What is Vegan?

This was a question that I had via Facebook! Thanks for your question Anastacia.

I’m not exactly a vegan. I’m an Accidental Vegan by way of being compassionate and I have kids with food sensitivities and one kid who refuses to eat a “dead animal”, so I have her chose different words while showing respect for her choice.

This is my back story. One morning I woke up and the world looked different. My husband was more handsome than ever, my kids were funnier than ever, the grass had shades of green that I had never noticed before! Was I crazy? Menopausal? or did I merely wake up to my calling in life? To really see life for what it is, an amazing journey, while standing in my own truth. Whatever you call it . . . her I am! An Accidental Vegan.

After that morning, I began listening to how my body felt when I ate certain foods. I realized that coffee with half and half was not serving me well! I noticed that when I ate salads with homemade dressings–I felt lighter and more open. It was difficult to not drink coffee. After all, that IS what I do in the morning. I needed to get past the grip of habit.

I have been a bigger woman for longer than I would like . . . for 13 years now. One day, I woke up so happy to finally be pregnant! It was so incredible to know that months and months of trying everything–finally, I was at the perfect season of my life–motherhood! But my first go around with motherhood only lasted 14 weeks. I was . . . devastated. Now, years after we started trying . . . we were starting over.

Good news, bad news: My second pregnancy was successful. I decided at that moment, if I had to lose a baby to get one I would. But I NEVER thought that I would actually lose another baby! My third pregnancy ended at 16 weeks. Food was now my friend, counselor, therapist, ob-gyn, and mom! You see–I found out that I was pregnant for #3 the morning of my mom’s funeral. I lost two babies and my Mom in less than two years–that’s a lot of emotion, heartache, joy, sorrow, self-doubt the list goes on and on.

Why do I mention these tragedies as part of “what is vegan?” I think that our life stories create the person we are going to become. I know that if I did not have those experiences that I would NOT be mindful and intentional. So I urge you to look upon your life with compassion and see if it leads you in a direction . . . invite your own transformation. I’m living a compassionate life, for me that means not eating meat–will it always be like this? I don’t know. I know that I will chose compassion but I don’t know what that will look like on my plate.

Back to the top: What is a Vegan?

Vegan: a person who does not eat animals or use animal products. A vegan diet is different from a vegan lifestyle, that does not use any animal derived products or products that harm animals.

Pescatarian: does not eat meat but does eat fish.

Semi-vegetarian: eats mostly vegetarian diet but will eat meat on occasion.

Lacto-ovo vegetarian: do not eat the flesh of animals but will eat eggs and dairy.

Ovo-vegetarian: do not eat the flesh of animals but do eat eggs.

Raw vegan or a Raw foods diet: consist of unprocessed vegan foods that have not beeen heated above 115 degrees.

If all of that isn’t confusing enough we have the Atkins diet, Paleo Diet, Mediterranean Diet . . .

I eat a mostly an organic plant-based diet because it makes me feel good. This is what I DON’T EAT:

dairy–milk just makes me feel really ill–I’ll spare you the details!
eggs–they just don’t taste good to me any more.
HFCS–high fructose corn syrup–because it is made with genetically modified corn
GMO containing foods. I just don’t want to eat genetically modified food.
meat–I don’t “knowingly” eat the flesh of any animal. I just don’t want to harm any living thing.
food that is harvested by exploiting humans.
food that is harvested by exploiting the earth.

That morning when I woke up and life looked different. I had no idea the direction that I would be moving into. I had no idea what it was like to finally stand in my truth. I had no idea how much I would love my life.

Be Blessed.

To receive a free copy of my Blessed by Breakfast cookbook, please go to http://blessedbybreakfast.com and sign up! I send updates that include; family tested and approved recipes, video tutorials, tips and tricks on how to begin your day with the blessing of food.

Books I suggest: The Omnivore’s Dilemma: The Secrets Behind What You Eat,

Young Readers Edition The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals

Hope’s Edge: The Next Diet for a Small Planet

Some of my friends have also joined the 31 day challenge:

Anastacia Maness http://rocksolidfamily.com/31-days-building-commitment/

Racquel Narciso http://howtomakeitinsanfrancisco.com/…/

Pamela Hodges http://ipaintiwrite.com

I’m linking up to these blogs.

Sugar!

What could possibly be wrong with sugar?

Well, I found out quite a bit.

First, the two most common sources of sugar in the U.S. are beets and sugar cane. Two different plants–same taste.

Cane sugar however is filtered using the bones of cows (and lots of them!) That sort of grossed me out!

Is beet sugar safe for vegans or those wanting a different processing?

Yes. Beet sugar is fine for vegans and it is also generally better for the environment BUT many of the beets grown for sugar are genetically modified (GM).

So what can I use?

Turbinado sugar, organic evaporated can juice, organic dehydrated cane juice and organic can sugar are all bone-char free!

The Best Choice: Florida Crystals, organic sugar of any brand, sugar in the raw.

The Worst Choice: Domino and C&H brands.

I spent several hours researching, watching videos and reading documents on the environmental impact of growing sugar. It was overwhelming.

How can you make a difference? buy organic, use less sugar, and rather than buy processed sugary foods: bake your own cookies, make your own fudge, and think about the when and why you crave sugar. Skip the Snickers, M&M’s, and Smores!

I found this website that was an intense read but extremely informative. This site was the most balanced and informative site–with really cool pictures–I never knew what sugar cane looked like!

I also want to offer the information that is in the book “The China Study”, Dr. Campbell discusses the reversal of cancer causing cells by reducing or eliminating sugar. After I read that I’ve taken a break from sugar. I will admit that I’m feeling better and less “crazed” at 3 in the afternoon.

As I research more and more–I’m finding it easier and easier to eliminate the “stuff” I don’t need. The bonus is that I’m losing weight along the way! I’m feeling a transformation of how my body feels in relation to what I eat–I feel empowered that I have choices.