My Vegetarian Anniversary

9 years vegetarian today.

The past couple years of this journey have seen its challenges (in my cravings for seafood, in my attempts to be healthy, and in my very unsuccessful attempts to lose weight), but becoming vegetarian has been one of the best decisions of my life. I am passionate about it. I believe it is the right choice for me and this life of mine.

I cut meat from my diet "cold turkey" 9 years ago, but I am now taking a new journey toward a more plant-based diet (less dairy, less alcohol, less caffeine, more veggies, more fruits, more legumes, more water, etc.). This change is not happening over night like it did 9 years ago, and I think it has been in the works for years. Now, I am starting to put more into action and am feeling the positive differences. I hope for long-term changes. It is requiring a change of spirit as well. I know I will be successful because I am practicing being more kind to myself, I expect relapses, I know it won't be perfect, I know it will take a long time, I am challenging destructive thoughts, I am not giving up, I am not making excuses (often), and when I have some money I would like to get professional help as well --- see a nutritionist, a therapist, an athletic trainer, whoever --- to help me on this journey toward greater health and well-being. I love this life, and I feel I will be happier, more energized, more able to give and receive and will be a better daughter, sister, partner, therapist.

Here are some of the baby steps, or "micromovements" as an author once inspired me to call them, that I have taken:

- The first thing I fuel my body with in the morning is water (no lemon, no tea, no coffee).
- I have been posting daily quotes on facebook and my blog (something I love)
- Chris and I have been enjoying fruit smoothies almost every morning for several weeks now. I have swapped out the OJ for water, removed the yogurt, and added spinach and tomatoes to mine.
- Chris and I joined a gym
- We're trying new recipes
- I've added more veggies to my meals and eat more raw food (loving carrots right now!)
- I've reduced the amount of cheese i'm eating
- I eat out a lot less and am avoiding eating at work as often as possible.
- before starting my shift at the restaurant, I sit and write or reflect on how i'm not going to complain and how I am excited to be there and need the money.
- I'm leaving little poems from a little book I have in public places hoping they will make a stranger's day (something I used to do 5 years ago).
- at practicum, I'm not sitting and staring, i'm taking action. Tackling paperwork i'd rather do at home. I'm moving more. Packing healthy lunches.
- i'm tackling the to-do list items that I want to put off
- prepping the coffee pot and setting out work clothes the night before
- snoozing less
- started the 22 Minute Hard Corps workout program by BeachBody
- using the library
- less Netflix, reading more
- making sure to play with the kittens to help them burn calories too :)
- I haven't stopped at the gas station for snacks in weeks
- reducing how often I go out for coffee
- Choosing salads and fruit more often when I do go out to eat
- stopped using coffee creamer
- looking at nutritional labels.
- watching documentaries for inspiration
- doing research. educating myself.

I have still enjoyed ice cream, gone out to eat with Chris, binged, missed a workout, and so forth. The difference is that I expect this, I accept it, and I am continuing to making more and more healthier and happier choices! I feel the changes in my spirit and body already!