My Diet

Why Vegetarian?

I attempted to explain the reasons why I became a vegetarian, but didn’t feel like I could ever express my love for my cat, Miss Dottie, in words.

So, I did it with pictures.

Below should explain to you why I stopped eating meat.

Miss Dottie

Veal (sorry the picture is a little small)

The lovely Fat Cat Who Created Me, Miss Dottie

My Diet

I never considered myself on a “diet.” I tend to focus more on foods that please my palate. Allowing myself to eat freely, especially when I’m in the mood for indulgences, makes me truly happy. As you will or have seen from my online food journal, my overall food choices are fairly healthy. Also take note, I do “pig out” without guilt, but I soon make up during the following few days through exercise and eating my veggies. I don’t do this to stay slim, but more because I know I should do so for my health. With this mentality of health above all the rest, I’ve managed to lose about 30 pounds, without even trying. I am not saying that I have a miracle diet; rather I like to focus more on being healthy instead of losing weight.

The human body has a miraculous way of adjusting itself to its norm and my body does so accordingly. Everyone is different and with a little tinkering and experimentation, anyone can find a diet that fits him/her best. For me, a restrictive diet does not work. I have learned in the past that if I deny myself of temptation, I crave and want it even more. Fortunately, allowing myself to eat so openly exposes me to an abundance of nutrients, thus a deficiency is unlikely to develop with my vegetarian diet. Not eating out often helps me maintain my eating lifestyle. Cooking at home allows me to control exactly what goes into my food; which is the type of control I need and cherish in its entirety. So, as you can see or have seen there is a balance with what I take in verses what I put out. I hope you continue to enjoy my food blog as much as I do.

Healthy Tidbits

Healthy tidbits to keep in mind:

• Exercise really does give you energy. Any type of activity can be considered exercise. It’s not a term that is fully restricted to going to the gym and running on a treadmill. It can include any activity that involves the use of calories. Whatever type of exercise you may enjoy or works for you, comes down to the simple fact that you’re moving around. When you move around, you’re using up energy (calories). It’s as simple as that.
• Toning up through regular strength training will help you to burn more calories and allow you to eat more.

Activity = burns calories.

Strength training = helps burn more calories.

Activity + Strength Training = Provides Energy.

(This formula applies as long as you are a healthy individual and have adequate energy intake).

My favorite types of activities include: walking, biking, jogging, hiking, and baking (somewhat contradictory).

My favorite types of strength training activities include: Pilates, push-ups, chair-dips, and pull-ups on a pull up bar.

What I constantly remind myself:

• Water and vegetables will help with digestion.
• Stress will slow you down, so take a deep breath, contemplate if the situation is really worth it to get so riled up over, and then make your move. Try to make it a positive one that will help you in the long run.

Special Note: Carbohydrates are good for you. It is your body’s preferred source of energy, so give it more credit.

***Please note that I do not hold the credentials to give out advice. This page is mainly to inform you, as a reader, how I balance myself with exercise

Slowly Getting Healthier

I couldn’t find a good picture of me when I was at my highest weight. May 2005 was the best that I could do.

San Francisco May 2005 (~155 lbs). Playing with Homer.

Lake Tahoe July 2006. (~135-140 lbs). Waiting to go parasailing

Sierra Mountains August 2008 (~123-125). In the middle of a 7 mile hike.