Going Green
February 11, 2013- Working in the electric industry, it's always on the forefront of energy topics. How can we generate electricity without harming the environment? How can you, as a home-owner, save electricity, which in turn saves you money?
- Electric cars are all the buzz right now, as is walking or bicycling to work if you are able. Transportation without the use of gasoline is another way to "go green."
- Recycling or, better yet, skipping bottled water altogether is a smart move to avoid unnecessary container waste.
These are all great ways to preserve our environment, but what about our bodies? What are we doing to ensure our lives are being lived to their absolute fullest? Beginning this Wednesday, my diet is going green. I am taking control of my bad eating habits by radically changing my diet to include only plant-based foods. I'm not becoming vegan, because there is still some very unhealthy, processed foods out there for vegans. I am instead making drastic cuts in the food I consume. Too much of it is bad, and for me to succeed, it's an all-or-nothing deal.
- Health
- Although my health is just fine at the moment (as far as I know), family history suggests I could be at risk for heart attacks (both of my grandfathers passed away as a result of heart attacks), diabetes and cancer when I get older. I don't want to sit around and wait for that to happen, and at my rate, I'm one Hershey's candy bar away from all of them.
- My problem has always been taste. Fruits and vegetables must taste good (aka covered in chocolate or cheese) for me to like them. Thanks to a friend who regularly makes green smoothies, I now know there IS a way to make them tasty and filling. But, it doesn't have to be 100% smoothies (how boring would that be?). Pasta, salsa, guacamole, fajitas, tacos, sandwiches, soups, salads, wraps...the list is endless. I'm not worried about not eating enough.
- Some aspects of "plant-based" are optional, if I understand correctly. Like oils (vegetable, olive, canola, etc.) and sugar. I will definitely be cutting out sugar, and probably oils, too.
- I'm not in complete denial that by changing my diet, I will somehow avoid every type of cancer and disease, because I may not. I'm just wanting to lessen my body's chance of even thinking about it.
- Something else that is always good for your health: Surrounding yourself with people who will encourage you, not bring you down. This will be a huge adjustment, and I know it will be VERY difficult as some of my favorite foods include cheese, chicken, steak and milk. But I cannot set myself up to fail by hanging around people who will constantly give me a hard time about my choices. It's fine to disagree, but it's a choice I've made for myself, not for anyone else.
- Spiritual
- Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
- One reason I am NOT changing my diet is to live longer. I know my days are numbered; only God knows when and how I will go, and nothing can change that. I get it. I want to live a healthier life while I am on this earth so that maybe I can do a little good in His name. That's all. Plus, I know I can turn to Him when I struggle and He won't let me down. I am excited for not only the health benefits this change will bring, but also the spiritual journey.
- Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. Genesis 9:3. I am aware God provided animals as our food, but I believe He intended for us to enjoy their "natural" meat, not the genetically-altered, chemical-induced meat we eat today. I know a lot of farmers who depend on the meat from their cattle for a living, so that's all I'm going to say.
- Corey & I did a seven-day Daniel Fast a few months ago, which is very similar to a purely plant-based diet. I had more energy and just felt all-around healthier. I have experienced the benefits of eating this way, and I'm excited to make it a permanent part of my life. I see it now as a successful test run, and it gives me hope.
- Statistics
- There's a reason doctors suggest getting more fruits and veggies in your diet.
- There's a reason Asian cultures have longer life spans and lower rates of heart disease and cancer simply by eating more rice, noodles, corn, legumes, fruits and veggies, and less meat, eggs, poultry and dairy products.
- There's a reason osteoporosis rates are soaring--our bodies are getting too much protein and are leeching calcium from our bones.
- All we hear is, "If you don't eat meat, you don't get enough protein." A little research has shown that the opposite is true. We are getting too much protein. I've also learned green leafy vegetables provide just the right amount of protein. Who knew?
- Being a recent graduate from OU, I still have access to their online library database. I studied the pros and cons of eating plant-based foods as opposed to my current diet of meat and dairy. I researched things I was unsure about, like will I get enough omega 3s and B12? The answer is yes. I will get plenty.
- The environmental statistics I have read about meat-producing plants have been the most surprising. It was not my intent to save the environment, but if it comes along with it, great!
- If I can help it (and God willing), I do not want to end up as a statistic. This knowledge is out there, you just have to look for it. You'll be amazed by what the FDA deems "safe" for us to eat.
Eating whatever I want...therein lies the problem.
It really wasn't until I was told about the documentary Forks Over Knives and became curious as to what the hype was about that I looked at what I was feeding my body. Who in their 20's pays attention to the nutrition labels? I sure didn't...until I became familiar with what each ingredient was and its purpose for being in the food. Even then, I kept eating what I wanted knowing good and well what it was doing to my body. I couldn't plead ignorance anymore. One thing I began taking into consideration was how my body would break down and digest the food. All it took was a little curiousity and research to figure out what is good for us, and what is slowly killing us. Can't argue with facts.
As for Corey, he has agreed to eat plant-based for a few meals a week. We do not eat breakfast or lunch together during the week, so many of our week-night dinners will consist of plant-based food only. He eats breakfasts and lunches at his work cafeteria and will stock up on meat and dairy there. The weekends will be a challenge, but we will both survive.
Thank goodness a friend suggested going plant-based when Lent begins. It was just what I needed...someone to share in my journey. She is already a super healthy eater, so I definitely have some catching up to do. But, I know it will be well worth it. Up first? A dessert contest tomorrow at work!
OUR WEEKEND HIKING ADVENTURE
Now for a completely different topic.
Yesterday, Corey & I took advantage of the perfect day and drove down to the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge to do some hiking, which turned into boulder hopping and rock climbing. We had a blast. We hiked a total of 7 miles and are pretty sore from all of the climbing we had to do. We can't wait to go back and hike some of the other trails! Here are some random photos:
2 comments
Way to go, Brianna! You can do it! Be sure to look on Dropbox for lots of great (and easy!) recipes. You'll be amazed. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you!! My Vitamix arrived last night and we've been using it for every meal so far, lol! I love it!
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