Healthier Already

It's been three weeks since John and I cut most dairy and meat from out diets. We now buy soy milk, or almond milk. We eat cheese. We have eggs occasionally. But for the most part that is it. We avoid all processed foods. We buy a lot of things organic, and we eat whole grain bread and whole grain pasta. Oh and lots of fresh fruits and veggies! The thing that surprises me most is that avoiding meat and dairy is not that hard!

I remember when my brother Mark was vegetarian, so he still ate all sorts of dairy. I use to think he was crazy! I couldn't understand how he could live without eating meat. When I tell people about our diet now, they say things like, "Wow, I wish I had the motivation to do that," or "I couldn't ever go without meat AND dairy!" But I'm telling you, if I can do it, you can to!

Part of the reason it's not so hard is that we haven't cut the stuff completely. We still have meat maybe once a week. And if I feel like going out for ice cream, I'm not going to have any guilt afterwards. Because I feel like a little bit isn't all that bad.

Plus, we've been cooking everything from scratch, and making up our own recipes that are actually quite amazing:

Whole grain pasta with garlic, zucchini, red peppers, spinach, and tomatoes.
Topped with a little parmesan cheese!

Lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, sliced almonds, mushrooms, tomatoes, and carrots.
Topped with feta cheese. Avocado on the side.

I'm not trying to force any of you to try this diet. But I am going to tell you what has happened to us in only three weeks:

• John has lost 10 pounds.
• We feel healthier.
• I'm not as tired.
• I'm getting enough fiber!
• Yesterday I went to the doctor to get blood work done for my thyroid. I also had them do tests to test my overall health. I haven't found out the results but I'm pretty sure that they'll be good.
• Perhaps the most exciting of all: Before I went on the diet, I was taking pills to slow down my heart rate. My resting heart rate has been in the high 90's for the last 4  or 5 years. I took the medicine to try and bring it down. Around the time I started this new diet I stopped taking them. And guess what my heart rate was when I had it checked yesterday!?!? 72 beats per minute! I couldn't believe it! I got so excited, and I made the nurse check again just to be sure. Her second check was 80 beats per minute [probably because I got so excited].

Food is the cure! It makes me angry that the FDA recommends so much more meat and dairy then what is actually necessary. I can get my protein and calcium from other foods that are healthier for me.

Ok. I've ranted long enough. But seriously, try eating less meat and dairy. It will do wonders.