.  I can still move forward on a plant based diet.   This puts me squarely in the the Flexitarian category.  

     In other words, you are still getting the protein and micro/macro nutrients that meat and diary provide but are cutting down significantly on your meat consumption.  It's a good start to move towards a vegetarian/vegan diet with all it's proven benefits while helping the environment as well.    

    So tell me about your diet, your journey towards a healthier lifestyle.  Particularly if you live in an area where vegan/vegetarian food is hard to come by.   Your comments are always welcome here or on our Facebook page!.