Friday, April 2, 2010

I Just Needed A Change






I just needed a change!


I have been quietly trying to improve my lifestyle. I have known for a long time that I needed to, but let's face it... I am a procrastinator and just plain lazy at times.

I had a health scare two years ago. At that time I had to make some changes to my diet. I even lost some of the weight that I had gained when I moved to Texas. Texans like  love to eat. It seems that every parking lot, of every restaurant, is full every hour of every day.

Something had to give besides my belt...
or by this time, my elastic waistband!





Then I got inspired.

I happended to find a great blog. Kelly's blog, Much To Do With Nothing is chock full of the prettiest slipcovers projects ever! You will want to visit her if you haven't already.

But there is more to her than meets the eye. She has another blog dedicated to the awareness of the mistreatment of animals. Thanks to her I am now living a better lifestyle... and doing a small part in helping animals to do so also.  Thanks Kelly!





I have been changing my eating habits.

This has been surprisingly easy to do. I look and feel better. (Hubby is doing the same... but of course he has lost more weight. Isn't that always the way it goes?!)

I am now following a mostly an all vegetarian diet. Here is a good website on becoming a vegetarian that you might want to check out.

Sometimes I do have eggs that are from free range chickens. Occasionally a bite or two of chicken, that is also free range and fed organic grains, and a little fish that is caught wild.  I might have these once every few weeks or so.





When I do, I want it to be good.

By that I mean a few things. Of course I want it to taste good, but also be environmentally friendly and not have hormones, antibiotics, PCBs or Mercury.





I found a website that is helpful.

Environmental Defence Fund. It as some good info on lots of different environmental subjects, but today I want to share their article about good and bad fish.

Since fish oil supplements are so good for you,  you might want to check out this list of the best fish oil supplements and the ones that contain PCBs.





We are what we eat.

It's true. What we eat shows up in the way we feel and look. If we eat unhealthy food products, we will be unhealthy. Processed foods may last almost forever... but it doesn't work that way for us! It will not only shorten our life, but reduce the quality. You might want to see the movies Food Inc., and Supersize Me.





It is also true for animals.

Most animals that are produced for human consumption are unhealthy. They are not only raised in an unhealthy (inhumane) manor, but they are given an unhealthy (unnatural) diet, drugs, and chemicals.

There are a small growing number of farmers who are trying to do it a better way. But most are "factory farms" run like big companies who just think about their "bottom line" and not about the treatment of the animals... or even our health. Kudos for the farmers who are trying to do it right.

I don't want to eat sick animals on drugs...
do you?




Are you a concerned adult?

If you want to understand more then take a look at the Farm Sanctuary website. It is not a gory TMI website, but it is sad and disturbing. It lets you learn as much or little as you want. It is you choice on how much you will view. It is not a shock site.



Then... if you can handle more, go to PETA. I won't give you that link. You will have to do it yourself. It is "hard core" and may be a bit radical at times.


I know...

It is easier to just look the other way,
but being unaware of a problem
dosen't make it go away.

Taking action will.


~~~


ALSO...


I have to work on SUGAR.

Sugar and bread (pasta is not so bad) enter you system quickly and raise your sugar levels. I have an addiction to it. After going "cold turkey" I actually lost my desire for it. But... one slip up and the craving are back. Remember that sugar is hiding everywhere!



Sugar is just plain bad for you.

Not only does it make you gain weight, it will contribute to your chances of developing diabetes. Once you get diabetes you really have to change your eating habits! If that doesn't worry you, then  maybe this will... sugar makes you age faster. It will age your body, brain, and your face!  Hello Mother!




Okay, now go have a nice day!


9 comments:

Angela said...

I'm going to check out all these links that you have shared with you. I too ended up having quite a health scare four years ago,,which lead me on the journey of living a healthier life style and being released from 110 lbs, plus counting... My husband is now working on it,,,please say a prayer for him. He has high blood pressure and the dr. wants to put him on medication. I know with changes to the diet plus the excerise,Randy can lower it without being medicated...it's the food part that he struggles with..sigh..more stubborn to change his ways...sigh sigh sigh,,lol...oh my dear husband...

Natasha in Oz said...

Thanks for sharing all of this great information. I too have been thinking about decreasing my sugar intake and you have really inspired me!

Maybe I will start after Easter though!

Blessings and best Easter wishes,
Natasha.

Sonny G said...

Good for you making the changed you feel will improve their quality of life. This is the only body we get and its a good idea to look after it the very best we can.. I've been looking at the Raw Foods "live it" myself.

Happy Easter and thanks for sharing all this valuable information.

Sonny

Anonymous said...

Good for you. So important to take care of our bodies. I remember, as a kid, any fast food was a treat. Then as a teen realizing I could eat it whenever I wanted. Then as an adult hating the taste of fast food. Still do. I "feel" food if that makes any sense. I also crave foods and try to listen to my body.

I'm going to check out Kelly's blog. Timely post as Easter candy sits, waiting for the baskets :)

Marla

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the excellent info! You look beautiful and healthy. Please keep up the good work spreading the word for the animals and our health. Have a blessed Easter....God bless you !! Mel

Tara said...

Great photo! Thanks for sharing all that good info. We need to be concerned and take action. We continually think that one person can't make a difference, but WE can! Proud of you for getting active and for sharing the love!
Hugs,
Tara

Bella's Rose Cottage said...

Hi Again,
I wanted to say I am vegetarian too! I feel wonderful mentaly and physicaly for it! I never had a sweet tooth tilll in my forties... thats my demon to fight! I know I feel horrible after eating candy, but it taunts me:-)
And I love your faux treats! I have been tinkering around with making some... it keeps me from making the real thing!
Bella

Miss Janice said...

I hate myself when I eat 'bad food'! I just noticed on your profile that you are moving to the Palm Springs area. You will love it. I lived there for five years and loved it. Being a Southern girl, I needed to get back closer to home. Love the Palm Desert area...great shopping and restaurants. I went to church at St. Margaret's Episcopal and lunched afterward on El Paseo...wonderful memories of beautiful Sundays in the desert!

nannykim/my recipe blog said...

We changed our diet a while back. We are mostly Vegan with some fish and chicken once in a while. I have been posting my recipes here:
http://nannykimsrecipes.blogspot.com/

There are some old recipes that were on here before switching too. I do have things with sugar and I do have wine. But I try to cut out most fat and oils. Once in a while I have them, but not too often!!

Why don't you start a recipe blog? or at least tell us some veggie dishes you like! Let me know if you do and come check out my recipe blog! I will put the link on my comment so you can just click to it by hitting my name. (I have the spindlecottage blog and nannykim blog too, but this is my recipe blog I am referring to!)



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