1. To become healthier.
2. Sharper mental accuity (I am a full time student & I have felt like I have had a combination of "forgetfulness" aka "Brain fog" and ADD-LOL)
3. Utilize an Anti-inflammation diet due to Fibromyalgia and Arthritis in my body from years of (self) physical abuse from working out.
4. Focus more on Nutrients of organic and whole sources going in my body for utilization!
5. And With all of that will come the weight loss...
6. I also believe in the ethical treatment of animals (A totally different blog for another day)
7. I quiver at the thought of all of the additives, preservatives, fillers, hormones, antibiotics in our mainstream diet!...Hormone disruptors, cancer stimulants.....oh I could go on and on!
I was diagnosed 6 years ago with Fibromyalgia and Arthritis in my hands & wrists. If you are unaware of what Fibromyalgia is --->Fibromyalgia is a common condition characterized by long-term, body-wide pain and tender points in joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues and at times leaves you feeling like you have body aches similar to the flu, random "rundown" and just pooped feeling. Frequent illnesses (Since it is an Auto immune disease like Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus-NOT as severe or life threatening but still painful and exhausting).
In the spring of this last year I contracted Mycoplasma Pneumonia while visting my Dad in the hospital. I returned to be so ill that it took me 4 months to recover from TWO bouts of Pneumonia, Pleurisy, 2 broken ribs from coughing, 23 different prescription medications in 30 days, an inflamed gallbladder and then finally gallbldder removal surgery in August of '09. AND then to top it off, my immune system was completely shot, energy was non existant and I was a train wreck, feeling like crap and eating crap...two steps forward,... three steps back was my cycle...I went no where, but backwards.
In the fall of last year I took a Nutrition class with my daughter while at school-what an enlightening experience! In class we focused on where and how our food sources come from-Bottom line SCAREY as HELL! I am not here to preach that everyone should forgo the Dorito's and munch on organic celerey...but do the research and try to figure out what the ingredients are in your food! We watched a movie "Food Inc" (You can see the trailer here http://www.foodincmovie.com/ ) So engrossing and gross at the same time! Everyone in the United States should watch to see where our food comes from, how it is handled and how our farmers are treated...It's HORRIFYING! General consumer has NO IDEA!!! Let me know if you view it! I would love to know your thoughts...
In the journey I am on, here is what I have given up:
- Meat (all animal)
- Dairy
- Artificial sweeteners
- Processed food
- Fast food
- Gluten laiden products
- The "White's" Sugar, Flour & Salt are gone!
- Mostly 95% organic food...
- Do I miss it or feel like anything is missing in my diet? Absolutely not.
- How do I feel? I actually feel better than I have felt in a long time, granted it has only been one week.
- Mental focus? Headaches? Nope not one headache-Mental focus feels sharper and more acute daily.
- Feelings of "Flares" (thats what we Auto immune patients refer to as feeling like crap)? A little on the achey side, but nothing that is not manageable or tolerable or just NORMAL for us.
- General response & feeling of my body? I was dealing with SEVERE congestion in my sinus's before I started (this was the catalyst for me) I was using Afrin 3-4 times daily, a nettie pot, decongestants along with Benadryl and was waking only to feel as if I was suffocating! With in 3 days of being vegan, all symptoms are GONE!
- Weight loss? Down 3.8 pounds in less than a week!
At anytime if you have any questions, please feel free to ask...
Much love and many blessings,
Leslie
xoxox
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