So I was thinking that it might be time to do an update on this whole Part Time Vegetarian thing that I started a little over a year ago. You can read more about Part Time Vegetarianism, and why I chose it here. There are a lot of thoughts here so get comfy. Also keep in mind I’m not a food scientist or a nutritionist so everything written below is just my opinion.
First and foremost making this diet change was one of the best decisions of my food life. I know this change is not huge, but it was the change I needed to help my body function correctly. Man I have never felt better. I used to get terrible migraines weekly, usually Sunday-Monday, yeah they were that regular, and completely debilitating. I was also very prone to bloating; constipation (can’t believe I am admitting this), and vomiting, all things no one really likes. It was stuff that I had been dealing with my whole life; it just felt like it was getting a little worse with each passing year. This year however, other than the occasional hangovers (which aren’t nearly as bad as they used to be) I can’t remember the last time I had a migraine. The other symptoms have pretty much gone away too. Despite all the stress of this year, you know with the house, and wedding I honestly think I’m handling it all way better than I would have when I was still having these symptoms (though Chuck may not agree with that). While I am still a worrier and a stress ball I don’t think it has the adverse affects of completely draining me like it used to.
It’s pretty amazing to me how simply reducing my meat consumption has had such a huge affect on everything else. I think the main reason is because most of the meat I was eating was processed, and we all know what those new reports are saying. It could also of course have to do with treatment chemicals or hormones from factory farming but I tend to think it was more about the processing. We like things like breakfast sausage, Italian sausages, bacon, and deli meat, all of which are highly processed; just cutting those out would have probably had a pretty big effect on my diet alone. Don’t get me wrong I definitely still eat them, but now they are treats instead of daily parts of my meal. I can’t tell you how exciting it is to eat a breakfast sandwich with maple sausage on it now, since I only eat one maaayybe once every couple months. I don’t even miss deli meat, and so often it doesn’t even look appealing to me, but a veggie sandwich with hummus? Oh man we are now best friends. I also notice that since I’m not eating as much meat I’m not buying it as much and so when I do buy it I look for the higher quality stuff, that’s usually produced locally which makes my heart feel better too.
In conjunction with less processed food I have notice that the variety of vegetables that I eat on a regular basis has gone up considerably. Instead of just a typical salad with some cucumbers and tomato I have found that I am tossing roasted red peppers, sweet potatoes, grilled zucchini (which is a new addition to our lives also) and anything else in the fridge into said salad or putting the same veggies in a bowl over rice. When I started making this change I was getting bored with tomato sauce over pasta, grilled cheese and soup. It’s sad to admit that it did take me a couple weeks to start adding variety into my meals, but now it’s just what I do. When I cook dinner I tend to make a number of vegetable sides so that I have variety with my lunches. Also because of this I don’t tend to make as many starchy carbs, such as pasta as much as I used to. It does take a little more time to prepare all the different veggies but it’s totally worth it in my book.
Now it’s gotten to the point where I usually prefer vegetarian versions of things if I can get them. I really think that there is more texture and flavor in most vegetarian dishes than meat laden ones. It makes sense because most vegetarian dishes contain a bigger number of ingredients, all with their own textures and flavors. I also reach for vegan options once in a while, because why not?
I’ve also noticed a number of changes in Chuck’s attitude toward food. While he has always been an adventurous eater, willing to try anything though at heart he has always been my meat and potatoes man. Now he loves zucchini fries, is ok with eggplant Parmesan, no longer laughs at the idea of veggie sandwiches or tries to sneak meat onto my plate. He likes green juice, and will have a salad for lunch sometimes. It’s so exciting for me to see him embracing this lifestyle choice that I made, even if he isn’t really into it himself. And while I don’t think he will ever become a vegetarian or anything he seems pretty impressed with my lack of headaches and pains and is considering a small diet change himself.
I really couldn’t be more thankful about this diet change and the benefits that I’ve seen from it. I know I may have glossed over some of the more personal details but I promise you I can feel the difference.
Do I think everyone should be a vegetarian? Probably not, but I think our world would see huge benefits if everyone just ate one less serving of meat a day and added a few more vegetables instead. #savethepolarbears
Dong
Very energetic blog, I liked that bit. Will there be a part 2?
Mindy B
What’s up?
I found this article very interesting…please read!
Do you remember the blockbuster hit film The Matrix that was released in 1999? You may not know this, but it has deep spiritual implications concerning the times we are living in and Bible prophecy.
It tells a story of how these “agents” are trying to turn us into machines. We are closer then ever before for this to become a reality when they cause us to receive an implantable microchip in our body during a time when physical money will be no more.
You may have seen on NBC news concerning the implantable RFID microchip that some people are getting put in their hand to make purchases, but did you know this microchip matches perfectly with prophecy in the Bible?
“He (the false prophet who deceives many by his miracles) causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name…
You also may have heard of the legendary number “666” that people have been speculating for possibly thousands of years on what it actually means. This article shares something I haven’t seen before, and I don’t think there could be any better explanation for what it means to calculate 666. This is no hoax. Very fascinating stuff!
…Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666″ (Revelation 13:16-18 NKJV).
To see all the details showing why the Bible foretold of all these things, check out this article!
Article: https://biblewoke.com/rfid-mark-of-the-beast-666-revealed
GOD is sending out His end time warning:
“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name'” (Revelation 14:9-11).
In the Islamic religion they have man called the Mahdi who is known as their messiah of whom they are waiting to take the stage. There are many testimonies from people online who believe this man will be Barack Obama who is to be the biblical Antichrist based off dreams they have received. I myself have had strange dreams about him like no other person. So much so that I decided to share this information.
He came on stage claiming to be a Christian with no affiliation to the Muslim faith…
“In our lives, Michelle and I have been strengthened by our Christian faith. But there have been times where my faith has been questioned — by people who don’t know me — or they’ve said that I adhere to a different religion, as if that were somehow a bad thing,” – Barack Obama
…but was later revealed by his own family members that he indeed is a devout Muslim.
So what’s in the name? The meaning of someones name can say a lot about a person. God throughout history has given names to people that have a specific meaning tied to their lives. How about the name Barack Obama? Let us take a look at what may be hiding beneath the surface…
“And He (Jesus) said to them (His disciples), ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven'” (Luke 10:18).
In the Hebrew language we can uncover the meaning behind the name Barack Obama.
Barack, also transliterated as Baraq, in Hebrew is: lightning
baraq – Biblical definition:
From Strongs H1299; lightning; by analogy a gleam; concretely a flashing sword: – bright, glitter (-ing, sword), lightning. (Strongs Hebrew word H1300 baraq baw-rawk’)
Barak ‘O’bamah, The use of bamah is used to refer to the “heights” of Heaven.
bamah – Biblical definition:
From an unused root (meaning to be high); an elevation: – height, high place, wave. (Strongs Hebrew word H1116 bamah baw-maw’)
The day following the election of Barack Obama (11/04/08), the winning pick 3 lotto numbers in Illinois (Obama’s home state) for 11/5/08 were 666.
Obama was a U.S. senator for Illinois, and his zip code was 60606.
Seek Jesus while He may be found…repent, confess and forsake your sins and trust in the savior! Jesus says we must be born again by His Holy Spirit to enter the kingdom of God…God bless!
Archero screen
There is definately a great deal to know about this issue.
I like all the points you have made.